Metanoia (Part IV)

Tokyo, Japan.
2011.

“So what’re you doing for a living now, Heather?”

Ari wrinkled her nose at the nickname, making the blonde laugh warmly. She could hardly believe it – posters splat across the papers and telly had told of a famous woman coming to Japan. She hardly gave a glance at first and merely switched the channel or flipped to the next page, but did a double take at the name printed almost everywhere.

Lynette St. John.

An award-winning smile of a woman in her twenties with a professional-looking camera in her hand was the picture on the newspaper. This lady graced the covers of lifestyle magazines and even some architectural ones, mostly featuring her with either a camera, a sketchbook or blueprints.

The same woman, Ari had read in the paper, who had sworn to protect animal life and had turned vegetarian. Lynette admits that switching to vegetarianism wasn’t always easy – the sight of all the protein she had missed haunted her everyday. Now twenty-four and a budding professional as well as skilled painter, Lynette travels the world for the new, the bold and the interesting that she claims, would bring upon a change to this society.

She thought that it was merely a coincidence.

“I wasn’t expecting you, of all people, to show up,” Lynette – Linda – admitted. “Not in a bad way, love. I thought you’d be out there in places like the States…not here in busy, beating Tokyo.” Lynette was drinking from a paper cup which contained tea, her blonde hair in an artful bun and her woolen shirt gracing her form perfectly. “Even so, I thought you were busy.”

“I am, actually.” Ari leaned back, “Tokyo’s hard to completely capture.”

And Lynette smiled.

“You’ve been here…what, five years?”

“Going on six,” she replied.

“A detective in roaring Tokyo,” Lynette mused. “To be fair, I thought you’d go for the medicines. Or something like forensic science. You remember, right?”

And Ari did remember.

“Goodness, I’m sorry.” She gave a short laugh, “To see a friend once again – one from my childhood, at that – it’s shocking. Shocking, but pleasant. You look amazing.”

Ari couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the comment.

If anything, Lynette looked miles better.

She had grown from the smirky, tall girl to someone much slimmer and graceful in stature. Lynette no longer smirked but smiled, no longer tattled or gossiped but reported with such grace that Ari wondered if this was the same Linda who pushed her to admit her feelings to Callum.

“Don’t you do that.” She finished her drink, “We have a lot to catch up on, love. So,” she eyed Ari suspiciously, “Any lovers? Female or male? It’s okay if you’re in the closet,” she whispered this last word, “I’m okay with that and I can help hook you up.”

“What – Linda, Lynette, no,” Ari shook her head furiously; “I’m not gay or bi. Straight. And I’m not in a relationship. And I’m not interested in having one,” she finished. This made the blue-eyed lady tsk and give a shake of her head, disapproving of her friend’s reply.

“That’s no good. But then, you might end up shooting them to bits-”

“Of course I won’t!”

“-or no one will be good enough for you,” she ended.

“Lynette, I’ve been catching murderers and drug dealers, rapists and pedophiles. Do you really think that I have someone to be with at this time?” Ari asked exasperatedly.

“Why, of course. Don’t think you can get through that alone, missy.”

Ari had decided to take her chances and went to the museum where Lynette currently was.

 She couldn’t believe it – it really was Linda.

Although her voice had matured and her appearance had shifted, she couldn’t doubt that the woman standing before her, talking animatedly about art, was the same one who lent her a red dress just so she could look pretty in front of everyone else.

She took a seat and listened – Lynette was going from topic to topic, speaking about art, photography and some fashion photography on the side. She went on about her vegetarianism and her advocacy to stop animal testing, inviting anyone who wanted to join her. Ari had to admit – she was good.

Once it was all over, people had shaken hands with Lynette and took pictures. Tucking her hands into the pockets of her coat, Ari merely watched and just approached Lynette right after the pictures had been taken, and when she was putting her pen into her pocket.

“Nice show,” she complimented.

Lynette shot her a smile.

“Thanks,” she turned to the framed photographs, “Can hardly believe this is real. Oh – are you from Kiyomi TV? You seem a little early for the interview.”

At that, Ari took off her Fedora and gave Lynette a small curve of the lips.

“I never thought I’d see you again, Linda.”

After stumbling over her words, the only thing she could go was reach forward and give a hug.  

 “So how did you know how to find me?”

Ari shrugged nonchalantly, “I saw the news and decided to see for myself.”

“So you wanted to see the great me?” Lynette teased. The Englishwoman rolled her eyes.

“Of course not. I just wanted to see how dear Linda got through life.”

Lynette threw her head back and laughed.

“You’re still the same, my dear Heather. Still the same.”

“Yes, well…I’m not entirely the same girl from Wammy’s.”

“Piano?”

“Yes.”

“This just confirms it!” Lynette threw her hands in the air, “You really haven’t changed, love. Not really. You grew into a prettier you, but I can still tell that you’re still the same little girl – I can still remember your crush on-”

“That doesn’t matter,” Ari interrupted, red in the face. “No, no. That…that’s all over.”

“Are you sure?” the blonde teased, “You’re red in the face! Don’t tell me-”

“I don’t.” she replied firmly.

Lynette could only give a smirk – her trademark smirk – and nodded along.

As much as Ari didn’t want to admit this to the bubbly blonde, she was thankful that she had her friend – her almost sister – back.