Elysian Fields
Councilman Kiyosato is a gentle politician. The media love him. If another politician wants to win popular support for a bill, he or she only has to appear shaking Kiyosato's hand, bowing with true reverence for the more experienced man. A reserved, quiet, kindly man. Not the wisest – not the shrewdest politician. But the people love him. The people trust him.
There was some pressure to run for Prime Minister. After the story broke about Tomoe-san – Prime Minister if he had gone after it. Kiyosato-san declined. They offered him a Cabinet position. Kiyosato-san declined.
Kiyosato-san continues to represent his district. He continues to push for stricter crime legislation. Though he is less vocal than before, his words themselves hold the power to change people and opinions.
Small changes. But they make a difference.
He doesn't think of her all the time.
The stillness of a winter day, cold glass against his fingertips as icy rain sleets the streets outside his window.
He thinks of her.
He thinks of her in shades of grey, reflected in the cool, damp window.
He regrets that he couldn't inspire her to smile more.
He regrets that he doesn't have more memories.
He regrets that she...
He doesn't remember her smiling. Her ghost is as sad as his soul. Her ghost is as solemn and still.
And she is beautiful.
And he wishes he could touch her.
Cold, damp glass against the skin of his hand.
Cold glass against his forehead.
He doesn't miss her. She is never gone. He loves her. She left him, but he loves her.
Kiyosato Akira is alone.
But he is in love with her, and his job is not finished yet.
She loves him.
She will wait.
She will wait forever.
And it isn't really living, what he does in between.
It is working, doing what she was proud of him to do.
In the afterlife, he will be able to hold her again.