FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY
❝We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here now with the power to shape your day and your future.❞
- Steve Maraboli
[Third-Person POV]
As the sun slowly began to rise, casting a warm glow across the Tachibana Estate, Mayumi woke up in a cold sweat, her heart racing and her breathing heavy. Boundless tears were streaming down her face. She had just the strangest dream.
In the dream, Mayumi found herself transported back to her childhood, to her grandparent's estate where she grew up with her onii-sama. She could smell the freshly baked cheesecake her obaa-sama used to make and hear the sound of her onii-sama's laughter as he played in the garden with his personal butler and maids.
But then, something strange began to happen. The scenery shifted, and Mayumi found herself standing in front of an old, abandoned warehouse. This place gave her chills and made her hair stand on end, but she felt drawn to it.
As she slowly stepped inside, she was greeted by a familiar face - her five year old self. She saw herself bound whilst crying uncontrollably. There was a man holding a whip and he was laughing maniacally as he lashed it towards the crying girl. This man was none other than Nakamura Taichi, the ruthless kumichō (組長, boss or chief) of Nakamura-gumi. But before it could reach her, a boy suddenly ran and shielded the poor girl from the ruthless whipping. She tried to get closer, but she couldn't see his face.
Mayumi had always been a vivid dreamer, but this one felt different. It was as if she had been transported back in time to a dark and desolate place. She couldn't shake the image of her younger self, helpless and bound, sobbing as an old man whipped the young boy who was hugging her.
As she lay there in bed, Mayumi tried to make sense of the dream. She couldn't remember anything like this happening to her when she was younger. But the emotions she felt in the dream were so real, so intense.
Mayumi got up and walked around her bedroom, trying to calm herself down. She went to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea, hoping the warmth would soothe her nerves. As she sipped the tea, she tried to remember if there was anything in her past that could have triggered this dream.
But to no avail, she couldn't remember anything. 'Who is that young boy? Was that merely a dream or a forgotten past?'
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In Japan, there are various festive activities held each year in every school, and Nōburu Academy is no different from the rest.
It also has a lot of activities, however, the Founding Anniversary, Undōkai (運動会, sports festival), and Chrysanthemum Festival are considered to be the three biggest events celebrated each school year.
Undōkai (運動会, sports festival) is a one-day event held every last Saturday of the month of May whilst the Founding Anniversary is celebrated on the 7th day of May. Chrysanthemum Festival, on the other hand, is a two-day event held every last Friday and Saturday of October.
The moment Tachibana Mayumi stepped out of the minibus, she was greeted by a buzzing crowd loitering around the large elliptical-shaped clearing located at the center of the Nōburu Forest (West) where various colors and sizes of tents and fair rides were set up.
Today is a momentous occasion as it marks the 143rd anniversary of the founding of Nōburu Academy and Nōburu University. In celebration of this special event, the Student Council has collaborated with the Nōburu Sakuru to organize an array of activities for the entire school community to partake in, including the staff, faculty members, and students. These activities are designed to bring together the Nōburu community in a spirit of unity and camaraderie, while also commemorating the rich history and traditions of the institution. It promises to be a day filled with excitement, fun, and meaningful memories for everyone involved.
However, Mayumi did not come for it. Her purpose was to find Giichi. Despite their desire to end the engagement, they were unable to do so due to pressure from their families. While they technically had the option to break off the engagement at any time, both of their parents had implored them to stay together for the sake of their respective clans. As a result, they had relented and remained engaged.
The Minamoto Clan's lawyer explained that the contract can be dissolved through mutual agreement. The consequences stated in the contract can only be applied if only one party wants to cancel the engagement, while the other doesn't.
Mayumi stopped dead in her tracks in front of the main entrance as her thoughts were dragged back to the night she and Giichi announced their decision to their parents. Just thinking about it made her hair stand on end.
She remembered her otōsama and Minamoto Etsuji's words clearly. They all have been manipulated by Nakamura Taichi in order to seek revenge for his okaasama and sister.
FLASHBACK
"Akira-san loves to read and write stories." Etsuji broke the long silence as he took a small book from Sato Yuuto. "When she died, Taichi decided to publish her story."
He passed it to his son who then passed it to Hideo and Mayumi. Gendai no Shinderera (現代のシンデレラ, A Modern Day Cinderella) was written in bold at the front page. This was the story written by Nakamura Akira before her suicide.
The story was centered on a girl named Hanami, who was the illegitimate daughter of a noble. When her mother passed away, Hanami was taken in by her noble otōsama, who became her guardian. Unfortunately, Hanami's life was not a happy one, as she was subjected to constant abuse and servitude at the hands of her evil stepmother and half-sister.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Hanami's life took a turn for the better when she met a charming prince. The two of them felt an instant connection and fell in love. However, their love was met with disapproval and faced many challenges. But through their unwavering devotion, they were able to overcome all obstacles and achieve their happily ever after.
Prior to the accident, Tachibana Mayumi had a tendency to act irrationally. She would speak or act without considering the consequences, and she wouldn't listen to anyone, but herself.
She finds pleasure by physically and verbally hurting Hanami, wherever and whenever possible. The latter was treated like a servant when Tachibana Benjiro was not around, making her life a living hell, but she endured all of it in silence. However, all of it was part of Taichi's plan.
Tachibana Hanami isn't her otōsama's biological daughter...
GLOSSARY:
1. Onii-sama is a Japanese honorifics that means "older brother".
2. Okaasama means "mother".
3. Otōsama means "father".
4. -sama (様, さま) is a more respectful version for people of a higher rank than oneself or divine, toward one's guests or customers, and sometimes toward people one greatly admires.
5. Nōburu University (ノーブル大学) and Nōburu Academy (ノーブルアカデミー) are just fictional institutions.
6. Nōburu Sākuru is a fictional organization as well.