The Truth is in Front of your Face

My first thought was no. There isn't a single way I'd accept any kind of deal that he would offer us or me, at least. I can't see the purpose of him telling us this at this moment unless he was out of options or...

"Hear me out," he said. This felt like the longest car ride ever and truth be told, we have no reason to believe he's telling the truth about his deal with the government, but to know exactly what happened between Rin and I in our first meeting. There's too many what-ifs. I should be able to trust her at this point, but what if since the beginning they we're working together to trap me? It's clear that I'm something to them, beyond a writer and professor, well ex-professor, and they could've manufactured every interaction be-

"Shin."

I snapped back at the sound of her voice, so soothing as always. 

"My deal is simple. But let me finish this story, so you can truly understand that I have no reason to lie. You are something, Shin Suigoyku. Ever since I first came across your research at the University of Ottawa, which I have to send my condolences that you are no longer there, I found your work highly interesting. Is there any way they could have you back? It's a shame such a bright star couldn't finish out his tenure, there's space here at Osak-"

"Get to the point, please. And where are we going? It's been hours without seeing anything but grass hills and rice fields."

"I've already told you. We are going to the Yuzu tree. Maybe then, you will understand who you truly are."

"Who I am?" I looked over at Rin, who couldn't even face the conversation. Now that everything unfolded as supposed, the only thing left to know was his true motive. Through it all, she still never let go of my hand. I'll never tell her how much it means to me. 

More importantly though, what does he want? And more specifically, what does he want from me?

"Who you are...you know I didn't want to believe it, at first that is. Ever since I was a kid, I always had a business mind, a mind to advance things. To see things through..."

This is more like a life story. Oh my God. This suspense, it makes for a good story, but c'mon...we've been at this for a couple of hours.

"It was hard for me to accept that there was a tree that had the cure to all of life's ills and that there was a demigod who removed all of that pleasure for humanity away. All to teach us a "lesson". As if we needed it. Don't you think the well-being of the people are more important than some eternal lesson? I do. Then I saw it. My father told me the day I have 'that' dream, would be the day that he would show me. This wasn't until almost decades later, as he was close to dying, did he show me and give me the rights to the farm. It has been passed down from generation to generation, with the hope that one day the dream would come true. Our family would come in contact with the One who could plant seeds from this barren tree. Your work was always interesting, even more so that you were around the same age as the man in the fable, you shared the same name, your interest in fruit. It was all too uncanny but-"

"A prediction is just that."

"Of course, so I tracked your movements, each and every trip. Thailand, Mexico, Guatemala and when I read the report from the Bahamas, I knew. It was then that I decided, when you came looking for the Yuzu one day, I would send Rin after you."

"You can't manufacture a dream."

"Of course you can, it's called manifestation. After all, dreams just don't come true, we make them come true." He sat up with a bit more enthusiasm. "Things take luck, preparation, knowledge and timing to align to what it is the world has to offer. This is what I learned through believing in this story. I've adapted it to my business model and there isn't anything in the world that I won't get. One has to follow their destiny. It's inescapable. I told you that you would be here. I knew you would go to the dock and meet Rin. That you would meet her to lead you to this tree. It's because it is calling you." He sat back, rather relaxed now. 

The sign of daybreak had just hit, and the water from the Kitakami river sparkled in the distance through the tree branches that passed us. It feels good to be in Japan. We seemed to be on the edge of the town now and I can't say for how much longer or ever again after this is all over if I will return. Even if we assume all of what he is saying is true, I doubt, I mean, highly doubt, that this is for humanity's benefit or helping me fulfill my destiny. If what he says is true, it's up to me, and it can't be forced.

"So where is it? " Rin asked. "And what does the government still have to do this and why are you avoiding them?"

"Like I told you, the Yakuza has been working for them the entire time, which wasn't the thing, until I found out they started threatening some of the board members for information. Yamamato-san being one of them. Leaving the issue aside with your mother, he still was an associate and good businessman. I trusted him from a business standpoint. Apparently, word got out that he had an affair with my wife and in order to keep it quiet, he gave away crucial information and for that, he was let go business wise and of course personally. With that information, the government found out exactly where the tree was located. It didn't help that, I accused them on national television for basically conspiring against the Japanese people of withholding a lifesaving drug. Anyone who sees and touches the tree can utilize its benefits. But only One has the ability to grow and reproduce them. I can guarantee the truth on that." He said, and it seemed like his faced darkened a bit. Maybe he's tried to grow some himself. Assuming the tree is real. 

"It was there. The truth was always in front of our eyes. The cures to all these diseases. They were in the fruit; we've strayed so far away. It was when all of these powers were divvied away, did we lose the essence of eating them only and resorted to other food sources. Then the story of the Seven Trees became nothing more than a fable. Basically, Osaka Industries does no longer need the state of Japan. We can be self-sufficient." He turned towards me. "The government turned this project over to us, thinking that we would always rely on their resources. But in turn, it was us all along that supplied them. What would happen to an economy that relies on about 40% of its import and export from a single company that was then, cut off from that source. They are after us because they know where we're headed. If they can uncover that we're the ones behind this, it looks like they saved the day. But there's only one thing I want from you." He trailed off, looking out at the trees that we passed.

"And what is that?"

"I want you to accept your fate and let me show you who you are. Come and work for me."

"No. For one, there's no telling how long I would have to work for you and two, what about Rin?" That shocked me. I'm surprised I asked about her, considering it's her I worry the least about. Maybe I should a little more. The warmth of her hand did feel nice. I can only wonder if Ridge and Ritsika made it there safely. They had an important job, wait, did he say we've only been in the car for about an hour or so? They probably haven't even left, hopefully the paparazzi has though. 

"All of what you're saying. Why?" I paused. "Why me? What proof do you have that I'm the one you're looking for? If what I can gather is correct, the government is essentially looking for me. If what you are saying is true. I have no reason to believe you. I came to Japan for research upon a Yuzu fruit. Nothing more, nothing less. I've kept along with this for entirely too long to bet on a "I'm the chosen one." or whatever that means. What makes me so special that no one else can do it? Hm? Maybe all you had was a dream. Everyone is special. Everyone has a goal, dream, purpose to fulfill and you know what, I agree with you. We make them happen and choose the direction we go, and if we don't the wind carries all those who've been left behind or too cowardly to chase them. Stop the car, please."

With a motion of his hand, I felt the wheels come to a halt, rolling over gravel that laid on the side of the road. It was almost dark now, so basically, it was a bluff. I certainly wasn't going out there to walk and hitchhike. Eghhh, I don't even want to think about it. I can't afford to be kidnapped twice.

In his pocket, he dug for a second or so until pulled out something that glowed red in between the cracks of his fist. "Under normal circumstances, these seeds stay red because they come from the veins of the Yuzu tree, but never are they translucent. It was destiny that brought you here, son-" ugh, don't call me that. It makes it sound like me and Rin are married. Marriage, huh...............nah. It's only been a few months, relax!

"...open your hand."

It's weird, and I don't know if you will believe me, but I had no choice. My free hand that wasn't attached to Rin's unclenched itself, relaxed all the muscles and released any tension that sat in between them. "You can have the world. Whatever you want, research money, book deals, travel teams, scientists, the top labs, whatever it is your heart’s desire is. You can tell me and it's yours. You play a crucial role in all of this. Don't deny what was always true. Take it."

It was like slow motion. I saw him put the red pill into my hand but really, that was it. Everything else feels like a pulse. My heart! I can't feel it. Every drop of blood in my body feels heavy, like each and every one of them are made of iron. I feel...still. Motionless, but moving. Imagine walking through sand that was up to your knees and was made of gravel, but with the texture of sand. I don't know, shit feels weird. All things within my eyesight were down to the pixel, the smallest ant to the slightest drip of rain that was going to happen tomorrow. Wait, where am I?

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It almost feels like a dreamland. My body feels so light, it's as if it didn't exist at all. Weird. I can't identify where I'm at, but the entire area was covered in sand, at least that's how it appeared at first. In the distance it looked like there was a man, who was leaning on a tree, tossing something up to himself; up and down, up and down. So dizzy. Before I took another step, I reached down to grab ahold of whatever material, gravel, dirt thing this was that I was walking on and immediately, it slipped through my fingers with only certain pieces remaining in my hand that were the sizes of rocks, but when you walk over them, you sink like sand. 

This area, it's strange, but I feel a connection to it. Only trees covering the landscape, basically an entire forest barren with the exception of the one that man was leaning on. I can't tell if it's my imagination or I'm just tired, I mean really, there already wasn't an explanation for this. I haven't moved yet, still, I don't know what to make of it. It must be miles and miles of barren trees. All sitting on piles of sand it looks like, it's hard to tell what's holding them up. Are there roots beneath? Can they grow fruit, do they have seeds? I'm now walking towards one of the them, and there isn't a sky either and, also I don't know how I'm alive, but I'm certainly not breathing. I still haven't felt a single heartbeat since arriving here. It was like I was staring up at wallpaper and I'm in a green room, with a background of white sand and barren trees, lifeless. Even though, I'm not sure of the place, I am a scientist. No tree could die or live in an area like this where there isn't even climate. I don't feel heat, nor warmth, chilled air, nothing. In fact, I can't feel anything except the things I directly touch. So, I reach down to dig up some of the thin materials, digging and digging, I don't know what to make of it. 

"They aren't trees." A voice called out. Right behind me, was the man I saw in the distance, "There isn't any air, water, or any life source to make these tree grow except that one." He pointed off in the direction of the tree he was leaning on. Teleportation?

"So why is that one the only one that can grow fruit?"

The man looked over to where I was pointing, saddening of a look he gave. "It used to be so much bigger."

"It looks normal to me." I mean, how could I know that? Who am I to believe what a random man says to me in a random place.

With that, I keep walking towards that tree, amongst the others. There really was nothing underneath the ground, I mean, it's not like I expected to get to the root with a few scoops, but strange, nonetheless. He followed me.

"Do you know who I am, where you are?" He asked calmly, keeping pace to me on my left side.

"No, but I have some guesses." I said, continuing to walk towards the tree. Moving my hand around branches, ducking underneath and stepping over tree trunks. Or well, whatever they are since they aren't "trees".

"And your first guess? What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see this place?"

"Nothing. It doesn't really matter, I suppose. I also guess you are the one that brought me here."

"I am. But you initiated contact by touching one of the seeds of the Seven Trees."

I stopped. "You too with that?" I continued, trekking through this never-ending forest. It's so obvious, that tree in the distance because it's the only one with fruit on it, but it's like the closer I walk towards it, the further it becomes."

"Here, " he held out his hand, "You'll never reach the tree by walking. It's almost similar to what they have on Earth byway of the phenomenon with heat puddles. It's illusionary in the sense that there is no heat puddle, but rather the index of refraction that the light travels through to project that onto the image. Basically, it is the speed of light traveling to the quickest route by way of heat. Fascinating, isn't it?" He smiled, looking towards me. I feel the heat of his stare...only a little uncomfortable.

"Sure, a heat mirage." I said, continuing to walk. "What is this?" I asked, looking down. "Is this sand?"

"They are seeds that have been granulated over time." He stopped to scoop up a little, only remaining the small rocks that had stayed in my hand only a few moments ago. The rest, slipping through his hand. "This whole land was filled with seeds at one point, it was strange, erratic, but it was what I knew. Over the last thousands of years, so much has changed. It's hardly recognizable."

"Sure, by that's life. Things change, who cares? We're the ones left to deal with them and resolve them. Why stress over stuff like that."

"That's of course. It's quite the pessimistic attitude you have."

"No, I'm just being real. Who cares." With that being said, it seems like I'm getting nowhere and I'm gonna have to believe he knows what he's talking about. I don't want to touch his hand, because, don't know the guy, don't worry I have no obvious problems of affection, but I held on to his shoulder with my left hand and with that, he bounced. Creating air pockets in the sky, we jumped about 15 steps until we floated down right underneath the tree we saw in the distance. 

"You know, you don't have to pretend. I've watched you for a long time."

"Pretend what?" I asked as I let go of his shoulder. It was pretty cool, I must admit. As I held onto his shoulder, it's as if I was in a hot air balloon, watching myself float across the plains, which they were many types. Grasslands with hills that had animals of all sorts, deserts with meters of true sand, mountains, magma that dripped off volcanoes, plainlands, snow caps and glaciers with penguins... It's all so strange, and what's the most strange or odd, I'll say, is that there really are no trees besides the ones that came from that forest. Just how vast was this place?

"That you aren't interested. That you don't care to know what lies beyond. Or else you would've never stayed around with that woman you are interested in for so long."

"I'm not that interested and who are you to tell me these things about me? You've been spying on me. You could've at least said hello. I don't bite."

"Because I know you. That's all. You're my creation." He said, sitting underneath the tree and to say there was every type of fruit imaginable would be an understatement. He kicked the tree and, in his hand, fell an Amanatsu, a hybrid citrus fruit from Japan.

"Catch." He threw towards me, but I fumbled it on the ground. Before I could pick it up, it floated right into my palms.

"How did you do that? You say there's no air, no sky, I can't feel anything except what I can touch and seemingly, there's no gravity but that Amanatsu fell in your hand."

"I thought you said you were not interested." He smiled, retrieving it back from me with the motion of his hand and so it glided back to him, throwing it up and down to himself.

"I'm not, but this is unexplainable."

"There are many things in life that are unexplainable. What do you think of the world you are in? I'll ask once more."

"That this is a dream."

"Correct, but not exactly. You see, I can only stay in the human world as an entity, not able to make physical changes or have a sense of movement nor motion on Earth or on that plain."

"Ok..."

"What do you think of that?"

I sat down, leaning against the tree, shrugging my shoulders. A fuckin riddler. What the fuck? "I don't know. If you created me, which I don't think is true, you can probably mold this world to however you want it to look."

"Ok, keep going." He goaded me on. 

"That being said, this is probably a world you can't leave."

"Not true. I can live in the dreams, thoughts, and energy of others. Oh, and well, no I'll let you answer that."

"You bait me to become interested and then when I ask you a fucking question, you don't answer."

"Because you know the answer."

Rubbing my temple, ughhh, this is annoying. But maybe if I play along, I'll be able to lea-

"No. You could essentially stay in this world as long as I say so and deem it necessary for you to stay and not a single millisecond would pass in your plane of existence."

"So, you can read thoughts, form whatever you think into matter..." I opened my palm and decided to lift it up and down, like I was weighing something with my hand. Nothing. "There is no resistance, meaning there probably isn't any air molecules to create pressure against my hand or skin, which is why I feel nothing. Also, there's no shade under this tree, meaning that there is no light, yet there's a tree that can grow despite that. But I would say you don't control everything, or else, you wouldn't have called me here."

"And what makes you certain of that?"

"Because if you only called me here because you were bored, I hate to tell you that I'm not very entertaining. Plus, all of those trees or whatever, they're dead, meaning they were alive at some point."

And with the snap of his fingers, the whole plain and area around us turned white, leaving the barren forest of trees and the one that we were standing under remaining. 

"90%, no, maybe 95% correct. I'm impressed. I was right to choose you."

"Ugh, here we go with this shit."

"You believe things aren't chosen. That there is no fate, yet you do, and you do everything you possibly can, desperately I might add, to make that it becomes true. You live in denial." He continued. "Why come to Japan and search for a fruit that you know is alleged to be a part of one the greatest mysteries known to man? Why accept the offer of a woman you know nothing of to find out more about it? After you got the research you wanted, why stay? There isn't nothing that I can't know in this world, and yet..." He looked around, snapping, turning everything back to what it was. "I don't control everything." He grabbed me and in a second, we were back to the forest where I started. Or respawned, I don't know. I think it would be cooler to think that I respawned instead of being summoned. "I don't know what happened, but the years have passed so quickly, much quicker than they used to."

"But if there's no gravity," I asked, really trying to rack my brain. “Why do I feel this way? There can't be time. How would you know thousands of years have passed?" 

He pointed to the tree, or whatever, grabbing what looked like the bark, peeling it off. Underneath it, looked horrible. Black goo dripped into his fingers. "I used to be human, a long time ago and the circadian rhythm still runs in me, not literally because I'm not anymore, but I suppose it's a feeling. I can still observe the thoughts, peer into the world. Look." 

And I tell you, this is when shit got super weird.

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