Chapter 42
Title: Precious Family Moments
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Third Person POV. -- 29th of December -- 2415
[ Kawaguchiko Town ]
Oishi park,
A quiet lakeside park that's nestled on the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchi known for its wide, unobstructed panoramic views of Mount Fuji across the water.
It has a long walking path along the lake, open grassy areas, seasonal flower fields, –lavender in summer but dried out in winter, and a peaceful, open atmosphere with very few buildings blocking the view, making it one of the best scenic and photography spots in the Kawaguchiko area, especially at sunrise and sunset and in winter season when the air is clear and Fuji is sharply visible.
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Standing near the shores of Lake Kawaguchi and gazing out towards the clear horizon and the distant tall mountains, Retsu quietly gazes out with her hands in her winter coat's pockets, her clear sky blue irises that has a darker sheen to them lost in a whirlpool of thoughts.
Deciding to break their usual rhythm of having breakfast at the ryokan before exiting for their tour, the Benihana couple plus Mina and Himiko woke up early today, and moved to get ready and start with their day, while deciding on having breakfast outside.
Their first stop became Oishi Park, a place famous for the panoramic scenes of lake Kawaguchi, and the visible Mt. Fuji in the distance, it being the dream place of a photographer basically.
Upon their arrival by car, they spend a few moments wandering the bushy fields while gazing towards the breathtaking landscapes, before Retsu's parents plus her two friends decided on moving to the natural living center that also acts as a resting place for the visiting tourists.
The park offers amenities such as a cafe and a perfect view of Mt. Fuji, along with a local souvenir shop.
As they moved towards the cafe though, Retsu expressed her desire to stay behind, deciding on a few moments of quiet respite for herself, so she denied going in, saying she'd like to take in the breathtaking landscape for a few more minutes.
Now, standing alone on this open field with her arms inside her long black coat pockets, Benihana Retsu quietly stands amidst this cold climate, her mind somewhere else entirely while her body occupies this space.
Minutes pass in solitude, eventually a few minutes turn to a full quarter of an hour, resulting in a slightly worried Kie poking out her head from the cafe's entrance.
Spotting Retsu over the field of dried out soil in the distance, Kie moves to exit the building, before she starts walking towards her daughter.
Quietly arriving beside her, having seen the unchanging, monotonous expression on her face, Kie as a mother could obviously see that something is bothering her precious Retsu. So as a mother, it becomes her duty to ask,
"What's wrong honey? Is there something bothering you? " Kie asks.
She obviously knows and understands that yes, something is obviously bothering her daughter. Ever since that lake incident a few days ago, Kie has felt it within her being. She has felt it deep within her being every time she gazed towards that dazed look her daughter has had. Something is wrong, something is bothering her obviously.
Though she feels it, she cannot understand the discomfort until it is explained to her, so she decides on asking the root cause of the unease herself, in order to understand its origins and try to find a way to fix it.
Hearing the question, Retsu's eyes gain slight clarity, before her head turns towards her mother, and she gives Kie a soft smile, "it's nothing, mother. I'm just feeling kind of disoriented considering today's unusual habit of eating out. "
A lie. A flat out lie with no remorse to whom it is delivered to.
Retsu cannot even comprehend or pay attention to this, her mind now mostly occupied by the problem, the inconvenience that she is feeling in regards to her situation.
Her mouth is running on automated words, delivering them with a touch of false facial emotions that her mind knows would make her words more believing.
As a mother Kie feels that there is still more to it, but as a woman and especially a civilian, Kie isn't quite as perceptive as her husband, who's main framework requires he understand his opponent's mentality as much as their other capabilities.
To the Benihana Matriarch, nothing is out of the ordinary. Her daughter is fine, she is just feeling kind of out of it considering today's plans of eating outside.
"Ah well, sorry it's just that we wanted to make today's trip faster considering the places we will be going, so I just wanted to make it in time, hehe. " Kie laughs slightly while scratching her cheek, her head tilted and her eyes closed.
"It's fine, I actually prefer it this way. " Retsu says, her eyes having slightly regained their spark of clarity.
"Oh you do? Well okay then, you should have told us earlier in that case. " Kie says, before she turns towards the cafe.
"Come on dear, let's go. You wouldn't want to catch a cold in this weather now would you? "
"I'd be fine. You know I can use my quirk to keep myself warm, right? " Even though she says this, Retsu moves to join her mother's side, the duo heading towards the cafe.
"Haha~ well even so, a mother can worry if she wishes to, no? ~" Kie playfully winks towards Retsu, managing to get a smile from her daughter's face, before the duo head in and enter the cafe.
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Just like Oishi Park, there are other interesting places within kawaguchiko that tourists can visit and have fun.
For example, theIchiku Kubota art museum that has beautiful artworks ranging from kimono designs, to other fabric based designs displayed inside it.
It is actually the second place they decided on visiting, staying for around half an hour and just appreciating the beautiful artworks, before they moved on to their next destination.
Their next stop was a place of sacret origins, it being a traditional and spiritual dwelling that even today's modern Japan believe in.
A shrine, more specifically thekawaguchi Asama Shrine that is located at the northern regions of Kawaguchi lake, and near the foot of Mt. Fuji.
The place is a sacred ground, the mood of those who visit being more solemn and quiet rather than vacational.
Being a more naturely intuned place, the shrine has more greenery than modern touches, and the man-made parts of it are of ancient times with no touch of modern technology added whatsoever.
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In terms of religion, the Shinto religion is practiced more as 'a way of life', rather than it being a religious practice that the people of Japan would perform. So in most shrines that's scattered around the country, people visit more as simple 'cultural tradition' and to ask for things like 'good fortune or health' for each other rather than faithful prayer to the gods.
Prayer of course, is present, it just isn't practiced as much as a normal 'cultural tradition' type visit.
It is currently 1pm during the day, the sky being cloudy with the atmosphere in a rather cold climate.
Around these hours, the group composing of Retsu, Kie, Tetsuya, Mina and Himiko all arrive at the base of a forested mountain on foot, having left behind their vehicle in a nearby parking lot and walked the rest of the way here.
Infront of the arrived party there is a Torii gate that leads up a set of stairs up the mountain, with forest trees scattered to the left and right side of the walkway.
A torii gate is a red painted gate composing of two red pillars, and two horizontal bars at the top that make up the bridge. When one passes under a torii gate, it means they are symbolically leaving the normal world and entering a sacred/spiritual area, this being a belief in the Shinto Religion.
"Let's go," Tetsuya says, eliciting the others to start walking forward. Passing the Torii gates, they begin climbing the stairs, their eyes wandering to the side forests and trees occasionally as they walk up the mountain.
"Hm, the stairs go up a lot huh, " Himiko idly comments, looking up to see the seemingly endless stairs.
"It is not that high, Himi-chan. We should be there in a few moments, " Retsu answers, her gaze calm with her hands inside her coat pockets.
"Guys! Look at the sides, there are so many tall trees scattered around! I wonder how long its been since they've sprouted? " Mina says, her gaze to the sides and looking towards the thick and tall trees their passing through.
"Probably around eight hundred to a thousand years old. " Glancing sideways, Retsu comments curtly, her eyes still calm and monotonous, which her much more perceptive friend starts to notice.
Glancing in mild curiosity towards her friend's side profile, Himiko wonders what is going through Retsu's mind in that moment, but she doesn't commentate on it, deciding on simply observing for now.
Arriving at the top entrance of the shrine and passing through another gate, the first thing they see is a long path with sides filled to the brim with cedar trees. The path forward in paved with gravelly soil, its sides neatly orderly with white concrete.
They begin walking forward, their gaze drawing to the sacred cedar trees sometimes, but overall walking in quiet.
Shrines in Japan are sacred places, where most of the time the mood of those visiting will be calm, serious and monotonous, reflecting their respect for the traditional dwelling where they believe Kami –Dieties and Spirits– live.
Passing through the cedar tree avenue, they arrive at a clearing with seven different cedar trees ornamented and in places clearly isolated from the rest, their importance clearly understood with their different positioning and physical state.
These are known as the Seven Sacred Cedars, each tree being considered spiritually significant in the shrine's Shinto tradition. They are ancient trees that boasts at least 1400 years of age, believed to protect the shrine and the surrounding areas, and each one represents a different virtue or spiritual concept.
First is the Cedar of Longevity, representing a long life and enduring health. Then there is the Cedar of Prosperity, associated with success, wealth, and good fortune. The Cedar of Happiness symbolizes joy, peace of mind, and emotional well-being. Then the Cedar of Protection, believed to ward off evil spirits and misfortune. After that comes the Cedar of Harmony, representing good relationships, balance, and peace between people. Then the Cedar of Purity, connected to spiritual cleansing and purity which is quite important in Shinto religion. Lastly comes the Cedar of Fulfillment, associated with achieving goals, wishes, and dreams.
Moving through each shrine and starting with their simple prayers,the group has quiet and concentrated looks on their faces, each quietly and in their mind speaking of their wishes and blessings to the spiritual trees.
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'Moments like this are what calms my mind, –if only temporarily, and let's me see the bigger picture, ' this is what Retsu thinks of, as she is standing to the side, gazing towards her parents who are kneeling before the cedar of harmony, having their hands clasped in quiet prayer and with their eyes closed.
'The whole reason for my feeling this uncomfortable way, my justification and drive for wanting to get rid of this problem, yet also the reason I haven't started on it yet, are them. ' Retsu thinks, her eyes drifting from her parents to her two friends who are to the side, gazing towards the open landmass filled with cedar trees to the side.
'In the past my drive may have been to get back to being capable of fighting at my 100% as fast as possible, but now there is another reason for why I need to get back to normal as soon as I can,
It is because of them. I need to become my best version as soon as I can for them.
They have become my everything's, another great reason for my continued existence beside my drive for battle. ' as Retsu finishes with her thoughts, –her mind having been cleared as to the reason she's walking this path, her parents' prayers come to an end, and they stand up to come join Retsu for their continued journey today.
"Let's go dear, " Kie smiles a beautiful smile, her matured yet seemingly still young expression a contrast to her monotonous daughter.
Retsu's expression in that moment cracks, her calm and calculating facade slightly fades away, letting room for her more positive expressions to show.
She smiles towards her mother. A small smile, yet one that has a thousand meanings in that moment.
"Alright, " Retsu replies, turning her gaze from her mother to her father, seeing his reserved yet still happy expression, as if he's won in life something more precious than anything else, which he may as well have, considering his unending happiness whenever he gazes towards Retsu and Kie.
"Mina-san, Himi-chan, let's go. " Retsu calls out,
"Okay! " And they yell in response before moving close, the group continuing forward with the rest of their tour.
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Moving through the mountains, occasionally taking pictures of the more scenic sights and having an overall quiet walk within the shrine's borders, the Benihanas plus Mina and Himiko had a two pleasant hours of quiet walking, before they go outside the shrine and to their awaiting vehicle, continuing on enjoying the rest of their day.
Moving the steering wheel and taking a right on the green light, Tetsuya quietly moves them to their next destination, Kie sitting beside him on the front row seat, while the kids are at the back, either scrolling through their phones or gazing outside the windows.
"What's our next destination aunty? " Himiko asks, her gaze turning to Kie from the windows, her wide wondery eyes in a curious crease.
"The music forest museum, " Kie replies, her tone visibly more giddy regarding the prospect. "It's an awesome place with foreign aesthetics instead of Japanese. It's gonna be awesome! "
Mina's eyes widen further, with Himiko looking up from her phone as well, having gotten quite curious now, but Retsu still pays it no mind, her eyes glued to her phone as she scrolls through it.
The others pay her no mind, their curiosity regarding the new place having been peaked, so they continue on asking questions about the place while the car moves on to their destination.
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(AN/ I don't want to stretch it further and considering we're almost passed the word count for this chapter, I'mma go to the last point of this trip, jumping over the music forest museum.
The place is beautiful though, with clear 19th century European aesthetics that sit outside the usual Japanese vibe, so it's a really nice place to visit so I'd recommend it.
Anyways, onto the story.)
The place was a wonderland of a 19th century eastern european architecture, the buildings built as if from a bygone era, the landscape looking almost fairytale like in the way it's been constructed over at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
The buildings are designed like Swiss chalets –wooden balconies, steep roofs, flower boxes, and small cottage-like structures. The whole place looks like a storybook town in the European Alps, not resembling Japanese architecture at all.
The outside of the museum is surrounded by a variety of different decorations, ranging from rose gardens of hundreds of varieties, to manicured lawns, small canals and bridges, fountains that move like musical instruments, and seasonal flowers scattered everywhere.
It is a place of music, museums, gardens of flowers, and many other attractive sights. Even in winter where flowers mostly don't bloom, it is still a sight to behold.
After spending time in walking through the intior of the european palace themed halls of the buildings, and going outside and taking beautiful pictures while enjoying the sceneries, even sitting through an ongoing theater for music inside a concert hall within the main building of the place, the group departs from the museums, heading out and going to today's last destination.
Later they arrive at their next and final destination of today, which is Mt. Fuji's famous panoramic ropeway that leads up to one of if not the most scenic place in kawaguchi, letting one experience a whole new way of looking at the lake and Kawaguchiko from a higher plane of sight.
The line for people taking the ropeway ride was quite crowded, so it took almost an hour before their turn came for taking the ride up, but the wait was worth it considering the view they enjoyed during their ride up over the thick forest trees to the mountain.
"Woooah look look! Most of the lake is frozen, you can see it from up here! " Himiko points out.
Click!
Taking a picture of the scenery, Kie smiles bright too as she comments, "who said winter visits to Mt. Fuji wasn't as fun as the other seasons? "
Retsu and Tetsuya stay quiet, their eyes drifting the sceneries in quiet awe as they gaze out. Meanwhile Mina is as much exited as Himiko, her bright black sclera themed eyes looking over the scenery with visible wonder.
It doesn't take long, only a few minutes before they arrive at the top of the mountain, the group departing from the cable car and journeying to spots reserved for nice scenes for taking pictures and enjoying the landscape.
They had fun while taking grouped up and some solo pictures, going to a cafe place that's on top of the mountain, a park where there are stuff like a ball throwing challenge that win you a prize, a high striker challenge, and some other fun games.
During the ball throw challenge, Kie was the first to move forward, her left hand on her right bicep and her eyes closed with a confident smirk on her face. "Hu hu hu~ you guys just stay back and watch. I wasn't called the pitcher menace during my early days for nothing! "
"Pitcher menace? " Retsu tilts her head in mild curiosity, Mina and Himiko doing the same before the trio turn their head towards Tetsuya beside them.
Tetsuya on the other hand, has a smile on his face, his eyes slightly cloudy in reminiscence, "ah, what a wild ride those days were... "
".... Ahem," Clearing her tone to get Tetsuya's attention, Mina is chosen as the one who asks, "what's that moniker's origin exactly? "
"Hm? Oh it was during our younger days at school. Back then, she used to be such a menace, –hence half the title, and she was always very good at throwing things that hit right at home, so the school collectively gave her the moniker pitcher menace. " Tetsuya explains, leading to the trio of girls to turn around and look towards Kie's back, now quite intrigued and expecting quite a show.
And a show they get, because in the next moment, Kie gives out a calm breath, her eyes closed and getting into literally a pitcher's stance.
Bringing up a foot with the other on the floor, the handball in her grip as she straightens, then she reels the ball holding hand back and thrusts her body forward, letting go of the ball at the precise moment it's within the striking zone and letting it shoot forward with speed and precision.
Fwoosh!
It shoots through the air before,
Tak! Tak!
Hitting one canister and toppling it over before ricocheting to a second one and topling that as well, leaving the stall owner wide eyed and open jawed, the kids quite amazed, and a husband proud and still impressed to this day with her wild displays.
"Now now hold on missy, no quirks allowed, see the sign? " The stall owner points to a sign to the side saying no quirks allowed, making Kie tilt her head.
"But I didn't use my quirk..." She says,
"E-eh?! You didn't? B-but then how?... " The stall owner is left speechless.
"Anyways! I'll be taking that big teddy bear over there! " Kie points to a giant teddy bear at least half her own height, who's color is pure white.
The stall owner, –a hefty man whose whidth is atleast half as wide as his height, which is around 150cm –4"9 feet–, goes to scoop up the teddy bear before handing it over, his face scrunched a little as if reluctant with the outcome.
Taking the prize, Kie turns around with a smile on her face, only for her smile to freeze as she encounters with the expressions her daughter and her friends are making, plus the proud look of her husband.
"What? " She asks,
"Nothing." Retsu, Himiko and Mina say simultaneously, each having different expressions plastered on their faces.
Turning her questioning gaze towards Tetsuya, Kie silenty asks, but he just shrugs as if saying, it's nothing.
Huffing in frustration from the lack of response, Kie turns to leave, "let's just go. "
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"You sure you can lift it missy? " A tall, brought shouldered man with visible muscles asks, his tone amused as he looks towards Himiko who has stepped up to take hold of the mallet on the floor.
The group are currently before a hammer slam game, Himiko having been the one who saw and proposed they come over, while also volunteering as the first one who tries it.
Hearing the owner's amused question, Himiko smirks mischievously before her grip on the handle of the mallet tightens, her cat like slit pupils trained on the prize displayed to the side, the one her eyes fell over and became the reason she wanted to try this game.
"Just watch and learn, mister. " She says, earning a laugh from the owner,
"hahaha! Well just make sure you don't hurt yourself missy- ehhhhhhh! " He said, before abruptly his eyes widened as saucers, for before him Himiko lifted the hefty mallet that's atleast 4.5 kilograms, as if it was nothing.
"O-oy wait! Didn't you read the sign missy? No quirks allowed in these games. " He points to the sign to the side, which too has a no quirks allowed written on it just like the former stall owner's.
"Hm? But this isn't the work of my quirk, " Himiko clarifies, her amused eyes to the owner who takes a back step with the revelation,
"Eh? I-it isn't? " He asks, turning to Retsu and the rest as if in confirmation, which they all give a synchronized nod of the head, making the bulky man take another cautious step back with visible sweats on his forehead.
Himiko then turns to the tower before her, before lifting the heavy mallet over her head, and striking down on the lever that would launch a puck up the tower and hit the bell, making a ring! Sound in the process.
"Yosh, I got it!" Himiko says as she puts down the mallet, her eyes then traveling to the shocked face of the owner,
"I want that one as my prize! " She points to a stuffed bunny to the side, it's height probably around her knees, but it was the design of it that attracted Himiko's attention.
[Image Here]
Taking the stuffed toy from the hands of the stunned owner, the group then turn to walk away, continuing with the rest of their day while completely ignoring the transpired events.
"Ne ne! Re-re, Mina-chan look! Look at how cute the red eyes of the bunny looks. Look! Look! " Himiko says, stuffing the bunny near the faces of her two friends as they walk on. Retsu reels back a little while Mina moves close to take hold of the outstretched toy,
"Yeah, it's so unique, isn't it Retsu-chan? " Mina adds, making Retsu give out a quiet nod of acknowledgment,
"Yes, it's quite cute and unique. "
As they are walking through the paved road, Kie suddenly perks up while her gaze is ahead, seeing something she wants to try so she takes hold of Tetsuya's hand, and proceeds to drag The tall man forward with vigor,
"Let's go try those swings honey! Come on kids, it'll be fun! " She says, pointing to a serene winter scene that's over a wooden observation deck with two swings overlooking Mt. Fuji. Its peak is blending seamlessly with the snow-covered landscape below. There are some trees surrounding the area which are dusted with fresh snow, while the town beneath appears quieter considering the current altitude. The crisp air and pale winter sky enhance the sense of calm for the place, changing the entire view and giving it a tranquil, almost untouched snowy panorama.
There are not many who are currently occupying the spot, only a few lingering groups who are more interested with looking over the railings and down the valley than trying the swings, to the group easily gets close to start on trying them.
Kie occupies one of the swings, with Mina quickly taking the other, Behind them and moving close to push them forward are Tetsuya and Himiko, with Mina promising Himiko she'd be the next one to try it after her turn.
Standing back and watching them have fun on the swings, Retsu's sky blue eyes visibly softens, her composed expression melting away slightly for quiet ease to settle in.
After a few minutes of them having fun, and Himiko even moving to take hold of Retsu's hand and put her on the swing too, the now satisfied family turn to leave the spot, starting on their walk towards a few seats to take a breather from the activities so far.
Not long since they've sat down, Tetsuya's phone suddenly starts ringing, making him take it out and to see the caller. Seeing who it is, he stands up,
"this is from work. Sorry guys, I have to take this one. " He says, before turning to move a few feet away and before he answers the call.
"This is Redvein. Madame, what's the situation? " He asks,
"Redvein, I'm pulling you in for the operation. We've identified and now know the whereabouts of the fugitive and his accomplices. The operation will be starting in approximately one hour from now, so I'm sending you the coordinates to go and meet up with the rest of the group.
Also, be quick and careful. The gathered intel tells that the fugitive, Hand Whitenight is on the move and will be leaving the country tonight. We'll have to prevent that from happening no matter what. "
"Understood." Tetsuya simply answers, before bringing down his phone and moving back towards the group,
"Something has come up regarding the lake incident and authorities need my aid regarding it. I've accepted and will need to be at the randevou point in about an hour.
Sorry for cutting the trip short kids, but I'll be taking you guys back to the inn for tonight. " He informs while looking at Retsu, Mina and Himiko, before turning his gaze to Kie and giving her a nod.
Nodding back, Kie stands up too, "alright kids, let's head back now. The day is almost over anyways and there isn't any other place we'll be visiting today. "
"Alright, let's head back, " Retsu says with the other two nodding.
Taking the ropeway cart back down, the group disembark before going ro the parking lot and their awaiting vehicle. Tetsuya starting the engines and they begins driving back to their temporary residence.
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"Everything is according to what you foresaw, Madame. " Nami says, her glasses shining under the orage rays of the sunset.
She is currently standing inside her Madame's office, the floor to ceiling window behind her Madame's chair letting the lights of the sunset shine inside the office, and giving it a touch of cinematic color.
"Very well, in accordance to my prediction, theywill be capturing the fugitives and this operation will come to a close swiftly. The only outside interference that was needed to trigger this future was Redvein's involvement with this operation, which I've taken care of.
Everything will be moving accordingly, and Japan will stay safe from the hands of the foreign power vying to consume us whole.
Nami, prepare for your departure in a few days, keep an eye on Benihana Retsu as she will travel overseas. I will inform her direct bodyguard myself and prepare him, so all you have to do is prepare for your own departure." Kimmy informs, getting a nod from Nami, who stops writing on her tablet and look up.
Bringing up a hand to push her glasses up before bowing deep, Nami in a respectful voice answers her superior before exiting the room, "Yes Ma'am. "
Now left alone, Kimmy brings up a hand on her forehead and starts massaging it, before she pulls down that hand on her eyes and massages them too.
In that moment, there is just one thing Kimmy can think of,
'I'm sorry, Nami. For the future that I've seen and that which will come to pass, your existence will no longer occupy this world.
Again I'm sorry... '
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Author's Note/ whaaaaaat?! Nami will die? Awwwwwh she was a good character ngl, it's sad that she has to go ig.
Anyways, how will the future unfold? What are these predictions that Kimmy saw exactly? What's going to happen in the future exactly???
First it was Retsu who's fate got sealed as her dying in this upcoming journey, now Nami too? What? Why? How is it going to pass exactly?
Wanna know? Then consider dropping power stones and commenting, it really motivates me to write more chapters for you guys.
Anyways! The word count is reaching an all times high so I'm cutting it here.
Thank you for reading my story. Have a great day/night, bye!