[Dawn and Dusk] Day 773: A Party, a Picture, and a Smile

Snowflakes gently descended from the wintry sky, melting into Osamu's hair. Turning his gaze upwards at the pillowy cloak of clouds above him, he noticed he could see the warmth of his breath against the frigid air. It was a little surreal to think that around this time of the previous year, Osamu had died. He only regretted that Isabella wouldn't share his luck and escape her death the same way he did. It was truly cruel and unfair how everything unfolded.

The wind picked up, blowing around the branches of leafless trees and flowing combing Osamu's hair. He walked by empty houses, the abandoned school where he met Tsukiakari, the empty corner store where he'd buy his mochi, and soon found himself outside of the bowling alley.

(I used to go on walks like this all the time, didn't I? It feels odd now. My heart feels heavier than ever before. The wind feels like it's embracing me. I wonder if this is what time itself feels like, endlessly moving forward despite the winds of its own desire trying to move it backwards.)

Osamu thought of the Shoku Twins, and their role in advancing time.

(Like those two. There must've been plenty of moments where they wished they could've stopped time, right? But they couldn't. It's their duty to keep it moving forward. Otherwise, the earth would be stuck at sunrise forever, just like in Antarctica. Those two are better than me though. Their sense of duty stands taller than any of their desires. I

(Individually, I'm sure there are things they want to keep forever, but when they're linked together, all of that goes out the window. When they're linked together, they move forward, ever so mercilessly. In that regard, I believe time is like a love song, an eternal sonnet that never concludes, and perhaps never truly began in the first place. It's in the middle, going forward until the paper it's being written on is destroyed.

(But as cruel as time can be, the fact that it leaves alone sacred places like this bowling alley...it makes me believe that it's doing its best to lend us a helping hand. In that case, when time still allows you an opportunity, it would be a disservice to this ongoing sonnet to not take action. There's no going backwards, so make the lines in your stanza as beautiful as possible.)

"Hah. Man, I can't imagine myself being able to think any of these kinds of thoughts two years ago."

Osamu stepped inside, his shoes crunching against the broken glass near the entrance. He followed the shimmer of blue light past the reception area, leading him to the table at the center lane. Aika and Rei waited for him there, an electric lantern buzzing between them.

The two walked up to him, both of them wearing wool scarves and leather jackets for the cold. At first, they said nothing. The girls gazed at him and he back at them. Aika opened her arms, inviting Osamu in for a silent hug. There was a lot that needed to be said, so much so that they didn't need any words at all. Aika pulled away and patted Osamu's shoulder, wiping her glistening eyes as she fought hard not to cry. Rei embraced Osamu as well, her expression just as troubled.

"She doesn't have long, Osamu. We all know that now." Aika said.

Osamu nodded. "Yeah..."

"I called you here because Rei came up with a fantastic idea. She asked for our help in getting things together, but this came right from Rei's own heart."

"Rei, you thought of something? What is it?"

Oh, Rei. She never liked exposing how much she actually cared.

"Well...you know..." Rei mumbled. "I was thinking we could throw a Farewell Party while Isabella is still strong enough to celebrate! All of us could get together and celebrate. Yoko, the Shoku Twins, of course you, Tsukiakari, Izanami, and us too. I mean, I don't know what everyone is doing or what their schedules look like, but I was hoping we could go ahead and do it tomorrow."

"I volunteered to help Rei get some supplies. Do you think we can pull it off?" Aika asked.

"Rei, that's probably the sweetest thing I've ever heard you say...I've got to tell Yoko how considerate you're being!" Osamu teased.

Rei pulled out the doll of Osamu and stabbed it in the foot with her needle, resulting in the actual Osamu getting stabbed in the foot. He fell over with a pained shout, taking off his shoe to observe the damage. That accursed doll worked far too well. Osamu's white sock was stained red with his blood.

"Okay! Nevermind! Bad idea!" Osamu grunted.

(I almost forgot about that doll! I have to figure out who the hell made that thing!)

"That's what I thought!" Rei sassed.

Osamu staggered back up and put his shoe back on. "S-so...when are we getting the supplies?"

"Now. Let's go." Aika said.

"Wait, what?!" Osamu gasped.

Aika took out her car keys and dangled them in front of Osamu's face with a devious smile. "We're sending her out with a bang, Osamu! Let's go grab those supplies!"

(Yeah, we actually went ahead and got everything except for the food. Those two are brilliant, but perhaps a bit too crazy. In this situation though, I think it's all right for them to be like that. We're all crazy when time starts running out. Well, it took a lot of running around, a lot of planning, and a lot of people moving their schedules around, but we really did it. The next day, we all got together and went to the hospital.)

Tsukiakari, the Shoku Twins, Yoko, Izanami, Aika, Rei, and Osamu himself all stood outside Isabella's hospital door the next day. Osamu had slept in and rushed to get himself ready, prompting Tsukiakari to obsessively comb through his wild mane of hair for him.

"Okay okay, that's enough, Gekko!" Osamu said.

"No, hang on! Your hair is such a mess!" Tsukiakari nagged.

"Okay, is everybody ready?" Aika asked.

Rei nodded. "I'm all good."

"Nervous but ready!" Izanami declared.

"Red tea!" Omagatoki cheered.

Akatsuki sighed. "She meant ready."

"Okay, you fixed it, Gekko. He looks good now." Yoko said.

Tsukiakari folded a loose strand of hair behind Osamu's ear and returned his tiger print comb to him. "All right!"

"Thanks, Gekko." Osamu said.

"All right, Osamu. On the count of three, open the door!" Aika squealed. "One, two...three!"

Osamu and the gang walked right in and shouted with all their love. "Surprise!"

Isabella's heart nearly jumped out of her mouth in that instant. Once she recognized her visitors, she smiled with glee. Isabella's body had gotten so weak she could hardly sit up without the back support of her bed. Her skin had gone cold and pallid, while the bags beneath her eyes revealed her exhaustion. Still, she was beautiful and bright, and even though she was weak, her voice was still strong.

"Oh gosh, what is this? You all came here?" Isabella asked.

"We all came to celebrate you, Izzy. You've had a good twenty-one years, right?" Yoko asked.

Isabella smiled. "You guys are so sweet. Even Tsu Tsu made it?"

"Yep! Mom knows about your illness, so she allowed me to come down for today." Tsukiakari explained. "It's not like I'd ever miss an opportunity to see my culinary war buddy!"

"So, what do you say? You don't anything better to do, right?" Rei asked.

Isabella waved them inside with a smile. "Of course not! Come on in!"

(And so, our little party began. I have no idea how we managed to carry in all the food that we did, but if there's a will, there's a way.)

All of the containers of fresh food were laid out on the desk by the window. Even with her appetite problems, Isabella still eyed the diverse and aromatic offering of food like a hawk.

"Yoko...are those cinnamon rolls?" Isabella asked after licking her lips.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, I made some before we left."

"They look so good!" Isabella said.

Tsukiakari raised her hand to confess something. "There were eighteen of them but I ate six and now I feel really bad about it."

Isabella laughed. "Tsu Tsu, you're such a glutton!"

"Hey, we don't have cinnamon rolls in heaven!" Tsukiakari pouted.

"Did you want some, Izzy?" Yoko asked.

"Yeah, just cut one in half. I'll be able to eat it." Isabella said.

Isabella was handed her half and took one bite of the warm cinnamon roll, enough to make her fall in love.

"Yoko, these are perfect! Gah! Why do I have to be dying right when you start making these?!" Isabella squealed.

Tsukiakari took a bite of one herself, amazed by the soft texture and slight, flaky crunch on the outside. "Holy crap, Yoko, these are good!"

"Well of course they are. Just like when I cook for Osamu, I made these with all of my love and care. Isabella deserves no less."

"Does that mean you intend to be Osamu's wife?" Akatsuki asked.

"Sharp girl as always! I sure do!" Yoko answered proudly.

"Big brother, are you gonna marry Yoko?" Omagatoki asked, tugging at his black cardigan.

Osamu scratched the back of his, unsure of how to answer that. "Well, I mean..."

(Honestly, that's a good question. Should I? I was so against the idea the first night I came here, but maybe Yoko really would be a good wife.)

"I think you should, Osa! Yoko knows how to take care of people." Isabella encouraged, tenting her fingers. "I'm sure she'd be a good mother. We're only getting older, so you've got to pick a good egg from the High School basket, you know? Don't go waiting around too long!"

Aika nodded. "Yeah, that's true. You have to scope people out early. It's really a crucial part of life, but nobody ever says anything about it to you. What a pain."

"The problem is negated when you're a super-talented, globally famous rockstar, huh?" Izanami teased.

"Yeah, but it's not like I want to be famous forever!" Aika said. Eventually, I'm gonna want to take my money and just go, you know? Maybe settle down somewhere in Hokkaido, have kids, live for another fifty or sixty years. Anyway, the point is, Osa, you've got to think towards the future."

"It's uncomfortable to answer a question like this in front of all my exes." Osamu muttered.

"Then don't answer." Akatsuki advised. It's still important that the thought has been provoked. In my opinion, you two might just end up as eternal partners."

"And I'll be Yoko's sidepiece and we can have threesomes together, sometimes!" Tsukiakari sang.

(Okay, now that's a tempting lifestyle...)

"What about me? I still want Osamu too, you know!" Izanami pouted.

Yoko crossed her arms and closed her eyes. "Hmmm. Okay, how about I'll be his wife, Tsukiakari will join us sometimes for fun, and Izanami will be the unofficial second wife?"

"Three girls?!" Osamu recoiled.

"Under any other circumstances, I'd be against such a set up. However, Tsukiakari is my girlfriend, and I don't plan on breaking up with her ever." Yoko assured.

Tsukiakari laid her hands over her blushing cheeks. :Awww! I just fell even deeper in love!"

"And Osamu, I was serious about wanting Demi-God children." Yoko clarified. "Our bloodline is going to be large, strong, and healthy. Izanami can give us those kids, so I don't mind sharing with her for the sake of strengthening the bloodline."

"Okay! I can accept that!" Izanami said.

"Wow, what a lucky dog. You get to fool around with three different, hot girls?" Rei teased, nudging Osamu with her shoulder.

(Dad...I know you must be proud right now...)

"How about you, Rei?" Aika asked.

"I'd rather just marry my vibrator. Less problems." Rei declared.

"I can't say I'm surprised that that's your answer." Osamu sighed.

"It's a reasonable one too." Isabella shrugged. "But I think you'd still be a good wife, Rei. You should get out there and try! Flaunt the goods!"

"What goods are you talking about?" Rei scoffed.

Isabella clicked her tongue. "Don't play dumb! We went to high-school together, so I've seen your body in the locker rooms! You may not have big boobs, but you've got a toned tummy, wide hips, and a nice butt!"

"Yeah, I've seen it too." Aika blurted out.

Rei blushed and covered her face. "H-how could you just say that out loud?!"

"You were born for breeding, Rei!" Isabella assured.

"Some of the best men are ass-men." Yoko snickered.

"Is Osamu an ass-man?" Omagatoki asked.

"Language!" Izanami hissed.

Omagatoki slapped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry!"

"You guys are really putting me on the spot, aren't you? I like both boobs and butts." Osamu said.

Aika sighed in disappointment. "What a lame cop-out answer."

"Thankfully, I can provide you with both, Osamu." Yoko said.

(Yep. Dad is definitely gonna be proud.)

The sunlight was fading, and so were the food and drinks. Isabella managed to eat a good amount of food for someone with her condition, and that, at least, made everyone happy. It was at dusk that Aika brought out the gifts. The orange light of the falling sun slashed through the bedroom window, illuminating the entire room in a darker shade of orange.

"All right! Izzy, we got you a few gifts! We worked really hard to get it all together, so we hope you'll like it!" Aika said.

"Aww, you didn't have to! Thank you so much for the consideration!" Isabella said, bowing her head.

Aika handed Isabella the first gift. "Here you go. Rei picked this one out."

Isabella gracefully opened the gift without tearing up the Christmas-themed wrapping too much. It was a neatly folded American flag, one large enough for Isabella to hang on her wall.

"Oh wow! You got this for me?"

"I remember you really did like American-themed clothing, so I thought a nice, freshly made flag would be nice." Rei explained. "I have a friend in the fashion industry that used to make flags for a living, so I called him and told him I needed one ASAP. He got it done really fast, just for you!"

Along with the flag was a note, handwritten by Rei herself. Isabella unfolded it and read aloud.

"To you, who I once called a foe, but now think of as a friend. We only ever realize how much time we wasted in our youth being resentful, but thankfully, time sometimes allows us to fix our mistakes. With this note, I want you to know that you saved me. I wasn't the kind of person that thought I could do absolutely anything that I wanted to. There was so much I wish I could've done when I was younger, but never really did. It's true I hated you because you took my crush away from me, but I also hated you because it felt like you were walking so far ahead of me."

"The truth is, I wanted to catch up to you, and walk alongside someone as cool as you. Thankfully, I've been able to do that since I joined Aika's band, and got worldwide fame. But, honestly, I didn't truly understand what it meant to be cool or strong until that day, when I watched you stand up out of your wheelchair."

"Along with the words we exchanged that day, that action showed me the real you. We both suffered our own hardships, but we were still here. Me, the kid who used to eat alone in school everyday, had become famous around the world. And you, who had once felt so alone, had a batch of great friends. And when life took away your ability to walk, you stood up anyway, and defied your own situation with sheer willpower. I will never forget that, nor will I forget you.

"Please accept this flag as a tangible token of the respect and understanding between us. I hope it reminds you of home and makes your long journey ahead a little easier."

"Heh, Osamu and Aika helped me write that. You know I'm not good with expressing my feelings." Rei said.

Isabella wiped tears from her eyes, her very heart and soul moved by the note. "Rei, I wish we could've had more time to spend together as friends. But still, I'm glad I got to see you again. Thank you so much, Rei! I love you, and I always will!"

Delighted to see her letter had touched Isabella's heart, Rei clasped her hands and smiled. Her eyes sparkled with joy and her cheeks reddened. Seeing Isabella happy made Rei twice as jovial than she was before.

"I'll have the nurses pin it up on the wall, so I can wake up and see it everyday. Thank you, again!" Isabella sang.

Rei nodded. "No problem, buddy.:

"How heartwarming! All right, the next gift is here!" Aika said.

Isabella opened up the next gift, and was initially confused as to what it was. "Oh! Izanami, is this from the book you were working on? The drawings are so cute!"

"To be fair, Rei helped me out with the art, and Yoko put it together and made it nice!" Izanami admitted.

"See, and you tried to discourage her from making the book!" Osamu teased, slapping Yoko's shoulder.

"Whatever. I still think mines will be better!" Yoko said.

The first page was a drawing of chibi Izanami and Isabella sitting beneath a cherry tree, watching the sunset together. The next page featured Izanami guarding the kitchen with her body while Izanami pointed a gun at the room.

"'Izzy can be a wild one...'" Isabella said, reading the caption on the page. "Hah! Oh man, I'm sorry! I still need to fix that window in the kitchen! And to think I almost killed Yoko and Osamu once, right?"

"Goodness, I still remember that day." Osamu sighed.

Yoko giggled to herself. "Good times, right?"

The third page was Izanami and Isabella sleeping together on their futons.

"'But she's as gentle as the petals of a lotus.'" Isabella continued. "Aww! That's from before we all started sleeping in the same bed! I didn't know you thought of me like that, Izanami! Thank you!"

The fourth and fifth pages were drawings of Osamu, Yoko, Izanami, and Isabella eating together.

"'Isabella is a dear part of this family.'"

The sixth and seventh pages were Izanami holding Isabella when she was crying, and Isabella doing the same for Izanami.

"'Through all of the hurt, we took care of each other.'"

The eighth and ninth pages was a big drawing of everybody in the room holding hands and smiling.

"'Our family has grown incredibly large, so big my heart could burst!'"

The tenth and final page was a drawing of Isabella and Izanami hugging, their cheeks rubbing together. Izanami hung her head as her smile wilted into a mournful frown.

"'Isabella, there is no replacement for you.' Oh gosh, you're gonna make me cry again! Thank you, Izanami! Can I keep this?" Isabella asked.

"Of course you can!" Izanami nodded, wiping away the tears running down her cheeks.

"Thank you so much! I'll keep this with me forever!" Isabella promised.

"Fantastic work, Izanami!" Aika commended. "Now this gift may look very, very small, but we worked really hard to get it. It was quite the hassle trying to obtain this in such a short time period..."

"We called up some of your men to help us do it." Yoko said.

"Eh?! What did you need them for?" Isabella questioned.

Aika handed Isabella the small box. "I think you should just open it and see. Osamu, Yoko, and I got this one together."

"Wow, thank you! Let's see what it is then. I can't imagine how something so small could be worth so much trouble..."

Isabella opened the box, and her heart immediately sank. She held up what appeared to be a photograph, though the others could only see the blank back of it. The photograph was powerful enough to bring Isabella to tears. She had done so well in stopping herself from crying thus far, but when she saw that picture, she could hold back no longer.

"Whoa...what is it? What did you give her?" Tsukiakari asked.

"A photograph of her and her late brother, taken when she was just a little girl." Yoko answered. "Her parents helped me pick it out. We chose the one with the happiest memories behind it."

In the picture, Isabella wore a USMC helmet as she was hoisted up in the air by her older brother, both of them smiling in the sunlight.

"We know you miss him dearly, and you weren't able to go home and make the funeral or anything." Yoko cried. "You stayed here with me instead. I'm sorry I held you back. With this, I hope you feel a little closer to your brother."

"We made a lot of urgent, late phone calls, but everyone got into motion even with the short notice. All for you, Izzy." Aika said.

Isabella held the photo close to her heart as she cried. "I don't know how to express how much I love all of you! Thank you for doing all of this for me! Yoko, thank you for letting me stay with you! Thank you for letting me meet everyone! I had no one when I came here, but now I have all of you! Thank you so much!"

Aika wiped away her tears. "It's getting late, so let's bring it in one more time, everyone."

Everyone came in for a group hug, blessing the room itself with almost infinite amounts of love.

(It was just like Yoko said. There were so many tiny, little coincidences, so elegantly placed and gracefully executed, that they seemed to be sent from heaven. Through everything we've all been through, through Aika's suicide and her revival, through my death and the death of Tsukiakari, through the world nearly ending, through everything, we were all still here. Time was permitting us to be together and say goodbye to someone whose time was not long. I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity in my life.)

"Before you guys go, I did get Tsukiakari something." Isabella said. "I also made something for the rest of you, but you won't see it until after I'm gone."

"Eh? A gift for me?" Tsukiakari asked.

Tsukiakari saw a wrapped gift box under the hospital bed and picked it up. "Wow, I wonder what it is!"

Tsukiakari excitedly opened up the box and was horrified to find huge, fresh, red onions. The look of absolute horror on her face, coupled with her embarrassing shriek was just priceless. Everyone laughed so hard they cried, even Tsukiakari herself. It was a fantastic callback to Tsukiakari odd fear of onions when she first moved in with Yoko and the others.

"Holy crap, she got you!" Yoko laughed.

"Okay, okay! That was pretty good!" Tsukiakari admitted.

"What even was that scream?! That was hilarious!" Izanami hollered.

Isabella could hardly catch her breath as she laughed. "Couldn't leave without doing it one more time, right?"

"I too find this gag very funny." Akatsuki affirmed with a nod while her sister bent over, wounded by her own laughter.

(That day still remains too precious to replace...)