Seiji:
Cold. That was my only thought as I was beginning to stir awake. So cold in fact that I could practically feel the snot dribbling down my nose. My eyes cracked open to discern that I was outdoors, the fluorescent moon gleaming in the distance. Judging from the texture, I could also tell that I was sitting on a wooden bench- Perhaps those of the park variety.
"Where….. am I?" The last thing I remembered was a beautiful ghost woman congratulating me for destroying an evil fruit monster using the powers of a teleporting purple fig.
Weird how life turns sideways at you like that. Unless- If everything I witnessed today ever since the 7-11 firing was a giant dream-inception. A dream inside a dream within a coma-type deal. Am I trapped in some bad creepy pasta? Wait a minute, all creepy pastas are terrible.
"Yeah, that must be it!" I forced- Logically deduced to myself in my head. "In fact, I'll prove right now by-"
My scream was so loud, I'm surprised that the dead didn't stir awake from it. In my left pectoral area.... was the Forbidden Fruit, implanted deep within my skin. Running my finger over it, the strange sensation of flesh mixed with mineral invaded my senses. It was real. All real.
But…. how? I patted down the clothes I was wearing: purple hoodie, denim jeans and all. To my shock, there weren't any holes or blood stains to be found. I scanned my eyes over the rest of my body, especially the chest area where I was struck most. Not a single scar or wound remained. Remembering the pain and blood from not that long ago, I had to vigorously rub my eyes to make sure that I wasn't going blind. The only difference that made was the excess eye mucus that now covered my palms.
Nothing made sense, how could any of it? Isamu. Shiro-kun. Did they manage to make it out alive l, too? Weiss said that- I paused. "Weiss."
Despite the nagging migraine, I forced myself out of the bench in search for answers. No how much I searched, however, not a single soul was present in the empty Shinjuku National Garden. Coincidentally, this was the same area where I met Weiss in the first place, stirring up the idea that she was the one who left me here- Leaving me alone and confused without any proper explanation. God, what's with that woman! I sighed, pulling out my phone to check the time-
"Holy!" It was 11:45 PM, almost 5 hours from when I entered that warehouse. Christ, how long was I here and why didn't anyone wake me up? You know what, questions aren't going to lead me anywhere unless I ask the right person.
I considered going back to Hakobun's to make sure Shiro-kun made it back safely but judging by the time, they're most likely closed. Heck, I only heard the Kazami family's circumstance second-hand from Isamu anyway. It's a good call to leave it up to him...… I think.
I gasped as I was bombarded by like 25 WhatsApp and the occasional Puzzle & Dragons notifications. Mari. She must be worried to death about me! I recalled back to sending her the message, promising that I'll come back with not only a job, but on top of that- A date that'll knock her socks off.
"I have about 10,000 yen to spare... Maybe we could go out for ice cream at the very least? Surely Baskin Robins gotta still be open right? I mean, the American branches are 24/7 so maybe-" My thoughts trailed off once I realized the state of my wallet. It was thick, much thicker than it previously was. Opening it, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. It was filled to the brim with banknotes. Ten, fifteen, twenty, no thirty! I counted about thirty banknotes worth 10,000 yen each as I sloppily shuffled with the cash in my trembling hands.
"Hold on. This could be a prank!" I held up one of the banknotes under the moonlight to check its legitimacy. My heart had fully converted into a motor, realizing that they weren't counterfeit. My god. Well, I'm sure as hell not gonna question where all this money came from- *Weiss, cough. Cough.
Who knew my little ghost friend was such a wingman!
-
"You're late." A miffed Mari pouted, cheeks puffed up and hands at her hips.
"Were you out here all night, Mari?"
"And what if I was?" She shivered furiously in her loose-fitting dress as she blocked the apartment door. I was able to make out the snot dribbling down her nose, indicating just how long she's been waiting outside.
A pang of guilt came over me, giving me the sudden urge to crouch at Mari's feet, dogeza style. "Forgive my insolence!" My voice cracked.
"Hwuhhhhh?" Judging by that shriek of hers, I could practically picture Mari's face turning vibrantly pink as her hair. "You… Just- Just don't disappear like that ever again, okay? I even told you that you didn't need to find a job too like- Oh My God!" She monologued in two-times speed.
"Well, I technically did find one." I answered back, muffled by the pavement. Although, I wasn't sure if an OddJobs was considered stable employment.
Judging from Mari's inhale, she was about to give me another round of scolding. Instead, I heard her sigh. Then I felt her soft palms on my head, gently combing my hair. "Get up. You look ridiculous." I did as she asked, transitioning from all fours to standing on one knee.
We gazed into each other's eyes. If today went even a little differently, I wouldn't have been alive. Alive to return and see those innocent amber orbs of hers. Such a close call made me realize just how lucky I truly was.
"Why're you crying?"
"Why are you?"
"Because I was worried sick about you, dummy. You didn't even message back before sunset." Mari sniffled.
I wrapped my hands around hers, hoping to calm my friend down. "I'm sorry. A lot of things happened and- Well. I'll pay attention to my phone from now on."
"Seiji, I-"
"Sorry I'm late again, Marika! Work's getting hectic around this time of year but-" Our sentimental moment shattering into a million and one pieces, we both stared at the middle aged business man standing before us. It was none other than Masaki Momoi, the father of Marika and Mariya. His chocolate brown eyes were practically gleaming along with his toothy smile from underneath his bushy black mustache.
"It's about time you came back and took my daughter's hand in marriage, boy!" He exclaimed, giving a joyous thumbs-up of approval.
"That's not what's going on here!"
-
"I gotta say, boy. You sure look different. Tanner, taller and-" Masaki-san paused, staring at my biceps. "Have you been working out?" He whistled in approval as he plopped down on the couch in his nighttime attire- White tank top and baggy gym shorts. "Marika's gonna love that~"
My face heated up from the sudden compliment, not knowing what to say next. It's been so long since I talked to the man. Four years. So many aspects about our lives changed since then. "Thank you, Masaki-san. I'll be sure to-"
"Woah, woah.... Huh?" He gawked at me like I slapped him across the face. "What's with this Masaki-san business? Didn'cha call me Pops back in the day?"
"Yes, but it's been like- Has been a while since we talked and I wasn't sure if it was appropriate to-"
"Bah!" He spit out, interrupting me again. The man then crossed his arms, emitting his signature father aura. "Appropriate my ass. Once you're a Momoi, you're always a Momoi damn it!"
A teardrop slipped past my eye. Beautiful. Even after that whole debacle with Shotaro in the past, Pops still sees me as his own son. Truly, a magnificent sight beyond words. But I still had to ask- "Shotaro didn't bother you while I was gone, did he?" Lips trembling.
Chuckling, Pops threw his arms out nonchalantly across the couch. "Calling your father by his name, eh?" He sighed. "I wouldn't blame ya. That man's a piece of work."
His face suddenly turned tense, unbefitting of the happy-go-lucky attitude that radiated off him earlier. Wrapping his fingers around each other, Pops warned. "However, you better watch out. Your father's become very influential over the past few years. The IchiJiku Corp practically runs this city."
I also gave him that same serious look, copying his finger-wrapping gesture. "There's no need to worry. He won't bother with a failure like me, as he would put it."
"Pfft. That's a load of bull." Pops spit. He then approached me, firmly laying his hand on my shoulder. "Ain't no one a goddamn failure in this world, boy. I thought I grounded that in your skull back in the dojo days."
The soothing memories came flooding back. The days of practicing Shotokan-Ryu Karate and Judo at the humble, yet powerful Momoi Dojo. I was only a small child- Seven or eight years old when Pops began training me. He told me that the best way to expel sadness was to and I quote, "Beat the ever loving crap out of it through your system." Looking back, I wasn't sure if that was considered profound words of wisdom or straight-up child abuse. One things for sure, it made me take my mind off of what happened to my mother. And even Shinji years later.
"Things got….. A little complicated. With Michiru's situation, I had to focus all my attention to finances." He paused. "No worries, boy. Once she gets back to tip-top shape, we'll be back to breakin' limbs and egos like there's no tomorrow!" Pop let out a hardy guffaw, attempting to downplay the situation.
Just then, I heard Mari's bedroom door creak open. What came out of that room was a beauty so divine, it practically had my eyes light up like spotlights in a stage. She wore a beige sundress, complete with white heels and dandelion-yellow headband. The pink flush of her makeup complimented the cyan-blue earrings she wore, sparkling under her bright hair. "You're overreacting," Mari glanced at me, covering her mouth in sheepish fashion.
I was about to reassure her that I was not, but a whistle of approval from her father made my mouth pucker. "Dad!" She screamed, her face now steaming profusely like a locomotive.
"Whaaaaat~ I'm just appreciating how my little girl matured into a splendid young lady! Your mother's dress accentuates that fact! Ain't that right, boy?" He shouted back, jabbing me in the shoulder.
"You look absolutely spectacular tonight, Ms Momoi!" I boomed with the utmost realistic British accent I can muster. Then I performed a grand gesture akin to a butler greeting his princess. It was really cheesy but I didn't know how else to act in front of a beauty of this caliber.
"You don't l-look too bad, y-yourself." Mari stuttered like a robot. Then her expression abruptly changed as she shifted her gaze towards her father. "Especially since you're wearing his tuxedo."
Pops acted like he got shot in the chest, falling over dramatically. "Marika! Daddy's hurt!"
"Oh, stop overreacting!" She immediately lunged for my arm, hugging it towards her chest. "Let's go, Seiji. It's already late as is." It took me a few seconds to adjust to the softness of her you-know-what before replying back with a simple nod. In the corner of my eye, however, I noticed a small smile beginning to etch across her face as we strolled outside the apartment door.
"Take care of my daughter, boy!" Pops shouted with glee before we closed and locked the door. I didn't know it yet, but those words were going to be etched into my heart for as long as I lived.
-
Masaki:
The words jumbled around in my brain and further into my core. "Take care of my daughter, boy."
If there was one person who I could trust to do so, it would be Seiji. The ease of how he made Mari smile after being back for only a day, it was heartwarming. That girl needed that after all the stress I likely put her through. Hopefully, Riya will follow suit and finally forgive the boy for something that was beyond his control…..
Back then, I wasn't fully able to grasp just how powerless a situation like that could make a person, especially a teenager. However, now I could fully sympathize with the boy- Truly understanding the crippling anxiety of your vague future. Yes, I understood it all to a frightening degree. A personal degree.
My cell started to ring in my pocket for what seemed like the millionth time. Of course, I should've expected this. Those bastards could never wait patiently even if it cost them their lives.
Reaching for the cupboards, I withdrew an old family photo from 2010. Michiru, Marika, Mariya and Seiji's gleaming smiles started back at me from behind the glass frame like sunlight in a gloomy overcast. The sunlight that gave me power. Sunlight that I desired to protect.
With the portrait in one hand, I dug out the obnoxious device that made my blood boil with each ring. With a heavy sigh, I answered the call, my eyes never drifting away from my precious sunlight.
-
Seiji:
"You look absolutely spectacular tonight, Ms Momoi!" I cooed, spinning the tip of my fork with Napolitan spaghetti.
With a deadpan demeanor, Mari replied back with, "Didn't you say that, earlier?" Oh crap, did I? Guess my nerves were a lot worse than I thought. Umm….. Uh...
"So nice, I had to say it twice~" I grinned wide, trying to save face. Mari leaned towards me, her face now brimming with what I can only describe as sly confidence. Whispering in my ear, she replied back.
"My my, so corny~" My heart shattered into a million pieces.
"But I love corny." My heart was restored back to full hp.
"Also you got a piece of parsley stuck between your teeth. Just thought you should know~" She winked. Welp, there goes my heart again.
Mari drew away from me, taking in the interior view that only a 5 star restaurant like Narisawa could provide. Pristine floors that sparkled every time you laid your eyes on them. The obsidian black walls that gave off an air of mystery. The fine lightning that can light up even the darkest of nights. This establishment had it all. She whistled, the sheer awe in her expression apparent to anyone who had working eyeballs.
"You know, I always wanted to dine at places like this. To think I'd do so with my childhood friend years later~" Humming a quick tune, she dug into her half-eaten Wagyu steak, cutting it with precision like a surgeon. With a small plop, she inhaled the sliced meat, savoring the flavor with every bite. "Mmmm! So good!" She mewed.
"This is just the beginning. Just wait until we invite the whole family next time." I spoke with my mouth full as I also enjoyed the delicious Italian cuisine in front of me. Delicious was an understatement.
I wasn't a gourmet connoisseur or anything but even I knew that the ingredients used in this masterpiece was top-notch! The ground beef especially, which was so tender, it practically melted on my tongue! Although, I could be gassing up this meal due to my ravenous hunger. When was the last time I ate anything? Was it when I had those grilled eel onigiri and takoyaki balls from 7-11? God, that feels like ages ago, no wonder I'm this hungry!
"I have to ask though." Mari paused, wiping away at her Worcestershire sauce ridden mouth with a handkerchief. With a small and frankly adorable little burp, she continued. "What kinda job did you get your hands on to even afford a place like this?"
Well, I certainly can't tell her about the whole Rakav incident and the mysterious wad of cash that seemingly teleported inside my wallet. Heck, she would have even more questions than I currently do if I told her the truth. "Oh you know, a job... Of the regular variety."
"Of the regular variety..." She repeated, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. I nodded, leading to an awkward silence in the air as we stared into each other's eyes. We were like that for a good minute or so until suddenly- Mari's face turned pale like a ghost. "You're not dealing with the yakuza or anything, are you?" She screeched in a higher pitch than normal.
"Huh? Where'd you get that idea?" Interpreting my response as a solid no, she took a deep breath, resting her hands at her chest. However, I couldn't help but notice the sheer look of terror Mari had when she mentioned the word, yakuza. Though, I suppose any Japanese citizen would be horrified by that word.
"Speaking of jobs, you work at two places don't you? One was 7-11 and the other was..." My words trailed off once I saw Mari fidgeting in her chair all flustered-like. Did I strike a nerve or something?
"It's ummmm…. Oh!" Her eyes lit up like fluorescent lightbulbs. Putting on a sly smile, she responded with, "A job... Of the regular variety~"
Hmm, it seems like my dear childhood friend is hiding things from me! Can't really blame her though. Not when I'm hiding the existence of chest orb-stealing fruit monsters and teleporting albino women from her- God, I can't believe these are the thoughts I'm having in my brain right now. What next? We get confirmation that demons exist and they're running a shadow government puppeteering the masses?
I blinked. Why did I have a case of Deja Vu, just now? Must be the hunger kicking in, I suppose.
-
"Phew, I'm stuffed! First the omurice. Then the wagyu steak and hazelnut cremeux~"
Mari wheezed, petting her stomach like a pregnant woman. "Mama's not eating anytime soon tonight!"
"Good to hear!" I said as I scarfed down the same wagyu steak that Mari had just a few minutes ago. Even after devouring a plate of Napoleon spaghetti, katsu curry, and a good portion of this steak, I was still famished.
Mari chuckled, amused by unnatural hunger. "Wow! I guess your job of the regular variety really took a lot out of you!"
"You got that right!" I croaked between the heavy coughing and fisting of my chest. "You're choking!" Mari panicked. She quickly handed me a glass of water which I happily took.
"You better slow down, mister!" Mari scolded, hands at her hips. This, however, only made her more adorable- Something that she most likely didn't intend.
As I washed my throat down, a voice called out to me overhead. "Are you alright….. Mr IchiJiku?" I paused mid drink, almost choking once again but with water instead. The commotion around me ceased as the gazes of fellow diners bore into me.
"IchiJiku? It can't be-"
"Why's one here in the first place?"
"Don't they have their own private chefs?"
"Look at what he's wearing, ain't no way he's one of them."
Mari noticed the commotion too, shifting her gaze side to side. I stared back and forth to Mari and to a group at the table adjacent to ours before turning around to see who knew my family name. A name that I don't recall ever being up in Narisawa. Full of confusion, I was just about to ask him about that topic... until I saw the man's visage.
"Seiji!" Mari yelled in vain as I collapsed out of my chair. The commotion around me was now blaring in volume, some even sounding genuinely concerned but that meant nothing to me at the moment- For what stared back at me was a crescent shaped set of teeth. A set of teeth that can I only describe as nightmarish. Quite literally so as I recalled a grin eerily similar to one in my past dreams.
Despite my childhood friend hugging me, trying to snap me out of my mire- My heart palpitations intensified unreasonably so. "What's wrong? Please tell me!" She begged, her voice trembling with each syllable.
"That boyfriend of yours has a little fever, it seems. Allow me-" I wanted to smack the man's hand away so bad, but I resisted. Before Mari could even respond, the man rested his hand against my temple. An eerie sensation stuck me like a million of prickly needles, followed by something akin to a migraine. His hand stunk as if he hadn't washed in days- A stench that reminded me roadkill. I wanted him to cease, to tell him off but no words managed to escape my lips until-
Until my anxiety suddenly disappeared- Gone into the wind. The man frowned. "Hmm….. Perhaps I was wrong." Retracting his palm away, he wordlessly stared at it. I, on the other hand, was staring at my glowing chest. I recalled back to my vision of Nara Park where the fruit gave me the confidence to stand up to the Rakav. Could it be doing the same thing here?
With a sigh, Keisuke, at least according to the name tag on his suit, took his leave- Spinning on his polished black loafers. Did he not see the purple light radiating out of me? Now that I think about it, none of the diners are commenting about it either.
"Oh my gosh, um…." Mari stuttered frantically, looking back at me and back at Keisuke. "Sir! Check please!" Good call. I caused too much of a scene already.
Without so much as a glance, the man waved at us from behind. "I'll send someone over."
-
"Seiji. Seiji!"
"Ack! Stop pulling on my cheeks, Mar- Owww!" About half an hour ago, we were having a peaceful dinner. Just the two of us. And now, here we are- Acting like children out in the streets of Tokyo. Just the two of us.
"What the hell was that- And don't you dare laugh it off! First you were fine, enjoying your steak and then the next-" She winced, unable to continue the rest. I felt the gazes of the bystanders, passing by us in shock, amusement or perhaps both. Wasn't sure which was worse- This or the restaurant. After a bit, Mari continued. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
The pit of my stomach grew heavy as I pictured the man's smile in my head. The way his teeth crinkled and his eyes narrowed was enough to make every hair in my body raise up. And then I felt it again- The purple glow. Bit by bit, the demented face in my mind vanished, replaced with a serene waterfall. I wasn't fully sure if I appreciated the Forbidden Fruit messing with my mind but at least it showed me decent imagery. She gazed at me, expecting answers but what I gave her instead was- "Smile, smile!"
Through her forced smile, courtesy of my fingers, she mumbled back. "You're dodging my question."
"I'm not." I reassured her. "I don't really have an answer per se- The closest thing I have is...…" I trailed off, about to be in disbelief with what I was going to say next.
"That man's smile terrified me." Mari blinked at me. Blinked a second and even a third time before her jaw hit the floor. Before she could reply, I frantically waved my hands around trying to explain- "Not that smiling is bad, of course! It was the way his face- er. I mean. It looked….. off?" I continued to stutter aimlessly, making myself out to be a fool by second- Until...
"You're…. Laughing?" I expected anything BUT THAT out of her.
"Pfft. It's so unlike you to trash talk about someone like that, especially his smile of all things!" She giggled, even snorting like a pig at times.
Well, I succeeded in making her smile at the very least. But still- "I was not trash talking him, I just-"
"He did seem strange though- That I agree." She interrupted, her face turning serious again. Contemplating, Mari rested her finger on her chin- Attempting to recall….. something. The commotion had completely died down at this point, giving her a moment of silence to think until- "That man- Keisuke was it? I swear, I've seen him before. Recently, in fact."
I let out a sigh and immediately went for her hands, wrapping it tenderly in mine. That seemed to break her out of her trance. "Let's go back home. We'll worry about this Kazuki's identity later."With a smile and a nod, she agreed as we headed back to our apartment complex- Leaving the bustling streets of Tokyo and the night as a whole behind us.