The Pendulum: A dream within a dream

Another fiction story that can explain the pieces of Hiruma Youichi's puzzle (errr, based on my POV).. hehehehe enjoy!

Hiruma, roamed his emerald eyes within his room. Only darkness rested in its four corners. It's wide and everything echoed inside. Aside from the large sofa-bed and small table in the center of the room, there are no other furniture that can be found inside. From the sofa-bed where he lays, he stood up; checking the time in his wrist-watch it says seven in the evening. The moonlight tries to peek within his room but he let the curtains down. He slowly walked across the room that even if he closed his eyes, he knows every places of that room. He grinned by the thought that crossed his mind about the owner of the apartment is so nervous whenever they cross paths. Thanks for his ever reliable "threat notebook" – it is very useful to its very extent, as a reward he has this room free of charge – oops, free on all expenses including the utilities.

He stinks, his nose tells the level of his odor within that day. His position as a commander from hell and evil student gives him stench. As he walked to take a shower, he took off his shirt before opening the door. The slick skin embedded with muscles is seen even from a dim light. He pushed the button opening the lights and it actually hurt his eyes, making him blink for a several times. He also undone the button of his of his pants and took off the remaining pieces of clothing. He is really tired, and it's a good thing that he has a warm bath. After several minutes, he entered to his bathtub and comforted himself, taking his time. But then again, sleep took over, enveloping Hiruma in a deep slumber.

"Youichi-kun. Youichi!" a voice of a very familiar and fair woman called Hiruma. Hiruma Youichi at nine years old stretched his body on his bed. "Youichi" the door slammed wide open "I'm calling you for several times now. Please fix yourself, you're going to be late – honey". The woman said with a smiling face.

"Yes mom!" Youichi, answered politely, rubbing his eyes from the hurt coming from sunlight. He quickly done his bed and took a bath and dressed himself for school. He plans to go into the American Base again – to gamble. He went down the stairs and starts to join his mother in an early breakfast. Like before, there was always he and his mother eating in the table. It's been two years and half since his father left to chase for his dream – to become a grandmaster. Youichi is already used to it. Besides, the face of his father is only a distant memory for him. He enjoyed the meal and even talked with his mother about the recent school activity that he has even if his mouth is full.

"Youichi, haven't I told you not to speak if your mouth is full?" His mother sweetly wipes the smudges on Youichi's mouth. But the boy just smiled.

"Ohh," his mother rest her hands on the table, "Youichi, tell me – is there something that happened between you and our neighbour Ikaku-kun at school?"

"Hmmm… there's nothing special." Youichi shrugged the issue easily while he sways his feet from sitting in a high chair.

"Hmmm… Youichi, you know I don't like kids who lie. The head teacher told me that you had a fight with him".

"That fat Ikaku is a big liar mom. It started with a girl, I don't know her name or where she lived from but she has a long brown hair. He asked for her bento and I just merely past them. Seeing him using his fats to scare the girl made me feel that I have to help her, at least. But you know what mom –"

"What?"

"That girl is not scared at all. Instead she looked at him with her blue eyes like she's going to eat him made me laugh hard. Because that fat-ass –"

"Youichi!"

"Ermm… Ikaku is the one who is scared. So where's the fighting in there? I just called him that he is such a chicken and a cry-baby which is very true."

"Ohh, my Youichi" the mother tease her son by rustling his shiny black hair "that is so cute. I'm imagining that you really saved that girl".

"Geez, mom. I don't know her so it really doesn't matter mom". But her mother didn't stop messing his completely messed hair. "Arggh, this pisses me off" he thought.

"Ohh, you better hurry honey. Don't get into a fight!" his mother waved goodbye in front of their porch "And oh, don't start a fight okay!" the mother reminded.

"Geez, mom you're too noisy". Youichi did not bother to look back.

At that time, Youichi's mother is working at a Resto-bar near the American Base.

"Hanori-chan, there's Mr. English calling for your service." A co-worker whispered in her.

"But Yamaguchi-san, I'm busy". Hanori Chou, the mother of Youichi and in her mid-twenties was sought by the annoying customers.

"I guess they can wait". Yamaguchi left her.

After she gave the order slip to the kitchen crew, she proceeded to the table of Mr. English with his friends.

"Good morning! May I now take your orders?" Chou said.

"Wow impressive Chou, you are now fluent in English heh?" One man complimented.

Chou smiled and said "My son is also good at it. Anyways, its thanks for you that I learned how to speak your language. May I take your order now?" Chou asked again.

"Oi, wait Chou, why you were such in a hurry? You don't have customers here yet. Come on sit here beside me. We sure like to talk." Mr. English invited.

"No – please I'm at work." Chou said without hesitation. After rounds of talking with the American soldiers and serving them, at least Chou gained the highest tip.

Because of the idea that she can keep a job and gain tips from her patrons, Chou cannot leave her job easily. After all she's the only one raising Youichi and taking care of their needs.

After months of working in the Resto-Bar, Chou was courted by Mr. English and they've been dating. Youichi find this muscle and tall man as a stranger at first and told him to Mr. English, Uncle Jorge. Young Youichi answered this sudden introduction with a crinkled forehead. He really doesn't get it. He made excuses and ran outside because at the bottom of his heart, he feels pain.

So, he is the reason why mom's always late. He is the reason why mom has a lot of money. He is the reason why mom always goes out at night. He is the reason why I feel like I'm missing something. Is he also the reason why daddy is not here? Is he also the reason why at some point, mommy smiles differently? So, am I the reason why mommy needs so much money? Am I a burden? Why can't we build our family again?

The poor Youichi cried alone in a tree were he used to play with his father before. At the back of his head, he can clearly see the picture of his family shrouded with uncertainties, doubts, disappointments, and never ending quarrel.

"Look daddy, I got a five-star in our exam". Youichi as a five year old kid shows his achievement in an early age to his father.

"That's great! Keep it up Youichi and be like me." His daddy encouraged. Youichi smiled and yet noticed the packed things of his father.

"Where are you going daddy? Are you going to leave us again?" Youichi asked, even if it appears normal to him, he still don't want his father be away from them in a long time.

"I'm going to Vegas." His father simply said.

"Is that far?" Youichi innocently asked again.

"It is indeed far. And your damn father will leave us again empty handed!" Chou overheard the conversation and cannot suppress her anger and frustration.

"Youichi, please go back to your room." His father requested and Youichi followed. He already know what will happen next.

"Chou! Don't say something like that to Youichi about me." It is his father.

"Oh, as if the kid doesn't know the truth." Chou is getting fire up. "You are always like that! You always make up your mind without asking me. Did you know that we are already broke because of you chasing your non-sense dreams?"

"How dare you say that?" Youichi's father almost hit his woman in an instant.

"What? Why backing out? Hit me if you want! Are you angry because I don't give a shit in your illusions of being a grandmaster?" Chou is almost breaking out in tears because of her anger. "You know what? I am always holding that thought, that someday- someday you will marry me. And move live like a normal couple. But – why –" Chou is sobbing "why can't give me that damn privilege but instead chasing the dreams when you know it doesn't love you back?" Chou finally broke into heavy tears.

"Chou, you know that I love you. You're still my butterfly. You and Youichi completes me. But try to understand, this dream only comes in a lifetime. So please, wait for my return." Youichi's father pleaded.

"But how long? Sometimes I doubted that you really don't love me at all. You know wha?, your last match in Germany" Chou is wiping her tears in front of her love "Youichi predicted the move of your opponent. But why you lost? Then afterwards, you backed out on your next match and now you're trying to regain again your place. I really don't understand you. Not at all".

"Chou, you know a man can feel whether the victory is his and not." Youichi's father said shortly.

"Oh here we go again in that bullshit." Chou said.

"Watch your mouth. I'm going." Youichi's father stepped into Youichi's but found the boy rolled in his duvet and sleeping. He whispered "wait for me son, I will try to at least attend in you graduation in elementary. Please pray for daddy's success." He patted a kiss on his son's forehead.

"Ahhh…haaahaaa…ahhh" Youichi was disturbed by the sudden voice "his mom's voice". It's not a panicky tone but like a moan. The boy found himself inside his bedroom but he can remember is that he hid up in the tree.

"Ahhh…aahhhh…ahhhh…" hush voices coming from outside his room.

"Yeah, fuck it baby. I'll fuck you hard!" The hard voice of the American man Youichi met before.

The boy is somewhat bothered so he opened his door slowly and quietly and peeked. What he saw shocked him, clothes are on the floor and two pair of distinguishable legs are tangled in each other. Youichi immediately closed the door. He plunged into his bed and went under his covers and muttered "I would not want any sibling with the hulk".

Sure that heaven heard his prayer because after almost a year, Chou is never got pregnant with Mr. English. However, this time, Youichi is going to graduate from elementary but his father is not present. They also lost contact on him and they did not know if he is still alive or care for them at least. Youichi attended his graduation alone, without his mother. Actually no souls in the school know the face of Youichi's mother, maybe except for Ikaku.

"Youichi, are you sure you're not going with us? You'll be lonely here." Chou's caring voice told to her only son.

"I assure you, I'll be okay mom." Youichi seriously replied.

"Heh, if you just want to follow, just give us a call." said by Mr. English. At this time, Youichi's mother and Mr. English will move to America but Youichi decided to stay. The boy expected this and he also bet that they will marry in America too. His relationship with Mr. English is not that close but not with a distance either. He just doesn't acknowledge him being a step-father. But more than that, he knows that he will make something big in Japan. Like his father said, "a man can feel whether the victory is his or not" but in his situation, Youichi will make sure that all victories will be his.

"Youichi, take this" Chou handed over a small jewellery box. Youichi already know what's inside.

"Mom?" Youichi said with questioning eyes, in the vicinity of departure area.

"Calling all passengers of flight number 0311…0311. Please proceed to the receiving area"

"Take good care okay" Chou said with teary eyes and kissed the forehead of young yet tall Hiruma Youichi "Remember, not to eat too much sweets okay?" Chou whispered and Youichi smiled.

After that he bid goodbye for the two people.

BRRRRRRRRTTTTTTT…BBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTT…

Hiruma opened his eyes and it was hurt by the bright lights of his shower room.

"I slept again?" he muttered. "That dream again".

Quickly he took his towel and went to his table where he left his mobile phone. After reading some uninteresting messages, he flipped it closed and opened his drawer to check something. Buried by various documents, Hiruma found the jewellery box, lifted it up and whispered "why? Is it time?"

He opened the box and found the pendulum necklace that his useless father gave to his mother before he was born. The moonlight cheated on the curtain and passed through the pendulum. The lights were swirling all over the room but this remained unnoticed to Hiruma. Eventually, he locked it up again back to the box and put is one the drawer.

Hiruma then proceeded to his simple kitchen. He went to the cupboard but he could not find any cup noodles. But then he visualized the figure of a woman, smiling at him and cooking.

"I guess it's time to pay a visit for that fucking classmate." Hiruma grinned and went outside to look for some decent food.