Hello hello! Did you enjoy the last episode? What did you enjoy about it, and why? Let me know! It's always fun to see what your thoughts are he he ^^
Thank you for your kindness and patience. I'm a Graphic Design student, and it's been crazy this semester already ToT Inspiration for writing was just not there since I was being hammered with design assignments left and right, but now, here I am~
And here is episode 6! It's a bit (meaning still long) shorter, as this was originally planned to be the ending for the last episode, but I thought that was too long and suited being on it's own. Consider it a meaningful and purposeful filler ha ha~
It is so BECAUSE: A mini bomb is here in this episode!
Let's get started, shall we?
P.S. I apologize if you feel that anyone is OOC, as I'm working things from how I imagined would be the most plausible in my perspective ^^"
*Some dialogue is taken from the subtitles of the episodes with some modifications to incorporate the actual story. I don't know who the translators are since it is not noted, but credits to them! I own nothing except for my story and OC's! Credits to those translators and the Utapri Franchise!
Italics=Thoughts/Language/Songs/Memories/
*_*=Actions/Sound Effects
Episode 6: Unofficial Reunions
Ren
"Oh, there you are, Ren! Took me a while to find you this time."
Hearing that familiar, soft voice flowing in the morning breeze, my mouth cracked a smile as I looked up to find my personal attendance officer.
She's here. Again... *chuckles*
It became a routine for us now: me in various places, her finding me, and us having small conversations until she slowly suggested for me to return to class when she thought that the time was right. A persistent and clever girl. I wonder why Sensei suddenly decided to have someone come for me like this. It's a bit bothersome, and no doubt is it bothering her own class time too, but... this has been an interesting change somehow. Having company like her... I actually don't mind it.
"Ah~ My Little Fairy, you're here! Come come, look at the clouds with me."
Patting the spot next to me, Miran laid down on the grassy hills beneath the trees by my side. "Look up there," I told her, gesturing towards the vast blue ocean above us, "And tell me what you see." I had taken a break from being around the ladies, simply wanting some time for myself. They're lovely to be with, but they can be a handful. *sighs*Having some me time is good. I had been feeling tired, and laying on the hill here and imagining what the clouds looked like was pretty relaxing. Focusing on the Mysterious Lady next to me, I allowed my mind to wander.
This girl... She's so calm with anyone. Hm, is that normal? Joining me with no reluctance, but just a smile and musical "Just for a bit~," Miran laid beside me, turning towards the sky. Even though her interesting glasses were constantly blocking her eyes, I could tell she was concentrated on the sky. "Heh heh," how cute... "See anything, Babydoll?"
Facing her, I rested my head onto my hand, just watching her as she was seeing into the clouds. She's like a child, so innocent and curious. You don't see that many people around here with pure wonder in their faces that often anymore. She's... different from the others. This Mysterious Lady... She's fun, and refreshing.
Miran: "Hmm~"
Tilting her head around here and there, My Little Fairy looked ready to answer. Turning back towards me, and slightly shifting her head to gesture to where she was pointing, Miran began her story telling.
"Well, you see this cloud on the left? She is a mother bear whose cub right there, has grown up. Though they love each other very much, the mother bear is no longer by his side. She has always loved him and will always love him, watching her son from afar. The son is off on his own, but he has a soul that attracts others to him with beauteous fire. And yet... he feels that he has been led onto an unwanted path, so he now chooses to go nowhere. He's lost his will... That's what I see."
...What...
"..."
Miran: "... Ren? Are you alright? You're so quiet."
"... What? Oh, I'm fine... Was just thinking how that bear story sounds a little familiar to me (1), you know?"
Miran: "Oh? Is this a memory that you speak of?"
"... Uh, not really."
Yes.
Miran: "Ah... I see! Well, that happens. There are many experiences in this world that seem familiar. And that resemblance is something which echoes from within our own experiences."
"Hm, that makes sense. You're a wise lady, Babydoll."
Miran: "You think so? Why thank you!"
This girl... She always seems to be able to see through me. Just what goes on in her head, I wonder.
Gazing at her happy yet shy face, I smiled, and sighed nostalgically, thinking about the past. Looking at My Little Fairy's face, memories were coming back. That beauty mark above her lips, the flowing, silkiness in her voice, her presence... She reminds me so much of Her...
Watching her laugh, I remembered how quickly she established me as her friend. It was only the second time she came to search for me when our friendship was declared, and it was on that day that that small, soft hand reached out to me...
We're friends, aren't we? Friends don't leave each other behind in bad circumstances.
Sensei and I care about you, which is why he asks me to come for you, and why I come willingly with an open hand.
So please, come back with me Ren. Let's go back to class together, ok?
It'll be fun if you let yourself experience the moment that is waiting for your acceptance, trust me!
So come on! Let's learn and grow together!
And before I knew it, this Mysterious Lady became a distinct figure in my everyday life, yet I somehow automatically went along with it without having even one thought. As odd as it sounds, we just happened. Sure, she was in a sense, eccentric, but that never really occurred to me. It didn't really matter to me. I actually like that about her. This lady, she just magically popped into my life as if she was supposed to be there the whole time, and I accepted that, no questions asked. She was a small, yet powerful rainbow in the monotonous crowd. This Mysterious Lady was a persistent ray of sunshine that always lit a way to find me, but honestly, I didn't mind this daily game we played together. It was enjoyable, and somewhat, calming. And just like that, I became used to her, and she became used to me. If I have to be honest, we quickly warmed up to each other... I don't even know how to explain it. Funny how things can turn out, heh.
She had always been like this from the moment we met that day. Good-intentioned, caring, naive, eccentric, warm, and all-knowing. Her little hand that reached out to me like a light peering into the darkness, effortlessly and endlessly serving as a guide and strong hope for anyone who needed it. And with that hand, I would want to take it. That hand that seemed familiar, as though we've met long ago.
... Is this what it feels like to click with someone easily? As though we haven't seen each other in a while, and yet, when we are together, it seems as though nothing has changed? Like... we've known each other the whole time without having never met until now? This is all new to me, having a lady who from the very beginning saw me as a friend. And now, I see her the same way. A friend.
That word, this feeling... It's nice, but...
My Little Fairy... Her personality, her presence, her voice, how she talks, her mouth... She's a déjà vu.
Even the beginnings of their names are similar.
She reminds me of Her, of-
"Ren...?"
"... What? Oh sorry Babydoll, I got lost in thought about something."
Sitting up, I patted myself down, recomposing myself back to the usual me. Smirking at my loss of focus, I looked back to the Lady beside me, only to find her close to my face.
Woah she's close.
"... Babydoll? What are you doing?"
"Stay still please," Miran murmured, reaching her hand out towards me. "Hold on, almost got it!"
What is she doing?
Keeping still, I looked at My Little Fairy's leaning face that was inches from mine. This kid, she's not nervous about being this close to me, how unusual (2). But, hm...? She's hiding a rather attractive face from what I can tell though. If only I can see her clearly. Trying to imagine what her whole face looked like, I failed. Her glasses were too tinted to see anything, but I could feel her eyes piercing through the lenses.
What do they look like...?
"There!" Sitting back, the Little Fairy looked accomplished as she had a couple of leaves in her hand. Showing them to me, she said, "These were stuck in your hair. Wouldn't want to look too unkempt now, would you?"
Ah... So that's what she was doing.
Laughing in amusement, I thanked the Little Fairy for fixing me back up. Grooming myself, I stood and helped her up. "Thanks, that was quite considerate of you Miran."
Smiling and shaking her head, My Little Fairy waved off the thanks. "It's alright Ren, was just being a friend helping a friend, that's all!" Making her way past me to the hill towards the academy, Miran turned back one more time, wearing that same knowing smile that constantly made me curious. "And oh, I forgot to tell you the ending to the bear story! Would you like to know what happens to the bear?"
... Oh? This all of a sudden?
Going along with her her storytelling, I smiled in amusement. "Tell me, what does happen to the bear?"
"Well, despite thinking that he has been unwillingly led to an unwanted path, the bear can not see what he does not truly know. In fact, this path he is on may very will be his destined journey, the best path paved out for him through the guidance of those close by in distance, or heart. In time however, the bear will begin to see the truth, and he will be able to boldy walk the path for a different reason than what he had originally believed was pushed upon him. That is the end."
...
... Where is she going with this...?
... I...
Not knowing what to say, the only words that came out of my mouth were, "... You are a creative storyteller, Babydoll. I hope that bear realizes the truth very soon then, ha ha!"
Giggling at my response, Miran agreed. "I hope so too Ren."
The way she's talking about this... Little Fairy, you make it sound like you're talking to me...
What are you thinking about?
With the sun shining behind her like a gigantic, glowing halo, I was in awe by her presence. Her caramel hair shining like rich brass under the sun, all the Little Fairy did was smile joyfully, her laughter ringing like gentle, melodic chimes in the wind, and yet, I could feel that she was a force to be reckoned with.
There's something about this Mysterious Lady. It almost feels... godly (3).
...
I want to know more about who you are, Vaishnava Miran. I'm curious.
Miran: "And now that story time has finished, it is time for our return to class, Ren. Come on, come on!"
"Ah... I knew that was coming."
Morning: School Hallway
"I still have 10 minutes, good!"
After sending a somewhat reluctant Ren back to class, I briskly walked down the school hallways leading towards the music rooms. I was making my way to Uncle Shining, and this was one of the shortcuts I often took to get to his office whenever we for official meetings, which was about twice a month. Our meetings were to check on my progress as a student, and to spend quality uncle-niece time together. Usually, we would meet after class at the end of the school week, eating with one another to catch up on one-on-one time. But, today was different, as Uncle Shining was in the mood for "uncle-niece breakfast time," so as to make me miss my morning lessons. Uncle is so spontaneous, but that's why he's so agreeable and still successful to this day.
Looking up towards the moving ceilings, I sighed.
"But, this morning was fun though~"
Thinking back to the pleasant memories that happened not too long ago, I smiled at the thought of Ren. I can tell that Senpai is actually a very kind-hearted and caring person, but he seems to have difficulties opening up, though it makes sense since we aren't that close. Still, I'm seeing a new side of him that shines a bit every now and then... It's nice when I can talk to him easily like this. The more I spend time with him, the more I truly feel like I know him, or more like I have known him, but where have we-
"Haruka-chan?"
What is she doing here during class time?
Watching my friend close the door behind her, I gently took steps towards the music room Haruka-chan entered. Most of the rooms here were used for practice, and the usual instrument provided in the rooms were pianos. Haruka-chan... is she still concerned about playing the piano in front of her class? Leaning close to the door, I tried to listen and hear if that was what she was doing. But... I heard nothing.
Oh no... Should I go inside and check on her? No, I can't do that. This is not my place and time to do so (4). I am only here to guide when it's truly needed... I can't be consistently there all the time to help. Haruka-chan doesn't need me... She needs someone else. I feel there is someone better suited in this situation than I to come to her aid. Haruka-chan will not fail, she is meant for greater things. I can see it. I can feel it. This is the flow of Destiny. No need to interrupt it unless that is what is meant to happen!
Reassured of the resolution to come, I knew that I could leave Haruka-chan in good and kind hands. And as I was about to continue towards my destination, I wasn't expecting for said hands to arrive so soon.
?: "You there, what are you doing out of class?"
Masato
The girl who made the class go in shock not too long ago... What was her name again?
Standing beside the door she was just at, I honed in on the familiar girl who looked surprised by my presence.
Girl: "Hirijikawa-senpai!"
Hm, she knows my name... "I said, what are you doing outside of class?"
Girl: "Oh, well you see, I was actually on my way to see the principal for a meeting, but I stopped for a moment because my friend went in here," *gesturing towards music room door* "and I was wondering what she was doing."
"... Is that so. I see."
Girl: "And you, Senpai?"
"... And I what?"
Girl: "Well, what are you doing out of class?"
"..."
She's forward, that one, but it's true. I'm not in class either.
Girl: "... You're here for Haruka-chan, aren't you?"
Looking back towards her, my ears piqued at the name, only find the girl to stand smiling right up at me. "Ah-"
She's close...
Taken aback by the sudden close of our distance, I stared back at the girl in scrutiny. A small face with clear skin, a soft grin, and eyes hidden by an uncommon style of tinted glasses, this strange girl reached just above the height of my shoulder. Her face and behavior, she isn't Japanese. She must be a foreigner.
"What about her?"
Pleased by my response, the girl took a step back with her head slightly tilted in knowing.
Girl: "You're from Class A like Haruka-chan, aren't you? I remember your face."
"And I yours."
Girl: "I see~ Then you must know that I care for her like you do too."
"I don't care for-"
Girl: "Yet you followed her all the way here, didn't you? There's no way you came to use the restroom this far, ha ha!"
"..."
Frowning at her words, I couldn't say anything. I did follow her, that was true. I had nothing to refute.
Girl: "You know well then that Haruka-chan is struggling with playing the piano before your class, yes? She's developed a bit of a fear to play, but she really is a talented pianist despite not having the proper foundations completely down. If she doesn't get over the fear, this may be the end of her time and dreams here. But... you can help Haruka-chan, Hirijikawa-senpai."
... Where is this coming from?
"What are you getting at?"
Shrugging, the girl merely laughed at my skepticism, but she still remained calm in her own, odd way.
Girl: "I feel that you are the best person to go see and speak with her inside. You can help her get over her fear, Hirijikawa-senpai."
"... And? Why should I?"
Girl: "Because Haruka-chan is a good person, and because I think you care for her in your own way. You can relate to her. That's why you're here, no?"
"... You..."
The way she speaks... Who is she? It's like she knows more than she is saying. "You can relate to her," she says. What does this girl know...?
Re-examining the person before me, I pondered if we did meet before, but I knew that I had never seen her prior to my attendance to the academy.
She is really similar to that person... But they aren't the same person. They don't look the same... But they act the same. Her enigmatic air, her riddle-like speech, that unworldy look... She is just like...
"Fairy Princess..."
Miran
Hirijikawa-senpai: "Fairy Princess..."
... What did he just call me?
Quickly flicking my head back towards him, I was slightly shocked to hear that name from his mouth. I haven't heard that name in ages...
Catching himself as though he wasn't supposed to have said that aloud, Hirijikawa-senpai quickly apologized. "Ah- Please excuse me, I was thinking out loud... You reminded me of someone, so I... I'm sorry."
*Reassuringly shakes head* "It's alright, Senpai. Things like that happen! That person must be interesting, he he."
Reassured that I wasn't going to dwell on the subject, Hirijikawa-senpai seemed to relax. Hirijikawa-senpai doesn't seem the kind of person to ease down in public so quickly. Is it because of his memories of this "Fairy Princess" and my resemblance to her?
Hirijikawa-senpai: "So tell me, what is your name?"
"I am Miran. Miran Vaishnava. It's a pleasure to properly meet you, Senpai!"
Happily bowing as a sign of respect, I looked back up to see that Hirijikawa-senpai's expression softened.
"... Senpai?"
As if caught in an old memory, Hirijikawa-senpai snapped out of his daze. "It's nothing, Vaishnava-san. Just remembered something, that's all."
"Ah~ I see."
Gesturing for me to go, Senpai hurried me to leave. "Wait, Senpai. What are you doing?"
"You need to meet the principal, don't you? Don't waste anymore time, otherwise you'll be late. It's alright, so just go."
Manually turning me back towards the way I was going, Senpai gave me a soft pat on my shoulder as permission to depart.
This has been a sudden change in events... I wasn't expecting this.
"Senpai, but what about-"
Interrupting me, Senpai understood what I was going to ask. "I'll go check on your friend and see what I can do, now go. Don't get in trouble and go straight to the principal, do you understand?"
"Ah... Alright! Thank you!"
Narrator
Giving Miran a small push off into the right direction, Masato watched her walk down the long hallway, her last words being:
"Please call me Miran. We're friends now, Senpai!"
Reminiscing the new personality that shone strong light on him like the sun, Masaot's eyes were misty with remembrance.
"... What a coincidence to meet someone who is just like Her..."
As he faced the door that roomed the missing classmate, Masato was ready to turn the door, but for one last look, he turned to check on his new "friend" whose foot steps seemed to stop suddenly. She was gone.
"... What... She didn't even pass the hallway halfway yet... Where did she go (6)?"
Miran
*click*
"AH HA HA HA HAAAAA~ Just on time, there's my niece! Come, sit down, and eat before the food gets cold!"
"Good morning Uncle Shining!"
Opening the door to his office, Uncle Shining sat before me with a smorgasbord of breakfast that practically took over the room. And as if the food was sparkling and calling my name, I excitedly joined Uncle and sat, admiring the glory of morning edibles surrounding us.
"This is amazing Uncle! Though I was worried about missing my morning lessons, I'm not anymore!"
Uncle Shining: "Ha ha ha ha ha~ You'll be fine as today's schedule is a review, so you're not missing anything! I made sure of it to make this breakfast possible!"
Proud of himself, Uncle Shining continued to laugh before looking at me once again. And suddenly, an amused "OOOOOH~" echoed throughout the room.
Confused, I looked around to see nothing amidst. "... What is it Uncle?"
Uncle Shining: "You've been looking very blissful since you walked in through the door, and I know it's not because of the breakfast. Your 'Happy for Food' face is different than how you're looking right now." Leaning in with piqued interest, Uncle searched for an answer on my face.
"Tell me Miran, did anything special happen before you arrived here? Hmmmm~?"
Pausing at his question, I thought back to the reason for my blissfulness, all the while holding a forkful of pancakes.
What's making me smile so?
A party... I was 6 years old and went there with father...
And there were 2 boys... with faces that I know.
A vibrant strawberry-blonde that boasted confidence and a smirk, and a boy with dark blue hair and a beauty mark under his right eye... The Crying Mole (7)...
"You can call me RenRen, Fairy Princess!"
"And you can call me MasaMasa!"
2 sons of important, influential families...
2 boys who invited me to their world away from the "boredom" of adults...
It was all coming back to me.
Caught in a daze, Uncle Shining brought me back to the present.
"So~? What happened? It must've been something memorable for you to be in deep thought like that."
Laughing at the nostalgic flashback, I pleasantly sighed at the gift Memory brought back to me as I stared into my now cold pancakes.
"... I just met some old friends (8)."
Side Info/Teasers:
1) This story reflects Ren's life and a very special person to him that is no longer here. Do you remember who that person is?
2) If you haven't realized, our heroine has the tendency to be extremely platonic. Though she's aware of others, she's highly unaware of her own surroundings, generally loving everyone and seeing the potential and good in them equally that it's almost painful and frustrating ha ha! ^^" She's very airy~
3) I'm just gonna leave that hint next to that word and let you ponder about our heroine's identity some more~
4) Why would Miran even consider something like that not within her place and time? What does she have to do with all of this? And no, this isn't because Haruka's her friend... DUN DUN DUN.
5) Apeiro's Light is the name of a special person that hails from the birthplace of song. It seems that Miran is hiding something... Why?
6) Like uncle like niece, Miran is knowledgable and talented in the use of secret doorways and making surprise and mysterious entrances and exits~
7) Oh Miran the mole expert~ Even during their childhood, she identified Masato with the Crying Mole xD
8) And there you have it, the MINI BOMB! Miran, Ren and Masato do know each other! They have shared some history together at a young age, but they drifted apart as time passed, due to the recognition of their positions in their families, and due to living countries apart. Miran met the 2 sons of scions at a party, which we would assume to be for the wealthy, famous and important only. So, Miran, or her father at least, must be at least one of those three to be there somehow. Just WHO is Miran? Though they've lost touch with each other, it appears that Masato is still more perceptive than Ren. And yet, he can't recognize the person before him because of her different appearance and name. Why is that? And why didn't Miran say anything about this to him? Something is going on... Will Masato be one of the first to find out the truth?!
Hope you enjoyed this latest episode of Apeiro's Light: The Beginning! Thank you for your kind support and love for our heroine and her story. Till next time~ Goodnight (it's 12:01 am September 28th, 2015 Monday where I'm at ^^)!