Chapter Four: Sometime the Old Memories need To Be Remembered and Cherish
Evening, indoor swimming pool at Zala mansion.
"Athrun! You did promise me that we are going to watch that new horror movie tomorrow. But now you change your heart, are you a wimp my majestic?! Are you scared watching that entire scary scenes or all the bloods in that movie, Athrun? Athrun! I am talking to you, you idiot! Answer me you two face monkey?! Can you stop swim for a while and talk to me! I hate you Athrun Zala!" Furious Cagalli to her dear best friend, since Athrun can't fulfil his promise to the blonde princess.
Back to three days prior
Evening, on way back Home.
"Athrun, are you free this Sunday? I really want to watch that latest movie."
"Let me guess that horror movie, what the title it again..."
"Revenge of Red Roses, my majestic."
"Yeah that's the one, I think I am free to accompany you my princess."
"This time, you will keep your promise, right? Because before this, you break a lot of your promise to me."
"But I never break my promise to your dad, that I will take a very good care of you my dear princess."
"Yea, to other people you will never break it, but only to me you will always break it. This time if you break your promise, I swear that you will suffer entire your life. You hear me, Zala!"
"Zala? Fine, I will not break it, Kay? Can you please call me by my first name already."
Athrun whose still in the pool, make Cagalli like an idiot, screaming to no one in particular. She really piss with Athrun behavior, she have enough with it.
"Don't you dare come looking for me, from now on Athrun. I really AM HATE YOU! Just go to your fan girl, cause I am fed up with all the treatment that you give to me. BYE!" With that last breath, Cagalli dash out from Zala resident, she really don't know why does Athrun act like she was not there.
Athrun climbs up from the pool, he let long sigh. He can't say to Cagalli that he need attend to a very important meeting on his father's behalf tomorrow. He after all a future leader of Zaft Corp., he need learn all the corporate stuff, he can't play around like he used to, he need to be serious and focus about his family business.
Mwu Host Club, Night.
"Athrun you stupid idiot loser monkey, even monkey more humanity than you are. I really hate you!"Yell Cagalli to no one in particular, her uncle whose watch her quite some time approach her so that she will calm his furious blode down, he not the customer might run away from his club which it's bad for the business.
"What happen to you my little kitty?" Ask her Uncle Mwu, who also her legal guardian in concern tone.
"That idiot Zala! He promised to watch that latest movie, but now he back off, such a wimp. I hate him so much, Uncle! I will get my revenge on you Zala, I will make your life miserable."
"Little kitten, don't be mad at him, I sure he has good reason why he cancels the plan at the first place..."
"UNCLE! Are you on his team?"
"No my dear, you do know that he is a future leader of Zaft Corp."
"So?"
"So, my dear that mean it is his time to learn all the corporate stuff since he is now going to be 15, he need to know behind successful of Zaft, to keep it growing and alive for many years dear. If you really want to watch that movie so much, or anything in the future I advise you that you will go by yourself, because Athrun can't be with you as much as he does, dear. Being a future leader of Zaft, there a lot of burden he need to carry out, so my dear don't be mad at him. Just think what I just said to you dear. I need to entertain that lovely lady, dear. Don't stress up over small matters, after all he still your best friend, as a friend you need understand his situation and forgive him.
After her Uncle gave a very long lecture, she realizes that they not small kids anymore that they used to be, now they both are a teenager, a lot responsibility that they need to bear.
"Zaft Corp., future leader... Maybe I need to be used without an Athrun presence in my life from onward."Thought Cagalli in sad, she really wants to spend their time together, but now all change.
Next Day, Morning Zala Resident.
Athrun has his breakfast before heading to the meeting.
Mana saw Athrun long face, speak to him,"young master, I sure Miss Cagalli did not mean a word that she was saying yesterday. Don't be sad young master, I swear you that she will be in great moods tomorrow but only after she whack you first."
Athrun smile, yes Cagalli always done that everything that Athrun break his promise to the princess, but will she be the same girl, after all they both grow up already.
"Master Athrun, the car is waiting for you."
"Mana I am going now, if Cagalli stop by, just tell her that tomorrow I will be seeing her at school."With that Athrun make his move to attend the meeting.
Big Toe Mall, Morning.
Cagalli still going to watch that horror movie, since she is bored to death, even without Athrun by her side, she still can enjoy it.
"Who need that stupid Athrun here, I can manage to watch by myself." Said Cagalli which much popcorn in her mouth, she still can't yet forgive that Athrun break his promise just to fulfil his duty as future leader of Zaft Corp., But he still young he needs to chill a little bit. He's not an old man whose thinks he is going to die anytime soon, life still young just to be waste to the thing that so bored, he really needs to loosen a little bit. Cagalli determine that he will give Athrun lecture tomorrow at school, to tell him that his life still young, he need enjoy it while it last.
While Cagalli watching the movie, suddenly there were smoke all over the place. The cinema is on fire, everyone in the cinema panic and all run to the exit, but the door can't be open. All of them try banging the door to open but no veil. The smoke became thicker, the oxygen level is on in critical. Cagalli feel that she can't breath properly.
"Am I going to die?" Before her passing out, she saw something interesting, then she passes out for good.
"Miss... Can you hear me?" Cagalli heard the voice of a man, which she did not recognize who that voice belong to, he tries to open her eye, but it too hurt when she tries to open, since the bright light made it difficult for her to adjust. She slowly opens her eye.
"Hmm... Where... Am I?"Ask Cagalli in weak voice, she still lack of energy, and she still did not know what does in hell she end up here, outside the mall building, is she sleeping walking? The last thing she remembers is that the cinema on fire. Now she remembers the cinema that she was on fire, but how does she get out of there.
"Thank goodness you alright miss, how many fingers that I am currently holding?" Ask the fireman to Cagalli, he wants to make sure that she is not that serious and fine.
"3" reply Cagalli.
"Good, do you need me to call someone, your family perhaps?"
"I'm good, but may I know what happened here and how I end up here?" Curious Cagalli looking at the fireman to know the answer, since her life on line.
"Well miss the cinema are on fire, we came as soon the public call us that the cinema on fire. We all need to break the emergence door down, since it is being locked. We need to investigate why does the emergency door lock, it should not be locked, but we manage to stop the fire from spreading to another building, luckily no one are on serious injuring or worse dead. If you feel alright miss, please fill this form." Said the fireman in his late twenties, he gives Cagalli the form that saying she did not need any further medical intention, Cagalli took that form for the fireman and sign.
"It is not lucky, someone trying to kill or send a message to someone in particular. But what it is? I need to know the history of this very particular mall." Thought Cagalli while taking out her iPad.
Sahara Garden.
Athrun just mingles around to know his family business association. He need show them the best image, after all he represent Zaft Corp. But to tell the truth Athrun did not feel comfortable with these people, since they all old and much more experience than him, so these people just give him that fake smile which he hate the most. Why can't they be themselves.
Athrun walks to the fountain, there he can clear his head and be himself. Then suddenly he hears something interesting from someone Smartphone who is sitting not far him.
"Breaking news, here we at the Big Toe Mall, at 11am earlier there was a fire in east side of the building, which the firefighter believes that it begin at cinema room. No one is reported die, but around 25 people are in minor injuring. The mall will be close until the further notice. Here one of the victims, Sir can you please go through what just happened inside?"
"Well to tell the truth, I can't really remember that much except me trying to save my life, that most importantly. I really sorry that I can't tell much about the incident."
"Thank you sir, there you go a confession from one of the victims. The moment is so terrifying that even he can't remember it. Live and exclusive from NTY3, Sasa Miryu."
Athrun without hesitating, flip open his phone, "please pick up, princess! "
"Sorry the number you had dial..."
Athrun dials the number again, "JUST PICK THE PHONE, DAMMIT!"
"Sorry..."
Athrun dash to the exit gate, "Paul! DRIVE ME TO BIGTOE MALL NOW!"
Paul, obey his young master request, Athrun still keeps on dialling Cagalli.
"Sorry the..."
"DAMMIT! PLEASE HURRY PAUL!"
Big Toe Mall.
Cagalli who so damn preoccupied did not hear her phone ringing, she found something really interesting that she just can't help herself. Now she just need prove that she were right, but since the mall still investigated, she needs to wait until the night time come. She gets up from her spot, and go to the nearest Cafe just to kill her spare time.
"DAMMIT, CAGALLI WHY YOU DID NOT ANSWER YOUR PHONE!"
"PAUL! STOP!"
The white limousine stops on the spot, Athrun jump from the limousine he dashes to that particular girl that he tried reaching.
Cagalli feel that her being hugged from behind, so strong that she has a hard time to breathe.
"Athrun... What the hell are trying to do? Kill me?
" not princess. I'm just glad that you alright, are you hurt anywhere?"Ask Athrun in such worried tone.
"Naa... I am okay, just that my body cover with this black dust, other than that I am totally fine. Why are you here by the way, IDIOT!"
"YOU! PRINCESS! You did not pick up your damn phone."
"I did not what.." Cagalli checking her phone, she saw 44 misses call from him, her smile at it.
"I am sorry that I did not answer any of your calls my majestic. By the way, how did you know that I am here?"
"You, even without me, you will still watch that movie. Princess I am sorry that I break your promise, actually I..."
"Na that is okay, you have responsibly that you need to carry, so is okay, sometimes I forget that you Zala. I always see you as Athrun my friend not the future leader of Zaft Corp. With that I am sorry. I will not act like childish anymore, I will try to understand you more than I have."
"You know what, you really act more princess like now." Said Athrun smile at her lovely.
"So are you going home now? Let I sent you?"
"No, I still have something to do here, you can go if you in rush."
"Please don't tell me what you try to do my dear princess."
"I have no idea what you think I am going to do." Smirk Cagalli.
"Can you first clean yourself princess?"
"But promise me, we will be here at night, I know that person will come during that time to finish his job."
"Fine! Let's go."
"Well Athrun I can't help noticing that you wearing that lovely tuxedo. You really cute in it." Said Cagalli while taking a photo of Athrun wearing tuxedo.
"Can you not take a photo of me in this hideous tuxedo, princess?"
"Why not? You really cute and manly, which I can sell it to your fan girls, I bet they're all willing to pay all their saving just this photo of yours. It is after all one of the kind of "THE GREATERST OF ATHRUN ZALA!" Said Cagalli in her evil voice of hers. She really loves teasing Athrun.
"Don't tell you seriously will sell it to them? I don't want them to follow me around like a lost puppy, and ask me to wear these clothes all over again."
"Let me think first." Said Cagalli while wick to him then made her way to Athrun house, since his house is near from the Mall.
Athrun just smiles at her action, she never notices that she really cute in anyway she acts.
Zala Resident.
"What do you know about that mall, Athrun?"
Athrun just shows her confusion look.
Cagalli open her yellow iPad, "let me give you a history lesson my majestic, since you so clueless. In 1967, that particular mall more accurate that cinema on fire earlier used to be local diner, which it call "Our Home Cook, Feel Like Home" it is so damn famous among local and outside, but unfortunately the owner of that diner involve in the mafia gang, but the customers did not know about it since they are seen so normal to be noticed by any one. In 1979 the owner of the diner dies, the business pass to his only son. The son doesn't want anything to do with the mafia, he just said that his dad dies so the mafia. The mafia feels betrayed, they block all the exit door, then set on fire during the middle of the day. Total 35 people reported die, and all 35 people they can't identify the identities since damages too greatly. On 1985 Muruka Corp, build up the mall that we know as Big Toe."
"But that didn't explain why anyone set that cinema on fire?"
"Memories."
"Ha.."
"People of Orb forget what once happened before they build up the mall. Before Maruka Corp., build up the mall, there has small shrine to remember the 35 people victims which the identities can't be known. That's 35 people can be anyone relatives, lovers, or even your mailman. But after Maruka Corp., Build the mall, the shrine they destroyed. That is why that person sets up on fire, to let people to remember what happened before we have that mall, before you went ballistic that person know the fire will not cause people die, just minor injuries. It just wants people taking seriously at him/her warning, that's all. No harm done."
"But why after 15 years that person did such thing?"
"Cause that time that person still small, since the adult don't take little kid seriously. The motive is simple, one of his/her relatives die during 1985 accident. His/her just want that Maruka Corp., paid what they had done."
"I still not agree with the method that people use. Set on fire. You can die."
"That's the only way to open Maruka Corp., eye on the important to not destroy anything that can't be destroyed as they wish. As you can see I am fine, don't worry too much okay, my majestic." Cagalli give Athrun a big smile to assure him that she is completely fine.
BigToe Mall, Night.
"Cagalli, are you sure where we are going?"Ask Athrun who still not sure what the hell Cagalli up to, she never tells him what is her plan. But most probably she doesn't have one, this Cagalli him talking about, she always acts without thinking. She thinks her a heroic that need to save the world. Athrun let short sigh.
"I guess so."Reply Cagalli who's still trying to figure out where they both stand at. During at night it is so impossible to know where they are, since the Mall close until further notice to search the investigation.
"Cagalli, you seriously..."Before Athrun cam finishes his sentence an old man cut him.
"Hey kids, what are you guys doing?"Ask a middle age man while torch in their faces.
"We are just checking something, I believe that I have dropped something early this morning, that is why I try to look at the thing that I lose." Reply Cagalli while covering her face from the torch that old man holds on her face.
"Just go home already kid." Said the old man in loud.
"Sir may I know who are you, before we heading home?" Ask Cagalli.
"I'm Muruka Atno."
"That is great, sir I need you to follow us. There something you need to know." Without any further Cagalli pull that poor guy, Athrun follows from behind.
"We're here." Said Cagalli while letting go of the old man's arm.
"Kid I did not see anything, and why are you dragging me here in the first place?"
"HELLO! I know you were somewhere here, I also know why you set the fire early this morning, is because the old memory meant to be cherished and not destroy. AM I RIGHT!?"Yell Cagalli to the empty cinema, all Athrun and the old man can see are the half burn cinema, they did not see any particular person in there except themselves.
"Who are you yelled at, kid?" Ask the old man while facing Cagalli in furious.
"ME! I the one she yelled at. I am really impressed that you know why, that man over there have to destroy it, since that fire killed my dad, which we can't bury him in the proper way because the damages too great, that shrine the only place that I can give my respect to my dad. But now you Muruka need to destroy it because it does not belong there. HOW COULD YOU, OLD ME! And now I am going to burn this awful place down, you old man will follow me to the hell!"Said that guy while pouring gasoline on his body then all over the place.
"What the hell are you doing Kura Masada. Stop all the nonsense."
"Mr Kura, is this what you really want to do?" Ask Cagalli while watching the man who's now cover with gasoline all over him.
"YES!"
"Are you ready to be burnt?"
The guy hesitates answer Cagalli.
"I guess your dad doesn't want you to do so. Even this old guy destroys one thing that you can remember about your dad, but that does not mean you need burn this place down. I lose my dad of the plane crash, the only memory I have about him is in my heart, soul and mind. I will cherish it all. The time we spend together until he dies..."
"Don't you come near, kid."
Athrun grab Cagalli, "what are you trying to do princess?" Ask Athrun concern.
Cagalli smile at him, to assure that she will be fine. Athrun let his grip go.
Cagalli continue to walk toward him, "you don't need a shrine to remember your dad, all the memory is here, where it should belong." Saying Cagalli while touching his heart.
"I... Just want people to remember it, but now people will never know...That is why I need to do this, to save the memories I have with him when he alive... Now is gone..."
"NO! Now you still have it in your heart. I bet you you do remember him like he never leave from your side ever. Now that I know the reason why this used to be a lovely cinema burned down, I do remember what happened in her way back before I even born, my friend Athrun will, and even that old man does. Please stop it." Said Cagalli while near to him, that guy going to fire the lighter but when he look in Cagalli eye he knows that she meant every single word that she said to him.
That guy breaks down into tears,"I just want to do a right thing for the family that lost their love one. They don't have a chance to say goodbye, even myself, I have a huge fight at him that day, I mad at him because he promises me that he will come to see me playing baseball since I be working hard to be in the first team, then I heard that the diner that he used to eat at burned. I am regretting, if I have five more minutes of his life I just want to say I'm really sorry I did not mean a single word to him, I really love him." Said the guy who's still on his knee crying all his heart. He let go all his pain.
"I know how you feel, but I know every parent will forgive their child's mistakes because one thing I know they always love us no matter what kind idiot stuff we did in the past. We as child are so special in their life, I'm sure that your dad have already forgiven you long time ago. Don't do this stupid thing again, you will make yourself miserable but hurting other child's, parents, relatives or friends. Is that what you want Mr Kura? I don't think so, you really nice guy you just want to give this old man a warning that old memories need to be protect not destroy, I guess he already learns his lesson. But I am so sorry to tell you, you need to receive whatever the punishment from the court, since you the one who sat on fire in this cinema, where there still people inside. But believe me it is a good thing, you can tell the world why you did that, your voice will be heard, I believe at least you stand the dead people that they should not be forgotten."Said Cagalli while knee down so that their eye level are same, she wants him to know that everything will be alright even he will be arrested for the crime that he committed.
Then Cagalli look at the old man,"you need to learn something today Mr Muruka, you need learn respect the dead people, you never know what their alive relatives might do to you and this mall. Is time you learnt History." Said Cagalli while looking at the old man. The old man just looks down on the ground, now he knows his mistake, he really ashamed of his greed.
Few Minutes Later,
Cagalli and Athrun are watching the police officer bring Mr Kura Masada to be questioned.
"That was nice Cagalli."
"Thank you my majestic. But you know what I said earlier were right, we don't need the shrine to cherish the memory that we sharing all this time, because all good memory we will capture it in our heart. That is more important."
"Is that mean, all the time we spend you capture to your heart, princess?"
Cagalli just smile at him,"who knows? By the way, tonight I am going to sleep at your place, since it is near from here comparable to mine. And I am really tired, will you carry me on your back your majesty?"
Athrun lower his body, so that Cagalli can climb on him.
"You know Athrun your back surely big, last time I remember it is small, you really grow to become a man, my masjetic. It also really warm..." With that Cagalli drifting into nice slumber.
Athrun just smiles at her behavior.
"Someday, you will be mine, princess. That I promise you my dear princess."
TBC...
Thanks to my reviewers, you guys rock my world of writing even so I am no really good. Thanks for your time to read it out and fill the your thought in review section, I will work hard in the future. Take care and happy new year to all readers.