Epilogue - Michiru's Story
Goodbye, Haruka. I awake with a gasp.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts. The captain will now commence to land. We will reach Tokyo presently. Thank you for flying with Japan Airlines. Have yourselves a great day" Click.
Nine years have gone by so quickly. Setting foot once more in my hometown brings back a flood of memories. Unforgettable ones, yes, but also regrettable and resentful ones too. No, I want to forget it all. Start anew. I want a normal life again. Mom, if you're up there, please, protect me from him.
I wave for a taxi. "Here is the address." I hand the driver a slip of paper.
Through the window, the life I once knew moved past me like in a movie. The once familiar streets and places whiz past me, as though I am running to catch up to them. Soon, we leave the heart of the city into quieter, cleaner neighbourhoods. I know this street. The driver makes a turn, and before I know it, we are nearing my old house. As we pass it, I turn my head away. I can't bear to look at it. My most painful memories are imprisoned in that gated house.
My father died when I was very young, so my mom had to raise me by herself. We were very protective of each other because we were so alone in the world. Then, one day she brought home a man and told me that he was to be my new father. I was happy beyond anything. Now people won't bully us like they used to after my father died. So I tried very hard to please him, by excelling in school and being as good as I could be at home. He seemed to really like my mom and me; he would regularly buy us both gifts. And for a short time, we were just like a real family. Little did we know what kind of monster lurked behind that fake smile. He turned out to be a drunk, an abusive drunk. My mom and I would be so scared during his rages that we would lock ourselves in my room and hold each other close. Sometimes he would knock down the door. Sometimes it would go on for most of the night. I could never sleep during those long hours and I could hear my mom cry silently to herself. He was alright when he was sober, even fatherly, and that was the only reason why we didn't leave him. My mom wanted me to have a father, to grow up like other kids. But I could never be like other kids. Not anymore. This continued for a couple of years, and even the fear began to erode as I got older and a numbness developed. I never thought that it would get worse. One night, however, after a bit of drinking, he swaggered into my bedroom. The lights were still on in the hallway and I could see his shadow fall across my bed as he crossed the threshold. A foul stench of alcohol and puke reached my nostrils and repulsed me. Then he shut the door behind him.
"We're here," the driver announces. I look out the window to face a tall apartment building. After paying the driver, I take my small luggage and enter through the double glass doors. Once in my room, I decide to take a bath, to wash away all the dirty things.
That was the last straw. Finally, my mom could bear it no longer and decided to take me away. Forever, I had hoped. He had threatened us before about leaving him, but this time, no threat could change her mind. My mom had secretly bought airplane tickets to Canada. And while he was out drinking, we escaped. And for nine years, we lived in Toronto. It was hard for us to adjust, but we managed and although those years were the hardest of our lives, they were also one of the happiest. That all ended when my mom died in a traffic accident years later. I was left all alone, cold and lonely. My only solace lay in that precious memory so many years ago. I lift my hand tenderly to the cheek where I was first kissed. It was then that I decided to move back to Tokyo.
Refreshed, I begin to unpack my things. The setting sun catches my attention and beckons me to the window. I can't help but admire its golden brilliance. Then around the housetops, I notice the alley that once changed my life, the incident that gave me hope. Do you believe in fate? Without thinking, I run out onto the street, run until I reach the spot where my dreams often wandered. Standing in front of its shadows, I recall every detail that occurred that day; the fight, the introduction, the walk, from the beginning to the bittersweet end. Then, sighing to myself, I turn to go. Suddenly, something is pressed against my ankle by a swift gust of wind. Flattening it out, I read: "Concert tonight at the Royal Concert Hall. Last chance to get tickets! Limited seats!!" Why not? I haven't been to a concert in a while. It'll be a nice treat.
After returning home to change, I rush to the ticket booth just in time. "Last call!"
"One, please." The crowd is just being let into the auditorium. I edge my way into the thick crowd, turning around at a slight tug on my dress.
"Oh, sorry about that," an elderly lady apologizes. She had stepped on the hem of my dress.
"No harm done," I assure her with a friendly smile. Then, bending down as much as space will allow, I pick up my hem. I find my seat without much trouble, being near the back. I pick up the programme on my seat and sit down. Beethoven—I wonder if they'll have Moonlight Sonata. It's at the end. Leave the best for the last, I guess. It's my mom's favourite piece, mine too. There's so much beauty and tragedy that every time I hear it, it tears my heart to pieces. The lights begin to dim. Looking up, I watch as a girl's head gently descends onto her date's shoulder. I feel a pang of sadness, secretly wishing that I could be that girl. I wonder where Haruka is. Here? Haha, don't be silly. Then the music breaks the hushed silence and into my soul. I close my eyes, letting the music flow through my being.
On the last sad note of Moonlight Sonata, I open my eyes slowly, feeling light as a feather and so moved, as though washed along the most forgiving of waves. The polite applause is shortly replaced by a standing ovation. As I stand up, a familiar and horrible figure appears before my eyes. Not far from where I was sitting, on the next aisle, is my stepfather, staring right at me. No. I could not budge. The terror freezes me to the spot. As the crowd begin to stir, I force myself to give life back to my limbs. As I try to escape through the aisle, I feel a strong grip on my forearm, pulling me back. No, please. Don't come near me. I'll scream. I'll--No.
"Michi, Michi. I have been looking for you for so long, did you know?" He breathes down my neck.
"Let go of me, please" I plead desperately.
"Let go? Never. I have waited too long for you. Look how you've grown." His eyes are full of lust and menace. "You escaped form me once, but I won't let it happen again."
I struggle to set myself free, but it was useless. His grip is too strong.
"Is there a problem, miss?" asks a big, burly man, staring suspiciously at my stepfather. Yes. I can feel my heart soar.
"Hey pal, it's none of your business," he hisses.
"Yes, please help me! I don't know him. He just came out of nowhere," I exclaim, my voice quivering with fear. After a struggle, the stranger finally wrestles off his grip on me. Thanking him hurriedly, I rush away as quickly as I could, dodging behind small groups of people. Bursting into the open night, I look for a place to hide. Seeing a car parked in front of the entrance, I run to the other side, hiding myself from view. I press my hand to my heart that is pounding in my rib cage like drums.
"MICHI! Michi, where are you?" I hear him shout moments later. Stifling a cry, I sink lower to the ground, my knees giving way.
"Michi! Michi!" The shouts sound farther and farther away. Carefully, I raise my head inches above the side mirror. He is nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh of relief. Then, getting up on my wobbly legs, I turn to walk the opposite way. Suddenly, a blinding white light is charging towards me. Can I see you again? Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeech.
I am nine years old again, back in the alleyway. We are holding hands. This time, I plant a kiss on Haruka's cheek, bronze in the setting sun.
"I have to go now," I say sadly.
"Will you be coming back?" Haruka asks, her eyes filling with tears.
"Do you believe in fate?"
"I do."
"Then we will meet again. One day."
"Promise?"
"I Promise."
"Then goodbye for now, Michiru."
"Goodbye, Haruka. Goodbye."
And with these last words, I turn and walk toward the golden sunset that is filled with so much promise.
Drip, drip, drip. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.
I'm not a child anymore
No, I'm not a child, oh no
Tall enough to reach for the stars
I will do
As I'm told
Even if I never hold you again
I never hold you again