Ultra Symphony
Chapter 2: "Forget About Grievances"
*** Ultraman and all respective characters, likenesses and items are copyright © 1966-2002 Tsuburaya Productions Co., Ltd. Original characters are the property of Chibi Cel-Chan, except where specified, and are not to be used without permission.***
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"Hayagane Mikono, famous rock star, was unfortunately killed following an unanticipated terrorist attack on Toeatoro Stadium last night. The additional casualties exceeded 200 and almost 300 were reported missing. Just who is behind this immoral act is not known, Police Commissioner Saijiyou requests that anyone with information regarding the events notify their local police station immediately. This may be an international threat.
... In other news, These bovines really know how to boogie! Ishiharo Ten and his Dancing Dairy Queens, who began their Country-Wide tour late last year, is coming to town! You can win tickets to see the most Moooo-ving show in Japan! Coming up nex.."
Moroboushi Dan switched the TV off in his office. He'd seen those damn cows, and they were nothing to write home about.
He swivelled around in his chair, wincing lightly at the slight pain what remained of the biological portion of his left leg. He cursed silently, wryly recalling Dr. Atsuki's insistance that no discomfort would be experienced at any point of the operation. It was true, however, that the prosthesis had made life a great deal easier, not to mention had as much as given him basically the physical equivalent of a 35-year old's body.
"Now, if only they could give me a 35 year old's mind."
He reached over and pulled open the blinds in the window, allowing the late afternoon sunlight to enter the dimly lit room. The once-executive view had been replaced by a large and noisy parking lot and the side of that damned warehouse that everyone in the area had happily petitioned to have moved downtown, to no avail. The view was less spectacular than ever, but for some reason, Moroboshi found it difficult to tear his eyes from it today. Absently reaching behind him for the cup of tea he knew had gotten cold, his mind recalled the days when no afternoon like this would have gone uninterrupted. The view of the sunset would have been obscured at some point, maybe by the sight of blood, or just plain blind rage.
Sipping the tea, he looked down at the floor and closed his eyes.
There had been a few too many uninterrupted afternoons, hadn't there.
A knock on the door broke through his somber reverie.
He used his right leg to turn the chair back around and present himself in a professional manner. "Enter."
The door swung open, crashing into the wall on the inside of the office. Moroboshi merely blinked and calmly folded his hands, as a compactly built woman in a skirted business suit and heels strided into the room.
"Good afternoon, Mako..." Moroboshi began, but was immediately cut off by the woman's disastrously loud voice, which seemed unusually pained.
"Sir, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take a leave of absence!!"
"Ano... any particular reason?" Moroboshi inquired, raising one eyebrow.
Mako lowered her head and attempted to be trying to shield her eyes from the sunlight.
Moroboshi frowned and went to turn around to close the blinds, when he heard what seemed to be a sob coming from Mako. He turned back around.
"Mako? What's wrong?"
She shook her head, silent, trying to prevent herself from breaking down. "It's..."
Moroboshi was overcome with concern. Anything bad enough to make Mako upset had to be serious. He flinched and stood up from the chair, and slowly walked over to where she stood. "Mako.. sit down, tell me..." He reached out to touch her arm, but she drew back.
"I'm sorry.... s..ir.." She looked up and tried to blink back tears. "I..."
She looked down and met his eyes; his dark, troubled yet strangely understanding gaze showing total exhaustion but a damn good attempt at caring, and she suddenly felt herself crumbling.
"Sir.. it's.. Ari... she... she.. was at that...."
"Ari..?" Moroboshi was momentarily uncertain, but then realization came over him. "Oh.. Ari.."
Mako bit her lip so hard she damn near drew blood, and she balled her fists as she cried out in pain.
"She was at that concert last night! I.. I don't know where she is, sir.. I have to... I can't..."
"Concert?!"
"The Mikono Hayagane... But, but she isn't dead! I know she isn't dead! Not Ari. She would have.. she... she's gotta be helping people, you know.. cause, she's.. a nurse."
"Mako... God, I'm so sorry... I'm sure she's not dead. There are 300 people missing..."
"That's right. But... I'm still.. scared. And I want to be there for her.. when she comes... when she comes home.. you know?" Mako inhaled deeply, to try to regain control of her emotions.
Moroboshi could see the pain in her eyes, the attempt to convince herself that Ari was still alive, but not entirely sure she could believe it... and he nodded. Mako was important, the only full-time secretary in the building, but if he learned anything with this damned frail body, he learned that it's not working that makes a man's worth. He wasn't entirely sure what DID make a man's worth, but it sure as hell wasn't sitting at a desk.
"Go find her, Mako. Your ceremony is in 3 months, you'll both want to be up to it."
Mako's eyes showed surprise, and gratitude. "Thank you, sir! I'll make sure you.. um... I'll hire a good caterer!!" and she flew out the door.
Moroboshi blinked. "Forget a caterer, hire some goddamn DANCING GIRLS!"
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