Remember Me, Baby.
The Hidden Clue

It had been more than six hours Keiko was on her knees. The girl knelt down until her thighs and calves were numb. Her eyes were red and swollen, but her tears would not stop. All the memories with the father popped into his head, sending out an unfamiliar sweet and bitter taste. His throat was as if he was gagged with a cotton swab that made him feel very uncomfortable.

Keiko desperately wanted to close her eyes, hoping that all the things she had experienced the past few days were just dreams as she reopened her eyes.

He really wants everything to go back to how it was when he woke up. Even though he doesn't love Hiro, he still wishes they were okay after the engagement a few weeks ago. At least, his father will still be alive, won't he?

Unfortunately, he knew it was all impossible. His subconscious hopes that way, but his common sense keeps reminding him that inevitably, like it or not, situations like this will definitely happen someday.

Maybe not now, but one week, two months, next year? It's just a matter of time delay. Those people were already targeting his father and Mr. Kobayashi, there would definitely be no way out. Back then, if there was no Andrew Roux, then .. wouldn't his life have been lost as well?

Keiko blinked a few times as the sound of knocking on the door vaguely disturbed the senses of her listeners. He sharpened his ears, then heard Andrew's voice which seemed quite anxious calling his name from behind the door.

The girl slowly moved to get up, painstakingly stacking her weight on the edge of the table and sitting on the bed. The sunlight reflected from the window glass refracted the golden light. It was past noon, but not too late.

“Keiko ... are you okay?” ask Andrew again when he does not get a response from the girl in the room. In his hand was a glass of warm milk. He was really worried about Keiko's condition.

“Yes. Wait a minute,” Keiko replied slowly. His voice sounded hoarse and dry.

He was still sad, but there was something else he still had to do. His father's ashes must be put at sea. The girl limped towards the bathroom to wash her face. He patted her on the cheek for a while, then went out and opened the door.

Andrew was stunned at Keiko's pitiful appearance. That cheerful and excited figure turned dull and withered. Carefully Andrew thrust out the glass in his hand as he said, “This, drink first.”

The man looked straight at the round bead before him and continued, “I've prepared some things for .. um, you can check it out later if you feel better. If there is anything else you need for the procession, just tell me or Kim.”

Keiko returned Andrew's sincere looking gaze. The girl's slender fingers stretched out to receive the ceramic glass that was handed to her as she muttered softly, “Thank you for all your kindness. I'll reply to him someday.”

Andrew paused for a moment before replying, “No need to thank me. Let's just say I was paying my debt to you in the past.”

He immediately walked away before Keiko could reply. Keiko. He could only stare at Andrew's distant back, then gripped the glass handle tightly.

What does that guy mean? Are all his words about reincarnation really?

Warm milk steam with a sweet aroma hit Keiko's face. A warm feeling slowly crept into his heart. All of Andrew's attention and mannerisms made him feel not alone. There are still people who care about him.

The girl closed the door and stepped back into the room. He stood by the window staring at the waves hitting the rock. His hand was raised, bringing the end of the glass near his lips and sipping the contents slowly.

Very carefully Keiko turned the ring and removed the thing from her finger. He lifted the object, then read the letters and symbols engraved on the inside of the ring. He only found the carving last week, when he accidentally removed it when he was about to take a bath.

His father always told him to take care of the ring carefully, never give it to anyone. At that time he thought his father said that just because he wanted to keep it well. However, now it seemed that the meaning of the thing was not as simple as he thought.

He has decided, after spreading his father's ashes at sea, he will start investigating those who betrayed his father and Hiro, then avenge the Sakamoto and Kobayashi families. Maybe he can start investigating from this ring. As to how ... he will think about it later. Now the important thing is to take care of his father's ashes first.

The girl put her ring back on, then finished the milk in a glass. He stared at the nearby ash jar with nanar. His determination was already unanimous, he would demand revenge to those who had killed his family members in a very cruel way. One by one, they would receive the same pain.

The sound of knocking returned to disperse Keiko's daydream. He hurried to open the door, thinking Andrew Roux was back to say something. But it was Kim who came. The woman bowed politely when she saw Keiko standing before her.

“Nona, this was prepared by the Captain for you,” Kim said as he handed a papper bag to Keiko, “If there is anything else you need, please tell me.”

“Good, thank you,” replied Keiko while receiving the pouch that was handed to her.

The girl immediately went to the bathroom, cleaned her body quickly, then tried the black suit that was in the papper bag. The size is very fitting, looks simple and not excessive, but still leaves a classy impression. There was also a tiny and elegant pearl bross inside the bag. Keiko took it carefully and pinned it on the chest. Unknowingly the corners of his lips were pulled upwards. It can be said that Andrew Roux's taste is very good, almost the same as his own taste.

Not waiting for long, Keiko tidied her hair and polished the sun screen onto her face, without powder or blush. He also just smeared a little lip moisturizer, then walked out while carrying his father's urn of ashes. He forced a faint smile when he saw Andrew and Kim were waiting for him in the living room.

Andrew felt a little better when he saw the smooth arch that had been slanted on Keiko's lips. At least, the girl's appearance was no longer as chaotic as before. In addition, he was happy because the clothes he bought were very suitable for Sakamoto Keiko.

“Have felt better?” ask Andrew.

Keiko nodded steadily as she muttered, “Hum, tolerable. Thank you.”

“Good. Come, the ship is waiting at the dock.”

Once again Keiko nodded and walked obediently behind Andrew's body. The tall and sturdy silhouette before him gave an unexpressed sense of security and comfort. Slowly Keiko's doubts about Andrew dwindled. One reason was because he remembered Hiro's words during their last meeting.

Hiro clearly said that Andrew liked it. As a competitor, it was impossible for Hiro to speak if he was not quite sure of the credibility of his rival. He was sure that Hiro would not entrust him to just anyone.

A thin grin again adorned Keiko's face. The afternoon sunlight was warm, radiating into his heart. It turns out being noticed by someone doesn't feel too bad.

***