Its been 10 years. Since all sense left my life. Now I am home, in the city in which I was changed. Although... with the thoughts that roam in my mind, I hope they are not villainous thoughts. I should know by now... shouldn't I? Forgive me, to those who read this, my name is Sun Kaioh and im 15 years old. Brother to Michiru Kaioh who is 16 years. The only family I have now. Thankfully. You might also be wondering in to what I refer to in terms of what happened to me. Instead of dumping all of my emotions out in the first page of my log, I'd rather give it to you in pieces. To make it easier to go down, as the saying goes.
I land in Tokyo after a long flight from the Himalayan mountains, I manage to keep my profile low due a change in certain complexion. I don't need the city to know the prince of the Kaiohs has returned from living abroad. Not that anyone would care, most would think our family has enough money to go around for everyone. uckily, Michiru has been holding up to that tenet to the family herself, along with a man, or even possible woman with her. I believe they are dating. From what the tabloids say, but you know the tabloids. They'll say anything to get the lime light.
I grab a taxi and head to the address my sister resides in. As I sit in the faint smoke odored car, I ponder to myself. 'What should I say, What is she gonna say? Will she let me back into her life... or will she shun me.' Although I wouldn't blame her. In that night, I was... powerless. I could nothing as the events passed through me so fast. I still remember the flames. The taste of copper on my broken lip. The look of horror on my sister's eyes as she came home. 'No.' I shake my head for a bit, placing a hand to my lightly sweated temple. 'Such thoughts would be pointless... and endless. If you can't face her now... then why would you ever come back to this place. The place that ruined you... and her.
Its 2:19 pm in the afternoon. The building I stand to is one of the family owned hotels. It seems Michiru managed to get herself a place here. Smart. Not that any would object to the princess of this city. This isn't the medieval age. Otherwise this would feel too... Shakespearean. I head over to the counter to the nice 20 year old woman. She smiles, a routine she's put on a hundred times. Whether or not matters not, I will keep going. "Good afternoon," I say, holding a smile myself. Thankful I hold it up thanks to the actors I have been trained by.
"Good afternoon, how can I help you?" The woman said, her eyes kept focused onto me. her peripheral vision keeping track of others that were not interacting with her. She's good.
"I was wondering if i could get a room for the night, just returned home from overseas. Perhaps the penthouse?" A good question i think to myself. To gauge whether or not Michiru is staying in there specifically.
"I apologize sir, but the owner and their partner, reside there." So they are dating. So I can be wrong at times about the tabloids. But how often would that come to pass? Nevertheless, I was right.
"Ah, I understand. I do thank you though. Would it be alright if my other compatriots have gotten their rooms ready, perhaps to see if I can reside with them. And worry not, I have their room numbers." I say, hoping my bluff goes through.
"Of course, no trouble at all I hope you have a good time I do again apologize." The woman bows after her reply.
"Oh please you need not apologize, you are simply doing your job." I say, continuing the smile as I get into an empty elevator and as the door closes in front of me, I then drop the smile. I remove the self made complexion by where the camera is in position as to have it not look directly at me. I then remove the beanie on my head as my curly short brown hair comes out. My heart begins to height in the rate of beats. I begin to hum, so as to have my Vagus nerve help me relax. In the University of Ottawa, they found that deep breathing and so much as slow breathing would reduce the anxiety and increase the parasympathetic system by activating said Vagus nerve. There's been other sciences following this, but it manages to help. The door to the elevator dings and opens its metal doors to reveal a marble inlaid hallway.
From what looked like a high end hotel, seems to turn into what looked like the beauty of greece. The paintings of some Grecian Gods, one of Amphitrite, Goddess of the sea being praised and adored by Aeolus God king of the winds. Though from what I have learned from the stories. The two have no history together. Perhaps its a commission of adoration for Michiru and her lover, whether it holds any symbolism is unfounded and therefor unrelated to them. I go towards the door. I bring my hand, turn it into a fist as I close to knocking. Not before the intrusive thoughts again sneak up on me. The fears. The what-ifs. I take a breath again, not as long as when I was in the elevator. I dig deep within myself and knock on the door three times.
I couldn't back out now. Cant rewind this event. Whatever happens next, happens. I hear the faint sound of footsteps. Not like that of a woman's heels but to that of perhaps Italian shoes. I take a step back to get a full view, and to be ready. No idea what they'll do. I shouldn't feel this way. Its my sister for God's sake. Their security might be getting the door. Damn it, stop it brain. Just stop. I hear the click of the door handle and the door open. I begin to see an individual. Blonde, 5'11, short blonde hair like that of a man, wearing a cream colored suit jacket with blue buttoned business shirt. Their eyes dark blue, scanning me from top to bottom, more than likely wondering if I would be any potential threat.
"Can I help you?" The person says, I recognize their facial features. This was Haruka Tenoh. The racer, the one in the tabloids with Michiru as their boyfriend. They were to the point with their words, something I myself respect. No need for flowery.
"Yes, I was wondering if Michiru Kaioh was home? I do apologize if I have come at a unfortunate time." I say, putting up the smiley demeanor, one Haruka doesn't seem impressed with. She's good too. Michiru has good people protecting her. That's reassuring to me at least. Peace to my state of mind after worrying for her for a decade.
"If you are a fan, we have a P.O. box. If this is for business, Michiru doesn't like having things come to her unexpected unless made by appointment. For anything else, leave." Again, they are to the point. Professional with their words. No sense of venom in them. Seems this is routine for them. Again, no need for flowery. I have reached this far. While I would be more... articulate with my words. It seems I must be more frontal about this. I drop the smile slightly, keeping it going to not be too out of character.
"Forgive me, I have done neither one, but I am no fan either. I am..." Just say it, dammit. Say it truly. There's no lie. At least by blood relation, but by her heart, what will she think. Not enough time to think. Just say it. "I am her younger brother." I dropped the bomb there and then. I invoke a slight reaction from Haruka, their eyes widen barely and her brows have raised, but not too extensively.
"If this is a joke, I'm going to give you five seconds to leave before I call either security or throw you out myself." They walk towards me now, using her height to her advantage. I see from her hands, callus' from what looks like that of a Judo student, high level. Not sure if they'll match me, but i keep myself composed. My arms downwards and open for any possible coming attack. I pull out my wallet and show her the ID and even the birth certificate. Both are worn and the ID expired, but nonetheless, I use it.
"Please, check it if you have to. This isn't a joke. I'll wait outside the building if you want me to, but who I am, is genuine." I look to her with serious and yet using my acting to have pleading eyes. Evidence is a good tool to utilize. For situations like this. At least as Henri Ducard, the great detective, would attest. Haruka grabs both the ID and the Birth certificate, she narrows her eyes at me before looking at the paper.
"Wait here." She looks to me again before closing the door. I stand there, in my own mind for the moment to have the time pass by faster, or at least I feel like it does. It takes 23 minutes and 47 seconds before I hear the door open. Her eyes not showing the glare but more of a calm and less serious demeanor. "Come in please." It seems it may have worked, but it could be a trap. While yes, I am paranoid. It's kept me alive for this long. that and the mental trauma I was induced to at an early age. While I may be holding the fishing line for you all, the readers to bite on, there's still time for me to explain. You will see.
I walk into the room. Once again the theme for the room changes from what was a Grecian room, to a more now artists mixed with cars aesthetic. Mixture of instruments pertaining to violins and pianos with statue toy size Porsches and BMWs. Even a buggy Volkswagen which was odd to see with racing cars, that is unless you've watched Herbie: Fully loaded. I was a kid once, don't judge me.
"Sit wherever, Michiru will be here soon. Here's your papers." They give back my ID and birth certificate. "Although I should mention the ID is expired."
"One of the things I plan to do since I have returned." I say with a smile and a nervous laugh, keeping up the appearance.
"I'm surprised you weren't on the news about your return." Haruka gives me a cup of coffee. Smells like colombian mixed with vanilla syrup and milk.
"Well It does pay to have publicity not be around you. I must admit I am a hermit when it comes to social encounters. But i am attempting to break out of my shell. I'm sure I'll perhaps get a publicist to get everything arranged and all that jazz. I just... wanted to come here first. If that's understandable."
"Certainly, I can get behind that. Although with me and your sisters line of work, we do tend to be in the spotlight quite a bit."
"So I have seen from the tabloids. You are a skilled racer, second to no one it seems. Your reputation proceeds you, Haruka." I take a sip of the coffee. Its not spiked with anything so that's a plus.
"Thanks, it does have more pros then cons. The only thing that's an annoyance is the paparazzi." They take a sip of their drink as well, taking more of its floral notes. Guess I am dealing with a coffee connoisseur.
"I guess I'll need to get used to that." I then begin to hear quick clacking of high heels, to what I was expecting when I knocked on the door. They sound hurried, she knows. My heart rate beats fast again. Can't do deep breaths, no time. Must react accordingly and as calm as possible. The door opens quickly as she burst through the door.
"Where is he? Where is-" Michiru stops, her beautiful sea colored eyes look to me, her eyes widen, her hand goes to her mouth. She sounds much... deeper more, elegant than I anticipated. I slowly stand up. She knows it's me, her eyes waver and dilate as many emotions course through her. I look at her with no smile, but more of a somber and yet hopeful look.
"Hello, Michi." I say her nickname that more than likely hasn't been uttered for the past decade, seeming to invoke a bit more of the surprised reaction she was holding. Looking like it confirmed whatever thoughts she had in her head.
"Sunny...?" Michiru says, her voice hitches. Light welling of tears show, but do not drip downwards. She drops her purse and slowly walks towards me as her hands reach my shoulders.
"It's me, Michi. I'm... I'm home." I say, my slightly deeper voice now coming to realization to her as she gives me a tight hug. One I haven't felt in so long. One I myself... missed greatly.
"It's not a dream. You're home. Welcome home." Michiru said, now overcome with emotion, lightly cries on my shoulder. I Kneel us down, to let her legs to give way as I myself do not cry, I haven't been able to. Not since 10 years ago. Haruka holds a light smile, I don't have to look directly at them to see. My first mission is completed, but my crusade. Has not begun just yet.