Mika’s Destiny: The Mountain Princess’s Return

Mika closed her eyes and replayed the words of her teacher, echoing firmly in her mind.

"Remember to breathe, and live your character, before you even step foot into the room. You are not acting. You are Aiko. The lines you've memorized aren't simply lines. They are your thoughts that flow naturally from your heart and mind. That's what Aiko thinks and feels, and you're saying those words only because you believe in them, not because someone wrote them down on a piece of paper for you. You are Aiko."

Mika inhaled deeply, letting the rhythm of her breath calm her nerves. She could hear the faint sound of footsteps and the low murmur of voices drifting from somewhere down the hallway.

Suddenly, as if out of the fog, Mika saw the pretty valley, the trees, and the village. She felt the smell of strong mountain air.

"Mika Miyamoto," she heard someone calling.

"What?"

"Are you Mika Miyamoto reading for Aiko, the mountain princess?"

Mika heard Aiko's name mentioned and understood – they were calling her.

"Yes," she nodded, the reality of the studio still blending in her mind with the background of the river valley.

She stepped over the threshold, almost tripping over it, into a small space with bright lighting. Behind the lights she could barely make out three figures: two of them looked female to her and one male.

Mika paused in the middle of the space, gazing into the distance. She could still feel the mountain air and hear the sounds of birds in the valley. She smiled.

"Whenever you're ready," she heard the man said, gesturing somewhere toward the lights.

Mika nodded. For some reason she felt like she was floating in the air. She didn't feel the floor she was standing on, or the blinding brightness of the lights directed at her. She felt as if she was levitating.

Mika saw one of the women stand up and get closer to the line of the lights. She could now see her gaze flickering in an odd way, as if she was trying to tell Mika something.

"Honorable people of Sakaigawa!" said Mika, her voice ringing out in a strangely melodic way. "For many years I've been sharing this land we call home with you. I know how much hard work you put in to shape this valley, how much quiet strengths it takes to make your lives, raise your children, teaching them the value of kindness, respect, and hard work."

"You love this valley. You love it as much as I do, as much as all the living creatures around us do. But I also know the burden you carry. The seasons are unpredictable, the harvests uncertain. You fear that one day, all that you hold dear, may slip away. I promise you, that if you respect the harmony of nature—if you listen to the rhythm of the earth and honor it—your crops will grow strong, the rivers will flow clear, and your families will enjoy peace, prosperity, and happiness."

"Cherish and protect this bond, because there are those who defy it, just as they defy justice and humanity. Those dark forces promise abundance, but only bring hardship and misery. Let us build a future where our children inherit not only the fruits of our labor, but the wisdom to care for it, and the strength to protect it."

Mika lifted her head as she delivered the final lines, her fingers instinctively pressing against her chest, where the amulet rested. She felt a rush of warmth and energy surging through her and filling the room.

When the last words left her lips, the room fell silent. The air felt thick with tension. Mika's breath began to slow, her heartbeat gradually finding its rhythm again. She was still in a slight daze, but she could hear snippets of murmurs from the other end of the room.

"Very good… something about the eyes… I was surprised, too… quite unexpected… I agree…"

At last, Mika could see the man lean forward. "Thank you. That was very good. That's it for today. We'll be in touch."

Mika could only nod silently at first. Thoughts were still churning inside her, but the mist she imagined around her gradually began to dissolve, and the glimmers of the valley and its forests faded away. She was left in a plain room, with painted walls and set lighting.

"Thank you," said Mika. "Have a good day."

She bowed and turned to leave.

As Mika stepped out of the room, one of the women followed her into the corridor.

"It's Mika, right?" the woman asked, her voice soft but filled with emotion.

"Yes," Mika replied politely. "Hello."

"My name is Kiyomi," said the woman. "I just wanted to ask… did you read the entire script?"

Mika shook her head slowly. "No, only the part that was sent to me."

The woman stared at Mika, wide-eyed. "What you did in there was… extraordinary. That's exactly how I envisioned Aiko." She raised her eyebrows slightly. "Which is even more remarkable as you haven't read the complete script."

Mika wasn't sure how to respond.

I suppose she's complimenting me.

"I'm very glad you liked my read," Mika replied, bowing politely again.

The woman smiled, her eyes never leaving Mika. "I'm certain we will meet again," she said. "Do we have your current address?"

"Yes."

"Great. I'll make sure to send you the complete script to read in the meantime," the woman continued. "Although you already captured Aiko perfectly in your audition. But I'd like you to read my story in full."

Now it was Mika's turn to be surprised. "Your story?"

"Yes," the woman said, extending her hand with a graceful gesture. "My name is Kiyomi Sakamoto. I'm the author of the screenplay."

Wow, the author of the script about Aiko! She must know everything there is to know about the princess! I must get to know her!

Intense curiosity and excitement flooded Mika.

"It's an honor to meet you, Sakamoto-san!" she exclaimed. "What a privilege to speak with someone who's researched the true story of Aiko."

Kiyomi's smile remained serene, though there was something impenetrable in her eyes. She studied Mika for a long moment, as if weighing her words. Then, with a slight nod, she said, "I've tried to capture as much of the truth of the story as I could. There's more to Aiko's life, her legacy… and the forces that conspired against her."

Mika felt a shiver run through her. Kiyomi's voice softened, yet there was a certain gravity to it. "I'll send you the script. But I'm sensing you've already felt that there is more to Aiko's story… as, centuries later, it's still unfolding."

Mika's pulse quickened. "Unfolding? How?"

Kiyomi's gaze held Mika's a beat longer, and for a moment Mika thought she understood what Kiyomi meant—what happened in the vision, and what Mika still didn't fully comprehend.

"Yes," replied Kiyomi, her tone almost imperceptible. "It's still incomplete, in more ways than one."