Underneath the Red Trees

CHAPTER 5: RED SPIDER LILIES

A field of red spider lilies surrounded him. It stretched as far as the eye could see, all the way to the horizon. There was a soft breeze, making the warm sunlight on his face feel a little less intense. This field of flowers was tranquil. He could lie down and sleep for the rest of time.

He closed his eyes and stood still. He lacked the urge to do anything but enjoy the peace.

There was a soft, subtle rustling sound, like a person moving through the flowers.

He opened his eyes. A ways away stood a man. He was lean. The man was clothed in a thin white robe tied at the waist. His hair was long, hanging down his back and red in colour. As red as the spider lilies around them.

He could not see the man's face. It was not covered, but he could not see it, even though the man stared directly at him.

He felt his chest ache. It hurt so much that he had to press his palm against it. It was as if an iron gauntlet squeezed his heart. It was torment.

The breeze picked up, whipping the man's hair up and raising his robe at his ankles. The man brushed a strand of hair behind his ear. "You came." He felt the sorrow more than he heard it.

He took a step forward, and his hand reached out toward the man.

"You fool," the man murmured. His voice was just loud enough for Hayate to hear. The man looked up at the sky. "I told you to live."

He clutched his neck as he stumbled to the en suite bathroom. He coughed and gasped like he could not breathe. That was what it felt like. He sank to his knees. His knuckles turned white as they gripped the edge of the sink.

His breath returned when the pain subsided.

It was currently right before dawn. Some light shone in from the bathroom window, illuminating the mirror. Red fingerprints marked his throat, his own. Other than those finger marks there was a pale scar spanning over his throat horizontally, like an old cut. This was not an actual cut. It was a birthmark. It was thin, and pale too, a shade only a bit off from his skin tone. It was barely noticeable, but Hayate was painfully aware of it.

Looking at his reflection always reminded him of it. He avoided mirrors when his throat was not covered.

Hayate glanced at the digital clock on his bedside. 5:42.

The biggest part of spring in Japan was likely the cherry blossom trees that went into bloom every year. The pink blossoms left a sweet smell in the air of Tokyo, like a romance novel.

The smoking area outside the law building had a big cherry blossom tree shadowing the smokers from the sun. It was under this tree that Hayate sat now.

"Where were you yesterday?" Hayate looked up. It was Kimiko.

"I was sick." He shrugged.

"What and you're all better now?"

He placed his hand on the top of the little wall behind him. "Yes, I recover fast."

"I find that hard to believe," Kimiko crossed her arms, "Didn't you say you used to have sudden fainting spells when you were a kid?"

Hayate glared at her, "Who remembers shit like that?"

Kimiko grinned. "A friend does."

Hayate took a drag of his cigarette. "I think you're just weird."