"In the Grand Scheme of Things"

A 'What If…' Series of Stories

By Furor Scribendi

2008 Scribendi Productions

July 20th

Mahoro awoke. She lay there in her bed for a moment to take it all in, listening to the birds twittering in the trees outside her window. It was another day on borrowed time for her. Professor Hokaze was amazed that she had lasted as long as she did. Considering the horrific beating she took at the hands of Dr. Metherius in March, she wasn't given too much time from that point.

Everyone was still equally stunned as to how she was able to survive the fight with 227 on the Yucatan Peninsula three weeks later. Hokaze could only chalk it up to a kind of serendipitous energy implosion shield that protected Mahoro while it destroyed Ferdelance. It was some time before Vesper was even aware of her survival, as they were in total chaos at that point.

She had undergone a battery of tests to determine her soundness. Hokaze refused to tell anyone when her proposed End Time would be, stating, 'It comes for everyone, so let it come and live as you wish, Mahoro. Make every day important.' Still, everyone was relieved that she had not met her end on that April evening, especially Suguru.

With The Keepers exposed and on the run, life at the Misato household had gotten a little bit dull, not that Mahoro minded at all. The house had been rebuilt from the March attack and things were back on an even keel, so other issues could be attended to.

Still, it was another day to get things done and do it as best as one could. Also, it was that Special Day, the trip to Commander Misato's gravesite. She had best get moving, as there was still much to be accomplished. She got up and dressed herself, then prepared breakfast for everyone. As she was cooking, both Minawa and Nanami came downstairs, also dressed in their maid outfits.

Suguru came down a bit later, wearing somber clothing. Mahoro made a small grimace. The scar on his face had receded somewhat, but it would always be there. Even Professor Hokaze could do nothing about it. She blamed herself for giving it to him, although Suguru was unconcerned. Besides, it made him look dashing, he quipped.

As they ate, Mahoro outlined the day. "Today is July 20th, a time that we set aside to visit and tend to the Misato Family Plot. I have the trip laid out for us all. There will be a place to stop so I may get the Chinese Bluebells. I also have in my bag what we will need to spruce up the site. I cannot tell you how quickly weeds can take over. Look at our own yard! I hope to get there early, as it promises to be a very hot day indeed and…" Mahoro stopped, as light sobbing could be heard.

She looked over to see Minawa had stopped eating, a lone tear trickling down her face. Nanami looked on with shock. "Minawa, you're…you're crying."

Minawa spoke in halting breaths. "I'm sorry, but….I…I don't want to go. I don't like….places like that. They…they make me unhappy. I think of all those people…that I have lost and…I'm sorry, big sister." The tears came down harder.

Mahoro came over and began to wipe the tears away. "That is OK. I understand how you feel about this. You do not have to come along. Nanami…."

"Yes?" She was alert and ready.

"If you please, I would like you to stay home with Minawa. I do not want her here alone and the two of you working together will help to occupy her mind. I…I have an obligation that I must attend to, so I will be going."

Mahoro," spoke up Suguru. "I mean, it's OK if you don't want to come along, either. I…"

Mahoro responded as she tended to Minawa. "Suguru, I remember last year when you asked me to come along. I feel it is important for both of us to be there, and not forget your family. There are a part of us, every day of our lives."

"I know, but…..I'm just worried about Minawa," offered Suguru.

Nanami chimed in. "We could ask Hamadi to come over. That might cheer up Minawa."

Mahoro looked right at Minawa. "Would you like that? Would you like Hamadi to come over?"

Minawa replied very quietly. "Yes, I think I would like that very much."

Mahoro turned to Nanami. "Please call Hamadi after breakfast and ask if he will stop by. For Suguru and me, we will leave after breakfast. We hope to return by early afternoon."

With breakfast done, Mahoro started to tend to the dishes, but was stopped by Nanami. "Minawa and I will take care of this. You need to head off. Besides, it will keep her thinking of other things."

"Very well," said Mahoro, and she got her bag by the door and left with Suguru.

The trip was rather involved, as one had to walk to the nearest bus stop, take it to the depot, to catch the subway, to get to another bus that dropped one off near the cemetery. All the way there, Mahoro was lost in thought. This was her fifth trip to the gravesite and, potentially, the last time she would make it. But she had to be brave for Suguru.

As they got to the cemetery, the light breeze did little to handle the building heat. It was going to be a roaster of a day. The cicadas were making a terrific noise as they walked the serene paths to the Misato Plot. The sun dappled thought the branches of the trees, but the shade offered no respite from the smothering temperature. Although the cemetery was generally tended to, there was still a scruffiness to the location. As they arrived at the actual plot, it was trim, but not neat. Mahoro put down her bag and pulled out a gardening tool and took care of the grass and weeds.

Mahoro sang a little song as she made things all pretty. "Weeds are very stubborn, as they do just what they please, with no concern for anything or where they choose to be. I have a lovely garden and I like the way it looks, so excuse me, Mr. Weedy Weed, as I must send you packing."

Suguru smiled. Mahoro made these rather somber times not as emotionally overwhelming. Last year, she was an absolute life saver for him. And when he eventually discovered that she was the Chinese Bluebell person, it made him feel better. He did not have to bear this burden alone. When they took the bus back home today, he would tell her that he deeply appreciated all that she had done. She deserved that, she really did.

Suguru polished up the stones, cleared out the residue from the chiseled lettering and placed the incense sticks in the burner, preparing them for the right moment. They both stood back from the marker to look at their work. The bluebells added some needed color, so it wasn't all shades of depression.

"Mother, father, I hope we honor you with our work here." Suguru took Mahoro's hand and held it tightly as he bowed. Mahoro bowed as well. He turned to her. "I am glad you came along." She gave a small smile to him.

With everything clean and tidy, Suguru lit the incense and then knelt in front of the marker to offer up a little prayer, as did Mahoro. Then, they both bent forward.

While Mahoro was down, she felt oddly. It was hard to describe the sensation, but it was as if parts of her were missing. She knew she had a side to her body, but there was no feeling from over there. When she tried to get up, she could not make her body respond or do anything. She felt weak and warm at the same time. Was this it? Was this the final energy surge? This is nothing to be afraid of, she thought, it really is a rather peacef………..

Suguru restored himself to an upright position and noticed Mahoro was still down. He looked on for a few moments. "Mahoro? Uh….Mahoro? I don't wish to intrude, but you can come up now." He touched her arm and it fell out limp. "Mahoro? Mahoro! MAHORO!"

Suguru grasped her by the shoulders and pulled up upwards, but her eyes were closed. He leaned her back all the way, so she was stretched out, her head in his lap. "Mahoro! Mahoro! Speak to me! I…" Suguru then saw a piece of paper in her apron pocket that said 'To Suguru' on it. He pulled it out and read the note.

'If anything should happen to me, take the phone from my pocket, dial *46 and ask for Professor Hokaze.' Reaching into the pocket, his fingers closed around the cell phone. He frantically flipped it open and dialed *46. He heard the phone ringing and ringing and ringing.

Surugu muttered anxiously. "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, someone answer and…"

"Professor Hokaze."

"Professor! This is Suguru Misato!"

"Suguru? Are you all right? How is Mahoro?"

"She seems to have passed out. I…I can't revive her!" A tear came down Suguru's cheek.

"Where are you located?" barked Hokaze.

"I am at my family's plot in the Hiryu Cemetery." He held Mahoro's hand, rubbing his thumb across her fingers.

"One moment!" Surugu then heard the sound of klaxons and Hokaze yelling "Orange Alert! Orange Alert! Scramble to the Hiryu Cemetery." Hokaze then came back on line. "You stay right there, Suguru! Help is on the way, 10 minutes. Just a mere 10 minutes!"

"Professor! What's wrong with Mahoro?" But there was no reply as the call was cut off. He stared at the phone and closed it, then began to stroke Mahoro's face. She looks so serene, so what could be wrong? He had never known her to do something like this or to react in such a way, so the fear began to well up inside of him. What could have happened with her? He searched for answers, his breathing coming in shallow pants.

A person came towards them, saw the situation and ran to their aid. "Is she OK? What happened?" He looked her over for some where to start and help.

"She….." Suguru choked back the tears. "She knew my…father well. She was with him when he…when he…when he died. Coming here makes her….she gets very emotional and she…she sometimes passes out from all of it." Suguru was really crying.

"Shall I get help?" offered the passer-by.

Suguru held up the phone. "I have already called for help and they will be here in a few minutes. What…..what she needs is to just….recover on her own. But thank you…..thank you for stopping…..by."

The man put his hand on Suguru's shoulder. "I can stay here if you wish. Is there anything I can do?"

Suguru put his hand on his. "No. This….this happens a lot. But…..I still don't like it. It's…it's just so unsettling. Thank you."

"OK, as long as things are OK."

Suguru looked up at him, making a weak smile. "They are. They really are." The man walked off as Suguru held Mahoro, stroking her hair. The last time Mahoro's was held like this was after that horrendous beating she took at the hands of Dr. Metherius. She cried copious tears as she related the tale as to why she was so unhappy all the time. He comforted her and stroked her hair as he forgave her.

There really was nothing else he could have done. He understood fully as to why she hid this from him. She had sacrificed so much and asked for so little. The best thing to do and the right thing to do was to absolve her of all this guilt she carried around. When the man was out of sight, Suguru began to talk to Mahoro.

"I remember…remember that first day when you came by the house. You were so uncertain of things. I was so uncertain of things. What a pair we made! But we learned to get along. I sometimes had the feeling that while you were looking out for me, I was kind of looking out for you. You taught me so much, things that I really didn't know about. I….." Suguru sobbed.

Time crawled along as though it was in a lead suit. Seconds seemed like hours. He stared at his watch and saw things standing still. "What is taking those guys so long to….." His thought was cut short by the sound of a helicopter, getting closer and closer. The trees started to whip about as he looked up.

A black helicopter hovered about them. As a body lift basket was pushed out of the door, hanging by a winch, a man rappelled down and landed near them. Taking off his helmet, Suguru gasped. "Commander Daimon."

He signaled for the basket to be lowered as he looked at Mahoro. He yelled over the sound of the rotors. "How long as she been like this?"

"About 10 to 15 minutes. It took me a while to notice that there was something wrong with her." The basket hit the ground with a clatter. Daimon lifted Mahoro and placed her inside the basket, securing her well, and then signaled for her to be raised, which was done in rapid fashion. Once she was inside the bay of the aircraft, Daimon gave the command for the copter to go. In a few moments, it was gone.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Suguru.

Daimon put an arm about him. "She'll be fine. These things happen."

"But….but I wanted to go with her!" protested Suguru.

"And you will; we are in the other copter, just outside the cemetery. Let's go!" Daimon signaled for Suguru to follow. He started off, and then stopped, grabbed Mahoro's bag and the two of them bolted for the entrance.

"What…is…going….on?" panted Suguru, as the decorum of the location was discarded by their frantic running amid the headstones and other attendees.

"I'll…explain…more…on…board," Daimon gasped back. He was surprised that Suguru was able to keep up, as Daimon was a fairly swift runner himself. Still, it was difficult, as the heat made breathing hard and they were already putting up a lot of sweat. Suguru's glasses were fogging over and getting sweat streaks on them, as he had to keep pace.

As they turned the final corner, the helicopter was sitting in the street, the rotors in moderate spin. Standing by the copter was Hokaze, holding onto the door frame as he motioned them onward. Sub-Commander Gunji was inside, looking grim, as usual. As Suguru and Daimon exited the cemetery gates and neared the copter, another man strode into view, seemingly from nowhere, to stop them. Daimon pulled up short as Gunji drew his sidearm.

"Who are you?" barked Daimon, pointing at him.

"Someone who can help," came the terse reply.

"It's OK. That's Ryuga," said Suguru.

Daimon looked stunned as Hokaze backed away from him. "Saint's greatest android warrior? What are you doing here?"

"I heard about Mahoro and I am here to offer assistance," he reasserted himself.

"Don't move, Ryuga. I can shoot you where you stand," ordered Gunji.

Ryuga slowed turned about to peer in at Gunji, a sardonic grin on his face. "I've been attacked by Slash and came out in good shape. What makes you think that foam bat you call a weapon is going to do any harm to me?"

"How did you hear about it? It just happened?" asked Suguru.

"Vesper monitors Saint. We return the favor. It wasn't that hard to keep tabs on Mahoro, anyway. I am here to help her."

"You can't help her. She's gone." Daimon then realized what he just blurted out. He turned to see Suguru, absolutely devastated.

"She's…..she's….dead?!!? NO! That can't be! You said she was fine! What is going on here?" Suguru cried even harder. This was worse than when his father died. Another person close to him had left. "It can't be so!"

Ryuga was very cool. "Let me ride with you to Vesper Headquarter. Mahoro CAN be saved! I can do it. But we haven't much time to do it!"

TO BE CONTINUED…

End Notes

As is usually the case, you find out about things of importance too late; I missed this particular event by a couple of days.

Down in my neck of the woods, there was an anime convention. Called FanimeCon 2008, it was held over the Memorial Day weekend. The usual stuff was going on: Cosplay, Artist Alley, a karaoke contest, a swap meet, arcade gaming (with plenty of DDR), some fashions shows and a variety of guest panels.

What really irritated me in missing this was the Guest of Honor, a few representatives from GAINAX. I don't know if you have heard of them. They released a few animes, like "Neon Genesis Evangelion", "FLCL", "Gunbuster" and some other shows. You might have heard of one of them, "Mahoromatic"? Yes? No? Maybe so?

Although the people on the panel (Hiroyuki Yamaga, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and Masahiko Otsuka) had no direct connection with Mahoromatic (at least, that's what the program said or didn't say), it would have been nice to be able to ask my Mahoro-related questions and get something that would have been an interesting answer:

"Are you thinking of bringing the series back? Would you want to?"

"Would you consider looking at the rest of Mahoro's days? I mean, you really only acknowledge about 70 of her 400 days. That is a lot of opportunity there for more storytelling."

"Will you accept ideas from the fans, of which there is a groundswell of support, for new stories?"

"Is there anything we fans can do to convince you to revisit Mahoro? Perhaps further tales where we can kind of avoid the actual last episode and show a future life for the two of them."

Sigh. Another lost opportunity. Maybe I'll just go watch the midnight show of "Hentai Nights". Yeah, I know, "Dirty Thought Are Bad."

As to the story itself, I know someone is going to comment about "Orange Alert". It's just a good sounding phrase; it always has been.

The "location" of Hiryu has always been open to speculation, but I felt it is on that strip of land south of Yokohama. There is a city in that area. It sits astride a river and it has a nice long beach, plus there is a Hiryu Falls in the area as well, so I am just making assumptions at to it. I also feel that Vesper would have a helicopter that could fly that fast, from HQ to the cemetery (not unlike making the Kessel run in 12 parsecs).

I mean, if you look at the opening for the Summer TV Special, you see a city astride a river and bridges connecting one side with the other, thus my assumption for this real town.

Now, the cemetery has also been a concern. I am making another assumption that we are still in town or reasonably close to it for the actual location. I cannot use my knowledge of this, as we handle things differently around here.

I mean, San Francisco (with the exception of Mission Dolores) has no cemeteries, as they were all moved to Colma, which is an immense marble orchard; truly a City of the Dead. Other towns have these pocket gravesites (I lived in an apartment that abutted one) and you may end up being buried completely elsewhere from where the living are.

Again, since the source material is thin on this, it is a best guess. There are two potential cities, but I chose against Odawara. I realized it was farther south of Yokohama (which would not have allowed Shikijo to keep pace with them as easy as she did on her Vespa), but the one I feel more comfortable with, Chigasaki, is a big surfer haven and in the Crab Robot episode, I really didn't see surfers abounding.

But that city would have allowed Vesper to get to them faster than if they were another 10 km or so down the road (And I am assuming that Vesper is striking from Tokyo). Still, it is merely a logical approach to things. If I had a touch more information, I could feel more confident.