Guardian Angel: Chapter 4 - In Another Time The female dressed in a long overcoat dashed diagonally across the street whist avoiding the puddles of water collected within the potholes of the uneven road. Twisting her body to steer herself between the clusters of people also navigating the busy traffic junction, she barely reached the other side before the light turned green again. Now standing beneath the sheltered walkway of the nearest building, she began dusting her leather coat off with one hand, flicking away the droplets of rain which had gathered as she journeyed from the supermarket. During this process, she struggled to balance in her other arm the paper bag of groceries which was filled precariously to the brim. Satisfied with the result of a somewhat neater and dryer appearance, she began walking along the covered walkway back home which was in the form of a tall apartment complex two streets away. As she strolled, her mind wandering aimlessly till the blaring noise emitted from one of the many electrical shops lining the area attracted her attention. Stopping in her tracks, she let her eyes trail up to a television screen behind a glass panel. Playing on the latest model of a Korean plasma television set was the most up to date episode of a popular entertainment news program.
"One of Japan's most popular female idol groups will be arriving in Korea to stage a nation wide tour. Here is a short video and interview with the leader, Tanaka Reina."
The host spoke in rapid Korean but the words were not lost on her for she too was conversant in the language. Understanding the simple phrases used, her eyes glazed over with a distant pride as she recognized more than a few of the pretty girls dancing on a magnificent stage to the tune of energetic music.
"Anyoung ha se yo, this is Tanaka Reina. Morning Musume will be coming to Korea soon. We are very grateful for the unwavering support that the Korean fans have shown us. We promise to stage a wondrous concert starting from the 6th of June. Please do look out for us. Sarang hae yo!"
After the brief interview ended, the viewer of the clip lingered on outside the shop as the tide of passersby swiftly brushed past. A small smile revealed itself when the ends of her lips tugged upwards presenting a drastic change in expression from her earlier vacant features.
"You've done well, Tanakacchi."
-----
It was late evening and the sun had long disappeared from the sky encompassing over Tokyo city. Pulling down the metal shutters outside the small flower shop, its proprietor bent down to secure the dual padlocks of the shutters after setting her belongings on the ground. It had been another uneventful day for the young lady boss and it was finally time to pack up and go home.
"Chotto matte kudasai!"
Whirling to face the sudden interruption, she saw an elderly lady hurrying breathlessly up the few steps to where she stood.
"Am I too late to purchase some flowers?"
"We are closed for the day. Would you mind coming back tomorrow?"
The disappointed look which surfaced on the wrinkled face of the woman was not overlooked by the soft-hearted girl. Pleading pitifully, the late customer begged for her help.
"Could you please make an exception? I'm visiting a dear friend in the hospital and she loves white lilies, just like those."
She didn't know it but her short explanation after noticing the bouquet of white flowers on the doorstep had changed the boss's mind almost as soon as she heard about the hospitalized friend’s fondness for white lilies. Nodding to accede to the request, she reopened the doors once more and switched on the lights which submerged the cozy space with illumination.
"Would you like them in a bouquet? The lilies I mean."
"Yes, please. I could not show up without the flowers."
Tiptoeing in her beige sandals to pick out the freshest looking white blossoms, she then made her way over to the workstation and proceeded to arrange the stalks in a natural and artistic manner to create a presentable bouquet. As she laid the finishing touches on the spray with a pink satin ribbon, the elderly customer came to stand by her side. Pointing to the photo frame on the far end of the table, she asked.
"Are those your sister and best friend? They are both very pretty."
"Eh?"
Realizing what the woman was talking about, her eyes flickered up to glance at the silver frame and the photos it contained before going back to her work. She appeared to be in deep concentration, adjusting the delicate ribbon when she was really trying to avoid answering the question. It was only when the woman persisted did she finally react.
"They are my friends."
"Oh? Which of them is your best friend?"
"They both are."
"But that cannot be. One can have many good friends but only one best friend. Which of them do you hold dearer to your heart?"
"There is no rule that says we can have only one best friend. I have two. Two!"
Startled by her agitated reaction, the woman ceased in her idle small talk and dug into her straw bag to hunt for her purse. Fishing out the required payment, she accepted the carefully completed bouquet and handed over the money.
"I apologize if I had said things I should not have. Thank you for doing my business. Have a good day."
Offering a deep bow, the last customer of the day exited the dainty store through the glass door. As the store quieted down with the ceased chiming of the little bells hanging above the door and the absence of activity, the owner stay put, fixated in her original position whilst she pondered over the elder's casual words
"I should only have one best friend. Who is more important to me?"
-----
The rose wood cabinet was stocked full of various wines, a somewhat considerable collection for a woman her age. Scanning her dark brown eyes over the length of the second row, she picked out a Pinot Noir with a bittersweet palate. The taste complemented her reminiscing mood this evening. Living a boring life revolving mostly around work, home and the occasional shopping trip to town made her look forward to the times when her flat mate was home. She looked repeatedly at the clock as she waited for the expected company to return.
Pouring herself a glass of the dark velvet fluid, she padded over to the cushy couch in her fluffy green bedroom slippers and flopped down heavily in the middle portion of the long settee. Grabbing the Hi-fi remote off the side table, she pressed down on the 'play' button and leaned back with her neck resting on the back of the sofa. With her head tilted upwards, she closed her eyes and waited for the music to play. The glamorous Bang & Olufsen system stirred to life and the preset shuffle function kicked in putting a random CD onto the needle. Swirling the wine glass in hand and feeling the liquid splash against the walls of the glass, she had no idea of what to anticipate from the costly amplifiers.
Woah...
Mimi kara hanarenu
Sono koe
Doushite sonna ni
Nureteru no?
Denwa de hanashiteru koe mo
Mayoko de kiku koe mo ah~
Onnaji SERIFU wo
Mane shite mo
Anata no koe mitai ni
Setsunaku naranai
Muda ni GYAGU to ka
Shinai hito
Tatoebanashi ga myou ni
Settoryoku aru no
PAPA mo onaji you na
Koto wo itteta kedoHearing the familiar opening melody, she squeezed her eyes tightly to try and block out the strange and unsettling emotions that the song was inducing within her. Nonetheless the lyrics of the song materialized in her mind instantaneously. It had been two years but she had not forgotten which concert the piece was from or the person whom she had sung it with. The memories, both beautiful and agonizing came rushing back to her mind. She found herself gripping tighter on the stem of the glass, increasing the pressure on it and hence cracking the delicate piece. The detached bowl fell from the portion still in her hand onto the marble floor and landed with an ear splitting crash. The destroyed glass spilled every drop of its expensive contents onto the white marble floor of the living room. The picture of dark ruby red on pure white immediately brought back to mind more horrible memories previously sealed deep inside her mind. The swerving vehicle, the plummet down the ravine, the body crashing through the windscreen and the image of her pale body lying devoid of any movement. Everything, everything came flooding back.
No, no. It's a lie! None of those things happened! It was at this moment when a key was inserted into the lock and turned. Pushing open the door was the distinct figure of her friend and confidant who at once spotted the curled up position of the person in the photo. Instinctively, she hurried indoors and practically threw her possessions aside onto the dining table. Forgetting to close the door in her anxiety, her only concern was to calm the distressed girl. Holding the shivering girl into a tight embrace, she rubbed the damp back of the terrified girl in gentle calming motions in an attempt to sooth her disturbed frame of mind. Her simple action brought her out of her trance and she managed to slowly bring down the trembling hands gripping onto her reddening ears. It wasn't the first time this had happened and hence she knew exactly how to remedy the nervous situation. Placing her lips onto the tense cheek of the wounded party, she whispered into her ear.
"It's fine now, everything will be okay Gaki-san."
-----
The hallways were empty and the sparsely spread out ceiling lights failed to eradicate the gloomy atmosphere. One could almost feel the dreariness just by walking through the corridors. It was late, hours pass the authorized visitation hours. However, the lone figure walking in with her knee high boots had a faultless reason to be there. As a prominent celebrity in the entertainment industry, she had received special permission to be on the premise after dark. This precaution was to prevent mass hysterical if she were to be recognized by overzealous fans or the nosey media. She was extremely thankful for the arrangement since she wasn't one who performed well in the unmediated spotlight. Her footsteps stopped echoing when she halted outside a particular door, her sole destination in all her days of visitation. Swinging open the entry to the darkened room, she stepped inside and closed the door behind noiselessly, wary to not wake its resting occupant. Except that the person who warranted her considerate behavior could not be woken.
"Hey."
Setting down her branded bag on the coffee table in the first class ward, she threw her jacket haphazardly onto the leather sofa. Checking to ensure the room temperature wasn't too chilly, she busied herself making sure that all other aspects of the place was appropriate before settling down to sit in the plastic armchair by the bed. Taking hold of the deathly pale hand belonging to the figure lying on the ashen sheets, she stroked it tenderly, massaging her flesh in the hope of regaining some sensation to the lifeless limp.
"I won't be able to visit you for the next one month. Morning Musume are going on a concert tour to Korea. I'll ask the nurses to pay special attention to you. In the meantime, don't be naughty."
She smiled at the object of her affections, though the receiver made no effort to reciprocate. Nevertheless the normally headstrong and outright woman didn't take it to heart. She knew it wasn't on purpose that her feelings were ignored. The doctors have given their diagnosis and the outlook wasn't bright. Even so, she wasn't the type to throw in the towel that easily. Her temperament was one of hating to lose and in this case, she would do anything to ensure victory. Giving her heart to someone wasn't an easy task for her and now that she did, she wasn't going to take it back.
"It's been two years and I'm still waiting. I'll keep waiting until you wake up Sayumi."
She became aware of a scratching noise behind her and assuming it to be coming from the shoes of the nurse going on her regular rounds about the designated wards on the level, the tiny woman rose from her seat with the intention of leaving the nurse on duty some important instructions regarding the patient. As she turned around, she came face to face with a long time friend whom she has known for almost seven years. Clad in a conservative cardigan and with beige sandals strapped on her feet, she smiled at the visitor who had arrived earlier. Cradled in her arms close to her chest, was a bunch of snow white lilies.
-----
@JFC: I was thinking about that too! I imagined this would be Koharu’s predicament if she went to a school like that
@KonaKaga: In the beginning I wasn't really a fan. But after I realized what an infectious and endless ball of energy the girl has, I started to like her more
@stefy: Hee hee, yes happy now. Dakara! HAPPY!!~~
@lollipopgirl: That lines is useful isn’t it? I love school based fics too. Pity I’m stuck on “Please Take Care of My Club.” I would like to continue that someday
@Grisours: Thanks so much! I was apprehensive at first about writing a pairing based on these two. I’m glad the story kept you wondering who it was and finally liking it at the end
@strawb3rrykream: Being able to influence more love for Koharu and Aika is awesome news to me
@ringo-hime: To me Koha is pretty enough to be a cheerleader
Really? Please do try. There are too few fics on them.
@Sukoshi: You got your wish. GA it is! Did you like this chapter?
Topic: More Than One Story...[111016 Loving You Forever] (Read 278213 times)