Chapter 12 — “Lemon Tea”

Chapter 12 — “Lemon Tea”

It’s a beautiful day. Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming. Perfect day for a walk and for a shot of coffee. And yet, with all of these factors surrounding Lime, she doesn’t seem to be pleased, even with the steaming hot latte in front of her. The pleasant slow jazz music brings symphony to the cafe inspired by the greenness of an exotic garden. Vines coming down from the ceiling and decorated the white wall, as the aromatic smells of coffee blends with the nature. The wind blows on her, which should’ve swept all thoughts and burdens away. Yet Lime couldn’t enjoy the scenery of the vintage Japanese area. She didn’t even have the craving for the bitter beverage in front of her.

“— and you didn’t ask for the slate. I told you the sponsor has to have their own slate. It’s the easiest way to clearly distinguish between a real and a fake. Why you didn’t ask for it in the first place?” The man next to her scolded.

“I’m sorry. I was too excited…”

Lime glanced at Cham, having her head down for the first time in Lime’s line of sight. For the first time, she looks timid enough to squeeze into the tiniest hole.

Lime imagined if that was the case for her and Lemon. Bitter would berated them without mercy, maybe even shouted in public just to prove his point. And they would just yelled back at him. Good times.

“What’s wrong?” A caring voice breaks her imagination. Shem sips down her latte, inquiring her silence, “You’re not a fan of coffee?”

“No, I prefer matcha.” Lime replied with not a single care to her kidnapper.

“I see…” Shem raises her hand, signalling the waiter.

“You don’t have the right to demand something now, Greenie.” Cham slams the table breaking the tranquility.

“Are you allowed to bring a gorilla to a cafe?”

“You haven’t given up on that yet!?” Cham’s fuse about to run dry. Shem tried to calm her down when —

“Pork katsu-sando, coming up.”

“Ah, here please.” Cham raised her hand.

The neatly plated three sliced sandwiches placed in front of Cham. She takes several quick pictures with her phone. Satisfied with the result, she then takes a huge bite — savouring the delicate meat as the juice comes pouring out in her mouth. With another chomp, her mouth is guaranteed not to be open for some time.

“Would you like just matcha, or matcha latte?” Shem’s question break Lime’s entertainment, as she watches Cham’s ever-changing behaviour,

“Hot matcha…” she answered

“You heard her,” Shem smiled, as the waiter bows and jotted down her order. Shem undivided attention now goes back to Lime, who silently watches the crowd walking on the stone-paved street. Hundreds walking past and by; families, couples, friends. All of them sharing different emotions, yet one distinct atmosphere can be felt emanating from the area.

“Peaceful, isn’t it?” Shem takes a deep breath, “Just like what we have always have dreamt of — a peaceful society, for the ‘special’.”

“I assumed everyone here is, then?”

“Not all, of course.” Shem watches the street, “After all, we believe in coexistence between human and human; which should have been a common sense. It is what Noah has envisioned.” Shem glances to the man next to Lime — the grey haired man who has been sipping his black coffee in silence.

“You gave me too much credit.” Noah said.

“Aw, but don’t you deserve at least a bit of it?” Shem’s smile widen — poking fun at him, as he tries his best to ignore her tease.

“A family of separatist.” Lime blurted out her comment, shattering the illusion her new family. She clenches both of her hands, while the three all glance to her direction, “…I almost fell to your propaganda again, Shem-san.”

“If that what you want to call us…” Shem’s calm tone deescalates the rising tension. The two reverts back to their original activities, listening in the conversation.

“Nowhere else in Japan — or maybe even the world, would there be a place as welcoming as in here. No discrimination, no hate; none of the political propaganda. It’s just people, living their life as … people.”

“Yes.” Lime glares at Shem, “Gained through violence and spilled blood.”

“They come with their weapons directed at us. They should expect at least a resistance.”

“You invade as well.”

Shem fell silence, “…That is a bold accusation. Do you have proof for that?”

Lime points her thumbs to the road — to the bustling, happy people. Shem’s smile changes as she understands the implication. It becomes a little bit more…sinister.

“Enlighten us.”

“Kyoto.” Lime answered, “You wouldn’t have an entire city packed with powered human, if such city hasn’t been under your thumb.“

“Fair.” Shem agreed, “But wouldn’t you agree that the Government of Japan and the SCF — especially the SCF wouldn’t let it slide that easy?”

“The answer is simple.” Lime’s points toward the smirking Shem and the nonchalant Noah— to the answer to that question.

“So you’re saying I have the power to put an illusion to an entire city? And we take on the city like that? Are you listening to yourself?”

“Why not? You’re a Sera, after all.” Lime shrugged, “Sera’s power has always been ridiculous,”

“…Well done.” Shem gave a slow clap to Lime’s deduction, “You must have learnt a lot about detective work at your Kuzumi Agency,”

“Your matcha,” The waiter drop Lime’s order in front of her, filing her nose with vagrant aroma. Lime grabbed her cup, as her tastebuds relish the bitterness.

“Well…” Shem takes another sip at her coffee, “Now you know a little bit more about us, what are you going to do with all that valuable information? Are you going to report it back to the SCF?” Shem plays with her cup, spinning the brown liquid round and around, “Or are you going to do what we’ve proposed? Be with The Ark, and live a peaceful life in it”

Lime takes a little break to give it a little thought,

“…Why do you desperately want me to be part of your ‘society’? Why me? Is it because I’m a —” Lime paused again, as she remembered the ridiculous power she just got. The power she didn’t ask for. The growing curse she has to live with.

“To be honest? We don’t need you.” The blunt Cham joins the conversation, as she savoured the last piece of sandwich on her plate, “It’s more like ‘cutting down the enemies power exponentially’ kind of stuff.”

“Cham!” Shem snapped.

“What? You’re acting as if that is not the truth, big sis. Or are we going to lie to our dearest, newest sister on her first day?”

Shem sighs, gulping down her last bit of coffee.

“Well?” Cham’s statement piqued Lime’s curiosity.

“…The Ark is to protect and bring justice for the powered people.” Noah finally joins the conversation, “That includes you, your family, and your dream.”

Lime’s about to retort right on the unchanging expression of Noah, but for some reasons, her heart sank. For some reasons, she felt a stinging ache deep in her heart.

“You should’ve concerned yourself to just your family.”

“Have you lost yours?”

“Not everyone, I guess. And I got a new…family” Lime’s mind painted her brother’s face, and for some reason — Bitter. “I doubt I can call it a family, though”

To Lime’s surprise, Noah glances back at her with a solemn expression painted on his face.

“I understand —”

“— Sure you do.” Lime tries to avoid Noah’s gaze, but only to be greeted with another meek and sorrowful faces of the sisters.

“One of the reasons for our endeavours are such lost. We know how painful it is to lost someone dear. So, without trying to sound …persuasive, we intend to take great care of your brother as well.”

“— And Bitter?” For reasons she doesn’t understand again, Lime blurted out the question.

It takes Noah longer, before he gives his answer,

“Bitter of Kuzumi Agency has very deep connection with the SCF — too deep. We can’t trust your leader… I can guarantee his wellbeing, if he doesn’t become an obstacle for us.”

“I see…”

Before they were able to continue their conversation, a group of men approaches Noah. They whispered to Noah, as he nods to them.

“Shem, Cham…”

With the simple call, the three of them stands.

“Feel free to explore Kyoto a little bit more while you’re contemplating your answer, Greenie.” Cham smirked in a cheeky way, though a hint of something else glows from her eyes. “It’s a big decision for someone your size, and we’d like if you come to your own conclusion.”

“And if my answer is no?”

“Take your time. It’s not plenty, but don’t leave any regret.” Shem smiled, as she reaches to her purse, “Anything you want to order before we go?”

Lime watches her half-full matcha, reflecting her own face. As she keeps on studying her beautiful face, she ordered one more drink —.