XXIV

“Ugh,” I groaned in pain, the sunlight filtering through the open window above the bed blinding me.

“Ah, good, you’re awake,” a soft voice said. I turned my head slightly to find a girl who looked slightly older than myself sitting on a chair nearby holding a magazine. Her deep green eyes studied me carefully beneath her long brown hair. A smile played on her lips, her peach lipstick lending a soft glow to her mouth.

“Where am I?” I croaked, my throat dry.

“Ah, well, you’re home,” she replied, coming forward to the bed and running a cool hand over my forehead, brushing my hair back gently from the bandage on my forehead.

“I see,” I muttered. I glanced around the unfamiliar room and scowled.

“Well, a little more of an explanation may be in order,” she said, sitting down beside me and placing a hand familiarly on my hip. I glanced down in surprise and looked back at her but she seemed either oblivious to or unconcerned with the light touch. “You were released from the hospital with the understanding you’d be supervised during your recovery. Your aunt hired me several years ago as her personal assistant and I’ve been now assigned to you as yours temporarily while you recover.”

“Aunt?” I muttered through dry lips. The girl took a glass of water from the bedside table and helped me take a drink.

“Unfortunately, I don’t know the specifics of anything in regards to that,” the girl replied, easing my head back onto the pillow. “You’ll have to get that information from Ms. Wells herself, I’m afraid. But it is so good to see you again, Akari. I’ve missed you.”

“I’m sorry?” I muttered in confusion, searching the girl’s face curiously. She did look familiar but not in a way I could place.

“I was warned you may not remember me,” the girl patted my hip again reassuringly. “That, also, is one of my jobs, to help you remember as well as I am able. Though really it’s not surprising you don’t. The last time we saw each other I had bright green hair and wore way too much makeup.” My eyes opened wider in wonder.

“F-from the shop!” I breathed in amazement.

“And the hostel! Yes!” The girl enthused, hugging me gently. “You remember me!”

“Yes! Oh my God! I was so worried! I’m so happy to see you again! I was scared something terrible had happened to you!” I beamed.

“I’m sorry about that, Akari,” the girl said sadly. “I was running away from a lot of things at the time and after Teiko left to get married I got even more paranoid. The drugs didn’t help matters, I’m sure. I was a wreck, but I felt terrible about just leaving and thought about you every day.”

“R-“I began, frowning for a second as my mind slowly worked through the memories. “Rei!”

“You do remember!” Rei exclaimed happily. “God I’ve missed you, Akari! I was so proud when you hit it big! I remember sitting there late at night smoking a cigarette in the window and singing along with you while you played guitar. When I first saw you on TV I was ecstatic! I always said you were special!”

“I remember! Oh my god! I do remember! I remember you used to always smoke those really cheap cigarettes that smelled just awful!” I laughed at the memory.

“Well, it was all I could afford! I’ve missed you so much, Akari! I can’t wait to catch up!” Rei enthused. “But there’s plenty of time! You’ve got to be starving! Let me go get you some food! We’ve got to get your strength up!”

“I am a little hungry,” I said with a smile.

“I bet! Don’t worry; I’ll get you something good! I’ll be right back,” Rei grinned and kissed my forehead gently before patting my hip familiarly once more and leaving. I sighed and laid my head back against the pillows, closing my eyes. Things were all messed up, I thought. Where am I? Aunt? I don’t have an aunt. Do I? My mind still refused to touch my memories, keeping them locked away tightly.

“Sorry it took so long, Akari!” Rei said, stepping back into the room bearing a tray with a plate of food and a glass balanced on it. Closing the door behind her Rei stepped over to the bed and set the tray on my lap gently. “The doctor said for the first few days to eat things that are easy to digest so I made you some rice pudding this morning with some fruit and yogurt.”

“Thank you, Rei-chan,” I smiled at her kindness. “You remembered I like yogurt!”

“How could I forget?” Rei replied with a grin. “Every time we got extra money you’d come back from work with yogurt for us.”

“Yogurt is good for your health, you know!” I chuckled, holding my spoon like it was a scepter like I used to at the hostel when extolling the virtues of yogurt.

“I remember that all too well,” Rei giggled and sat back. She adjusted my blanket slightly to keep the tray even.

“How long have I been out?” I asked, dipping my spoon into the yogurt.

“Only about a day or so,” Rei replied. “That medicine Dr. Ichikawa prescribed was a little over the top, I think.”

“I’m not sure I care for him very much,” I whispered, swirling the yogurt around in its little cup absently. He made me extremely uncomfortable and I still didn’t know what “medicine” he’d given me but not asking my permission first bothered me a lot.

“Same old, Akari!” Rei grinned. “You can’t even tell someone you don’t like them without being nice about it.” I shrugged sheepishly. I wasn’t very good with confrontation. It made me want to crawl into a corner and hide. “Well, he’s a psychiatrist and all the psychiatrists I’ve ever known have been a little intense if you know what I mean. Oh, Ms. Wells arrived home not too long ago; I imagine she’ll be coming to visit once she finishes her business.”

“Ah, yes, my ‘aunt’”, I muttered, sucking on my spoon. I felt like I was going into a bad situation unprepared. Like going to a concert without knowing the words to the songs I was going to sing.

“Just keep your wits about you, A-chan,” Rei said, standing and straightening her skirt.

“What do you mean?” I asked. Rei had been the only one to ever call me A-chan.

“I’m just saying you lived on the streets for two years. You can take care of yourself,” Rei replied quietly. “Just keep that in mind. I’ll be back to clean up after a bit.” Rei squeezed my hand comfortingly before standing and straightening her skirt absently. “I’ll see you soon.” With that she walked from the room.

“It is so good to see you again, Akari!” The woman said, opening the door and striding to my bed. She was tall, taller than Sachi by a good 10 cm. Her dyed brown hair was pulled back in a severe braid and, though she smiled, the smile seemed to stop before it ever reached her auburn eyes. Her suit was tight on her thin, athletic frame and seemed to complete the severe look her braid had begun. She ran her hand through my hair before leaning down to kiss my forehead.

“Hello,” I replied. She was familiar somehow, but like a dream not quite remembered. She also put me immediately on my guard. She’s dangerous, a little voice in my mind called to me. Don’t trust her.

“Ah, yes, you don’t remember me! How unfortunate!” The woman said, sitting beside me on the bed and taking my hands in hers. “Dr. Ichikawa warned me that might be the case. But, that’s quite alright! I remember you! When I heard you’d hurt yourself I rushed out right away to do everything I could to keep you safe. We’re blood, after all!”

“That’s what I was told,” I chose my words carefully. “I’m terribly sorry, but I don’t remember you.”

“I’m your mother’s half sister, God rest her soul,” the woman said, providing a suitably sad expression. “My name is Amanda Wells, but you can call me Auntie, if you’d like.”

“I-I see,” I replied cautiously. “I’m sorry I don’t remember you. I’m sure my memory will recover in time.”

“Not to worry!” Amanda replied brightly. “We have lots of time to get to know each other again! I have some business I still need to take care of but I wanted to check in on you and see how you were doing. I assume Rei is taking care of you well enough?”

“Oh, yes,” I replied. “She’s taking good care of me. It’s strange, but I knew Rei from a few years ago. We lived together for awhile.”

“Well, it is a small world after all!” Amanda grinned. “I’ve got a big surprise for you this evening, but I don’t want to spoil anything so I will leave you to your rest for now.”

“Just out of curiosity, where am I?” I asked as innocently as I could.

“Why, you’re home, dear,” Amanda replied with a smile. “I brought you back to live with me just like when you were young and I cared for you and your mother. Of course you wouldn’t remember but you grew up here. Dr. Ichikawa thought it best for you to step away from the life you were leading to get some rest and help recuperate in a safe, nurturing environment. Especially after the rest of your group mates refused to even visit you in the hospital! I couldn’t believe they could be so cruel! I was heartbroken for you! As soon as I heard I sprang into action. We’re family, after all, and I want to keep you safe and happy!”

“Th-they refused to come?” I murmured. That can’t be right. I know I messed up but they had to know I just wanted to go with them, to be with them. I just wanted to perform. They had to know that.

“That’s what I heard,” Amanda held my hand tenderly. “I don’t know any specifics but the one girl, the tall one? Well, after you collapsed at the rehearsal she just left. She said something like ‘I can’t’. I guess she was pretty mad and felt you’d hurt the group. The other two, well, they started arguing in the emergency room waiting area. I guess it was a big scene. I don’t know the specifics but I guess they were all pretty disappointed in you.” Her words cut like a blade and I flinched.

“S-Sachi was mad at me?” I whispered, tears springing up, my heart throbbed painfully. That couldn’t be true! Sachi wouldn’t be mad at me for that! Would she?

“I’m sorry, sweetie,” Amanda soothed, stroking my hair gently. “But you know girls can be mean like that, sometimes. Especially about something that threatens their whole lifestyle. I started following your band when I heard you were in it and it was always clear you were the one doing most of the work. I mean, you wrote all the songs and everything! In that situation it’s only natural for people to ride your coattails and then, unfortunately, sweetie, throw you aside when you can’t carry them anymore.”

“Th-That’s not true,” I muttered, my head throbbing as I tried to fight down tears. “They wouldn’t throw me away.” She patted my hands sadly.

“The rumor is they’ve already replaced you in the band, sweetie,” I looked up sharply.

“No,” I said. “They wouldn’t do that.”

“Well, I can’t speak to anything first hand, but from what I have heard they’ve already replaced you with that tall girl, Sachi, was it? Her sister. I guess Sachi insisted on it,” Amanda said sadly. I stared at her, unable to move or think.

“N-No,” I whimpered. The tall woman looked at me sadly for a long moment before pulling a tablet from her jacket pocket. She looked down at it, tapping it a few times before handing it over to me wordlessly. I took the tablet with shaking hands and looked down.

Rumors are running wild through the JPop world about the future of Kunoichi following confirmed reports of Sakura Dreams Lead Singer and sister of Kunoichi Leader Sachi Tanaka, Koemi Tanaka, meeting privately with Kunoichi band members and management in their Tokyo offices to discuss her replacing the departed Akari Kitamura. Neither Sakura Dreams’ management team or Prism Worldwide Entertainment have issued statements confirming or denying the rumor. Stay tuned!

“I know this is a shock and Dr. Ichikawa warned against telling you too much, but I will always be honest with you,” Amanda said sadly. I barely heard her as I read the article again. Then again. ‘The departed’? I’m not in the group anymore? I’m all by myself again? I’m worthless.

“I-I see,” I sobbed as my heart shattered. Amanda patted my shoulder gently, laid me back on the bed and pulled the covers up. Taking the tablet she exited the room, leaving me alone with my misery.