User blog:Magnetic Shock/The Diary of Chiyome Mochizuki

Blurb= The Diary of Chiyome Mochizuki (2014) is a poignant, heartrending account of a ghost's time with her master. From the point of view of Chiyome herself, Mochizuki paints a stunning picture of bonds between friends, the erosion of affection over time, and how nothing is ever as it seems. Prologue= It had been a while since I had seen Master. She hardly came to see me anymore ever since I retired from the front lines of her conquest team. But it was okay. I could enjoy retirement with my friends Munenori and Sasuke.

One day, Mira came into my room while I was resting. "Chiyome," she said. "Master's looking for you." I could hardly believe my ears. Solar was looking for me? She wanted to see me? It had been so long! Igot up immediately. "Let's go." I replied, and followed Mira out.

"What does Master want to see me for?" I asked Mira as we proceeded theougj the hallway.

"She says... that you could be of service to her." Mira replied hesitantly. It was an unsettling remark. Mira was normally so cheerful. What had gotten into her?

As Mira opened the door to Solar's room, I saw Munenori and Sasuke. Why had Master assembled us, the old guard? I was about to say hello, but they had a rather morose look on their faces. Something was off today. Glancing over, I saw Master looking away. Why couldn't she look at us?

"Ah, the last one is here!" A piercing voice came from across the room. Turning my head to rest my gaze upon Dora, all suddenly became clear.

I was being sold.

"C'mere, Chiyome!" Dora bellowed across the room. Munenori... Sasuke... I looked one more time at Solar. Her gaze was still averted, and she was deathly silent. I walked slowly over to Dora's group. Mira stared on with an air of melancholy. As I passed Solar, she neither turned nor said a word. She was unmoving. I stopped. I looked around the room for the last time. Dora's mercenary habits were well known. It was just my blessing to have stayed with Master so long. This was the last thing I could do for her.

"Goodbye, Master." I whispered.