The readings are over.
So, everyone, how was it? Did you have a good time?
The stew is just all gone, too. We’ll just finish off with the rice gruel.
Oh dear, what on earth is the matter? Why are you all so silent? I can’t really tell because it’s so dark…but are all of you trembling? I can hear the glasses clinking.
What? You mean the story I just read?
Yes. I most certainly did receive it from Itsumi. It is her authentic work.
That’s right, Itsumi knew everything. She saw through your filthy scheme—your devious, foolish, thoughtless conspiracy.
You stupid girls. You should have just accepted your roles as Itsumi’s pets. She would’ve taken care of you if you had stayed quiet and submissive, you know.
True, you were always afraid. She had the power to turn your lives upside-down with a single word. If she’d spilled your secrets, your lives would be over—which is why you have lived in fear all this time. But I suppose that’s what you call a deal. And Itsumi had an excellent one. She had an irresistible charm and was a natural at manipulation.
Yes, Itsumi was a natural femme fatale. She majestically wielded your secrets with unabashed determination to remain the center of attention. You should have made a show of your weaknesses, pretended to rely on her, hid yourselves in her bosom, and just stayed her loyal sidekicks. If you had done that, you would have been safe…
Now, now. Why are you all crying? What is so frightening? Ahh, the lily-of-the-valley. The pitch-black salon. The mystery stew. Yes, no one would raise any questions if the stew tasted or smelled funny. Which is exactly why Itsumi made today her day of vengeance. Yes, that’s right…I threw in the lilies.
Uh-uh, there’s no use rushing to the door like that. It’s been locked from the outside. And the windows, too, of course. It’s true. You cannot escape from Itsumi’s revenge. This salon is the stage. You are the actors. Itsumi is the director. The actors can’t leave the stage until the director calls, “Curtain!” Hm? You’re beginning to sweat? Your eyes are itchy? Your stomach hurts? You can’t stop shaking? You’re nauseous?
Well, you can’t blame me. Yes, as Itsumi’s story said, I am the mastermind of this plan. When I heard she wanted revenge, I carefully predicted everything that could happen and devised a detailed plan. I wanted to find a way to scare you while making Itsumi and Mr. Hojo happy at the same time. But weren’t you the fools who started all this in the first place?
Stop screaming. It’s very unbecoming of you to scream like that when no one can hear you. I mean, we are the proud high-school girls from St. Mary’s Academy, are we not?
Why don’t you all sip on a cocktail and take it easy for a while? Take a good listen to what I have to say.
Come on, calm down and think about it: Why did I read Itsumi’s story for her?
Itsumi said she’d be here tonight, but she didn’t show. Did she abandon her plans for revenge? No. That’s not it at all. Itsumi is a spiteful girl. She really did come to the salon today. She had fistfuls of flowers to put in tonight’s stew.
After Itsumi and I finished preparing for tonight’s meeting, she read me the story I have just finished reading to you, while I had some tea.
Her eyes gleamed, and her voice trembled with delight. “What do you think?” Itsumi asked me at the end.
“That was the best,” I answered truthfully. I thought her story was incredible. It was a stunning revenge encased in a flowery fragrance. Has vengeance ever been so ladylike? I was happy to help her.
“This plan was all thanks to you,” Itsumi even went as far to say.
Alluring, clever Itsumi. She manipulated anyone and anything she liked to satisfy her desires. She was cold-hearted, cruel, drastic, tenacious, powerful, and narcissistic—but that was her appeal. It was what made her exciting.
She’s been that way since elementary school. She was the polar opposite of me and, while I admired her for that, I made sure to never get too close to her. I was a frail little girl who people made fun of every time I was absent for being sick.
On one occasion, I was out sick for a week, which was not unusual for me then, and I was dreading the ridicule I would face from the girls when I went back to school. But when I got back, all of my bullies had been expelled. The holy chalice that decorated the church, the Sisters’ rosaries, the students’ valuables, and several other items had been stolen. They were all found in my bullies’ shoes cubbies and lockers. I was still in utter shock when Itsumi turned to me with a soft smile and lightly bowed her head. That was when I knew: she had planned it all.
I don’t know why she did that for me. She had everything that I lacked and I was smitten with her. I imagine she felt the same about me, too. We were completely inseparable. Then, I decided to be her antithetical partner in crime.
I was the Phantom who lurked in the shadows, making sure my Christine became a star. I was the Watson who shone the light on Holmes’ logic. I was the Melanie Hamilton who supported Scarlett O’Hara in secret. These characters would do anything it took to see their partner shine. They were opposites dependent on one another—indeed, two who were always one. Their life had meaning because their partner shone bright.