OreShura: Volume 7 Chapter 0

#0: Masuzu's Letter

Let me read JoJo.

Please let me read JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

JoJo!

JoJo! JoJo!

JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo!

JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo!

Please let me read JoJo.

Please let me read Japanese manga.

I crave Japanese culture.

I crave Japanese language.

JoJoooooooooooooooooooooo!

◊

Hey, Eita.

Come to think of it, this is the first time I've ever written a letter to you.

Even though I've already sent you a thousand and seventy eight text messages; this is strange.

Don't give me that look! When I was little, I was an absolute beast at writing letters.

My father was strict, so he didn’t let me own a cellphone.

Back then, the only way I was connected to Japan was through letters.

Right now, I’m not in Japan.

I’m in Sweden, where my father’s work headquarters are.

Because my phone was confiscated, writing letters is the only communication method I have left.

That's right, just like how it was back when I was a kid.

That's why I wrote this letter to you.

Well, where should I start...?

There are a lot of things I never had a chance to tell you, and also a lot of things I always wanted to tell you about.

I guess I’ll start with how I grew up.

You could also say that was the story about 「how I came to love Jojo that much」.

My mother was born in a Northern Europe country. I heard that she fell in love at first sight with my father, a Japanese entrepreneur, and ran off to Japan all while ignoring the protests of her family.

I actually have almost no knowledge about the country Mother grew up in.

Because mother has never once told me about her homeland.

Surely, it was because she didn't want to remember.

In Hanenoyama City, the famous Natsukawa family property assets are well known; this was the family I was raised in.

Even though my memory is vague, at the very least I can confidently say I was happy. Never mind the part about my family's wealth, the most important thing was that I was always together with mother.

However, back then I had almost no chance to interact with my father.

From time to time, I would see him from afar while he spoke to mother or the servants.

My father dislikes children.

Apparently he even gave an order to keep me away from him.

Back then, I thought 「it's supposed to be like this」, so when I got to see a real family in kindergarten, it was a real shock.

That kid was going home with his father!

He got to play with him!

His father even piggy-backed him!

That said, I never found myself unhappy.

Ahh, I’m different from 「Normal」— I came to that conclusion.

When I was in kindergarten, my mother took me and left the Natsukawa household.

The reason was because my father had an affair with another woman from another country.

Even though my life changed from living in a spacious mansion to a small apartment, I still felt blessed. As long as I was still together with my mother, it was fine no matter where it was.

My mother, she really loved manga.

Particularly the the kind aimed to young boys: Shounen manga.

In Japan, it was called「JUMP」— she proudly told me.

As if she was reading a picture book, she would read it together with me.

My favorite one was————

Eita. Since it's you, you should know by now, right?

It’s JoJo.

Even though back then I couldn’t read most of the Kanji, I could understand just by looking at the pictures.

It had an impact that is unlike any other.

When my mother read JoJo, it was especially the best.

She would even read the sound effects for me.

ズキュウウウウン!Zukyuuuun

メメタァ!Memetaa

ゴゴゴゴゴ!GOGOGOGO

メギャン!Megyan

I was very happy to be able to live with my mother like this every day.

However, whenever I wasn't around, my mother would cry.

Even though she always smiled in front of me, come to think of it — I can't even count how my times this happened.

If only I realized it more back then.

If only I treated her more kindly back then.

If I had, maybe we wouldn't have been separated like that.

When I was seven, my father suddenly visited our apartment.

I can freshly remember my mother’s reaction even now.

When my father spoke his name through the apartment’s intercom, she immediately jumped with joy.

She grabbed my hand and danced like a little girl.

She still loved him, my father.

Because my mother was happy back then, I was happy too. Thinking back to it now gives me a mixed feeling.

Because, the person my father came to see was not my mother, it was me.

My father mentioned he wanted to bring me away with him.

His work headquarters would be moved to Sweden, and he needed to enlarge his social network there. To grant this objective, I could be of use — I guess this was what he meant. Back then, I couldn't understand why having me there would be any good.

Even though I'd go with him for the time being, he'd bring my mother along after we settled.

The three of us can gather as a family overseas again.

— I remember father saying something like that.

But I absolutely didn't want to go.

Because, wasn't he just some「old guy that I didn't know」?

In school, we're taught 「don't follow strangers no matter how they ask」, so why should I follow him overseas?

However, my mother said this:

「Masuzu, you will be happier if you are raised as a child of the Natsukawa family」.

「Mommy will follow you right away, so be sure to wait for me there」.

I believed in those words, and I followed my father to Sweden.

The environment there was not unlike the original Natsukawa mansion; it was as big as a castle. There were also a lot of servants.

First, I studied English and Swedish.

Then, I learned table manners. I was taught so thoroughly that I would never forget the right way to use chopsticks.

Piano, violin and ballet; I studied those until I was accomplished at them.

Since I never went to school there, I don’t really remember what Swedish people look like.

Since my three family tutors were always next to me, I hardly ever got the chance to leave my home.

In a life like this, I would always write letters to my mother.

She would also reply right away.

If her reply was delivered in a big envelope, it meant that there was a JoJo volume in it.

If my father found out, he would probably make me get rid of it, so I'd hide them under the bed.

When everyone was asleep, I would read JoJo with a small lantern. Back then, this was my only interest. Eita, if it's you, I’m you sure can understand how I looked forward to this?

However, even though a long time passed, my mother never came.

Even though I asked her about it in my letters, she would never mention it in her reply.

Even if I asked my father, he would try to change and avoid the topic.

After several futile attempts of bringing this up in the letters, I gave up.

About a year later, I was forced to perform on my father’s stage.

I took part in a family party that the high-class people participate in.

Even though the event wasn’t as big as those high-class parties held in Paris, this was an important place for my father to expand his social relationships.

There, I was introduced to someone unexpected.

It was my father’s second wife.

Also, her daughter. A younger sister born from another mother.

Yes, the one you already know. That blonde twin-tailed kid.

That Mana.

「Onei-chan! Nise to meet you! My name ish Mana!」

She greeted me with such half-baked Japanese, I almost had a headache.

Her mother never met my eyes.

So I did the same.

My father gave us his orders.

「I don’t care what you guys think deep inside, I only want you all to act as a happy family with me here.」

That speech, made me realize.

He never had the intention of bringing my mother over.

I had to ask him about something.

「If you want us to pretend to be an family, it should be enough with just those two people!」

「Why should I participate in your act?」

My father replied with a kind face.

「Because Masuzu, you are as pretty as a diamond.」

「That's a lie! What kind of reason is that?!」

「There is no lie here. I brought over my beautiful「ex-wife’s child」and raised her properly, and also made her form a good relationship with my second wife. A man like that would be praised and trusted in society. Don’t you think so?」

What do you think, Eita?

You can’t believe it, right?

Someone who could so bluntly put together such an artificial facade, could only be a villain.

To gain a good reputation, he formed a false familyFake. This is that man.

— But I refuse.

During the party, I silently stood without uttering a word with my back to my father's, as I learned from Jojo.

The result of pulling that kind of stunt, was house arrest for one month.

I was locked in the second floor of the house, and I was not allowed to even get close to the stairs.

Which meant, I couldn't deliver any letters to my mother.

While I was locked in my room, Mana came.

She came with sparkling eyes.

That kid, she was related to that villain, so I got angry.

「Onei-chan, are you okway?」

「You don’t need to force yourself to speak Japanese. I can understand English at the very least.」

「But , I, have, a Jahpanese shister. So I letsh speak on Jahpanese!」

「—is that so? Then I shall teach you some wonderful Japanese.」

「Really? Mana whill remember it! What is it!」

「Carve it into your flesh and bones!! 仙道波蹴ッ!Sendou Wave Kick!」

「Gywan-! Onei-chan kicked me!」

Come to think of it, that was when we started to be in bad terms.

Mana’s mother came in a while later.

She had the same blonde hair and blue eyes.

She was as beautiful as a Hollywood star, but on the inside she wasn't anything even close to pretty. She was that type of woman.

「Just so that you know, I don’t love Ryuuji」.

「What I love is the Ryuuji's money and family fortune. And he knows this too」.

Just why did you suddenly just pop up to say something like that? My eyes turned into dazed tiny dots.

「It would be good if you too, could also do the same.」

「You have things you desire, right? You can use Ryuuji to make it happen.」

「―――――――――――」

That train of thought really made a deep impression on me. I was shocked.

I decided to negotiate with my father.

「If I act my role as a jewel perfectly, will you let me go back to my mother?」

He accepted my conditions right away.

From that point onward, I became the 「Eldest daughter of the Natsukawa Family」and acted elegantly.

It didn't matter who it was, I demonstrated perfect behavior. I acted accordingly to the standard of a good child. To avoid expose my cunning nature, I acted childishly from time to time too.

Mana’s mother also acted as a fine wife and mother in front of everyone.

Mana still acted however she liked, but then I was able to take care of her and improve my image as a good sister. In the eyes of the world, it was a beautiful relationship.

But in reality, we were all just fakes.

Things went according to my father’s plan, and society viewed the Natsukawa family in high regard.

We dealt more and more with people of authority, everyone gathered at our home. This was how my father built his connections in Sweden.

How is that? Eita.

Did your image of me change a little?

My 「fake」visage was certainly perfect... overseas.

I was actually the biggest reason for attracting successful business, the source of the wealth of my family.

But somehow, I couldn't pull it off when it came to tricking you.

I wonder what I did wrong……?

About two years later, something shocking happened.

The letters and JoJo volumes from my mother stopped.

Even though I received them frequently and without fail ever since we separated.

My mother wouldn't forget about something as important as this.

「Father, did you hide Mother’s letter?」

「Impossible, I wouldn't do such a thing.」

「You’re lying! You definitely hid them!」

「Don’t trouble me, my jewel. What good would that bring me?」

I could no longer read what happened in JoJo anymore.

The last volume she sent me was the part where Polnareff became a turtle!

What will happen to my Polnareff-kun!?

I decided to escape from this place.

By avoiding my father's eyes and gaining help from the servants, I got myself a ticket to Japan.

After being separated for three years, it was finally time to reunite with my mother.

I used the key card that I had preciously saved to get into the house.

The house —— was empty.

The luggage, the furniture… almost everything was gone.

Only the volumes of JoJo were left in the corner of the room.

While I was shocked, the phone that was left behind in the living room rang.

｢Are you satisfied now? Masuzu.｣

It was my father’s voice.

Everything had been on the palm of his hand the whole time.

｢Where did you take my mother?!｣

At that time, I really wished I could kill people just with my voice.

｢I don’t know.｣

｢You’re lying. You chased her away didn’t you!｣

｢I repeat, I don't know. It looks like she left of her own volition.｣

｢I can’t believe those words. As a father, you're nothing but a liar.｣

｢………Well, it's true. It's just like you said.｣

It was a voice that seemed to say, 'I give up'.

｢Anyways, Masuzu, come back next Sunday. I have a meeting with a Japanese cabinet minister. To expand my business, you’re required.｣

It took a considerable amount of effort to hold back my urge to throw the phone.

This man was still like this to the very end…

But, back then.

I remembered what Mana's mother told me.

｢I understand, Father. I’ll do what you tell me to.｣

｢Thanks, that's helpful.｣

｢I will work hard for the Natsukawa family. But, can I request something in exchange for my work? ｣

｢What do you mean?｣

｢Give and take, this is the basic of business right?｣

If I attacked without a plan, my father definitely would not tell me the whereabouts of my mother.

I could only look for her myself.

I needed to increase my status, therefore I needed results.

I need to increase my status until my father could ignore me, until he accepted me.

I worked harder as my father’s tool.

I don't remember exactly when, but I started being called the 「Jewel of the Natsukawa Family.」

Time flew, and it was October last year.

「Father, I have a request.」

「What is it?」

「I want to return to Japan next spring, and attend Hanenoyama High School.」

My father, of course, didn’t give me a good look.

「I think I still want you to continue acting as a helpful hand at my side, Masuzu.」

「But, you don’t have intentions of staying in Sweden forever, right?」

「Of course, once I have trained someone that I can trust, I will head back to Japan.」

「Then, why not let me go back first? I'll spread my name as the “Jewel of the Natsukawa Family” at Hanenoyama City where we were originally lived; this doesn't sound like a bad idea at all, right?」

My father was silent in deep thoughts.

「I normally wouldn’t allow this but— Masuzu, you have worked hard for the Natsukawas. As your reward, I will give you special permission to do so」.

「Thank you very much.」

「But, I’ll say this first. Forget about that. It's for your own good.」

Hmph.

As the person who got rid of mother, what could he possibly say?

That was how I got back to Hanenoyama city.

I stayed at the apartment where I once lived with my mother.

If I wait here, mother will definitely come back.

Why? Because, she left these JoJo volumes here.

「Read these volumes while you wait for me.」

Surely, this was the message that my mother left here.

You already know what happened from there on, Eita.

I went to study at Hanenoyama High School, the place where I met you all.

I was shocked when I spoke to you.

There was actually a man who could keep up with my JoJo references!

Because my mother read to me the first and second parts, most of my references were centered around the ｢Ripple Arc｣. It's odd if you think about it, since the name Jojo is strongly representative of the stand battles. Of course I also really like Jotaro, Josuke, Giorno, Jolyne, Gyro and Jousuke, but the ones who taught me about life are Jonathan and Joseph.

That's why, when we were at the pool and you told me that reference from the second part, I was really happy.

Discussing the manga you really like with someone, really could be that fun.

I never knew.

Yet, you were always so indifferent.

You always acted cold towards me, and always ran off to the side of that childhood friend.

That was why I tied you up. I tied you up with a chain called BoyfriendFake.

Just like how my father tied me up with my family name, I tied you up.

Ufufu. It serves you right.

But in the end, you broke the chain by yourself.

I never expected Akishino-san would be the one to say that. 「People can grow」, I probably forgot Jonathan’s words. At that time, my defeat was already settled.

A fake, can never beat the real thing.

At most, all I managed to do was to mess up your long relationship with Harusaki-san.

No, or should it be said that perhaps my existence improved your relationship with her?

How ironic.

How, foolish.

This should be what they call a punishment.

The punishment for deceiving Harusaki-san.

This is what a fake gets after deceiving the real thing.

After everything I did, it should be natural that I fall to hell.

But, Eita.

To be alone in hell, it's too cold.

To fall into hell together with you, that doesn't sound bad at all.

◇ ◆

This is a letter written by Masuzu; which never reached Eita.

Before putting the letter into the send box, Masuzu herself tore it to pieces.

At that very same same time, her inner will towards something strengthened.

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