Gaussian Distribution
Chapter 1 – Part 3: Isolation in Numbers
April 2nd, West Amatsu Border, Kei's Residence, 01:48PM
Kei was forty-five years old, a thinly built man who spent his every waking hour writing plays and novels for a living.
He doesn't like people.
Ironically, his works always focus on the importance of building necessary social connections. His current bestselling novel, 'White Dryad', apparently focuses on the said theme. But somehow, he still doesn't like the idea of going outside and having a chat with random humans. He believes this was a complete waste of his precious time.
His only goal in life was to live as peacefully as he can.
Complete ignorance of external stimuli, in his own words.
However, this goal appears to be unattainable. Ever since his debut, Kei was required by his publisher to submit his manuscripts for proofreading every weekend. Instead of lying low and sleeping the rest of the day to savour his newfound success, he had to keep up with the demands and expectations of the people around him. He couldn't blame the masses for loving his works, though.
Ever since his works became popular, Kei regularly received compensation that was more than enough to sustain him. Though he knew that this was the trade-off for the hours he loses everyday, he still yearned for a little breathing space.
It was a typical afternoon on the house's second floor for Kei. He had been very busy sorting out the prologue of his planned sequel for 'White Dryad' on his room-slash-workstation, which was still untitled as of the moment. He took a short pause from his usual editing routine and lazily twisted his wooden chair to face the open window on his right. He stared blankly at the window shutters that he tried to fix during the morning, and immediately gave up the thought of repairing it again.
The playwright yawned for a moment, popped his cotton robe by the collar, and scratched his long, unmanageable hair. The wind passing through the open window only made him look worse. It was a complete chore for him to fix himself. He didn't bother to fix anything in his newly-acquired residence, either… with little exceptions, just like his favorite wind chime.
Kei tapped his bare feet rhythmically, as if following an inaudible tune, until such time his feet made pounding noises upon the polished Oakwood floor. He kept on tapping while staring at the floor, admiring it as a sublime art piece… then his left hand joined the 'orchestra', which travelled back and forth across his workstation made of polished pine as if it was some kind of piano. Up and down, left and right, his fingers traversed the imaginary wooden 'keys' below it.
As Kei's eyes began drooping, he instinctively pressed his back against his chair and slouched. He continued tapping his feet. Before he closed his eyes for a good afternoon's rest, he stared one more time at the open window to at least appreciate the vivid colours of the sky and feel the rough wind passing through it. Kei anticipated the tunes to arrive within his hearing range within a few moments.
However, Kei's drowsiness faded instantly when he realized that he couldn't hear the wind chime at all. It wasn't hanging at the window where it was supposed to be!
The playwright dashed frantically towards the window and stuck his head out. The afternoon sun was brutally killing his eyesight. Damn it. It couldn't have gone anywhere. No one in their right mind would steal a wind chime, either. Where in the world is it? Kei's eyes wandered as he stared at the thin patch of grass that grew outside his home. Nothing. I give up.
Seeing no sign of the wind chime outside the window, Kei stormed out his room and ran as fast as he could down the stairs.
Kei momentarily stopped after catching a glimpse of a familiar figure at the end of the steps. The person was now moving closer towards him, and wearing a smile that he can always recognize anywhere. I wonder if she knows where it is…
He doesn't like people… but he cannot live alone.
Kei walked slowly downward, grasping the metal railing on the right side of the stairs to meet the lady whom he shared the house with. "I know it sounds crazy, Yuu… but I couldn't find my wind chime anywhere." the playwright groaned.
The young lady patted her housemate on the shoulder and then pulled him by the arm. Kei watched her take something out of her kimono and delicately placed it on his palm. He stared intently on the object and scratched his head. When did I even give THIS to her? Yuu simply giggled and tugged him hard by the arm again.
Kei understood that Yuu wanted to say something urgent to him. He leaned towards her in order to hear her message as clearly as possible. What do you mean… visitors? I don't entertain anyone here inside OUR house.
This was a rare event for the playwright. Before completely going down the stairs to meet the visitors he suddenly had, Kei took a little moment to groom himself. Just this once.
"And now, you actually look like a man!" Kei's housemate remarked. He didn't ask for Yuu's help at all, but he couldn't ignore her request anyway… so he at least allowed her to fix his hair and his robe.
"Would you PLEASE answer their questions for me, Yuu? You're my publisher, anyway." Kei requested. Yuu was the only person he could talk to without much worry, and he knew that she had more experience than him in terms of interviews even if she was just nineteen.
Unfortunately for Kei, Yuu refused to answer any questions for him.
The playwright headed downstairs and scanned the living room. Sitting upon the upholstered seats was a woman about the same age as Yuu, wearing slightly battered padded armour decorated with the Emperor's Insignia, as well as their immediate Commander's adjacent to it. A Shrine Guard, huh? Or should I say… a Ninja? It's weird she's not carrying her weapons, though.
Taking notice of Kei's arrival, the armoured lady bowed politely while handing him a package carefully wrapped in parchment. Kei took the package, thanked the lady, and inspected the seal that bound the entire thing together. "You're from Commander Ichiro's Sunlight Team?" he asked.
The lady guard being questioned nodded in agreement and introduced herself as Sayori. "The Commander wished to have these documents delivered to you immediately, Kei-sensei."
Documents? Kei couldn't remember making any request that would've involved the Commander himself. He hesitated on opening the package and averted his gaze at the far end of the living room. "Excuse me, Sayori… but is that guy with you?" Kei inquired about another armoured guard behind her.
Kei just watched as Sayori landed a straight jab on her partner's cheek. The man staggered for a moment, walked slowly towards the playwright, and introduced himself as Shinji. "I apologize for the confusion, Kei-sensei… I just returned your ladder at the back of your house."
My ladder? Kei scratched his head in confusion. "Whoever gave you the permission to use my tools, boy?" Shinji replied with a straight index finger pointing towards Kei's direction. "She ordered me to use your ladder, good Sir."
Kei looked behind him and found Yuu sitting at the foot of the stairs, toying with her short, brown hair… and realized she was just suppressing her laughter. "You planned this, didn't you?" Kei buried his face on his palm and groaned.
Yuu shook her head. "You wouldn't stop writing if I didn't do that, Kei…"
"You're telling me that you ordered a Ninja to climb up my house and steal my wind chime just to distract me from writing? Is that how it is, Yuu?"
The male guard excused himself and explained. "We actually arrived a few minutes ago, and we asked her where you might be. She kept on calling you from below the stairs, shouted below your room's window and tried knocking several times at your room… but you never answered. All we heard was the sound of feet tapping."
Yuu stood up from her location and continued. "Considering this is the time you actually take your afternoon break, I decided to mess around with you for moment. Now, would you please open that package, Kei?" she said with a smile.
Kei was now desperate to go back upstairs and sleep.
1 Hour & 31 Minutes Earlier, Grand Shrine Dining Hall
Ichiro stroked his shaved chin as he watched Eiji and his family members take their respective seats and prepare for the afternoon meal. He looked around him and observed the entirety of the dining hall from where he sat. A lot of visitors sure did come today. The attendants were now serving the appetizers at the individual tables across the hall- decorated to suit the upcoming festival, and filling most of the visitor's requests. The hall was filled with bustling sounds of excited people, admiring the forests' scenery just outside the hall.
Not a single sign of anxiety was visible on Ichiro's face. He remained contained and focused. I know what I'm doing. He adjusted his robes a little to accommodate his muscular arms. Eating was really difficult for him when wearing his uniform, especially during formal occasions.
After saying grace, he called Eiji's attention immediately before the man could actually get a scoop of the steamed rice served on the long table. "I'll cut to the chase, Eiji." he began.
The commander of the shrine guards noticed Eiji's crossing eyebrows. Way to ruin the mood. He decided to wait for the tour guide to calm down for a few moments. Stroking his chin once more, he stood up, and with a booming voice, finally revealed his agenda to everyone present in the dining hall.
The bustling sounds gradually faded after Ichiro delivered his message. Everyone appeared to be shocked in either awe or disappointment. "Are you even serious, Ichiro?" Eiji reacted as soon as his old best friend's plan sunk into him.
"I'm sorry for ruining your appetites, everyone." Ichiro buckled as he adjusted his collar. "Please continue your activities as if you didn't hear anything."
Everyone in the hall appeared to have instantly accepted the commander's decision, and simply turned their attention back to the food being served. The attendants returned to their duties as well. Everyone simply 'ignored' the situation and continued eating… except for Eiji. Ichiro stared intently at his friend's eyes, as if trying to convince him of his decision. I screwed up, didn't I? Eiji simply tilted his head and pointed it towards a secluded area beside the shrine's dining hall.
The commander remained seated. Ichiro tried his best not to yield at Eiji's request. I'm the one giving orders here. He motioned his friend to forget any plans of leaving the dining hall. "Please do me a favour, Eiji. Let's finish this lunch quietly."
"I can't believe you're actually resigning from your post, Ichiro." Eiji remarked.
Ichiro didn't react at all. He had strengthened his resolve to face any scorn and ridicule… whatever his decision may bring him. Eiji's opinion was solely his, and he can keep it.
For the commander, the wheels are already in motion.
After finishing his meal, Ichiro stood up and excused himself.
Eiji cautiously turned his head towards Ichiro and realized that he was headed to the place where he intended to go earlier. He immediately stood up and followed the commander in order to talk him out of his decision.
After reaching a clearing at the back of the Shrine, Ichiro sighed in relief. He knew that Eiji would follow him up to this point. I wonder what he'll be preaching.
"Did you even think about your announcement earlier, Ichiro? Everyone was taken off-guard with you declaring your resignation! What's gotten into your head?"
A strong breeze passed by the temple, making the towering pine trees sway back and forth. Ichiro watched silently as multitudes of dead twigs and branches fell off one after another. Without much thought, he took a thin fallen branch and started drawing at the fine sand below him. Actions speak louder than words, right?
The commander keenly observed his old best friend's actions. He knew that he already had Eiji's attention, so he kept on drawing. Sooner or later, he knew that Eiji will decide to move and take a closer look at what he was actually doing. He wasn't wrong.
The tour guide made a wild guess. "These are… your plans for the Summer Festival? What are you up to, Ichiro?"
"Incredible. You can actually understand these?" Ichiro replied with a smirk on his face. "I'm using a dead script, my friend. It's Sacred Lettering, to be exact."
It didn't pass off as weird for Ichiro, for he had anticipated that Eiji had the knowledge and skill to properly read what he actually wrote down on the sand.
The great orb of the gods shall be bathing in red
Thousands upon thousands of dolls scattered
With one mind and invincible bodies
The land of Tengu shall bleed
Flowers will forever wither
Never shall they experience the light
After the blades of the elements awaken
The land of Tengu shall bleed
And bleed it shall without any chance of healing
4 + 4 + 4
"I still don't get it, Ichiro. What is this piece of literature got to do with your resignation? And those lines are from the 'White Dryad'! You just added a silly equation at the final line!" Eiji remarked after studying the script his friend wrote.
Ichiro chuckled. "Don't think about it, Eiji. I'm just messing with your head."
April 2nd, Amatsu Central Park, 03:05PM
I've seen that child a lot of times.
He's quite a handful. Every time I tried to tell him that the park is off limits during the afternoon for maintenance, he still pesters me to let him in.
And now, he's back.
I can't blame him, though. This park houses that great cherry blossom tree that is believed to be a thousand years old. Its total land area was reported to be twice as large as that of the Emperor's Castle.
Here he comes, breaking the gate's iron locks like a burglar. Where does he think I get the money to replace all of those?
…and he'll do anything to distract me. Most of the time, he just pesters me with questions.
He'll ask things like "Mister, why do you always wear a fox mask?"… or "Mister, why are you sitting on top of the cherry blossom tree?"… or "Mister, why aren't you speaking at all?"
I'm trying my best to ignore him, really… even though he occasionally compliments my outfit and all…
…even during that time when he told me of his dreams and personal wishes like I was some kind of priest. This is not a confession box, for goodness' sake!
But I have to give this kid credit for being too persistent. He defies my arguments and logic with nothing but a childish squeal. Other than that, he occasionally makes faces in order to provoke me, which never did.
"I just want friends! Lots of friends! Nobody cares for me in this city!" was his usual opening line whenever he reaches the foot of the cherry blossom tree.
I wonder what he'll wish for today… Food? Toys? Parents, maybe?
Why am I even interested? I have to tell him that this place is off limits!
"Oh! There you are, Kitsune*-san."
That's him; alright… he's definitely going to make this afternoon a little interesting, even though it's becoming quite a routine for me…
…I wonder if he'll ever realize how old I really am, though.
"Kitsune-san! I made a friend today! He's about the same age as me, and he looks like a foreigner! He just moved in yesterday!"
*kitsune- literally, 'fox' in Japanese.