Sound Life

Shun walked down the road, absent-minded, heading to the market. What was that June asked him to buy? Rice and shoyu. How ironic…June had enough power to shatter the toughest stones of Andromeda´s Island to dust, but the doctor recommended her on preserving herself. As for Shun, he didn´t mind handling hard work.

It had been two years since they started a new life together, and it had been also two years since he last wore Andromeda´s saint armor. Being so, it was almost unavoidable to think peace had finally come into his life, allowing him to live as normal people do. Well, not exactly. In spite of not having worn the armor since the battle against Zeus, he swore to Athena he would never abandon his duty as a saint and, in order to accomplish it successfully, he trained hard every day, ready to wield his chains once again and fight for justice.

This knowledge seemed to haunt the Andromeda saint like a ghost. A little voice was always nagging at the back of his head, making him wonder if this peace would come to an end one day. But soon he would dismiss it and come back to the present time, to his life as a regular Tokyo citizen, working from nine to five and then returning home to his wife.

It was Saturday. He didn´t have much work to do, so he spent his time by training and helping June in the household. His cosmos was as strong as before. That meant the world still needed him. But at the moment, all he wanted was to enjoy the lovely weather, feeling the human heat around him. People crossed his path, business suits in a hurry, some casually-dressed couples who chatted cheerfully, and alone people who lightly strolled by.

“AAAHHH!!!”

A scream split the air, calling Shun´s attention. A man with a pocketknife had just attacked a lady passing nearby, taking her purse and shoving her onto the floor, fleeing soon afterwards.

The world wasn´t entirely at peace, and that was the reason Shun would never give up being a warrior. He puts himself in front of the thief, blocking the way. When the thief is ready to turn aside from him, Shun grabs his arm, effectively stopping him from running.

“Hey man, let me go!”

He tries to cut Shun by the waist, but Shun dodges it easily, his grip on the man´s arm strong.

“This isn´t right. How could you do that to a defenseless woman?”

“This is none of your business!! Get off!!”

The thief tries desperately to free his arm, which begins to throb due to the saint´s strength. He looks at Shun, who remains calm and serious, without any eye-contact at all. With few options left, he tries to cut Shun several times, and all his blows are proved fruitless. With his other hand, Shun grabs him by the wrist, twisting it so the other drops the pocketknife. Then this same hand curls into a fist, punching a studied blow, which makes the thief lose conscience.

The people who were strolling by at the time and had stopped to watch the fight were astonished by the young man´s swiftness and dexterity in handling the pickpocket. Soon, a small crowd is surrounding Shun. Ignoring their comments and even their presence, Shun goes over to the victim, who is still on the floor, dumbfounded by the scene.

He gently helps her to her feet, eyeing her with concern, melted with the innocent tinge that was his trademark.

“Sumimasen.”

The lady eyes him intently. He gave her purse back to her and seemed calmer than minutes before. Her eyes suddenly sparkle and she holds his arm lightly.

“I´d like to thank you…”

Shun smiles tenderly, relieved to see her well.

“You don´t need to thank me. I haven´t done anything but my duty.”

“I insist. Please…Come to my house.”

Shun was about to say “but my wife…”but stopped himself. He had plenty of time and June wouldn´t worry as long as she didn´t feel any threatening cosmos around. Therefore, he followed her willingly to her small house, not two blocks away from the fair.

At the humble place, the lady offered some tea to his visitor, who politely accepted it. From the other side of the small table, the sitting lady watched him attentively.

“You have a powerful cosmos.”

Shun started. He thought that woman was no more than a common person like the others, unaware of all the battles Athena´s saints fought. After a moment of hesitation, Shun asked:

“Who…Who are you?”

“It doesn´t matter who I am, but who you are.”

Though intrigued by her words, Shun let her go on talking.

“Aren´t you that Shun boy who participated in the Galactic Tournament, some years ago, the one with the chains?”

Shun nodded in silence. So, the Galactic Tournament is still in the memory of regular people, but how could she know about the cosmos? She sipped her tea calmly, and then pointed the ring in Shun´s left hand.

“You have grown a lot since that episode. And now I see you have given up your life as Athena´s guardian.”

“No, I haven´t.” This time Shun answered promptly. “Being one of Athena´s saints is my destiny and duty. I´m ready to give my freedom away for her.”

The woman rose her eyebrows. She couldn´t help but feel somewhat happy with his answer. Definitely, he wasn´t just another saint.

“Are you sure? Are you really ready for it?”

Shun felt a bit annoyed by her insistence. The fear of losing the world of peace he was then building always haunted him, and touching this open wound left him melancholic all day long, until he came back to June´s arms. His eyes grew slightly hostile, though he tried to avoid it.

She smiled.

“You are. Otherwise, you wouldn´t glare at me like that.”

“Please, tell me who you are…”

“During all your life you have been fighting for a world in which all men could live in peace. But why do you still go on if you evil can be found in every man´s heart?”

Shun wasn´t pleased by the fact that his question was ignored. But the questions that kept flowing out of that woman´s mouth demanded answers.

“I have seen dozens of men who were corrupted by evil shed tears. I know this is an endless war that feeds on blood, tears and sorrow. However, while I can still do something, even if it is for only one person, I´ll go on.”

“Even knowing this could lead you to awake your own evil side?”

“I´m strong enough to control it.”

“Are you?”

Shun couldn´t help glaring at her again, and this annoyed him to no ends. The lady tried to calm the young man down. Displaying a small smile, she grabbed the tea pot.

“Would you care for some more?”

Shun remained serious.

“No, thank you. It´s enough.”

The lady then poured more tea into her own cup.

“Did you know I´ve met Mitsumasa Kido?”

“It was through him you found out about Athena´s saints?”

“No. Through you.”

Although Shun was relieved she was talking about herself now, he was still intrigued by her answers.

“What do you mean?”

“You´ll understand later.”

And, still smiling, she looked at Shun, hope glinting in her eyes.

“How have your brother Ikki been?”

“How do you know about Niisan?”

Realizing she wouldn´t give him an answer, Shun gave up.

“He is doing very well. It´s been some weeks since we last spoke to each other, but I don´t need to see him to know he is fine.”

“That´s great…It´s nice to know you´re still close to each other.”

“Where do you know him fr…Ah, nevermind…”

“Where do I know him from? It´s been a long time. He filled my life with joy…”

Shun could see her eyes welling up tears, and asked himself what kind of relationship held her and his Niisan together.

“Do you live here all by yourself? Don´t you have any relatives, friends?”

“I do. But they don´t live with me anymore. Even so, I´m happy. Are you happy, Shun?”

Shun smiled. Despite all those enigmas, that woman was no longer stranger to him.

“I am. I have friends whom I´d give my life to, and I know they would do the same for me. I´ve married a woman who was the only one to trust me when no one else did. Even having suffered so much in this life, I thank God for being who I am.”

“So do I. Because pain is the one thing that makes us recognize it. How is your wife called?”

“June. She´s also a saint. We were brought up together in Andromeda´s Island. She has always cared about me.”

“And I´m sure you also zeal for her, don’t you? You´re so alike your brother…”

Shun was surprised. It was the first time someone said he actually looked like Niisan. Even Hyoga and Seiya, who were their closest friends, had never thought of such thing, despite it was true. He laughed.

“No one had ever said such a thing about us. Niisan is usually not as patient and peaceful as I am.”

“But even so you two look alike…Both of you are caring…”

At that time, Shun had already lost all suspiciousness towards that lady, who could surprise him so much. She seemed to know all about him, his story, his personality, although Shun hadn´t said a word about it.

The woman glanced at the old clock hanged on a wall. It was already 17h30. Shun realized the smooth  made him lose his track on time, leaving June alone at home. He stood up and excused himself.

“My goodness, it´s late! I´ve got to go back home, June´s waiting for me. If you would please excuse me…”

“It´s fine, young man. I´m the one to apologize for holding you here. Don´t make her wait any longer, go back to her.”

She led him to the door. Before saying goodbye, she reached for his hand and clasped it firmly between her own.

“I still haven´t thanked you properly. Promise me you´ll be back tomorrow…”

Shun shot her a sweet smile before vanishing behind the door.

“I promise.”

Next day´s morning, Shun fulfilled his promise, coming back to the lady´s house. However, much to his dismay, there was no one at home, nor anything.

In the middle of the empty room, laid on the floor, there was a small golden talisman and a note scribbled on a piece of paper with small and careful handwriting.

‘Dear Shun: This talisman is different from Hades´s wicked talisman. This is your mother´s true remembrance. Keep it dearly. I´m sure you and June will be wonderful parents. Thank you for being who you are.’

Understanding always brings about silence, which is sometimes mortal, other times joyful.  The silence in Shun´s heart spoke for itself and, for the first time, he understood the feeling Hyoga had always respected.

Hitting the street, he felt his life closer than never before. Shun looked up at the sky and smiled.

He felt that always chasing shadow didn´t bother him anymore, but instead had become a sweet nostalgia. Nostalgia? Yes, nostalgia. For his life was no more than a great and profound feeling of nostalgia filled with bittersweet poetry the legend of Athena´s saints had given him.

* THE END *

Obs: Saint Seiya belongs to Masami Kurumada, Shueisha and Toei Animation.