Michiko: The Yakuza Empress

[1] Purple Haired ---- Michiko's Pov I remembered the pain. My muffled shout. Those tiny blades. Ang lahat sa katawan ko noong araw na yun ay namimilipit sa sakit. Hindi ko ma-imagine kung gaano pala talaga kasakit lagyan ng insignia. Nang bata pa ako, I thought it was cool to have one. I saw okasan and otosan's family insignia. It was beyond beautiful. I thought. It was remarkably amazing to have one. I was really looking forward that someday soon, I'll get it imprinted in me too but I was wrong for it was the most hurtful thing I've ever been. I can hear my parents encouraging words. "Michi. You can bear it. You need to." But the heck? I was awaken by a hushed sweet voice calling my name. Ang malamig na kamay nito na magaang nakapatong sa noo ko. I blinked once, twice at napatingin sa nakangiting ginang. Mukhang napaginipan ko na naman ang araw na 'yun. Kung saan naging opisyal na ang lahat at lubusan ko ng tinanggap ang parte at mahalagang tungkulin ko para sa pamilya namin. "Ka-san?" bulong ko. My voice was still raspy from just waking up after a tiring day yesterday. Kinusot ko ang mga mata ko at sumandal sa headboard ng kama ko. Tumayo si mama at tinungo nito ang malaking bintana na gawa sa salamin at tinabig ang makapal na kurtinang pinantakip roon. Pinanood ko lamang ito. "Itai. Close it back, ma. Masyadong maliwanag." pag-angal ko habang nakatakip ang mga kamay sa mga mata ko. I tried to peeked pero masyado talagang maliwanag sa labas at pumapasok na ito sa loob ng madilim kong kwarto. "Michi." natatawang pakli ni mama. Naririnig ko ang mga yabag ng paa nito na papalapit sa kama ko. Dahan-dahan niyang inalis ang mga kamay ko nang makalapit ito pero nakapikit parin ang mga mata ko. I swear I'm gonna blocked that window totally or made it tainted. "Hahaha. Come on, Michi. It's already morning. It's just natural to have this much light." I heaved a sighed. But not in a frustrated or annoyed way. Minulat ko ng dahan-dahan ang mga mata ko at hindi nagtagal ay nakaadjust narin ang mga 'to. My eyes were sensitive. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ito nagsimula. "Ohayo ka-san." bati ko rito. She smiled slightly. "Ohayo," she replied. "But it must be 'Magandang umaga' from now on Michi." paalala nito. Muling bumalik sa akin ang nangyari kahapon. Right. Simula kahapon lumipat na kami ng tirahan ni mama dito sa bansang Pilipinas. It means I, too will be studying here from now on. Great. "Now. Now. Prepare yourself. We're going to tour your new school today." Really? Ngayon na talaga? I'm too tired, though. "Okay." I mumbled. With mama's happy face, it's hard to turned it down. Ngumiti muli ito sa akin sabay paalam na aasikasuhin na muna nito ang agahan namin. She loves to cook and eat. ---- "Philippines, huh?" I looked at myself for the last time in the wide fogged-up mirror. I guess, may nagbago. Well, there's nothing I can do about it. "Okay. I think I'm ready." I said at my reflection. No voice in my head. Nothing. Good. Lumabas na ako ng kwarto wearing my best ever smile or so I tried.  Ang sakit sa panga. Well, mukhang mapapadalas yata ang pagngiti ko lalo pa't nasa Pilipinas na ako. Mahalaga ang bansang ito para kay mama dahil dito siya isinilang. My mom has a Japanese and Filipino bloodline. She's the one who taught me how to speak tagalog since I was still a kid. And to my surprise, ang dali kong natuto maybe because nananalaytay rin sa akin ang dugong pinoy. So, I don't want to disappoint mama. I won't let her worry about me anymore. I won't cause any harm. Sisiguraduhin kong hindi mararanasan ng bansang ito ang halimaw sa loob ko. Please, do not be awaken. Habang naglalakad ako sa hallway nitong mansion ay may bumabati sa akin. May mga newly hired maids and butlers na pure pinoy but not an ordinary one though. I nodded at them and smiled. This is Michiko Natsume and I'm ready to make friends. ---- "Good morning, lady Michiko." Napatingin ako sa huling babaeng bumati sa akin. I was now standing in front of my huge portrait that mama kept on insisting na isabit talaga ito sa harapan ng double door. Napansin kong kanina pa ito nakatingin sa larawan ko. Hindi pamilyar sa akin ang isang 'to. I smelled a fresh start working girl. And something.. err, sweaty? "You're new, am I right?" Yumuko ito ng bahagya saka sumagot. "Y-yes, lady Michiko." Heh. Too formal. "May I know your name?" "Oh? It's Selena my lady. Selena Gonzales." Tumayo ito ng tuwid saka nagtama ang paningin namin sa isa't isa. This girl is quiet lovely. I think I will liked her. "Okay. I'm Michiko Natsume. It's nice to meet you." pagpapakilala ko rin dito at inabot ang aking kamay. She grabbed it enthusiastically. "My pleasure young lady." I just hate her gesture. Masyado siyang pormal. Para tuloy syang carbon copy ni Kuran. "Don't be too.. "Michi." Hindi ko natuloy ang sasabihin ko nang bigla dumating si mama. Kaya napalingon kaming pareho sa kanya. "Oh? So you two have already met," aniya. "Good. Good." I nodded. "Good morning, mistress Natsume." pormal na bati nito kay mama na ikinasimangot ko. "Hahaha. Don't be too stiff young lady. Ayoko ng Kuran II dito," sabi ni mama habang tumawa. "I want you to be friends with my daughter, Michiko." Napatitig ako kay Selena. She's still quite nervous and stiff. Parang natatakot ito. Mukha ba akong nakakatakot? I smiled at her. She seems calmed at that. Good. The last thing I'll do is to scare away mama's new hired assistant. "Yes mistress." "By the way you can call me Michi." saad ko. "Ah. Y-yes la-. M-michi." she blushed. Why is she blushing anyway? Pagkatapos ng pagpapakilala ay tinungo na agad namin ang dining hall kung saan naghihintay ang mainit na agahan na hinanda mismo ni mama. Nagrereklamo narin kasi ang sikmura ni mama kanina pa. One of the reasons, kaya tinapos na namin ang pag-uusap. ---- "We're here." Selena exclaimed. Napasilip ako sa tintadong bintana ng sasakyan. What a huge silver gate. May ganito palang gaku sa Pilipinas? Nakakamangha naman. Sino kaya ang may-ari ng eskwelahang 'to? I would like to talk to him. Bob blocked my view at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto. By the way, he's my personal assistant. I exited. "Thanks Bob." Yumuko ito. "No problem, young lady." Ngumiti ako sa kanya saka ko ulit binalingan ng tingin ang malaking eskwelahan. Sa gilid nito ay may isang wooden stall proudly standing. Lumapit ako rito at binasa ang nakasulat. "Sakura University. Enrollment is going on." Sakura? Why do it sound familiar? I'm not talking about cherry blossom. "Michi? You ready?" tanong ni mama sa malambing na boses. Tumango ako sa kanya. "Very well. Let's go. The dean's waiting." When we're inside the beautiful premises. Ang unang napansin ko ay ang silver statue ng isang Sakura tree. Wow. It was so beautiful. Kamangha-mangha ang lumikha nito. He really copied well our pride flower tree, cherry blossom. Maybe the owner of this university is a Japanese or have the adoration to Japanese culture. Or maybe it was this Sakura that's itching at the back of my mind. ---- "Hey look. She's so beautiful." "Look at that long purple hair. Is it real? Napatingin ako sa dalawang babaeng nag-uusap ng mahina sa hindi kalayuan. Nang mapansin nila akong nakatingin. Bigla silang namula at naglakad palayo. Ang daming estudyante ngayong araw. I guess, sikat ang eskwelahang 'to. "Michi?" Nabaling ang tingin ko kay Selena ng tawagin ako nito. "Tara na?" "Ah. Yes. Let's go." Ang sabi ni mama kanina hindi na daw namin kailangang pumila pa para ma-enroll. Instead we will approach the dean's office directly and he's waiting for our arrival. Talking about connections. "Here's our student manual, Ms. Natsume. The rules and regulations and the history of the university are all printed in that manual." sabay abot sa akin ni dean ng maliit at makapal na libro. "Sakura University." Binasa ko ang cover ng manual. Tapos binuklat ko ito at isinaradong muli. I eyed the man. "Thanks dean." I stood up and bow down a little. "You're very welcome, Ms. Natsume. Thank you for choosing our university. I hope you enjoy our unique curriculum." he proudly stated. Unique, eh? Ngumiti ako at nagpaalam na  sa kanya. I stormed out of his office and saw mama and Selena talking seriously and seconds after, they're both smiling. They seemed so close to each other. Tahimik akong lumapit sa dalawa. "It's official. I'm a Sakuranian now." pahayag ko at ipinakita sa kanila ang hawak kong manual. Napangiti si mama. "I'm happy for you, baby." masayang bati nito at niyakap ako ng mahigpit. "Welcome to the Sakura University, Michi." bati rin ni Selena sa akin. I smiled at her. For everybody's information, Selena's an old student here in this university. She's now in her sophomore year. "Thank you Selena. Take care of me." Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap ko siya na siyang ikinabigla nito. Mukhang hindi siya sanay sa affections kaya bumitaw ako agad. She's really shy. "We're going to celebrate!" pagkuwa'y ani ni mama. Ngingiti na sana ako pero. "Wait. How about the tour?" taas kilay kong tanong. "Come on, Michi. Marami ka pang araw para malibot ang unibersidad na ito. You can take your time. Besides kasama mo naman si Selena. She'll help you, right Selena?" "Yes mis- titas right." she smiled awkwardly. "I guess. Okay." I replied. I then gave them my best smile. And this time for sure, it doesn't hurts. ---- On our way, we decided to just celebrate in one of our hotels. Para makaiwas narin kami sa traffic at nakapilang orders ng mga kostumer. Pero hindi ko lubos akalain na mas malaking hassle pala ang aabutan namin. "You b***h!" someone shouted. Ito agad ang unang bumungad sa amin. Nakita ko ang pagsampal ng isang babaeng customer sa isa naming staff. "I'm so sorry madame hindi ko po sinasadyang matapunan kayo ng juice." umiiyak na sabi nito saka aligagang pinunasan ang nabasang damit ng babae. "Yuck! Don't freaking touch me!" maarte nitong sigaw at itinulak ng malakas ang staff namin dahilan para masubsob ito. Napansin kong may tinawag si mama na isa sa mga staff namin para awatin ang sitwasyon. Napagpasyahan kong puntahan ang sanhi ng kaguluhan. Iniwan ko si mama at Selena at tinungo ang pwesto ng babae. "How will you pay it now huh? b***h?! Alam mo ba kung magkano ang halaga ng damit na 'to, you poor clumsy girl!" Aapakan na nya sana ang staff namin wearing his stiletto. Kaso nahawakan ko agad ang kamay nito dahilan para sya'y mapatingin sa akin. "Hey! Don't touch me!" inis nyang pakli. Seriously? Wala na ba siyang ibang linya? Ano bang ipinaglalaban ng isang 'to? My staff already said its apology. Ano pa bang kailangan niya? "What do you think you're doing?!" sigaw nito. "I said let go of my hand." Napangisi ako at pabagsak itong binitawan na ikinasimangot ng retokadang mukha nito. Tsk. Could you please remind me later to not forget to sanitize my dirtied hand? "Teka nga lang? Sino ka ba?" "I should be the one asking that," tinignan ko sya ng matalim. "b***h!" diin kong dagdag. "W-what? Me? b***h? How dare you." sigaw nito at pumuputok-putok pa ang ugat sa kanyang noo. Napakibit-balikat lamang ako at nilagpasan ito. I looked down at my staff na mukhang wala pang balak tumayo. "Hey, could you stand? Or itatayo pa kita?" maang kong sabi sa malamig na boses. Isa sa pinakaayaw ko ang mga mahihina. They can't even stood for themselves against these kind of people. Hinahayaan lang nilang apihin sila. This surely pissed me off. "Get back to work." diin kong utos sa kanya. Agad naman nyang pinulot ang silver tray sa sahig. "Y-yes, my lady. I'm so sorry." Hinatid ko ito ng tingin at muling binalingan ang sanhi ng gulong 'to. "Oh? Andito ka pa? I thought umalis ka na. What are you still doing here?" tinignan ko ito mula ulo hanggang paa. "Looking like that." "Tsk. You!" she shrieked. Sasampalin na nya sana ako pero agad kong naharang ito at sinampal ito ng pagkalakas-lakas. Halos bumakat ang kamay ko sa lumuluwang cheekbone nito. Oh? Let me rephrase it. Bumakat talaga yung kamay ko. I guess it's a soveiner, eh? "Now get lost b***h!" malamig na sabi ko sa harap mismo ng mukha nito. She flinched at napaatras ng kunti. Dumating naman ang mga lalaking staff at inescort palabas ang babae. That girl is now in my blacklist. "YOU PURPLE HAIRED! WE'RE NOT YET DONE!" pahabol na sigaw nito. Napahawak ako sa noo ko at napailing. Such an unladylike manner. "Please everyone. I'm so sorry for the commotion. Please enjoy your stay and the food. Thank you." sabi ni mama sa mga naistorbong customers na nakatingin lang sa eksena. I really hate bullies but what I hate the most are cowards who won't even stand up for others or for themselves. ---- Naglakad narin ako palabas. Nawalan na ako ng gana dahil sa babaeng 'yun. That b***h really pissed me off. Big time! Pumasok agad ako sa kotse. Kasunod si mama. Hindi ko na alam kung nasaan si Selena. "Hey, calm down Michi." agad na bungad ni mama sa akin. Tila ba narinig ko ulit ang boses ng nakaraan. Ang boses ni mama na sumisigaw at pinapahinto ako sa pagwasak ng lahat. "Calm down Michiko." "I don't want to!" Napailing ako sa alaala. Pitiful events. "Baby?" Napatingin ako rito. She's worried. Great Michi. "Yes. I'm sorry. I knew it already, oka-san. I don't want to shed blood here in the Philippines as possible as I can. I promised you that, right? And besides I like here ma. Don't worry about me. Okay?" sabi ko sa kanya at binigyan ko sya ng reassuring smile. "Yes. I know you won't break it, Michi." I nodded. Michiko Natsume is ready to make friends and not foes!