Itsumi had to see the private tutor in the salon even if she didn’t want to.
She acted like nothing was wrong and treated the tutor as kindly as she did everyone else, but the situation must have caused her a lot of stress. She eventually stopped talking and became deeply depressed.
I often asked her if she was okay, but she would only shake her head weakly. Her worries must have been wearing her thin. If I had been Itsumi, I would have forced the tutor to quit and tell her to leave the Literature Club at once, but Itsumi couldn’t do something so cold-hearted. After all, Itsumi was the one who’d taken me in when my future dream restaurant and bakery had burned away, so I’m positive that she felt she couldn’t just abandon this poor and rotten scholarship student.
Itsumi was different from who I’d thought she was. She was someone who could “macaronage” her relationships. She smoothed over the bubbles of dissatisfaction and sadness, and seamlessly blended in with the other members and built strong relationships with them. She didn’t fold or squash herself flat, but didn’t say anything that would create cracks in her relationships either. I had always thought it was Sayuri’s job to keep the peace, but I came to realize that Itsumi also had to make compromises of her own. One reason she may have been a good club president was because she knew when to back down.
✦ ✦ ✦
One day after school, I stayed later than everyone else to make Bavarian cream for the next day. I had washed the utensils, wiped the counters, and was just about to leave until I found a checkbook that had been left on the sofa. It had a crocodile skin cover. Despite the fact that I’d slipped it into Itsumi’s bag when she’d left it in the salon previously, she had forgotten it again. I was about to call her cell when Itsumi appeared in the doorway.
“Ahh, phew. That’s where I left it.” She took the checkbook from my hand and hugged it as if it were very special to her.
“I’m glad you’re the one who found it, Akane. Otherwise, she probably would’ve stolen it.”
“Is she still stealing from you?” I asked. Itsumi’s face went dark and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Itsumi?”
“Actually…She stole something very important from me yesterday.”
“That’s terrible! What was it?”
“My barrette. It has a white lily on it.”
“And you’re sure that your mother or driver or someone didn’t just put it away when they were cleaning?”
“I asked them about it, of course. No one’s touched it. I was keeping it safe on my dresser.”
“That’s horrible…”
“I would have been able to forgive her if she stole anything else. But not that barrette. My grandmother had it custom-made for me before she passed away.”
“I still think we should talk to the police. She’s committed an awful crime.”
“No. Jesus says that we should forgive those who have done wrong unto us.” Itsumi smiled mercifully. “I mean, what a poor child. Her financial poverty has impoverished her heart. She must be going through a lot. I’ll try talking to her. I’m sure she’s not so bad deep down. Please don’t judge her.”
A few days later, Itsumi came to me to tell me the good news.
“We’re finally going to talk tomorrow after school on the terrace. She said it’s her favorite place on campus. I don’t think anyone will be there to hear us, so I’m sure she’ll open up to me.”
I thought that that girl was nothing more than an underhanded thief, yet Itsumi was doing her best to protect her. I was sure the girl would regret her crimes.
And yet…
Why did this happen? I was dumbfounded to see Itsumi’s corpse, hidden in a bed of flowers, right before my eyes. Did their conversation go awry? Did the girl fly into a rage? Or…had the girl called Itsumi to the terrace, intending to push her to her death all along?
I was so naïve, so foolish to think that this girl would actually reflect on what she had done. While Itsumi was carried away, I stood amongst the shrieks and sobs of the schoolgirls, vacantly staring at her body. Just then, the flowers in her bloodied hand caught my eye.
Lilies-of-the-valley.
It hit me at once. This was Itsumi’s dying message. She used the flowers to tell me who the murderer was, and to indicate that she had tried to forgive the girl until the very end.
It has been one week since Itsumi left us. The academy, the Shiraishi family, and the police have all been trying to understand the meaning of the lily, hoping that it will reveal the truth about Itsumi’s death. I kept my mouth shut until today because I know she wouldn’t have wanted me to identify the criminal, but this has, conversely, made the club look even more suspicious.
I think it is time to reveal the truth. I could not be as merciful as Itsumi, but I personally cannot forgive the culprit. Someday, I will apologize to Itsumi for my betrayal when we reunite in Heaven.
✦ ✦ ✦
(Finish)
✦ ✦ ✦
Thank you very much, Akane Kominami.
From the girl who peacefully smiles while making sweet treats, such a dry and sarcastic story is really unexpected. But this must be the true charm of what we call “storytelling.” Objectively observe the facts. Transform them into something new. Through this process you will find feelings that you weren’t aware of before.
Akane. Perhaps you didn’t realize you disliked—ahh, right, you used the word “hated”—Itsumi until you had written your story? Did you only realize that you felt that way after you had started writing?
That’s what I thought. Perhaps this is the true meaning behind our stories tonight: for us to mourn the departed with honesty.
Though I must say, your story contained some interesting details. You also say you know who the culprit is. But your story contradicts the previous one in several places. What is the truth…? It’s hard to tell the difference between fact and fiction in the dark. It’s easy to feel confused.
I am both terrified and excited to hear the rest of you read. I wonder what other stories are in store for us.
I’m sorry. You can return to your seat, Akane. You write eloquently for someone who says she doesn’t like language studies very much. The story is filled with your girlish poison.
All right, everyone, a big round of applause for Akane Kominami.
✦ ✦ ✦
Wow, the thunder is really loud. The storm doesn’t look like it will let up anytime soon. The rain is only growing harsher. How frightening.
By the way, has everyone had enough to drink? I’ll hand out some sorbet cocktails to cleanse your palates. I know it’s hard to see the floor, so I’ll let you light your candles for now. Come on, everyone should take seconds if they want.
Oh, Mirei, is something wrong? You look pale. And why are you taking off your barrette? Didn’t you say it was a valuable memento—something Itsumi passed on to you?
Well, everyone, the stew is burnt. I understand that you’re wrapped up in each other’s stories, but please do continue to eat.
All right, next…Whose turn is it? Oh, yes. Diana Decheva, the international student. There’s no need to rush. Take your time eating and come up when you’re done.
*1 Wabisabi is a type of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
*2 A kaiseki is a multi-course Japanese meal.