Echoes of Miyako (un done)

Chapter 1

a few months ago Kataoka met the love of his life Miyako, they were the perfect match, they were made for each other, and no matter what happened they were always together...After being together for five months Kataoka went on a business trip...after he had returned he walked back home to see flames in his and his lover's house, people were screaming to get the fire out as Kataoka ran there, and they put the fire out but one of the firemen came to him and had told him that his lover was in the house when the fire broke, and had been burned to death, Kataoka was depressed by this...until now no one knows how did the fire break out... one-day Kataoka was walking to get some food, as he was walking towards the flea markets, he had found someone who looked exactly like his lover as if that person he just saw was her...Kataoka stood there for what seemed like an eternity, taking them in - the smile, the eyes, the hair, everything. They looked like her. There was no doubt in his mind about it. But it wasn't possible, was it? They had seen the body. There was no way. He couldn't believe his eyes."Excuse me, sir? Are you feeling all right?" she asked, her voice laced with concern as she approached him slowly. Her brows furrowed with worry, eyes scanning his face for any sign of distress. "Is everything okay?" Noticing his skin color as a stark difference from a normal human's usual healthy hue. "You seem... quite distressed. Almost as though you've seen a ghost," she remarked softly, her tone gentle yet filled with apprehension. Her hand reached out instinctively, as if to offer support, but hesitated in mid-air. "You're pale. Can I get you something? A glass of water, perhaps?" Tilting her head slightly, she awaited his response, her eyes reflecting genuine concern for his well-being. He slowly nodded his head, attempting to collect himself. The girl in front of him had an uncanny resemblance to his deceased lover - her voice, her mannerisms, everything about her seemed to echo his late companion. He felt a wave of unease wash over him, his mind flooded with thoughts of her death and images of her lifeless body. He fought back tears, trying not to appear broken before her. "Uh, yes a glass of water would... be nice." He finally managed to stammer out."Of course, sir," she replied with a gentle nod, her voice soft but resolute. With a lingering glance filled with worry, she turned away, her steps deliberate as she made her way through the busy market. Weaving through the crowd, she maintained her focus, her mind fixed on the task at hand. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for a source of relief for the distressed gentleman. Spotting a refreshment stand nearby, she quickened her pace, determination driving her forward. As she approached, she caught the eye of the attendant, urgency evident in her expression. "Excuse me," she began politely, her tone earnest as she requested a glass of water. Her words were met with a nod of understanding, and the attendant swiftly retrieved a chilled glass.  Grasping the glass delicately, she offered a brief word of thanks before retracing her steps, her heart pounding with a mixture of concern and resolve. Returning to the gentleman's side, she extended the glass towards him with a gentle hand, her gaze filled with empathy. "Here you go, sir," she said softly, her voice laced with reassurance. "I hope this helps."His face bore the weight of a myriad of emotions. As his trembling lip betrayed the turbulence within, his voice emerged with a fragile tremor, infused with vulnerability. "Thank you..." The words lingered in the air, wavering in their delivery, a reflection of the storm brewing beneath the surface. With unsteady hands, he accepted the glass of water, his fingers wrapping around its cool surface as if seeking solace in its touch. Bringing it to his parched lips, he took a slow, deliberate sip, the sensation of the clear liquid bringing a fleeting moment of relief to his cracked and dry lips. Yet, as he lowered the glass, his gaze lingered up on the girl before him, her presence an uncanny echo of a past he had long sought to bury. Every detail of her being seemed to mirror that of his former lover, each glance igniting a cascade of memories that threatened to overwhelm him. At that moment, the veil between past and present seemed to blur, and he found himself ensnared in the bittersweet tendrils of nostalgia. The ghost of his lost love danced before his eyes, her essence woven into the fabric of the girl standing before him. Struggling to maintain composure, he felt the sting of tears welling in his eyes, a silent testament to the ache of his heart. He dared not succumb to the tide of emotion threatening to consume him, not here, not now. With a quiet exhale, he blinked back the tears, willing himself to remain steadfast in the face of his inner turmoil. "May I ask if you are feeling well now?" Kataoka nods his head, trying the best he can to mask his turmoil. "Yes, I'm...I'm fine." He replies, taking another sip of the cool water. His mind races, thoughts of his deceased lover still here. Their life together, the memories they had of one another, even things as little as the sound of her voice. "Oh, that's amazing to hear that you are doing better now," she responded her voice a gentle murmur that carried the weight of genuine relief. Her words were a soothing song, offered with sincerity and empathy as she sought to provide comfort in his moment of vulnerability. "If you need any assistance please feel free to reach out to me, yes we have just met but you look like you have gone through hell and back, so if there is anything you need feel free to tell me."His eyes widen as he processes her genuine concern. She had a way with words.. it made him feel safe around her. She had a sense of warmth. He couldn't help but notice how different she appeared - as if she was almost.. perfect. "Your words are kind. I appreciate you extending the offer of assistance, as you are correct, I have been through a lot as of late.. my life now remains in a state of limbo."  her eyes widened a bit. "Oh, I am so sorry to hear that," she murmured, her voice full of genuine sympathy that resonated in the air like a gentle caress. Her words were a tender acknowledgment of the pain he carried, a silent offering of solace in the face of his struggles. With a soft exhale, she continued. "I hope everything that's going on in your life becomes better," His expression softened a bit at her gentle response. "Thank you... truly." He paused for a moment, unsure of what to say next. All this time he had spent alone, not talking to anyone as he drowned himself in his grief. It somehow eased him at the thought of talking to someone who at least seemed genuine. "I do appreciate you taking the time to speak with me... You have such a warm aura." Her eye softened slightly "Oh...you are welcome and thank you deeply, that means a lot." she put her hand over her heart and bowed her head as a thank you. "And what is.. your name, by the way? I cannot recall whether I asked or not." It was unusual for him to feel so at ease around someone so quickly. Usually, he only felt this way if the person had proven themself and earned his trust, but this was different - yet she felt.. safe. "Or is it a secret?" Kataoka grinned lightly. "Oh! My name is Miyamoto Nightingale...Is a pleasure to meet you." Kataoka raised an eyebrow slightly. Her name had caught him off-guard - it was a beautiful one. Though he couldn't help but wonder if that was her real name. She seemed a little secretive, which struck him as odd. Then again, perhaps it is simply due to her nature. "The name.. is quite interesting," He replied. "Is this, indeed, your actual name?" she was a bit surprised "Um...Yes, that is my...name" His eyebrow only raised higher, his suspicions growing. "You are very.. private, are you not..?" He asked, "Are you hiding anything? I promise I won't tell anyone." She was a bit shocked by this. "...No I am not...hiding anything..." he raised an eyebrow "Are you certain? Is this your original name?" He was starting to think that his assumption may be correct. He had not asked her many questions, however, there was something he couldn't seem to put a finger on that was rather suspicious. "This may sound like a strange request however, I must know if you are being truthful or not. My gut instinct tells me otherwise." her eyes looked around trying to avoid his gaze "...um..yes? That is my name?" His eyebrows furrowed as he stared into her eyes; she had the worst liar face he had ever seen in his life. He let out a sigh, not wanting to press her any further. "...Fine," He acquiesced. "...But you do know that now this is a subject of interest to me, right? I will probably keep asking you about it again; you've piqued my curiosity." she sighed "Okay...but why do you want to know if that's my real name so badly?" The man folded his arms, tilting his head slightly. "It is just...something about the way you have been avoiding my questions... And it also does sound rather like a fake name. Your body language also shows signs of discomfort with this specific topic. You cannot hide these details from me." With a subtle smile playing on her lips, she cast a fleeting glance to the sides before turning her gaze back to him. The air was charged with a sense of mystery as she spoke, "Well, that is my real name." Her words hung in the air. "Hmm..." He pondered, observing her every little gesture and movement. His eyes narrowed, and he noticed the slight shift in her body language when she replied. Something did not fully add up. It was all very...strange. "Are you sure there is nothing you want to add..." His voice was laced with suspicion.