Yuzu

I got in and told the driver where I had to go before we pulled off. He always appears in the most inconvenient but convenient times. I can't believe these are coincidences, but when life gives you lemons...

"Thanks for the ride. Rin should be coming soon. I'll call he-"

"No need. I have another car arranged for her later on. I wanted to talk to you specifically. Let's go." He tapped the head rest of the driver side and the car started off in the direction that I gave the chauffeur. 

"There's been a lot of news about break-ins and protests around Osaka Industries. That's quite the bad press. I had been wondering what you made of that and had some questions of my own. Being that we're partners."

"It's certainly not the best thing. It's only natural when you assume that people feel like they have been fooled by the government or what have you. Partners. It's to be reasoned that I still have no trust in what you and Rin do. So long as our interests collide, I have no problems.

I'll overlook your treachery."

"Overlook? You never considered what Rin wanted in all of this? I imagine just having the reaffirming care of a father would be sufficient enough for her, being that her real one is close to as useless as you."

"Wise words from an outsider. You don't even know why I need you."  He paused, checking his cellphone. "The boat leaves in a few minutes. I'll drop you off at the store and wait outside until you finish. You really went there, hm? To think after all this time. It's happening." He mumbled as the car came to a rolling stop. The driver got out of the car and opened the door for me as he attentively stayed connected to his phone, Shindo that is.

I approached the glass doors, carefully grabbed the handle and walked in. It wasn't busy, maybe a couple of other people in the store. I didn't have much time, but at the same time I wanted to get it right. It meant a lot to me. There's only a couple. They look in their 30's and another man was shopping by himself.

"Hello, good morning." The attendee shouted towards me, "An associate will be right with you."

"Good morning. It's okay."

It's a small shop with a glass casing, about a couple meters high, lined against every wall and one large one in the middle. The ones along the wall held different types of necklaces, rings, earrings, stones and custom-made plaques that you could design to your liking. The one in the middle was strictly diamonds and large pearl-collared necklaces. A man approached me from behind the glass, holding a pair of keys in his hand.

"Hello sir, how are you? Did you come in looking for anything specific?"

It's embarrassing, but yes. "Uh, good morning. Actually, I, uh, well, she's not my "girlfriend" let's say, well, I don't know. It's not established, you know? It's complicated and, well, let me start by saying this: what do you recommend?"

"Well sir, did you want a necklace, a pair of earrings, a plated wristband-"

"A necklace! Oh, I'm sorry. We're you about to say something?"

"No, no, sir. It's okay. I like the enthusiasm. So, is this a special occasion or a simple gift?"

"A gift." I replied rather nervously. I don't know why. It's not like anyone's watching me. But I've never done this before, buy a gift for someone I like. 

No, 

someone I love.

It has to be perfect.

He walked a little to the left, near where all the necklaces were and put the key in the glass case, turned and opened it, grabbing a display from the bottom and put in on the counter. 

"This is a collection that we recently got, 24k gold with a nice embroidery around the chains, very light and it hugs the collarbone. Here, take a look."

He handed it to me, and I took a step to left and acted like I was going to run away when it looked like he was about to speak into his shirt-

"I'm seeing how it looks in the light."

"Of course, take your time." he relaxed a little. C'mon! Take a joke!

"How much is this?"

Not the cheapest, but, hey."78, 690 yen. Was there a price range you wanted to stay in?"

"Yes, but I don't know. What else do you have? Something more colorful?"

"Yes, of course!" He proceeded to show me a few more pure silver necklaces, aqua colored ringed chains, yellow diamond studded rings, rainbow-themed earrings and none of them stand out to me. I'm sure he was getting annoyed; I know I was. Maybe it wasn't that important. To show how much you care for someone through a gift, because really, it's just a stone. You can find them anywhere laying on the ground. 

"-This one was actually worn by the fam-" I saw something twinkle in my eye. It was to my right in the glass casing perpendicular to this one, right next to the register. I walked toward it, seeing that it was surrounded by necklaces with kanji.

"What is that one?" I asked the attendant as he closed and locked the stand, meeting me where I was. "That one? It's one we have had for quite some time and a part of our Western stone collection. A certain one that interests you?" He perked up. 

Woah, woah, be patient. I haven't bought anything yet.

It was bright green, shimmering off the little bit of light that hit it. The necklace is small, with a subtle platinum chain with a gold encasing that inside held an emerald stone. It keeps screaming at me and I can't get it to stop. It’s almost as if there’s a force that sucks me into it’s orbit, and me unable to leave it. "How much for this?"

"It's real gold, and the stone was imported from the UK and-"

"How much?"

"It's pricey-"

What a bad salesman. "How much?"

"150, 000 yen."

A little out of my price range, honestly. I can’t explain it, but it’s already mine. There’s a feeling that, I can get it but that it wants me to have it. I don’t know when, or how, but this Yuzu tree has changed my life. It’s hard to imagine what'll happen when I see it.

“If I am being honest sir, I think it was meant for you to have it.”

“What?”

“No sir, please don’t take it the wrong way, but this emerald is the last one of the Western stone collection.” He crouched down to open the casing, grabbing the tray that held the stone. 

He put it on the counter, “Pink Quartz, Limestone, Citrine, Emerald, Purple Agate, and Orange Jasper are all great choices.” He explained, “But it’s said that Emerald is very well for heightened intuition and regality. If this is for a special someone, maybe it’ll wish them a long and prosperous life. 

I feel called to tell you it’s important that you consider purchasing this stone. For your journey.”

What is he talking about? 

“I’ll buy it.”

*+*

The rest of the ride was silent, even though I had so many questions pending. One of which was, why did I spend so much money? Ugh. And what was he talking about, saying it's important for my journey. It's almost as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. 

Traffic picked up a little as we headed towards Aomori Bay and, why did he come and get me if he was going to be silent? He asked did I go "there"? Where is this place he's talking about? The entire ride, I've been facing him, and I've only seen him be on his phone and without looking up he asked me something rather odd.

"Are you satisfied?"

"With what?" I jolted. He's always so random in his approach. In the distance, I could see the Bay coming into view. There were weird triangular shaped buildings from far away, aligned right in front of the water. 

The car kept rolling and the closer we got to the bay, the more I began to wonder what truly has brought me here. We went through a stoplight and turned towards a side street that led us straight to the Pacific Ocean. Was I satisfied? How much of this in the end will actually be worth it? Did I make the right choices? What made me follow this man all the way to this point, someone who, I don't trust, to take me to a land that has fairytale written all over it. Yet, there's something in me that won't let me believe it doesn't exist. 

"The gift." He pointed at the bag I held tightly in my hand. I stuffed it back in my pocket quickly. "I assume it's not for yourself, the gift you bought. Do you think it spoke to you like it should've?"

"Doesn't matter. Why do you care all of a sudden?"

"Because a man is giving a gift to my daughter. I can't have the least bit of curiosity?"

"Don't act like you care. You've withheld her from all this information. Keeping her close to spy on her, but distant enough to never truly be involved with her life. It's sickening."

"There's reasonings. What if I told you that you have everything to do with that?"

"I have something to do with you not being the father she needed? I couldn't possibly believe that."

He chuckled to himself. "What has she truly told you of me?" For a second, I started to wonder. If maybe, just maybe, I didn't understand him like I presumed I did.

"We're here."

We arrived at 9:55 exactly, only 5 minutes before we were supposed to leave. I got out of the car and looked around for another Black SUV. He said he was going to get her and I'm sure he would if he valued me at all, even from a transactional standpoint, but I had my doubts.

 She really surprised me, with what she said to Ritsika and all. I wonder how much of it she meant and why she had said it. Maybe it made her feel better or she knows it's exactly what was needed by Ritsika. I don't know. She didn't have to lie for me though, I could've handled it myself. Another lie, I'm afraid.

There weren't too many people out today. Only small groups of people scattered here and there. Each one of them walking towards the large ferry up ahead. It was huge, like 3 floors with a huge deck that leaned over the dock. I cupped my hands over my mouth, blowing into them until I felt

something tap me on the shoulder, speaking really softly into my ear. 

"Hey. Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked, kissing me gently on the lips as I turned around. Wow. "I didn't think I was going to make it on time. Stupid car came late to pick me up." It was really cold today; you could see the breath escape the mouths of the people waiting for the ferry. I can't believe it was already November. We've been at this for almost 3 months; the perfect season for Yuzus.

She wore a long sleeved white and red striped shirt, a white bubble jacket with red shoes and funnily enough, a blue scarf. She wore make up today; she's never worn it before or maybe I never noticed it. The subtle things start to become noticeable when you realize your feelings towards a person. 

"What?" she smiled at me. "How do I look? It's kinda cold today but I don't know if I needed to w-"

I don't know what's gotten into me lately. 

Before she could finish her words, I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers, pulling away rather quickly. I looked away and once again, I felt like a big red, tomato.

"Hahaha, I'll take it as I look good. Shin Suigyoku, what's gotten in to you? Keep going at this rate, we'll pass the boundaries of how much you can love someone. Where's my father?" she asked, snapping me back to reality.

"He's still in the car. He's been on his phone all day, ever since he came to get me. Besides, how do people not recognize you? You're literally his daughter."

"There hasn't been any photos of me that have circulated the Internet since I was a child, 15 maybe. I'll say this about my father: he's always made sure to keep me out of the public so I could live as normal as possible; however, absent he may have been." Only for a second, did I think back to what her father told me.

Brnnnnnnnnn!

Well, that's our boat. I headed towards where the rest of the people started walking, but she grabbed my hand, pulling me the other way. "We really have to talk, and we're not taking that one." She pointed to one docked by its lonesome on the other side. "Let's go, shall we?"

*+*

I should've guessed, but it was a private ferry. Osaka Industries had their own ferry line, which to me, just seems so excessive but I can't say I don't enjoy. Rin went off down on the first level to talk with Shindo, but I remained on the deck where I could stare out at the vast sea. A subtle breeze blew by me and the air was cold today of course, but it didn't matter to me. It shined the same, the sea, even on its worst days. I dug into my pocket and felt the emerald necklace I had bought, wondering if she'll like it or not. I've never seen her wear jewelry and I wonder if she's that type of woman. There was so little I truly knew about her, but it's felt like I've known her forever. What did I hope to expect by joining forces with Shindo and why had I done it? There wasn't really an explanation and for all logical reasons, I'm opposed to it. I'm opposed to his ideals and what he makes of the world, thinking it's his to alter and play with. These are lives we're talking about and imagine if you found out that there was a lifesaving tree that could rid the world of blindness and it was hidden right underneath your nose? I would protest too.

A creak that came from behind on the starboard, startled me, only turning around to see Rin; keeping her scarf closely wrapped around her neck. "Ergghh, it's cold. Why don't you come inside?"

I kept looking out at sea, gripping the railing tightly. "There's nothing like it, the sea, you know. I'll stay out here for a while." I rummaged my hands in my right pocket to grab the necklace, but I left it there. 

"Ok, I'll stay out here with you."

"What were you talking with your dad about?"

"He asked me when we were getting married."

"W-what?! No-I mean, why would he ask th-" she interrupted my confusion with laughter. Stupid Rin.

"Do you think he would ask me something like that? Hahaha, that's a funny face you have. But seriously, what makes you ask?"

"You're stupid, you know that? And I don't know, it's just, weird." I turned away from her to continue my gaze towards the ocean.

"What is?"

"The reason why I'm here. Not like in a 'why am I human' kind of thing, but specifically here, on this boat. If things went how they should've, I would be back in a classroom in Ottawa teaching fruit and science." I saw she winced a little with that one.

"Huhh, life's unpredictable, I guess. No one really knows where they're going to end up."

"Your father seems to. I only asked because I wonder if he mentioned anything about me."

"No, he didn't. Were you hoping he would've? I don't think I would be the person he tells that kinda stuff to. He's usually pretty direct if he has an opinion about you. Anything he has to say about you, he'd probably tell you if I am being honest."

I thought about mentioning what he told me, but it's better if I drop it. Her family life is already sensitive enough. The idea that there are things that children don't know about their parents isn't so unique. I'm sure there are things I have no idea about in regard to my own parents. I wonder how they're doing. "I'll take your word on that. What did you want to talk about? You mentioned something about that earlier before we left."

She stepped closer to join me in my view of the sea, leaning against the railing like I was. "It was about earlier. And I guess, me too. I'm curious as to why you're here. Why we're here. Everything we've done up until now, was according to plan. Us trying to gain the trust of my father, Ridge being our eyes and ears across Japan, you-" she averted my gaze. "The fact that you got fired was to all to show my father that I could do it. I was capable of handling my business, get the funds we needed and go find out what the Seven Trees really was. The three of us. I trust you and I know you didn't do it without reason, but I hate the fact that we're leaving Ridge out, even though he was a major part of all of this."

"You're forgetting a major part." I replied.

"Which is what?"

"My role in all of this. We've both done things to each other that, well, we feel the way we do about them. And they won't be easily overlooked." she intently stared at me, listening to every single word that came out of my mouth. "But more importantly, what brought us together was the fact that your father controlled all of this. We met because of him, we're together because of him. We're here right now, because of him. He always had a close eye on you; I'm sure now that he was always aware of what you were doing, the plans we were trying to make. It had to have gotten back to him, we were careless, and it led us to doing exactly what he wanted in the end. So, the only thing that remains is, why? Why me?"

"I don't know. Huhhh."

"Me neither, it's why I have to know."

"Maybe my plan was destined fail, after all."

Maybe that's what it was. She doesn't want to feel like all her effort was for nothing, I mean, spending years trying to do something and it not turning out the way you want has to hurt. But that's just life. We're just the ones that have to clean up the mess and deal with the aftermath.

"We're still doing it. Who's to s-"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt you," she started laughing. "But what are you doing in your pocket? You keep moving something around in it and it's a little distracting. What is it?"

Shit!

"Uh, nothing. Nervous habit, I guess."

"Why are you nervous?"

I paused for a second, thinking how I should respond. "That was nice of what you did, for Ritsika. It surprised me. I didn't know you had it in you." I hope she'd be okay. Maybe this will take her mind off my pocket. Heavy subject, but eh. "I'm uh, sorry for what-"

"I don't want to talk about that."

"But I am sorry f-"

"Only one thing I want to know." she turned to me, looking me dead in my eyes. It was then I realized that there isn't anyone else I wanted to look at me like this. "Was it better?"

Honestly, the question shocked me. I didn't expect her to care about something like that. Maybe that's part of the reason why it hurt her so much. That I didn't care. But it's something I regret and will spend the rest of my life making up by loving her the best I possibly can. 

"There isn't anything that could've been sweeter than ours. No comparison will ever exist. Do you know why?"

She stepped even closer, practically converging her face with mine. "Why?"

"Because you're the one that I loved and will ever love. How's that sound? Did it come out right?"

She looked at me, wearing that smile that I so deeply cherished. I imagine there aren't many things in life that will make you feel this way. I gripped that necklace in my pocket and decided to wait. It has to be perfect. 

"Perfect. Just, don't talk, haha, just-" she laughed, caressing and holding the side of my face. "Kiss me."

Her every wish is my command.

*+*

The rest of the trip she spent in the suite with her father, going over business. It makes sense that just because we were "partners" in a way, wouldn't mean that I'm a part of the business. Which makes it ideal that she is. Besides, I was perfectly fine standing outside and admiring the sea.

We finally arrived in Hakodate and us being met with a whole row of secret service like members dressed in black and white suits waiting by Black SUVs. Once we docked ship and had gotten settled on land, Rin's father walked into a different SUV and said that he would meet us there but there was something he had to handle. I asked Rin what she knew about it, but she said she couldn't tell me.  I suppose I'll leave it at that, being what was happening around the world. There's a weird sensation that I've had, like we're being followed, and it's started ever since her father announced to the entire world his plan. And what he had told me about not needing the infrastructure of Japan anymore. 

The ride to Erimo, a city that looks like it's on the edge of the world, is around a 6 hour one and since we made good time, it'll probably still be daybreak by time we arrive and that feeling, it's, how do I explain it, I, hm, I don't know. My stomach is boiling, and my head has been hurting ever since we stepped foot on land. I don't if Rin was a little seasick or what, but she's been asleep the entire ride, and us only passing mountainous areas and a few bridges. It's given me a lot of time to reflect, on who I am. Shin, why are you here? As I kept staring out the window, all the crazy events came rushing back to me. How I first met Rin, her grandmother being a fan, that was cool. A truly humbling experience on how far this love of fruit has taken me. A simple Yuzu brought me so many things that I couldn't have ever expected but am truly grateful for. The trip to Kochi, the old man with all those yuzus, Ritsika, the high-speed chase, learning more about a Japan that I never knew existed. Why me? What did he want with me? I feel as if all these events up until now have been controlled by someone else. Even though I made the choices. A funny feeling it is, huh?

 The way life works.

My stomach started to get more and more queasy and that's how I knew were getting close. I could see the ocean behind the guardrails going along the highway, just as it was starting to hit nightfall. Rin had just woken up to her receiving a call.

"Mhm, wait, what? How are you already there? There's no flights on the island.

It doesn't matter-wh-ok. We should be arriving shortly."

I pretended I was sleep, while keeping my head rested on the windowsill of the car, looking out the window while clutching my stomach with both hands.

"Hey, excuse me sir. Driver-sir, can you, uh, pull over for a second." 

The minute he pulled over, I jumped out of the car and vomited over the side of the guardrails. Poor flowers. I kneeled on the ground for a second, hardly able to see anything due it being nightfall, still holding firmly on the rail with one hand. Looking up at the sky, I noticed it was a waning moon tonight, with a very thin crescent hanging in the sky. I was born on one actually. They say those born in that moon cycle or whatever are deeply intuitive people and have souls that have reincarnated many times, from what this girl in high school told me once. She was really into the shit and, I don't really care, but it's funny that it comes to me in a time like this. Where nothing seems to make sense.

I stood up, got back in the car and closed the door. "I'm okay now, thank you very much sir." I looked at him in the rear-view window, and nodded towards Rin, signaling that I was okay. I just hope this doesn't last much longer.

We continued moving forward for another hour or so, much of the same silence that had enclosed all of us in the car today. Passing by small cities with dim lights floating in the sky, few cars drifting alongside us on the mountainside. It was hard to know what was waiting for me. What it would tell me. Could it answer the questions that I don't even know I have, nor have I understood since the beginning? If you told me that all this would've happened to me simply by returning back to Japan once more, I wouldn't believe you. 

But I would be curious as to see why it did.

*+*

It was a small coastal town, maybe 800-1000 people in this part. According to Census' of Japan, the official population is about 5,000 around 10 years ago. With how small it is, I'm sure it's decreased even in that time. She mentioned some time ago that she grew up in a town in Hokkaido and her family had a farm there and I guess this is it. Most of the houses were located by the coast, where we ended up stopping. Usually in smaller towns, everything seemed so much darker because there aren't as many lights. The air smelled like salt and the temperature dropped from earlier I noticed because I regretted not wearing something a little heavier. 

We drove down a hill into the city area if you could call it that, and I saw a school and a local gym, along with Rin looking out the window like a child. Nostalgia's a bitch. A few row boats were docked by the port and just above it was an ice cream shop that was closed until the next summer. The car came to a rolling stop and parked next to another Black SUV, rolling down the window.

"Get in. We don't have much time."

We both hurried out of the car as quickly as possible and got into the other car, with it pulling off the minute we hopped into our transfer and left. 

He was sitting in front of both of us again, looking more agitated than usual, maybe Rin knew why. I'll have to trust her as much as she's always trusted me. 

"The situation is not good. We will drive all the way until we reach the mountain area in about 1 hour until we reach the farm. A good friend of the family will meet us there, he has been caring over the farm for the last 20 years or so and is also a very trusted yuzu grower. One of the best in Japan. After that, we will not be returning to Japan. We will leave tonight on an Osaka boat to our next destination.

Even I don't know what to expect. I have not been to the farm since before Rin was born."

"What do you mean?" Rin asked.

"The farm you know is obviously very different that the one you know and love. Actually, this one is owned by him, Ritsika's father. When I said our family was in charge of this yuzu farm for years, I was truly speaking of you." he pointed at Rin. "The Osaka's and Yamamoto's have shared this land for years but they are the tie, something the government doesn't know. The tree is on their side of the land. I inherited the land after years only to find out that I had inherited nothing except regular yuzus, the side you've always known. The dream my grandfather had was nothing more than a premonition, not Divine knowledge from the Tree, so the same for me. Yet, there's things I know because of who needs to know them. 

As it was made that way for the bearers of true wisdom and honest seekers of adventure.   

So, it was erroneous for you to ask to keep Rin by your side because she was always going to be. She is just as much as important as you are, Shin Suigyoku and Rin Yamamoto. Do you want some water?" He asked me, rather randomly. "I'm sure your stomach hurts."

What?

"How did you know that?"

"There's many things that I cannot explain, only show. You'll see."

The vibe in the car got dark, as if you could see its aura seeping in and all around us, trapping us inside its grips. I couldn't possibly understand what this means, so we sat in silence until we finally reached our destination. 

Everything started to make sense, or at least this outcome was damn near inevitable. There was a warming sensation or feeling to know maybe that we were always meant to be together, myself and Rin. That two souls, no matter how hard they tried, would in the end be bounded by fate. An idea I thought very lowly of not too long ago. 

If it brought me her, it was at the very least, something worth considering.

The car stopped at the bottom of a hill where we were met by a man that held a small lantern. We all bowed towards each other, and he shook the hand of Rin's father and gave a gentle hug to Rin. I bowed towards him again, not really knowing what else to do. Maybe a little awkward. It seemed really... I don't know, stupid to be carrying a lantern these days. We have flashlights. I feel like it would be a lot easier and so much more convenient. Hey, to each their own. A stone path led all the way up the mountain which really is more like a large hill, but we trekked it, nevertheless. Step after step, step after step, again, step after step we followed behind the man, and I could only wonder what I was to expect and when my stomach would stop feeling the way it did. Fate, whatever it was, brought me here to know what? And why was it that he knows so much? 

Was it truly all just from a Tree?

A small wooden gate appeared in front of us when it seemed like we finally reached the top and not going to lie, I'm disappointed. I thought it'd be like a huge dungeon door with bodyguards on each side of it, but it was nothing more than a simple gate. When we arrived, the man turned his lantern off with a switch. So, it was a flashlight...I'll have to invest in that. Wait, it's pitch black!

"What the fuck?" I blurted out loud, oop. Even in the darkness, I could feel them looking at me. Sorry, it's just dark! 

For the first time, he spoke, and I didn't expect him to say what he did. "This is as far as I can take you. It only allows those who can enter inside. Shindo-sama, Rin-chan. Your name is?" He asked me. "Suigyoku Shin. Thank you for taking us as far as you could."

He responded, rather shockingly. "So, he's the one you spoke of Shindo-sama. Take care." And with that, he disappeared into the night. Nothing is visible, yet everything looked clear, and bright.

"Open the gate." Shindo commanded, and with that, I did, unable to comprehend what I was seeing.

*+*

It was daytime. The sun was out; it was a clear sky with no moon in sight. What?

"Woah..." Rin murmured.

Uh, yeah?

We stood in the middle of a grassy plain, maybe as wide as a football field with large yuzu trees lined up on each side of us from left to right. Yuzus were sprinkled on the ground everywhere, around the trees, along the walkway. Everywhere. All the trees were at least 10 meters high, reigning over us as if they were giving us a standing ovation. Slowly but surely, the pain started to decrease in my stomach as we kept walking ahead. Rin kept picking up yuzu after yuzu, laughing and running around while he quietly observed, never taking his eyes off of me as I darted looks towards him here and there. Creepy no matter where he goes, eh?

I don't know what to think. To think a place like this actually exists. We were just in the night, there were stars in the sky. I can't, I, wow. It's all I can say.

The grass had a bright green shade, only reaching ankle high as I stepped over yuzus on top of yuzus. I picked one up and felt the minimal bumps around it, smooth exterior and hand sized shape. It smelled fresh and it had a slight dew on it like it just had become morning. The air still had a breeze to it, and it matched the cold temperature from behind the gate, which seems like another world at this point. It makes me wonder if this area always stays this weather, perfect climate for yuzus and only the time-of-day changing. Or is it something else beyond nature? It already was to me. 

I grabbed one after the other, searching, hoping I would find the one that would satisfy me, knowing that there would be one. At least one. They were all the same. Perfectly made. 

We walked endlessly, and so became the insurmountable number of trees. It was perfectly made forest of yellow and green. Yellow and green. Sprawled all over the terrain like apples, it was only something you would read in a book, never able to witness it. Yet, it was obvious that none of these ones were the One. Nothing else existed besides trees here and my head started to pound again, blaring like an alarm clock reminding me that it was time for me to wake up. To remember. To remember something. Leftward, I notice a string floating behind one of the trees, dancing in the middle of the atmosphere. It's clear, and translucent, you would almost miss it if you tried to find it a second time. 

Like a snake, it slithered towards me, latching itself onto my belly button and began pulling me away off the beaten path. "Rin!" I screamed. 

She looked over and ran towards me, her father not far, and followed close behind. I felt no pain, rather the opposite. A strange sense of belonging. I've been here before, I told myself. Or I keep telling myself. That I've been here before. 

Gently, it roped me deeper and deeper past the initial path, darkening the sky above from its high shade of the branches. That single thread turned into two or three, hundreds of threads connecting me and for some reason, my stomach stopped hurting and started to understand why. Why he needed me.

He's here

He's here

He came back 

Welcome again

It's been a while

He's here

He's here

He's here

He's here

I've been here before.

"Shin, you're glowing." Rin said, laughing. "You're glowing. Look"

The strings became more visible as they started to recollect and pile up, forming a large rope the size of a tree trunk. My skin turned pure white as the forest around us started to brighten once again, opening up a hole of a bright sky up ahead. I don't believe they can see the string because, I mean, it's huge. I would think you would've mentioned that first. 

The closer and closer we started to approach the hole, the surer I came that I've been here before. I recognize this place. It doesn't hurt, and I know it won't hurt me. The forest began to lighten in contrast to the darkness, and once we made it out, it was right there. 

It stood at the minimum of 130 meters, with branches full of yuzus the size of soccer balls sprawling out from the bottom working its way up to the top. From our vantage point at the edge of the forest, we were a distance away, but it was evident. It actually existed.

"Hahahahahahahaha." he started maniacally laughing. I'll let him have his moment. For whoever he is, at the core of it, he's still an adventurer like me. I can't blame him. We feel the same things, after all. 

A sea of sand separated us and the tree. I reached down and grabbed a pile in my hand as it flew out, dispersing back into this strange land of yuzus. Her first words were surprising ones, but ones I'll never forget, nonetheless. "You wanna race?" she smirked. 

The ground was thick and heavy, our footsteps sinking into every single one we took on the sand ridden surface. My whole body felt light, and, buoyant, bouncing off the ground as if they ignored the rules of nature. We ran and ran, slipping and falling, laughing and pushing each other to see who could get there first to the answer to all our questions, the satisfaction to all our confusion and pain. Who knew she was so competitive-no, I knew. I still have my pride. 

Finally, as a signal of defeat, she touched the tree, smiling wide, falling down with her back leant against the bark. "I won. What do I get?"

"Nothing. The satisfaction of winning. It won't happen too often, if ever again. When life gives you lemons, just be happy you have a boyfriend like me who lets you win."

"Let me win. Hmph, you're drenched in sweat. And boyfriend? Who said you were that?"

Immediately, my face turned lobster mode again. Dumbass! Why'd you let that slip?! We were purposely trying to not label things, go at a normal pace. I, damn, what can I say? "I, uh, haha, uh, just-you won, okay? Congratulations." I think I made it worse. 

"I don't mind it. Being your girlfriend. Although, I don't think we'll have a typical relationship. But I'm not your girlfriend, right?"

She just said she didn't mind it, so why the question? "Uh, well, I know we didn't want to rush things, but if you don't mind it, going at it like this...then?"

"Then what?" 

What does she want me to say?

"We're, uh, dating?"

"No. Not like that, were not."

"But you just said you didn't mind."

"Right, but that doesn't mean we are. Dating, that is. I don't know how you feel about me or that."

"I love you, of course. And I thought it was known that I wanted to date you. What's the difference?" Way to ruin a moment with a tree that can cure blindness with your stupidity. 

"If you are going to date my daughter, the most proper thing you could do, would be to ask." Shindo spoke, appearing out of nowhere.

I looked at her looking away, seemingly agreeing with what was said. Oh. That's all?

I knelt down next to her-"Woah, Shin, uh,"

"Relax. You joke about marriage and when it could possibly happen, you get all serious? Ha, you're funny, you know that. But in all seriousness, I have only one question for you."

"Oh, what's that?" she smiled, with her arms crossed. Such a faker!

"Would it interest you if I asked you to be my girlfriend? Hypothetically speaking."

"Yeah, sounds cool. I'd be interested. Hypothetically, of course."

"Then be my girlfriend."

She stood up, kissing me on the cheek and wrapped her scarf around my neck. It felt so warm and smelled like yuzus. "Forever."

"Now that you have resolved that, let's return to the matter at hand." He said, looking out into the vastness of this desert forest. "The government is probably outside that gate, waiting for us as we speak. Before we came, I let our driver know to stay there as a decoy while our guide will wait for us by the gate to lead us another direction.

 So, there's two things I need you both to do. One each. Shin, you must touch the tree and make contact with it. Rin, hold his hand while he does that."

"Why is the government after us?"

"They're after you. Touch the tree and you'll know why. And don't let go, no matter what." he said to the both of us. 

Cryptic. 

But I slowly walked over to the tree, unable to really bask in its beauty. A tree like this could save millions of lives. It towered over me, lurking atop as a skyscraper on stilts. I hope that paints a picture. How could a tree like this be in the middle of a desert of sand, hidden in a forest? When I looked up, it was endless. I couldn't see the top of the tree. Only the branches growing out of it and the meteors of yuzus that hung beneath them. I placed my hand right on the bark and immediately, the ground started to shake.

Rin held onto my hand as it violently threw all the sand in the air, creating a massive sandstorm that blocked everything out of view. A weird sensation rumbled inside my hand as the tornado surged on. "Don't let go!" I heard him scream vaguely. Almost everything was inaudible and unseeable. The branches shook against each other, waving the yuzus in the air, circulating more and more gusts of wind, then.

It stopped. 

Like it never happened. 

He stood in front of us, with his hand out waiting to receive something. "Open your hand."

When I did, I realized there was a yellow shaped seed, that was the size of a yuzu, give or take. "Hand it over." I'm hesitant. The fact that he did all this to get me to get whatever this was, makes me feel like he shouldn't have it. 

"Why? How important is it?"

"I told you that I couldn't tell you but show you. I led you here, so you'd figure it out."

"No. You only came here, ha, I get it. You have come here before, only to realize you couldn't even get near the tree without a tether."

"What do you know of it?" he stepped closer as I took another step back.

"Nothing, only that you haven't told me enough to give this to you."

"Fair. What is it that you want to know?"

"Who are you and what do you want with me? What do you really want to do with the Seven Trees? I'm not the reason the government is chasing us."

He started laughing, unable to even give me a straight answer.

"Well, you saw what I need you for, but who am I? It's a lifelong question that all have to answer some day. Even I don't know the answer to that. If you don't believe me about the government, go and try and leave Japan, or better yet, don't. Try and live your life as normally as possible and see what happens."

"Am I supposed to believe that?"

"No. Go and test it out." I don't think it's worth it fighting him on this one. I'll have other opportunities to find out the truth. So long as I stay right by his side.

"Here." I threw at him. 

He caught it, holding it gingerly. He didn't answer what he wants with it, but I feel it's best to let him be in control now, being that he knows more than me about this land, this world, and Yuzu at large. "One more thing. You don't even have a cure for blindness, do you? Talking about clinical trials and what not. I imagine the Japanese government can't be happy about that."

"Ha, meet me at the gate. Reality is often a lot crueler than the myths we are told. Although, sometimes, we can make them true." He echoed, tossing the seed in his hand as he walked off through the sand. 

"I'll leave you here." She kissed me as her shape started to fade into the desert along with his. She knows me well. 

I knelt down once again, grabbing a handful of sand. Wait.

It was hard, and yet, smooth at the same time. I dug up a little sand around it, pulling it out of the ground and... Bright yellow, no cuts, no bruises, a perfect shape like the other ones, oval. Almost rectangular. But it wasn't like the others. Holding it up to my nose, a renewed sense of freshness washed over me as I felt intoxicated with its aura. I could only smile. This was it.

I plopped back first into the sand, looking up from ground below. I can't believe it's actually real, the first ever Yuzu tree of the Seven Tree myth. All those stories as a kid, my research, my skepticism and borderline craziness. It meant something. 

When it comes to things of fate, largely, we are talking about things out of our control. Something unexplainable. Not backed by logic or anything even quantum physics can prove definitively. Stuff we can't change. Things, or events that were meant to happen, people we were meant to meet, ideas that were always going to form no matter the circumstance. The inevitable. 

But what if we decided what our life would be like? 

The things we say and do. The people we meet by the situations we put ourselves in. All controlled by us. If there is a fate, if there is a universe or a God, or a force, maybe it's nothing. Maybe we're all matter waiting until the day we're dispersed and become anew again in a form that we would've never known existed. Maybe we make our own rules. If there's something like that, where some things are bound to happen, I also believe that we have a way to change it. By simply altering our perspective. Basically, being human.

I got up and stared deep into the vastness of this strange land, grateful that it gave me something. I don't know what, but it's something. It's a weird thought I just had, almost as if I didn't think it myself. Something keeps nagging at me to remember, but I don't know what. It's like an itch you can't satisfy.

I started to walk back towards the forest, unsure of what would happen next; calm, nervous and excited all the same. I dug my right hand in my pocket, holding my Yuzu in my left and tried to take out the necklace, but it was stuck around something else. I wrestled, and tugged, digging deep in my pocket only to realize it had gotten wrapped around a piece of paper I didn't know was there. I finally pulled it out, unraveling it on the ground and placing my hand over it, preventing it from blowing away. 

It was a map. 

One like the one Rin had shown me before, but all the locations were different. The topography still showed 3D locations of where each one of the Seven Trees were located. In that moment, I noticed the emerald was placed over the area I was at right now and ever so slightly, started to move towards the location of another tree with the gentle help of the wind. 

"I guess I'm going there next." I smiled, looking back at the tree as it shook with the breeze. Confirming what I said. I folded the map up and put it back inside my pocket. 

Holding the Yuzu in my left hand and the emerald stone in my right, for some reason, I knew I was going to be okay. And that my journey had just begun. 

"I'll give it to her when the time is right." I said to myself. "True love has to wait."

And so, I continued moving forward through the vast sand of the unknown.

***

[THE END]