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 Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:19 pm
[[ A sort of memory/character development RP. I’ll post once, then everyone makes one post per person, and I’ll end this RP with one finish post. If that makes any sense. Also, since the RP is this way, this first post will have a few scene skips, and whatnot. xD If any of the students talk to Mitsuko, I’ll have her reply in the final post. ]]
Clenching the hands at her sides, the bronze hair girl stared at her father with disbelief. “But…but why?! I’ll be home on time, I promise! Besides, how can you care about business?! Exactly one year ago today, grandmother had die –“
“Mitsuko, that’s enough!” The man interrupted sharply. Beside him stood Mitsuko’s mother and, though she looked concerned, she said nothing to support either side. From the looks of it however, even if she were to side with Mitsuko, her husband would walk away as the victor of the argument. After all, that’s how it always worked.
Frowning at his daughter, the man shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what today is. We were invited to the party of a very prestigious company, and I expect you to go and help strengthen family ties.” He informed her, ignoring the fact that Mitsuko’s bottom lip began to quiver a little. “We are to leave in a couple of hours, and until then, I expect the maids to get you ready and to go over proper etiquette with you. Don’t disgrace the Takara name.”
With that, he turned and left, his wife following him. She turned around for a moment to look at her daughter, but said nothing – she could only offer a weak, apologetic smile before walking away.
Mitsuko stood there silently, waiting until she could no longer hear the footsteps of her parents. The moment they were out of range, the girl rushed up the stairs, stumbling a little along the way, and into her room. Throwing herself onto her bed, she curled herself up into a little ball, pulling her knees to her chest. Her body shook lightly as she tried to suppress the tears that threatened to leak out.
“Mitsuko-san?” The sound her door opening, followed by a soft voice caused the girl to look up. There stood her maid Aya, and behind her, the other maids and guards who usually tended to her. Seeing the girl like this made the staff worry – they hadn’t seen the usually sunny and bouncy girl so upset since before she started high school.
Turning her watery, green eyes from one person to the other, Mitsuko opened her mouth to speak. Instead, she was greeted with a flurry of ‘shh!’, and the sight of her maids and guards whispering quickly to each other. Suddenly, Mitsuko started to feel a little bit of hope well up in her as she watched the group hurry into her room, shutting the door quietly behind them.
“Mitsuko-san, hurry and get dressed,” The maids urged as a few of the guards peeked outside to make sure there was no sign of either of her parents. “At most, you only have an hour and a half to spare. It’s not that much, we know, but we have to get you home in time for the party.” Reaching out, they pat Mitsuko sympathetically, before smiling. “You’ve got to hurry now. We’ll distract your parents while you sneak out.”
Jumping up, her eyes a little brighter, Mitsuko thanked them warmly before rushing off to get herself dressed.
---
Mitsuko’s eyes were turned downwards as she walked along the sidewalk towards the cemetery, carrying a small bouquet of flowers in her arms . Her appearance was different than it usually was; she appeared much more mature and solemn. With a white blouse, a long black skirt, and her hair tied into a ponytail, Mitsuko didn’t really resemble the childish and sunny girl most had come to know her as. Her bright green eyes were the only giveaway that she was the same Mitsuko as others were acquainted with.
Seeing the cemetery right up ahead, she started towards it, before suddenly halting in her tracks. Though she had intentionally decided that she should visit her grandmother’s grave alone, she couldn’t help but wish that her friends were here. To…assure her grandmother that she was living a happy life with people who would be there for her.
And also because she felt that she needed to depend on others right now. It wasn’t something she had done, even at the beginning of the year. She had become rather independent since the beginning of high school, not having the need for protection, comfort, and constant dependence on others…but it was something she couldn’t help but long for now.
Pulling out her cell phone, and hoping that they’d be willing – or have the time – to spend just a little while with her, she dialed the numbers of her friends.
---
“I – Thanks for coming, you guys,” She murmured at the small group gathered in front of the cemetery, offering them a small smile, “It means a lot to me…really.”
Then, starting into the cemetery, she took a deep breath as they passed grave by grave, until they finally stopped in front of a tombstone with the name, ‘Takara Setsuko’ carved into in. Upon seeing it, she had to swallow a lump in her throat, before kneeling down in front of the grave.
Reaching forward, she gently placed the bouquet of flowers on the grave, before smiling softly, her eyes sad. “Grandmother…it’s only been a year since you died, and yet it feels so recent...” Pausing, she glanced over her shoulder at her friends, her smile growing a little, “These are my friends. It’s surprising, isn’t it? When I was a little girl, I didn’t have any friends. Aside from you, I was always alone…” She had to pause here, to swallow another lump and force tears back. “But…but I’m not alone anymore. Everyone here has been so kind to me, and I know that they’ll be there when I need them most – like today.”
“So…so I just wanted to let you know that I’m living life happily – always with a smile.” A tear leaked from the corner of her eye, running down her cheek, “And I hope that you’re well too. Thank you for always taking care of me, grandmother.” Her voice began to quiver. She stopped speaking. Her shoulders were shaking so violently that it was obvious Mitsuko was crying, and crying hard.
“I miss you so much...”
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:45 pm
Upon receiving the call, Minori had immediately agreed to come and hastily leaped up stairs to her room, abandoning her piano practice. Although she knew, her father would most probably kill her for doing so, plus the fact she had almost tripped over that last stair, she simply HAD to go. It was the first time she had heard Mitsuko so...sad, and she was worried for her friend, even as she threw on a simple white dress, letting her black tresses down.
On the way to the cemetery, the brunette leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes as a flurry of emotions hit her. She knew about Mitsuko's grandmother, of course, but what also worried her was that she was treating Mitsuko like her best friend. Not that it wasn't a good thing, but she wondered how Sam would react to these news, if she ever brought up the courage to mention it. What's wrong with having two best friends though, she wondered, trying to reassure herself.
Looking at the tombstone, Minori couldn't help but silently tell Mitsuko's grandmother how wonderful her granddaughter was and that she wouldn't need to worry. She listened as Mitsuko spoke, feeling a wave of sadness wash over her. She herself had never been so close to her grandmother, or grandparents for that matter, and she felt rather guilty for that. Jerking up her head as Mitsuko began to sob, the girl stepped forward, and silently enclosed her friend in a hug, stroking her brown hair. Just let her cry it out...
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:04 am
"Young master Kiyoshi," The chauffeur looked at the young male seated at the back of the car through the mirror on the ceiling of the car, and nodded briefly before stepping on the brakes, stopping the vehicle in a parking space next to the cemetery. He then changed gears, keeping the car in a fixed position before unlocking all the car doors using a button, knowing that it was safe.
"We're here, as you requested. Are you sure that you don't need me to accompany you?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Stay here and look after the car."
"Yes, young master."
Exiting the car, he made his way deeper into the graveyard; it was mostly empty, apart from the random wildlife that lives alongside the dead. It was a quiet place, but he could hear a soft sound... Like someone sobbing. Since it was uncommon for people to come here, was that sobbing from Minori? Kiyoshi frowned slightly as he scouted the place, before spotting figures some distance away.
Nearing them, he realized that the sobbing was not from Minori, but Mitsuko. Although they hardly knew each other, Kiyoshi could not help softening at the sight of her tears... The name on the tomb indicated that the deceased belonged to Mitsuko's family. She had also said that it was her grandmother... Was Minori here to support her friend? And to think, he was only here because he wanted to find Minori to discuss about the engagement.
"Mitsuko?" He questioned softly, kneeling down on the other side of the grave. He was glad that his attire was simple today; a plain white shirt, a pair of jeans, and his hair tied up in a loose ponytail. When he heard what she said, the male turned to the tombstone, looking at the portrait of Mitsuko's late grandmother.
"Madam, do not worry, for she has many friends. She's with us in the club at school, so you can rest easy... I assure you that I'll take care of Miss Mitsuko..."
He then turned to Mitsuko, and offered a rare kind smile, hoping that she will cheer up. Although they'd met only briefly, he guessed that she was the cheerful, happy type. For her to cry this hard, must mean that she was broken emotionally.
"Just like a sister."
{Mitsuko! Fear the Kiyo brother! Fear it!
He'll never take back his promises, especially to a female, so... >.>}
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:56 pm
"If either of them come home, tell them I went out with some friends." The last thing he needed was one or both of his parents tagging along. Better they didn't know he was going to pray at a friend's grandmother's grave. Out of respect, he woore mostly black and pulled his hair out of his eyes. I'll be back in a couple of hours."
It took him a while to get to the cemetary. When he arrived, he was happy to find that he was not late. ...As happy as one can get when one is on their way to such a solemn occasion. He quickly pulled himself out of the car and idlely wondered if this was truly the most expensive cars the cemetary had ever seen all at the same time. He joined the others quietly.
Though Mitsuko began crying, he offered no kind words to try to comfort her. Not because he didn't care, but because there were already others taking care of the situation. He understood slightly more than some of the others present, but only because Mitsuko had mentioned her grandmother when they first met. It was definitely a touchy subject back then. He could only imagine how she would react now. Needless to say, it was much worse than he had imagined. It almost hurt to see her this way now -this was the first time he'd ever truly been able to see a different Mitsuko, one completely different from the one he knew at school.
"Takara-sama, I promise that Mitsuko's in good hands. You can trust everyone here to take good care of her. I promise. I'm sure you've seen it yourself -she's the type of girl you feel the need to always protect. Good luck, wherever you are. You have my best wishes." He spoke quietly, praying to the tombstone as if the woman truly was standing directly in front of them. It might not be possible to give solace to the dead, but he was trying his hardest.
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:57 pm
"Well said, Katsuo-san," a voice spoke quietly as a familiar figure appeared beside Katsuo. The silver-haired young man regarded the scene before them and the people gathered there with cold, glassy emerald eyes. "It's been a while."
Toshiro Roka was dressed in a black, buttoned dress shirt, a solid silver tie, and a formal black pair of pants to match. His long bangs hid much of his face in shadow, but his expression appeared to be blank. He merely stood and stared at the backs of his fellow schoolmates; particularly lingering on she who was hurting the most at the moment. Like Katsuo, he too had been told of Mitsuko's relationship with her grandmother the day they had met, which had been the first day of school in class 1-A.
"So. This is where her cherished grandmother lies. Must have been a remarkable woman to mean so much to that girl." His tone remained steady and indifferent despite his words. "To have raised such a timid child into such a lovely, charismatic social butterfly..." Turning his icy gaze to his fellow Music Club member, Roka forced a smile. "Don't you agree, Katsuo-kun?"
Mitsuko's sobs reached Toshiro's sensitive ears. He stiffened visibly before softening, his shoulders abandoning their usual rigid, proper posture. Sighing, he bowed his head so that it was impossible to see his face. Roka fingered the ipod in his pocket. He couldn't help bringing it. It was the only thing that had ever calmed him when his sisters weren't around. This was probably due to his mute sister's practice of using it to comfort him when he was upset. It was the substitute for the voice and reassuring words Asumi could not speak.
He had almost not been able to come to the cemetery. His parents hardly ever let him out of the house now except during school hours. Ever since he had run away from home, they feared the company he spent time with. However, thanks to Asumi's driver's license, she had dropped him off without a word to their parents. She would pick him up later when he called.
"Mitsuko...is a very strong girl," Roka murmured quietly, his voice hardly more than a whisper. "Which is good in many ways. She doesn't often need our help or protection though we're always ready to offer it. I just find it amazing...how she doesn't cry like this all the time. Maybe she does. Silently...inside..." He shook his head. "Even so, we'll probably never know. She keeps it too well hidden..."
"Then again...I think she'd know her grandmother wouldn't want her to keep it all bottled inside. I guess...I've recently found it's good to be able to let it out every once in a while." He watched her cry. "Maybe she really is just happy. Truly happy." Without warning, he reached out with an elbow and nudged Katsuo hard in the arm. "You should find out for yourself, lover boy. And make sure she continues to be happy." He looked up. "I may not have been around for a while, but I'm back now. And if you don't hurry up and do something soon, I will. You know me."
Roka smirked darkly, his tone losing its formal, reserved politeness. "Idiot. You talk to her later personally. Just being here for her is something, I suppose. But I think you're one of the main people she'll want by her side." He nodded toward the crying girl. "You should go to her later. Talk to her about it. Comfort her. Not just stand here like a moron."
When he righted himself, Toshiro once again recomposed himself and maintained his proper posture as he walked up behind the others. With Minori on one side of her and Kiyoshi on the other, he had no choice but to directly approach her from the back. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his beloved ipod, his sole object of comfort, and gently placed the ear pieces in her ears after carefully drawing her silky hair back. Just as his sister always used to do for him when he was young and feeling sad.
"To be happy, there must be sadness. We're all here for you, Mitsuko-chan. Never forget that."
He pressed play on the ipod before reaching around her waist, taking her hands, and placing the music device within them. Then he let go, kissing her gently on the back of her head. "I'm sure your grandmother is proud of you. How far you've come. Who you've turned into. Anyone would be."
With that said Roka backed away and turned to go. Cemeteries never bothered him much because he had never really known anyone who had died. Not close, anyway. Now, though...for some reason this place that was once just a bunch of stones with flowers and engraved names to Roka gave him a totally different feeling. It filled him with an indescribable loneliness and sorrow. As though he himself had a deceased loved one buried somewhere. The thoughts and fears had only just started bombarding him recently, but now they refused to go away. He couldn't stay.
Pulling out his video cell phone, he quickly called Asumi to pick him up. I'm sorry, Mitsuko, he thought, not daring to glance back. I hope you can forgive me. I'll talk with you later. But watching you cry over our grandmother...thinking of your pain...I don't think I can bear that kind of agony. He smiled grimly, brushing the back of his hand across his wet cheek as he passed Katsuo and ran for Asumi's car. I'd rather not try until I have to. I'd rather stay emotionless and cold, like I've been raised. But thank you. For all you've done for me.
The ipod began playing the song Roka had downloaded especially for Mitsuko. He enjoyed finding a song he hoped would comfort her while at the same time allowing her to mourn freely. It was just the sort of song his own sister might have picked for him when he was upset.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:39 am
Satu put down his violin and answered his phone quickly. Within minutes he had changed into a black shirt and waistcoat and black jeans. Unfortinatly the only ties he posessed were red so he quickly shoved one on and called the shouffur to take him to the graveyard. The violin lay untouched on the bed, it's first time ever been left without being put back in its case.
It wasn't until Satu saw the graveyard coming into view that the familiar butterflies rose in his stomach. Both of his grandparents, from both sides were buried in this graveyard. But that didn't matter at the moment. These people had died a long time ago and Satu was so little that he didn't remember them as much as how sad his parents were. He hadn't been back here since he was 9 and he didn't expect to return either but Mitsuko needed her friends today so he was on call to help her.
The car pulled up and Satu got out. The driver called him over to the window and before he could protest shoved a bouque of flowers into his pale hands and drove off. Satu stumble through the graveyard towards where all the others were, where Mitsuko was. He passed the place where his grandparents were buried and stopped for a split second. "Sorry" he muttered, looking down. "I promise to visit you some other time okay? I have something important today" he said smiling softly and continuing on to were Mitsuko, Katsuo, Roka, Kiyoshi and Minori was. He squeezed Mitsukos shoulder softly for consolation before placing the flowers on the grave infront of him.
"We're all making sure to take great care of your grand daughter and to keep her smiling every day." he said looking down at the grave. "After all we owe it to her to keep her smiling, as she always keeps us smiling." He smiled softly.
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