Blue Period
 
2
 
 
Life rarely goes according to plan. This was the thought occupying Akira’s mind as she walked down the hospital hallway, her shoes clicking against the tile floor. There were too many factors, too many unknowns, and too many other players in the game for everything to go smoothly. It reminded her of when she heard of the concept of the butterfly effect, of a very small action causing a very large and unpredictable reaction. Life didn’t have one butterfly; it had millions of them flapping their wings at once. Try as one might, predicting the precise flow of events in one’s existence was impossible.
 
For instance, Akira was sure a few hours earlier that the immediate course of her existence was set. She was on her way to Scotland, to a new job and a new chapter of her life. Rent was taken care of, car keys were given over, and her bags were packed. This time, she even managed to keep from putting her tickets in the wash. All that was left was to get on her flight. Seemed simple enough. Instead, her path was altered by unforeseen forces, which lead her to this hospital, searching for the right room number.
 
Ah, there it was. Akira’s clicking footsteps slowed as she found the room she was looking for. It took a bit of persuasion on her part to be allowed permission to visit, seeing as she wasn’t family or even a close friend. This was important to her, though. Carefully, quietly, the suited woman turned the door handle and stepped inside. As the door opened, a gentle sound reached her ears: the high-pitched, metallic notes of a music box playing its song, accompanied by the rhythmic beeping of an EKG.
 
Akira smiled slightly upon hearing that music box, recalling how her little sister insisted on bringing it on her first visit. Lilly was the sentimental sort. Closing the door behind her, she took in her surroundings. The bare white walls and minimal furnishings was much like any other hospital room she had ever been in, filled with that uncomfortable antiseptic smell that never failed to bother her. And near the window, tucked into the reclining bed, was the reason she came: Hisao Nakai, peacefully sleeping from the looks of things.
 
The lawyer paused for a moment, taking the opportunity to look Hisao over. Tall with a slender build, somewhat messy brown hair and matching eyes under those closed lids, he was a rather handsome young man. From sight alone, no one could tell that he was living with a time bomb in his chest. From experience, Akira could also say that he was thoughtful and polite as well as calm and reserved. She could see why Lilly liked him so much. Striding towards his bed, Akira reached over and closed the lid of the music box next to him, ending that calming song.
 
Hisao stirred, that calm face scrunching up slightly as he noticed the lack of music. “Lilly?”, he called out softly.
 
“Wrong sister”, Akira replied, a smirk tugging at her lips.
 
“Akira?”, Hisao said, eyes opening in surprise.
 
“The one and only!”, she said cheerfully.
 
At this, Hisao scooted back, getting into a sitting position to view his unexpected visitor. Akira stood there as relaxed and confident as ever, a smirk on her face and a hand in the pocket of her pinstriped suit.
 
“You know, I’m pretty sure that I told you that life is not like a story.”
 
“What?”, Hisao asked, looking at her as if she had grown a third eyeball in the center of her head. He wasn’t the quickest on the uptake, she had noticed. Akira shook her head slightly, a chuckle passing her lips.
 
“Hisao, I don’t know how the hell you did it, but you pulled off the romantic movie ending”, she helpfully pointed out.
 
That one-way trip to Scotland was interrupted by Hisao at the airport. From what she had gathered afterwards, Akira learned that the reserved high school student with a bad heart had gone chasing after them after she and Lilly had departed from Yamaku. After a stop at the Hakamichi residence, he took a cab to the airport and ran through like a bat out of hell without any regard to his delicate condition. Naturally, the boy’s heart chose that moment to go ka-boom, and he passed out mere meters away from the Satous. In the crowded and noisy airport, Akira hadn’t even noticed. Lilly, who had relied more on hearing throughout her life, had sensed the disturbance in the crowd.
 
Needless to say, their flight was canceled on account of dying boyfriend. They stayed by his side until the paramedics arrived, Akira doing her best to comfort her frantic and distraught sister.
 
“Oh”, Hisao uttered, “I guess I’m a slow learner.”
 
“No shit”, Akira retorted, a slight edge to her voice that made the student cringe, “You know, Hideaki has my cell number. You could have just called me. I would have stalled for you.”
 
Hisao’s eyes widened slightly. Obviously, this wasn’t an approach he had considered. His brow scrunched up as processed it. It was kinda cute. He did have the best of intentions, but his mind had trouble keeping up with that wounded heart of his when it really got going. He was both earnest and honest, and those were traits that seemed to be getting rarer every day to her.
 
“Of course, that wouldn’t have been nearly as romantic”, Akira added with a grin, her tone and posture switching back to their usual relaxed state, “Can’t say I ever had a boyfriend willing to risk his life for me. You’ve got guts, Nakai.”
 
“Thanks, I guess”, Hisao replied, slumping back against the pillow at his back. It would be a while before he recovered from this ordeal, and the kid was still tired she was sure.
 
Akira cocked her head slightly, crossing her arms over her modest chest. “Actually, I came here to thank you”, she admitted, “I wasn’t going to stop her. It was her choice, but I don’t think Lilly would have been nearly as happy in Scotland as she thought. Her real family is here, and you proved it to her with that little stunt.”
 
Akira could practically see the weight lifting off Hisao’s shoulders, a soft sigh passing his lips. That he was willing to risk so much spoke volumes. He really did love her sister, even if it was the overly-dramatic, hormone-driven love of teenage years. Time would tell if it could weather the changing seasons of life. Once that rose-tinted chemical haze faded away, and all they had were each other…that would be the true test. And on that note…
 
“But”, the suited woman spoke, stepping closer to Hisao. Arriving at his bedside, she leaned over and jabbed a finger against his chest. The brown-haired teen jerked back in surprise, looking up into those ruby eyes that were cast in shadow. “No more neglecting this thing. No more heroics. No more skipping doses. No more sitting around drinking tea and nothing else. You’re doing your cardio and medicine, even if I have to go running with you and shove those pills down your throat. I am NOT going to see my sis crying over your grave. Got it?”
 
“Yes, ma’am”, he was quick to answer, nodding his head swiftly.
 
“Good”, Akira said with a smile, straightening back up, “Glad we have an understanding. Take care of yourself, Nakai.” Turning, she walked towards the door, giving her usual goodbye wave as she stepped away. “Seeya!...”  “Akira”, Hisao called out as she touched the doorframe, interrupting her smooth exit.
 
“Hmm?”, the blond uttered, turning her head.
 
“So why did you wish to go to Scotland? I mean, it doesn’t sound like you miss your parents. You seem well off here. You had a boyfriend. Now Lilly is staying. Why go?”
 
That stopped Akira dead in her tracks. Her mouth opened, trying to find the right words. For once, her mind was blank.
 
“It’s…complicated”, she lied.
 
Another pause. Akira stepped through the doorway and gently closed it behind her.
 
----
 
That question hit her harder than she liked to admit.
 
Walking back the way she came down the white hallways of the antiseptic smelling hospital, Akira mulled it over. She certainly didn’t want to go out of any particular loyalty to her parents or any respect for tradition. As far as she was concerned, that patriarchal rule stuff was bullshit, and she’d sooner obey the summons of a fine bottle of whiskey than her father. Granted, the pay she was being offered was better, the workload and hours easier. That, all by itself, was tempting. But…
 
What Hisao said stuck with her. Lilly was here now. She was the entire reason she stayed in Japan in the first place. Well…ok, in all honesty, there was a fair bit of teenage rebellion involved as well, but still. Hideaki was here, and she’d become rather fond of her little cousin. Her boyfriend was also still here, if she wanted to ask for forgiveness and try to explain that yes, she was going to leave him forever, but now that she’s back why not jump in the sack again? He was rather good in bed…
 
Aw goddammit. This wasn’t the time to dwell on this. She had a plan, and she was going to stick to it! The plan just needed a little modification now. It was going to be a while until she could take another flight to Scotland. Akira was out of a job, but she had enough money saved up to support her for some time, so she actually had some free time on her hands for once. She managed to get back the Lancer, and her apartment hadn’t yet been taken by another tenant, so that was the good news.
 
When she said that was going to be checking up on Hisao, Akira wasn’t joking. This just gave her the opportunity to add a personal touch to it. That boy was going to get some better habits or face the wrath of Akira Satou. Hideaki was sure to want to spend some more time with her, and she’d be more than happy to oblige. Her sister was freed up with summer vacation, and more time with Lilly was always welcome. And now that she thought of it, Uncle Jiggy said something to her about wanting a sparring partner. It turned out that Akira was the only other member of the family in reach with any martial training. The idea appealed to her, although if he starting going on about his autobiography again…
 
Rolling her eyes, Akira pressed the elevator call button and waited for it to arrive. She stepped inside as the only occupant and rode it down to the ground floor. The lobby was a busy place, with people lining up at the main desk, a nearby waiting room filled with the sick and injured awaiting treatment. The sobering sight reminded the blond that she still had another six-pack of her favorite beer in the fridge in her apartment. Oh, the little joys in life. The weather was perfect today; it was sunny and pleasantly warm with a clear sky. Maybe she could get into something more casual, take that beer, and go for a walk in the park. If she was going to be put into an awkward limbo for the time being, she was going to enjoy it. A nice second vacation. The idea put a smile on her face.
 
Stepping outside, Akira paused to straighten her tie and take in a deep lungful of air. She exhaled slowly, enjoying the smell of freshly cut grass on the breeze with a slight hint of vehicle exhaust. It wasn’t quite as good as the smell of warm concrete that had recently been rained on, but it was close enough for her. Mmm… Stepping into the parking lot with a bounce to her step, she spotted her wonderful car awaiting her. Unlocking and sliding into the Evo, Akira lovingly patted the steering wheel and settled into the comfortable leather chair. Oh yes, the little things in life made it all worthwhile sometimes.
 
Starting the car, Akira’s mind continued jotting down possibilities for her newly opened schedule when her phone started to ring. Blinking, she reached into her inside coat pocket and pulled the little silver device out to answer.
 
“Hello?”
 
“Hello”, the calm, feminine voice on the other end spoke. Akira frowned, not quite recognizing it. It sounded familiar but she couldn’t place from where or who. Who would be calling her now, anyway? She was out of a job currently and had wrapped everything up with her clients.
 
An uncomfortable pause followed as she waited for the stranger to say something else. When nothing came, Akira took the initiative. “Uh, who is this?”
 
“Rin Tezuka. Tezuka Rin. We met at the art gallery. You said I could call. Is that alright?”
 
Akira’s eyebrows shot up. How could she forget? That day at the 22nd corner was an odd one that left quite the impression on the lawyer. She had wondered if the same sort of impression had been made on Rin or if the girl would ever call. Either way was fine by her, but the curiosity was there. It had been over a week since then, and Akira’s mind had been rather occupied.
 
“Of course! It’s good to hear from ya again. How are you, Rin?”, Akira replied cheerfully.
 
“I don’t know. How are you Akira? What makes us ourselves? It hurts my head to think about. It’s all stuffed with jellyfish or worms trying to squirm out at once.”
 
Okaaaay. So that wasn’t exactly the idle chit-chat that Akira was expecting. Then again, why was she expecting anything normal out of this girl? For that matter, she couldn’t help but wonder how exactly Rin was using the phone. Did she dial with her toes and lay down next to it? Was she flexible enough to hold it up to her ear? Did she have a headset? The blond had never really considered the difficulty of performing simple tasks without hands.
 
“Dunno. I was actually asking how you’re feeling today”, Akira elaborated, “How did the art show end up?”
 
A pause. “It went well. I’m feeling alright. One of the paintings was sold. Nomiya said important people were interested in me.”
 
Akira didn’t hear a hint of enthusiasm in Rin’s voice. Did she not care about her success as an artist, or was she just so deadpan about everything? It was hard to tell. She had heard that artistic types tended to be eccentric, and Rin was fitting that stereotype. She was guessing Nomiya was the round man with a terrible fashion sense.
 
“That sounds good. I’m happy for you.”
 
Another pause followed before Rin said, “I really need some help with something. Emi usually helps me but she isn’t here today neither is Hisao and none of the other students want to help. Could you help?”
 
Akira looked at the Evo’s clock and immediately berated herself for it. No work today. She had no obligations. A trip to Yamaku was totally a possibility, and she wouldn’t mind helping Rin out.
 
“Sure thing. What do ya need help with?”, she asked.
 
“I’m moving into the art gallery for the summer. The upstairs thingy. Atelier. I want to bring some stuff from school.” A moment of silence passed before she added, “I have trouble with boxes.”
 
Akira couldn’t help but chuckle. It seemed like an obvious problem.
 
“Yeah, I can help with that. Got some free time on my hands today. I’ll be right over!”
 
The other line clicked off unceremoniously. Akira shrugged and put the phone down. That settled at least part of today’s plan. Taking a moment to pop her neck, Akira pulled out of the parking lot and onto the freedom of the road. Next stop: Yamaku Academy and a very intriguing young artist who needed help moving.