OreShura: Volume 7 Chapter 0

#1: 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 Japan's manga.

I thirst for Japanese Culture.

I thirst for Japanese language.

JoJoooooooooooooooooooooo!

◊

Neh, Eita.

Come to think of it, it’s the first time I wrote a letter to you.

Even though I have sent you a thousand and seventy eight electronic messages, how strange.

I haven't sent a letter ever since I was a kid.

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

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

Right now, I’m not in Japan.

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

Because my phone was confiscated, the only method of communication left is by letter.

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

That's why I wrote this letter to you.

Well, what should I tell you now about...

They are a lot of things I left untold, and things I never meant to tell you.

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

It would also be proper to say that is a talk about 「how I came to love Jojo that much」.

My mother was born in a Northern Europe country , it was said that she fell in love at first sight with father, a Japanese entrepreneur; she then ignored the oppositions of her family and came to Japan.

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's definitely because she doesn’t want to remember.

In Hanenoyama City; anyone who knows about families with goods assets know of the Natsukawa Family, this is the family I grew up with.

Even though my memory is vague, what I can tell confidently is that I was happy. Not minding having a wealthy family, the most important part 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 could see him from afar when he spoke to mother or the servants.

My father dislikes children.

Apparently he even gave 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 is going home with his father!

He gets 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 studying in kindergarten, my mother brought me along as we 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 did felt myself as blessed. As long as I was still together with mother, it'll be fine no matter where it is.

My mother, she really loves manga.

Specially the the kind aimed to young boys, Shounen manga.

In Japan, this is called「JUMP」-- she even proudly told me.

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

My favourite one was————

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

It’s JoJo.

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

It's impact is unlike any other.

Especially when my mother reads JoJo, it’s 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 every day.

But my mother would always cry when I am not around.

Even though she always smiled in front of me, come to think of it--- I’m not sure how often this happened.

If I could have realized it more back then.

If I could have treated her more kindly back then.

If I would had, we might have not been separated like that.

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

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

When my father gave his name via the apartment’s inter phone, she jumped in joy.

She grabbed my hand and danced like a little girl.

She still loves him, that father.

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

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

My father proposed to bring me away with him.

His work headquarters would be moved to Sweden, and he needs to socialize more often. To grant his objective, I can be of help--- I guess this is what he meant. I couldn’t understand back then why having me there would be good.

For the time being, I would go with him, he would bring my mother when we have settled.

We can gather again as a family overseas.

-- Something like that, is what I remember father saying back then.

I absolutely don’t want to go.

Because, isn't this some「old guy that I don't know」?

In school 「it doesn't matter how he asks, don't go」was what he was taught when confronted in a situation like this, why should I follow him overseas.

However, mother answered in my stead.

「Masuzu, you would be more happy if you were raised as a child of the Natsukawa family」.

「Mother will go there so, be sure to way for me there」.

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

The environment there is like the Natsukawa’s Home, it was as big as a castle. They were also a lot of servants.

Firstly, I studied English and Swedish.

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

Piano, violin and ballet; until I was accomplished on them.

Since I never went to school there, I don’t really remember how Sweden people looks like.

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 means that there would be a JoJo volume in it.

If my father finds out, he might make me get rid of it, so I'll hid them under the bed.

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

However, mother is yet to come here.

Even though I ask her about it in my letters, she wouldn’t 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 act in my father’s play.

It took part in a family party that the high classed people participated in.

Even though the event wasn’t as big as one of those high class party held in Paris, this should be an important place for my father to expand his social relationships.

There, I was arranged to meet someone unexpected.

Which is 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 a half baked Japanese, I almost had a headache.

Her mother never meet 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 hope that you all can act as a happy family with me here.」

That speech, made me realize.

He never had the intention of bring my mother over.

I had to question him about something.

「If you want to act as an family, It should be enough with 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.」

「It's a lie! For that kind of reason!」

「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 in trusted in the society. Don’t you think so?」

How was that, Eita?

You can’t believe it, right?

Someone who can put up together and artifice like this, he can only be a true 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 behind back to back with my father's as I learned from Jojo.

What awaited me after that, was a house arrest of one month.

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

Which means, I can’t deliver any letters to my mother like this.

When I was locked in my room, Mana came.

She came with sparkling eyes.

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

「Onei-chan, are you fuaine?」

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

「But , I, have, a Japanse 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 is 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.

As pretty as a Hollywood star, but the inside it isn't anything like that, she is that type of woman.

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

「What I love is the money of Ryuuji's household. And he knows about it as well」.

Just why did you just pop up to say something like that?, I even tightened by brows.

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

「You have things you desire right? You can use Ryuuji too.」

「―――――――――――」

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, would 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 showed the perfect behavior, as I acted accordingly to the standard of a good child. As not to 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 can 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 are just counterfeits.

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

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

How was that? Eita.

Did my image to you change a little?

My 「fake」visage is certainly perfect, in the overseas.

I am actually the biggest reason for some business, the source of the wealth of my family.

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

I wonder what I did wrong……

About two years later, something shocking happened.

The letters and JoJo volumes from my mother have stopped.

Even though I have received them frequently and without fault since we separated.

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

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

「Impossible, I won’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 can’t read what happens on JoJo anymore.

The previous volume was at 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 eyes and gaining help from the servants, I got myself a ticket to Japan.

After being separated for three years, the time to reunion with my mother is finally here.

I used the key card that I have been preciously keeping, 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.

When I was shocked, the phone left in the house rang.

｢Are you satisfied now? Masuzu.｣

It was my father’s voice.

Everything was on his palm the whole time.

｢Where is my mother｣

If I could just kill people with my voice, it's what I really thought at the time.

｢I don’t know that｣.

｢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 father, is nothing but a liar.｣

｢……… Well, it's true. Is just like you say.｣

A voice that said 'I give up'.

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

No throwing the phone, it was difficult to hold back.

This man is still like this in 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, I can request for something equal to my work right? ｣

｢What do you mean?｣

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

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

I can only look for her myself.

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

I need to increase my status until my father cannot ignore me, until he accepts me.

I worked harder as my father’s tool.

Since when, I was called the 「The jewel of the Natsukawa Family.」

Time flies, 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 that I still want Masuzu to continue to act as a helpful hand at my side.」

「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. Spreading the name of “Jewel of the Natsukawa Family” at Hanenoyama City which is were we are related at; this doesn't sound like a bad idea at all, right?」

My father silenced in deep thoughts.

「I normally wouldn’t allow this but--- Masuzu, you have worked so hard for the Natsukawas. As your reward, I 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.

The person who got rid of mother, what can you possibly say.

That is 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 the JoJo volumes here.

「Wait for me while you are reading these volumes.」

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

You already know what happens from there on, Eita.

I attended my highschool in Hanenoyama Highschool, the place where I met you all.

I was shocked when I talked to you.

There is actually a man who is able to follow up with my JoJo references!

Because my mother read me the first and second parts, for that reason most of my references center 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 of the second part, I was really happy.

Discussing about the the manga you really like with someone, it can be that fun.

I never knew.

Yet, you were always so indifferent.

You always acted cold towards me, and always headed to that childhood friend.

That is 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 yourself.

To think that Akishino-san would 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, 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 when deceiving the real thing.

Something enough for someone to root in hell, that's what I did.

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 appears to be strengthened.

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