Soul of the Soul - Chapter 1

Yuiko is an average high school girl who loves to sleep and enjoy life more than her studies. Or so she thought. As time passes by, it will be obvious that there is nothing average about her. Will she be able to fulfil the expectation other people had on her? Or will she give in to fate finally?

Author Note:

These adventures happened on a fictional city in Japan and there maybe terms that were invented in this fiction.

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Chapter 1

“Yui-chan...”

“Yui-chan!”

“YUIKO SATO!”

Yuiko open her eyes a little, still dazzling in her own world, wondering who in her right mind had shouted her name so loudly. “As if I’m deaf,” she muttered still in her dream. She decided that it is her adoring fans screaming her name aloud as she sing and dance on the big stage, with all spot lights shining brightly on top of her.

Standing right in front of the sleeping Yuiko, Megumi stared hard at her childhood friend, shaking her dark brown hair. Being friends for almost 16 years, she knows Yuiko too well to know that nothing can wake her if she is in that state. 

It is 5 o’clock on a Friday evening. School had been over hours ago and Yuiko, who stayed up late yesterday night to watch her idol, Mako, on a late television programme, had been found deep in sleep on her desk by Megumi. Since Yuiko will not wake up, Megumi decided that plan B should be carried out, and fast. They are due to be home by half past five for dinner. There’s an important guest Papa entertaining tonight and he wanted dinner to be served promptly. Mama had reminded them many times and again in the morning before they left for school.

~Ching~ Ka-Ching~~~ Boom Ba Boom~ Boom Ba Boom~ Boom Ba Boom~

Yuiko stirred. Being drag from her grand platform back to the reality, she opened an eye. It’s Mako-chan! Sitting up straight and look around, she said “Where’s Mako-chan? Where is she?”

Megumi smirks at the corner of the room, holding her handphone with Mako’s hit song blasting loudly out of it.

“Megu-chan! I was just going to receive a huge bunch of flowers from my fans. How can you?!” Yuiko wailed sleepily. Rubbing her eyes, she wanted to slide back and continue her dream.

“Yuiko! If you don’t get up now and rush home, I’m sure you will get a huge bunch of scolding from Mama and Papa. Have you forgotten today we are having a guest at home?” Megumi stared at her in disbelief. She walked towards Yuiko and started to drag her from her seat.

“Today? Is it really today? Just let me sleep just 5 more minutes. I just want to get the flowers,” Yuiko mumble sleepily.

Megumi ignore her wailing friend and drag her out of the classroom. “I told you not to watch the television yesterday. I know you will not be awake today. Do you know you are asleep for every class? It is lucky that Ms Sagamato is in a good mood and ignored you. Or else you will be in deep trouble.”

Sighing deeply, Megumi grabs both their bags with her right hand and drag Yuiko with the other. “But, Mako-chan is so cute. How can I miss that? Don’t worry Megu-chan. We will be back on time,” Yuiko patted her frustrated friend arm.

Megumi can’t help smiling at Yuiko. How can she be so positive over everything? Ever since they know each other, Yuiko had always been the one to smile and laugh over everything, no matter how bad the situation might be. She is never the one to brood over matter. Megumi always envy her friend for being so happy. In a way, Megumi is glad that she has Yuiko is so cheerful. Especially since that incident that happened almost 16 years ago.

At least she is safe and happy. That’s what matter anyway.

Both girls reach home right on the dot. Mama has already prepared the table and Papa scowled at them for being late. “I would have guessed that you girls will never be on time. The guest will be here soon. Make yourself presentable quick.”

Yuiko and Megumi look at each other and burst out laughing. Every time Papa had a guest over, almost the same thing happened and Papa will say the same thing over and over again. Sometimes, they came home late on purpose just to hear Papa say it.

Yuiko’s Papa is an author. He works at home but he often has his author friends over for dinner to talk about his newly written story or just for a casual chat. Mama is a talented cook and an excellent host. Guests that tried Mama’s cooking always wanted more. Words spread about how homely it feels to be at the Sato’s home that every Papa’s friends wanted to come for a visit. Yuiko and Megumi always enjoy the company as there’s always a feast when there’s guest. Mama always prepared dinner fit for a king. Many kings maybe. 

*Bing Bong~*

Papa is already at the door welcoming his guest warmly into the living room. Mama quickly appears to greet the guest as well. Both Yuiko and Megumi stay behind Mama politely.

“Kurouki-san! Come in and make yourself at home” Papa make a gesture with his arm indicating the sofa nearest to the fire.

“I already feel so at home at the sight of you and your family. I see you have two beautiful daughters there. How do you do ladies?” Kurouki-san nodded at the girls politely.

Mama smile and nudge Yuiko.

“Good evening Kurouki-san” both Yuiko and Megumi chorus. Papa smile and say “this is Yuiko and that’s Megumi. Both just came back from school so excuse them for their untidiness.”

“Ah! No no! Don’t worry about that. My sons look much worse than these ladies when they came back from their basketball match at school,” Kurouki-san laugh heartily.

Everyone seems to find his laughter catching as the whole room erupts into a fit of laughter. Both Kurouki-san and Papa pat each other at the back while Mama just shakes her head. Yuiko and Megumi look at each other, rolling their eyes. “I don’t think that we look so bad isn’t it?” Yuiko whispers to Megumi.

Megumi just smile and ignore her. This is the cue for Yuiko to give her a little friendly pinch on her arm. Megumi, who is already on alert step out of her way quickly.

Before long, dinner was served and everyone was busy eating. After dinner, the adults settle down in the living room while both girls excuse themselves to their room.

“Finally, my bed,” Yuiko drop herself on her bed sleepily.

“Better take a hot bath first before you doze off again. Or else you will be too tired to do that,” Megumi warned before closing the door. She walks to her room next door and rested herself on her bed feeling exhausted. It’s a long day and it is tiring trying to drag Yuiko back. I better rest now or I wouldn’t have enough energy later.

Yuiko fell asleep almost immediately after Megumi closed her door. Feeling exhausted due to lack of sleep, Yuiko had a weird dream. It’s not her being an idol accepting flowers on stage like in the afternoon. It’s something different.

Yuiko found herself standing inside a dark room, the only light source coming from five corners. She couldn’t identify what it is. Yuiko could just barely see that there are about five doors in the room, each located at the middle of a wall. Odd enough, she does not feel scare. It seems as if she had been there before. There’s a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, she feels that some kind of energy is present. She could feel it though she does not know what it is. She walks slowly towards the door right in front of her. Gripping tightly on the door knob, she turns it open slowly, peeking what’s behind the door.

At first, Yuiko could see nothing as the room was in pitch black. Opening the door a little wider, she steps into it. Suddenly, a blinding bright light fill the room and she quickly covers her eyes. She felt warm wind blowing towards her gently and she slowly opens her eyes again. The blinding light had reduced to a soft glowing yellow light. But the room is now filled with mist. Warm mist.

“Anyone here?”

Not a sound could be heard. Just an echo of her voice calling out. In the end, Yuiko decided to turn back.

Back to the dark space, Yuiko decided to try another door. Opening the one on the left, she walk in cautiously. The same blinding light shone and again she felt the warm mist. After concluding that there is no one inside the room as well, she turn out again and try the other doors. Same thing happened to the other three rooms as well.

After opening all five doors and being shone brightly for five times, Yuiko returned to the dark space. At lost of what to do, she tried calling out loudly for Megumi.

In returned, she heard only her echo. However, she was not afraid, nor was she worry. She walks around the room, feeling the wall of the room in silent. She smiles when she noticed that all the doors have a dragon symbol on it. She tried to reach up to touch the little statue when..    

“Yuiko..” 

“Who’s there?” Yuiko jumped when she heard someone whispered her name. She looks around slowly, expecting to see someone nearby. Her hands drop to her side forgetting about the dragon.  

The darkness began to reduce. Yuiko could now see clearer. She twirl around expecting to see someone standing nearby but there is none. Now that it was bright, Yuiko could see that each door was not only adorned with a dragon symbol but the wall and floor as well. There are various symbols and characters that she doesn’t understand craved on the flooring.

“What is this?” whispered Yuiko curiously. She had bend down to examine the characters right in the middle of the room. Touching it with her fingers, she traced the characters. Something tells her that these characters and symbols are important and related to her. She was so engrossed with the characters that she did not noticed a pair of eyes was carefully looking at her.

“That is your name..”

There it is. The same voice that whisper Yuiko’s name earlier. Yuiko heard it clearly this time and is sure she’s not imagining things. She stands up quickly and looked around.

“Where are you? Who are you?” Yuiko ask loudly. Suddenly, she noticed a pair of eyes barely visible on top of the ceiling. She squinted her eyes to make sure her eyes are not playing tricks.   

 “Yuiko..”

There’s the voice again. This time Yuiko saw its mouth as well.

“Yuiko, finally. I’ve been waiting for you for 16 years.”

“Who are you? Where am I?” Yuiko whispered softly as if afraid the face will disappear if she speak too loud.

“Yuiko, you are home. After 15 years, you are finally home. Welcome home dear.”