Kaorin: (rubs Jay's feet)
Jay: That's good...maybe I won't kill you off.
Kaorin: Good to know...
Jay: Now, isn't everything much better?
Kaorin: Do you have any idea how much fun people are going to make of me once I get back to my own world!?
Jay: But of course.
Kaorin: Do you have no soul!?
Jay: I do.
Kaorin: Well, I can't see it!
Jay: (smirks suspiciously)
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"Y...Yes, Sakaki-san?", I choked out.
"Please, come.", she motioned for me to follow her.
I looked back at Chihiro as I stood up. She simply smiled broadly at me as I followed Sakaki-san. My heart thudded in my chest, expecting the moment I had waited for my entire high school career. The moment where Sakaki-san would admit her undying love for me and I would melt in her arms as we kissed for the first time.
Sakaki stood before me in a corner that seemed fairly isolated.
"W..what..did you want to tell me...", I gulped down a lump in my throat. "..Sakaki-san"
She let out an exasperated sigh. Her eyes became hooded, like she was composing her next words carefully.
"Stop that, Kaorin.", she said.
"Stop what?", I asked. My face was flushed and sweating.
"Stop acting like you do. Stop the obsessive behaviour. Stop the stuttering. Stop idolizing me. And stop thinking Im adorable, because I'm not.", she said. Her voice stiff and unmoving.
Now, I know many people have had their hearts broken, but it felt as if mine had been hit by a train, run over by a bus, then thrown into the Pacific ocean. Yet, one question still managed to pop into my mind.
"How...did you know I thought you were adorable?", I choked through my streaming tears.
"Kaorin...don't cry.", she grabbed my shoulders in her soft, powerful hands. I couldn't resist looking at her.
"Why shouldn't I cry? My dreams were just shattered!", I wept bitterly.
"Kaorin...", Sakaki sighed. "It's not that I don't want to be your friend. It's just...your obsessive behaviour and the way you idolize me makes me feel like a monster. If you really want to know me, please, just treat me like a normal person"
She smiled. I cracked a small grin as well. All hope was not lost!
But the question of how she knew that I thought her to be 'adorable' still tickled the back of my mind. I never said that word out loud! I only thought it to myself. Sometimes I used stronger words during times of personal intimacy, but that was all.
"But...", I sniffled. "How did you know I think you are adorable"
Her head drooped. Concerned, I watched her wring her hands together nervously.
"I...I heard you say it.", she mumbled.
I shook my head, the remains of my tears spattering off in all directions. "I never said that." Out loud, I thought to myself.
"Well, I..still heard it"
When she said that realization hit me like a 10 ton truck.
"You mean...", I pointed a finger to my head almost automatically.
It looked as if 'amazement' had taken on a physical form and was floating before my eyes because I believe I saw Sakaki nod slightly.
"How long?", I mumbled through the daze.
"For as long as I can remember.", she said wistfully.
"Is it...all the time?", grammar was failing me and I didn't care at this moment.
"No, it's almost like a leak. Sometimes things sneak in. I have no control.", she responded.
"Is there anything...now?", I asked.
"Yes, but it is all pain.", she responded.
I thought as much.
"I'm going out there.", Sakaki said after a moment of silence.
"But...why?", I asked, eyes glazed.
"I need to stop all of this.", she said, proceeding towards the vault door.
I scampered quickly after her screaming.
"NO! NO! NO! I can't let you leave"
I grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face me.
"Kaorin stop. I need to end this. Besides, Yomi, Tomo and Yukari have been gone awhile. They might be hurt.", Sakaki responded.
"I CAN'T LET YOU GET HURT!", I erupted in a tear-filled scream.
Sakaki stood stunned as Kimura approached.
"I can't let anyone else leave. It would be far too dangerous.", Kimura explained.
"Aren't you worried about the ones that already left?", Sakaki saked dimly.
"At least they had weapons! We have nothing! Now, stay in here. I built this for a reason.", he said.
"Reason?", I sniffled.
"I knew this was going to happen someday! People called me crazy, but noooo! Now they're the jealous ones!", he chuckled.
All was silent for a moment.
"You have weapons, don't you Mr. Kimura?", Sakaki broke the ice with her soft speech.
"...What? What are you talking about?", he questioned.
"You have weapons, Mr. Kimura?", one of the nearby boys asked.
"Yea! Let us have 'em! We wanna fight!", another boy filled in.
"No...there's not weapons here.", Kimura was visably nervous now. And I smirked. Go Sakaki-san!
"They're in a secret closet, aren't they?", Sakaki stated more than asked.
"H...How?", was all Kimura could choke out amongst the rabble that was being created.
"Just get them. Everyone! Prepare for glory!", Sakaki raised her voice. It was as angelic as I imagined in my wildest dreams. Sakaki-san, leading us to victory!
Everyone let out a cheer as Kimura skulked toward the rear of the shelter. Everyone except for Chiyo-chan.
"Sakaki-san, are you sure you want to do this? You sound like Tomo right now!", she asked.
Sakaki placed one hand on Chiyo-chan's head.
"We can't possibly lose. We have one thing they don't.", Sakaki said.
"What would that be, Sakaki-san?", Chiyo-chan questioned.
"Respect for ourselves.", Sakaki intoned.
I apologize now Sakaki-san. I cannot drop my love for you! At least not yet!
Thus, my tale ends. I am finishing up this letter with a brace of pistols along my side. I am ready and willing to not give up. Whether or not I come back alive I don't know. I truly hope I do so that I can see our vision and bravery live out. I truly want to rebuild Japan back to it's former glory. I want the world to know the strength of a few. I leave this letter for anyone who comes upon it. For history cannot be forgotten.
In hope,
Kaori Aida
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Kaorin: It can't be over!
Jay: It ain't over till the fat lady sings!
Yomi: (has been singing karaoke for awhile now)
Tomo: ...Why isn't it over yet?
Yomi: (beats Tomo to within an inch of her life)
Jay: They should be on Wrestlemania, don't you think?
(Seriously now, I know this story was strange but I'm glad some of you stuck with it! It isn't over yet but it's going to change perspectives. Oh, and for the record I don't hate Kaorin. She's actually my favourite character due to the fact that I want to see her name redeemed. I believe that below her Sakaki-swooning exterior is a decent, interesting person that I wish to show. Anyhow, enough blabber. Next chapter, ahoy!)
