CCS Clear Card Arc Episode 2 kept up with the quality of the
first episode. As I mentioned, I probably won’t review every episode, but I was
anticipating this episode all week long, so I thought, why not.
My memory of the manga is hazy, so I’m not always sure which
dialogue was included in the manga script and which ones were added to flesh
out the anime. First off, I’ve always enjoyed “filler” episodes in the original
CCS anime—some filler episodes actually ended up becoming some of my favorite
ones, such as the “Dream Card” episode, Meilin’s childhood flashback episode
and the elevator episode. I’m too lazy to look up the episode numbers, but I’m
sure fans will know which episodes I am referring to anyway.
Some of my favorite parts of CCS were where the crew were
idly sitting around and chatting and just being their adorable selves, in between
all the battling cards. So I especially loved the lunchtime picnic scene this
episode. How do they all keep that kneeling posture throughout the meal though?
They are such proper kids. I am very glad to here the crew mention both Wei and
Meilin—I think it’s a good sign that Meilin might make at least a one-episode
return this season. I thought it odd that they included a flashback image of
Wei, but not of Meilin, especially since they mentioned her matsuri photo. And
there was something fishy about Syaoran saying “You guys know better about news
about Meilin than me.” It was sad he didn’t get to go to the festival with
Meilin, and the fanfic writer in me couldn’t help going—evil Li Clan Elders,
keeping Syaoran so busy!
I really enjoyed the art class scene, because the drawing of
the woman playing violin kind of pulled my heartstrings a bit, because it
reminded me of Nadeshiko. I liked reference to Tomoyo’s design roots, sketching
of the designs like a pro, and also a glimpse of her pattern book. The other
thing that pulled my heartstrings both last episode and this one is how much happier
Syaoran looks compared to when he first came to Tomoeda. I think the Dash Card
episode was the first one we saw him half-smile in in the original series. Now,
he’s smiling so often, gets along with his friends, even eats lunch with them,
and can carry normal conversations with people other than Sakura and Tomoyo.
The other point is, even though he has Sakura and is back in Japan, how he still
manages to looks so lonely in between shots. I loved the crew’s conversation
about clubs—as predicted, Sakura and Chiharu’s in cheerleading, Tomoyo in
chorus, and Naoko is befittingly in the drama club. Syaoran is busy so he’s not
joining in any clubs—but we see him happily playing soccer again in Episode 2—could
I ask for anything more? Syaoran making a goal (I presume because it was off screen) and happily being glomped by his teammates, jumping up and down like a proper middle schooler, with Sakura watching on from the art classroom. And Yamazaki-kun is tall so he got scouted to the basketball
club. I love how Tomoyo slyly points out that if Syaoran joins an athletic
club, Sakura would be able to cheer for him. I also like how they did so much
to flesh out Naoko’s character in the past two episodes, since she was pushed
to the side often in the original series, and I’ve also taken a renewed
interest in her these days.
I’m glad Tomoyo came to the rescue with the Siege Card with
her clothespins, and that Sakura is wearing battle costumes again. I found the
last bit with Mizuki Kaho taking care of Nakuru at the end rather endearing, considering
I’m not feeling too kindly to Eriol for being so mysterious again. But Eriol
does have great interior décor taste. Why does Ruby Moon want to return right
away—I wouldn’t mind more fleshing out of her character as well. She’s a lot
cuter away from nagging Touya all the time to keep him apart from Yukito.
I don’t know why but I can’t help enjoy Touya and Sakura’s
sibling bickering so much—their encounters are some of my favorite parts of
each episode. If I had a little sister as cute as Sakura, I’d bully her all the
time too. No Fujitaka this episode. I don’t know why but it sounded like Touya
was being a bit jealous of Sakura over Yukito too this episode though. And
Kero-chan is a glutton, and of course Touya cooks okonomiyaki.
And how glad I am to see Kero-chan introduce outfits of the
week again at the end of the episode.
Random remark, but last week, one of our designer interns
had a pink Card Captor Sakura mouse pad in the office (it was one of her magic
circle), and I couldn’t help pointing and exclaiming, “Card Captor Sakura!” so
excitedly. I felt an immediate bond with
the new intern. I said, “My favorite anime of my youth!” I’m not sure if I ever
uttered that sentence out in public before, let alone work. She was like, “A
new season of CCS started,” and I was like “I know!” The other two designers
were like, “I don’t know what that is,” and we went, “How can you not know?”
I can’t even with the amount of sweetness overload and nostalgia in
this episode, in case anybody needs some healing after the debacle that was Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (which I enjoyed in its own right). In order to savor the
experience more, I didn’t watch any of the trailers for Card Captor Sakura
Clear Card Arc, and watched this episode completely “fresh.” First off, the
Opening Theme didn’t disappoint with Maaya Sakamoto’s “Clear” though no OP song
will ever beat “Purachina.” I didn’t watch the trailers so it was my first time
hearing it. Based on the title, I thought it would be more of an upbeat sort of
song, but it was rather more mellow, and the whole opening sequence was a clear
homage to “Purachina,” which was nostalgic, and I am glad that the animators
have stayed very faithful to the original series. I despise series sequels that
seem to forget the original source material but with the original director,
Morio Asaka, with CLAMP’s Ohkawa-sensei in charge of the script and series composition
and produced by Madhouse, we are in good hands. At the same time, I wouldn’t
have minded a fresh take for the opening sequence either, which is why I really
appreciated the Ending Theme Saori Hayami’s “Jewelry” with the slightly sketchier
animation, with Sakura and Syaoran trying to go on a date with Stalker-Tomoyo
lurking in the background. It was also wonderful having all the original
seiyuus reprise their roles and they sound pretty much the same or even better
(maybe higher audio quality compared to the early 2000s).
I won’t do a customary summary of the episode, since you can
find that in lots of other places, and most of you probably read the manga
already, anyway. I don’t really think my review contains anything
spoiler-worthy, either. Unexpectedly, the person I was the happiest to see was
Kinomoto Touya! I always had a soft spot
for his voice actor, Tomokazu Seki, as well, and I missed his playful banter
with Sakura. The other part that made me go “hanyaan” is Syaoran’s return scene—never
thought I would get to see it animated 15 years later. The part that made me
squeal is the use of the “Purachina” instrumental version “Honto no Ichiban”
from CCS OST 4. Different from the original manga is that Syaoran appears
wearing a green vest over a white button-down shirt and brown slacks in the
most Syaoran-like outfit ever, instead of the Tomoeda Middle School uniform. I
think I drew a dozen fanart of Syaoran in an almost identical vest outfit back
in the days.
They’re all midgets still, but their height seems to be Yamazaki > Syaoran > Sakura >Tomoyo.
It was strange seeing Tomoyo slightly shorter than Sakura! My third favorite
part was Yamazaki-kun and Naoko-chan ganging up on their new 1-3 classmate Syaoran
and taking advantage of how gullible he was! Yamazaki-kun telling Syaoran, “Never
change, Li-kun,” would be my favorite quote in this episode, with Naoko nodding knowingly in the background.
Other random observations might be, is it safe to assume
that Sasaki Rika transferred to the same junior high school as Hououji Fuu from
Magic Knight Rayearth? More like, is Rika actually Fuu? They have the same hairstyle!
All she has to do is don the glasses (which Fuu ditches in Cephiro anyway.) Maybe Terada-sensei broke her heart so she ends up in Cephiro, and hooks up with Ferio.
Another note on the Ending Theme is that Syaoran is
amazingly as fashionable as ever, wearing a mustard shirt with red tie and
plaid pants, and oxblood loafers! I think Sakura trying to take a photo of
Syaoran, getting him to make a “V” with his hands is about the most adorable
thing ever (but was Tomoyo always this stalkerish in canon too?) Sakura and Tomoyo
swinging their hands walking along King Penguin Park is adorable too. I didn’t mention
how awesome seeing and hearing Tomoyo in action again was, because that’s just a given.
There was some heated debate over at the New Trial Facebook
group on “What color is Syaoran’s eyes?” Which turned into the existential
question of what color is amber? What is color? Is golden, red-brown, and
red-brown, golden? Based on a viewing of this episode—his eye color constantly
changes! Also, I hope Meilin makes a comeback at some point in the
animated series! I repent for thoroughly hating her when she first debuted in
CCS. I know I mentioned I was debating whether to watch CCS: Clear Card Arc as it airs or marathon it after the season ended--who was I kidding?
Syaoran puts his coat on Sakura by wishluv on DeviantArt This is the longest period of time I have gone without drawing anything--it's not just that I haven't been posting artwork on devianart, but I haven't been drawing straight out. I'm not sure why. My fingers hurt from using my tablet drawing this picture--I guess my finger muscles haven't been used in a long time. I'd forgotten that both Sakura and Syaoran's hairstyles are a pain to draw and color. But I drew young Sakura and Syaoran for the first time in a long time to celebrate Card Captor Sakura Clear Card Arc anime airing on Jan. 7 2018--which is next week! I've actually held off on watching all of the previews and the later manga chapters, but I might give in and watch the previews next week. I don't know how I feel about this fanart, actually. I actually haven't come to terms with the time warp in Clear Card Arc, where Sakura and Syaoran are younger than when we left off with them at the end of the original CCS manga. I know it's clearly for merchandising/brand issues, since a younger Sakura is iconic and adorable, and I'm okay with that, but in my head, sometimes I can't help just think of Clear Card Arc as another alternate reality where Syaoran returns to Japan in just one year (as opposed to the original ending in the manga, where Syaoran appears to be around 14 years old, which I deduced from their designs being comparable to the Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles counterparts). I'm fine either way though, I'll take more CCS in any form I can get it. I actually like the new character design for Touya an Yukito better, but I prefer Syaoran's original design where he was less shouta-fied and more angular. Which is why my fanart is a hodgepodge of designs and something seems off in my mind. I was actually planning on releasing Chapter 73.5 Part A for Christmas, but all of you know, my self-imposed deadlines are just my fanciful thinking. I guess the good news is, Chapter 73.5 Part A is nearly done? All of you guys know by now that a chapter being done to the chapter getting edited and released can face delay, but I've feeling back in the New Trials groove these days. Darn it, I was supposed to have finished New Trials before Clear Card Arc anime aired, so I could just focus on watching it undisturbed. Knowing CLAMP, they'll probably spend another five years finishing the manga and the anime probably will get rebooted in another 10 years! I really wish I can finish New Trials in 2018 (even if I do finish it, there are a whole bunch of side stories that I would like to complete as well, such as Kaitou Magician origins and the Legacy of the Five Forces.)
I feel like I'm always a date late but nonetheless, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I've shared this song before, but there is quite no song like "Itsuka no Merry Christmas" by B'z, my favorite J-Rock band ever, during this time of the year.
But at the end of the day, I really don't feel like I completed a chapter until it is up on my website. Traditionally, I would post chapters up on my website first and then Amethyst Beloved (and Digidynasty before her) would post it up on fanfiction.net. In more recent years, I've taken to posting chapter on ff.net first, first because of the server change scare, then later because I realized that it serves as a convenient notification system to readers. That, and also, it's interesting to monitoring stats and traffic on ff.net as a gauge of how many people do access a new chapter. For example, I thought it's amazing that New Trials had over 4,500 views, of which 1,700 were unique views in the month of November, during which I finally posted Chapter 73 Part II. However, ff.net messes up the paragraph spacing, and you can't use asterisks, my favorite form of scene breaks, and at the end of day, makes chapters look very ugly, so I do prefer most posting up on my website, kindly hosting by Robert Arrowsmith. I further realized it's much easier to upload onto my website server, after logging in following a very long time. Check out the newest chapters as they should be seen, with a few minor typos corrected: Chapter 72: Almost Left Behind and Chapter 73: The Other Side of Midnight. I also added the author's note for Chapter 72, which wasn't posted up on ff.net. I also posted up a Li Clan Hierarchy Version Three (spoilers for beyond Chapter 72 for readers' convenience, since it might be confusing to keep track of all the Lis running about. It also includes key Wu Clan and Tang Clan members. Furthermore, I went through Arcs 3 and 4 and reuploaded chapters that had broken characters in them. Sorry it took so long to get to them, but I figured you guys noticed that my old website at http://wishluv.revolutionhosting.net/newtrials.htm is still up and running, so you could have accessed the original chapters without the broken characters there, thusI didn't really prioritize fixing the chapters. They seem to have occurred during the server shift, which Robert so kindly transferred all the files for me, hence I'm not even sure what went wrong. I've also gone ahead and updated any weird line spacing or fonts as well, and changed all the old spelling of Meilin's name, Meirin, to Meilin in Arc 3. I switched somewhere in the middle of Arc 3, so I just wanted to make it consistent--I still have to go back to Arcs 1 and 2 someday to update it. If you still find any wonky characters in chapters, leave a message below or email me at hopeluvpeace@hotmail.com and let me know! Also, check out Amethyst Beloved's New Trials Revisited blog in a reread experience, and also to enjoy old fanarts. I'm having a fun time reading through the posts now that I'm finally finished with Chapter 73--which might be one of the longest if not longest chapter to date for some reason with over 110,000 words. New Trials will definitely break the 2 million word mark by Chapter 74. Length does not necessarily equate to quality, and it's not like I intended to write such a long fanfiction for so long, but since we (yes, all the readers) stuck by this story for so many years, we might as well break some records.
I'm also amazed at all the amazing fanart that readers have continued to share over the years. This one of Tomoyo and Leiyun from Chapter 73 by Kristina Rondilla looks like it can be straight out of an anime, and there's many wonderful artwork being shared, and I love it!
Lastly, if you have read the ending notes to that chapter, and I hope you do, it was dedicated to a beloved reader, Kelly Wallace, who has unfortunately passed, but my prayer and thoughts are always with her, and for her family.
Sorry, did I say in my last post Part 2 would take two weeks? I meant actually two months. At the end of Chapter 73, in my author's note, I do include a lengthy long-winding existential non-excuse. In other words, I have been working consecutive six-day weeks, sometimes seven days, this month for some reason, and I don't think my schedule is going to let up much through December, atop year-end obligations. I do love the time I do get to spend writing New Trials though, that hasn't changed in all 18 years of writing it, and I am eager to be working on new material (well, actually, when I got tired or revisions to Chapter 73, I was writing the special chapter.)
I don't I don't want to give away any spoilers, but those of you who have read Chapter 73 Part 1 may have to go back for a reread (probably necessary anyway because it's been so long since my last update) because I added back in a scene that I cut during my revision process initially to include as a flashback in Part 2. If you are too lazy to read the whole thing over again CRT+F "Wednesday," it's the scene between Tomoyo, Leiyun and Eriol that some of you were curious about and noticed was missing. I also updated a few typos pointed out by the hawk-eyed Amethyst Beloved, much thanks to her.
I planned to update this chapter for Halloween, since I think it's appropriate for Halloween, but at least you can use Thanksgiving break, those of you living in the United States. Nope, no holiday for me though.
I can't get over how ugly my chapters looks on ff.net though. And I can't tell if that site is awfully slow, or if it's just my computer. Hopefully I get to actually update my website at wishluv.com. I'm actually a little bit scared to try to log in again.
Music spotlight:
Maaya Sakamoto's "Saigo no Kajitsu" is my favorite theme song from the Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle franchise, and was the ED them to Tokyo Revelations. I'm so excited for a new Maaya song for the OP them of CCS Clear Card Arc (which I totally called), but I am a bit bummed it's not another Yoko Kanno collab.
First off, belated Happy International New Trials Day! And also I feel so bad for missing Sakura's birthday on April 1 and Syaoran's birthday on July 13. It's not that I did not forget them, but rather, I felt so guilty for not having the latest chapter up and ready, so I've banned myself from doing anything else but work on the chapter, including communicating with all of you here and via FB and Yahoo Group. Self-imposed punishment that no one wants, including myself. Without further ado, New Trials of Card Captor Sakura Chapter 73: The Other Side of Midnight Part 1 is up on ff.net. Now, for the usual apologies and updates on what I've been up to. Truthfully speaking, Part 1 of Chapter 73 has been pretty much ready to go since Sakura's birthday, but there was an aspect of Part 2 that I have not been completely satisfied with. But I think I've sorted out the kinks finally. I think if it was an earlier on arc, I would have just went with it, but as you know, New Trials is coming to an end, and the closer we get to the finale, the higher standards I have for myself, and the harder it's become to publish chapters, especially because I am writing ahead as well. It's not that I have neglected New Trials, but rather, when I am home at night after work, I always have my New Trials Word document open on the background, every single day probably, though some days I am more productive than others. But I don't want to bore you with all the excuses, but I want to thank all of you for being so patient from the bottom of my heart. In my head, I have a timeline (which I probably never keep), but I expect Chapter 73 Part 2 to be up within one or two weeks, catch up with correspondence this month, and also update my website wishluv.com page finally with Chapter 72 and 73, so that it would be easier to read by next month. Thank you always for supporting New Trials! Really, I think without everyone's encouragement, I would not have been able to celebrate the 18th of New Trials, and over 20 years of Card Captor Sakura. I guess thanks for CLAMP for sticking with Sakura and Syaoran so long, and keeping the franchise up and vibrant, especially now with the Clear Card Arc!
Music Spotlight:
Family of the Year - "Hero"
This is a song I listen to a lot when I write Leiyun scenes, and I think it is an appropriate theme song for him. And below is Yo Yo Ma's performance of Paganini's Caprice No. 24, which would make sense if you've read the chapter.
Music Spotlight: Ayaka Hirahara's "Not a Love Song" I've
raved about Ayaka Hirahara a lot on this blog. This song in particular
has been on my playlist frequently over the past several months.
Befitting for Valentine's Day, no? Highlight for spoilers from Chapter 73:
It had been her mother who first broke the news to her. Her father was
dead. Li Ryuuren, the Chosen of the Li Clan, had died during a mission. He had
just been 30 years old. Her father who wielded the jian better than anyone she
knew, who had promised to teach her how to summon a dragon some day, her father
who was rarely home but always brought home a little trinket for her from his
travels. Her father who played the violin for her and her cousins in the
parlor.
Her father would never come pat her on her head and smile down, with his
brilliant blue eyes, the shade of the Hong Kong oceans on a sunny day. They
said she had her father’s eyes, but hers were not as deep a blue as his were. He
was never coming back anymore.
Fuutie learned the news of his death before her four younger siblings,
because she was the eldest. Syaoran was only three, so he didn’t really
understand what was going on. It was the first and last time she had seen her
mother shed tears. Her younger sisters clung to her skirt, crying, asking where
their father was. But she was the oldest. Even though she was only 10. Even
though she was just a child herself. She had to be strong for their sake. She
couldn’t show weakness. And she didn’t.
If only they didn’t hold the funeral, she could have pretended he was gone
on another long mission, that he will come back home someday. But they held a
wake and a long, grand funeral procession, befitting for the Chosen One of the
Li Clan, and they buried an empty casket in the soil. She knew it was empty
because Cousin Dairen said so—he had heard directly from his father, Elder
Daifu. Where had he gone to, and why hadn’t he come back? How did he die?
Nobody had any answers to these questions.
Fuutie did not go to school that day. She did not want to face the politely
sympathetic teachers and classmates and try to pretend everything was okay. Instead,
she took out a wad of cash she had saved up, packed extra food into her
backpack, and ran away from home for the first time in her life. She took the
subway on her own for the first time. And she went to the seaside. Her father sometimes
wanted to get away from the chaos of the Li Clan, and he liked to come to this
beach. Sometimes, he brought her along. Because she was special. She was his
firstborn. But she would never have a getaway with him anymore. She kicked off
her shoes and peeled off her knee socks so that she could feel the sand between
her toes. She walked closer to the water, till she could feel the waves splatter
against her toes. She walked deeper into the water, till it reached her calves,
then her thighs, the waist. The water was icy cold, but she didn’t care. They
sky was overcast and the water was a murky gray-blue.
“Father!” she cried out. “Father! Where are you?” Her voice echoed out
across the vast ocean but there was no answer. “Don’t leave me! Daddy!” She
didn’t realize how deep she had walked into the ocean, and the water reached
nearly to her chin. The wave was coarser, and she nearly lost footing. Her
school uniform was completely drenched. But she did not care—it was a relief to
be out here, alone, away from her sobbing sisters, from her mother who had a permanent
line down the center of her forehead, from Uncle Wutai who was smirking
throughout the funeral, from Leiyun who looked as if the world had shattered,
when it wasn’t even his father who had died.
And she did not see him at first. A boy in a high school uniform had waded
up into the ocean. All she knew was that a strong pair of arms grabbed her from
behind her. And she struggled out of basic instinct. “Let me go!” she shrieked.
“Let go of me.” She tried to kick him. But he wouldn’t let her go.
He shouted at her, gripping her tighter, “You can’t die! You stupid girl.
You’re so young, and trying to do something this foolish. Do you know how
precious life is? Treasure it more!”
She stopped struggling against his hold, and cranked her head to catch a
glimpse of the idiot who thought she was trying to kill herself. He was tall,
with shortly cropped wheat-colored hair, and an intimidating visage. She might
have mistaken him for one of the local hooligans, but she recognized his
uniform as that of a high school that some of her older cousins went to. And
his eyes, under slanted brown browns, were a clear barley color, full of
concern despite his course language. She was about to retort that she was not
in the midst of attempting suicide, but the next wave was high, and would have
engulfed her if she wasn’t lifted up over his shoulder, easily, with one arm,
and dragged out of the ocean.
“What are you doing, you hooligan?” she demanded, pounding her fists into
his back, her legs kicking out wildly.
He dumped her on the sand unceremoniously and said, “Good. Seeing from the
power behind your punches, it seems you have plenty of fire left in you yet.
That should be enough to keep you wanting to live on.”
With a scowl, Fuutie tried to strain the water from her pleated skirt and
straightened her blouse. “I wasn’t trying to kill myself!”
“Then what were you doing in the middle of the ocean, with the water to you
chin, with a storm brewing out there?” demanded the high school boy. He too was
drenched from head to toe, and had not even bothered to take his shoes off.
“I was just trying to mourn in peace!” retorted Fuutie, glaring up at him.
“For whom, may I ask?” he asked, in a softer tone.
“My father,” said Fuutie.
“I see. Couldn’t you mourn on land?” His eyes were sympathetic—but not
condescendingly so— and she found she didn’t mind sympathy from this person.
“I can’t cry in front of my younger siblings—I have to be strong. I
promised Father I would take care of the family. Because I’m the oldest,” said
Fuutie, her throat closing up. She was shivering now from the cold. “But the
ocean doesn’t care if I cry. The ocean will not judge me. The waves cover up the
sound.”
The older boy knelt down in front of her and wiped the tear streaming down
her eyes with his bare hand. “I would lend you a handkerchief, but a hooligan
like me doesn’t carry around handkerchiefs. And even if I did, it would be wet.”
“I’m not crying,” said Fuutie, sniffling, wishing the high schooler would
just leave her alone.
He blinked those pale brown eyes and asked her solemnly. “So, what is
saltier? The ocean or your tears?”
The ridiculousness of the question nearly made her laugh out loud. And the feisty
young Fuutie replied, arms crossed, “Since we established I’m not going to kill
myself, and never intended to in the first place, you can go along your way
now.”
“I’ll take you back home.”
“No!” she exclaimed. “I’m not going back home.”
He heaved a long sigh. “Running away from home is not going to change
anything. You said you have younger siblings, right?”
“Four of them—three sisters and a baby brother,” said Fuutie glumly.
“Wow, that’s a lot of them. I only have a younger sister and brother, and
they’re a handful as is,” he said with a gentle smile. “Think how distraught
your sisters and brother would be without you by their side.”
“I’m not going home today,” she repeated.
With a shrug, he said, “Well, I guess I’ll have to stay with you until you
decide to go home then.”
“You don’t have to do that!” said Fuutie with a scowl. “I know how to take
care of myself.”
“I don’t doubt that, if you’re the oldest of five,” he said. “But a storm’s
coming, and the tide’s rising, and I can’t leave a kid out here alone. It’d be
on my conscious.”
Fuutie glared up at the young man, who she figured was five or six years
older than her at most. But he felt like an adult, more mature than her
annoying cousin Dairen. He had broad shoulders and was extremely strong—she
knew because he had flung her over his shoulder like she was a sack of
potatoes. He was built like a fighter, just like her father. But he was also
kind-hearted, for he could not leave a girl out in the storm alone. “Fine, I’ll
go back home.”
“Where do you live?” he asked.
“Victoria’s Peak.”
“I thought you were a young miss,” he said with chuckle. “You’ve never run
away from home before, have you?”
“Have you?” she asked curiously.
“Numerous times,” he replied. “Told you I’m a hooligan.”
“But you always returned home?”
“Of course.”
“Why?”
“Because I always remembered the crying faces of my baby brother and
sister,” he said with a nostalgic smile. “And when I came back home, they would
rush up to me with their small arms and hug me tightly with the brightest
smiles. Eventually, I didn’t have the heart to runaway and make them sad
anymore.”
“You don’t seem much like a hooligan,” she remarked.
He chuckled. “Well, kiddo, not all hooligans go around with the word
hooligan written on their faces. That should be a lesson to learn early on.”
“I’m not a kid,” said Fuutie with a scowl.
“Then tell me your name,” he said.
“It’s Fuutie. Li Fuutie,” she replied.
“Not of the Li Clan up on Victoria’s Peak?” he asked slowly.
She nodded.
“Then the funeral of your father—your father was Li Ryuuren?”
“Yes,” she replied—it was a grand funeral procession, so it didn’t really surprise
her that people knew about it.
“I see,” he said softly. “You went through a lot, kid.”
“Fuutie,” she repeated. “My name is Fuutie. What’s yours?”
He stared down at her and finally replied, “Zino.”
Zino took her to the foot of Victoria’s Peak, so that she could get on the
tram up the hill but did not join her up. Fuutie was sure that nobody had even
missed her yet, with the chaos of the funeral. But she was glad she did not
have to disappoint her mother and siblings. True, she was sopping wet still,
but she could blame it on the storm—for it had begun to rain, just as Zino had
predicted. “Thank you, Zino,” she called out from the window of the tram, and
he smiled and waved at her. His eyes were a pale yellow-brown, just like tiger’s
eyes glowing in the dark.
She would always remember the day she bid her final farewell to her father
at that ocean. That was the start of her first love.
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