ohime’s Story

Every day was the same for Osaka-born scholar, Ichigo Otsuka. Taking note of the books that were borrowed from the library, taking notes of the books that got returned, making sure all fines were paid, and filling in the books that were lost to people that never came back. If anyone had told her this was what she would be doing after graduating from college as a historian, in all honesty, she would've chosen to stay with her family back home in Japan.

Ichigo moved to the States after falling in love with an American student during an exchange program, but after a rough break-up and several debts he left in her name (she would find out later, he was a well-known grifter), she was forced to stay in the country. Her family helped to pay a part of the debts, but they couldn't afford her a trip home, nor to pay for the expensive paperwork for yet another school transfer, so the girl had to rent an apartment and stick to a 9-to-5 job.

At least her History degree helped her land a job at the town's public library. Her salary was enough for her to pay the bills, but not her tuition and her English classes. She was in a pinch, and only a miracle could help her out of her situation.

She never expected such a miracle to come through that door.

One day, when her boss gave her the duty of closing the library, a mysterious man walked into the library minutes before closing time. Well dressed, dapper,he  looked wealthy, albeit the fact that his face was almost covered with a wide brimmed hat and a scarf.

"Ms. Ichigo?"

The librarian perked up her head and pushed up her glasses. "If you're looking to refer to my last name, it's Otsuka." The young girl chuckled awkwardly. "I... The first name and the last name are actually flipped the other way around in Japan. It's okay, everyone gets confused about that."

"Oh, I am well aware." He pointed out in response, and moved on from the subject before she could say anything else. "I want to return this book." She gestured to him, holding out her hand. As per usual, her eyes would land onto it, to make sure the name on the cover and in the records matched. It was a compilation of traditional Japanese Shunga art. Well, that was certainly a little bit... out there.

Ichigo filed the paperwork, and returned the library card to the man. "Have a good night, sir!" She gave him a friendly smile and a light bow. The man just gave her a light nod before leaving right where he came from.

The library emptied out slowly and Ichigo was ready to leave, just had to put the book away. And just as she picked it up, she noticed that something tucked inside it, with only the edge peeking out; it was a black card, embossed with a gold circle and nothing but a phone number on the back. Oh and a tiny note, to her surprise, in Japanese.

"あなたもおやすみなさい, お姫様

(Hope you too have a good night, Princess)"

Brown eyes fixated on the card, as she almost instinctively picked up her phone to save the number. "Ohime-Sama..." She repeated to herself. The more she repeated it, the more it had a ring to it.