Mika’s Destiny: The Mountain Princess’s Return

What is this sound?

The sound wouldn't go away, persistent and rhythmic. At first, it was a little faint, but then it became sharper, more distinct.

It sounds so familiar.

Instantly, Mika was wide awake.

It was the ringtone on her phone assigned to her Aunt Harumi, the only relative she had.

Mika raised her head, blinking against the early morning light that filtered through the paper shoji. She was lying on a soft tatami in an unfamiliar room.

Where am I?

Her fingers detected the phone nearby and she pulled it closer. She looked around and the events of yesterday started to slowly fade back in in her mind.

I'm still at Matsuda-san's place!

While she panicked about that, Mika also instinctively pressed the button on her phone. Aunt Harumi called every morning to check that Mika was doing well and ready for the day. It was one of the few constants in Mika's life, and she was always thankful for it. Except today. This morning's conversation was going to be awkward.

"Good morning, Mika! How are you? Are you already awake?"

Mika smiled softly, the tension inside her easing slightly upon hearing her aunt's voice. "Good morning, Aunt Harumi. Yes, I'm fine. Just woke up."

"Well, I'm delighted to hear that. It's a gorgeous sunny day over here. What about Kyoto?"

Mika's mind flashed back to being in someone else's home.

I don't even know! I shouldn't tell her where I am.

"I haven't looked yet, but it looks bright, too," Mika mumbled.

She suddenly became aware of the gaze she locked with a man.

Phew, it's Matsuda-san!

Disheveled Matsuda-san raised his head from a table he seemed to have slept at in another corner of the room. He seemed to stare at Mika with as much of a surprise as she felt when she woke up.

Afraid that he was about to speak, Mika quickly put a finger to her lips and mouthed "It's my aunt."

Matsuda-san froze for a moment, but then nodded and ran his hand through his hair.

"Excellent!" chirped Aunt Harumi in the meantime. "Any special plans for today? Any news to share? Anything I can do to help?"

"Uhm, not really," said Mika, trying to think of a way to end the call quickly. "I have to get ready to run to a lesson a little earlier than usual today," she was making up a story on the fly. "Can I maybe call you in the evening instead?"

"Of course, of course, my sweetheart," said Aunt Harumi. "As long as you're up and in good spirits."

I have no idea what state I'm in yet.

"I am, thanks," replied Mika. "I'll talk to you later."

"Have a wonderful day!" she heard Aunt Harumi saying before ending the call.

Mika put down her phone, her head buzzing with the next set of questions and concerns.

Now what? What should I say to Matsuda-san? What happened last night? How did I end up on this tatami?

She glanced at Matsuda-san, who must've read the confusion in her eyes, because he stood up and, after clearing his throat, said: "I took the liberty of putting this tatami down for you when you started falling asleep. It's uncomfortable to sleep on the floor."

Mika blinked at him, still processing. "I… I see," she muttered.

"When you lay down and fell asleep, I put a blanket over you," Matsuda-san continued, shifting anxiously on his feet. "I hope you slept well."

"I did," said Mika.

At least, I think I did.

She looked around. Everything was now in order, neatly packed in several moving boxes, except the tatami and the blanket Mika used last night.

Yes, I remember now. I helped him pack his things. I told him to move out and hide in plain sight…

Another recollection suddenly came to her, making her stiffen.

I told him to move to my place!

Mika stared at Matsuda-san, wide-eyed. There was a flash of awkwardness in the teacher's gaze, followed by a more apologetic look.

"You told your aunt you had to rush," he said softly.

He's giving me a way out, pretending nothing happened. But I can tell that he remembers. And how can I possibly pretend that I didn't suggest it after all my talk about helping him.

She took a deep breath, her mind racing. Then she remembered the whole story: they had just closed one of the boxes, and Mika just asked him to promise to help prepare for the audition. "I promise," replied Kenji Matsuda. "We'll make arrangements as soon as I move." That's when Mika thought of a possible arrangement that would allow him to move right away and spend as much time as she needed on coaching her for the part. "You can move to my place," she had exclaimed. "It's not too far from here, and I have enough space to accommodate a guest."

That's exactly what I had said. It would be cruel to take it back.

Mika swallowed her hesitation.

"Teacher, are you still okay to move to my place?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

He shook his head. "Move where?"

Her gaze softened a little as she looked up at him. "You don't have to… It might not have been the best idea in the world—but I'm not taking it back."

Matsuda-san paused, clearly surprised by her calm reaffirmation. "You're sure?"

All the pieces fell back into place in Mika's mind.

Aiko! The role, my duty, and destiny of many people who depend on me. That's what's important!

Mika's expression hardened slightly, more determined than she felt. "Yes. I asked you to move to my place, and that's what we'll do, if you're still planning to help me."

She watched as Matsuda-san absorbed her words, his face a mix of relief and remaining uncertainty. His lips parted, as if to say something, but instead, he simply nodded, though his eyes lingered on her in that same apologetic way.

"Alright," he finally said softly.