Chiyoko: The 1 000 Generations Child

Chapter 15: Who's good

Cold fluorescent lights lit up the white soulless hallway as the doctor explained Reverend Sei the impact of Kenji's wounds on his future.

His shoes tapped on the spickled floor as he left to see his next patient.

Ruri leaned to the back on her chair. Her space buns flew up.

"Did you hear that, Chiyoko-chan? The doctor said he'll survive."

Chiyoko pulled her legs closer to her chest as she glazed over her arms.

"He also said there's a good chance he'll end up a vegetable. For the rest of his life trapped in a body that won't move."

She buried her face. "I only wanted to help him, but I sentenced him to life."

Yusei straightened his back. "You can say bye bye to being his guardian angel now, so it did turn out great for you."

Chiyoko snapped. "How can you say that?! Who says I didn't want to be his guardian angel?"

"You, a guardian angel? Come on, really? You're the one who's always saying how bad you are."

"Well maybe I don't want to be bad anymore!" Chiyoko's voice hitched. "If I could turn back time and take it all back, I would do it in a heartbeat.

What good has being bad ever given me? There's nothing but lies, pain, insincerity... They all shun me and I thought that was what being powerful meant.

But when I helped him, he thanked me. He was grateful. He wasn't scared of me.

And for the first time since long I felt strong. I felt powerful. I could take on the world because he believed in me.

He called me his guardian angel and I let him down....

I'm a good for nothing. Always have been and always will be."

Chiyoko clenched her fists and hit her chair.

Reverend Sei kneeled down.

"Listen to me, young lady. I've known you until you were this tall and I've seen your work afterwards.

And I can tell you you got lost along the way, but your light," Reverend Sei said as she pointed at Chiyoko's heart, "even tough it faded a bit, it never went out.

Yes, you made mistakes, but it's part of growing up and I have failed you as a parent. I failed to prevent you from turning into a yokai that day and I failed to track you down until today.

If I had only been there, I could have fought off your loneliness. If I had been there, I could have made sure you knew you are not a good for nothing.

You got lost along the way, but you've found the path you were always meant to walk.

You've found yourself."

Reverend Sei brushed a tear off Chiyoko's cheek.

"Remember that day you ate all the bread right before mass?

When I told you we had nothing to give to the parishioners anymore, you took a deep breath.

What was it you said again? Why give them bread when you can give them cake?

You grabbed everything you needed and started baking. You were covered in flour when you got out of that kitchen, but had cake for everyone right on time.

You always find a way to right your wrongs and you always find a way to make it even better.

So take a deep breath, Chi, and listen to your heart. How can we make it better?"

Chiyoko slowly calmed her breathing. She sniffed deeply and dried her tears.

The fire in her heart grew brighter. Her lips formed a grin.

"I think I know what to do."