Whooo! Managed to create this chapter in under three days! As such, I'm bringing this chapter to you today/tonight! Please enjoy!
Just a warning before you read: there will be SPOILERS for the third work I said previously in the last chapter I would add to the fanfic starting this chapter. In fact, the mystery of her name is a major plot point that isn't revealed until near the end of her game, which I will start showing it to you all.
If you acknowledge that, then please proceed.
BGM: Goodbye Nostalgia [music box arrangement] (Loop it for greater effect)
He sat there, holding the ropes carrying the swing he's sitting on. It seems like he wants to swing by himself since he's making it move a little due to his dangling legs, probably wanting enjoy the exhilaration of rising in the air before falling down in an easy rhythm. But he didn't have intent to do so, choosing to just… idly sit on the swing with his head lowered.
Despite that, the sounds of children hollering happily among themselves some meters away from him had lured his eyes to the sight of them playing simple games with each other. Even if one may not watch them, their infectious, cheerful voices may not go unheard by some passerby as they walk past the playground.
It was the first sight he saw when visiting the playground all by himself. He's sure few of them noticed him arriving but he brushed them off and zoomed straight to the swings. He didn't came here to ask them if he can play in whatever game they are playing under the belief he might ruin the easygoing mood the group of children have created.
After all, he knew from the bottom of his heart that he will never be able to make friends with kids his age… because everyone, including his parents and relatives, cannot see Hierophant Green.
He had gone pass convincing anyone of its existence. And even if he tries again, they might call him mad and perceive his "imaginary friend" as similar to an evil spirit. He had ran those worried thoughts ever since he was made aware of it when he was just two-years-old, all of which are not good outcomes that can pull him out of a plight he didn't ask for.
He felt alienated by everyone, including his family. He might be unable to establish meaningful connection to this world, nor would they pay heed to his "imaginary friend"… And because of that, he has no choice but to submit to a crushing loneliness he has brought to himself inadvertently.
He hated it. He hated being the only person who has a spirit-like being hovering by his side, unseen by everyone. Again, he didn't ask for this. He wondered how and why did it came into being. He sorely wanted an answer from someone, but alas, no matter what he does and how much he want to live like a happy kid…
Hierophant Green will always remind Noriaki Kakyoin that he is, and always will be, alone, so long it follows wherever he goes.
His need for companionship is so strong that the being itself manifests in front of him. Kakyoin noticed it appearing unconsciously and, as much he likes to keep hanging his head lower, he glance at what he assumed to be his…other self staring back at him with its yellow, mechanical eyes. The being always sports a neutral look, helped by a little mask covering its mouth but he doesn't need to study its expression to know what its thinking or feeling. As mentioned above, Hierophant Green is his other self.
However, Kakyoin didn't want it accompanying him. It can't be seen by anyone except himself, so why bother summoning it with his mind? He didn't will it to appear just to remind him of the loneliness he was subjected to ever since he was two.
Kakyoin believes he has had enough staying in the playground filled with many kids enjoying the air of youth they are lucky to have. Returning back to his parents' room they rented in a hotel to stay during their month-long summer vacation sounds like a better option than sitting by his lonesome. They are here to visit their relatives living in Saga and explore its landmarks.
Just when he's about to get off the swing though…
"Excuse me, little boy…"
…a voice stops him, and he jolted in surprise since it came out of nowhere.
"H-Huh?"
Look up, Kakyoin sees a… creepy woman standing before him, staring him down with a blank expression. So blank that if he hadn't looked to her eyes (noticing she has white pupils within her purple irises), he wouldn't gauge what she's thinking or feeling.
Curious she's speaking to him and a little intimidated, Kakyoin moves Hierophant Green aside so it's not blocking his way then addresses the woman nervously. "Um, are you… talking to me?"
"Yes. Please, be not afraid. I only want to speak with you."
He is puzzled that she's speaking to him when there are many children out there more sociable than him. She could have chosen any of them to talk and yet…
Kakyoin averts his eyes, feeling a little self-conscious and put-off by her eerie appearance. "…What do you want, miss? I'm… I'm not someone interesting… and special compared to kids my age."
"Not special, you say?" She repeated in a curious tone. She crouched down to his height, putting her hands on her knees before she turns her sight somewhere. "Would you claim that to yourself when this 「Stand」 is hovering by your side?"
"S-Stand…?" Confused at first, Kakyoin feels his eyes widening in upon noticing the woman is staring off by her side. He moves his head to his left to see Hierophant Green floating beside him, and turns to the woman again to confirm if she's actually staring at Hierophant Green.
"…Is she… looking at? Wait, does this mean…?"
Realizing his eyes are not deceiving him at any slightest, Kakyoin gets off the swing swelling with elation and hope, putting his foot on the ground and stumbling a little before he exclaims, "O-Oneesan!"
"Hm? Yes?" She turned back with a curious look.
"Can you… Can you really see Hierophant Green floating there!?" He eagerly pointed to it, his mouth curling up in a hopeful smile.
Tilting her head, she asks, "Is that the name of your Stand, little one?"
"Yes, yes!" He nodded without comprehending the term.
"…Then you are correct." Straightening her head, the woman returns to looking at Hierophant Green with a passive look that belies the curiosity behind it. "I can 「see」your Stand. Your 「Hierophant Green」…"
Kakyoin couldn't believe it. Someone else actually saw Hierophant Green! How… How is this possible, he thought? Not once in his early years have this happen before no matter how much he talked about his "spirit". He was starting to accept no one except himself can see Hierophant Green and he would be spending many years very lonely and estranged from other people, including his loving family. He considered himself a freak, a one-of-a-kind, just from having Hierophant Green in his mind. He truly believed he's the onlyone who have a spirit following him.
And then this strange woman appeared before him to ask him about Hierophant Green, leading him to realize she can actually see him.
For the first time, Kakyoin isn't alone. At last, he finally has someone he can make friends with! He knows this is a chance he shouldn't forsake, for he won't get a second chance like this again once his vacation is up and he returns home.
Gathering courage in his chest, Kakyoin takes a deep breath before he asks the woman one simple question he hopes she will accept. "U-Um, oneesan! Can I… ask you something important? Please?"
"Hmm?" Curious of his question, she faced him again with a hint of interest on her blank face. "What is it, little one?"
Knowing it's now or never, Noriaki Kakyoin proceeds to ask her a question. A question, and the experience thereafter, he had actually forgotten and buried deep within the recesses of his mind after his summer vacation is over…
"Can I… Can I be your 「friend」?"
"Mmm… Mmmpphhh…"
Groaning as his rotten brain stirred him awake, Kakyoin opens his eyes steadily, his vision partially blurred and darkened. He blinks twice to wipe off the blurriness from his eyes.
Once he can see well, Kakyoin sees first the wooden ceiling hanging above him and finds himself lying on a futon with a cover draped over him. In his groggy mind, he assumed he's sleeping with his friends after they got back home, something he has no knowledge of for some reason.
As much his body wants to continue sleeping, Kakyoin is aware of the little sunlight pouring from cracks or small holes on the walls, spelling it to him it is daytime. Believing his friends must have awoken already and is waiting for him, he sits upright, stretching his arms up as he lets out a big yawn. In the midst of it, his waist feels…off somehow, like it wanted to complain of the movement Kakyoin is making. It feels stiff.
Well, more stretching can fix the stiff muscles, Kakyoin thought, lowering his arms. Anyway, I hope I didn't kept everyone waiting for me to wake up. They must got… up… first…?
Upon observing the room intently, Kakyoin widen his eyes when he realized he's not in the living room, or in Franchouchou and Rianima's bedroom when it's nighttime. By this logic, he's not in the mansion.
"Huh? I'm… not back home?" He muttered to himself in puzzlement, moving his head around to study the room he, in his view, suddenly found himself in. Said room is a traditional-styled bedroom with all the elements and furniture typically used in this setup, like tatami mats, fusuma installed two meters away from his position, wooden transoms placed above the fusuma, a hanging scroll displaying the kanji for long life called "kotobuki" and deep red rose sitting in a vase sitting in alcoves to his right called tokonoma, built-in shelves beside the alcove and lastly, shoji doors he only realized were standing behind him the whole time.
Overall, as mentioned above, the bedroom Kakyoin is in is modeled after the time-honored design of old Japanese homes with all the minimalist details and pervading mood accompanying such homes. In that sense, it is safe to assume for him to know the rest of this house Kakyoin has no memory of entering was built to match the traditional setup. He has to admit though. After living in a western-styled mansion for many months, he has forgotten what it's like living in a traditional home. If weren't for the fact he's in Japan, he would forget the feeling of living in it.
Most importantly however, Kakyoin needs to move. He removes the covers off of him and stands up, quickly noticing he's wearing his socks and his green-skinned hands are on full display. Learning he isn't disguised causes a worrying thought to come to his head: since he's in an unfamiliar home, is it possible someone has… seen him and realize… he's a zombie? Kakyoin bites his lower lip in worry.
Not good! I better get out of here and return back to others! Urgh, Tatsumi-san is not gonna be happy with me when I return. Wait, did he sent my friends to search for me? He should have since I am missing… Agh. no! This is not the time for thinking! I have to get moving!
Fueled by that thought, Kakyoin approaches the fusuma doors and raises his hand to grab the steel embedded handles and open it. He hopes the owner of this house is not in, though if he wants to make sure this house is empty other than him, he could let Hierophant Green search the premises to see if anyone is present or help him evade their detection.
Reacting by that thought, Hierophant Green comes out of Kakyoin, floating behind him obediently as it awaits its master's command. With a deep breath as a single drop of sweat trails along his cheekt, Kakyoin opens the sliding door…
…just as the woman standing in the opposite side was about to open it.
"Huh?" The woman look at Kakyoin in surprise.
"Ah!" Kakyoin recoiled in great shock over having been found out sooner than he hoped.
The two stare at each other for many seconds, both of them not responding to their sudden appearance as if they didn't expect this to happen. They stayed rooted and frozen in their position in that time frame as Kakyoin, his Stand hovering by his side gawking to the woman too as if in response to her sudden appearance, calms his racing mind over having bee found out so soon.
Wanting to salvage this situation somehow so this woman wouldn't suspect that he's a walking corpse, Kakyoin opens his mouth to speak, only to find his words clamping up in his throat. "U-Um… This… This isn't-"
"You have awoken at last."
"H-Huh?"
Closing his mouth upon hearing what the woman said to him in a relieved tone, Kakyoin stares back at her in a daze, quickly noticing she's not freaking out over his rotting body coated in the smell of decay. At least, he hoped not.
If he is, he reminds himself to ask Kotaro to let him take a bath. Through persuasion if he still won't budge.
Anyway, back to the matter in hand, Kakyoin refuses to calm down, somewhat relieved that she didn't freaked out upon seeing him what he really is beneath the human disguise, but still worried. But whatever response he wants to make, he didn't get to say it when he felt his left wrist being grabbed before he is pulled back toward the futon.
"H-Hey, what are you…!" He started complaining.
"Do not fret, Kakyoin," The woman tried assuring him, surprising him more she also knows his last name. "I need to examine your「soul」and see if you are well enough to have you returned to your friends. So please… lay back on the futon."
"H-H-Hey hold on!" Kakyoin protested, plucking his wrist off her hand and stepping away with an indignant look, eyeing the woman warily while rubbing his left wrist as if it hurt him. "How… How did you know my name? And also, did you mention my friends in the same sentence? Who… Who in the world are you!?"
The woman tilts her head after hearing his response, seemingly puzzled over what he said. "…What are you saying? I know your name and who your friends are because we met in Mt. Tenzan two days ago."
"What? In Mt. Tenzan? Two days… ago…?"
It didn't take long when his increasingly confounded face changed to a dawning look as his eyes widened, giving out a gasp upon recognizing the woman standing before. How could he have forgotten who she is? Leave it to his alerted mind for fogetting that one detail.
"…Emi-san? Is that… you?" Kakyoin asked with an astounded expression, lowering his hands down as he slowly approaches her.
Seeing he recognizes her, Emi straightens her head up and responds with a nod. "Yes. It is me, Kakyoin. You must have been at a loss when you found yourself not in your own home after waking up. I apologize for not being here so I can inform when you woke up."
Kakyoin raised an eyebrow, wondering why she is apologizing over something she doesn't have control over. "Oh, uhhh… It's fine. You… don't need to say sorry. It was I who should apologize when I nearly went hostile on you."
Emi stares at him blankly, making it hard for him to recognize what kind of expression she's feeling, like when he or the others talk to Mamezuku and dealing with unflappable demeanor. "I understand why you almost felt that way. Your skin was exposed, therefore letting me have a gander to your zombie body. How can you react like you did earlier under the belief you and I are strangers?"
"Well, I…" He rubs the back of his neck, conceding she has a point and looking ashamed.
"Never mind about that for now," Emi noticed the blanket sprawled aside the futon, so she crouched down and picks it up, smoothing the wrinkles and folding it carefully until the blanket is fully curled which she then sets it aside the futon again on the other side. Standing up again, she faces the curious zombie and tells him again this, "Kakyoin, I need to examine your「soul」and see if you are fit to go back to your companions. For that matter, you must lie back down on this futon."
"Examine my…「soul」?" Kakyoin repeated in a questioning tone.
"You are wondering what I am saying. But do not worry," she added. "I shall explain what happened two days ago and what happened after you…" She looks down for a second before she faced him again and finishes, "…protected Sakura from Shino's attack."
Kakyoin silently gasped upon hearing that. He now remembers what he did to protect Sakura, when he barely noticed Xero hovering over her threateningly with Linkin Park poised to kill her. He remembered his shock and fear that she's about to be killed, leading him to summon Hierophant Green and have it go between the two in desperation. He next felt a familiar pain coursing from his belly but he didn't paid attention to it until he's sure Sakura was safe, and when he saw she was safe, he fell over and his vision went dark.
Fortunately for him, one person can shed light to the aftermath. To that end, Kakyoin decides to obey her, discreetly lying back on the futon.
Nodding to his compliance, Emi crouches to Kakyoin's level on her knees, putting her legs underneath. Taking a breath first, Emi moves her right hand over his forehead and let it remain for a minute as she hums or mumbles something under her breath during the "examination" process. He idly takes note of her hand being warm to the touch in contrast to his body's unsettling coolness.
After one minute has passed, Emi removes her hand off his forehead. Taking this as an indicator she's likely done, Kakyoin moves his head to his left so he's facing her and asks, "What's the result, Emi-san?"
"Ah, I am not done yet," she admitted. "Next, I have to 「look straight」 into your 「eyes」 so I can directly examine your 「soul」. That way, I can verily determine the 「state」 of your soul and see if you are fit to return to your companions."
"I… I don't think I will like that." He responded uneasily.
"It will only take ten seconds. And you only need to be calm," she reassured him. "I know it will be awkward for you, but I only want the best outcome to happen to you so you can return to your companions safely."
"Hmm… alright. I'll let you look into my eyes."
"A good response."
And so for the next ten seconds, Emi's purple eyes and white pupils look straight into Kakyoin's red ones, the woman herself maintaining an impassive look on her face ever since Cherry Boy first saw her. True to his words, the whole experience is definitely awkward on Kakyoin's end. In spite of that though, he didn't complain again because this is for his own well-being and knowing well his friends must be worried sick for him.
After what felt like an hour, Emi breaks eye contact from Kakyoin. "Alright. The examination is done."
"Ah finally…" Kakyoin let out a sigh of relief he's not getting stared on for more than five seconds. He felt his privacy being breached. "So… What's the prognosis, Emi-san?" He asked her next, sitting upright.
Straightening her posture, Emi turns to Kakyoin, being mindful not to look directly at his eyes to let him recover from his awkwardness and answers his question with the same, unfeeling look. "Your「soul」is, like I expected, recovering well, having most of its parts restored enough that you yourself awoke from your coma."
"I'm glad to hear that," smiled Kakyoin, noting she is right because he's feeling energized this… morning? Or is it noon? He shouldn't forget to ask Emi what time is it later. " So does this mean I'm free to go back home?"
At that question, Emi musters a small frown, and Kakyoin feels his smile curling down upon guessing he's about to hear the catch. "Unfortunately, no. As I said, your soul is meding by is own, but that does not mean it is fully healed. You require more rest in order to ensure your total recovery. The damage done to your soul through your「Hierophant Green」receiving the brunt of「Linkin Park」's full might is so great it ruptured your well-being," she let out a sigh on that part. "As such, you need to stay here for one more day. My apologies for saying this, Kakyoin."
While no doubt disappointed he cannot return soon like he hoped, Kakyoin accepts the outcome with grace. He's grateful at least he's alright now. "You don't have to apologize again Emi-san. I have you to thank for preventing my second death," he smiled at her, his left hand hovering over his chest before bowing. "Nothing hurts me more than my friends, you, and even Tatsumi-san witnessing my death and hearing their distressed cries as they cradle my body… It would be a mercy for my soul that I didn't get to hear or saw them crying over my body."
Listening to him placing his friends' worry over his own, Emi is touched that he values his friends enough that he willingly and nearly gave his life for Sakura's own. It seems beneath Kakyoin's levelheaded exterior houses a shining heart who wants to be by his companions' side at all times and ensures justice is done right to evildoers.
Your words and that look in your eyes when you talked about your friends… Feeling a bit regretful, Emi looks to the floor with a frown. I… I almost snuffed it out of you… all because I 「befriended」 you 「forty-one years」 ago, thus putting you on my 「sworn enemy」's sight. And it appears, based on how you were looking at me with a wary but inquisitive eyes, you do not 「remember」 me, your first friend as you said back then…
Her downward look didn't go unnoticed by Kakyoin and, worried by this slight change in her behavior that was imperturbable the whole time he interacted with her, he asks, "Emi-san? Is something the matter? Why are you looking down?"
"…" At first, Emi didn't respond to his worried question, keeping her face downward without any change in her demeanor. Unbeknownst to Kakyoin, she was thinking on how she should proceed. After five months of waiting, she is now talking with the zombie she was wishing to see the most with her very own eyes. Based from her sorrowful thoughts and its contents, it appears she knows who Kakyoin is, yet he doesn't have the faintest idea of who she is and is regarding her in a manner similar to one meeting with a stranger for the first time.
Ah. Am I… wallowing in my regret again? Becoming aware of how she's presented to Kakyoin, she looks up and shakes her head to drive away the negative thoughts. Why am I mesmerizing myself in it, ignorant of a chance that has been presented before me? I have waited for this 「reunion」 for five months, so I must not eschew myself out of the opportunity to 「reconnect」 with the first human I have ever made friends with! He may have forgotten me, especially since he was a kid back then and what happened to him nearly costing his life, but hereupon I seize this moment for I will not have another chance!
Unaware of what she's thinking, Kakyoin grows more confused over Emi's another change of behavior that hadn't put a dent to her expressionless face, if only a little, so he opens his mouth to ask her again. "Emi-san? Are you… really okay…?"
This time, Emi responds to his question with a shake of her head. "I am fine. Please do not worry." After reassuring him, Emi raises his head up and directs her eyes to match Kakyoin's own, who blink twice in slight surprise upon noticing the amount of resoluteness brimming within her purple eyes. Also, the way she's looking at him… He cannot help but find it… familiar.
Before he can say more, Emi speaks out these words with a small smile that will surprise and confound the zombie teenager over the content and implications.
"…It is good to see you again, Noriaki Kakyoin."
"E-Excuse me?"
If he's still feeling drowsy from his two-day coma nap, hearing Emi greeting him as if he was someone very familiar to her would pull him out of it as his mounting confusion and surprise add up for the third time.
W-W-Wait, why did I act so surprised over what Emi-san said to me? Kakyoin thought, comprehending the woman's words. I should be only… confused.
Intending to let Emi explain herself, Kakyoin steels himself and responds to her. "Why did you say that Emi? This is the first… no wait, the second or… third time we see each other. The first one was, I think… when you're searching for your cat, the second time was two days ago, and the third one is… what we're currently doing. Additionally, I barely knew you back then. I have to ask… why did you greet me like we're already friends?"
He notice Emi's eyes wavering, at least he thought so, though whether he saw it or not, her eyes returned back to its former state when he looked at her again.
"What you said has a grain of truth in them…" Emi conceded his logic is sound. "However, contrary to what you believe Kakyoin… Those are not the first time you met me. You should know this as you befriended me about「forty-one years ago」."
"F-Forty-one years…?" Kakyoin thought he might need a calculator as he continues being more confused. Fortunately, he doesn't need one once he subtracted the current year to the difference of the number of years Emi said. "That's… in the year「1977」.
Wait, 1977…? He perked up, having a feeling he should be somewhat aware of it.
"Correct," nodded Emi. "If you are wondering what significance that year has for the both of us…" Briefly pausing for dramatic effect, Emi maintains her stare to Kakyoin's puzzled eyes. Perceiving he's close to remembering it, she continues, "It was in the 「summer of August when we first met」. When I was passing by a playground one day, I caught a glimpse of your Stand, 「Hierophant Green」, floating before you while sitting on a playground device humans call… a swing set…"
"H-Huh?" Kakyoin has his mouth agape. What she said sounds like she's describing a dream he vaguely remembers.
"…Curious that a Stand was in Saga, and thusly a Stand User was in my midst, I walked up to you to confirm if you do have a Stand. Like I suspected, you said yes to my question…"
"That, I-I…" Slowly, an understanding look dawned on his face as she continued. He wanted to refute her claim that she knew him far back because he doesn't remember meeting her when he was a kid. Yet in spite of that, he didn't stop her. "…I think I… asked something along those lines."
"You did. After you answered my question, you ask me if I could be your 「friend」. I was surprised, and ready to decline your question because I did not came to the playground you were in to be your friend. I only want to confirm if I was seeing your Stand. But upon taking a look to your forlorn eyes, I soon understand that because you have 「Hierophant Green」, you were lonely because no one can see your Stand except Stand Users themselves. I believe I am the first Stand User you had met back then…"
Kakyoin didn't say anything, only staring at her with wide eyes and mouth agape. He stayed frozen in his spot as he waits her to finish recounting the events that supposedly- no. Definitely happened between them.
"…Now learning why you want to be friends with me and unable to deny your need for companionship you were denied for who knows how long due to being a Stand User…" She closed her eyes for a moment with a frown, before she faced Kakyoin with soft eyes and small smile and at last finishes her account of an event. "…I became your first friend during your whole month-long vacation in Saga."
"First friend… Month-long vacation… here? In… Saga…?"
ガンガン
"A-Agh!"
Not soon after he repeated those words, a pounding headache afflicts him, causing him to clutch his head as he cried out in pain.
"K-Kakyoin?"
Alarmed that he's undergoing a major headache, Emi moves by his side with the intention of pushing him to the futon and resting his head on the pillow, planning to use her Stand to inhibit the headache. Fortunately, she didn't get to do it much to her relief, because Kakyoin quickly removes his hands off his head when his headache disappeared, looking up with a gasp and wide eyes.
Sensing his headache is gone, Emi looked at Kakyoin with upturned brows, so worried over his display of anguish. "Kakyoin…?" She called out his name again in concern.
"Haaah… Haaah… Haaah…"
Panting heavily, Kakyoin is still feeling light-headed after his headache is gone. During the six seconds worth of headache, flashes of memory came rushing in to his head which he watched before his astounded eyes. Due to how fast they appeared, he didn't get to properly understand them. One thing he does notice however, is that in all the memories that appeared, he recognized the familiar red and white clothing of a certain eerie woman hanging out and playing with him as much as he could. All those happy memories happened for the first time in his early life thanks to her…
His first ever friend as a Stand User. And the one who made him see that he's not the only one with a psychic projection of their souls that can't be seen by non-users.
Feeling the lingering pain in his head has allayed, Kakyoin refocused his attention to Emi, who waited with bated breath to see if he was okay again. Unlike the look of confusion he gave her the whole time, he's now looking at her with eyes full of recognition. His surprise remained on his face, albeit becoming benign and amiable.
Kakyoin didn't say anything as he continues staring at Emi. The woman would have remarked on the way he's looking at her, but one look to his red eyes leads her to to understand he's staring at her not with the look of disbelief, but those of recognition.
"…How?" Kakyoin started in a quiet tone. "How could I forget the… 「first friend」 I've ever made… decades ago…?"
Emi widens her eyes when she heard those words out of his mouth, immediately realizing the implication behind them. She waited with bated breath as Kakyoin continues. "I thought it was all a dream… Just an imaginary friend I made up to make it seem like the vacation my family took here in Saga was great… or maybe it was 「Hierophant Green」 who accompanied me in response to my need to have someone, anyone, to be my companion…"
"…But all of that was false," corrected Emi, choosing to continue where Kakyoin paused. "The proof that you have indeed made a friend during your summer vacation in Saga Prefecture is kneeling before you."
Now seeing Kakyoin has actually remembered the events back in summer 1977, Emi deems it fitting to repeat the greeting she said to him when he hadn't remembered yet. With the addition of a wave and an elegant smile.
"It is good to see you again… Noriaki Kakyoin."
Having remembered his childhood friend his mind is doing its best to make him not remember, Kakyoin feels comforted upon hearing her soft voice greeting him again like he remembers forty-one years ago. This is the voice he had forgotten after his family left Saga, when something… bad happened to him leading him to repress his memories… his happy memories… during his month-long vacation in Saga.
With his suppressed memories coming back in full force, he's filled with uncertainty and fear in response to all the returned memories, but the elation and merriment he felt when he remembered them? It's not a lie to him, and it's all thanks to the eerie but otherwise friendly woman who tended to his wounds, who chose to look after him because she knew him all this time.
"Long time no see… Emi-san."
It feels weird having to address Emi as his superior in spite of their subtle height difference, but as a polite-minded man, Kakyoin sees it right he treats his superiors with respect, even if they annoy him greatly. Nevertheless, he greeted back to her with a smile, relishing in the bliss of reuniting with his childhood friend. "…You haven't changed much at all Emi-san. I think I remember you having the same appearance you're currently wearing as I saw you back in 1977."
Emi doesn't have a retort for that, smiling in response. "I could not say the same to you. You are now and permanently… 17-years-old, I presume?"
"Yeah, and will remain 17 as long as I'm a zombie as you said," he replied with a laugh. "It's funny… Even though I treated you as a stranger and have only reunited after I remembered my forgotten memories, this feels… nice."
"It truly is," nodded Emi. "We had reunited at long last after we last saw each other in the summer of 1977. There is no word that perfectly describes the ambience around us as you said."
Kakyoin smiles widely, agreeing with her instantly. "No arguments about that."
Before the conversation between two forgotten friends can continue, they heard the sliding doors opening and distinct footsteps entering. "Mother, are you done? You're taking a long time in- Oh!"
Stopping in her tracks when she saw her adoptive mother tending to the awoken zombie man, the girl with cherry red eyes looked at them in mild surprise, alongside a cat and an owl shorter than her.
"Ah, Goldia, Hartzler, Lynn! Full glad to see you three arrive!" She exclaimed with a smile. "I was already done inspecting Kakyoin's soul. He is fine now, as you can see."
"Mrrrroooow." Hartzler scampered across the room to rest on Emi's lap, nestling his furry body and paws over her lap once she made it and making himself comfortable. She smiled at his desire for her affection, complying with his unspoken demand by stroking his body. The cat purred in response, his eyes closed as he reveled in his owner's loving fondling.
"Hooo hoohooooo! Hooooo! Hoooohooo!" Not wanting to let her rival in Emi's affection receive all the treatment, Lynn sprinted its deceptively short legs toward her, her talons tapping or scratching against the tatami flooring until she's close. The owl stares expectantly at Emi, who returns the stare with a giggle before she gives her permission to let her stand on her shoulder.
"No need to wait. Here," she brushed aside her hair off her left shoulder.
Hooting happily, Lynn jumps up to her shoulder, fluttering her wings so she wouldn't fumble and adjust her posture. Emi moves her body a little until she sees her pet owl properly balanced.
"There you go," she muttered affirmatively, unbothered of Lynn's talon pricking her linen blouse and shoulder as she uses her right hand to stroke her feathers before moving one finger near her beak, which she proceeds to preen it while chirping. "Please be careful you do not take a bite off my finger. I have told you to control the strength of your beak Lynn, so I hope you restrain yourself."
"HooohHooohooohooohoooooo. Hoooooo! Hooohoooooo!" Lynn hooted again while she's still preening her finger, which causes her hoots to sound a little different.
"Meeeoooowwww."
"I know, I know Hartzler," she pulls her hand away from Lynn to resume stroking her tabby cat. "I only have two hands. Please bear with me for I cannot give you both equal affection from me at the same time."
In spite of the implied rowdy behavior judging from her words and how the two animals act, Emi, Hartzler and Lynn appears to share a bond between each other as they take comfort in their presences. The pale woman's giggles, tabby cat's needy meows and the great horned owl's whining hootings does nothing but bring a smile to Kakyoin's faces, feeling his non-beating heart melting from such a sight.
Speaking about the two animals, Kakyoin has just only realized he has seen Lynn and Hartzler before. He vaguely remembers encountering the great horned owl back in July, and he must have come across the tabby cat when Rianima searched around Saga in search for the kidnapped Junko until they found being guarded by him. Actually, wait. I must have seen Hazrtler even before… Err, when was that? I think it's around… Ureshino? He rubs his chin as he rackled his mind for an answer. Immediately though, he chose to set it aside.
"Hehehehe! You two couldn't wait to let mother finish talking with him before you crave more affection from her, huh?"
The cheery tone of the other occupant whose footsteps approach his ears snaps Kakyoin's attention off Emi and her two pets to look at the girl whom he believes Emi called her daughter. While he reconnected with Emi and is uncertain if he might have seen or even recognized the cat and owl before, the brunette is the only occupant who he didn't recognize. Not to mention, this is the first time he's meeting her and vice versa.
She soon noticed Kakyoin looking at her curiously when she got close. Believing he's expecting her to introduce herself, she complied with his unspoken request. "Hello, Mr. Kakyoin!" She happily waved her hand with a smile. "My name is Goldia die Heilige. I'm so happy to be meeting you at last!".
Smiling back, Kakyoin deems his new acquaintance as a nice girl, noting she must be a foreigner due to her name and her puffy and cute attire that reminds him of Victorian fashion. He also noticed she's holding a small object the size of her hand in her left hand. He wonders what that object is.
"It's my pleasure to meet you too, Goldia-chan. I'm Noriaki Kakyoin." He introduced back.
"Oh, you don't need to state your name, Mr. Kakyoin," she stated. "I already know who you are thanks to her." She pointed at Emi.
"Ah, I see," he acknowledged. "Well, I hope you remember my name after I repeat it."
After giving him a nod, Goldia turns to Emi, Hartzler and Lynn, the latter two animals having finished getting their usual dose of affection from their pet owner and are currently looking at Kakyoin.
"It appears you have met my adoptive daughter, Kakyoin," said Emi, still kneeling with her legs tucked underneath her. Hartzler and Lynn stand by her side, staring at him. "I was planning to have her and these two be introduced to you after I am done tending to you, but it was already done before I can manually do it."
"Well… I'm aware that you own two pets Emi-san but I didn't expect you to have a daughter," he admitted, glancing at Goldia. "So are there any more relatives I should know of?"
Emi shakes her head. "No. These are everyone who are living in this humble home. As for you, you are our 「guest」 whom I must take care of until you are ready to leave."
Upon reminded of why he's here, Kakyoin sighs. Guess he shall stay with this household until Emi has her final say, making her friends wait until then so for now, he must stay with these two and their two pets.
"I understand," he nodded to her. "I hope my last day of my stay here is pleasing and enjoyable."
"Please do not worry. I shall make sure you have a pleasant stay under our care," assured Emi. "What kind of a friend I am if I neglect to accommodate a long-forgotten friend whom I meet with again after four decades have passed?"
Kakyoin likes the sound of that, chuckling at her gentle words. "Knowing what you did to me when I was a kid, I'm sure you wouldn't think of not doing that." Again, Emi smiles in response.
Watching them having a friendly conversation after they reunited as friends warms Goldia's heart. She and her "sisters" had heard their mother mention about a friend forty-one years ago after she found out he was revived as a zombie and recruited into a group comprised of Stand Users to protect an idol group employed by the enigmatic manager when she and her pets are out to scour the prefecture for any signs of threat. Ever since she learned Kakyoin was in this prefecture she sworn to protect as long her soul burns bright, she's been planning to meet him again, placing hope he didn't forget his very first friend when he was a child. In the interim, she reminisces of the times she was friends with little Kakyoin to her and their pets, deeming him a good kid who has been lonely due to being a Stand User and how she's glad to had brightened his summer vacation days. This was also the time when Emi was considering making a friend with a human after spending her entire existence living by herself, with only someone who has existed long before she was created to give him company. Before she realize it, it was the only time when she wasn't so focused on killing her arch-enemy who has threatened Saga many times.
"You know… Now that I remembered you Emi-san," began Kakyoin. "I've been thinking… How come I 「forget」 everything about you?"
Emi stops smiling when she heard his question, her body stiffening and refocusing her attention. Hartzler and Lynn copied her body language, as if they understood Kakyoin's words. She goes silent, expecting him to say more.
"Even if I might forgot some memories I made as a kid, I cannot help but feel forgetting the eventful encounter with you is… not all what it seems…" Kakyoin continued, rubbing his chin and his eyes aimed to the floor. "When those memories came back, I experienced a… a fear… greater than I ever felt, not to mention how odd it is I suppressed those memories despite them being my most important and happiest memories as a lonely kid," he averted his sight off the floor to look at the silent Emi. "I believe you have the answers I might be looking for after learning that you're… different from ordinary humans, even if I'm a zombie. If it's not too much to ask, can you… explain it, Emi-san?"
After she listened to his whole assumption, Emi closes her eyes, apparently to consider what she will say to him. Hartzler and Lynn remained in their position while Goldia decides to join them, putting her legs under her skirt after setting herself down.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Before I can explain, tell me Kakyoin…" Opening her eyes many seconds later, Emi eyes the curious zombie. "Did your manager, Kotaro Tatsumi that is, told you more about why your group and the idol group you sworn to protect with your undead lives is important in spite of its absurdity to「save」Saga?"
Surprised at first to hear she appears to be aware of Kotaro's plan, Kakyoin crosses his arms over his chest before answering with an unsure look. "No, Tatsumi-san hadn't explained more regarding more details of the 「Zombie Land Saga project」. No matter how many times we ask why using zombies to become idols and bodyguards to save Saga is so important when he could've recruited living humans, he just shout to our faces and told us to wing with it. In short, he gets annoying enough we would quit asking him." He shakes his head with a sigh, no doubt still hadn't gotten used to his vexatious behavior.
Emi didn't take long to respond next after she heard his answer. "I see. I believe mister Kotaro chose to 「conceal」 the 「real reason」 behind the project's existence for now. While I disapprove of his attitude to you and your companions and I wish he improve himself if he does not want to be justifiably attacked by them, I do understand why he did not want to go into detail regarding the 「purpose」 of his ambitious project. He must have known Saga Prefecture's vile 「secret」 if he went for the "reviving dead people as zombies" route, which I am aware of."
"W-What? Saga's… 「secret」?" Kakyoin parroted in disbelief, straightening his posture in mild shock. "That you're… aware of?"
"Correct," Emi grimly nodded. "In fact, it is because of Saga's secret that it is tied not only to you losing your memories of our time likely out of shock, but also why the seven girls you are friends with died 「before」 they can leave a mark on Saga Prefecture. Of course I did not forgot you and the six Stand Users fighting against the enemy Stands released by Shino, himself also tied to Saga's secret."
"H-Huh?「Xero」… too?" Kakyoin starts getting skeptical upon hearing Emi mention his main target's alias, whom Emi knows him and his real name. At this point, he's getting impatient of the suspense so he urges them to get on with the explanation. "Can you please tell me what is actually going on here in Saga, Emi-san?"
"…Very well," Emi replied affirmatively. "You will be the first zombie revived from the grave by mister Kotaro to learn the 「curse」 that haunted Saga Prefecture for over a century…"
Going pass half an hour in her exposition, Emi Lea Essence reveals the secret behind Saga Prefecture where two forces of opposing purposes have been active ever since they began existing to respectively ensure Saga's continued existence or attempt to destroy it off the face of Japan. One such force is likely the reason why the seven girls of Franchouchou died before they can attain fame, whether good or infamous, across Saga and the possible justification over Kotaro reviving them, and later the boys, to create an idol group and their strong bodyguards to, in his on bodacious words, save Saga. Along with that, Emi also explains what happened near the end of Kakyoin's summer vacation that caused him to suppress his happy memories of him being friends with her, and lastly, she didn't left Goldia out too because she's also an indirect victim thanks to the machinations of the woman's aunt, who she tells him to be a dangerous necromancer possessing powerful black magic and has a Stand she's somewhat privy of.
After absorbing every info Emi told him, keeping himself silent and never interrupting her explanation unless he's confused of something, Kakyoin requests to be left alone in the bedroom for the rest of the day so he can digest what she revealed to him. Sensing he is overwhelmed, Emi motions Hartzler, Lynn and Goldia out of the room, but not before she tells him she will bring him food and drink, preferably green tea, so he won't get tired from getting hungry. Kakyoin didn't decline even though he knows he won't ever get hungry due to being a zombie.
Right now, he needs to take it easy, laying his body down on the futon as he stares up to the ceiling with a blank face, coalescing every word and info Emi fed him in his mind.
Later that night…
"You two understand the task I have imparted to you, Hartzler? Lynn?"
Emi questions her two loyal animals standing in attention outside their house. She's crouching on one knee, staring the tabby cat and horned owl after she told them what they must do for this night.
"Meow."
"Hooo hooohoohoooo. Hoooooo, hooooo."
Somehow understanding them, Emi's blank face relaxes, giving way to a small smile as her soft eyes stare pleasantly at her two loyal pets that's been with her through thick and thin ever since resurrecting both of them as zombie. "Very good," she nodded. "I apologize for the inconvenience I am bringing upon you two. You were supposed to rest with Goldia and Kakyoin for the night while I go out and forage Saga in search for Shino, but I cannot leave Kakyoin alone without monitoring the state of his healing soul. Can you forgive your owner for the sudden request?"
Hartzler and Lynn's next meows and hoots are filled with a questioning tone, as if they're asking her why is she asking them for their forgiveness. Emi understands their untranslatable question with a relieved smile, thankful they do understand her plight. "I had realized that is a foolish question. Still, thank you, my faithful animals. Now, off you go you two! You have a long night ahead."
Speaking their last meow and hoot, Hartzler and Lynn respectively sprinted off into the woods and take flight into the dark sky. Standing up on her feet, Emi stays there as she watches them disappear into the night. Now that she has imparted them their tasks for this night, Emi walks back to her house.
Stepping up the wooden partition called engawa, Emi opens the entrance door and walks in the house's genkan. Removing her boots, she places them next to Goldia's pink shoes, facing it towards the door before she closes it shut and walks in the main room. If she wasn't wearing socks or her Stand didn't provide her with enough warmth, she would feel the winter cold coating the house. It is one of the advantages her Stand has that she transferred over to her pets and daughter(s) and she wouldn't like it any other way.
Regarding the house her found family is living in, as mentioned before, it's an old-fashioned Japanese home, or a minka, that have persisted against the harshness of time after it was built back in the Meiji era. Structured in a way it retains a minimalistic outlook and interior designed to make the inhabitants comfortable under every situation, it has only one wide floor comprising every room consisting of a genkan, living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen, divided by fusumas that one can change the interior layout in any way they want. Though everything about the house is appropriately old-fashioned, there are some additional features installed, mostly requested by Emi's benefactor, like a modern-day kitchen and bathroom, electronic appliances like refrigerator, television, and washing machine, fluorescent lighting and even a lightning rod. Basically, her home has most of the important furnishings or appliances equipped one can expect to see for a contemporary house while retaining its geriatric roots and appearances.
In short, Emi's abode is a fusion between traditional and modern Japanese home.
Taking in the pervading mood of her time-tested home, the only home she has left after she first stopped her aunt from engulf Saga and by extension, the entire Japan in her odious scheme, Emi makes her way to the bedroom where Kakyoin and Goldia are in, the latter who she is sure is preparing their futons to sleep on together so they can tuck in for the night.
I hope I did not keep you two waiting… Emi hoped. Without delay in her steps, she grabs the handles and spreads it open to see her daughter has finished putting the cover sheets last after the pillows and futons were laid out and her reconciled friend currently lying there since noon.
The two turn their heads to Emi when they heard the doors open. Goldia beams upon seeing her enter, having finished setting up their sleeping futon while Kakyoin lightly smiles at her.
Observing the room has become tidy, Emi moves close to Goldia, who stands up and walks up to her as she starts speaking. "I see you have finished organizing the futons we will be sleeping on. Good job, my daughter." She praised, patting her head with a proud smile.
Goldia smiled at her compliment and affection, being glad to hear it from her adoptive mother whom she came to dearly love after she rescued her from a horrible fate. "Oh, it's nothing mother. You know I try do my best to better myself and make you proud, right?"
Emi hums in response, giving her a smile in return. "I want nothing more than to see you happy. That is my first priority above all."
After she stops rubbing her head when Goldia tells her she has enough, the young girl notice the absence of Hartzler and Lynn in their vicinity. "Oh? Where are Hartzler and Lynn?Are they going to sleep with us and Mr. Kakyoin? They have taken a liking to him after he reconciled after so many years."
"I sent them off into the night to search for Shino's whereabouts, which may take them a whole night in order to search the entire prefecture," answered Emi. "I cannot sense his presence anywhere within Saga, possibly hiding away using 「Linkin Park」's rift ability, so I cannot guarantee the chances Hartzler and Lynn might find him. But if there is a possibility he is actually out wandering in a city or outskirts…"
Emi trailed off in the end but Goldia didn't need to hear her finish it to understand what might happen next once Shino is found. She only heard bits and pieces of Emi's lover so she isn't sure yet what to make of him when she only has mother's description and her history with him to go by, but she's both anxious and eager to properly meet him, wondering how he'll react upon reuniting with her mother and seeing she has a daughter. Will he be surprised to learn he's now a father? Will he accept her as his adoptive daughter? According to Emi, having known him six years ago, she believes he will be definitely happy to be his daughter in spite of the unexpected development.
Having learned where her two cute pets go, Goldia adopts a worried expression. "I hope they don't get in trouble with Mr. Shino nor he attacks them. I cannot bear the thought of those two being at his mercy."
"Shino will not hurt them, I can attest on that!" Emi quickly dispelled her worry, catching herself after realizing she said forcefully so she calms down before she continues in a gentle tone. "I have known him six years ago and if there is one thing I am sure he would not dare do, it is to hurt other living beings. Even if he had a troubled upbringing partially brought on by his Stand, he is a 「good man」 in the end."
Noting how sincere she sounded, Goldia chooses to trust her. "Okay. I hope you're right mother."
Ending their conversation with an understanding nod and smile, Emi next turns to Kakyoin, who is idly listening them with a pensive face, probably indicating he has a lot of thoughts stirring in his head, possibly related to Shino. Remembering when he told them he wants to be left alone for a while and believing he has relaxed a little, Emi decides to strike up a conversation with him next. She had already guessed the reason why he wanted to be left alone after she dumped everything she knows about her, Goldia and the two forces shaping Saga for good or bad.
All of which are tied to him forgetting his friendship with Emi when his memories were suppressed due to trauma.
Crouching on her knees after moving close to him, Emi begins talking to him. "…How are you feeling Kakyoin? Have you calmed yourself down after you listened to me this afternoon and grasped everything I had told you? I am… very sorry that you were overwhelmed so much that you requested us to leave you alone for the rest of the day."
Listening to her, Kakyoin lets out a deep sigh. "Actually, I'm still… a little overwhelmed over what I learned this day, so soon after I woke up from my coma."
"Oh, I see…" Emi sounded disappointed and ashamed, hanging her head low.
"But I'm feeling alright for this night!" He quickly added to stop putting more needless blame on Emi's shoulders. "After I was left alone, I ruminated my thoughts over everything you said and gradually, I can feel my body relaxing once I acknowledged and accepted what you've told me. Sure I can't stop thinking on some of the most peculiar info but overall, I am mostly relaxed now!"
In spite of his claim he's now fine, Kakyoin is still feeling distressed, if only slightly, over the ghost woman's words concerning Saga's secret and how she and Goldia factored themselves into it that has the former protecting it from behind the scenes to ensure the prefecture's safety. Presumably, it's because of Emi's lifelong mission that Kakyoin was nearly made into a minion by her enemy, the details of which was traumatizing enough for his younger self that he forgot he actually made a friend during his summer vacation in Saga.
Whether he wants to convince Emi he's feeling alright now or not, Kakyoin puts up a brave front as he stares at her with a calm expression. However, he did not notice he was looking to her eyes, thus allowing the woman to look straight into his soul which he only realized when Emi says this. "Your agitated soul tells me you have not calmed down entirely."
"What? How did you- Oh. You were… looking into my eyes," Realizing he was caught in the act, Kakyoin sighed rubbing the back of his neck. "I forgot you can do that."
"If you believe you are in trouble over lying to me, please do not worry," assured Emi, waving both her hands to allay him. "I only want to be sure you are really okay so you do not think of sleeping by your lonesome Kakyoin."
"Uh, I'm not gonna tell you two to leave me alone again," clarified Kakyoin, feeling offended she expected him to ask him something along those lines again. "It would be quite rude on my part to say that to a caretaker."
"…Oh, then… Forget what I said."
"Hmm…" Kakyoin glanced back to Emi again, this time being mindful he isn't looking through her eyes again.
Noticing his scrutinizing eyes, Emi says, "Is there more you want to say?"
"Well… yeah," he admitted. "It's about the fact that you're actually… 「not a human」." He sits up straight as he continues staring at her. "When I heard you say that you're a 「zombie」 who deceptively looks like an anemic human, no offense by the way, I was very surprised, and still is for this night."
What Kakyoin said is indeed true. When Emi said that she was fighting against her arch-enemy to protect Saga ever since the twilight years of Meiji era, he realized that would mean she was living for over a century. Yet somehow, this woman hasn't aged at all. In fact, now that he thought about it, Emi looked the same when she showed up in his life back in 1977, which remained unchanged to this day. These lead him to question her why she hasn't aged in appearance.
To say Kakyoin was very surprised upon learning not only Emi is a zombie all along, but that goes also for Hartzler, Lynn and Goldia after bringing them back to life using, appropriately enough, 「Bring Me to Life」, is an understatement.
Given he's a zombie, him being so surprised to learn they are zombies seems like an overreaction at first. But when you consider how they normally look like when they are in their own safe places, you will notice a stark difference. Emi, Goldia, Hartzler and Lynn appear alive at a glance due to them retaining their human or animal characteristics, especially for the latter three back when they were alive, compared to the shambling, decaying corpse Kakyoin and his friends are when they're not wearing makeup done by Kotaro, which most of them have already freaked a living human out a few times. Additionally, Goldia's skin seems to have a faint hue coloring her pale skin a little and has a small blush adorning her cheeks whereas Emi permanently has pale skin and doesn't blush.
In fact, Emi claims she cannot blush at all.
For her part, Emi takes his words in a stride, acknowledging how she can appear so human when she's actually not. "And yet you have accepted what I actually am hours ago now, right?"
Kakyoin nods earnestly. "Yes I did. I didn't mean to imply I have a problem with your real form. I'm just surprised to learn not only you're an undead, but you were… 「created」 by your… mother? Who is… an expert necromancer with magic comparable to your aunt?" He sounded confused at the end due to how utterly bizarre over how Emi came into being.
"…Implausible as it may sound, it is how I was… 'born', so to speak," responded Emi without a hint of irony in her voice. "My body was constructed from many body parts from different corpses my mother and her sister collected during their time in England. With her necromancy powers, I was given life and existence on this body so my own mother, named 「Eva Essence」, has a daughter she can raise even if I would be born in a female's twenty-year-old body. Unfortunately, she never got the chance when she was… killed by my aunt after she slaughtered their clan they were born and raised in before she escaped with my still-unconscious body all the way to Japan where I was raised with tough care until I learned her plans and what happened to my mother, leading me to kill her to put a halt to her first plan. I could only wonder what life has in store for me if that tragic event did not come to pass…"
Emi maintained an impassive face the whole time she narrated her past, but the melancholic tone she has and her eyes moving down to look on the floor in sorrow indicated she was affected of those events after she was "born".
Feeling a hand touching her shoulder, Emi turns around to see Goldia, who also has a downcast expression, looking at her sympathetically. She didn't say anything, only letting her teary eyes tell Emi what she's thinking.
"It is alright, Goldia," soothed Emi, touching her hand and removing it off her shoulder. "I am only contemplating the possible scenario that would have take my life in a different route. Please, do not worry about me."
"I can't, not when you're feeling sad," Goldia shook her head with a frown. "I may have a rough life growing up before I ended up dying, but I shouldn't forget that you have an equally harsh upbringing leading you in this role to protect your home."
Touched by her daughter's concerns nevertheless, Emi smiles at her. "Mmm… Thank you for your kind words." She appreciated gratefully.
Feeling bad he had dampened their moods, Kakyoin coughs or clears his throat into his clenched hands, getting the two's attention back as they turn to him. "Um, forgive me for making you two becoming sad. I was only stating my opinion."
"It's fine, Mr. Kakyoin," Goldia reassured him with a soft smile. "I know you didn't mean to."
"Well, yeah… But still…" Kakyoin was about to say more, only to see Emi raising her hand, telling him to stop speaking.
"At any rate, let us call it a day," started Emi. "You need plenty of rest so your soul is restored completely Kakyoin. I do not want to keep you here forever and your friends waiting for your return."
"Oh, right," agreed Kakyoin before he stretched his arms above him as he yawned. "I'll stop speaking now."
Shutting his mouth close, Kakyoin lies back on the futon, feeling his head sinking in the soft, fluffy pillow, or at least he thought until he noticed it's not fluffed up. He raises his head to check it first before grabbing it to put the puff back up. At the same time, Emi marches over to the light switch as Goldia stretches her arms wide to prepare herself for a comfortable sleep. Once she's done stretching, she inattentively look at her guest puffing the pillow back by squeezing it five times. Once it bloated again, he carefully lays his head down again and restrained himself from letting out a satisfied sigh as his head sunk deep on the pillow.
She giggled quietly at his attempt to make his temporary bedding cozy and being successful much to his delight, making him look like a child who accomplished a simple task his parents have given him. Her first impression of him based on what Emi told her and eventually meeting him is that he's an even-tempered, nice and polite gentleman, being so mature for his age. She was interested in getting to meet him once she learned from her mother Kakyoin was back here in Saga, and after interacting with him once, she has a taken a liking to him due to the qualities listed above. It's a shame that this night and tomorrow morning are the only times she can hang around with Kakyoin together with Emi, Hartzler and Lynn before he returns home. As much she likes to spend more time with him, she knows better not to let her selfish want take over her head. Also, just because he will return home doesn't mean she can't visit him afterward, which would mean she gets to meet not only his friends, but also, the idols that are taking Saga by storm.
Goldia and her "sisters" are one of Franchouchou's big fans.
…Oh! That's right! I should invite Kakyoin too when the three of us are asleep!
"Mom! Kakyoin!" Goldia called out enthusiastically, making Emi to stop mid-movement and look at her inquisitively along with Kakyoin.
"What is it Goldia?" Emi asked.
Looking straight to her, Goldia eagerly asks, "We're going to my 「dreamscape」 while we sleep to visit my sisters, right?"
"…Yes Goldia," she answered like it's obvious. "Why are you asking me about our nightly routine?"
She flicks her head to Kakyoin without saying anything specific. Emi doesn't get what her daughter is getting at first… until her eyes widen. "Ah! I see now! You are hoping if Kakyoin can 「join」 us. Is that right, Goldia?"
Goldia nods fervently, happy she grasped her intentions. "Yup!"
Rubbing her chin in thought, Emi utters only one minor concern to Goldia regarding her idea. "While it is a good idea, are your 「sisters」 fine you're letting Kakyoin visit your 「dreamscape」 as our honored guest? Do they want to meet him face-to-face, also?"
Again, Goldia nods. "Uh huh! They have seen me talk to Kakyoin for a short while but they've been wanting to get to know him better. They asked me if I can invite him before we sleep, mother. Will you permit him?"
Emi takes an instant liking to her idea. "…Very well," she agreed with a smile. "Let us ask Kakyoin first before we proceed, yes?"
Moving up to the confused man once he overheard their conversation apparently centered on him, Kakyoin speaks up first. "I heard the conversation between you two regarding if I was… invited so I can meet with… Goldia's sisters?" Scratching his head, he asks, "So uhhh, what exactly are you two talking about?"
With a friendly smile, Emi reveals what she and Goldia discussed briefly about. "Every night, Goldia and I visit the「dreamscape」inside her mind that houses her four「alters」, and by extension my 「other」 daughters, each of whom has distinct personalities and souls separate from Goldia."
"While we're asleep," continued Goldia. "…we spend the next hours bonding with them, either through talking about a lot of topics some of us may have an interest in, play games with each other, tell stories, explore the places they're living in, listen to music both old and new, and many more. Because of my unique circumstance I was subjected to leading them to 「exist」 in my mind, it's a fantastic way to make our nights more enjoyable, to the point we often look forward to sleeping through the night!"
Blinking his eyes thrice while still feeling confused as hell, Kakyoin furrowed his brows, resisting the urge to scratch his head again. "Four personalities? Dreamscape? I… I'm not sure I follow."
"You will for sure when you joined me and mother in my 「dreamscape」," she tries reassuring him, bringing out her pocket mirror and giving it to Kakyoin, who looked at it in curiosity. "Here, grab my 「pocket mirror」. As long as you hold it and sleep with us, you can visit our shared dreams with the three of us together."
"Dreams…"
At that word, Kakyoin's eyes widen in shock, involuntarily gulping his throat when he realizes he's entering someone's dream. Wait a second, am I… going inside a… dream again!?
Hoping he's not entering anightmare again like he did back when the Crusaders sans Avdol came under attack from Death Thirteen, he quickly asks them, "B-Before I accept the invitation, is your 「dreamscape」 safe to be around in, Goldia-chan?"
"Huh? Why… Yes," she sincerely responded. Sensing a lot of dread emanating from the now nervous teenager, she can't help but ask him about it, "Um, why do you ask Mr. Kakyoin?"
"W-Well…" Taking a deep breath to ease his anxiety, he answers, "The last time I was aware I'm dreaming, I was under attack by an enemy Stand back when I was with the Crusaders. The worst part about it is I cannot convince my friends we're under an enemy Stand attack because we forget what happened in our dreams when we wake up. I have to make sure if I can be safe while moving in a dream, you two. I don't… want to experience something similar to a nightmare again…"
Emi and Goldia are caught speechless hearing from an anxious Kakyoin on how he was almost killed while he was having a dream, whose face is slightly drenched from accumulating sweat after recounting a terrifying memory he wished to stay it hidden. They turn to each other, feeling concerned and regretful they didn't consider Kakyoin's feelings first before they tell him. Sure there's no way to know he experienced that kind of scenario, but still.
"If you want to, Kakyoin," Emi spoke up, "You can decline our invitation. We apologize for inadvertently making you remember the time you nearly died in your sleep. We should have asked you first before I discuss it with Goldia."
"Huh? No, no, no, no! I-It's okay! You didn't need to apologize because you two didn't know!" Kakyoin exclaimed suddenly, catching Emi and Goldia off-guard due to how he sounds so persuasive. "Besides, unlike Death Thirteen's user, Goldia-chan is nice and compassionate. I'm sure I can trust her words that her 「dreamscape」 sounds safe so… I accept!"
Though still feeling skeptical and worried of him, especially after taking another look through his eyes and sensing he's a little scared, Emi chooses not to complain. He has become interested being invited to join the two in exploring someone's mind through dreaming. It wouldn't sit right with her if she insists on declining him after he got afraid.
"Alright Kakyoin," Emi nodded at him with a soft grin. "Goldia and I hope you will not regret the time we shall spent together in our shared dream. Please make the best out of it as you can."
"I will," he agreed. "And not gonna lie… while I'm still confused, I'm also a little excited to meet Goldia's 「alters」 you two said are waiting to meet me."
Goldia smiles at his little enthusiasm as she lies down on the left futon placed beside the one Kakyoin is lying on. "They are! Two of them are starting to get impatient because we're still awake and are pestering me to hurry up. I'm afraid I might not stop them as long we're still awake."
Pointing to the pocket mirror Kakyoin is now holding, Goldia tells him, "Remember the pocket mirror I gave you? Please hold on to it before you sleep so you won't be left out when we enter my dreamscape. Oh, and please don't break it. It's an important keepsake to me."
"Don't worry. I won't hold it too tight." He assured her, feeling the cold metal covering the mirror.
"I see you two are ready to sleep then. I am turning the lights off now, okay?" Emi declared, her fingers brushing the light switch waiting to push it. "Good night you two. I hope we have pleasant dreams."
"Good night to you too, mother!"
"Good night as well, Emi-san and Goldia-chan."
Returning her greeting gently, Emi turns the lights off and walked to her own futon placed in the center next to her daughter, lying her body to the right at last. Many minutes later, Goldia, Emi and Kakyoin feel their eyelids getting heavy or drooping slowly as drowsiness start taking over their heads. Eventually, they drift off in their sleep, beginning to enter the dreamscape of the ghostly woman's zombie daughter…
…The girl known by these two epithets:「Maiden of Glimpses」 and 「Miss Goody Two Shoes」.
To be continued
Finished!
After two days of coma, Kakyoin awoke in someone's house, which is soon revealed to be Emi's home, whom she carried his unconscious body to her home to attend to his recovering soul. Not so soon after waking up (from experiencing a nostalgic dream, I may add), Emi greeted him as if he was an old friend to her, baffling him since he believes this is the third time they met each other until she recounts their supposed first meeting when he was a kid, causing his suppressed memories to resurface.
Turns out, Jotaro (or arguably DIO though Kakyoin didn't know he has a Stand when he encountered him) is not the first Stand User Kakyoin has ever met, but rather it's Emi. And he didn't met her as a teenager, but as a kid when his family went to Saga during his summer vacation. By proxy, this means him being revived as a zombie here in Saga is the second time he's in the prefecture. This is one of the plot points I mentioned last chapter, having planned since I created Emi. It's like in Part 4 when Rohan Kishibe encounters Reimi Sugimoto, not realizing she was his babysitter back when he was four. He didn't remember her because he suppressed that memory out of trauma when Reimi saved him from Yoshikage Kira, dying in the process.
Why did I made Emi as Kakyoin's forgotten childhood friend? Well, I wanted to reduce Kakyoin's unhappy childhood a little by having him experience one bright spot in his seventeen years of life to let him know early on that he's not the only one who has a Stand, and… Well let's face it. We do relate with his backstory in a way, whether fantastic or not.
Since JoJo, Zombie Land Saga and now Pocket Mirror takes place in the same universe in this crossover fanfic, I see to it these three works feel interconnected with each other, sharing or combining their own lores or elements to create a unified world containing them.
As a consequence of this choice and the fact two OCs are involved, I wanted also to make them associated with those three works' elements to make them feel part of the same world. I've tried my best to make this possible, borrowing traits to accomplish that, and while I'm not sure yet if I achieved it at this point in the story, I can say I'm proud to have created two OCs that's been in the back of my mind ever since I started getting serious on writing a riveting story.
Now regarding the third work I added late in this story, this is the game I'm talking about that was introduced in this chapter at last. Ladies and gentlemen, starting this chapter, Goldia die Heilige (her last two names are pronounced "Dee HAIleege") is now part of the story who will potentially interact with established characters and events! With her addition to the fanfic, you're probably wondering, "why did you include a character from a game?" Well, as I mentioned in chapter 29, I like Pocket Mirror, which I'm playing its remaster and haven't finished it yet. Even before playing it, I already know the game's backstory, which is nothing short of tragic for poor Goldia. In fact, this is specifically the reason why I ultimate include her in the story, adopted by Emi to give her a good life after suffering under the inevitability of having her soul taken by a demon and living under a difficult life under her doomed family and mental asylum.
In addition, while the events of Pocket Mirror ~ Goldenertraum more or less happened, there are some things that have changed due to it taking place in the same world as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Zombie Land Saga. Most of these were caused by Emi and her past, which is tied to Saga Prefecture's secret that her benefactor and Kotaro Tatsumi knows of. If you have watched the second season and read the gaiden manga, you would know what I'm talking about.
If you want to know more of Pocket MIrror, don't worry. The next chapter will focus on Kakyoin, Emi and Goldia entering the latter's dreamscape and meeting her "sisters". Be ready for another exposition, everyone! Oh, and if you are interested, I recommend playing the game or watching the playthrough. Trust me when I say you will feel bad for Goldia.
I hope you are looking forward to it after I told you the premise of Pocket Mirror! Adieu for now, my readers! Please stay safe and have a good day/night! I'll see you again in the next chapter!