Chapter Four
Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:4
* * * *
The rain was pelting heavily against the windows of Miki’s bedroom, and the sounds of thunder rumbled in the distance.
Yuri Yagami couldn’t get to sleep at all. She had been staring at the same spot on the ceiling above her for what had seemed like hours, her brain working overtime, trying to figure out all the things that had happened that day. And the moment that she had calmed down enough to think things through rationally, Yuri became angry.
Rightfully so.
And for the first time in her life, she had actually found someone that she really hated enough to even consider murder which scared her.
If anyone had told Yuri yesterday that this is what would actually happen today, she would have laughed in their faces.
Yesterday, she could still see her mother.
Yesterday, her mother could still hug her goodbye.
Yesterday, her mother could still tuck her in bed.
But never again.
Every time that Yuri closed her eyes, she could see the image of her mother’s body lying in that pool of blood, like a photograph was placed over her eyes. And every single time that she saw it, she could also see the image of the sneering and mocking faces of that woman and her daughter laughing at her and her mother like a movie on fast forward.
The events of that day seemed almost like a scene out of some movie or maybe some book.
But unfortunately, this is reality.
This is Fate.
And nothing can change it.
Yuri clenched her hands into fists tightly, both hands clenching the blanket so tightly, that for a moment, it almost seems like the blanket will be torn apart. She had never wanted someone dead so badly in her life.
Not even when those nosy neighbours of hers had gossiped about her mother, and had spread some really nasty rumours just because they’re Japanese. Not even when Jessica Kwok had made her life a living Hell in school. Not even when Jessica Kwok and Alice Kwok made such a scene in the supermarket one day when both Yuri and her mother ran into them by chance.
But now, she really wanted to see them both dead.
And she’ll do anything to achieve that.
“Yuri, you still awake?”
Yuri jumped a little as Miki’s voice sounded in the darkness.
She had assumed that Miki had fallen asleep hours ago, but it seemed like her best friend had been lying awake in bed for hours as well. And maybe it’ll be a good thing if Miki doesn’t know what Yuri had been thinking about.
Yuri was seriously thinking of leaving the Ishigawa household, but two reasons stopped her.
One is that she knew that Miki’s eldest brother would be in big trouble if she suddenly vanished from under his care whilst the investigation about the murder of her mother is taking place. And the other is that she wanted to see some kind faces at least.
It had always been this way for as long as she could remember.
She never had many friends, and neither did her mother. And when Yuri was old enough to understand, she realised that it’s because of her foreign blood. Because she’s Japanese.
It isn’t fair.
“Yeah.” Yuri sat up in bed, running the fingers of her right hand through her hair.
Dim orange light lit up the room a little just then, and Yuri could see enough that Miki had just turned on the table lamp of her bedside table. Soft footsteps pattered across the floor before Miki sat down on Yuri’s bed.
“Can’t sleep?” Miki asked in concern, and Yuri shook her head.
“Every time that I tried to close my eyes, I kept seeing my mother’s body,” said Yuri. “It’s unforgivable! My mother…my mother never did anything wrong! I can’t forgive them!”
Miki looked at Yuri with concern in her eyes. She sighed. “Yuri, I can understand why you’re angry,” she said. “But forgiveness is the greatest virtue.”
“Could you say the same thing if someone murdered your mother?!”
Miki jerked back like she had just been slapped, and decided not to retort, knowing that Yuri was not in the best state right now. She’s far luckier than Yuri, that, she knew for sure. She doesn’t have parents, but she still has her two older brothers.
But Yuri only had her mother. And even if it has been proven that Yuri is innocent, what will she do then? She has nowhere else to go. Will she have to go to an orphanage?
Miki sighed before phrasing her words in a better way so that Yuri won’t take it the wrong way. Miki had seen what Yuri is like when angry, and she has no wish to stand in the way of Yuri’s wrath.
“Yuri, I believe…that a strong heart and a strong belief…can be a strong weapon even against the most powerful foe,” said Miki gently. “That’s why…” She bit on her lower lip a little before looking at Yuri. “That’s why, Yuri, you can’t give in.”
Yuri smiled sadly and shook her head from side-to-side slowly. “That’s what I’d thought a long time ago as well,” she said. “You’d been watching too many movies, or you’ve been reading too many books, Miki. Real life doesn’t work this way. I’ve learned that now.” She looked out of the window. “When I was at the police station earlier…no one believed me. No one. They all think that I’m the one who killed my mother. Even if they can’t prove it, everything will change. Nothing will stay the same.”
Miki stared at Yuri.
For as long as she had known her, Yuri had always been quite vibrant and cheerful, and was quite optimistic. She always had a smile on her face, and the few friends that Yuri had, liked her, as it was rather difficult not to like that sunny personality.
But the current Yuri…is more like a shadow of her old self.
Miki sighed inwardly. If anyone had told her yesterday that this is what Yuri would be like today, she would have laughed at them.
“Miki.”
Miki looked at Yuri. Her best friend was staring at the blanket that is currently covering her legs. “Do you think that there really is a life after death? Where do you think that people go after death?”
Miki blinked at this strange question before pondering on the answer. “I’ve never really thought about it before,” she said. “But when I asked Michio-niisan where my mother had gone to when I was younger, he told me that my mother is in Heaven with the angels. I like to think of life after death as a paradise where no injustice of any sort occurs, and where everyone can just live in peace.” Miki looked at Yuri, and her face softened. “Your mother too, I’m sure.”
Yuri looked at Miki with a startled expression before smiling a small smile. She nodded. “Yeah.”
Silence fell once more before Miki broke it. “About Alice Kwok…” She trailed off, looking at Yuri who had a look of pure fury on her face at the sound of that taboo word, and Miki flinched. “I believe you when you say that she’s the one who had killed your mother. But do you have any proof?”
Yuri was silent for several moments before she shook her head from side-to-side slowly. “No, I don’t,” she said. “But I know that it’s her! That flower…that was her calling card. She’s mocking me!”
Miki nodded slowly. “Did you tell the police this?”
“I did!” said Yuri with frustration, waving her arms about. “They refused to believe me! And let’s face it! Who will? I am a major suspect in a murder case that has more than half of the country’s police in a panic! No one in their sane mind will believe me! Even Michiru-nii[1] is starting to think that I’m crazy!”
Miki didn’t say anything about that as she knew that Yuri is partly right about her eldest brother.
“Then what will you do now?” asked Miki at last.
Because her eldest brother is a CID officer, she also knew and understood how the police worked. And she also knew that it won’t take long before the police actually take drastic measures to ‘bring justice’ to Yuri, so as to speak.
The murder of Yuri’s mother would be all over the headlines of the newspapers by the next day, as the police already had nearly two CID teams on this case since a nine-year-old child is the main suspect of this particular case.
Yuri didn’t say anything as she recalled her mother’s last words to her…Hitomi Yagami’s dying message.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Go to your uncle, to the country of Japan. Do not return here again. Niisan was right. Like he always was. Listen, Yuri. Kami… Do not trust Kami…
Yuri frowned. It’s the last part of her mother’s words that she don’t understand.
Don’t trust God? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Furthermore…
Yuri frowned as she remembered the frantic phone call that she had received from her uncle telling her to go home immediately, and to get her mother out of the house. And less than an hour after she’s received that phone call, her mother was dead.
Her uncle must know something.
“…I’m going to Japan, Miki.”
Miki blanched. “Whaaat?!” Yuri was thankful that the door of Miki’s room was shut so that Michio can’t overhear their current conversation. “You’re going to Japan? Are you going to find your uncle?”
Yuri studied Miki.
She had a feeling that whatever she suspected about her mother’s death, as well as what she had suspected about her uncle must be kept to herself. Furthermore, she doesn’t want to drag Miki into her problems anymore.
Her problems are her own. And she’ll deal with it herself.
“He must know something about my mother’s death,” said Yuri at last. She clenched her hands into fists. “I know that he does.”
Miki sighed. “I can’t stop you, can I?” she said and Yuri smiled a little.
“And how are you going to get there? You’re not allowed out of the country. Scratch that.” Miki shook her head. “You’re not even allowed to take a single step out of the house! How are you going to go to Japan? And secondly, how are you going to contact your uncle when every single phone in our house is taped to record any phone conversations?”
Yuri sighed. “I don’t want to get you involved in this, Miki, but I think that I’m going to need your help,” she said hesitantly. “You don’t have to if you do not want to, but—”
“Forget it.” Miki interrupted. “You’re my best friend. We grew up together. The least that I can do is to help get you out of Singapore.” She sighed and looked at Yuri. “At least you’re not arrogant enough to not ask for help.” She muttered beneath her breath. She glanced at Yuri. “Give me your uncle’s number. I’ll call him using a public payphone. And…” She chewed on her lower lip nervously before looking at Yuri. “I might have to get Michio-niisan to help as well.”
* * * *
Michio Ishigawa was staring.
He groaned out loud and looked at the calendar on the wall to check if it’s April’s Fool Day that day, as he wasn’t sure that he had just heard right. Either that or his sister is playing a prank on him.
Michio definitely wasn’t expecting this when he had first woken up that morning.
His elder brother was gone from the house even before he had woken up at eight in the morning, like what Michiru Ishigawa had done every single time that he had an investigation on hand. Following that, his sister had entered the kitchen where he was having his breakfast of some toast and a cup of coffee, only to have Miki telling him what she needs his help with, which had the immediate effect of causing him to snort nearly half of his coffee up his nose.
“Whaaaat??!!”
Miki nearly winced at her brother’s loud and enraged yell.
“We need to get Yuri out of Singapore before the week is up, niisan, and you know it,” said Miki seriously, and Michio stared at his sister like she had just grown two new heads.
Miki sighed. “You know how the law in Singapore works, seeing as how we’ve often pored over Michiru-niisan’s books when he was still in the Police Academy! And you know that they’re this close to chucking Yuri in either a mental institute or the girls’ home for kami knows how long!” Miki placed the thumb and forefinger of her right hand so close together that they’re almost touching. “I won’t let them lock her up when Yuri’s done nothing wrong! She’s like a sister to me!”
Michio sighed and scratched his head. “If Yuri is caught, you do realise that we might be in big trouble, don’t you?” he asked seriously. “You’re taking a very big risk here. If Yuri is ever caught trying to escape, all those that have helped in her escape will be punished severely. And Michiru will be in big trouble as well, since he’s the one who is supposed to be keeping an eye on her during the investigation.”
“I know,” said Miki seriously. She looked at Michio. “Please, niisan! I know that you have a way to make fake passports. You can do illegal things whilst still being legal in the eyes of the law. Please! Help Yuri this once.” She was practically on her knees before Michio by this point in time, and Michio can see the pure desperation on his sister’s face.
“I’ve never begged you for anything in my life, niisan! Just this once… I’ll never ever ask you for anything again. Help Yuri!”
Michio sighed and scratched the back of his head. Yuri is like a younger sister to him as well, as Michio, Michiru and Miki grew up with Yuri together, especially since their father and Yuri’s mother were good friends.
And he didn’t want to see Yuri get punished for something that she didn’t do.
“Fine,” said Michio with a sigh, looking at his sister. “But if you are ever caught, or if Yuri is ever caught…” He looked solemnly at his sister. “You don’t know me.”
Just outside the kitchen, Yuri Yagami was leaning with her back against the wall, having heard every single word of their conversation, and she didn’t know what to think. She didn’t think that Miki was really serious about helping her get out of Singapore. She had merely assumed that Miki was saying that last night to make her feel better.
Yuri sighed. Now that Michio is involved as well, she had better not get herself caught trying to leave the country, or many people will be in deep trouble.
* * * *
Miki looked left and right to ensure that no one was around before she picked up the receiver of the public payphone under the block of flats several blocks away from her own house. Slotting a phone card into the card slot of the phone, Miki then dialled the number that Yuri had given her.
Three rings later, the call was picked up, and a voice whose owner sounded like he had just rolled out of bed answered in Japanese.
“Hello?”
Miki gulped a little at the sound of that voice.
She had never met Yuri’s uncle, but she had seen the photographs taken whenever Kenji Yagami had dropped by for his yearly visits every New Year’s Day. And even then, Miki had thought that Kenji Yagami looked rather solemn and serious-looking.
Miki had rehearsed the phone conversation that she’s going to be having with Kenji Yagami countless times, especially since she doesn’t think that the man is going to be very pleased to find out that his one and only niece is wrongly accused of murder, with said murder victim being his younger sister.
“H-Hello. Is this Kenji Yagami-san[2]?” Miki asked nervously in Japanese.
She could nearly see the man on the other end of the line frowning as there was a slight pause before he spoke again. “Who is this?”
“I-I’m Ishigawa,” said Miki. “Miki Ishigawa. I’m Yuri’s friend.”
“Yuri?” Kenji Yagami sounded almost bewildered. “Is she okay?”
“Yuri…is fine, physically, that is,” said Miki hesitantly. “Yagami-san. Something has happened.”
There was a slight pause before Kenji spoke again, and his voice sounded sharp. “Please explain, Ishigawa-kun[3].”
Miki sighed before lapsing into a watered-down version of everything that has happened. From Hitomi Yagami’s murder, to the police arresting Yuri, to the fact that she is now the major suspect in the murder case, and that she is currently placed under house arrest, and also the fact that Alice Kwok is the real murderer.
There was a very long silence after Miki had finished explaining everything to Kenji Yagami, that for a moment, Miki assumed that Kenji Yagami had just gone into shock. And when he spoke again, Miki froze, as his voice was cold…very cold.
“…I see. And I take it that Yuri needs something, otherwise, she would never get you to call me.”
Miki sighed before nodding, despite knowing that Kenji can’t see it. “My brother and myself…we’re going to find a way to get Yuri to Japan,” she said. “We have to get Yuri out of Singapore before the week is up. I know that my eldest brother might be in some serious trouble if Yuri actually managed to escape, but it can’t be helped in this case.”
“Thank you, Ishigawa-kun,” said Kenji with a sigh. “Yuri is lucky to have a friend like you. As for that woman and her daughter…” Miki shivered as Kenji’s voice turned extremely cold. “Those two will pay! They will learn to fear the name of the Black Dragon!”
* * * *
Three days later, everything was ready to get Yuri out of the country, though Miki knew that she might never be able to see her best friend again.
Michio had gone to see a friend of his on the day when Miki had made that phone call to Yuri’s uncle, and he didn’t return until late at night with a fake passport in hand. Michio had called in a favour from that ‘friend’ of his to make that for Yuri. And Michio had also called in a favour to have that ‘friend’ of his book an airplane ticket from Singapore to Japan in three days.
Fortunately for the three though, Michiru Ishigawa was hardly home these past few days which they were all thankful for, as the eldest Ishigawa brother might have guessed what they’re up to if he had been home.
And for the first time in her life, Miki was really angry with her eldest brother.
Can’t that idiot who calls himself a police officer see that they’ve arrested the wrong person?
Nearly three days of police investigation had turned up nothing. And the headlines of the newspapers were filled with nothing but news about the murder, stating that a mere nine-year-old had done the murder even though it wasn’t proven yet, though they’ve withheld Yuri’s name as she was still a minor.
“The flight is tomorrow at ten in the morning,” said Michio that night in Miki’s room as his younger sister was packing some of the stuff that Michio had managed to retrieve from Yuri’s house. Things like photographs of Yuri and her mother, though a few had her uncle in them, as well as a few books and jackets for the cold weather in Japan. “Question though: how are we going to get Yuri out unseen?”
There was silence as the three racked their brains before Yuri spoke up. “I have an idea,” she said, and the two Ishigawa siblings turned towards her. Yuri took in a deep breath before speaking. “Problem is that we might have to get up pretty early at a time when no one in their right mind will be awake. Say…three in the morning?”
“That might work,” said Miki, nodding slowly, realising what her best friend’s plan is. “Though you might have to disguise yourself a little, Yuri.” She added, glancing at her friend. “It wouldn’t surprise me if the airport’s police were given a photo of you.”
Yuri didn’t say anything but nodded, and Michio looked at the girl that was practically his sister in everything but blood, and sighed. “Yuri, listen to me,” said Michio seriously, and Yuri turned towards him. “I understand that you’re angry with this woman and her daughter,” he said, careful not to mention that taboo name. “And I also understand that you might want…er…‘justice’ on them. But if you ever get yourself caught trying to escape, many people will be involved. That friend of mine who helped in making a fake passport. Me. Miki. And possibly Michiru as well.”
Yuri glared at her feet. She knew that what Michio said is right. Even if she wants that woman and her daughter to get the punishment that they rightfully deserved, she knew that she can’t do it now. She just has to bide her time.
“I know that,” said Yuri at last. “I’ll bide my time. One day, I’ll see to it that that woman and her daughter will get what they deserve!”
Michio and Miki exchanged looks. Miki didn’t manage to see it, of course, but Michio could, especially seeing as how he’s older. He could see that anger and hatred had been clouding Yuri’s mind, ever since her mother’s murder.
He sighed inwardly. He really can’t do anything to help Yuri at this point in time. He could only pray and hope that Yuri’s uncle can help her, and that Yuri won’t lose herself to hatred.
“Get some rest, Yuri,” said Michio. “You too, Miki. We’re going to have to be up pretty early.”
The two girls nodded.
* * * *
Three in the morning came early for Yuri.
It didn’t seem like she’s been asleep for longer than a few minutes before Miki was shaking her awake in the dark. Yuri had to think for a moment with her sleep-clogged mind before she realised that it might invite lots of unwanted attention, as well as lots of awkward questions if anyone happened to see that the lights of Miki’s room is turned on the day when she somehow ‘vanished’.
Yuri didn’t even say a word as Miki handed her a pile of clothes before pushing her into the bathroom to change.
After dressing, Miki had tied Yuri’s shoulder-length hair into a high ponytail before placing a midnight black cap over her head, along with a pair of transparent purple sunglasses to go with it that she had somehow gotten out of nowhere.
It seemed to Yuri that it hadn’t been that long before Michio was bundling both Miki and herself out of the house and down the stairs of their HDB flat, and down to the car that Michio had borrowed from a friend.
The road was empty and pretty silent which isn’t too surprising, considering the fact that it was just after three in the morning as Michio drove silently to the airport. Miki nodded off beside Yuri whilst on the road until Michio had parked the car in one of the parking lots in the airport without actually turning off the engine.
“We’re going to have to wait here until it’s time for the flight.” Michio had told Yuri whilst turning on the radio to a classical station with the volume turned down a little to prevent Miki from waking up. “We don’t want any attention.”
“Really, thank you for everything,” said Yuri quietly.
Michio smiled at her from the driver’s seat. “Don’t mention it,” he said. “You’re like a sister to me. I won’t just sit by and watch as you get punished for something that you didn’t do.” He sighed, kneading his forehead. “Just get some sleep. I’ll wake you once it’s time for us to head into the airport.”
Yuri nodded and closed her eyes, but didn’t fall asleep.
She knew that her mother wouldn’t want her to seek vengeance. What was that that she had always said to Yuri? ‘Vengeance begets nothing but more pain and suffering.’ But then, is it right that that woman and her daughter will be able to get away scot-free without having to pay the price for their crimes?
It’s not fair!
Her thoughts soon allowed her to drift away into a deep sleep. And the next thing that she knew, she woke up to have the sunlight streaming on her face, and the sun was already quite high in the sky. Michio was shaking Miki awake.
“Alright, you two. Wake up. It’s time to go in.”
It’s finally time.
She’s going to leave this country for good.
* * * *
Yuri’s heart was thumping away like crazy in her chest as she sat in between Miki and Michio in the seats at terminal one of Changi Airport whilst waiting for her flight, with her head ducked down as the occasional police officer in the airport walked past her, praying that they wouldn’t recognise her.
“Yuri, just calm down,” said Miki in a low voice. “They won’t recognise you. I can barely recognise you myself.”
Dark thoughts were rapidly running through Yuri’s mind before Miki had even spoken. Thoughts that maybe some police officer would recognise her, and that Miki and Michio would turn her in…
“It’s time,” said Michio at last, glancing at his watch. “You’d better go in now.”
Yuri nodded before all three stood up and approached the customs officers standing at the entrance of the terminal checking the passports of some tourists.
“Be careful, Yuri,” said Miki worriedly before surprising Yuri by giving her a hug. “Be careful out there.”
Yuri nodded, her fake passport in her hand with her plane ticket, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder. “I will,” she said. “And thank you for everything. I’m leaving for now.” She tightened her grip on her passport and plane ticket. “But one day, I’ll be back. And Jessica Kwok and her mother will pay for doing this to me and my mother! They killed my mother! They ruined my life! I’ll get my revenge on them someday! And…”
I swear to the heavens who had given me only Hell…that someday, I will get my revenge!
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[1] -nii: A casual form of address for an elder brother
[2] -san: It is a polite form of address
[3] -kun: A form of suffix used to address someone whom one is not very familiar with. In Japan, first name address are reserved for extremely close friends or family members. One would address another, using a suffic like ‘-kun’.