The Hagoromo

By Danielle Broussard

After getting offered her dream job, Margaret moved to Tsukuba Science City in Japan to work on the time machine project. An avid lover of science, she placed all her time and faith in her work and the theories surrounding the time machine.

Her whole world is turned upside down however when she is accidentally sent back in time to ancient Japan. There she meets a Gundan-Sei and a mysterious man who seems to find her wherever she goes.

Mistaken for a celestial maiden, the time machine is hidden from her, but all Margaret wants to do is go home. Determined to find a way back, she needs to find the machine, get it fixed, and avoid the Gundan-Sei who has other plans.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle Broussard
• Release date: Nov 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311163233

Danielle Broussard

Danielle Broussard was born in Houma, Louisiana to a loving and supporting family. After moving to Texas for a short stent, she moved back to Louisiana when she was still young and has spent most of her life there.Sports and art defined most of her childhood. She played basketball for several years and also ran cross-country and track. A self-proclaimed jock, she hated reading and avoided it at all costs and spent most of her time either outside playing sports or watching anime.For college she attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Architectural Studies.

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The Hagaromo

Danielle Broussard

Published by Danielle Broussard at Smashwords

Copyright 2014, 2019 Danielle Broussard

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

One

"If everyone will please stay together, the tour of the facilities will begin now. I ask that everyone please refrain from touching anything, thank you. Let me start by saying welcome to Tsukuba Science City. We are one of over 200 research facilities on the premises which does not include any labs or research going on in the University of Tsukuba, which is also located within the city limits. If everyone will please move this way, we will be entering the main research area. All of the scientists are actually working, so please keep your voices to a whisper. Pushing a silver door, Margaret held it open, allowing those on the tour to enter the room first. As all of you should know by now, the researchers in this facility are focusing on theories pertaining to quantum physics and the space-time continuum. A hand flew up from the back of the crowd. Rising onto her toes, she pointed to the hand, Yes, do you have a question?"

Are we going to get to see the time machine? a teenager asked.

That was Margaret’s least favorite question, and the one she heard literally on every tour she brought through the facility. Smiling weakly at the boy, she answered him as cheerfully as possible. At the end of the tour you will get to see the time machine. Yes, in the back, you have a question?

Uh yeah, so like, how does it work? the girl asked. Do you like, go through a wormhole or like, go to light speed or something?

That was the second question Margaret hated hearing. Smiling again, she took a deep breath, Well I’m glad you asked, she said with a smile. Unlike popular belief, this is nothing like Star Wars or Star Trek, and has nothing in common to either of those shows. There is no magic to this, no special trick or warp speed, or light speed, or any other sort of speed. The theory of time travel is not as simple as traveling through a wormhole. Here we specialize in the theory of time travel into the past which some believe can create paradoxes if you will, or have the possibility, in theory, to disrupt the space-time continuum. We, however, hypothesize that instead of there being one singular line of time, that there are instead a series of parallel universes similar to our own. Using quantum mechanics, we suggest that all possible quantum events can occur mutually, creating their own exclusive histories. These alternate, or parallel, histories in turn form a kind of tree if you will, where all branches of the tree symbolize its own possible history or outcome. So, in essence, the time traveler would experience their own unique history while remaining in their own world, rather than traveling to an alternate one. In theory, we can use the space-time continuum as a mathematical model to try and track which parallel reality the time traveler has ended up in. See the model has three dimensions which you see every day in your life, and then an extra one which is neither spatial nor temporal. And by temporal, I mean more in temporal logic, which is symbolism for representing and reasoning about propositions in qualified time….

Pausing in her explanation, Margaret suddenly felt like she was driving a car, with the head lights on, straight at a herd of deer. At some point, she had lost the entire group, although that always happened. It was time for explanation number two. Clearing her throat, Margaret smiled again, and this time explained sarcastically, It goes really fast and sucks you back into the past.

The crowds’ eyes immediately lit up as everyone in unison let out an ‘oh’ sound. She hated this part of her job, and would wonder why often she couldn’t get a group of physics majors or engineers to come for a tour instead? Moving slowly through the rest of the lab, she led the group through one last pair of doors.

I ask that everyone keep their phones off and refrain from taking any pictures. If anyone notices you taking a picture, or even thinks that you’re trying to steal, or potentially copy anything you see in the next room, we will confiscate whatever you have, thank you, Margaret said, watching the group she was guiding shuffle into the next room.

This was the whole reason people came on this tour, to see the ‘time machine.’ It was still a complete work in progress. The original one had exploded shortly after it was turned on. Thankfully, no one was inside, so no one was hurt. This time the lead scientist was taking extra precautions, and in Margaret’s opinion, being almost too cautious. The machine did draw a crowd though, and the tours she led provided almost half of the research money.

The piece of equipment which was dubbed a time machine by a local news station was really more like a giant simulator. It’s all still theory really. It’s only big enough to fit one person, and theoretically, once activated, that person would be transported back into time. In reality, they would still be sitting in the machine and would only be viewing glimpses of alternate realities, which in theory, would be projected onto an internal screen.

After the tour and all of the visitors left, Margaret headed to a small break room. Plopping down on a couch, she rested her feet for a minute. Pulling at a few loose threads, she stared at a patch of stuffing that was peeking through the arm. Sighing, she rose to her feet and shuffled over to one of the two vending machines. Putting the correct amount of Yin in the machine, she waited until she heard a clanking sound, and bent over to retrieve her beverage. Pulling the metal flap up on the top of the can, a voice caught her attention.

How did the tour go? her supervisor, Dr. Fujiyama, asked.

Shrugging slightly, she took a small sip of her drink. He knew fully well how the tour went; it went the same as all of the other tours she led. Fine I guess, Margaret sighed.

You’re not going to spend the night here again are you? he asked. It’s not healthy; you need to go home. Sleep in a bed, relax a little.

Running a finger around the rim of her drink, Margaret responded absently, It’s not a big deal. Besides, there’s still a lot of work to do on the machine.

I thought you lived close, in one of the apartments on campus right? he asked.

Yeah. It’s close, only about a five-minute walk or so, she replied.

I need you to work over the weekend, he said. We’re going to run a preliminary test on the machine Monday morning. So why don’t you take the next two days off and come back in on Saturday.

A genuine smile crossed Margaret’s face. This was the day she’d been waiting for; the whole reason she had taken this job in the first place. Nodding, she agreed to the arrangement. She really didn’t like taking days off, not even the weekend, but in this case she was more than willing to oblige her supervisor.

For the first time in almost a month, Margaret left work at five. Looking up at the sky, she could see the roof of her apartment building poking over the tops of nearby trees. A few birds chirped when she passed under the trees, but the sidewalks were relatively empty. Stopping in front of a plain, white door, she pushed her key into the knob, and slowly entered the small space. Glancing around, she cautiously closed the door behind her.

The couch pushed against the wall was more of a futon with a few pillows tossed on it. The coffee table still held an empty beer bottle on it from the night before, and a stack of magazines. Frowning, Margaret looked around the dark room. Taking her coat off, she hung it on a hook next to the door. Walking over to a small bookcase, she scanned through the assortment of school books and fantasy novels. Nothing peeked her interests, so turning back towards the couch she shuffled over to it. Plopping down on the stiff cushion, she picked a magazine up from the coffee table when the door to the apartment opened. A young Japanese woman walked in casually. After placing her bag on the ground by the door, she slowly hung her jacket up on a nearby hook, then turned towards Margaret and let out a weak scream.

Clutching her heart, she remained in the doorway for a second, Damn it Margaret, you scared me half to death! she screamed. What are you doing home already? Are you sick? Do you feel okay?

Satsumi was a petite girl. She was maybe five foot at most, but was really pretty. She had been Margaret’s roommate for a little over a year now, but honestly they rarely saw each other. Satsumi liked to go to bed early, and Margaret was a night owl. Despite all of their differences, they got along really well. Satsumi had a Masters in biology, and was currently working on her PhD. She was extremely intelligent, and that was her most redeeming quality for Margaret.

I’m fine, Margaret said. Dr. Fujiyama asked me to work the weekend, so he wants me to take the next two days off.

Wow, and you agreed? Satsumi said. What else is going on? That can’t be it; there must be something else, a catch.

He wants to do a test run on the machine Monday, Margaret said with a smile.

Margaret didn’t need to elaborate to Satsumi what that meant, she knew. Well that’s great! Common, put that crap up we’re going out! Satsumi said, pumping a fist into the air.

Anything beat staying in. Going to their respective rooms, it actually took Margaret awhile to get ready. Shimmying into a tight pair of jeans, she pulled on a midriff shirt and stared at herself in the mirror. Margaret wore glasses at work, mostly for reading purposes, but she did keep some contacts around for days like today. She was finishing putting the first one in when Satsumi walked into her room.

Are you almost ready? she asked.

Yeah, one minute, Margaret mumbled.

Satsumi watched while she carefully put her second contact in. Blinking a few times, she closed her eye and rubbed it lightly. Satsumi watched curiously while Margaret rolled her finger over her eye, then asked, What color are you going to dye your hair next?

Pulling on the bottom of her eye lid, she thought about it for a moment. That was one thing Margaret did find time to do. She enjoyed dying her hair strange colors. Currently it wasn’t that bizarre, blond on top and bright red on the bottom. I don’t know, she said, maybe blue, or pink, or something. Blinking a couple more times, she was finally satisfied. So where are we going?

I was thinking we’d take the train and go to that little sushi restaurant in Moriya, Satsumi said. Maybe we can hit the clubs after and have a few drinks.

Her plan sounded good, so slipping on a pair of heels, Margaret quickly followed her roommate out of the apartment. The walk to the train station was only ten minutes, and then the train ride to Moriya another forty-five minutes. The entire time Margaret thought of the machine sitting back at the lab. When they reached Moriya however, all thoughts of the lab faded away. It had been so long since she had gotten away, that she became completely engulfed in the moment.

Nothing could beat good food, good drinks, and intelligent conversation. To top it off, they had sat at the bar area and two attractive guys sat next to them. Margaret really had a thing for cowboys, but Asian men were slowly growing on her. The girls had planned on going out for drinks after dinner, but ended up staying longer at the restaurant than intended. The guys sitting next to them were a bit distracting, and once they all started talking, dinner took almost two hours. After exchanging numbers, the girls needed to head back home. Although Margaret didn’t have work in the morning, Satsumi did.

Two

The next day was boring. Margaret desperately wanted to go to work, but couldn’t. She spent the first half of the day on the couch reading, but after finishing one book, and getting roughly half way through a second, she had enough. Tired of being indoors, she decided to take a walk around the University. There were always students walking around and activities going on, so she figured there had to be something that would interest her.

She had only left the apartment when her phone rang. Staring at the number she didn’t recognize it.

Hello? she said.

Uh hi, is this Margaret? the voice on the other end asked.

Yes this is her, she said tapping her toe against the ground, Who is this?

It’s Toshi; I met you and your friend at the restaurant last night, he said.

Oh yeah, she replied.

Oh, well, I uh, I remember you saying you had to work this weekend so I wanted to know if you’d like to go out tonight? There’s a restaurant here in Moriya that I think you’d really like, he stated.

Um, yeah, sure, why not, she said.

Great! Toshi said, Well I’ll meet you at the train station then?

Yeah, sure, Margaret agreed. That sounds good.

Is an hour enough time, or do you need more? he asked.

No, I can be there in an hour, replied.

Great, he said, see you then.

Margaret didn’t date much. It’s not that she didn’t want to, but was always so consumed with work, that she never really met anyone to go out with. Walking a little faster, she headed for the station. The train ride was only about forty-five minutes, and she wasn’t that far from the station at the moment, so she should be able to get there in plenty of time.

The train ride was uneventful. The scenery wasn’t much to look at, and since she was alone, there was no one to talk to. Pulling her phone out, Margaret did the only thing she could think of, play games. Pac-Man was calling her name. Running her finger over the small screen, she raced through the maze, devouring as many yellow dots as possible.

Once in Moriya, she took her time getting off of the train, her eyes still locked on the phone. Running her finger along the screen, she bumped into an older man passing by. Without looking up, she said, Oh, sorry. She didn’t expect her date to be there yet, and glancing up from the phone for only a second, did a double take. He was not only already there and waiting for her, but also had a rose in his hand. The music of defeat sounded from her phone. Looking back down at the screen, she frowned. Pac-Man was dead, and she almost had the high score. Shit.

Is something wrong? he asked.

Glancing up, Toshi was standing next to her. Smiling, she held the phone up, No, I died, on the game I mean, she explained.

Grinning at her, he handed her the rose and she quickly accepted it. Holding it close to her nose, the soft petals brushed her skin. She couldn’t smell anything besides the distinctive odor from the trains. Oh well.

They went to a traditional Japanese restaurant and kept a pleasant conversation going the whole time. Margaret wasn’t looking for anything serious, but Toshi was making quite the impression on her. He even walked her back to the train station and waited for the next train to arrive.

What are you doing next weekend? he asked.

Peering down the track, Margaret couldn’t see the train yet. Um, I don’t know, she said. Probably working.

Gazing up at a sign, Toshi crossed his arms. Nodding, he asked, Have you ever been to Hōryū-ji temple? Shaking her head, she had never even heard of it before. It’s a few hours away from here, he explained. I was going for a visit next Saturday if you would like to come. It’s one of Japan’s oldest temples, it’s actually pretty interesting.

Nodding hesitantly, Margaret stared at the concrete. The train horn sounded from down the line signaling her departure was close at hand. Um, yeah sure, why not, she said. I’ll need to check with my boss, but if I don’t have to work it could be fun.

Smiling, Toshi didn’t even flinch when the train roared by. The breaks squealed when it came to a stop, then a loud beep rang out three times. The instant the doors slid open, passengers filed out of the train. I’ll call you in a few days then, he said.

Yeah, sure, she replied. Well, thanks for dinner, it was great. Looking down, Margaret bit her bottom lip. Toshi hesitated a second, but leaning in, kissed her lightly on the cheek. Smiling, she waved meekly and stepped onto the train. Staring at the rose, she gripped the bar next to her tightly when the train jerked forward. Staring out the window, she watched the landscape transition from day to night. The trip ended in a flash, and she was exiting the train before she knew it. Walking quickly, she practically jogged back towards her home.

She was back at the apartment in roughly seven minutes. Satsumi was already home and reviewing something on the couch. She glanced up at her roommate for only a second, then looked back down to continue what she was doing, but did a double take when Margaret passed her to go to the kitchen. What’s that? Satsumi asked. Where did you get the rose?

Toshi gave it to me, Margaret said casually.

She had a blank look for a second, then asked with a smirk on her face, Toshi, as in one of the guys we met at the restaurant yesterday? Nodding silently, Margaret found a thin vase to put the rose in. Satsumi had a huge smile on her face, although Margaret didn’t think it was that big of a deal. Well that’s great! she exclaimed. He was so cute, and smart too.

Thinking about Satsumi’s statement, Margaret filled the vase with water. Yeah, he’s not too bad.

Not too bad? Satsumi scoffed. Girl, you need to lower your standards, he’s a catch.

Smiling, Margaret locked eyes with Satsumi. She was leaning against the kitchen wall with her arms crossed. Laughing, Margaret rolled her eyes, and said, I’m going to bed.

What no details? Satsumi asked exasperated.

No.

The next day went by slowly. Margaret read again in the morning, then after lunch decided to play a video game. By the time five o’clock rolled around she was even tired of playing games and couldn’t wait for Satsumi to come home. Flipping channels on the TV, she watched the clock meticulously. Five o’clock came and passed. Five-fifteen, five-thirty, and still no Satsumi. Boredom took over again, so getting up she flipped through the video games once more.

Turning the machine on, she was about to put a new game in when the door opened behind her. Turning around, she saw Satsumi walk in followed by two men. Margaret didn’t recognize them at first, but soon realized they were the guys from the restaurant. She was a bit stunned, and standing followed Satsumi into her room.

What’s going on? Margaret asked.

I’m going out to dinner with Kaede, Satsumi chirped. Toshi asked if he could come and see you, so I said sure. I didn’t think you’d mind.

Whether Margaret minded or not, it was too late now since he was there. Letting out a sigh, she really didn’t know what to do now. She couldn’t go out like Satsumi, she had work in the morning, but now that she had a guest, she had to do something with him. Walking back into the living room, Satsumi was close behind her. She was ready to leave, and as soon as she reached Kaede’s side they were out the door.

An awkward silence took over the small apartment, but Toshi was much quicker on his feet than Margaret, and immediately offered to order pizza. Margaret hadn’t had pizza in several months, and just the idea of it sounded appealing, so she immediately agreed. While waiting for their food to arrive, they sat on the couch to watch a movie. Margaret let Toshi pick since he was her guest. He chose a movie set in ancient China. It was one of Satsumi’s movies, and not something she thought he’d be interested in.

The pizza arrived quickly. Margaret enjoyed having American based food every so often, and appreciated the fact that Toshi had thought of it. She ate silently and chewed her food slowly; savoring every bite, and making sure her mouth wouldn’t open. Dabbing her lips after every bite, she made sure no food was left on her face. She was stiff and sat at the front of the couch, leaning over her plate.

Toshi leaned back on couch with one foot propped on the coffee table and an arm resting on the back of the couch. He held his pizza a few inches above his plate which sat haphazardly on his lap. Chewing, he would push the food to the side of his mouth, and pointing to the TV would throw in history facts about the movie for Margaret’s benefit.

He knew a lot about the movie. Margaret studied him, curious how he could know so much. The movie was almost over when Satsumi and her date came back. They walked straight through the living room and into her bedroom without even saying hello. After the bedroom door closed, Margaret glanced at Toshi for a second, and shrugging her shoulders, turned her attention back to the movie.

Toshi however wasn’t as indifferent to what he had just witnessed. A frown crossed his face after seeing them disappear in the bedroom. I’m sorry, he said.

Glancing at him, Margaret wasn’t quite sure what he was getting at, For what? she asked.

He always does this, Toshi explained. Takes a girl on a nice date, then doesn’t call them back.

Glancing back at the bedroom door, it crossed Margaret’s mind to maybe go knock on the door and interrupt whatever was going on. But Satsumi was a grown woman, and no matter how much she wanted to, this wasn’t the time or the place. After the movie ended she was tired and really wanted to go to bed, but stayed up to watch TV with Toshi. It felt wrong to leave him in the living room by himself.

Almost an hour later, Satsumi’s bedroom door finally opened again. They were both all smiles when they came out of the room, and neither acknowledged Margaret or Toshi’s presence. Margaret was ready for bed though, and now that they were done, she told Toshi goodnight and headed to her room.

Three

Waking up was no problem the next morning. Making coffee, she didn’t bother eating breakfast, and poured her drink into a mug before leaving the apartment. Drinking the coffee on her walk to the lab, she didn’t see a single person the entire time. The lab was pleasantly quiet as well. Walking to the break room, she immediately made a pot of coffee. Placing her mug down, she leaned on the counter. The coffee maker hissed and gurgled. A brown liquid dripped down into the clear pot slowly at first, then more quickly until it was a constant stream. The strong aroma filled the room putting a smile on Margaret’s face.

Pulling the glass container out, the last drops sizzled when they fell onto the hot surface below. Moving to her desk, she turned on her computer. Scanning her emails, they were all from her supervisor or co-workers.

She was only at work for a few hours when her supervisor walked into the room. Rubbing his head, he cleaned off his glasses, Well, I have some bad news, he said.

Sighing, Margaret lowered her head. Staring up at the ceiling, she didn’t wait for him to continue. We’re not testing it on Monday, she stated.

Wiping his glasses, he held them up to the light before resting them back on top of his nose. It wasn’t my decision, Dr. Fujiyama explained. My superiors found out and want the media present, so they’re delaying the trial for a week.

Gripping the edge of her desk, Margaret glared at the computer screen, But Dr. Fujiyama-

Margaret I don’t like it either, but it’s out of my hands, he said, interrupting her. Look, just go home, take tomorrow off, and come in on Monday like normal. I’ll have a meeting with the whole staff to see how we want to handle next week. All this means is we have more time to check everything.

Nodding, she shut her computer down. This wasn’t an ideal situation. Her mood had completely been shot, her day ruined. Grabbing her coffee mug, she poured herself another cup, and rinsed out the pot before leaving with her supervisor.

Trudging home, her energy was drained. Pushing the door open with her shoulder, she stumbled towards the couch, falling face first onto it. Hugging a pillow, she pulled at a loose thread, completely zoning out. Satsumi had left at some point, so she had the apartment to herself until the late afternoon. Margaret hadn’t moved all day, and was still lying on the couch hugging the same pillow. Glaring at Satsumi from over the pillow, Margaret didn’t even flinch when