6 | As She Endured
A month's change soon welcomed the arrival of the early spring. By that time, Tsunami blended in quite smoothly along the others. While she has been prone to the silent treatment as gifted by the children surrounding her, she in return appreciated such thankful ostracization.
To avoid any rise in suspicion, Tsunami didn't bother to overturn any past failures. However, as a person nurtured to not permit a single failure, she decided to fix every incoming exam so that they would ascend to meet the minimum passing score. Such actions brought great delight to her dear kaa-san as her daughter finally was able to accomplish something that she never was able to back in the days. On the contrary, her seat neighbor was unable to meet such luck as his passing rate for each test would vary based on the subject.
Such cost of living as a mediocre student was harder than expected. Regardless of any activities that Tsunami would participate in, many eyes would follow her like cameras. Depending on the situation, a single mistake can make her existence more noticeable than usual. This was most certainly not her goal as she wanted to properly complete her education in peace before she heads into her choice of career.
Yet, despite the troublesome facade that she had to put on, her days became a lot more relaxed than the beginning. The bullies involved with her for a long time lost their motivation to find fault and with Tsunami slyly mingling with the teachers, they couldn't touch a single strand of her hair. The so-called dame, although is no longer truly dame, has from henceforth eased her torn reputation by replacing it with a complacent one.
During these times, a lingering feeling of unrest would constantly tickle Tsunami's heart. It's not that she has never thought back to his words. Sometimes in her moment of dazing out, his ugly whispers would resurface.
You will learn to accept my cravings because I am powerful.
And no matter how much she tried to block out such disgust that would crawl its way to her ears, she couldn't erase it from her memories.
While dazing out, a sudden voice called out. "Tsunami! Take this to the teacher."
Without sparing a single look, Yamamoto Takeshi shoved a small stack of paper to Sawada Tsunami. Although his tone was filled with the usual carefreeness, it was void of sincerity.
About less than a week is finally the long anticipated school festival. Shortly after Tsunami's return to school, Namimori Elementary had just begun preparing for it and class 2-A would be exhibiting a play about a famous folktale, Tanabata. Kenshin sensei was much too lazy to distribute the roles and so a popularity vote was determined for each character for each person. The leads were none other than Yamamoto and a girl with straight purple hair called Kurokawa Hana. Originally, there was a disagreement between the role for Orihime between Kurokawa Hana and Sasagawa Kyoko. However, the girl with light brunette quickly denied the chance to act as the main lead and in exchanged it for a role to take part in the background music. As for Tsunami who was ruled the least popular for her usefulness, finally obtained for the role of waving fabrics. In other words, the stage prop person that works behind the scenes.
When Tsunami recalled telling her mother of her job, not only did her mother applaud with delight, she even vowed to take perfect shots of her beloved daughter's biggest contribution to the play.
In a sense, she wasn't entirely wrong.
Tanabata is a romantic tale involving two deities in heaven that first originated from China. Also known as the Star Festival, the tragic love between Princess Orihime and the cow herder, Hikoboshi moved many to tears. Orihime, who worked hard to weave clothes for heavenly immortals could only seek to make others smile at the sight of such beauty, yet, her own smile was lost long ago in the process. Desiring for a mate to share an intimate bond with, her father the God of Heaven, sent Hikoboshi who lived on the other side of the Milky Way to her. The pair instantly fell in love and decreed themselves to the Heavens as wife and husband. However, the tragedy precisely began when the two fell so deep in love. Orihime stopped weaving clothes by the Milky Way and Hikoboshi allowed the cows to roam in the Heavens. Angered by such a sight, Orihime's father separated the pair as they were the reason for the heavenly disorder. The heavenly river, Milk Way's importance soon became more than its uses. It also became one of the factors for parting the pair of lovers. Orihime pleaded to her royal father daily hoping to move him with her sincerity and devotion. Alas, her wishes came true and her father allowed for the two to meet only on the seventh day of the seventh month on the condition that Orihime resumes her weaving. But the heavens fearing for the disaster to occur again created obstacles for the pair to meet. On the first day they promised to be reunited, the heaven cried tears creating a heavy flood in the Milky Way. The second time they promised to rendezvous, they couldn't cross the Milky Way. Time and time again, seven years passed until the crows who watched them by the side decided to take it upon themselves to bridge the two lands and allowed them to cross.
The star-crossed lovers' tale thus became a symbol of perseverance and dignity.
Rather than the simplistic European fairy tale that most would take in as a light-hearted entertainment, Tanabata was famous for its forever lasting love proving to the many generations regardless of young or old that love is priceless and powerful.
Typically, folktales are a rare display for a school festival but under Kenshin sensei's whim, it was finally decided as the class presentation.
And Tsunami who is in charge of waving the simple fabric of the Milky Way had the longest screentime on the stage than anyone else.
Tsunami simply took the stack of papers and left the room without uttering a complaint. It wasn't until she had closed the door behind her did she finally let out a sigh of relief. She secretly wanted to curse that damn baseball moron for treating her like a gopher. Masking that brilliant tactless smile lies his carefree lists of demands. Particularly every time when there is a need for delivery, the 'Tsunami' that slips out from his lips causes her to shudder at his next few words.
It was particularly because of him that Tsunami became well known with the teachers and even was able to avoid unnecessary trouble with other tiny brats. Whether it was a kind gesture of action or just another way to take revenge on her for their initial meeting, only Yamamoto truly knows the answer.
After handing the task to Kenshin sensei, Tsunami decided to head back to the classroom. On the way, she suddenly felt a rising thirst stuck deeply within her throat. The same feeling that made her secretly desire for the recurrence of that 'particular incident.' The odd feeling that deprived her of half a month's worth of food.
It's back again.
Tsunami bit her inner cheeks until she felt a bit of her sanity still keeping her in check. With her palette tasting the foulness of blood, she endlessly reminded herself of the same incantation.
Endure. Endure. Endure until it is over.
This is her battle of willpower. Her pride and most importantly the fulfillment of her own promise. Regardless of what that shitty Flame of Night may throw at her, she will never give in. No, she must never give in. Just like the time when she endured through the harsh training in the barracks. When the bloodied flesh of hers would be whip daily as though it's not red enough. She swore that the more they treated her like trash, the more she has to hold it in and return as a persistent cockroach. Her hands may not be clean, but she will never dirty it for anyone other than her own ambition and plans.
This is her oath sworn by using her own blood.
Tsunami shook off the burning desire to hunt and forced her senses to obey her will. Just as she was about to move once more, her legs suddenly gave away its former strength as she reclined to the wall with means of support.
Her eyes widened at this and although she persisted for her own body to move, it went against her wish.
"Move…."
Move. Move. Move. Move.
Please move….
The next set of action seemed as though it was preordained. Her legs first kneeled, then she lost the strength in her upper torso. Lastly, her head tumbled to the ground.
She fell with an astonished stifled laugh. She never expected him to go this far. An image of his prideful smirk flashed within her mind.
The last thing she could hear was a faint buzz as her name was called out by the familiar voice that only she knew best.
It's been a while since I updated, for that I apologize. School swept me off my feet and then bunny plots stole my creative brains. I will be attempting to release a batch of chapters next time so that I can finish this arc and move to another arc. The school festival will be important and with the Flames of Night slowly devouring Tsunami's sanity with hunger, something nice will happen soon. More details of Tsunami's past will be revealed in the next arc and it will be important to the further development of the plot. I will try to stay true to the canons that will occur, however, the reason why I chose my mc to go into Tsunami's body at the age of seven is because I am trying to connect her to a rather large event that occurred in the Vongola family. Can anyone guess what event will happen during that time period in the Vongola family?
As for the Tanabata, it is all true except I added several details to make it seem even more touching. Orihime and Hikoboshi didn't wait until seven years to meet up.
I have the points and everything planned but I just didn't know how to form it into words. I wish to present everything with a logical flow yet make it interesting. Well then, until next time!
P.S. I am very thankful to those who newly joined the favorites and follows list as well to those who commented. I have read all the comments and enjoy each and every one of them.
