by Rocco Ryg
Ten minutes later, while her parents discussed politics, she ran up the stairs to find him. She located him in the living room of the shrine, staring at a full sized mirror with his left sleeve rolled up. He looked pathetically at the stump, and without turning around, he said, “I didn’t fight for my country, kid. I fought for the bastards running it.”
He was dead one year later. Since that day, Chikara didn’t like to think about war.
The lesson dragged on until the end of the hour. Minsei looked at the clock and said, “We’re out of time, so I’ll end with some trivia. What Allied declaration warned Japan to surrender or face prompt and utter destruction? Nagasado?”
Michiko rose from her seat with a confident look. “I believe it was the Cairo Declaration, sensei.”
“Close, but that came before in 1943. The Potsdam Declaration is the correct answer.”
Michiko remembered reading about the two and quickly realized that she had confused them. Unfortunately for her teacher, she wasn’t finished yet. A mischievous grin slithered across her lips, as if pondering a funny joke that no one else would understand. Michiko focused her concentration into her voice and said, “Actually, I think the Cairo Declaration is the right answer. It was made in 1945 and warned of utter destruction.”
Mrs. Minsei froze as her mind absorbed the information. “Yes, it was the Cairo Declaration. I apologize.” Eyes widened throughout the room. Everyone knew the answer was the Potsdam Declaration. Some students flipped through their history books to double-check the fact, while others just stared at their triumphant classmate. She looked just as surprised as the rest of the class, as if she had discovered a secret talent.
Minsei dismissed the class for lunch, reminding them to read chapter fourteen of their history book. Michiko walked out of the room with her two friends, and the rest of the class timidly followed them from a distance.
***
“Did you see that?” exclaimed Renka, careful not to let the trio of popular girls hear her.
“How could I miss it?” said Chikara. “It was the Potsdam Declaration. I’ve read that section twice. Why did Minsei-sensei change her mind?”
“It was so weird. Did you see the look on Nagasado-san? She looked just as surprised as anyone.”
“She was always so forceful, but… damn, I don’t know what to say.”
“Whatever. Let’s eat.”
The two made their way to the cafeteria, where they met up with their friends Shindo Yui, Yazawa Hirono and Nikki from class, as well as the Female Kendo Club. Most schools in Japan have no cafeteria, preferring to let the students eat in the homeroom or outside, but Eisai’s less strict code of conduct allowed for the building of one. Some students believed conspiracy theories that the entire facility was actually a top-secret experiment meant to study student behavior in a more liberal atmosphere, but few of the children complained.
“So I try my best to thank him in English… I try rolling my tongue and all that… and he just stares at me and says in perfect Japanese, ‘What the hell does that mean?’” Hirono’s story made her friends crack up, but Renka and Chikara were still too freaked out by what happened in the classroom to laugh. As Renka nodded and faked her giggles, she tried to sneak a few peeks at Kagekuro Gen, who sat with the other Democratic Youth Leaguers at the other end of the cafeteria. She thanked fate that he faced her, but she had to be extra careful not to make eye contact.
Hirono continued, “So we go to this fast food place, he gets the biggest, greasiest burger I’ve ever seen, and he’s wolfing it down like it’s a regular sandwich. I’m thinking how can he fit that in his mouth? I know I can’t.”
Mizuho replied, “I bet you were thinking that later at night, too!” The table exploded in laughter, prompting Hirono to joke, “I’m gonna freaking beat you.” Kayoko, Hirono’s older sister, rolled her eyes. Her sibling’s success with men worried her to no end.
Renka took this opportunity to sneak another quick look at Kagekuro Gen. This time, she saw him looking right at her. She quickly jerked her head away and pretended it was an accident. She didn’t see him smile back.
“You’re blushing, Ren-chan,” said Kayoko.
“What?”
“You’re redder than Hirono’s teddies. Something have your attention?”
Chikara glanced at Gen. “She’s checking out her secret crush.” The girls turned and noticed him looking back at their table. The young man grinned for a moment before continuing his discussion with his friends.
“Renka-chan has a crush,” said Yui.
Takako added, “On the communist.”
“I think he’s kind of cute,” said Hirono with a devilish grin.
Mizuho slapped her back and replied, “You’ll do anything with a pulse.”
Renka’s blushing cheeks betrayed her once again. “Come on, guys, his eyes caught mine. It was an accident.”
Across the cafeteria, Michiko and her friends continued their enlightening conversation. As usual, she did the majority of the talking. A boy named Nokoribi Kaijin sat next to them, soaking in every word the young girl spoke. For the past few weeks, the introverted boy had been trying to get close to Michiko, even going so far as to carry her backpack to class for her. Michiko realized that he had a crush on her and had no problem taking advantage of his assistance. It wasn’t the first time a boy wooed her with a gentleman’s kindness, and with her beauty she knew it wouldn’t be the last.
Yui picked up her tray. “I’ve got to meet with my math teacher. I’ll see you later.” She made her way to the conveyor belt to dispose of her unfinished food. Distracted by the hilarity of Renka’s situation, she didn’t notice the small puddle of spilled soda on the floor. She clumsily slipped and tumbled face-first onto the floor in front of Michiko’s table. Her bowl of chocolate pudding, which she couldn’t finish due to its bland taste, spilled all over the girl’s shoe. The students laughed and applauded. Michiko’s gave a look of contempt that soon morphed into an opportunistic smile.
Yui bowed in front of the student she had inconvenienced. “Oh, darn it! I am so sorry, Nagasado-san. That was completely my fault.”
“Relax, Shindo-san”, replied the cool-tempered girl. “These shoes are old anyway.”
“Oh, thank you. I thought you’d be mad.”
“No, it’s okay. Just lick it off and we’ll be even.”
The suggestion surprised her. “What?”
Michiko concentrated into her command. “You heard me. Kneel and lick my shoes.”
Without further protest, Yui bent over and licked the pudding off the shoe. The observers laughed, gasped or stared blankly at the improbable and obscene display. Even Chisato and Yukiko looked frightened by their friend’s amazing feat of persuasion. Michiko watched her classmate lick her shoes as if she had discovered the meaning of life. “It works,” she whispered to herself. “It actually works.”
The sickening scene disgusted Chikara. “That’s enough, Nagasado-san. Yui, stop it.”
Michiko said, “Just a moment, Kaminari-chan. She isn’t done yet.”
“I’m serious Yui. Stop!” Chikara became offended by Michiko’s use of the honorific “-chan”, which is used among girls to convey a sense of childish cuteness.
As Yui continued her assigned task, Michiko took the situation a step further. “You know, Kaminari-chan, this would go a lot faster if you lick my shoe too.”
A new sensation stuck Chikara like a wrecking ball. She felt her entire body go numb, as if morphine had been shot into every limb. She couldn’t fight her own body as it kneeled over and helped Yui lick Michiko’s shoes clean. The onlookers gasped. Michiko’s easy hypnosis of the toughest girl in the school and her look of wonder made them realize that this was no arranged comedy act.
Though as frightened as everyone else, Renka put aside her fear and thought of how she could help. When the light bulb flicked on in her brain, she ran to the window and shouted, “Hey, is that the principal coming?”
M
ichiko decided to end the charade. “That’s enough. You can stop now.”
The two girls stopped licking her shoe. Yui burst into tears and ran out of the cafeteria crying. Chikara flashed Michiko a vengeful look and ran after her friend. The students, too scared to intervene, sat back down and ate their meals. Renka left the room to find her humiliated friends, but they were already gone.
Nokoribi Kaijin stared at his crush and said, “Wow, Nagasado-san. No wonder they call you Empress Michiko.”
She smiled, satisfied by his ass-kissing flattery. “Thank you, Kaijin-kun. And from now on, call me Michiko-sama. I would like that.” He had no objection to using the more respectful honorific.
Chisato, still a bit shaken by the obscene events, asked, “Michiko? How did you do that?”
The popular girl gave a sly grin, “I don’t know. But I like it.”
***
When school ended, Chikara and Renka walked back home. They hadn’t spoken to each other or anyone else since the embarrassing incident in the cafeteria that had already reached the ears of the entire school. As her shock wore off, Renka broke her silence. “How’s Yui?”
Chikara said, “She cried for a long time in the locker room shower. It took an hour to cheer her up. That’s why I was so late to class.”
“This is crazy.” Renka hung her head in shame, regretful that she couldn’t have prevented what had happened. “Why did you give in? You hate her.”
Chikara had trouble putting it into words. “I can’t explain it. It was like… every part of my body just had to do as she said. I couldn’t resist. It was a… compulsion.”
“My uncle smokes. He says the same thing. How does she do it? What if she’s a demon?”
“Oh, she is, but not the way you’re implying.”
“Hey, don’t feel too glum. Who cares about that idiot anyway?”
“It’s not that. It’s... my mother.”
Renka lightly touched her friend’s shoulder to show her support. “Chi, it’s been two months.”
“They’re playing her video will for the family today. I don’t…” Chikara started to tear up. “I don’t know if I can handle it. I don’t want her stuff, I just want her back.”
Renka rarely saw Chikara cry. She threw her arms around her as she let it all out. It didn’t matter who was watching. Comforting her best friend was the most important thing she could do.
Chikara continued to sob. “Before she died, she told me the video would help me save the world. Delusional! The cancer messed with her mind. All that manga.”
“Chi, she loved you. I’m sure she’ll give you something that will make you happy. Maybe she’ll direct you to the man of your dreams.” This made Chikara laugh. After a few moments of hugging and crying, the two friends regained their composure and continued the journey home. When they reached the Kusaka residence, Renka said, “Good luck tonight. Let me know what happens.”
“I will. See you tomorrow.”
Before she entered her house, Renka turned around and said, “Chi?”
“Yeah?”
“What you did for Yui was selfless and brave. You’re a true friend.”
“Thank you. So are you.”
“No really, you were a real hero to her. Later.”
Chikara pondered her mother’s last words. She walked away and whispered to herself, “I’m not a hero.”
***
Later that night, the extended Kaminari family gathered around the big screen television. Chikara had not seen some of these relatives for years. Her uncle Akira had moved to Hokkaido with his wife and son, and her Aunt Ai had moved to America a decade earlier. Although she enjoyed seeing them, she wished happier circumstances had led to their reunion. The family lawyer played a DVD after informing the family of their rights. Kaminari Mika appeared on the screen, and after a short introduction, she began the allocation of property. There was plenty of it to go around, thanks to her many years of wise, successful investments in profitable businesses.
“To my brother Akira and his wife Naomi, I give 1,000,000 yen and that curved katana in my room that you always wanted. To their daughter Mori, I give a 200,000 savings bond for college.” Akira held his crying daughter, who loved her aunt like a best friend. Mika continued, “To my brother-in-law Toshinori and his wife, who is not here today…”
The relatives’ eyes widened in unison. How could she possibly know that? Chikara and her father, however, couldn’t help but grin. Mika always had a way of expecting things. “… I give 500,000 yen and that Chinese pot you guys always admired. To their son Koushiro, I give a 200,000 college bond and my collection of Super Sentai reruns.”
Koushiro said “Thank you, Auntie.”
The departed continued to name the recipients of her property, giving her sister and parents a decent share. At the conclusion of the will she stated, “Now, my husband keeps everything else. The house, cars, savings accounts and stocks. And honey, when Izumi from work asks you out, say… no! Trust me, it’ll end badly.”
“Sure, honey,” said Masakazu with a nervous laugh. He still couldn’t believe that this amazing woman was gone.
“And now, I have a special message for my daughter, Chikara. I would like to talk privately with her, so everybody please clear out of the room. Pause the disc, this is for Chikara only.”
The lawyer hit the pause button and told the confused family to leave the room. Chikara asked, “Dad, what is this?”
“Your mother wants to talk to you alone, honey. Good luck.” Masakazu left her alone and shut the door while the rest of the family members visited the small, homemade shrine to their lost loved one to pay their respects. Chikara hesitantly picked up the remote control and pressed play.
Mika smiled as she addressed her daughter. “Hey, Chikara. I’m sure you miss me. I don’t know where I am right now. I couldn’t see that far, but… I believe in my heart that I will always be at your side.”
“Mom?”
“Chikara, listen to me. Throughout your life, I’ve taught you to be a good person. I’ve taught you to be fair, honest, reliable and strong. So far, you’ve turned out just as I wanted you too. I’m so proud of you. However, things are about to change. Events outside of your control will soon require you to do things no one has done before.”
“Oh god, Mom, what are you talking about?” It was worse than she thought. Her mother had apparently lost her mind even before the final stage of the cancer.
The recording continued. “There are extremists in this world, Chikara. Fanatical men and women who seek power, and with this power, they will attempt to mold the world to their radical ideas. I have seen what they are capable of, and the results will lead to terrible destruction. Your duty…” Mika’s head drooped, and her face betrayed a look of regret. She covered her left eye with her hand as if something had stung it. “I never wanted to drag you into this. I’ve looked at every possible outcome, and nothing ends happily except this one. I’m so sorry. I wanted to save you from this but… only you and your friends can save this world.”
“What?”
“I leave you the equipment in the safe in the attic. The password is 030285. I want you to share it with your friends Renka and Gen.”
Her look of shock could be seen from space. “Gen? You mean Kagekuro?”
“Just don’t wear it for too long. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me. The path will be difficult. You will be hurt and hardened. But in the end, I know you will prevail. Make me proud, my little hero. I love you.”
The will ended, and the baffled teenager left the room to a crowd of curious relatives. Her father asked, “So, what did she say?”
“You wouldn’t believe it.” She didn’t look at her family as she walked to the entrance of the attic. After unlatching the retractable ceiling and climbing up the ladder, she dug through the cluttered area until she located the safe. The large, heavy vault must’ve cost her mother a fortune, meaning something valuable had to be inside. She held her breath and enter
ed the combination. So many possibilities ran through her mind. It could have been cash, jewelry, stock portfolios... anything. What could her mother leave her that would “save the world?”
She pressed “enter” and heard the safe unlock. With her excitement and fear at its peak, she opened the steel door and looked inside. Nothing but a small metallic box welcomed her. It looked like a case for wedding rings, but gray and unappealing, certainly not something one would present in a marriage proposal. She picked up the unflattering case and almost dropped it, not expecting it to weigh so much. It had to be made of lead. Iron wasn’t that heavy.
She opened the case and looked at her inheritance, a solid gold ring. A carefully etched pattern of winding lines and circles slithered around the piece of exotic jewelry, clearly the work of a master. The strange jewel in the center commanded her gaze. Rectangular, smooth and without luster, the small black stone was like no other rock she had ever seen.
“Mom? What is going on?”
CHAPTER 2
THE RING
Chikara’s searched for a deeper meaning to the present. There was nothing else in the safe that could provide a clue to the ring’s purpose. She studied the bizarre gift and thought of what she was supposed to do with it. “What is this, Mom? Is it for my wedding? Why do you want me to share it with Renka and Gen? This is ridiculous.”
She closed the case in frustration, wishing for a more useful inheritance instead. She then felt guilty for that thought. “Still… you wanted me to have it. It was so important, you locked it up. Okay, Mom. I’ll do as you ask. You did everything for me, after all.” She closed the safe and climbed back downstairs.
Chikara located her father talking to his mother-in-law regarding the condition of the dedication shrine. She patiently waited to be recognized, and when called upon, she asked, “Dad, can I talk to you?”