Chapter 5

Saaya may be gone, but the people who loves her still have her in their hearts and minds. Her memory remain alive in them. They keep remembering the life of Saaya. Begins from the time of her started.

The nurses are so busy helping a woman in labor as she endures the suffering of childbirth just to deliver the life she carries inside her womb for nine months. She successfully delivered her baby and she fall asleep for an hour. When she open her eyes, the first sight she has is her husband watching over her while she's asleep. "Where's our baby?" she asked. The baby was finally given to her and she receive it and cradle it in her arms. "Our baby is a girl" her husband said. She breastfeed the baby and her husband was so happy watching them. "What will be the name of your baby girl Maam?" the nurse that taking care of her asked, "Saaya.. her name will be  Saaya" all the scenes faded, Saaya's mother return to the present scenery, where she's gazing unto the picture of the baby in the photo album. One by one she gaze on the photos, then she saw one photo of a little girl, she have a lovely bright smile that's like a sunshine brighten up the whole world from darkness, a little angel who knew nothing in this world but peace and love. Saaya's mother touch the picture of little Saaya by her thumb  and remember the time of Saaya's childhood. They're having a meal together, as one family, little Saaya who was the little girl in the photo was enjoying her Ramen, "Look at your daughter," she said to her husband and look at Saaya eating and wasting not even a small pieces, "Do you like it darling?" Father of Saaya asked, "Hai" with her mouselike voice, she responded, "You know mom, your Ramen is the best of the world" Saaya's mother felt the pride of herself for being a  cook for her family, and as they share meal together, they share smile with each other, their laughter dominated the table. As the scene fade away in her mind and she return to the present, she closed the photo album, cover her mouth, and started to weep as she knows all of it are only memories of the past, like a smoke that appears then fades and disappears, after death took away Saaya from them. Life is so cruel, witnessing her pain with a smirk in his face, mocking the grieving heart of a mother who lost her precious child. As the grief goes on, she finally come up with a decision, she'll follow her child to the underworld to be with her, having death to take her by her own will and end her time in the world early. She get a rope, tied it above and hang it. She put the circling rope into her neck, "wait for me there my precious Saaya" she closes her eyes and tears flow into her cheeks, as she prepare to drop her self, a "Meow" sounds from somewhere, hitting directly through her eardrum. She stops and take a look, and saw a cat that wear a t-shirt with the size fit for itself. With a bell tied on its neck, purring and slowly closing its eyes facing her. It meows for the second time, then it stands and stretch its body upward with only its toes touching the floor. Afterwards, it goes to her and rub itself on her legs, circling around. It purrs again and meows for another time. The face of the cat closing its eyes looking up to Saaya's mom, make Saaya's mom remove the rope from her neck and took the cat, she sat in the corner and petting it. She recall the time when Saaya got a kitten and took it home, "Where did you get that?" She asked, "I got it from the street, I feel pity on it, I was afraid that a vehicle hit it so I took it home" Saaya replied, her father approach them and see the dirty kitten, and Saaya beg her to have it, "Otosan can we have  him? Please…." She smiled and blink her eyes, showing her bright smile with her eyes as lovely as precious pearls. "hmmmm… Ok, fine.." Father said, "Yeheyy… from now on, this will be your knew home" Saaya lifting the kitten facing her, "what will I call you?? Hmmm?? Ahhh… I know, from now on, your name will be Fuku" Saaya show her brightest smile as she talk to her new kitten. Every time Saaya come home, she brought Fuku food, feed him then play with him like a child. Fuku close his eyes and purr as Saaya's mother petting him, she again recalls another moment of Saaya and it was the last moment she will see her. Saaya was preparing herself to travel, she bid her mother farewell, and then she pick up Fuku, hugged him, "Fuku, I will gave you to mother ok? No worry, I'll bring you bunch of food when I return" She then gave the cat to her mother, "Mom, please, take care of Fuku, even if.. I'll be gone" She smiled, then her phone rang and she answered the call, "Ok, I'm on the way" after the call ended, she smiled to her mother then bow, "Sayonara mom"

She gaze on Fuku, "Don't worry Fuku, this time, I won't leave you, maybe Saaya don't want me to leave you behind" She pet Fuku, "Don't worry, I will take care of you" Her husband arrive and found her with fuku in her arms, as he look unto another direction he saw the rope, approach it and touch it. "If you want to do this, let's do this together" He said, "Not now, for sure our daughter don't want us to do it," She replied, "And now I have a reason to continue my life" She lift Fuku facing her same way as saaya did when he first arrived in their house, "Saaya may be gone, but she left Fuku to us" Saaya's father took Fuku, wept and then hug the cat. The couple watch Saaya's music videos including the movies where she was one of the actress playing the role of the movie's character. Fuku is sleeping on her mother's lap.

Mizuki on the other side, she look upon the dark sky populated with multitudes of stars like diamonds in the sky, she remember the time, where she and Saaya are sitting in the vacant lot and gazing at the same sky that filled with stars, enjoying the scenery together and sharing stories. She get out of the bed, get a photo album and return to the bed and squat like monk in mediation, then opens the album. She scan it looking back to the past by the photos with Saaya collected in the album. She look back at the past. Mizuki left the house, get inside the school bus, met by a smile of her fellow child who was Saaya. She wave her hand and then take a seat beside her. The bus reach its destination, releasing a bunch of children to the school and the children spend the day in the school, listening to the teachers who share to them the knowledge they have learned throughout the years of studying in their lives just to teach it forward to the next generations. After the sessions of imparting knowledge to the children, they have a lunch break together. Foods are prepared for them by their fellow kids themselves who are tasked to do so, leaves of green vegetables and fish, chosen by the school themselves to be given to the children. Every lunch break is a feeding program to the country's primary school. The food is ready and children prepare themselves to take a bite, Saaya and Mizuki pick their chopsticks and prepare to eat, "Itadakimasu" they take a bite and enjoy foods together like one big happy family of children as if they're temporarily in an orphanage. After Mizuki spend her minutes taking a look in the photos of their childhood together with Saaya, she then move to their high school days, in a picture of them wearing a fancy clothes in uniform, she look back unto that moment, where they prepare themselves to perform in front of the whole campus' students. When they show up in front of the mass, they all clap their hands and shouts, especially when the music play and Muzuki, Saaya and some other girls together with them moves gracefully and elegantly according to the beat and rhythm of the music, especially the guys who have their eyes almost turned into hearts as they watch the girls moving together with the music. She turn to the next page and a bigger picture meet her sight, a picture of them together, Mizuki, Saaya, Ai and Aiko wearing a fancy elegant clothes and smile. She remember the moment they have together when the picture was taken. Mizuki, Saaya, Ai and Aiko are in the dance studio, in a group together doing so many excellent movements in a rhythm according to the beat and music that was played. After the music end, one person walk infront of them, "Excellent, you did a good job girls," She said, "I'm proud of you.. Now you're ready for your coming debut" smile shown up on their faces, Ai lift her hand slightly upward, closed her fist and pull down in flash, "Yes! We did it girls!" she immediately wrap her arms around them with her teary eyes, "Finally, our sacrifices paid us back" Aiko said. The time of their debut has come, and at the back of the stage, they're all having their intense heartbeat like a huge drum being hit gently, covering their mouths by their palms, Saaya place her hand on her chest and take a deep breathe. They are now called on stage to show up, take their own positions and ready for the show. As they show themselves to the audiences, all the people scream at the top of their voice as they start to perform the dance moves and singing they've practice for. After the show and entertaining the fans, they return to their headquarter and have some time spend together. They never change their clothes yet and then Mizuki, Saaya, Ai and Aiko took the photo which becomes a tombstone of the past and a picture in the album that Mizuki currently staring. She closed the photo album, sigh and look away through the window.

Aiko and Ai on the other hand, they're practicing in the dance studio, perfecting every steps and movements, song by song, music by music. "Ok girls, take a break" Aiko get a bottle of water and drink. Ai then sit beside her, "That was intense, but as time passed by we just take all with ease" She said, "Unlike when our first time" She look at Aiko's face having her eyes gazing unto nowhere, "Hey" she extended her hand and wave her palms faster in Aiko's face that she return on her senses and turn to Ai, "Are you ok?" Ai asked. Aiko took a breathe and exhales, resume to the direction where her gaze pointing out, "I just remember Saaya," Aiko's gaze turn downward, "I miss her so much ever since she's gone" their mood turns into requiem. Aiko remember the time of her audition, she was successfully accepted in the industry with the other aspirants. The time she began their training, perfecting their dance steps, molding their characters and improving their talents and skills, she met the three girls named Ai, Saaya and Mizuki and then they become close friends. Together they perform in concerts, in local and international TV shows and meet their fans to give them opportunity to handshake then hold their hands for a moment, talk with them and greet them with their brightest smiles, "Arigato guzaimusu" Aiko release the hand of the fan after the designated minute's duration ends, then show her brightest smile and bow. After the event, the management call for a meeting to the group and gave an announcement, Aiko, Mizuki, Saaya and Ai have their eyes open wide and almost they leap from their seats after hearing the info that was  involving them, "Congrats, you're all given chance to play a role in these new TV series, goodluck girls" the management said. They become a star in that moment, shine bright in the sky, being looked up by the people, Aiko, Saaya, Ai and Mizuki has given a role to play as a fictional idol group in a TV series aired in the national TV series that becomes a national phenomena in the time, it was titled "Girls Town" they shine bright on their skies as stars, and the TV series become a huge success in the country's TV show while the rest of the group members are assigned to take their own roles in a separate projects and dramas. They enjoy the prosperity together. The last taping has come for the final episode of the series Girl's Town, after they did the great acting for the last time, they have a farewell party together, rain of tears pour down, with laughters and hugs as they move on their separate ways apart from one another, and the four return to their usual routine of being a humble idols, but still a star twinkle in the sky. In the present, Aiko take a deep breath then sigh, "If only we can bring back time, maybe I'll stop all those things to happen" Aiko said, "I'll stop them to go to their solo concerts to avoid the tragedy to happen. First Mizuki, Then Saaya" Ai starts to cry like a kid, then blow by her nose through the face towel covering her nose, "Ai! Here you are again.." Aiko exclaimed, "I'm serious Aiko, I miss them so much, but Saaya totally left us" She then bury her face in Aiko's sleeve, that makes Aiko sigh "Fine" Aiko said. After work, Ai got home with her energy in a low level, her eyes almost want to close. She remove her shoes and put it in a shoe case with the other shoes collected and  arranged. She opens the door, then walk inside, "Tadaima" Ai said in low level voice, her mom and dad met her, and then ask her about her work, then told her about their past, "We're so proud of you daughter, you know? When I were your age, I went to the hollywood and play a role in a famous movie" Her father said, as Ai with her baggy face force herself to listen, "Ok dad, hehe" Ai said, "As an extra that died in the middle of the movie.." Ai's mom looked at her father's face, "Mariko you always embarrass me to our daughter" Father said, "But you did a good job, especially to your death scenes" mom replied, "But you know dear? Our movie together with your dad before made a huge success" Ai's mom and dad hold their hands and then dance like in romantic theme party, "And this is the dance we did in a romantic scene" Ai's dad have his hands on her mom's waist, "Oh so true, and then we did a kissing scene, aww" They smack their lips together, "Mom! Dad!" Ai exclaim, "You're so.." She cover her mouth and act like she want to vomit, her mom and dad look at each other and then resume their story telling to Ai, "Oh we forget that our darling is never been into a romantic roles" Dad said to Ai's mother, "Never been, but if it's the celebrity and model Kaito? Why not?" Ai put her palms on each of her cheeks and shake, "Ohh, perfect, and then he'll walk you in the altar and he will be our son in law" Mother said, "Tengnengneneng… tengneneneng.." Father added, "Tengnengneneng neng nenengneng neneng…" both Ai's parents acts the wedding ceremony in they're in the altar, "And then you may kiss the bride" Ai's mom said, then the again smack their lips together, "Oh, looks like our dear is so tired now, have a rest now sweet heart" Ai's Dad said, "Because tomorrow, you'll continue our dreams to be a star" her mom added. Ai went to her room, change her clothes, she put on her pink nighties, then take a step toward her bed. As she took a step, she saw the figurines of an anime character in the table, she took it then take a seat on the side of her bed, flip her legs on the opposite direction and have her right thigh put above her left thigh. The light reflect on her thigh's exposed skin that makes it glow like a lamp. She lift the anime character figurines up slightly as she held each one in her both hands and stare on it, then she remember the time when Saaya is still with them. In the anime studio, the director of a newly produced anime gives them an instruction, they are instructed to play the voice of the characters who are best friends in the anime series, then they're assigned on their post and start to do the job, acting only by their voice to gave the animated drawings a voice and a word to say. Saaya and Ai play a good chemistry in the voice acting and make the anime more alive. When it was produced, it made a great success, reaching the outside world even the farthest part of the globe, as their voice captures the heart of the whole world for successfully displaying emotions in the character they played. After the scene of the throwback of the past's memory vanished in her mind, tears drop in  the figurines of the anime characters they once given a voice and Ai started to sniff then grasp for air and chased her breath, her nose starts to stuck up, as she continue to sniff and grasp for air, she tighten her grip to the figurines and then put it on her chest and the noise she made becomes louder that it can be heard throughout the window. On the other room, her parents already have their eyes closed and their snore's sound dominates the whole room that even radio sound will be overtaken.

The sun reign in the sky, a brand new morning has come, everyone are busy of their own lives, having their own ways to earn for their living. Students go to school, workers go to work and Business people grinding their business to make money for their daily needs. As people begins their day doing their own lives and businesses, a piece of paper is being stuck on the wall, with a picture of a girl and a word written below the picture, "Missing"