Twelve Months of Kristal: 50 Loving States Maine

This time I sigh out loud with no relief whatsoever. “So…there’s something I haven’t told you about me. I’m like Krista. Kind of. I also have a special gift. But mine is for drawing people who are soon-to-be-departed. It’s hard to explain, but I just sort of know when someone you love is about to die.”

I cringe and wait for Jae-Hyun to ask me all the questions.

But he just nods and says, “I see. Go on.”

No disbelief. No surprise either.

I raise an eyebrow, a bit confused by his non-reaction. But I carefully press on anyway. “So there’s this one soon-to-be-departed sketch. I drew it for the first time last January for this random Japanese guy I’d just met. Well, we met again on the first day of Christmas, and we started spending real time together. So I’ve made that sketch almost every day since returning to the third dimension. And the drawing…it’s of you.”

Jae-Hyun starts. Then he looks down and to the side, his eyes and chin making precise swipes in a way that now reminds me of Hayato. Could they be related? They look nothing alike. But after spending so much time with Hayato, I’m noticing a few mannerisms they have in common.

“You said almost every day.” His English is even thicker and more halting than usual. “What changed?”

Another hard question. “Um… The Japanese guy I was drawing it for, we were in a relationship…sort of. But we…”

I shake my head, trying to come up with a coherent explanation for why Hayato and I fell apart. I end up settling for, “We got in this weird fight. And we broke up.”

“I see…” Jae-Hyun lowers his head, considering my words. Then he rises from his seat.

For such an old and bent man, he’s shockingly graceful. He almost seems to glide to the record player sitting at the end of the dining table where we’re drawing. I eye him nervously as he puts on another record. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys classic he rarely fails to play during our visits.

“I am sorry you and Hayato broke up,” he says as he sets the needle down on top of the well-used vinyl. “But as for my death, there is no need to worry about that. I know this old body will not hold up for much longer. That is why I am leaving the comic shop to you. And I’ve come to another decision despite your blank page…”

He looks up from the record player to regard me, his dark brown eyes shining with affection. “After this body has departed, I would like for you to continue on with Nobles and Samurais in my stead.”

I freeze, touched beyond belief that he would not only want to leave me his store but also his life’s work.

But then, I have to shake my head, denying the honor. “You don’t understand. I had a chance to make sure you weren’t alone when you died. But now I have to go back to the workshop in two days, and no one will be here for you when you pass because I did exactly what my mother told me not to do. I trusted someone with my heart, and he ran off with it, and now I’ve ruined everything for you.”

Jae-Hyun holds up an old, gnarled hand to stop me from talking. “You ruined nothing for me, daughter. Only my poor decisions are to blame for where I find myself now.”

“But that’s not true. It’s all my fault,” I start to insist. “I don’t deserve—”

I cut off. Not because I’ve suddenly believed that I actually deserve to inherit Jae-Hyun’s legacy but because…

“How did you know his name?”

Jae-Hyun stills and his face goes carefully neutral, just like Hayato’s.

Just. Like. Hayato’s.

“You told me his name, remember? When you drew the picture of him the day after Christmas,” he reminds me.

Yes, that’s true. But I vibrate with a new realization. I don’t believe him. I no longer trust that my mentor is telling me the truth.

I silently come to that conclusion. Then I say it again out loud, “I don’t believe you. When I asked you whether you knew him, you lied to me. Just like he lied about not knowing you.”

Jae-Hyun doesn’t answer. He just stands there, stoic and expressionless. In a way that reminds me so, so much of Hayato.

I stand up from the table to ask—no demand, “How do you know Hayato Nakamura?”

“I would also like to hear your answer to that question,” a familiar voice says behind me.

I turn around with a gasp, unable to believe my ears. It can’t be…

But it is…

It’s Hayato emerging from the box lined hallway at the front of Jae-Hyun’s apartment. And Norio— oh my Santa, Norio is right behind him.

I open my mouth to ask why they’re here, how they’re here.

But then Jae-Hyun suddenly collapses, his entire body crumpling to the ground.