Chapter 10: Ai wa Sadame. Sadame wa Kami.
Yomiko knelt there for a long time, still holding Donii's body against her chest. In one hand she gripped Donii's glasses.
Slowly she became aware of how long she had been sitting there, and she gently slid Donii's body onto the ground, arranging it neatly. He looked like he was still alive, with his suit hiding the blood; Yomiko guessed that she looked in worse shape, with all of the blood so visible.
Abruptly the Book of Knowledge flipped open, turning to a page. Yomiko, with nothing else to lose, leaned over to read the writing.
See the price one must pay for power? Does anyone deserve this?
"No," Yomiko said aloud. Her eyes were as hard as steel, and she glared at the book as if it was responsible for Donii's death.
A page slowly turned; it made a noise akin to a sigh.
Five thousand years, The Paper, have I travelled this world. The wisdom of the world is written here, but even wiser are those who don't turn the pages.
The Paper, I leave the rest to you.
Yomiko swallowed as she picked up the book. "Hai."
- - - - - - - - - -
Half an hour later Joker arrived at the old house and entered. The sound of silence, the smell of blood and the sight of paper and bodies everywhere told him everything. He found Donii lying on the floor, as though as he was asleep. Nearby, a blood-covered Yomiko was sitting and hugging her knees, staring at Donii.
"Yomiko," Joker said hesitantly.
The young girl turned to look up at Joker. "Hello."
"The...the book?" he asked.
Yomiko returned to watching Donii's peaceful face. "Destroyed."
"Oh."
Another awkward silence.
"I am sorry for your loss, The Paper."
"Mmm." Yomiko paused thoughtfully. "I will be right outside, Joker-san, I just need a few more minutes."
"Of course." Joker left.
Yomiko gave a shuddering sigh when she couldn't hear Joker anymore. She picked up a piece of paper and slowly dragged others lying around the room towards her. With a single motion she had them surrounding Donii's body, lifting it into an impromptu coffin.
Staring at the ground, with the paper in one hand and Donii's glasses in the other, Yomiko led the floating coffin out into the sunshine.
- - - - - - - - - -
That night Yomiko found herself sitting in front of the lit fireplace in the basement library, curled in a plush chair. She had attempted to clean her bloodsoaked blouse, but it was now permanently white and pale rust. If it wasn't for the fact that someone had died on that blouse, Yomiko might have found it pretty.
It was hard to think that there was a time when she would be sitting in that same chair, avidly reading a book, and Donii would only be a few feet away. But he was never going to sit there again, never enjoy a book again, never talk to her again.
Abruptly Yomiko burst into tears, crying for the first time ever since Donii had died. She sat there for a long time, wishing that this crying would do something good for her - bring back Donii, even just for a few minutes, or, or - or anything!
A few minutes later Yomiko had calmed down enough to look back at the low table. On it were Donii's glasses and the Book of Knowledge; Yomiko leaned over, picked up the book and opened it to a random page.
Put on Donii's glasses. As if reading Yomiko's mind, the line continued. Your price has been paid in full, and I am positive that you would want to know this.
Yomiko sighed, then reached over and exchanged Donii's glasses with hers. Her eyesight blurred slightly when she tried to read the lines, but cleared quickly when she adjusted. In that space of time, the writing on the page had rewritten itself.
He asks that you read a lot of books for him. Yomiko sniffled, a watery smile spreading over her face.
"Thank you," she whispered back to the book. "But forgive me, there is something I must do."
I assure you, there are no hard feelings. Donii was going to do the same. In a way, you are fulfilling his last wish.
Good luck, The Paper. Paper will always be with you.
Yomiko flipped the book shut, weighing it in one hand. With a flick of her wrist she sent the book spiralling into the fire. Perhaps it was only her imagination, but the flames seemed to leap a little as the book entered the fire, as though welcoming an old friend. Donii's glasses flashed with orange light and Yomiko gave a satisfied smile, knowing that both Donii and the book were at peace.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," Yomiko recited to herself as she watched the book burn away into nothingness.
- - - - - - - - - -
Yomiko did not intend to stay at Donii's house. According to his will and tradition of the past Papers, everything had been left to Yomiko. It was overwhelming but also a bit puzzling - didn't he have any family or friends? Or maybe he knew that only she would fully appreciate the library he owned. But she did want to spend a few days here before returning to her parents' house in Saitama. Somehow, it didn't seem right to rejoin her life at Jinbouchou or the British Library, and she wanted to give herself time to grieve over her loss.
As Yomiko went back upstairs she mused over her situation. In reality, she didn't know that much about Donii. He had been quite hesitant to give details about his personal history or family. But surely he must have had a sibling or something to contact when the will was read? He was barely thirty years old - didn't Donii have parents? They would certainly be alive today - wouldn't they be concerned about the fate of their son?
"Unless he was like me," Yomiko said to herself, reaching the top of the stairs. She was an only child; if she died, she wouldn't be able to leave her things to brothers or sisters. Her parents were too old to acquire and use any new wealth; they had already left their home to move into a retirement home, ever since that walk to the store when her father had injured his leg. She had a few friends from Jinbouchou, but no one close enough to spend more time with other than at school or in the store.
In fact, if Donii had still been alive, she would've left everything to him.
Yomiko walked back up the hall, towards the bedrooms. Hers was still as immaculate and empty as ever, ever since the day she had left. She quietly shut the door and entered Donii's, turning on the lights.
She had never been in Donii's room before. He was, Yomiko had decided a long time ago, a very private person. The floor was hardwood, like the rest of the house. The bed had crisp folded sheets, white linen and a fluffy blue comforter. The wardrobe and dresser were filled with a mix of matching suits, socks and plain white shirts; three pairs of black shoes sat at the bottom of the closet, never to be worn again.
On the desk blotter were a few pens and pencils and some papers. Yomiko, after a moment's hesitation, adjusted Donii's glasses and went to sort through the papers. Most were blank, but one that caught her attention was an urgent letter describing the Book of Knowledge. She scanned the anonymous letter, then narrowed her eyes at the last line.
Make sure nobody reads this book, The Paper. We wish to preserve this power for the sake of the British Empire.
Yomiko angrily shredded the letter with her bare hands, furious with how self-centred the Library was. Nobody should have to go through what she did! Nobody deserved power when it needed someone to die! NOBODY NOBODY NOBODY!
When her trembling fingers couldn't tear the pieces anymore, she threw them at the floor, letting them float and scatter away rather than directing them towards the trash bin. Yomiko took a few breaths to steady herself, then looked around again.
Frowning, Yomiko reached and opened the desk drawer. Lying inside was a thick leatherbound tome, with a red ribbon sticking out of it. Yomiko flipped open the pages in her hands, and her eyes widened in surprise when she realized that she was looking at Donii's diary.
Instinctively she flipped to the last page. It was marked with a cute little bookmark - pale pink and yellow flowers on white paper, marked with a red ribbon on top. Pasted in the corner was a photo of Donii and her, from the last time he had visited Tokyo. It had been the sakura season; cherry blossom trees were littering the background with pink blossoms. Written underneath that was a line, dated two days ago.
"I don't know how many times I've admired you..."
Yomiko smiled and shut the book. She had something to read for her stay in Saitama.
The title of this chapter is ripped straight from the ROD TV soundtrack. I looked up the translations - unfortunately, 'sadame' and 'kami' have different meanings (although 'kami' is played with several times in the series). To me, I think it translates to, "Love is destiny. Destiny is paper." I was listening to this track while editting, and it made me really visualize what was going on.
Well, that's it. Reviews?
June 10, 2004
Yomiko knelt there for a long time, still holding Donii's body against her chest. In one hand she gripped Donii's glasses.
Slowly she became aware of how long she had been sitting there, and she gently slid Donii's body onto the ground, arranging it neatly. He looked like he was still alive, with his suit hiding the blood; Yomiko guessed that she looked in worse shape, with all of the blood so visible.
Abruptly the Book of Knowledge flipped open, turning to a page. Yomiko, with nothing else to lose, leaned over to read the writing.
See the price one must pay for power? Does anyone deserve this?
"No," Yomiko said aloud. Her eyes were as hard as steel, and she glared at the book as if it was responsible for Donii's death.
A page slowly turned; it made a noise akin to a sigh.
Five thousand years, The Paper, have I travelled this world. The wisdom of the world is written here, but even wiser are those who don't turn the pages.
The Paper, I leave the rest to you.
Yomiko swallowed as she picked up the book. "Hai."
- - - - - - - - - -
Half an hour later Joker arrived at the old house and entered. The sound of silence, the smell of blood and the sight of paper and bodies everywhere told him everything. He found Donii lying on the floor, as though as he was asleep. Nearby, a blood-covered Yomiko was sitting and hugging her knees, staring at Donii.
"Yomiko," Joker said hesitantly.
The young girl turned to look up at Joker. "Hello."
"The...the book?" he asked.
Yomiko returned to watching Donii's peaceful face. "Destroyed."
"Oh."
Another awkward silence.
"I am sorry for your loss, The Paper."
"Mmm." Yomiko paused thoughtfully. "I will be right outside, Joker-san, I just need a few more minutes."
"Of course." Joker left.
Yomiko gave a shuddering sigh when she couldn't hear Joker anymore. She picked up a piece of paper and slowly dragged others lying around the room towards her. With a single motion she had them surrounding Donii's body, lifting it into an impromptu coffin.
Staring at the ground, with the paper in one hand and Donii's glasses in the other, Yomiko led the floating coffin out into the sunshine.
- - - - - - - - - -
That night Yomiko found herself sitting in front of the lit fireplace in the basement library, curled in a plush chair. She had attempted to clean her bloodsoaked blouse, but it was now permanently white and pale rust. If it wasn't for the fact that someone had died on that blouse, Yomiko might have found it pretty.
It was hard to think that there was a time when she would be sitting in that same chair, avidly reading a book, and Donii would only be a few feet away. But he was never going to sit there again, never enjoy a book again, never talk to her again.
Abruptly Yomiko burst into tears, crying for the first time ever since Donii had died. She sat there for a long time, wishing that this crying would do something good for her - bring back Donii, even just for a few minutes, or, or - or anything!
A few minutes later Yomiko had calmed down enough to look back at the low table. On it were Donii's glasses and the Book of Knowledge; Yomiko leaned over, picked up the book and opened it to a random page.
Put on Donii's glasses. As if reading Yomiko's mind, the line continued. Your price has been paid in full, and I am positive that you would want to know this.
Yomiko sighed, then reached over and exchanged Donii's glasses with hers. Her eyesight blurred slightly when she tried to read the lines, but cleared quickly when she adjusted. In that space of time, the writing on the page had rewritten itself.
He asks that you read a lot of books for him. Yomiko sniffled, a watery smile spreading over her face.
"Thank you," she whispered back to the book. "But forgive me, there is something I must do."
I assure you, there are no hard feelings. Donii was going to do the same. In a way, you are fulfilling his last wish.
Good luck, The Paper. Paper will always be with you.
Yomiko flipped the book shut, weighing it in one hand. With a flick of her wrist she sent the book spiralling into the fire. Perhaps it was only her imagination, but the flames seemed to leap a little as the book entered the fire, as though welcoming an old friend. Donii's glasses flashed with orange light and Yomiko gave a satisfied smile, knowing that both Donii and the book were at peace.
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," Yomiko recited to herself as she watched the book burn away into nothingness.
- - - - - - - - - -
Yomiko did not intend to stay at Donii's house. According to his will and tradition of the past Papers, everything had been left to Yomiko. It was overwhelming but also a bit puzzling - didn't he have any family or friends? Or maybe he knew that only she would fully appreciate the library he owned. But she did want to spend a few days here before returning to her parents' house in Saitama. Somehow, it didn't seem right to rejoin her life at Jinbouchou or the British Library, and she wanted to give herself time to grieve over her loss.
As Yomiko went back upstairs she mused over her situation. In reality, she didn't know that much about Donii. He had been quite hesitant to give details about his personal history or family. But surely he must have had a sibling or something to contact when the will was read? He was barely thirty years old - didn't Donii have parents? They would certainly be alive today - wouldn't they be concerned about the fate of their son?
"Unless he was like me," Yomiko said to herself, reaching the top of the stairs. She was an only child; if she died, she wouldn't be able to leave her things to brothers or sisters. Her parents were too old to acquire and use any new wealth; they had already left their home to move into a retirement home, ever since that walk to the store when her father had injured his leg. She had a few friends from Jinbouchou, but no one close enough to spend more time with other than at school or in the store.
In fact, if Donii had still been alive, she would've left everything to him.
Yomiko walked back up the hall, towards the bedrooms. Hers was still as immaculate and empty as ever, ever since the day she had left. She quietly shut the door and entered Donii's, turning on the lights.
She had never been in Donii's room before. He was, Yomiko had decided a long time ago, a very private person. The floor was hardwood, like the rest of the house. The bed had crisp folded sheets, white linen and a fluffy blue comforter. The wardrobe and dresser were filled with a mix of matching suits, socks and plain white shirts; three pairs of black shoes sat at the bottom of the closet, never to be worn again.
On the desk blotter were a few pens and pencils and some papers. Yomiko, after a moment's hesitation, adjusted Donii's glasses and went to sort through the papers. Most were blank, but one that caught her attention was an urgent letter describing the Book of Knowledge. She scanned the anonymous letter, then narrowed her eyes at the last line.
Make sure nobody reads this book, The Paper. We wish to preserve this power for the sake of the British Empire.
Yomiko angrily shredded the letter with her bare hands, furious with how self-centred the Library was. Nobody should have to go through what she did! Nobody deserved power when it needed someone to die! NOBODY NOBODY NOBODY!
When her trembling fingers couldn't tear the pieces anymore, she threw them at the floor, letting them float and scatter away rather than directing them towards the trash bin. Yomiko took a few breaths to steady herself, then looked around again.
Frowning, Yomiko reached and opened the desk drawer. Lying inside was a thick leatherbound tome, with a red ribbon sticking out of it. Yomiko flipped open the pages in her hands, and her eyes widened in surprise when she realized that she was looking at Donii's diary.
Instinctively she flipped to the last page. It was marked with a cute little bookmark - pale pink and yellow flowers on white paper, marked with a red ribbon on top. Pasted in the corner was a photo of Donii and her, from the last time he had visited Tokyo. It had been the sakura season; cherry blossom trees were littering the background with pink blossoms. Written underneath that was a line, dated two days ago.
"I don't know how many times I've admired you..."
Yomiko smiled and shut the book. She had something to read for her stay in Saitama.
The title of this chapter is ripped straight from the ROD TV soundtrack. I looked up the translations - unfortunately, 'sadame' and 'kami' have different meanings (although 'kami' is played with several times in the series). To me, I think it translates to, "Love is destiny. Destiny is paper." I was listening to this track while editting, and it made me really visualize what was going on.
Well, that's it. Reviews?
June 10, 2004