Chapter 9-One More Day
I sat across from dad in the cafetaria. He pulled a painting out of his oversized bag. "This is for you, Ami." I unwrapped the wrapping and I gasped. Instead of his usual landscape paintings, this one was a portrait. It was a painting of the three of them, smiling and happy. Everything we were not….
"I was inspired to paint this last night. This is what I want. I know I don't have any rights to say what I want, but I wish we can be a family again. When your mom forgives me and when you are well enough to be discharged, we can be together again." Papa looked at me with hopeful eyes.
I was speechless. The painting was beautiful and painful at the same time. Unable to tear my eyes away, I continued to stare at it. Until a hand rested on my shoulder, jolting me out of my daze. I turned around and stared up at Mako.
"Found you. The nurse said you would be here. This must be your father." Mako extended her hand, introducing herself to papa. She then sat down next to me. "I hope I am not interrupting. That is one awsome painting. I like your smile."
"So, are you Ami's friend?" Papa asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Yes. Didn't Ami tell you? She was the big hero. She saved me and some other girls. If it wasn't for her bravery, I didn't think any of us would have survived." Mako turned and looked at me with her beautiful eyes. She reached over and put her hand on mine.
"Ah…" Papa nodded, as he noticed Mako's hand on top of mine. "Well, I am going to visit your mom for a while. It should be her lunch time soon, although she doesn't usually eat anyway. Time to repent…haha." Awkwardly, papa left. I said a quick goodbye to him.
Mako noticed the tension right away. She looked at me quizzically. I sighed and said it was a long story. Complicated family stuff. She nodded and dropped the subject. Instead, she dragged me to my feet. "I have gotten permission from your mom and your psychiatrist already. I am taking you out of this place for the day. I know it's only three hours but let's make the most of it."
I followed. Conflicting emotions flood my brain and I tried hard to keep my face neutral. I wished this Mako was my Mako. The thunder soldier. The fearless senshi that was always the first one to head toward danger. I miss her so much. Time was so slow in this dimension.
"Where are we going?" I finally asked as we got into a taxi.
Mako wrapped an arm around me and gave me a squeeze. "It's our first date! So it's a surprise."
Half an hour later, the car pulled to a stop. We arrived at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Mako got the tickets and we followed the long line of people walking into the park. I felt like I entered a wonderland as I stepped foot into the park. The Shinjuku Gyoen national garden was famous for being the green space in the middle of the city. Around the seasons, the park offered peace and tranquility to the busy citizens. It was a refuge within Tokyo.
It was sakura season. The park turned pink, as the cherry blossoms boldly took center stage. Pink petals swirled in the air, adding a hint of romance to the beautiful scenery. Mako grabbed a handful of petals off the floor and threw them in the air. I couldn't help but laugh a little. The 5'6" girl was turning and hurling petals, creating little flower hurricanes.
"Yay. I just wanted to see that beautiful smile of yours. Totally worth it to make myself look like a fool." Mako leaned down, her face inches away from mine. She moved closer and pulled me closer. My heart pounded as I felt her body pressed against mine. I couldn't help but stare at those lips…..
"Ami….I think I am in love with you. Will you give me a chance?"
If only you were the real Mako, I thought. Oh how I would kill to hear those words coming out of her mouth. I gently pulled myself away and stepped back slightly. Mako looked disappointed. "I like you too…but I am in no position to start a relationship now. Mako, you are truly wonderful and you have no idea how beautiful you are. I just can't right now…." I looked down, unable to bear the sadness in Mako's eyes.
"I don't think you are crazy…."
"What?!" I looked up, surprised. How did she know? Is this Mako? My Mako?
"I think the incident was so scary that you went a little crazy before. But what they were saying about you, being a schizophrenic, I didn't really believe it. When I talk to you, I could see such clarity in your eyes. Trust me, I know crazy. As for your alter ego as Sailor Mercury, I think that was just your wish to save everyone. You felt responsible for those dead girls, didn't you?"
My hope sizzled away. She's not my thunder soldier after all. "Mako, I don't know how to explain this. I wish I could. I am so scared….." I finally allowed my floodgates to open, collapsing into her strong arms. Mako would think that I was referring to the incident. But at that moment, I was scared of what I had to do in order to get back into my world. I had figured out that the only way for me to wake from this nightmare would be to cut the connections that kept me here. That meant Mama, Papa and Mako…..
Mako held me until I was too tired to cry. We stayed in that position for a while longer. People came and went in the park. The sun slowly set in the west, casting a glow to the pink trees. I pressed my face against Mako's chest, hearing her steady heartbeats. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
Finally, it was time for us to go back. Reluctantly, we stood up and walked toward the park exit. The car ride back seemed so much shorter. I grabbed Mako's hand and all of a sudden, I was afraid to let her go. I could still hear her heartbeats, how could she not be real? Mako pulled me closer and gave me a gentle kiss on my forehead. Her lips lingered for a bit longer. I turned away before I was tempted to kiss her properly. Would it be betrayal if I kiss this Mako? Would my Mako get jealous?
"We are here." The driver announced. As always, Dr. Tanaka was already waiting by the front entrance. She tapped her watch, indicating I was later than usual. She was about to say something but decided not to. "Thank you, Makoto-san. I will bring her inside. You should head home soon." Dr. Tanaka said.
"Bye, Ami. I will see you tomorrow after school." Mako gave me a quick hug and went back into the cab. I turned and walked back into my prison. Times up. Time to carry out the last phase of my plan. Time to go back into my world.