Epilogue – Mecchen House with Memories and...

A few days later

I cracked my fingers over the computer keyboard after putting a period at the end of the last sentence. I read back over what I had written and gave a nod.

It wasn’t much of a diary, and it had been a good while since I’d done non-programming writing on a computer, but I felt satisfied with the results. It helped me organize all the strange things I’d learned and felt in something resembling order. It didn’t solve my problems, but it made me feel a little more in control.

I clicked save and moved the file to the memory stick Tara had picked out for me the other day. It was fiery pink but had enough storage that I had no reason to complain about the color. She said it was an early birthday gift.

Still, I paid her back by finally sitting through a number of episodes of Yumeko. As I watched, it was pretty clear to me that Hitomi left the series, among other things, as a little reminder of ‘ourselves’.

I pulled out the memory stick and powered down the computer. The tell-all after Toki’s phone call went as well as I could’ve hoped. Ms. Ishida, whom I was trying my best to call ‘Aneko’ from time to time, took the news with a smile. Still, I didn’t see much of her the rest of that day.

Katsumi, on the other hand, was like my shadow. She followed me everywhere. Whenever she got bored of it, she’d paw after Hitomi and occasionally Keiko and Jamie. But invariably, she’d come after me. At least until Nina came for a visit and kept her thoroughly occupied with attention and affection.

It took a while to get everyone updated with what we knew. Shioriko gave a quick flash of anger at Hitomi, but it didn’t well up into anything like before. At least the topic of the boy who came with Shioriko lightened the discussion. None of the others had really forgiven Hitomi, but Miki seemed to be getting the closest.

Nina was the quietest. When she wasn’t making Katsumi squirm and blush, she lingered and watched me like when we first met. She seemed to sense things about me and soon started treating me with great honor. She didn’t fully explain her reasons, but I could sense a tinge of envy in her voice.

And Carolyn was happy again after she’d seen our rooms and remarked on how Keiko’s was the most organized and Jamie’s was the cutest. But mine didn’t seem all that different to her, just fewer figures. At least I’d been able to add some furniture and get the stored items out of the way.

Ami had her own desk by the window. And, despite what Hitomi had said, I still wanted to talk to her brother someday.

The three of them were warmly welcomed by all, even Katsumi, who seemed bewildered as to how to respond to something like Carolyn. She made Nina squirm too to console herself.

I slid the chair back in place and walked down the hall. All sounded quiet. I checked the clock. It was still early in the afternoon. Ms. Ishida had to be around somewhere. Probably upstairs. I tucked the memory stick into my pocket.

She had stood in the doorway of the house more than once and rubbed her foot along the outside edge. She seemed tempted to step outside, but she didn’t seem ready yet. I felt she went as far as the door only because she hoped to meet Toki when she arrived.

So far as Toki was concerned, the phone call was the last hint of contact. I kept a dream journal just in case she sent a message that way, like Hitomi had done. But my recent dreams were a confused blur: colors and feelings without any cohesive center.

I went over to Keiko’s door and knocked. She gave me the okay to enter. Her bed was against a different wall. The rest of the room decorations were as tightly-packed as usual. I sighed and crouched beside her. I leaned near a little stack of books and nearly toppled them, but I caught and smoothed them with my hand. I touched the Carl Jung book from before. Underneath it, I noticed one called, “Muscle Training for Women” with Miki’s name marked in permanent ink at the bottom.

I said a quick ‘sorry’, to which Keiko nodded with a blush. She was reading. I leaned over the pile and asked, “Still reading that one?”

She smiled gently, still dressed in the sports clothes Miki had loaned her earlier. “I want to be prepared for class next week, just in case. And I’m reading those books you borrowed. And some others. They might have something about how to help Nana.”

I rested my head against the wall. If there was anything like that in those, it eluded me. “I’m so glad Hitomi's changes seem to have dealt with the worst of the paperwork involved.”

Keiko nodded and turned the page. “Jamie wasn’t too happy though.”

Indeed. He hadn’t even tried on the uniform which Tara picked out for him. I wasn’t crazy about the clothes or going backward in my education but at least Hitomi had been generous with school records, as well as reasonable.

I rubbed Keiko’s shoulder. “Would you like to go for a walk? I’m stiff from sitting and writing.”

Keiko looked up from her book. “Aren’t the others coming back soon?”

“It’s their first real day out since… everything spilled out. Miki said she would make sure everyone enjoys it to the fullest.”

Katsumi sounded disturbingly-enthusiastic to go clothes shopping, which made me wonder about her unfulfilled dress-up promises. Other than pestering about girl-making, she’d been quiet since spending a day back at her house.

Mami’s only family-related action was to call for her remaining possessions to be sent here. She spoke on the phone for less than two minutes. At least the dourest feelings seemed to have passed. Though I saw her flipping through newspaper employment ads yesterday with a concerned expression.

Keiko set the book in her lap. “If you’d like to go for a walk, then I would be glad to accompany you.” I smiled. “I’d enjoy the company. We should ask… Jamie too.”

She set the book beside her. “What about Ms. Ishida?”

“I don’t think she’s quite ready for that yet.”

“Oh… right. Sorry...”

I set my hand on Keiko’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it so much.”

Keiko gave a little nod and stood gently. “It’s just… I keep going over what Hitomi has told me in my head… and I remember a little of when she put Reiko inside me.”

I leaned forward. She hadn’t mentioned anything like that before. “What do you remember?”

“I remember places, people, and things, but it’s like even describing them would take a translator. I can talk about feelings though. A very manly, assertive, and tough presence. It was wrapped in this woman’s glow. She felt…regret.”

I gave Keiko a pat on the leg as I stood. “Sounds like it fits with what Hitomi’s said. Hard imagining you as a tomboy though.”

Keiko brought her arms close. She curled a bit of her blue hair in her hands. I doubted she would ever let Carolyn cut it, unlike Jamie.

She said softly, almost like a freshly-discovered worry, “I can imagine it.”

I rubbed her shoulder again and we walked upstairs to Jamie’s room. Ms. Ishida’s door was open. I could hear typing on her computer. That sounded like a hopeful sign.

He opened the door with little pause, narrowed eyes, and a frown. His short hair, despite his claims to the contrary, looked just like a coiled, bleached coif of baby-chick fuzz. His intent may have been to look butch but the result was only to highlight the girlish contours of his face.

He seemed to automatically know I was thinking that and gave me an extra-strong glare as a recourse. Jamie leaned against the door frame with one leg crossing the other and said a mere, “What is it?”

“We’d like to invite you for a walk.” I gestured between us.

He snorted. “It’s my day off. I’m not doing any physical activity today.”

That sounded familiar. I continued the thought. “And how is that different from any other day?”

Jamie picked up a towel and draped it so it covered his front. “Because I chose it.”

“I thought you were cooking earlier with Aneko’s help.”

He stretched his lower back with an audible pop.

I blinked and asked, “You okay?”

He rotated his neck as well. “No more or less than lately…”

Keiko took a little step forward. “If you feel stiff then… maybe walking will help you some…”

Jamie stared at the ceiling. “This isn’t the kind of stuff which gets better from doing a lot of walking. And as for cooking earlier, well, it was somewhat… enjoyable. Nothing more. Plus, it’s only fair.”

His room looked very lived-in today. Clothes were set in place for convenience but at least folded neatly. The gift sweater and plushie were set in the corner. His bed was made in his own way and a pile of unwatched shows loaned from Tara was beginning to rise from the other corner. Trash was still present but at least hidden in gray, plastic bags with the tops tied in fancy bows.

Jamie settled on his futon and rubbed his nose. “As for walking, I don’t have to remind you how ‘just going for a little walk’ turned out last time. I don’t want to wind up in another universe where everyone is stick figures on a two-dimensional plane! Can you guarantee that won’t happen?”

He yelled the last bit but with none of his usual seriousness or enthusiasm.

I watched Jamie and said softly, “No. I can’t guarantee that. I can’t guarantee any protection here either. But at least we won’t be alone.”

Jamie adjusted his shirt. “Well… uh… Only if I can wear a kimono out.”

Sounded fair. He kicked us out of the room long enough to dress. He looked good in tan with a somewhat-manly print of jutting mountains and tall, hardened trees. It was a loaner from Tara ‘til Katsumi’s promised “gorgeous” kimonos showed up.

I was last out of the room. Jamie and Keiko were already at the steps. Jamie asked me, off-handedly, to flip off the light switch, then quickly reminded me, “Make sure you hold it, otherwise it comes back on sometimes.”

I did as he asked. As the light turned off, I took a sniff of the air. There was an earthy smell, almost like damp grass. It did seem a little warm in the room and humid, especially standing in the doorway.

I had a suspicion of what that meant. Both my room and Keiko’s had moments of faint burning and humidity but nothing too overt.

Jamie dug a cough through his throat. I slid the door closed behind me. I told the others to go ahead while I checked on Aneko’s room. Akiko had so far split bedtimes between Aneko and me, but Akiko still went to Aneko for her bath.

Mami nearly put together a bath with me, Akiko, and everyone else on the second floor. But I had to give her a rain check which she had yet to collect on. I took a bath with Hitomi instead, just the two of us.

We didn’t talk much, and she spent a long time looking at her salt-and-pepper locks. But she seemed more vibrant afterward.

I looked in. She showed a gentle trace of a smile, looked out, and asked me calmly. “What is it?”

“We’re going out for a walk. I just wanted you to know.”

“Thank you very much. Are the others back yet?” I noticed a calculator in her left hand.

I shook my head. From her expression, it seemed she expected that answer. I frowned lightly, which caught her attention. Her eyes widened and she brought her empty hand to her shoulder.

“Please don’t mind me. You’ve been so kind to me lately. You and the others deserve some time out. I have plenty to fill my time. I was bug-testing a game.”

“You deserve to see the world outside as well.”

She gave a rigid nod. “I can see it out the door but it’s hard. I want to make an effort for when Mrs. Ishida arrives so I don’t offend or detain her in any way.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

Aneko smiled and waved to me. “Have a lovely walk.”

I passed Reiko’s room after the steps. The door was sealed shut, as usual. Sumi’s door was open a crack. Pussy curled on the desk next to the yellow rose which Sumi gave Jamie, and which Jamie later nervously returned. She gave me one as well when I woke up, as a “birthday present.” Though I never recalled telling her what day my birthday was.

It had been a quiet event for me, with Tara and Miki making the most of it with cake and a few balloons. Tara wanted a magical girl theme but that proved far too ambitious on short notice.

After the brief festivities were done, the shopping trip idea came up. I was asked along at first but decided to stay. Feeling reflective, I wound up writing.

Jamie watched me as he slipped on his shoes, “Was she in?”

“Yeah.” I slipped my shoes on as well.

Keiko tapped her toes and tugged at the heels of her shoes. “Was she well?”

I gave a nod. Jamie huffed, “I still don’t know why we have to go out… but at least I feel comfortable in this.” He gave the obi a little tug. Jamie looked rather strange in sneakers rather than the usual sandals for such an outfit.

Outside, it was a clear and warm day. The air felt surprisingly still, except for the echoing enthusiasm of a cicada trying to make its presence known to all the world. In the background of the cicada, I could hear the faint sounds of children laughing.   

Jamie’s close-cropped hair gave the glow of fresh, rising wheat. Keiko shielded her eyes and brushed back the long and turbulent locks of her hair. I poked at a flicker of hair that crept over my left eye.

I looked to the right of them at the patch of earth where the photo and later vision had shown me Hitomi in the grass. A single little flower hid amongst the dense blades. I felt a warm smile escape my lips.

Jamie regarded my smile with a suspicious look but didn’t ask me to explain it.   

We walked down the steps. Things were quieter today. The street flowed with cars and trucks of all shapes and types like blood through a vein. They moved freely, liberated from the chunks of trees all over the roadways the other day. Pedestrians took the incline in both directions. A group of girls slowed to regard us.

Perhaps it was just my imagination, but for a moment I thought the group looked somehow familiar. The girl at the front had slick black hair with a little lavender ribbon at the top of her head. A feathered blond-haired, grey-eyed girl with preppy clothes nibbled on a plum. The girl with long, tumbling locks clutched a little flower. And a younger girl giggled and energetically pulled a massive backpack behind her.   

They soon passed, but I made a note to ask Hitomi more specifically about the changes she’d made.

We walked towards the gas station. Bright posters covered the windows. A soft melody hummed from the outdoor speaker near the front. A young man with pink hair held a wide push broom and happily watered what looked like a new row of potted flowers.

I noticed a familiar poster on the far edge of the station. It was the ‘Nuhaizi’ ad. It had a similar design as the poster at the train stop near the library. Only this poster was in mint-condition with vivid, fresh colors and there were three blue stars instead of four. I knew it hadn’t been there the last time I stepped out.

Jamie tugged on his sleeves. “I suppose I should… contribute some groceries or something.”

I smiled and slid my hand along the railing. “What do you have in mind?”

He shrugged. “Eh… something. It’d only be fair. I’m not gonna buy a lot. But Tara mentioned she liked vanilla tea, and I heard some talk of hot dogs. So, that might be fine with my budget.”

I gave him a little nod. Keiko looked worried and closed her eyes. “If only I’d brought more money. Then I’d be able to help more.”

I nudged Keiko’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. You do what you can.”

She bowed her head. “Of course…”

I tugged on my shirt. It still came as a surprise when I remembered the ever-present sensation of a bra underneath. We hadn’t talked much about the new normal.

I’d tried to talk to Jamie about it a little and, despite his own questions, he just covered his ears and sung Yumeko songs over and over until I changed the subject. I also talked with Keiko once, but the topic soon drifted into a sea of doubts and fretful half-memories, so I let it go.

We arrived at the pedestrian footbridge near the forested path at the center of everything.

I’d asked Hitomi just yesterday, “Why did you use that?”

She curved her legs under her, turned away from me, and blew a long breath. “It was a bridge and it was quiet. I could loop it and keep you unknowingly in limbo till the time was right. And…”

Then she pursed her lips and said softly, “It just reminded me of a special place for all of us.”

And that was all she said.

We took the pedestrian footbridge and Jamie led us to the left and away from the forested path. But I felt a compulsion to pause and turn back.

Jamie called to me, “No! We’re not going that way. Never again!”

I searched the trees. There seemed to be a glow trickling through the edge of the path, like a far, faint sparkle. I was captivated by it.

Jamie tugged on my arm. “There is no way…” He turned to look down the path, blinked a few times, and shook his head. “We are not doing this all over again!”

His eyes shifted to the ground. He gasped and picked up an unremarkable stone. He turned it in his fingers. “This. I remember a rock like this near our apartment. I’d always kick it down the road when I left and up the road when I came back. It looks exactly the same as then.”

I shrugged. “It just looks like a rock.”

He snorted at me and held it out. “You keep it for me. This outfit doesn’t have pockets.” I wanted to roll my eyes, but I put the rock away without giving him any guff.

The rock dealt with, Jamie stared down the forested path as though he somehow expected it to blink. He cracked his neck in both directions and folded his arms.

“Alright. We go. But if weird stuff begins happening, then both of you have to do everything I say in whatever universe or version of reality we wind up in.”

He held his arms out to point at each of us.

Sounded fair.

Over the top of Jamie’s pointer finger, I noticed a human figure half-crouching on the sidewalk a little ways away. The figure was dressed in a hooded outfit the color of concrete. I leaned enough to see that he was holding one hand to his face with what looked like a book in the other. Before I could see more, he dashed out of sight, leaving behind a metallic crash in the alleyway and an annoyed “yowl” from a cat.

Jamie and Keiko turned too late to see and so turned back to me, their gazes begging an explanation. I gave them both a little shrug. Jamie dropped his hands.

“Whatever. Oh!” He brought his hands together. “And I want to finally stop at that accursed shop which started all this.”

I folded my arms in a soft imitation of Jamie’s normal manner. “Is that so?”

He smoothed out his kimono and nodded assertively. “Sure. Even if I don’t buy anything.”

And so we started down the same path which we first took over week ago. Only it wasn’t the same path. Looking ahead, the path felt like an unplanned construction with incidental elements.

Down-reaching green branches flourished with new buds and threatened to break the even canopy. A bird explored the upper branches and then skittishly bolted away.

Still, like a constant candle, the far light glimmered through the branches and was getting closer.

Keiko asked the question we all seemed to be holding back. “What is that?”

Jamie had a quick answer. “The sun… or a reflection. Something like that.”

In a branch to my right, I saw a fresh spider web with a twitching bug struggling to free itself. The dark, nimble maker of the web lingered on the end, darting in with a blur. Looking back as we passed, the bug soon stopped twitching.

The light ahead only got brighter. But despite its strength, it didn’t force me to shield or narrow my eyes from watching it. The light felt warm, comforting, and, especially, familiar.

We were at the end of the path. I could see the outline of the alleyway behind the trees. The light persisted until we were a few feet away.

As the light dimmed, two figures resolved themselves. A woman and a man. I knew them both immediately from the vision Hitomi had given to me and the photo still hanging in the hallway of Mecchen House.

Toki and Masuyo.

She held a rabbit in her arms and pet it gently. It watched us with chocolatey-brown eyes. Its fur was white with shimmering, dark-brown streaks.

Masuyo stood in place with a wide smile. He waved energetically with both hands. Toki, much smaller than him, gave him a gentle nudge.

She cleared her throat, but before she could speak, Masuyo gave her shoulder a little squeeze. Toki blushed almost as brightly as her shimmering, sunlight-style locks.

After one more throat clearing, she gave Masuyo a look, set her shoulders, and bowed her head to us.

Keiko watched Masuyo with an attentive gaze. Jamie searched over both of them, as though to draw some meaning. I tried to take in everything.

“Hello, daughters…” said Toki. Her mouth opened to precisely speak her next words, but it began to quiver. She looked at us, as we looked at her, and it seemed, before even she knew it, Toki embraced the three of us tightly.

I could feel her warm body. I could smell the vivid and beautiful scent of her hands around me. It all felt so calming. Not even Jamie could protest.

Toki looked up at each of us and said, “My beautiful daughters. Please forgive me…” She squeezed our hands and Masuyo came over to join in with a bear hug and a smile.

Toki soon composed herself and said, “We have much to catch up on. Please tell me everything…”

End of Book 1