Chapter 1
It wasn't like I was going to miss my old school or anything. Since I was a child, I was quiet and kept mostly to myself, only adapting an extroverted persona when it was necessary. I wasn't a loner, but I had a few friends. And only three of whom I selected to share my deepest feelings with. Only three of whom I would miss. However, I wouldn't miss my old school mainly because it was boring. The routine and rules wore me down. I may have been quiet but I loved excitement...perhaps I had an inner personality unknown even to myself. I had yet to explore it.
Right now, my eyes were focused on the scenery before me. I could faintly see my reflection behind the glass pane of the train and was slightly bothered that a fingerprint smear was evident on my tinted sunglasses. It was a pain having to wear them. Oversized green sunglasses that were way too big for my small narrow face, but I couldn't stand the sun hitting my eyes. Without them, everything was painfully bright and I had to squint, making my eyes water in the process. My sister simply said I had sensitive eyes from too much time spent on my laptop. Perhaps she was right.
It wasn't like there was something I could do about it. Having glasses indoors while using my device made me look silly.
The train rattled, and I clutched my red plaid bag in anticipation. My palms were so sweaty I dreaded the service lady coming for a handshake. I should have worn gloves. I was traveling to the infamous city called Ikebukuro. I say infamous because I heard all kinds of stories from my school in America. People saying the place was full of grown men wearing sailor moon costumes. It was supposedly a cosplay place with no boundaries. Full of eccentric people like Venice. It wasn't too bad. People like that were interesting, and I had a childlike uncanny curiosity for them. Still...I didn't want to see grown men in women's clothing. That was a bit much.
"Excuse me miss, is this seat taken?"
I turned at the voice that had spoken to me, and yanked my earphones out from below. A boy seemingly my age stood before me, holding on to the empty seat next to mine for support as the train rattled on. Looking behind me quickly, I spotted the elderly seating themselves. It looked like this boy had given up his for one of them. Not wanting to look rude, I quickly shook my head, sending choppy brown locks swaying with the movement.
"Thanks." He said, sitting next to me while tucking his bag under his seat. I studied him from the sides of my eye. He was quiet, but nervous. I could tell by the way his eyebrows were creased, and the way he kept on twiddling his thumbs together. Probably another new resident for Ikebukuro?
I bit into my lip and rolled my earphones around my phone quietly, highly conscious of my the boy next to me. Perhaps I should make some small talk? But how should I start? I sucked at socializing. Academically, I was smart, really smart. But I lacked social intelligence and common sense. It was a curse that haunted me for all eighteen years of my life. My anxiety was rising. I could almost hear my heart pounding as I rose my arms to smooth my long brown hair. It had grown up to my waist but was choppy and uneven in the back of my head when I tried to unsuccessfully cut it. It didn't look that bad. It made it look like I had short hair if I tied the bottom part and kept the chopped part free. My bangs were also uneven, with my right side falling to my ear and my left to my neck. Also a fail attempt at cutting it myself, so I had to part it on the left side of my head to make it look like it was planned.
"Is that an outlet?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin when the boy spoke so close to my ear. He was leaning my way after all, but not to be creepy, he was merely trying to look past my blue plaid coat. I shifted to give him full view and nodded.
"Yeah." The word came out meekly and he blinked at me, deer-like eyes curious.
"Is it okay if I use it?" He asked with a small smile, scratching his short dark hair nervously.
I nodded and shifted my legs. I was painfully petite, so my feet didn't even touch the floor although I was wearing leather boots with thick soles. So it was easy to slide my legs up to my chest to grant the boy access to the outlet. I watched silently as he slid a charger to attach to his phone.
After he was done, he leaned back in his seat and I slid my legs back down. The thin wire brushed against my bare legs as he typed away. The coat I wore was a few inches above my knee so the feeling tickled.
"I'm sorry, is it bothering you?" The boy asked, trying to avert the wire. His white thin and green sweater was worn with some plain blue jeans and sneakers. He looked very ordinary.
"No it's fine." I assured him softly.
His gaze held mine for a minute before he thrust his hand out for a handshake. "I'm Mikado Ryuugamine, what's yours?"
I stared at his hand like it was a snake, trying desperately to think of a way out of this. I couldn't, and was forced to shake it reluctantly. My hand was a lot smaller than his, but it fit, and he had the courtesy of not wiping his hand on his leg after he let go.
"I'm Ahana Kazane, nice to meet you." I said slowly, sizing him up. He seemed friendly and kind, so I might as well open up to him.
"Are you going to Ikebukuro to visit somebody?" he asked politely. I decided I liked his voice, it was very mellow and controlled.
I shook my head. "No, I'm here to stay, I'm transfering schools from America, Although I'm from asian decent this is my first time in Japan, I will be staying with my dad..."
"I see, I've never been to America, I grew up in Japan, I'm actually going to live in Ikebukuro because a friend recommended I attend school with him, I haven't seen him in person for a while so i'm pretty excited...but also a little nervous because I come from a quiet town and this part of Japan is pretty loud and lively...so much going on." He said with a shy smile. He had stopped twiddling his thumbs but his face was still portraying signs of uncertainty.
"I feel the exact same way, I'm not going to know anybody so I'm nervous." I exclaimed with a small frown.
He glanced at me, shutting his phone. "What school are you attending?"
"Raira Academy." I muttered.
"Cool, I'm attending that school too! That's the one my friend is in, maybe we can be in the same class, I'm fifteen, what is your age?" He was getting more comfortable with me. I could tell by the way his face was softening.
"Oh...I'm eighteen." I muttered while averting my brown eyes.
His jaw fell. "A-are you serious? Wow you look really young, I thought you were fourteen." He stopped speaking and his eyes widened. I could see a hint of blue in them. "Oh! I'm sorry! It's just that your so small!" He apologized loudly, bowing while he did so. "I wasn't trying to make fun of you or anything!"
I shot him a reassuring smile."It's fine really, I get that a lot...anyways I heard classes are mixed so we probably will."
"Yeah..." Relieved, Mikado looked out the window and noted that it was getting dark. He was right, time went by fast in my time riding the train, and I took my glasses off to see the nightlife better. It actually looked pretty. The light's gave the city a luminous and bouncy glow of energy.
"Just one more stop and we are almost there." Mikado spoke once the train sped underground. "Is your dad going to be waiting for you?"
"No." I said nervously. "He's at work so I'm going to find my way around using my GPS, I just hope I don't get lost."
Mikado's gaze held mine and I could see he was confused, even in the dim underground light. "Huh? Why would you get lost if you have your phone for directions? You do know your address right?"
"Yeah but...sometimes I get lost anyway, I have a horrible sense of direction." I said with a laugh. Now I was the one scratching my head.
"Oh...in that case why don't you stay with me? My friend knows this city like the back of his hand, I'm sure he can help you find your way around." Mikado offered kindly.
My brown eyes widened. "Really? Thanks a bunch!" It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I didn't have to wonder around this city alone now.
'Next stop, Ikebukuro.' The trains electronic voice echoed around us and I slid my glasses inside my bag, picking it up and slinging it over my shoulder while Mikado did the same. Once the darkness subsided, Bright light engulfed the windows of the train and I squinted past them at the many people standing or walking about the underground train station. The doors opened. I followed Mikado out clumsily, stepping out into the white walkway with a deep breath. It was nice to be out again.
"Hmmm...my friend should be here soon, lets wait for him over there." Mikado said while pointing to a lone spot near a thick wall. "I'll text him to say I arrived."
"Okay." I muttered, following him as he poked at his phone. The screech of tires sounded as the train took off again, like a rollercoaster going at the speed of light. With our backs to the wall, we waited patiently. Mikado was a few more inches taller than me, so my head ended at the crook of his collarbone. I was only five feet one, and skinny.
"What does your friend look like?" I asked, straining to raise my voice as my eyes scanned the crowd.
"dark hair and very light brown eyes." Mikado murmured beside me.
"Hmmm." I scanned the crowd again. That wasn't very much to go on. After five minutes of waiting in silence, I was getting impatient. I even considered just leaving by myself until I spotted a boy a few feet away grinning from ear to ear at our direction. But he didn't have dark hair...he was a blonde. Could it be him?
Uncomfortable, I tugged on Mikado's sleeve to get his attention but it was too late. The blonde had already reached us and stood in front of Mikado with a grin resembling the cheshire cats.
"Helloooo!" He spoke out in a high pitched and cheerful voice.
Mikado looked up from his phone, startled. "Masaomi? Did you dye your hair? No way you look so different!"
I watched with interest at the exchange of words between them. So this was his friend. He was a an inch taller than Mikado, and had longer hair that reached a little over his ears, with long pointy bangs that gave him a punk look. His light brown eyes were cheerful and vibrant as he talked with Mikado. Even his mannerisms were cheerful and maybe a little bit quirky as he moved around, waving his arms around like some sort of ninja and patting Mikado, correcting the latter on his opinion of his jokes.
It wasn't long before his attention turned to my, eyes focusing on my frame with curiosity. "Oh hello, who's this? Your sister?" He drawled, patting my shoulder as if he knew me for many years. His white hoodie went well in contrast with his black jeans. He had that clean 'street tokyo' look.
"This is Ahana, I met her on the train, I offered to help her find her way home, shes new here so...she's not very familiar to Ikebukuro." Mikado explained.
"Say no more! Say no more...pleasure to meet you darliing, I'm Masaomi Kida, coolest guy you'll ever meet in this city, and the best at giving directions." He winked at me and thankfully didn't offer a handshake.
"Thanks." I said, holding in a laugh. Mikado's friend was weird, it was hard to believe they were friends even though they were the complete opposite.
"So! Let me give you two a tour around the city before I send you off home! Trust me you need this, two small and fragil birds like you will not survive without me and my survival kit." Masaomi exclaimed loudly while escorting us towards an escalator. We stood on it patiently as the words 'Welcome to Ikebukuro' shone above us in bright red neon letters.
"Is it alright? What if one of those color gangs shows up and attacks us!" Mikado said with a frightened expression.
My eyebrow raised but I didn't press on the subject.
"Those guys have disappeared already,and besides it's only like six...you wuss." Masaomi laughed loudly once we stepped off the stairs and into the city sidewalk. I was taken aback by how party-like it looked. There was nothing boring about it at all.
"And besides." Masaomi went on. "There are far more dangerous things here than color gangs, anything can happen in Ikebukuro." He whispered ominously.
"L-like what?" I muttered with worry.
Masaomi grinned at me. "It's just like Mikado to find someone like him, you'll see."
We walked further on. Masaomi pointed out certain restaurants to avoid and which ones to go to, who to avoid and which places to steer clear out of. It was a bit too much to remember, but I didn't think I would go wandering in a lone alley anyway.
"By the way, you got your address with you? Can't help you go home if I don't know where you live." Masaomi asked while glancing at me.
"Yeah!" I pulled my phone out of my pocket and handed it to him. It was still on my notepad and the blonde stared at it for a while.
"Alright I know where that is." He handed the device back to me and I slid it back into my coats pocket.
"Thanks again...and sorry for the trouble." I murmured in gratitude.
"Are you kidding? No problem!" Masaomi exclaimed with a large grin. I smiled back. I immediately liked him. His personality, while odd, made me feel like I belonged. There was no tension in the air when he was around.
Just as we were about to turn a curve, I nearly collided with the blondes back as he stopped suddenly.
"Whoa! Watch where your going!" A girls voice rang out. I looked past Masaomi's body to see a cardboard figurine of a familiar looking anime character. It was being held by a tall girl in a black hat and a black dress. Her hair was tucked into her cap but her front black bangs stuck out at her sides. She sort of looked like a grave robber with all that black. But somehow it suited her pale complexion. The other person holding the figure was a boy who was so scrawny it put me to shame. sporting a blue sweater and simple light brown jeans with matching light brown hair that drooped over his face, his eyes were what stood out about him because they were so slanted they looked closed.
"Erika! Walker, sorry I was just giving these two new friends of mine a tour around Ikebukuro." Masaomi explained with pride, as if giving tours was a high paying job.
The girl, Erika, looked us over. "Oh, new residents? What are their names?" She asked in a bubbly but low pitched tone.
"I-im Mikado Ryuugamine..."Mikado stammered, shy out of his mind.
"I'm Ahana Kazane." I spoke out as well, but in a more controlled voice.
The girl stared with an o shaped mouth. "Coool! Your names sound like anime characters! Isn't that right Walker? I'm Erika Karisawa, it's nice to meet you, have fun on your tour!"
"Yeah! they can be like right out of an anime! I'm walker Yumasaki by the way, nice to meet you." The boy next to Erika said shrilly.
"What are you guys even doing with that cardboard thing? Your like...right in the middle of the sidewalk." Masaomi muttered with a slight frown.
"Oh this? It's a collection for Spice and Wolf, we are collecting pieces for the manga! Looks cool doesn't it?" Erika exclaimed with a smile.
"I knew it looked familiar, thats really cool, I love that anime." I said with a smile, making Erika and walker eye me quickly.
"Well hello there new best friend!" They said together cheerfully.
"Oh nooo dude, they have you in their clutches now." Masaomi whispered to me with a face.
"Heyy! hurry up!" A voice made us all turn towards a van on the other side of the street with a boy waving at us.
"Coming dotachin! Well we gotta bounce, see you guys later! Erika spoke out before slowly carrying the cardboard figure towards the van.
"Later bitches!" Masaomi yelled with a wave.
After they were gone, Masaomi turned to us. "What was Erika and Walker, they have these two other friends with them who drive around the city in search of all things anime, they can be pretty weird but if you're cool with them, they're cool with you." He stated with a grin.
"Yeah they seemed really interesting." Mikado said with a small smile.
"Mhmm." I agreed.
We continued to walk the streets of the city. The night air was making me cold as it brushed against my bare legs and my face, but I liked it. It made me feel fresh and renewed. Despite being in an alien country, I was a bit more at ease.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" Mikado's voice turned my attention to him. He had bumped into a girl it seemed, because he was bowing to a young woman sporting a cap. As she turned, I was struck by how dull her eyes were. An opac blue with a whitish tint. Her messy short brown hair swayed slightly in the night wind as she stared at Mikado with a serious look.
"It's fine." Her soft voice was flat and she turned sharply to leave, but not before I caught a glimpse of her neck. She had a scar around it...was she suicidal?
"Oh! Her neck..." Mikado whispered faintly, eyes lingering at the girls retreating form.
"You noticed it too?" I asked, fiddling with the bow holding my coat together.
"Yeah, that was really weird..." Mikado said in confusion. "I wonder why she had it."
"Hey! Hurry up!" Masaomi's voice from afar made us jump and we sped walked over to him. He had walked on, not knowing we had stopped while talking to himself.
"Sorry about that." Mikado apologized when we caught up to him.
"Jeez, If you keep separating I'm gonna lose you guys! Don't want to get caught by any shady people you know!" The blonde whined while walked backwards, hands behind his head.
"You bastard! I want my money now!"
I cringed at the booming voice of a man. Across the street near a convenience store stood a tall blonde man in what looked like a butler or bartender suit, holding a large square object too far to tell what it was. Below him, a man was sitting on the sidewalks pavement, scared out of his mind.
"I'm sorry! I-I swear I'll get it! I just dont have it yet okay?" The stranger said shakily. Holding his arms up for protection wasn't helping.
The taller male was fuming, and flung the object high into the air. I stared, startled, because now that it was flung up the lights of the streets illuminated it, and I could see that it was a vending machine. Was this real? How could anyone throw something that heavy?!
It fell down with a loud crash in front of the man, metal hitting the pavement hard so that it bent in an awkward angle, and the screech of it bending filled the air. The man below screamed.
"If I don't get my money back that's gonna be you!" The blonde shouted angrily. His voice was deep, making him sound even more intimidating than he already was. The man below picked himself up and ran at full speed, taking refuge into a nearby alley and disappearing.
"W-was that a vending machine?" Mikado's voice was low and disbelieving. His face held a mixture of shock and awe. He was stunned. So was I.
"That's Shizuo Heiwajima...He's dangerous and really strong, but he'll leave you alone as long as you don't piss him off, so seriously just try to avoid him at all costs." Masaomi muttered with a cautious tone.
Mikado gulped. "Don't piss him off got it." He stated with a forced smile, eyes tearing away from the blonde man swearing loudly, still quite angry about his ordeal. We continued walking, but I shot a final glance at the supposedly dangerous blonde man. It looked like he was looking our way, but I wasn't too sure because he had lightly tinted shades that hid his eyes in the night. Could someone really be so strong as to throw machines around? Somehow this seemed more like a dream now than reality. Maybe this is what Masaomi meant about the city being dangerous.
"Hey sushi right here! Come inside and buy some Sushi! It's good for you!"
When we turned another curve, the light of a nearby restaurant shone and a tall black man stood outside of its entrance, holding out flyers. Masaomi approached him, and we followed.
"Whats up Simon! Working hard again?" He asked with a grin, dancing around him and sending his white hoodie bouncing with the action.
"Hm? Masaomi, want to buy some sushi? It's good!" the man exclaimed with a calm smile of his own. He had a strange unfamiliar accent that sounded spanish.
"No way man, I'm broke! But if its free then I'll be more than happy to swing by!" Masaomi mentioned cheerfully.
The man before us frowned, and gasped. "No! I can't give away free sushi, I will be out of buisiness, you come back with money later okay?" He stated with the accent again.
"Don't sweat it, by the way this is Mikado and Ahana, they're new here and I'm showing them around." The bubbly blonde stated while waving his arms around us.
The sushi man looked at us with friendly eyes and handed us each a flyer. "Nice to meet you, come by to eat some sushi okay? It's good for you! Russia sushi top quality!"
We nodded and waved goodbye as we walked again, our feet padding against the concrete floor. Folding the flyer in half carefully, I tucked it into my coat pocket, still hearing the man behind us shout.
"So who was that?" I asked curiously, rubbing my nose with my index finger. It was getting a bit too cold.
"That was Simon, he's a russian chef that is kinda aggressive when it comes to promoting his sushi, but you know, it really is good so its not like hes lying, you should grab some when you have time." Masaomi said after a few more turns.
"I see." Mikado muttered. So that explained the accent. He was russian.
"Anyway, so here's the complete list of who to avoid in Ikebukuro." Masaomi turned around, blonde hair swaying around his face gracefully. Holding up a hand, he pulled down one finger. "Shizuo Heiwajima, lest you want to be flying twenty feet across the city." He smirked at that one, but it disappeared quickly when he pulled his other finger. "Also...you want to avoid Izaya Orihara, but he hangs out in another city so you probably wont encounter him around here." His cheerful face looked solemn for a second and I had to wonder why the sudden change in demeanor, but it changed back to his cheerful side when he pulled the third finger down. "And lastly, you want to avoid the dollars."
Mikado stiffened. "Dollars? Who are they?" He asked carefully.
My eyebrow rose.
"They're an anonymous gang with no color, no one really knows who they are but some come out and say they are a part of it, those people are usually up to no good, just stay clear of them." Masaomi advised slowly.
"Oh I see." Mikado muttered with a shiver. "The dollars sound pretty scary."
I nodded. "I didn't know Tokyo had a gang problem, thanks in advance for the warning." I exclaimed while swiping my bangs to the side and out of my eyes.
Masaomi turned to me and smirked. "No problem! Your so tiny, how old are you-hey do you hear that?!" He shouted quickly, cupping his ear.
Mikado and I stood and listened. "Umm, the sound of cars and people walking?" I said out loud in confusion, not really sure what he was referring to.
"No not that! It's the sound of a motor bike! The black rider!" Masaomi shouted excitedly, taking hold of each of our hands and pulling us forward quickly. We rushed forward to the end of the street near the stoplight.
"Who is that?" Mikado and I both asked with panting breaths.
"It's a mysterious person who rides around mostly at night, legend has it that its a headless being who combs the streets of Ikebukuro looking for its head, and if it finds you alone...it snags your head to keep for itself!" Masaomi shrieked, riffling Mikado's hair roughly.
"Ahh! Knock it off!" Mikado whined, trying to use me to gain distance from the blonde.
I stared ahead with anticipation, listening to the distant sound of a motor until a figure came into view. "Here it comes!" I shouted, pointing to it.
We stared in awe as the rider came into full view, speeding near us so I could see the yellow cat helmet and the slender figure that its wearer had. It looked like a woman's figure, with narrow shoulders and a slender waist. I was drawn to the mysterious smoke that was coming out of its neck through a small gap.
It was like a slow motion film. From a distance, I could hear a horses whine. Or was that my imagination? It didn't matter, because the figure left as quickly as it had come, and all that was left was its small frame speeding away into the streets.
"Wow...that looked really cool, the helmet is unique, who is it?" Mikado asked in awe.
"Yeah, it kind of looked female, but I'm not too sure, did you guys see that black smoke?" I chimed in excitedly.
"Sure did!" Masaomi checked his phone and clicked. "No one really knows, some claim they do but I don't think the black rider has many aquaintances, so it remains a legend till this day, pretty cool right?!"
"Y-yeah!" I agreed.
"Cmon, Ahana your house is near here." My blonde companion led the way into a a different street with cars moving at full speed. Once we crossed it, we made our way uphill into some lonely buildings. "You guys are really lucky, you got to see Erika's squad, Shizuo Heiwajima, and the black rider all in one day on your first day in Ikebukuro." The blonde went on, before stopping directly in front of a big building behind a gate.
"Well, this is it, so sad that we should part so soon my darling." Masaomi threw his head back dramatically and I bit back a laugh. Reaching in my coat pocket, I was a bit startled at the sudden invasion when his hand grabbed my phone. Poking at the screen, he frowned and thrust it out to me.
"Password?" He demanded with a pout.
Hesitating for a second, I brought my finger up to unlock the screen and he went back to clicking away, taking a moment before handing it back to me. I stared at the new contact I had. He had put in his name and number to save it.
"Any time you need anything just give me a call babes!" The blonde exclaimed while putting up his hand near his ear to make a calling gesture.
"Why are you so weird..." Mikado muttered with a frown.
"I-its fine! Thank you, do you want to exchange numbers too?" I asked the raven haired boy.
"Yeah, sure!" He responded, taking out his phone to add my contact as well as giving me his. Masaomi just huffed.
"Don't be so boring dude, that's no way to get the ladies!" Masaomi snickered, making Mikado blush furiously.
"I'm not! I can get the ladies if I really wanted to! I-i mean that's not what I'm doing! Don't misunderstand!" If it was possible, Mikado's face got even redder as he stumbled on his own words. Masaomi burst out in a fit of laughter and I bit my tongue for the poor boys sake.
"It's okay, you don't have to be so shy, thanks again for taking me home, and for the tour!" I said with a bright smile.
"Anytime sweetheart!" Masaomi shouted as he waved goodbye, dragging a disgruntled Mikado along with him. I watched the two walk off before I made my way inside the gate, black leather boots padding along the stairs. One of my laces was coming undone.
Standing in front of the doorway I knew was my new home, I unlatched my keychain from behind my bag and looked down at it. A dingy old ring with a black butler figurine sporting Sebastian dangling from it. Perhaps I should have shown it to that girl Erika...but that could wait for another time. Sliding my fingers over the figurine, I chose one out of three keys and inserted it into the keyhole of the door. My dad had mailed it to me beforehand so I wouldn't be locked out when I arrived.
The door creaked as I pushed it open and I walked in, making sure to take the key back to latch back onto my bag. A huge lamp was lit and my eyes scanned my surroundings. It was an apartment complex but a big one, with hard cherry brown wooden floors and a big living room with a brown couch matching it.
The table was marble as had modern glass chairs. Not a speck of dirt could be found. It was nice...dad wasn't hopeless without a wife. Making my way upstairs, I opened the door with my name on it. He had pasted it on paper so I wouldn't get confused it seemed. The room was just as clean as downstairs, with the bed neatly made and the drawers bare of any messy knick knacks. In the corner sat a black computer desk. Perfect to set my laptop on.
However, I was much too tired for unpacking just yet. That 'tour' took my last remaining energy. So I slumped my oversized backpack down on the floor and threw myself on the bed facedown, savoring the softness of the sheets. Stripping off my coat and boots, until I was in nothing but a blue tanktop and blue silk shorts, I shut the lights and climbed under the sheets, staring at the city lights shining through my window. The blinds were not drawn but I didn't mind. The lights that illuminated my room were somehow soothing, and it gave me the nostalgia of replaying the past exciting events. I guess I was not going to be so lonely here after all. Tucking in my sheets around my head, I fell into a happy sleep.
...
Thats it for this chapter, review please!