[Main Story 09–01]
I sat up in bed and watched him as he deliberately skinned an apple.
His long, slender fingers worked like a surgeon’s as the blade followed the contours of the apple, peeling the skin off in one long strip.
He looked up at me, and the soft sunlight caught his calm eyes just so.
Lucien: After taking you home from the orphanage, I got a call that the lab had a breakthrough.
Lucien: On the regeneration of nerve cells.
Lucien: We were never in the right ballpark before, but this time we finally hit on something.
Lucien: That’s why I haven’t been coming home lately.
Lucien’s lip trembled a little, and I felt somewhat guilty.
{{MC}}: Okay… even though I don’t quite understand…
Lucien: (Smiles) I know.
He sliced up the apple and offered the pieces to me in a dish.
Lucien: Have some.
{{MC}}: Thanks…
I took a bite and the slight tartness of a not-totally-ripe apple permeated my mouth.
{{MC}}: How did you know I was in this hospital?
Before he could say anything, the door flew open, and a man in doctor’s coat entered.
Doctor: Professor Lucien! You got here quick!
Lucien got up and gave a nod to the man.
Lucien: Greetings, Dr. Lewis.
They exchanged pleasantries before the doctor noticed Lucien’s rolled-up sleeves and the apple.
Dr. Lewis: You’re very attentive to your girlfriend.
I felt a twinge of awkwardness.
{{MC}}: I’m just a friend…
Then that made me choke on an apple slice, and my face turned bright red.
{{MC}}: *Cough* *Cough*…
Lucien chuckled and patted me on the back.
Lucien: Slow down. No one’s fighting you for it.
The bemused doctor strolled around the room with both hands in his pockets.
Dr. Lewis: Oh, Miss, you should’ve seen him when I told him you were in the hospital…
Lucien: –Dr. Lewis, I do so appreciate you taking good care of her.
Lucien interrupted the doctor, his mild tone not giving up his true feelings.
The doctor pouted a bit and then checked the medical record on my bed.
{{MC}}: I just had too much excitement for one day, nothing serious…
Dr. Lewis: Young lady, it seems lately you’ve been stressed out and not getting enough rest. If you keep that up, you’re asking for trouble.
I took a little mental pause. It really has been one thing after another lately. Maybe I could use this opportunity to slow down and take it easy.
I made no argument and waited for further diagnosis from the doctor.
But a loud vibration rocked the room. Lucien took out his cell phone.
Lucien: Sorry about that. I’ll take this outside.
{{MC}}: Okay.
Doctor Lewis relaxed as soon as Lucien was completely out of sight.
{{MC}}: Do you know the professor, Doctor Lewis?
Dr. Lewis: Of course, I told him to come.
Dr. Lewis: When I was making my rounds, I thought you looked familiar and called him. And then he came.
{{MC}}: Huh? You recognized me?
Dr. Lewis: Haha, don’t you remember that one time when you got sick and he took you here?
Dr. Lewis: And afterwards if I’m not mistaken, one of your female colleagues came and visited you too.
That reminded me of when I was hospitalized with high fever and Anna visited me.
{{MC}}: Oh yeah…
Dr. Lewis: There you go. I had just met him not long before that and ran into him again here.
So that’s why! No wonder Lucien’s here now.
[Main Story 09-02]
Lucien returned after taking the short call.
Lucien: How’s she doing, doc?
Dr. Lewis: Good, other than a slight hormonal imbalance. An IV should fix it right up.
{{MC}}: Is that necessary?
I shuddered when I heard “IV” mentioned.
Dr. Lewis: Uh-huh. Let me go get the nurse.
The doctor left the room.
Very soon after, a nurse came in with an IV kit Upon seeing Lucien, a telling blush flashed across her face.
Nurse: Um… Doctor Lewis sent me.
Lucien: Thank you.
Nurse: You– you’re welcome…
Lucien: Are you scared?
For a moment I didn’t realize he was talking to me.
{{MC}}: I don’t think so…
Lucien: Then why have you not spoken a word since the nurse walked in?
Lucien had a “Gotcha!” look on his face.
{{MC}}: Fine, I admit it. But only a little.
Lucien: You’ll have to keep still, otherwise it’s going to hurt.
Lucien nodded at the nurse.
Lucien: Please be gentle with her.
Nurse: O– okay.
I reflexively shrunk under the covers as I saw the liquid squirting out of the thin needle.
I can’t say it was fear, just that needles always made me squeamish and want to pull my arm back.
But I also felt a little embarrassed by Lucien’s request to the nurse.
I’m a grown woman, not some child. At the thought, I rolled up my sleeve a little higher.
{{MC}}: All set, nurse.
I heard Lucien laughing out loud, and the curve of his eyes seemed to be even bigger.
Lucien: It seems she’s psyched herself up. All set, nurse.
He was mocking me!
{{MC}}: Are you making up for all the time you lost out on teasing me?
That took him aback.
Lucien: Who me?
He said it like he never had to say those two words to anyone before.
Then he quickly smirked again, but a little less smugly than before.
Lucien: I just thought it was funny how you acted like you were a warrior going into a battle.
He swiped my nose intimately with a finger.
Lucien: Don’t think you can stall. Give it to her, will you, nurse?
The flustered nurse nodded and rubbed alcohol on the back of my hand.
Her bright-red face was a testament to Lucien’s allure, and she had just met him.
Lucien: What are you thinking?
{{MC}}: Nothing…
I smiled, knowing I wasn’t about to tell him he’s a super chick-magnet.
I felt a sting crawling up my hand and squinted in pain.
Nurse: Please don’t move, Miss… *sigh* Missed the vein. We’ll have to try again.
A few drops of blood dripped out of the back of my hand. The nurse handed me a cotton ball.
{{MC}}: But I didn’t move…
I was a little confused. Did I really move without realizing it just then?
I pushed on the cotton as the nurse prepared a new syringe.
A hand reached out and grabbed the cotton, lightly pressing it on my hand.
Lucien: Not so hard or you’ll get a bruise.
He then looked at the nurse.
Lucien: Missing the vein will only fluster her more, so just take it slow and easy.
He spoke in his usual nonchalant way, but I heard a hint of alienation in his tone.
[Main Story 09-05]
The nurse sighed and started over.
Lucien let go of the cotton and held my wrist gently.
I felt the pricking needle again, and this time the nurse deftly applied adhesive gauze on me after.
Lucien: All done. Now get some sleep.
He looked at me with bright eyes, brushed back my bangs, and pulled the covers up for me.
I nodded, turned on my side, and closed my eyes.
I heard the window blinds being rolled down, followed by light footsteps and the door closing.
Is Lucien leaving? Guess so, since Dr. Lewis said he came just to see me.
I’ll thank him after I’m discharged from here.
I woke up after who knows how long to find my hand resting comfortably and warmly in Lucien’s.
He looked up from the book he was reading.
Didn’t he leave?
I zoned out for a moment before locking eyes with him.
I subconsciously pulled back my hand but he held on by the wrist.
Lucien: You’re awake?
As if reading my mind, he smiled and let go.
Lucien: I didn’t want you to roll over on the IV needle in your sleep.
No idea if it was the sun or the heavy blanket, but my face flushed red.
{{MC}}: I thought you left.
Lucien: I never said I was leaving.
{{MC}}: But you…
Lucien: I went out to buy something and picked up a book while I was at it.
{{MC}}: Oh, my mistake then…
Lucien: What did you think?
{{MC}}: Nothing. I guess I’m still a little groggy…
{{MC}}: What book are you reading?
I changed the topic in a hurry.
Lucien: “Madness and Civilization” by Foucault.
{{MC}}: Madness?
Lucien: Yes, but not madness in the common context you’re thinking of.
Lucien: When you were young, did you ever pretend that animals or even plants would talk to you?
{{MC}}: Yeah…
I nodded, somewhat embarrassed.
Lucien: Mind telling me about it?
{{MC}}: I watched a lot of anime and thought a black cat would find me and make me a Sailor Scout.
{{MC}}: So I fed a stray and talked to it everyday, waiting for it to transform me…
Lucien was intently taking this all in as I slowly recounted this embarrassing childhood story.
Lucien: Then what happened?
{{MC}}: The cat disappeared, and I realized Sailor Scouts didn’t exist in the world.
He moved in closer and looked at me gently.
Lucien: Imagination is how humans let out emotions that they are otherwise unable to express.
Lucien: I believe everyone’s done it as a child, not just you.
{{MC}}: You don’t think I was stupid?
Lucien: No.
Lucien: It is an irreversible progression from simple to complex.
Lucien: If I knew you then, I’d watch the cat and make sure it didn’t leave you.
My heartbeat quickened. A breeze lifted the white curtain as the room fell peacefully silent.
Dr. Lewis: Ahem, excuse me.
I had no clue how long Doctor Lewis has been standing at the door. He came in and gently pulled the IV out.
Dr. Lewis: Congratulations, you’re discharged!
{{MC}}: Yay, I can leave now!
I stretched and my belly growled, reminding me I hadn’t had a meal since before the summit.
Lucien: Eat this to tide you over.
I saw a can of oranges thrust in front of me. I stared at Lucien.
Lucien: What? You don’t like it?
{{MC}}: I like it. I like it very much… Thanks!
Lucien: That’s good.
I took the can. The lid was already twisted off.
I spooned a piece into my mouth and enjoyed the refreshing sweetness of orange.
{{MC}}: I remembered how eating canned fruit would always make me better when I was sick as a kid.
{{MC}}: I thought that was the best thing in the world and wanted to eat it everyday.
Lucien listened quietly without a hint of impatience.
{{MC}}: Lucien… do you see me as a child?
Lucien: Not at all. Remember what I just said? You can take your time growing up with me.
[Main Story 09-07]
“You can take your time growing up with me.”
Why did he say that? I was pondering that all the way out of the hospital.
The city in late-summer was a sight. Sunlight sprinkled all over Lucien’s face through the leaves.
I spotted a small piece of luggage in the back seat as soon as I got into his car.
Dr. Lewis mentioned he got there really quick… Did he not even go home first?
Lucien reached over to buckle the seatbelt for me.
{{MC}}: It’s all right, I can do it myself…
Lucien: Fine.
He put his slender fingers on the steering wheel and kept his eyes forward.
We got to my apartment building. No sooner did he turn off the engine than his cell phone rang.
The name on caller ID didn’t seem to faze him. I turned and looked out of the window.
Lucien: What’s up?
He didn’t speak for a long while,. All I heard was him drumming on the steering wheel.
Lucien: Okay, I’ll be right over.
After he hung up, I suddenly noticed my seatbelt became unbuckled.
{{MC}}: Thanks for coming to visit me.
Lucien: No problem. Sorry I can’t walk you to the apartment.
{{MC}}: It’s okay. To tell you the truth, you startled me when you showed up today.
Lucien: Me too.
{{MC}}: Ah?
Lucien: Nothing.
I opened the door but didn’t get out. Something was still bothering me.
{{MC}}: Can I ask you something?
Lucien: Sure.
{{MC}}: How come you never asked me how I ended up in the hospital?
I finally asked what was on my mind. Lucien’s sudden appearance, his attentiveness, was there more to it than just looking after a sick friend?
Lucien: I figured you’ll tell me when you’re ready.
Lucien: Nobody wants to be laid up in a hospital, and asking why is an invasion of privacy.
So that was it… Everything I was reading into it suddenly seemed a little silly.
{{MC}}: Alright. I’ll see you later.
{{MC}}: Thanks for today.
Lucien: Just a “thanks”?
{{MC}}: I…
I froze, not knowing what to say.
Lucien: There are many ways to show gratitude. Take your time, mull it over.
{{MC}}: I will… Drive safe.
He grinned, his face bathed in light, clear and gentle.
Lucien: Will do.
As I turned around, I heard his voice again.
Lucien: {{mc}}.
Lucien: I enjoyed what you said. I hope I can hear it more often.
Lucien: Call me if you need anything.
I was left speechless as he drove off. My head was in a daze. Had I not fully recovered?
My phone rang as soon as I stepped into the house.
Weird. It was out of battery in the secret room. How is it ringing now?
(Kiro’s Call – A constant promise)
[Main Story 09-08]
After Kiro’s call, I immediately ran to the computer and jotted down the interview questions.
Thinking back on everything, it was more than a shock that Kiro turned out to be Key, the master hacker!
I added another question to the list: So tell me, Key, who is your favorite celebrity?
I giggled picturing Kiro’s face when I spring it on him.
The doorbell suddenly buzzed.
Who can it be at this hour?
Through the peephole I saw a man in a delivery outfit.
But I didn’t call for delivery… Could it be another bad guy?
All the news stories of home invasions committed by imposter delivery guys flooded my mind.
I didn’t dare make any noise. I saw him check the apartment number and circle in the hallway a bit.
Delivery Man: Got your delivery…
He didn’t even know my name! Something was definitely up! I pressed my face against the door, gripping my phone tightly.
The guy took out his phone and made a call.
Delivery Man: Hello, is this Mr. Lucien? I’m here with the delivery but nobody’s answering…
Lucien? Did he say Lucien? Why is he sending his takeout to my place?
The delivery guy hung up, crouched down, then left.
I relaxed only after he was out of sight in the peephole.
Then I got a text from Lucien.
Sorry, that was careless of me. You did good not opening your door to strangers. I told him to leave it at the door.
Well… Lucien really did order it for me.
After texting him my thanks, I opened the door and picked up a brown bag.
Another text arrived quickly from Lucien: Don’t pig out too much. And remember to take your medication.
It was brief, yet I read it over several times.
Wow, hot chicken noodle soup! As I ate it, warmth radiated from my every pore and down into my soul.
{{MC}}: Mmm, so good!!!
It wasn’t long before I had killed the whole bowl.
That felt wonderful! Nothing beats a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup. Except two bowls.
Looking again at Lucien’s text, I couldn’t help feel embarrassed.
He called it. He knew I’d polish it off…
Maybe he really is a mind reader.
Kiro soon responded with voice replies to the interview questions. I got to work typing them out but suddenly stopped.
The letters in the secret room kept flashing through my mind: BLACK SWAN…
Don’t know why, but the name sounded both haunting and familiar to me.
I ran it on search engines and found nothing after sifting through dozens of pages.
Should I tell Gavin? It might help with his investigation… I decided to call him.
It rang and rang, but he didn’t pick up.
So I sent him a text instead.
The wind suddenly howled outside the window. I looked out and saw lightning in the distance.
My eyelid twitched. I suppressed a bad feeling in me and drew the curtain.
It was the first dreamless night I’ve had in recent times. I slept very well.
I woke up to full sunshine and went to the office with the rough cut I had worked on most of the night.
Kiki practically launched herself at me as soon as I got into the editing room.
Kiki: I missed you so much!
{{MC}}: What? I only took one day off!
Kiki: Well, about that…
Kiki started doing a “nudge-nudge, wink-wink” with her eyes.
Kiki: You and Kiro…
{{MC}}: Now that you mention Kiro, did he not ask you to come to the hospital? How come I didn’t see you there?
Kiki: Hey, what nice weather we’re having today!
{{MC}}: Answer me!
Kiki: Come on, I was just trying to give you as much alone time with Kiro as possible…
She pouted.
Kiki: I had to hold myself back so I wouldn’t get in his way! So what happened? Did he take you home after?
Her loud voice got everyone in the room interested.
{{MC}}: Shush! And nothing happened. He had a shoot, so Lucien took me home.
Kiki: What? All my hard work for naught! That’s it, I quit being his fan for the next 60 seconds.
Film Cutter: Lucien took you home? I knew there was a reason I liked him…
Willow: How about Gavin? You haven’t mentioned him for some time now. Don’t we need a guest for the cop show?
Anna: Well, I personally think Victor has been out of the country too long…
Wait, that’s all you people care about? My love life? How about me?
Anna skipped up to me and gave me a hug.
Anna: Welcome back!
{{MC}}: Oh, Anna…
Willow: What would you like for lunch? My treat, with someone else’s money.
Had I been drinking something, I would’ve squirted it out through my nose.
{{MC}}: Thanks, but…
{{MC}}: I’m afraid we don’t have time for lunch.
Kiki: Why?
I showed off a flash drive in my hand.
{{MC}}: Because I got an exclusive interview with Key!
Kiki: WHAT?!
Shrieks filled the room.
Kiki: Oh my god, oh my god! How did you manage that?
Hoots and hollers were heard throughout the whole office that day.
[Main Story 09-10]
After two straight days of production work and reviews, the interview was finally released.
“Guardian of Light: The Chronicles of Key” surged to the top of every trending list.
And Key was exonerated of the recent massive cyberattack.
Multiple TV stations took turns airing the show, and we scored an all-time ratings record for a news documentary.
Contracts and production deals came at us nonstop.
Seeing how happy everybody looked, I suddenly felt that all the recent exhaustion and crises were worth it.
Produce great shows and grow, that’s the path I wanted to continue on.
I’ll probably run into more setbacks down the road, but for now, I’m on cloud nine!
Kiro then posted a message, pushing the interview to an even greater height.
“I’d like to thank Key for his support. He too is my idol. One must endure darkness to find light.”
That one post blew up the internet.
All his fans went crazy touting how cool Kiro was for posting a message with such substance.
I, too, was touched by it, but in a different way.
This warm and sunny young man has been a protector of the light all along.
Thanks to Kiro, the interview remained the hottest topic online for the entire week.
I took the whole staff to the most innovative restaurant in the city for a celebratory dinner.
A drunk Kiki got up on a stage and belted out songs. I got caught up in the festive mood and also drank more than usual.
Minor: Hold up, boss lady!
Minor charged up to me and snatched the wine glass out of my hand.
{{MC}}: What?
Minor: There’s a bug in it.
Kiki: Bug? What bug?
Kiki wandered over.
Minor: Oh, it must’ve flew off.
Minor shrugged and chugged it down.
After that, Minor would make every excuse he could think of to keep alcohol away from me.
Minor: Hey, someone’s looking for you over there, boss lady!
Minor: Woops, another bug flew into the glass… Here, I’ll take it.
{{MC}}: What’s wrong with you today, Minor?
Visibly wasted, he belched and took out his phone.
{{MC}}: As much as you drank, can you even still read?
Minor: Of course! I gotta do this for my bro Gavin… Wonder where he’s been the last two days…
Minor: Look, look. Willow, listen. I’m also doing this outta the goodness of my heart…
So he did all that to stop me from drinking? But the wine was hardly strong at all…
{{MC}}: And what did this have to do with Gavin?
Minor: I gotta look out for the boss while Gavin’s not here, man… He almost killed me the last time I screwed up.
I looked at my phone and started to worry when I saw no return calls or texts from Gavin.
He’s never done this. What’s going on with him lately?
I sent another text.
Gavin, busy lately? I got something important to tell you. Call me ASAP.
[Main Story 09-11]
It had been days since the party and still no reply from Gavin. He’s gotta be extremely busy.
The phone suddenly rang. It was Lucien.
{{MC}}: Hello?
Lucien: I saw the show. Awesome job! I’m very happy for you.
{{MC}}: Thanks, I thought it was pretty good myself.
Lucien: Been busy with work lately?
{{MC}}: A little bit, but I’ve been in a groove.
Lucien: Have you gotten around to thinking about how you’re going to thank me?
{{MC}}: I…
Can I pretend I didn’t hear that?
Lucien: Don’t back out on me now.
{{MC}}: How about I treat you to a meal?
Lucien: I might consider it if you do the cooking.
Yeah, that might land you in the emergency room too, I thought to myself.
Lucien: I’ve come to a stopping point in my research.
I was glad he changed the topic, but why did he tell me that?
{{MC}}: Well then, congratulations.
Lucien: What I mean is, want to go on an excursion with me?
An excursion?
Lucien: Since you couldn’t figure out how to thank me, I thought I’d make your mind up for you.
Lucien: Don’t worry, it won’t be far. Same-day round trip.
Well, that does sound relaxing…
{{MC}}: Um, yeah, sure.
Lucien: I’m looking forward to it. See you tomorrow.
The sun was particularly nice on the day of our trip.
The autumn breeze blew at just the right speed, so the weather felt cool instead of scorching.
The sun emanated gentle light and warmth, unlike the relentless heat of the summer.
Its light was brilliant but not blinding, warm but not sweltering, just like the man next to me.
There were just the two of us on an otherwise empty bus. A leaf glided through the window.
{{MC}}: Summer’s gone by so fast this year. It’s fall already.
Lucien: What’s wrong with fall?
{{MC}}: Nothing, just that I feel like you’re free to let loose in the summer. That’s what I heard, at least.
{{MC}}: If and when the apocalypse comes, I bet it won’t be during summer.
Lucien laughed as he brushed aside the leaf.
Lucien: Well, I happen to like autumn.
{{MC}}: You do? Why?
Lucien: Not autumn itself, but autumn when I’m with you.
His voice was as soft as the morning mist. My heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.
{{MC}}: What nonsense is that?
Lucien: Why is that nonsense?
He must be loving this, since his grin got wider.
I tried to think of a rebuttal but nothing came. I felt even more awkward.
{{MC}}: Because… other seasons might get jealous?
Hearing this, he almost couldn’t stop chuckling.
Lucien: In that case, all the other seasons have to get their acts together and catch up to autumn.
This guy is just too clever…
I was speechless, so I turned away and pretended to yawn.
Lucien: Sleepy?
{{MC}}: A bit.
Lucien: Take a nap. Still an hour before we get there.
I nodded, leaned back, and closed my eyes.
I don’t know if it was the beautiful sunshine or me getting up too early, but I quickly dozed off.
Watching the girl’s serene face, Lucien’s eyes welled with shifting emotions.
Her face seemed so warm and lively in the sun.
Thinking back on how cute she was eating the orange, Lucien smiled and gently placed the girl’s head on his shoulder.
Then came a low, stoic voice.
Lucien: Not going to ask where we’re going?
Lucien: You haven’t asked since agreeing to go yesterday.
A soft sigh escaped Lucien’s throat.
Lucien: Much too trusting…
The bus was silent except for the sound of the girl’s breathing. Lucien unknowingly began breathing in sync with her.
As their breaths coincided, Lucien’s eyes turned blurry for a moment.
Then he turned to stare out of the window and never looked back.
[Main Story 09-14]
Inside the thick fog, I was standing on a rock,
watching the sea reaching stars in the distance.
A flock of bird flew overhead,
making an arc in the sky.
In the empty world, I was alone.
Suddenly, the fog dispersed.
The beach stretched out in front of me.
On the other end, lycoris were blooming.
They’re like fire expelling the cold.
And the rocks began to quake.
The tide suddenly went fierce,
as if the world was going to turn upside down.
I fell into the sea.
“Help!”
{{MC}}: Help!
My eyes suddenly opened wide. A hand grabbed my arm that I didn’t realize was outstretched.
Lucien: Had a bad dream?
The voice was comforting, and the touch was gentle.
Then a hand brushed against my forehead and soothed my racing heart.
{{MC}}: I dreamed I fell into an ocean…
Lucien: It’s okay. You’re with me now, and there’s no ocean around.
I steadied my breathing and nodded before realizing I was leaning on his shoulder with one hand held in his.
He must’ve seen the look in my eyes and let go of my hand. I noticed my palm was dripping with sweat.
Lucien: We’re almost there.
{{MC}}: Okay…
The sun came through the window and cast a hazy shadow on his profile.
His Grecian nose and long eyelashes were exceptionally clear in the light, like a close-up scene in a movie.
We arrived soon enough, stepping off the bus to a breeze carrying the scent of a Wheatfield.
Then it dawned on me I had no inkling where I was.
{{MC}}: Uh, where are we going?
Lucien: Somewhere breathtaking. Keep your expectations up and you may enjoy it even more.
{{MC}}: Why did we get off here then?
Lucien: We’ll get to see more interesting sights along the way. Plus, I just like walking with you.
I nodded and started down the little country road with Lucien.
Golden grains of ripened wheat bent and swayed in the autumn wind.
Lucien: Do you still remember your Little Prince?
I was baffled and didn’t catch on right away.
Lucien: The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat…
His soft, magnetic voice conjured up the image of a fox sitting in a Wheatfield.
I laughed as he raised an eyebrow.
Lucien: Was that funny to you?
{{MC}}: No. Hearing you quote “Little Prince,” I just suddenly pictured the fox and the wheat field.
{{MC}}: As if… I was in the book.
Having said that, I kinda wanted to laugh at myself. I shook my head bashfully.
{{MC}}: Am I making a fool of myself again?
Lucien: No, not at all.
The grain stalks rolled like waves in a surge of wind that also seemed to have swept through my heart.
I suddenly had the thought that today Lucien was different from his usual self.
The same gentleness belied a hint of something unfamiliar, something fiery.
I quickened my pace and ran way ahead of Lucien, breathing in the fragrant air as deeply as I could.
Then I heard meowing from up ahead.
{{MC}}: Hey, did you hear that? It sounded like kitty meowing.
Lucien nodded and we followed the noise to a tree.
A black-and-white kitten lay underneath with an injured, bleeding leg.
{{MC}}: Oh no, the little guy’s hurt!
The frightened kitten’s fur stood up, but it couldn’t run off because of its injured leg.
Lucien crouched to console the cat softly and check the leg.
Lucien: Something sharp like a branch must’ve cut it, but we have nothing handy to stop the bleeding.
{{MC}}: Poor thing… What are we going to do?
The kitten sensed we were trying to help and started purring.
{{MC}}: Look, there’s a little bell around its neck.
Lucien: Maybe we can find the owner.
{{MC}}: You know, I always seem to run across kittens when I’m with you.
Lucien: That’s just what I was going to say to you.
He pet the kitty, the sun glistening off its fur like a halo.
Lucien: I guess we’re making a detour. Our little excursion really will be full of surprises.
[Main Story 09-15]
We finally found where the cat’s owner lived.
It was a very old house with a wooden door and spotted walls that has probably stood for a century.
An old lady answered the door.
The cat immediately meowed in excitement and tried to limp over to her.
She quickly scooped up the kitty from Lucien, her face torn with sympathy.
Grandma: My poor baby, did you get hurt?
Grandma: Thank you both so much for finding my kitten!
I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Lucien.
Grandma: Won’t you come in for a while?
As we walked in to the courtyard, I noticed a lot of finely crafted embroidery and colorful threads.
On the other side were rows of dyed fabrics hanging from bamboo poles.
She must do this for a living. They were so beautiful!
The old lady came back with two little stools for us.
Grandma: I took care of Baby’s cut, which luckily wasn’t deep. I must thank you again.
{{MC}}: The pleasure is all ours.
Grandma: If you don’t mind, I would like to give you this.
She showed us an exquisite sachet embroidered with golden threads that glimmered in the sun.
{{MC}}: Oh no, we barely did a thing. We can’t possibly accept this!
Grandma: Do you not like it? It’s probably not worth a lot, but I did make it myself.
{{MC}}: I love it. It’s very beautiful, but I can’t take it in good conscience…
The lovely threads inspired me to ask…
{{MC}}: Can you teach me how to do this? Just the basic technique will do…
Throughout this exchange, Lucien sat quietly by my side. He also shaded me quite a bit from the sunlight that was beaming down on us.
But hearing this, he snickered at my request.
I felt my face turning red. It must be from the afternoon sun.
Grandma: Sure. Let me show you the basic one called the Peace Knot.
She took a red string by both ends, deftly folding and twisting and looping until she had made a cute little knot.
And I didn’t catch one bit…
{{MC}}: Would you mind slowing it down some?
I kind of muttered it hoping Lucien wouldn’t hear.
Grandma: No problem. Hold the string by this end…
I followed her instructions to a T and made my own knot in due time.
{{MC}}: This is great! Thank you!
I wanted to show it off to Lucien only to realize he had left.
I went out to the yard and found him standing behind the fabric flapping in the wind, his back to the sun.
It was as if time had stopped, and my heart fluttered like the wind-blown fabric.
I suddenly felt, at that moment, Lucien was so, so distant…
Lucien: (Smiles) Am I that good looking? Why do you keep staring at me?
{{MC}}: I– I wasn’t staring…
{{MC}}: Check this out. I did it! Here, I want you to have it.
I held the knot out to him, but he didn’t take it, leaving me feeling deflated about my lopsided little knot.
{{MC}}: Just be honest.
Lucien: Okay. Honestly, it’s pretty bad.
{{MC}}: I knew it… guess I’m only good for origami cranes…
Lucien: But, I still like it. Thank you.
Lucien: Why are you giving me the peace knot?
{{MC}}: Well… I’m not really sure. I just wanted to, I guess.
{{MC}}: Although it is rather ugly…
Lucien: I’ll take it. Thank you. This is a lovely present.
He carefully put the knot in his pocket.
We bid farewell to the old lady and resumed our enjoyable countryside excursion that was helping to wash away all my recent worries.
{{MC}}: I think I figured out why you wanted to get off the bus early.
Lucien: Oh? Let’s hear it.
{{MC}}: Because the scenery’s so gorgeous. Let’s come back again next year. Deal?
He didn’t reply and just kept walking.
Lucien: Getting tired? We’re almost there.
{{MC}}: Really? How come I’m not seeing this breathtaking spot you spoke of?
He slowed down and pointed ahead.
Lucien: It’s right over there.
I looked and my jaw dropped.
A tall, sprawling camphor tree that was still a lush green appeared even more vibrant against the golden fall colors surrounding it.
I ran toward it. People say camphors are a summer tree, but to me, they always seem prettier in autumn.
My vision took in every vibrant green leaf.
The sound of laughter seemed to surface in my memory as I stood under the tree.
Lucien: Still remember this spot?
Lucien had snuck up next to me, still keeping his eyes forward.
{{MC}}: This spot…?
Laughter again resonated in my head, but I still couldn’t pin it down.
Lucien: It will all come back to you eventually.
Lucien raised a hand and then paused in midair before starting to stroke my hair.
That moment, my vision was full of endless green leaves unfolding.
I was overwhelmed by a strong desire to sleep. The last thing I saw was Lucien’s face.
His face was a tangle of undiscernible emotions. I seemed to see reluctance, longing, a bidding of farewell…
Was I seeing things…?
[Main Story 09-18]
I awoke after some time to the sound of laughter. I was still under the camphor tree in a mist that quickly dissipated.
Either I must be seeing things or the tree got smaller. There was no sun coming through the leaves.
Well, I’m still under the tree…
Then it hit me, where’s Lucien?
{{MC}}: Lucien!
Lucien: I’m here.
His voice was devoid of any emotion. I turned around and saw him standing beside me.
{{MC}}: Oh good, you’re still here.
{{MC}}: I just got sleepy, I guess.
He held my hand without a word. The cold touch made me flinch, but he didn’t let go this time.
Following his vision, I saw a little girl of about 4 or 5 with a bow in her hair run up to me. I rubbed my eyes but still couldn’t make out her face.
{{MC}}: Who are you?
Maybe I spoke too softly. Not even glancing at me, she walked to the tree, took out a comic book, and sat down.
Lucien: Who do you think she is?
I was puzzled by the question.
{{MC}}: …I don’t know.
She held the comic in her hands, but her eyes were fixed on the ground. Her animated expression alternated between giggles and frowns.
{{MC}}: Is there something interesting on the ground?
Lucien: It’s not about what’s on the ground. She’s looking into her own mind.
Just then, two kittens wandered by, and the girl’s eyes lit up.
Little Girl: Hello, are you Diana? Have you come to Earth to find your little bunny friend?
The kitten meowed, making the girl laugh.
{{MC}}: Is she talking to the kitten?
Lucien: Mmhmm.
I let out a laugh.
{{MC}}: Feels like I’m looking at me when I was a kid.
Lucien: And she doesn’t seem a bit foolish, does she?
{{MC}}: Nope, pretty adorable, actually…
I scratched my head, slightly embarrassed.
The little girl was still carrying on in a serious manner.
Little Girl: Is this your friend Luna, Diana?
Inexplicably, both cats sat down and broke into a chorus of meows.
The girl became alarmed for some reason and blushed, seemingly embarrassed. Then she closed the comic as she waved her hand.
Little Girl: I can’t… Even though I’d like to transform, my father is waiting for me at home.
Little Girl: Therefore, I must… uh… regrettably decline.
For what seemed to be her first time putting those words together, she uttered them flawlessly.
I couldn’t help but smile at the little girl’s conflicted face.
{{MC}}: So all kids imagine they can save the world and do impossible things.
{{MC}}: We’d be best friends if I was still her age.
Lucien: Does this remind you of when you were little?
{{MC}}: Yeah, but vaguely… all my memories before I was five are so hazy…
Lucien: I’m sorry.
He squeezed my hand as if to console me.
I shrugged and shook my head. The memories are still there even if I can’t recall them.
I looked again and saw there was now a boy watching the little girl under the tree.
Although the boy tried to move quietly, the girl still heard him and blushed.
Little Girl: You didn’t just hear that, did you?
Little Boy: Were you talking to the cats?
She nodded awkwardly.
Little Boy: Animals don’t understand human language.
Little Girl: You’re wrong. Luna can, and she’ll show me how to transform into a superhero.
The boy sighed, shaking his head.
Little Boy: Then why didn’t you go with them.
The question seemed to hit home as the little girl frowned.
Little Girl: Because… I gotta go home for dinner.
The seriousness of the girl’s response stunned the boy speechless.
Little Girl: So, who are you?
Little Boy: I come here every day to draw. I got here late today and saw you talking to the cats.
“Then sit with me!” The girl slapped the ground and scooted over.
Little Girl: Can I see your drawings?
The boy hesitated before handing his sketchbook to her.
I got a sudden urge to see it too.
{{MC}}: What do you think is in his sketchbook, Lucien?
Lucien: How would I know?
{{MC}}: True, it’s our first time here.
Lucien: Do you want to see?
{{MC}}: Uh-huh…
We circled behind the tree and peeked over the little girl’s shoulder as she flipped the pages.
It was full of sketches of various people. It lacked polish, but it captured their mood vividly.
{{MC}}: Wow, the boy’s good!
The little girl echoed my sentiment exactly.
Little Girl: Wow, you’re good!
Little Boy: Why?
Little Girl: Because this one looks like Tuxedo Mask, and this one looks like Ash!
Little Girl: You’re a great artist. I love all your drawings!
Seeing the girls huge grin, the boy was a bit tongue-tied.
Little Boy: What’s your name? How old are you?
Little Girl: I’m almost 5! I just learned to write my name. Let me show you!
She wrote her name on the boy’s palm.
Little Girl: What about you?
He tore off a piece of paper, wrote down letters in neat print, and handed it to the girl.
Little Boy: I’m 8-years old. My name is Lucien.
Lucien? My mind was blown when I heard the name and saw it on the paper.
{{MC}}: His name’s Lucien too?
Lucien: Yes.
Are all Luciens geniuses, I wondered.
Coming all this way to the countryside to find another Lucien. What a coincidence this turned out to be!
The girl folded the paper and stuffed it in her pocket.
She then took out a candy wrapper, folded it into a crane, and gave it to the boy.
Little Girl: I’m only good at this, so this is for you. Will you be here tomorrow?
The boy took the crane, put it in his pocket, then nodded in surprise to the girl’s question.
Little Girl: Wonderful!
[Main Story 09-20]
His answer made the girl gleefully fold more cranes out of what candy wrappers she had left.
A kaleidoscope of colors went through my head as I watched her deftly fold the cranes.
Why does the little girl seem so familiar to me? Why does this all seem like I’ve seen it before?
The world spun and banks of fog began to rise. I began to stagger, but Lucien caught me before I fell.
Lucien: Careful.
I shook my head and my eyes suddenly opened wide… What did I just see?
The clouds shifted rapidly overhead, followed by a brief darkness, then a blinding light of gold.
What was going on? The ground beneath my feet stopped spinning and the fog dispersed.
{{MC}}: What just happened?
Lucien: It was a dream.
Lucien looked at me smiling as he slowly uttered the words.
{{MC}}: A dream?
{{MC}}: All of that was a dream? So I really did fall asleep?
Was is it a premonition dream? No, can’t be. My premonitions were never that vivid!
Why did the dream feel so real?
I didn’t want to believe it, but facts are facts.
I wanted to sort it out more, but noticed the girl was still sitting under the camphor tree.
Was that really a dream?
I shuddered, then had the absurd notion that perhaps this was not real, either.
It started to drizzle, but I didn’t feel any rain on me.
The girl remained under the tree.
I approached the girl and she smiled at me.
Her face wasn’t fuzzy anymore but very visible, one I probably had seen somewhere before.
{{MC}}: It’s raining. Why aren’t you going home?
I somehow knew that the “dream” would be yesterday to the girl.
{{MC}}: Are you waiting for the boy from yesterday?
Little Girl: Yeah, but I know he’s not coming.
{{MC}}: How?
Little Girl: Because I saw it.
{{MC}}: Saw it?
Little Girl: I can see into tomorrow.
Little Girl: Miss, you’ll wake up soon.
She said this to me in all seriousness.
{{MC}}: Wake up? You know I’m in a dream right now?
Little Girl: And I also know the man is not coming back.
{{MC}}: Who?
She pointed at Lucien behind me.
Lucien’s… not coming back?
I flashbacked to him being silent when I suggested we should have another trip here next year.
I looked straight at Lucien, my anxiety rising through the roof.
{{MC}}: Are you going to leave, Lucien?
He shook his head with the same warm smile.
A mist enveloped him. He kept smiling until the fog obscured his face.
And I also know the man is not coming back.
With the girl’s words on my mind, I got up and dashed toward him.
The fog dissipated as soon as I reached him.
{{MC}}: Are you going to… leave?
Lucien: I won’t.
He spoke without hesitation.
Lucien: Did you remember something?
{{MC}}: Not sure, except that the girl, the crane, and even this camphor grove seem very familiar…
{{MC}}: Why did I dream all that? Do I really know that little girl?
{{MC}}: What scared me was when she said you’re not coming back, deep down I really believed it…
Lucien: Will you miss me if I do leave?
I nodded without hesitation.
{{MC}}: Absolutely.
{{MC}}: I was just plodding blindly forward until I met you. Without you, I wouldn’t know how to let my colors show.
{{MC}}: I asked you a lot of questions, even some stupid ones, but you always showed patience.
{{MC}}: When I got sick, the trip today… You were there through thick and thin.
{{MC}}: Like I said, without your help, I wouldn’t be where I am or what I am today.
{{MC}}: Or, maybe I’m still finding my way.
{{MC}}: Just like the pilot to Little Prince or Luna to Sailor Moon… No, none of that seems quite right…
{{MC}}: Remember when you said things of true importance can’t be seen with the human eye? But that can’t be right, because I see you!
{{MC}}: I… I’ve lost a lot of loved ones. Do you remember that?
{{MC}}: The older I get, the fewer loved ones I have, and the more important they become.
{{MC}}: You’re one of the very few important friends left to me, and I refuse to lose you.
I don’t know what came over me, letting out so much like that.
His eyes were dark as night as he looked at me. A sense of sorrow suddenly hit me.
{{MC}}: Lucien…
He raised a hand and covered my eyes. It was chilly.
[Main Story 09-22]
The ground quaked like before and the dream changed again…
Then there was a howling wind, and raindrops landed on my head. Car horns blared, and shop bells rang.
My eyes were suddenly no longer covered, revealing a pitch-black sky without a hint of light.
The slippery street was nearly empty save for a few pedestrians.
Is this another dream? Have I been here before? This feels completely alien to me.
Hey, where’s Lucien?
{{MC}}: Luci…
Before I could finish, I spotted him standing on a corner, jacket soaking wet, eyes straight ahead.
I then realized he was looking at the boy from the camphor tree!
A man and woman flanked the boy. They’re chatting happily.
They’re probably his parents…
A car horn suddenly blared and the screeching sound of skidding tires filled the air in a flash of white light!
{{MC}}: Watch out!
I shouted, only to look on as the truck barreled into the family, shattering their happiness to pieces.
The sound of bubbles bursting echoed in my ears, one after another.
Lucien remained still, watching, his eyes devoid of emotion.
The rain fell off him and caused ripples on the ground.
The world stopped. It was just the truck’s flashing light and bloodied umbrellas strewn about the road.
The boy, the same one from the dream with his wonderful sketches, lay pale in a puddle of blood.
Sadness overcame me as the flame of a young life extinguished.
I couldn’t tell whether it was rain or tears that were streaming down my face.
Just then, one of the boy’s fingers wiggled!
He may still be alive!
I wanted to go pick him up, but the ground started to fissure and everything around me was falling!
The world began to crumble before me, walls swiftly collapsing.
A shard of something flew by and sliced my wrist, drawing blood.
{{MC}}: That really hurts!
Isn’t this a dream? I shouldn’t feel pain in a dream!
Two arms suddenly wrapped around me in a watery, icy embrace.
A bright light flashed before me, followed by a steady siren, then my eyes were covered again.
*Boom!*
Among the deafening sirens came a low voice in my ear.
Lucien: Stay calm.
I struggled to open my eyes and discovered I was still standing under the camphor tree. I stared at it blankly as the events scrolled through my mind.
I remembered the wound in the dream and checked my wrist only to see it was perfectly fine.
{{MC}}: Wasn’t it cut?
Lucien: You’re mistaken. I’ve been with you the whole time. There was no wound.
Lucien spoke lightly.
{{MC}}: I…
Lucien: You fell asleep.
So all that again was another dream? I scratched my head and knitted my brow.
Lucien: Did you have a nightmare?
{{MC}}: …You could say that.
{{MC}}: Tell me, Lucien, can dreams be a metaphor for something?
Lucien: Such as?
{{MC}}: Such as… someone telling me he was leaving…
{{MC}}: And I saw a… car crash…
Lucien: Science has long had a term for this. It’s called lucid dreaming.
Lucien: It’s a state where you’re dreaming but retain clear control over cognizance and memory.
Lucien: Later it was verified that lucid dreaming actually happens when humans are awake and aware.
{{MC}}: So… nothing that happens in a dream is real?
{{MC}}: What about the premonitions in my previous dreams?
Lucien: Well, dreams are still a partial reflection of the life or desires of the dreamer.
Lucien: There’s a saying that if you can only remember part of a dream, that’s how you can tell it’s just a dream.
Lucien: There’s no absolute reality. Just reality fabricated by reality.
I was more confused than ever, with so many more questions that I didn’t know where to start.
Lucien: You’re exhausted. You need rest.
He never glanced my way once as he spoke.
Lucien: I called a ride for you. Go home and get some sleep.
{{MC}}: What about you…
Lucien: I have business to take care of, so I won’t be coming with you. Sorry.
I got into the car and watched him walk away.
I suddenly felt this cold, aloof version of Lucien was reality, while the gentle, caring one was the dream.
I shook that off and wondered what had gone on at the office with me taking the day off.
I put a hand in my pocket and found a piece of paper.
I unfolded it. The yellowed strip had childlike but neat writing that read: “Lucien”.
Looking at the paper, I was speechless for a long time.
Those dreams, indistinguishable from reality… were they actually real?
[Main Story 09-23]
Lucien’s expression wavered as he watched the girl get in the car.
He clutched his chest and furrowed his brow.
When did this start, this piercing pain in my heart?
Why did that dream suddenly shift like that?
How did my foolproof plan go wrong?
The idea was to make her remember, so how did I end up the one running away from the dream?
Why, for the first time, do I feel I didn’t have her under control?
Unresolved questions kept piling up in his mind.
He leaned on a tree and felt the carving that had grown along with it.
He tried to rub it away, with no expression on his face.
A jet flew overhead. He looked up at the contrail left across the darkening sky.
The jet landed in Loveland Airport.
Victor: Hand me tomorrow’s schedule, Goldman.
Goldman: Yes, sir.
Goldman reached out to take the paper bag in Victor’s hand.
Goldman: Let me get this for you.
Victor arched his eyebrow. The corners of his mouth curled upward.
Victor: No need.
Victor strode into the car, leaving Goldman standing in place, dumbfounded.
The sound of the engine starting finally snapped Goldman out of his trance long enough for him to hop in.
Goldman: You have the B.S. annual banquet to attend tonight. Do you want to cancel that?
Victor drummed on the paper bag.
Victor: Yes. Cancel it.
Goldman: Got it.
Victor: Call {{mc}} and tell her to come in an hour to give next week’s quarterly report.
Goldman: Uh, sir, is this why you’re not going to the banquet?
Victor stared at Goldman, and the intimidated subordinate immediately reached for a phone.
The ringing reverberated through the car.
For the first few rings, Victor’s face still retained the slight smile.
But it had completely melted away by the final ring.
Goldman: I’ll try someone else in her office.
Victor grabbed the sealed document packet next to him and opened it as usual.
Goldman: Sir, I’m told by our alternate contact at $c that she took the day off.
Goldman could not discern any change on Victor’s face so he added:
Goldman: They said she was in the hospital these past few days and is recuperating now.
Victor paused in his opening of the packet and broke into a frown.
Victor: I see.
He opened the packet and pulled out a paper.
His fingertips turning slightly blue from squeezing the paper so hard. His lips were pursed tightly.
There was only one line on it.
There’s news on the target.