PROLOGUE: Shedding light in the past
One man’s paradise is another man’s hell.
I. At the Wu’s.
Name: Wu Andy
Age: Adult
Origin: HK Chinese. There is an unconfirmed rumour that he is the illegitimate child of his mother’s affair with a British officer cadet. What Andy says: “Of course I know the truth behind it but I’m afraid I can’t elaborate on the subject. Besides, well-bred people don’t stick their noses into someone else’s private matters, do they?”
Aspiration: Family / Popularity. Sign: Libra Hobby: music & dance.
Interests: Politics, culture, fashion, food, entertainment, money.
Likes: make-up and hard-working Sims. Dislikes: unemployment.
Occupation: He is a Celebrity Chef and also the proud owner of Kiku Heaven’s “Bishy-Dishy Studio”.
Status: Currently engaged to Ishikawa Daisuke.
Children: Three boys. Stephen (his first-born), Jiro (pushing daisies) and young Saburo (whose taste in women is similar to a monk asked to choose a tuxedo).
Pets: The most adorable kitty in Kiku Heaven, the one and only Yoko!
Previous lives: He was the father of Stephen and the second husband of Debora, a snobbish, vain widow, mother of two girls. He was the benefactor and best friend of a young, shy and much talented artist named Takeshi. It seems Andy came in this life to correct mistakes of the past - or, perhaps, make new ones?
Moment in time: His meeting with Reiko Koichi.
We first meet Andy as a single father...
...when he moves to Kiku Heaven seeking a better place to raise his son, Stephen, and make a fresh start in his messy life.
Anyone who doesn't like males in love with other males had better check out now.
What starts as a joke...
...ends up with Debora talking about romance, love and babiiiiiiies... on the spur of a moment, Andy proposes to Debora and shortly after they get married.
However, Andy seems to be caught into a limbo. He certainly adores his son, and there is no doubt he cares for Ceci’s future, but… but something is not quite right. His thoughts rarely include Debora anymore, which makes him sad -- they had been childhood friends, remember? Moral of the story: Never, ever, serenade to your best friend. You never know what you’ll get yourself into -- neither who will come to your rescue...
Well, Debora is delighted to visit her neighbours...
...and introduce herself as Mrs Wu. She might try a little painting now and then out of boredom or, sit in front of the telly, but mostly...
...she will keep herself busy with little Ceci. She will play with little Ceci, take lots of photos of little Ceci all the time and bath little Ceci before put her to bed. [Little Ceci sounds like a pet to me.]
Andy, on the other hand, works hard to fulfill his dream to become Hall of Famer, while Stephen and Ceci take up nearly all of his free time since Andy is the one who will teach them nursery songs, and how to draw, write and read.
...and when he will put the toddlers to bed he will stay up till morning to study whatever his job requires and increase his skills.
One day, on his way home, he will meet a wretched little thing begging for food. As he can’t find the heart to abandon it...
...he will take it home, name it Yoko and let it become the second soul in the entire Kiku Heaven to love and care so much about.
Even when our sleeves brush together it is our karma.
After all that time of hard work I feel physically, mentally and psychologically exhausted, but surely satisfied to see Stephen and Ceci to have grown up so well. I am a Hall of Famer now giving my self-confidence a huge boost that will certainly extend the days of my life, but there are days like today when I can’t but allow a sense of emptiness overwhelm me. I will probably give in to this urge to go downtown this evening - for a drink, a stroll in the park or to buy a new cell phone. I don’t care, I just need a little time with myself.
He surely scared the hell out of me. He appeared all of a sudden behind the cell phone machine greeting me in a soft, almost whispering voice. Seeing my startled face he bursts into laugher and apologises, then starts chatting about Kiku Heaven, the refreshing cold weather and predicts it will snow tonight. I feel relaxed, almost happy in the company of Koichi-san.
Instant intimacy. That’s what I say when I recall the day I met Reiko Koichi. It is the first person to give me a present in a very long time. I shouldn’t probably take it, but somehow it feels only natural to accept it.
After helping me to chose new clothes we head to Lulu’s Lounge for a drink. In the second round Koichi-san is chatting me up, my head is spinning, the first flakes of snow are falling now… I wish this night would never end.
It is three in the morning when we head out and Koichi-san makes his move, bringing down my defenses - if I had any. He is not a smoothie-talking man, everything about him cries out sincerity and honesty, which I find reassuring.
I follow him to his attic, a room no one is allowed to use but him…
…and I am staying with him tonight. It snows for good, the wind is strong and the night is unbearably cold, but inside is warm and cosy. The attic is equipped with a small fireplace, a bed and... Koichi-san!
I don’t remember when it was the last time I slept so soundly and calmly. The morning finds me in the arms of Koichi-san, feeling nauseous (apparently I had one too many), happy and worried..