I Am Become Death

by Rocco Ryg

  The two noticed Michiko and Chisato in the crowd. It seemed the family considered the two girls worthy enough to attend. Michiko looked at the ground in a dazed stupor, like she still couldn’t believe this was happening. Renka focused her mind on her and said, “She’s guilty. She knows it’s her fault and she feels terrible.”

  “She should.”

  Renka didn’t like that. She took the paralyzing guilt radiating from Michiko and sent it into Chikara, who fell to her knees and covered her leaking eyes. It felt like her heart had stopped and her body begged to feel it pump again. “That’s what it feels like,” Renka said. “Nobody should feel like that.”

  “Okay, I’m sorry. Make it stop.” Feeling the remorse wash away, Chikara got back up and wiped away her tears. “You’re right. I guess I’ve been too hard. The night we fought Kaijin, I lost it and attacked her, and you hugged her... gave her a crying shoulder. You’re a better person than me.”

  “Don’t say that. We need each other. I was talking to Gen-kun in the hospital, and he compared us to some show about a warrior princess.”

  Chikara laughed. Her mother always liked that show. “Yeah, I guess we are like that.”

  Michiko noticed the duo watching from the distance. After staring blankly for a moment, she raised her hand and waved to them. They waved back awkwardly.

  “Renka... does she hate me?”

  “No. She’s too sad.”

  Once the grieving relatives started to leave, the girls decided to go. Chikara looked to her mother’s grave one final time. “This all better work out in the end, or you’ll have lots of explaining to do when I see you next.”

  As Yukiko’s parents wept over their daughter’s grave, Michiko built up the courage to approach them. She bowed her head and said, “Sir... ma’am... Thank you for inviting me. You know Yukiko was my best friend.”

  Mr. Sasaki gave her an appreciative look. “Thank you, Michiko-chan. She loved you.”

  Michiko forced herself to say, “Look, I have some extra money I got from... someone, and I know you have money problems so... I want to pay for the funeral.”

  Funerals in Japan rank among the most expensive in the world, an average service costing 2.31 million yen or 25,000 dollars. Michiko couldn’t bear the thought of her best friend’s family going broke for her actions. Mr. Sasaki shook his head and said, “No no. We will find a way to pay. Save your money for college.”

  “I will pay for the funeral.”

  Mr. Sasaki changed his tone. “Very well. Thank you so much for this.”

  Mrs. Sasaki embraced Michiko and cried into her shoulder. “Oh thank you. You were like a sister to her. Thank you.”

  The father asked, “How could we repay you?”

  Michiko continued to hug the mother while she thought, Just forgive me.

  ***

  Chikara put on her prom dress and inspected herself in her full-length mirror. The dark blue, strapped dress extended to her thighs and sparkled whenever she turned, reflecting the light off of its bejeweled surface. The fancy garb was tighter than she wanted, but she had spent too much money on it already. She decided to go with it, knowing that her date wouldn’t be touching anything anyway.

  She showed her dress to her father. “You look good.”

  “You don’t think it’s too tight?”

  “You’re showing more skin than usual.”

  Chikara laughed. “Don’t worry, Dad. I only ordered it short so I could fight better if need be.”

  Her father laughed harder. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. Have a great night, honey.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Chikara stopped by the shrine to her mother and kneeled before it. “Hey, Mom. Tonight’s the big night. My date’s not the best, but I can’t find anyone better, so he’ll have to do. Please give me and all my friends a great night. I guess you already knew how it would turn out. I hope you saw something positive.” She walked to her car and prepared to pick up her friend and her date.

  When she reached Renka’s house, she stared at her friend’s bizarre replacement date. Renka, clothed in a hot pink dress with a medium-sized, crimped skirt, carried a large wooden stick with a photographed cut-out of Gen glued to it. “Are you serious, Renka?”

  “What? You thought I’d go with someone else?”

  “It’s a stick with a picture on it.”

  “Yeah, he’s here with me in spirit. Besides, it’s more animated than your date.”

  “I guess you got me there. Hop in.”

  ***

  Meanwhile, Michiko put on her own dress. Nagasado Nyoko gasped when she saw her daughter in the strapless, sparkling red gown that stretched to her feet. “Michiko, it’s beautiful. You’ll be the talk of the prom.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I thought you’d like it.”

  “And what about this mystery boy you’re going with? How will you meet him?”

  “I’ll meet him there.” At least, Michiko hoped to meet him at the prom. Her enigmatic stalker wanted her to win so badly, he had to show up, and once she saw his face, she would control him in the worst ways possible. She would humiliate him in front of the entire prom and ensure he would never come near her again. She couldn’t wait to stare John Galt in the face and speak the vilest commands she could imagine.

  ***

  The students arrived at Eisai High and made their way to the gymnasium. Lush cloth and confetti decorated the halls, and signs made by friends congratulating other friends hung along the walls. Round tables covered in white cloth surrounded the dance floor in the center, and a large projection screen hung on the far wall. A DJ played the day’s most popular music on a high platform overlooking the audience.

  The boys wore identical black tuxedos, each with a boutonniere given to them by their date pinned on their jackets. In turn, the boys gave the girls a corsage to pin to their dresses. The groups of friends took pictures of each other with their digital cameras and hung around the snack counter for cookies, cheese slices and fruit punch. Everybody laughed, danced, sung and cheered, which proved the event to be a success. The impressed Principal Asashi considered expanding the prom for next year. His school would be the envy of Japan.

  Michiko sat in her chair and watched Chisato dance with Utatane Suekichi, her date from the Democratic Youth League. She had noticed the boy sneaking in looks at her friend during their previous encounters with the left-wingers, but she didn’t think he’d actually ask her out. Disregarding them, she scanned the gym for anyone giving her strange looks. She bet John Galt was watching her right then and there, planning his move. She didn’t even care about winning the Prom Queen crown anymore. She just wanted to learn the identity of her stalker.

  Chikara sat at her table with her friends, with Ms. Minsei as their chaperone. Renka placed her stick with the picture on the seat next to her as if it were really Gen. Yui sat with Taichi, her date for the evening, but she had a hard time seeing the DJ with his huge hair in the way. Hirono went with some guy from another class she had met just a week before. Her friends figured it would end next week.

  Chikara and Hiroshi paired their team members with each other so that all could attend, even freshman Mayumi, who wasn’t too comfortable going with a senior. The girls didn’t think much of their dates, but knew they could take them in a fight from previous experience. The two teams even agreed to bring their weapons along just in case they felt the urge to duel.

  Principal Asashi swung around to their table. “Good evening, students. There’s plenty of room on the dance floor, so why don’t you have some fun?”

  Chikara raised her hand and asked a question that had bugged her since she arrived. “Principal, why aren’t there any police officers here?”

  “Police?”

  “Yes, in case something goes wrong? I thought all events like this need one.”

  “Uh... you’re the best graduation class I’ve had. I don’t think police will be necessary.”

  Renka’s lie detector activated. When the principal left, she
tapped Chikara’s shoulder and said, “Chi, the principal lied.”

  “That’s strange. Why wouldn’t he want any police here?”

  Principal Asashi continued his efforts to excite the students. He didn’t know why his mysterious contributor demanded that no cops be present, but he didn’t care as long as the donations kept coming.

  Hiroshi took Chikara’s hand. “May I have this dance?”

  “Certainly.” Chikara went with him, hoping he could dance better than he could fight. After the first song, she found herself deeply disappointed. He danced like he had hands for feet.

  Renka saw Chisato dancing with one of Gen’s friends, and then spotted Michiko watching them from her table. Renka pinpointed her intense fear through the ocean of joy the other students projected. She wondered what her troubled nemesis dreaded so much and decided to find out. She picked up her Gen poster and sat casually sat down at Michiko’s table. “Hi.”

  “Hey.” Michiko spoke without looking. Renka felt the fear turn to discomfort and humiliation.

  “No date, huh?”

  “He’s coming.”

  “Who is he?”

  “I don’t know. Nice print-out.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’m sure he... he would have liked to come.” She struggled to speak. Renka felt her guilt at the thought of Gen fighting Kaijin.

  “Listen... Mi-chan... whoever wins this contest... I don’t want to leave this school as enemies. I want to apologize for saying your father hated you.”

  Michiko’s guilt lightened. She replied, “It’s okay. I’m sorry for spreading that rumor and being so mean. I’m so sorry.” A tear dribbled down her cheeks, forcing Renka to offer her a comforting hug. The sadness overloaded her, who started to tear up as well. The two friends embraced and let years of hostility wash away like rain.

  “Attention, students,” spoke the principal over the microphone after stopping the dance music. “It’s time to crown our first Prom King and Prom Queen. Please take your seats.” The students made their way back to their tables.

  Renka let go of Michiko and wiped away her own tears. “May the best girl win.”

  “Yeah. Good luck.”

  Renka sat back at her table, taking her Gen picture with her. Chikara asked, “What was that all about?”

  “We made up.”

  “Oh.”

  “You should forgive her too. It’s not good to leave school hating someone.”

  “I’ll... think about it.” Renka scanned her feelings and knew she wasn’t ready.

  “Okay everybody, time for the results.” The principal set three envelops on the podium and opened the first. The students looked on. “And this year’s Prom King is... Kidou Hiroshi!”

  The crowd cheered for their chosen candidate. The result surprised nobody, but choosing their favorite classmate gave the students a sense of satisfaction.

  Hiroshi raised his hands in victory and walked up to the riser. The principal put the crown over his head and handed him a sash marked Prom King. He put it on and stood as the students cheered for him. He then grabbed the microphone and started to thank all of his supporters. Chikara didn’t care for any of it. Only the Prom Queen winner mattered.

  Principal Asashi opened the second envelope. “And now for this year’s Prom Queen. The winner is...”

  The principal held off answering in order to build more suspense. The eager students listened with more anticipation than the last announcement. Everyone was excited except the two candidates. Michiko and Renka had more important concerns on their minds.

  “Nagasado Michiko!” About half of the students cheered, while the others just clapped their hands and pretended to be happy. They had hoped for Renka to win. The surprised Michiko remained seated in shock, so Chisato shook her and said, “Michiko, you won. Get up there.” Startled, she stood up and walked to the stage to receive her crown and sash. She looked more dazed than satisfied.

  Chikara shook her head and put her arm around Renka. “Tough break, Ren-chan.”

  Renka just shrugged. “It’s fine. At least she’s not depressed anymore.”

  Michiko took the microphone and spoke in a soft, humble tone. “Thank you, everyone. I’m glad to be chosen. It’s... it’s been a weird month.” She searched for something else to say. The students, most of whom still feared her for her bizarre control over others and her unclear involvement in the nightclub fire, hoped for an explanation.

  She held back tears and continued, “I want to apologize to all of you for everything. I’ve never really had any power before, and once I got it, I… used it selfishly. I thought I could have anything I wanted, and I forgot about other people and how I would hurt them. I’ve hurt a lot of people, and I’m ashamed of myself. Shindo-chan, I’m sorry for making you lick my shoes.”

  Yui gave her a blank stare. She then nodded her head before turning away.

  “Yazawa-san, I’m sorry I made you attack your friend. That was stupid and wrong.”

  Kayoko curled her lip and broke eye contact, untrusting of her enemy’s mea culpa. Chikara touched her shoulder and reassured her of Michiko’s sincerity. Kayoko reluctantly nodded her head and forgave her.

  “And Chikara-san, I’m sorry for everything I did to you. You were right. I’m such a little idiot and I can’t say how...”

  “It’s fine,” said Chikara. “I forgive you.”

  “Thank you.” Michiko wiped away another tear. “And Ren-chan, I’m sorry for years of being so mean to you. You’re a great person and you deserve this crown more than I do.”

  Renka smiled and lip-synced, “Thank you.”

  “To anyone else I hurt, I beg for your forgiveness. Please don’t let me leave here with all this guilt.”

  The students didn’t know how to react. Renka calmly clapped, prompting the others to join her. As the audience applauded their acceptance, Michiko felt her heavy burden lift off her soul. She wiped away her remaining tears and said, “Thank you.”

  Principal Asashi interrupted, “Okay, with that done, it’s time to welcome our guest of honor. Prom Queen, will you read the letter?” He handed Michiko the third envelope.

  Michiko asked, “Why me? Aren’t you supposed to announce these?”

  “They asked that the Prom Queen make the announcement. Come on, open it.”

  She opened the envelope and said into the microphone, “Okay, our guest of honor is...”

  Inside the envelope, Michiko found not a name on a card but a series of photographs. The top photo showed an overhead view of her lying on her bed in her school uniform reading a textbook. Her face morphed into a terrified expression that confused the audience. She flipped to the next photograph and saw herself watching TV from the same angle. The next photo showed her eating a snack while doing her homework. Vertical bars obstructed the view of each picture, but revealed enough of the scene.

  Renka felt Michiko’s curiosity turn to terror. She and her friends watched as the Prom Queen flipped through the pictures, her face growing more and more horrified with each passing moment. Chikara felt a bad omen and grabbed her bokken by instinct.

  When Michiko came to a photo of herself putting on the dress she was wearing at the moment, she noted the angle of the picture and remembered the position of her smoke detector. Someone must have hidden a camera behind it, explaining the grate covering each picture. Her stalker had been watching her longer than she had thought. He had been watching her every action for his own sick, voyeuristic pleasure.

  At last, she came to the final picture. The old Polaroid was turned backwards and had “Welcome to the family” written in red marker. Her angst at its peak, she turned the photo around and nearly fainted in shock. There stood Maxwell Chillingworth amongst a beautiful stream near a forest. Dressed in fishing gear, he held a large bass and smiled for the camera, happy to show off his catch. Next to him stood a younger man who held up a smaller bass. The boy looked into the camera with the same mesmerizing gray eyes as his father and flas
hed a devilish, conniving grin that paralyzed Michiko with horror.

  She could already feel his presence. She looked to the back of the gym and saw him standing by the doors. Four other foreigners surrounded him, each amused to see the look on her face when she realized who they were and what they wanted.

  Michiko dropped the photographs and stared at the leader, her eyes pried open with terror. “No!”

  Damian Chillingworth smiled back. “Oh yeah.”

  CHAPTER 13

  FAMILY

  With her pulse pounding and her nerves shot, Michiko fainted on the stage. When she regained her senses, she realized that she had not fallen. Something had kept her standing even as her body failed. She could still see the man who called himself John Galt and his four cohorts staring at her from the back.

  After savoring the climactic moment he had waited months to see, their leader stepped forward and made his way to the stage, smiling all the way. Before he could pass their table, Ms. Minsei stood and asked in her best English, “Excuse me... who are you?”

  The young American stared daggers in her direction and replied in almost-perfect Japanese, “What do you want, Minsei?”

  His command of her language stunned her. “This is a private event for Eisai students and faculty only and I’d like to know what you people are doing here.”

  He put his hand on his stomach to take a bow. “Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a man of wealth and taste. Damian Chillingworth, at your service.” He gave a slight bow with a certain sarcastic pomp. “Who do you think paid for this private event?”

  “You?” Minsei had heard of the Chillingworth diamond company and its monopolistic business practices, but never thought she would meet the heir.

  “Yes, me. I planned this little spectacle for you, so I think I’ve earned a little gratitude.” He gave the teacher a look that made her want to shield herself.