_-++_THE PARENTS_++-_

★Red thread of fate★

Destiny: Pertaining to which any person or thing is destined; a predetermined state; a condition predestined by the divine or by human will. That which is inevitable in the fullness of time.
One's eventual fate.

★★★

It was a calm night in Osaka. The newly married couple strolled through the town, holding hands. On this particular night, the moon glowed eerily red. And there seemed to have been more stars in the sky than any other day. It was like an ethereal benevolence was gracing onlookers with sweet tranquility.

—Wow, what a beautiful night.

The sakuras were in full bloom, there was so much peace looming around the atmosphere that it almost seemed like a fantasy had become reality. The tender lovers held each other's hands tightly, as though their palms represented chains bound together. The woman however, was heavily burdened. Alot was weighing on her chest. And? It was beginning to feel suffocating.

“Come on Ouka, you've got to smile more!”

Roku Akimitsu said, teasing his wife with subtle pinches on the cheek. Suddenly, without prior warning, he snaked his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her head.

Her eyelids were half open, she seemed to be looking at the ground and not doing so at the same time.

This was supposed to be a joyous day. It was supposed to be perfect, but now?

“What do we do now?” Ouka Akimitsu asked emotionally as if directing the question to the world around her.

Roku immediately took his chin off his wife's head and looked to the side of her face. The night said it all…She wasn't happy. Which was understandable. Even he couldn't deny that there was a pang of pain mixed with guilt gnawing at the edges of his heart, but he had to be strong—For her.

And so, the man smiled sweetly. Turning his wife around to face him. She had been in a daze until her husband’s warm smile snapped her back to normal, at least for the moment.

Without speaking a word, Roku placed his hands on Ouka's tender cheeks and moved in to her surprise, stealing a kiss. Her eyes dilated in shock, she hadn't been expecting it. She tried to pull away but his hold was unbreakable.

She attempted everything, from biting his lips to hitting his chest, but nothing seemed to faze him. All her aggression only made him more passionate. It tempted her to scream, she felt heartbroken beyond measure, the tears she’d been suppressing finally flowed out, and Ouka felt worse that there was someone holding her, someone stopping her from crumbling the way she wanted to. She wished he would let her break down, let her feel these feelings. And yet, she had to admit that there was comfort in his embrace, his scent, his encapsulating love. She felt it on those lips of his, even though it still hurt, even though she had been denied the right to motherhood. He was still here standing by her side, being the pillar giving her balance, holding onto her so she wouldn't fall as deep as she wanted to.

The stars granted them spotlight, and the sakura leaves danced and glided on the wind blowing towards their direction. Showering over them in a fluorescent elegance.

As tears rolled down the side of her cheek Mrs Akimitsu’s aggression eventually died down. Her temperament had become a graceful display of acceptance and gentle submission. She let him hold and have her, giving in to his attempt to cheer her up.

“There's no changing the past. Now is the time for celebration. No more tears.” It seemed like those were the words Her husband's actions were trying to reveal to her. And although she hadn't healed, she really wanted to.

Soon, their lips unbinded as Roku gently withdrew. Only to throw a tantrum the very next second.

“Ow! Ow! Ow! Why’d you do that?! Now my lips are bleeding!!!”

Mrs Akimitsu was subtly taken aback.

“What? N-No it's not! I didn't even bite that hard!”

“Yes, you did!”
He whined resolutely. For someone with such a mature demeanor about him, Mr Roku Akimitsu could be such a child.

Meanwhile his wife? Was as petty as they come. “Well it's your fault!”

—Ppfft, what a combo!

Roku pointed at himself, innocently confused. “Me?”

Bending forward like an old lady, Ouka placed her left hand on the side of her hip and pointed at her husband with the other. “I've told you not to hit me with a sneak attack!”

Roku pouted, poking his index fingers together. “You were sad…I just wanted to make you feel better somehow.”

Mrs Akimitsu grumbled, folding her arms together, denying her husband an audience, as she closed her eyes and stubbornly turned to the side with her chin raised. “Hmph! Well of course I'm sad, we just lost our baby for goodness sake!”

—Oop?! What's with this woman and blurting things out like that?

Immediately the words left her mouth, a grave-like awkward silence settled itself between them. It was easier to remain in denial because the truth hurts more. And now that the tension thread had snapped, the mirror-like illusion of denial had shattered alongside it. Leaving the both of them bare, open, unprotected. They both stood there listening to the melancholic tune of reality, spinning on repeat.

Unable to come up with something good enough to uplift the drab mood, Roku balled his fists and spoke in a breathless whisper. “It wasn't your fault.”

Ouka quit the pompous act she had on, then slowly turned to look at her husband. Her arms were practically glued to her sides. Feeling the weight of emptiness and loss once again. And now, the one who was usually calm, collected and level headed between the two of them was basically trembling with distraught. Tears slushing at the back of his head threatened to pull down his veil of strength. None of this was easy. Not on Ouka or him.

“No one has control over things like that.” He remarked, taking a moment to clear his throat and try to regain composure.

“Roku…” Ouka called out silently as she watched him, subconsciously holding firm to the pendant he had gifted her the day she told him she was pregnant.

“If only I had the knowledge,” His breath hitched. “Maybe I would be able to help young babies and mothers in the same situation…I wish I knew how to prevent them from dying.”

The tears finally let loose, they were subtle so it didn't seem noticeable but Ouka saw them, clear and shiny like starlights on his skin.

“If only I knew the way, then…maybe our baby would have survived.” He tried but failed to suppress his emotions this time and gave way under the pressure of how intense the pain in his heart was. The mental trauma they were both trying to endure wasn't an easy feat in the slightest.

*Feeling emphatic*

—My condolences. I may be brutally honest, but I'm not a monster.

For as long as Ouka knew him, Roku had always been a strong man. And yet he was the type to wave it off and say; “You're only saying that...I'm not strong at all.” Because he didn't believe in himself well enough to accept her words.

But in her eyes, even if he didn't see it for himself, Roku was the strongest person she knew. He always seemed unbreakable, he seemed to always have his footing. He was grounded and able to pull through anything and make it look easy. But he doubted himself more than anyone else, while he made the effort to be kind and cheer other people up, Roku didn't see himself as ‘worthy’ to receive the same amount of consolation and support from others. He didn't dare to desire it. So he always endured, he would constantly chug down the stress and say; “I've got to be a man about it.”

—And now here he was, that same man, whimpering like a lost child.

Ouka looked down at her necklace and admired the beautiful golden lotus with grateful eyes. As she allowed herself to wander through her field of thought.

“He's always putting my needs first, he's always patting my head whenever I cry, he always picks me up when I fall, he's always been there even when I was in deep pain, a tough spot, an uncomfortable position, no matter how big or small, how close or distant. Roku has always been there. It was selfish of me not to consider how he was feeling. I've been so blinded by my losses that I forgot…We’re supposed to be in this together!”

—Bro is literally one in a decillion!!!

Ouka reevaluated herself, thinking;
“What kind of partner am I? Is this how I plan to move through the rest of my life with him?”

The winds picked up fiercely, but failed to sway the ends of Ouka's ‘mofuku’.

—‘Mourning apparel’. For those who don't know.

The reddish moon crowned above her, there was this haunting serenity in its vermilion glow. As if signifying supernatural divination. As if saying; “Now is the time to begin a new chapter.”

And for Ouka?
It had to begin with her.

Roku’s brooding soon stopped, once he felt the warmth emanating from his wife's embrace. She'd hugged him without warning.

—Cute payback.

“I know you will do it someday. I know you'll discover something world changing. I know you'll be a great man. I believe in you.”

—This is what a healthy marriage looks like people!!! Learn something from this!!!

He looked down at her smiling face brimming with newfound energy.

Moved by her words Roku hugged her back tightly and more firmly then smiled. “Thank you.” He told her genuinely. And she gently pulled away, grasping his soft hands.

“Come on, we'll miss the fireworks!” She remarked enthusiastically, dragging him along. Her sudden change in emotion was surprising, but there was nothing else to do but to smile. They both needed to take their minds off of it—off the pain. And fireworks sounded like a nice distraction. It sounded like ease, in the sense that, through their loud blast and coruscating sparks, the intensity of their sorrows would burst open in the same way. As long as they'd let it.

—KAPOW!!!!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*
★AT THE RED THREAD BRIDGE★
{AKAI ITO HASHI}
*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Soon enough, the two of them arrived at the “Red Thread Bridge”.

—According to japanese myths and beliefs; Unmei no akai Ito
(運命の赤い糸) [Red thread of fate] Is the belief that two people, who are ‘soul mates’, are connected together through an invisible ‘red thread’.

So, this ‘red thread bridge’ acts as a medium for couples such as The ‘Akimitsu couple’ to tie a red thread on the bridge and pray for strength in their relationship or even for fruitfulness and financial success for both parties.

Lol, Anyhoo, Author-sama wanted y'all to know that this ‘red thread bridge’ doesn't exist in real life japan. Anyways, back to the story.

Watching in marvel as prickly sparks of colorful lights sprayed the sky, the two held hands enjoying the pyrotechnics display and as a symbol of their unwavering love and affection the two of them tied a red thread on the bridge.

—Hence it's name.

Arriving from a distance, Hirobara ran towards them waving one hand, and holding grilled skewered quid on the other.

“Hey there guys!!!” He finally reached panting from a mix of exhaustion and excitement. “Over there!” He pointed from where he'd run from. “There's gonna be a drama display!” He strenuously spoke, still trying to catch his breath.

“Oh!?!?” Ouka perked up almost immediately. Hopping on the spot. “We should go see!!!” She urged, squealing in excitement as she clung onto Roku’s arm! Her eyes eagerly anticipated his answer. “Sure.” He agreed, giving her a smile so heartwarming she just had to blush. She gapped at Roku for a moment before Hirobara spoke up, reminding her to breathe.

“Right! See you guys there!”

“Huh?! H-hey! Wait up!” Ouka pulled away from Roku, to follow behind her little brother. Instinctively, she held up her Mofuku as she ran so she wouldn't fall.

—Mrs Akimitsu was so different when she was younger. She's basically just like Nara! Only tamer. Anyway...

Roku watched the two of them, admiring the siblings as they hurried along side by side. "What I wouldn't give to have kids who cared for each other like they do." He thought. Afterwards, He attempted to move, when for a moment, something stopped him. It was eerie, ominous, and scary.

“What was that?” He turned, but…there was nothing. So he shrugged. “Must've have been the wind.” Then began walking down the road the others had taken.

<<<<<<•••••••••>>>>>>
∆°CENTER OF TOWN°∆
<<<<<<•••••••••>>>>>>

After searching through the bustling crowd for longer than he liked, Roku finally spotted Ouka and Hirobara standing amongst a group of people.

“Finally…ha…” He panted as he spoke. “I…I've been…I've been looking for…”

“Quiet!” Ouka Interrupted, shushing Roku. “It's starting.” She whispered cautiously, using the direction of her eyes to point to the stage the theater crew had set up.

“Oh, uh right! Sorry.” He whispered back.

Now, everyone paid close attention to the small stage. Those like Roku and family who were interested in the play gathered close to observe. While the others who weren't continued to loiter about, either buying, selling, or just enjoying other festival activities.

There was the sound of traditional string music somewhere in the background indicating the commencement of the play. Suddenly, a man dressed in an exquisite costume was first on stage. He was made known later on, to be a narrator.

—Ooooh, my compadre, fellow storyteller…another victim under Author-sama’s creative control. Anyway…

Everyone watched in anticipation, the music amped up and the curtains were drawn to the sides. Darkness was first shadowed. Then, along came the light. And by the bang of a gong, It shone on a stool at the center of the state. On top of it was a bonsai, encased in transparent glass cloche. Then the narrator began.

—I'll let my guy take it from here.

-’-’-’-’-’-’-★-’-’-’-’-’-’-
{××THE PLAY××}
-’-’-’-’-’-’-★-’-’-’-’-’-’-

“Since the beginning of time, humans have come to believe stories of all kinds, pertaining to how the world came to be. The most recognizable sign of new life is the cry of a child.” The man made grand gestures, as if trying to stir up a feeling of tension through his actions. And in a way, he definitely succeeded. Because the words he spoke startled Ouka. But, she had to let her guilt go, if she hoped to move on.

“Parallel birth? Is death!”

A gong sounded once more, and as if that were his cue, the man struck the stage with the prop he was holding. It was adorned to look like a powerful staff.

“Simply put, where there is life, ‘death’ will always follow. And where there is death? There is life.”

The people were beginning to anticipate as the narrator gave the exposition.

“For a long time, people have speculated how the world came to be! They wonder for what reason we exist; Many have come up with their own ideas, philosophies and beliefs. However, in the land of Japan, AMATERASU is believed to be the ruler over everything, including the vast endless universe. And her glory is revered.”

Immediately the narrator said those words, drums intensified and he stylishly strolled away, giving the cue for the main actor to appear. The character was a woman dressed in a heavy looking hanfu, adorned with fake jewelry and accessories. As the actor went on stage, the string music at the background lowered, drifting into serene cords, as she walked towards the cloched bonsai. The music gave everyone a feeling of anticipation, curiosity and heightened the actor's stage presence. Because of the timing of the sounds, the actor was radiating an aura of power that gripped the audience. Making them marvel and egear to know what would happen now that the woman had been introduced. It was at this time that more people gathered to watch.

The mysterious woman looked at the cloched bonsai solemnly, and with the subtle movements she made, the sounds stopped. Giving a sense of pause. Then, the actor spoke. Taking the audience by surprise.

“You are yet to come alive.”

Due to the lack of music the words spoken sounded thundering, but benevolent. Then, she took off the cloche. Continuing her monologue.

“Dearest, do you not wish to live? Do you not desire to find your own home?”

As if to respond, the bonsai’s leaves glowed golden. It's light flickered for a few seconds. Then the woman smiled. “Come,” She touched a branch with her index finger. “Why don't I help you? Just this once.” She whispered playfully, closing her eyes, then lowered her palm over the bonsai. Suddenly, without warning the music began, this time it was more intensified.

From both sides of the stage, gusts of wind blew towards the actor. The kind of which had been artificially created. Evidence of the prop master's work behind the scenes.

The audience gasped in marvel. They were enthralled by the music, the sudden change in ambience. The playwright had them exactly where they wanted.

“This is intense.”

“Yeah, it really is.”

“Amazing, such incredible stage direction.”

“I’m so glad I came to Osaka this year. I would never have gotten to see this sort of thing in Tokyo.”

The audience murmured. All of them were pleased.

Soon, the artificial wind came to a stop. As though a raging tornado had dispersed. And just as the winds seized so the music.

The actor playing Amaterasu looked down at the plant. Glowing faintly. Suddenly, the stage darkened again and only the faint light from the bonsai prop remained.

The string music creeped back into the people's minds as if reminding them of it's intense existence.

To the utter surprise of the audience the bonsai began to levitate slowly. Since the light was extremely dim to a certain degree, no one noticed the strings attached to the prop and how the bonsai was being drawn up like a puppet no longer needed for the next scene.

Everyone raised their heads in awe. And just as suddenly as before, the strings change. A symbol or pixie-like sound snapped them back to reality. And they abruptly looked down, seeing as the darkness was slowly fading. As the lights returned. The narrator began speaking, but he wasn't on stage. And with his every word, a gong would beat. Followed by the calculated steps of the actor returning to the stage, accompanied by six other actors who were also ladies. They stood three by three on Amaterasu’s side. Forming a semi circle around the spot where the bonsai had been.

The miniature tree had been replaced by red clothing which was acting as a protective veil over something underneath.

Dramatically, Amaterasu threw off the fabric and everyone in the audience gasped, and gongs banged fiercely.

The thing underneath was…a small girl.

*Dramatic le gasp*

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

“Wow! That was incredible!” Ouka praised the play. Filled with joy after witnessing what she described as; “A masterpiece” to the individuals who watched it alongside her—Gesturing grandly.

“Oh! Did you see the transition? It was so well done. The way the bonsai was floating was so creepy but enchanting! I wonder how they pulled it off! Oh and did you see the actors? They were amazing!”

“Yes, I know Ouka, we saw everything, we were there, remember?” Roku replied in a frustrated tone.

“Yeah, we watched the whole thing with you.” Hirobara laughed at his sister.

—‘Pointing out the obvious.’

Ouka’s excitement remained unchanged, however this time she was sassy about it. “Hmph! Well all I'm saying is that it was great!” She pouted, and stubbornly turned to her side.

“Ey?!! Why are you so grumpy all of the sudden?” Roku placed his hands on her head, messing with her hair like she was a child.

“Hey! Stop that!” She argued, trying to catch his hands.

—This is too much PDA for my cringe gauge to handle.

“You guys should get a room!” Hirobara pretended to have the urge to throw up. “All this lovie dovie nonsense is gonna make me puke”

—THANK YOU HIRO!!! TELL THEM!

Infuriated, Ouka directed her aggression to Hirobara. Swiftly grabbing the boy by his clothes she glared poison daggers into his soul.

“What was that?” She asked in a deep monotone voice that could frighten anyone into fainting.

*Looks away in thank goodness I don't appear in these chapters*...

“Wh-what? I uh…you...I…”

“I said…REPEAT it!”

She switched her manuouver and put her arm over his neck then began to punch his head with her fist!

*Sips boba*...

—Ahh…good stuff.

“Ow! Ow! Ow! Ouch! Hey! p-please stop! ow! oh god! Please! I beg you!” Hirobara glanced at his brother in law in teary eyed desperation!

“Roku-sama please do something-g-g-g-g!!!”

—Lol, I bet he's rethinking the statement he made earlier.

Seeing as his wife's aggression was going to give his brother in law a concussion. Roku decided he would intervene and was about to when…that ‘feeling’ creeped through his being again. Sending chills all over him. He turned around in panic. “Seriously, what's going on?” Just as a drop of sweat rolled from the sides of his face. Everyone grew stiff once they began to hear it. The unmistakable sound of something around the corner. And as if to make them more uneasy the wind’s howls intensified.

“Wh-what was that?” Hirobara managed to ask under the wicked hold of his sister's arm.

“I don't…” Before Roku could finish that statement, a quaky voice weakly called out.

The voice kept speaking, though it wasn't overly loud or domineering, its words were clear as day. “Help me.”

—Oh-h-h has shit finally gotten real!?!

As soon as those words registered in their brains. The trio gasped in fear. Nervous, Ouka tightened her arm’s grip on Hirobara’s neck.

—Don't kill the kid man!!!!

“Ah-h-h! Hey let go, already!!!”

“Huh? Oh, sorry!” She finally set Hiro free.

—To the glory of God.

“Ugh, finally, thank you!”

“Sh-h-h, quiet you guys!” Roku warned, stepping forward into the dark alley.

—Was he brave? Yes! Was it a smart idea? Well…no, it's goddamned not!

Panicked, Ouka quickly ran behind him.

“Roku! Don't just go in there, it's not safe!” Once she caught up with him, Roku turned to look at her, holding firm to his wrist with both her hands.

Understanding his wife's worry, Roku smiled trying to show comfort. “It'll be okay.” He said that but that didn't put her racing heart at ease. And so she tightened her grip on him all while her eyes screamed nothing but WORRY.

“No! I won't let you go! Can't we just ignore whatever’s there? It might just be an animal.”

—Is she slow? Since when do animals start speaking?!

Roku looked at her solemnly, he doubted it. That voice was very much human. And so he couldn't just ignore it. “Ouka I…” Just like the last time the voice called out again this time loud enough to drown out any form of doubt in their minds. This time he was certain that he heard right.

“Someone…please help me.”

They were scared, all of them. But still that; “What if someone is badly hurt.” question kept repeating in Roku’s head. Maybe it was the medical practitioner in him, or perhaps spiritual intervention Roku, he just had to find out what was going on. And he slipped away from his wife's grasp and charged into the alley, turning on his flip phone for some light.

Nervous, Ouka quickly followed behind her husband, whispering as she went. “Roku wait! It's too dangerous to go alone!”

Hirobara also followed behind. Half ready to defend if need be and half because standing there alone was creepy enough in itself.

—Pffft, relatable.

The feeling inside him was amping up. And restless thoughts ravaged his mind as he wondered; “Why has my curiosity taken such a serious effect today?”

—Well I donno, maybe you're secretly a cat?

Suddenly. His steps grew to a halt. Finally, he had stumbled on the reason for his questions. There it was. Or rather she was. A woman resting her back on the wall. Her skin was bruised and deathly pale.

The woman was dressed in a deep blue kimono. While her battered face left no evidence of whether she was beautiful or not. Her breathing was rough and irregular, as though she was barely holding unto oxygen, like it was some breakable thread that could cut off at any minute.

However, aside from all that, the woman clung desperately to a scarlet blanket. She held firmly to the lump of fabric as though her fading life depended on it.

Worried, shocked, confused but willing to help, Roku moved a few paces further.

“Miss, are you okay?” He asked, kneeling beside her. His demeanor shaky. Through her swollen eyes the woman gazed at Roku’s face. Unfortunately, most of his face looked reddish due to the blood that stained her eyes.

“Roku!!!” Ouka called out breathlessly, running towards him as soon as she spotted him.

“Roku! Are you…ok..ay?” Ouka gasped immediately she saw the woman and quickly knelt beside her husband, placing a palm on his shoulder.

“Pl…please…” The woman struggled to speak, but began to wheez instead, coughing up what looked like coffee grounds.

—Damn.

“Oh no! She must be bleeding internally!” Roku worried. “Miss…we need to get you to a hospital!” he turned to Hirobara! “Quickly! Call the…” The bleeding woman was trying to tell him something. But the words couldn't find their way out. So she shook head in a negative

“No, d-don’t…” She coughed. “There’s no time.”

Garnering strength, the woman lifted the cloth in her arms, and began to plead. “Please t-take her away from here.”

Ouka and Roku retracted their gazers from the woman's face to the thing in her arms. She had wrapped the red cloth so well that at first neither of them had realized what was in it.

“It’s a girl.”
The woman told them.

*Solemn*

—This plot is getting thick!!!!

+++

Aseop: Y'all know what time it is. The end of the chapter, yes! You guessed right! However, this character info isn't over yet! So get ready for the next part! ★Character info; The parents, part two★

Now if you'll excuse me. I'm gonna go take a nap! See y'all when I see y'all.