MPC 58X: All the Me I Could Be
Jan 30, 2019 14:01:58 GMT
Post by Nobuhiko Yomi on Jan 30, 2019 14:01:58 GMT
MPC Name:
Wildcard
MPC Number:
MPC 58X >>> MPC 38
Reward Requested: 15 posts?
"This miserable way
is taken by the sorry souls of those
who lived without disgrace and without praise."
Another dull Sunday morning. The breakfast was ready, the parents were gone, and the homework was done yesterday, leaving a perfect day to do nothing. The bright summer sun shone outside, strongly enough to break even through the thick curtain covering the window. Yomi liked spending this day in her pajamas, reading magazines and doing virtually nothing productive. Content with the level of mastery in her hobbies, her studies, and her friendships as well. They were all so delightfully average. But this quaint and lazy day was about to be interrupted, as there was a knock on the door. A groan of suppressed annoyance escaped Yomi's throat as she slowly stood up from her bed, legs finding a pair of slippers, and a hand reaching for a robe.
"Yes yes, I'm coming..."
Wrapping the bathrobe around herself, Yomi scurried off to the door, in an attempt to look semi-decent. She wondered if it was one of her friends visiting, as parents were at work, as always, and she expected nobody else today. It took a little while to get the key into the keyhole and unlock all the locks on the door, but, eventually, it was done. The door opened up, revealing the stranger behind it. A stranger who was both a stranger... and not at all.
In front of Yomi stood... a girl. Dressed sharply, in a western-like business suit of dark colors with barely visible gray stripes going along her form. An expensive watch on her wrist, her glasses having a golden trim instead of the cheap plastic found in most. High heels, black, shiny shoes. Buttons with small gems embedded into them, all so expensive and chic. But that was not the most important thing in the stranger's appearance. The girl looked like... a mirror image. Completely so. Yomi took a step back, both startled and confused.
"Uhh... who... are you?"
"Hi Yomi! I'm you!"
The strange girl stepped inside as if she owned the place. At this point, Yomi was unsure if she did not. Her eyes were wide open, and the glasses slid off her nose, being dropped into her hands. Before she knew it, the strange girl was grabbing and shaking her hand.
"I am so excited to meet you! Please, do not be too startled, I will explain everything!"
And so she did.
For the next hour, the two girls, who looked completely alike, were talking to one another, and the Yomi in a fancy suit explained who she was. In her world, she was a prodigy actress, starting from 12 years old, famous for several of her roles, and also starring in a tv show and numerous commercials. She never did explain how she ended up here, or why, but Yomi was too amazed to hear of her other self's life. She was rich, powerful, successful, and... driven. Exuding so much energy it left the real Yomi mesmerized and dazed, as she simply sat there and listened, and listened. Without being able to insert even a word in! Eventually though, the new Yomi stopped talking, still holding her hand.
"And what about you? I was always curious about how I could have turned out! I see you're still living in mom and dad's place?" - the girl said, looking around. Yomi nodded, slowly, scratching behind her head, as if slightly embarrassed of the fact.
"Um... yeah. I'm a student in Shibuya High."
"Oh. How quaint. I remember applying for it as my last choice. I managed to get into Tokyo Metropolitan Tagara High School, and had to leave Shibuya behind. Say! Are my... I mean your friends still around? I haven't seen them in ages! Think I could meet them?" - the girl in expensive glasses sparkled with excitement again. The real Yomi set there quietly, slightly ashamed of her choice of school. She too did apply to Tagara, but... her test scores were not good enough. Still, seeing herself look at her with those big, excited eyes meant she could not say no. Still perplexed, the girl stood up.
"Uhh... sure, yeah, I'll make some calls, set it up."
Anything to move away from the strange girl, but before she knew it, Yomi felt a pair of arms wrapped around herself in a hug.
"Thanks Yomi! I mean me! You! You're the best!"
This day was just getting weirder and weirder...
Later that day, after a series of phone calls and jabbered explanations, Yomi's little team assembled in the central park. Chiko, Kaya, Takeko, and Orihime, all sitting on their favorite bench, each dressed in their casual clothes. Chiko, the smallest one, was wearing her senior school uniform, which she liked wearing very much. Kaya looked like she barely had time to dress up, wearing sports pants and a top with a letter. Takeko looked like she returned from a biker rally, with a leather jacket and hands wrapped in bandages. And Orihime was Orihime. The four of them watched the cars as they passed by, waiting for a bus. But instead a bus came an expensive limousine, from which emerged not one, but two Yomis! The four froze with jaws dropped, as the new Yomi approached, and waved her hand to them.
"Hi guys! Missed me?"
The real Yomi skittishly peered from behind her other self's back, adding a much more sheepish wave. "Hello..."
Kaya was the first to break the silent pantomime, taking in a deep breath, and letting out:
"Holy shit Yomi, who is this? Is this your long-lost sister you've never told us about? How come she has a limousine? Her stuff looks so expensive? When did you find out? Or are you an evil Yomi clone from space? I demand an explanation and I need it right now!" - she said all of that in one go, in less than five seconds, while pointing the finger at both of them. The new Yomi chuckled, heartfeltedly, and placed a hand over it.
"Heh, even after all these years... YOU'RE STILL A GIANT BRAT!"
Kaya blinked a few times.
"Huh? Do you know me?"
"You bet I do. I bet you girls are confused, so how about I explain all of this over some chow? My treat!"
And so, the new Yomi brought everyone along in her expensive limousine, which comfortably fitted all six of them, plus the driver, to one of the most expensive restaurants in Tokyo. The waiters and patrons alike were amazed to see a group dressed so casually wandering in, ordering the most expensive dishes, and, most of all, having one of them bank for all of it. The real Yomi, or the old Yomi, was there too. Mostly. She kept quiet, as the new Yomi interacted with her friends, quickly becoming the center of attention.
She had many stories to tell, starting from how she had to leave Shibuya, to how she became the president of the local drama club, to the kickstart of her acting career. The stories were filled with both hardship and success, as before fortune and fame came her way, the new Yomi had to rent a shoddy apartment and (to think of it) have a part time job as a pole dancer in a club. Much to the flustration of everyone else and a giddy laughter from Kaya, who was the only one capable of imagining Yomi in such a way. From time to time, the girl with the expensive glasses asked the real Yomi a question or two, to which she gave a simplistic answer, before the newcomer brought the attention back to herself.
It felt... strange, to watch oneself be the center of the spotlight, especially from the sideline. It was like being a ghost at her own dinner party.
The girls took the new Yomi as part of the group within ten minutes into the conversation. The laughed and talked, and were amazed at how strong, daring, decisive, and creative this Yomi was. And Yomi watched them, silently, unable to speak a word. What could she possibly tell them? How could she compare? She did not have the stories and achievements to captivate their attention... Nor was she the one paying the bill. The party stayed in the restaurant till evening, and when the bill was brought up, the new Yomi paid it without a second's notice. Then, they took a ride to the largest mall, for a round of shopping. Everyone got a gift that suited them best. Even Yomi, who did not know what she wanted. The day ended with the group saying goodbye to each other.
"Thanks for the evening, Yomi! This was the best day of my life, legit!"
"You are very generous. It was good to make acquaintance. I hope we will become good friends."
"You're awesome, Yomi! Come again soon!"
So much praise, all meant for Yomi. But only one of the two. All this time, the other girl stood like a shadow, having a smile on her face that was turning more and more rubbery as the evening passed on. This new Yomi was... amazing. In everything she did. Overcoming obstacles, reaching out for her dream, hell, she even became part of the company in no time, while it took years for her to forge the friendships she had... As the two returned home, this thought remained in the real Yomi's mind. It was late, and the parents were not home still, so she offered the guest to sleep in their bed, which she promptly refused, saying she wanted to spend time with 'herself'. A sleeping bag was rolled out, the curtains were closed, the light shut off. Before going to sleep, the new Yomi smiled, and murmured:
"Thank you for what you did for me today, Yomi. This was... mnnn... the best day of my life."
With that, the new Yomi went to sleep. Leaving the old one in silence and relative solitude of her own mind to contemplate. To her, this was the worst day. Starting with all of her achievements belittled into the ground, to having her friends stolen for a day, to becoming a shadow of oneself. She felt her eyes turning green, a mean, angry feeling building up in her chest. She could never be like... this Yomi. She was not smart enough to go to Tagara High. Not unprincipled enough to live in a rundown place and dance on a pole for guys to pay the bills. Or maybe... just not brave and independent enough?
She tossed and turned in her bed, briefly looking at the new Yomi already snoozing off with a smile on her face.
She does not even have any trouble sleeping... She's not me... Too... perfect.
Yomi's eyes tried to find a point to fixate on, and they did. A glass flower vase on the nightstand, right above the sleeping bag, where other Yomi slept. She looked at it, for a while. Mind empty. Just feeling it build up, slowly, but surely. The envy, the hurt, the overwhelming feeling of mediocrity, all molding up into one nasty, evil thought. She crawled to the edge of the bed, reaching out for the vase. This could all be over. If only I would...
__________________
"GAH!"
Yomi jolted up in her sleep, with a loud gasp. As she woke up, she found herself where she last remembered. A small cot under the stairway, in Witchmon's parlor, where she had been washing dishes for three days now. An island of normalcy in this new world she was tossed in. The dream was being shaken off, bit by bit, but the girl remembered the last thing she was going to do in it. The dream felt so real too, as if a parallel reality. And in it, she was about to do something that send a shivers down her spine. If only I would...
"Would I? Would I really?" - the girl asked herself, as she sat up in her cot.
She did not want to know the answer.
Wildcard
MPC Number:
MPC 58X >>> MPC 38
Reward Requested: 15 posts?
"This miserable way
is taken by the sorry souls of those
who lived without disgrace and without praise."
Another dull Sunday morning. The breakfast was ready, the parents were gone, and the homework was done yesterday, leaving a perfect day to do nothing. The bright summer sun shone outside, strongly enough to break even through the thick curtain covering the window. Yomi liked spending this day in her pajamas, reading magazines and doing virtually nothing productive. Content with the level of mastery in her hobbies, her studies, and her friendships as well. They were all so delightfully average. But this quaint and lazy day was about to be interrupted, as there was a knock on the door. A groan of suppressed annoyance escaped Yomi's throat as she slowly stood up from her bed, legs finding a pair of slippers, and a hand reaching for a robe.
"Yes yes, I'm coming..."
Wrapping the bathrobe around herself, Yomi scurried off to the door, in an attempt to look semi-decent. She wondered if it was one of her friends visiting, as parents were at work, as always, and she expected nobody else today. It took a little while to get the key into the keyhole and unlock all the locks on the door, but, eventually, it was done. The door opened up, revealing the stranger behind it. A stranger who was both a stranger... and not at all.
In front of Yomi stood... a girl. Dressed sharply, in a western-like business suit of dark colors with barely visible gray stripes going along her form. An expensive watch on her wrist, her glasses having a golden trim instead of the cheap plastic found in most. High heels, black, shiny shoes. Buttons with small gems embedded into them, all so expensive and chic. But that was not the most important thing in the stranger's appearance. The girl looked like... a mirror image. Completely so. Yomi took a step back, both startled and confused.
"Uhh... who... are you?"
"Hi Yomi! I'm you!"
The strange girl stepped inside as if she owned the place. At this point, Yomi was unsure if she did not. Her eyes were wide open, and the glasses slid off her nose, being dropped into her hands. Before she knew it, the strange girl was grabbing and shaking her hand.
"I am so excited to meet you! Please, do not be too startled, I will explain everything!"
And so she did.
For the next hour, the two girls, who looked completely alike, were talking to one another, and the Yomi in a fancy suit explained who she was. In her world, she was a prodigy actress, starting from 12 years old, famous for several of her roles, and also starring in a tv show and numerous commercials. She never did explain how she ended up here, or why, but Yomi was too amazed to hear of her other self's life. She was rich, powerful, successful, and... driven. Exuding so much energy it left the real Yomi mesmerized and dazed, as she simply sat there and listened, and listened. Without being able to insert even a word in! Eventually though, the new Yomi stopped talking, still holding her hand.
"And what about you? I was always curious about how I could have turned out! I see you're still living in mom and dad's place?" - the girl said, looking around. Yomi nodded, slowly, scratching behind her head, as if slightly embarrassed of the fact.
"Um... yeah. I'm a student in Shibuya High."
"Oh. How quaint. I remember applying for it as my last choice. I managed to get into Tokyo Metropolitan Tagara High School, and had to leave Shibuya behind. Say! Are my... I mean your friends still around? I haven't seen them in ages! Think I could meet them?" - the girl in expensive glasses sparkled with excitement again. The real Yomi set there quietly, slightly ashamed of her choice of school. She too did apply to Tagara, but... her test scores were not good enough. Still, seeing herself look at her with those big, excited eyes meant she could not say no. Still perplexed, the girl stood up.
"Uhh... sure, yeah, I'll make some calls, set it up."
Anything to move away from the strange girl, but before she knew it, Yomi felt a pair of arms wrapped around herself in a hug.
"Thanks Yomi! I mean me! You! You're the best!"
This day was just getting weirder and weirder...
Later that day, after a series of phone calls and jabbered explanations, Yomi's little team assembled in the central park. Chiko, Kaya, Takeko, and Orihime, all sitting on their favorite bench, each dressed in their casual clothes. Chiko, the smallest one, was wearing her senior school uniform, which she liked wearing very much. Kaya looked like she barely had time to dress up, wearing sports pants and a top with a letter. Takeko looked like she returned from a biker rally, with a leather jacket and hands wrapped in bandages. And Orihime was Orihime. The four of them watched the cars as they passed by, waiting for a bus. But instead a bus came an expensive limousine, from which emerged not one, but two Yomis! The four froze with jaws dropped, as the new Yomi approached, and waved her hand to them.
"Hi guys! Missed me?"
The real Yomi skittishly peered from behind her other self's back, adding a much more sheepish wave. "Hello..."
Kaya was the first to break the silent pantomime, taking in a deep breath, and letting out:
"Holy shit Yomi, who is this? Is this your long-lost sister you've never told us about? How come she has a limousine? Her stuff looks so expensive? When did you find out? Or are you an evil Yomi clone from space? I demand an explanation and I need it right now!" - she said all of that in one go, in less than five seconds, while pointing the finger at both of them. The new Yomi chuckled, heartfeltedly, and placed a hand over it.
"Heh, even after all these years... YOU'RE STILL A GIANT BRAT!"
Kaya blinked a few times.
"Huh? Do you know me?"
"You bet I do. I bet you girls are confused, so how about I explain all of this over some chow? My treat!"
And so, the new Yomi brought everyone along in her expensive limousine, which comfortably fitted all six of them, plus the driver, to one of the most expensive restaurants in Tokyo. The waiters and patrons alike were amazed to see a group dressed so casually wandering in, ordering the most expensive dishes, and, most of all, having one of them bank for all of it. The real Yomi, or the old Yomi, was there too. Mostly. She kept quiet, as the new Yomi interacted with her friends, quickly becoming the center of attention.
She had many stories to tell, starting from how she had to leave Shibuya, to how she became the president of the local drama club, to the kickstart of her acting career. The stories were filled with both hardship and success, as before fortune and fame came her way, the new Yomi had to rent a shoddy apartment and (to think of it) have a part time job as a pole dancer in a club. Much to the flustration of everyone else and a giddy laughter from Kaya, who was the only one capable of imagining Yomi in such a way. From time to time, the girl with the expensive glasses asked the real Yomi a question or two, to which she gave a simplistic answer, before the newcomer brought the attention back to herself.
It felt... strange, to watch oneself be the center of the spotlight, especially from the sideline. It was like being a ghost at her own dinner party.
The girls took the new Yomi as part of the group within ten minutes into the conversation. The laughed and talked, and were amazed at how strong, daring, decisive, and creative this Yomi was. And Yomi watched them, silently, unable to speak a word. What could she possibly tell them? How could she compare? She did not have the stories and achievements to captivate their attention... Nor was she the one paying the bill. The party stayed in the restaurant till evening, and when the bill was brought up, the new Yomi paid it without a second's notice. Then, they took a ride to the largest mall, for a round of shopping. Everyone got a gift that suited them best. Even Yomi, who did not know what she wanted. The day ended with the group saying goodbye to each other.
"Thanks for the evening, Yomi! This was the best day of my life, legit!"
"You are very generous. It was good to make acquaintance. I hope we will become good friends."
"You're awesome, Yomi! Come again soon!"
So much praise, all meant for Yomi. But only one of the two. All this time, the other girl stood like a shadow, having a smile on her face that was turning more and more rubbery as the evening passed on. This new Yomi was... amazing. In everything she did. Overcoming obstacles, reaching out for her dream, hell, she even became part of the company in no time, while it took years for her to forge the friendships she had... As the two returned home, this thought remained in the real Yomi's mind. It was late, and the parents were not home still, so she offered the guest to sleep in their bed, which she promptly refused, saying she wanted to spend time with 'herself'. A sleeping bag was rolled out, the curtains were closed, the light shut off. Before going to sleep, the new Yomi smiled, and murmured:
"Thank you for what you did for me today, Yomi. This was... mnnn... the best day of my life."
With that, the new Yomi went to sleep. Leaving the old one in silence and relative solitude of her own mind to contemplate. To her, this was the worst day. Starting with all of her achievements belittled into the ground, to having her friends stolen for a day, to becoming a shadow of oneself. She felt her eyes turning green, a mean, angry feeling building up in her chest. She could never be like... this Yomi. She was not smart enough to go to Tagara High. Not unprincipled enough to live in a rundown place and dance on a pole for guys to pay the bills. Or maybe... just not brave and independent enough?
She tossed and turned in her bed, briefly looking at the new Yomi already snoozing off with a smile on her face.
She does not even have any trouble sleeping... She's not me... Too... perfect.
Yomi's eyes tried to find a point to fixate on, and they did. A glass flower vase on the nightstand, right above the sleeping bag, where other Yomi slept. She looked at it, for a while. Mind empty. Just feeling it build up, slowly, but surely. The envy, the hurt, the overwhelming feeling of mediocrity, all molding up into one nasty, evil thought. She crawled to the edge of the bed, reaching out for the vase. This could all be over. If only I would...
__________________
"GAH!"
Yomi jolted up in her sleep, with a loud gasp. As she woke up, she found herself where she last remembered. A small cot under the stairway, in Witchmon's parlor, where she had been washing dishes for three days now. An island of normalcy in this new world she was tossed in. The dream was being shaken off, bit by bit, but the girl remembered the last thing she was going to do in it. The dream felt so real too, as if a parallel reality. And in it, she was about to do something that send a shivers down her spine. If only I would...
"Would I? Would I really?" - the girl asked herself, as she sat up in her cot.
She did not want to know the answer.
