A Different (But Normal) Life
Chapter 1:
Takashi Komuro stood on the observation platform of Mount Hakodate and looked out at his new home of Hakodate on the southern tip of Hokkaido for six months now. However, everything was still fairly new to him and - despite living in a different part of Japan – almost foreign to him. He still was learning all the different businesses from shopping centers to restaurants even the onsen and where they were while also learning to live in a smaller city compared to Tokyo.
This was not the first time changes had been made in his life. These past few years had been full of them and despite doing well in his studies at a well regarded junior college in Tokyo with an opportunity to transfer to the prestigious University of Tokyo - he had opted to put his dreams on hold of attaining his degree and perhaps doing more.
At 22 years old he had his entire life ahead of him and could go back to school anytime he wanted. Yet, he made a decision that was based on love and to support his wife. He also reminded himself of the chance to have new experiences; something his parents and father-in-law said would be good for him.
"I need to keep telling myself that this'll all work out." Takashi mumbled to himself though he sensed his own self-doubt creeping up. He smelled the clean air and the listened to the sounds of ships coming in and out of the port and relished in the warm feel of the afternoon sun.
"Takashi-kun." Came the gentle voice behind him.
Turning around he saw his lovely wife, the former Saeko Busujima, who had chosen to take his last name of Komuro three years ago, looking at him with a smile and holding two plastic bottles of iced tea, wearing a black v-neck t-shirt and blue shorts that reached the mid point of her thighs along with ankle socks and a simple pair of sneakers, her ensemble of clothes was completed with a blue backpack purse. She looked stunning regardless of what she wore and Takashi had to remind himself everyday that he had the girl of his dreams.
"Aren't you thirsty?" Saeko asked breaking his thought process to hand him his tea her violet hair was loose and free and the tips gently flowed in the light breeze.
Takashi smiled and took the bottle and popped the cap and took a quick sip. "Thanks – and yes, I was thirsty."
Saeko smiled warmly and while placing her own bottle under her arm, she then reached up and adjusted his collar of his blue short sleeve shirt - which was left unbuttoned to reveal a white t-shirt underneath. She pecked him on the cheek after finishing her task and moved to stand beside him.
"So thirsty that you keep forgetting to fold up your collar?" Saeko teased.
Takashi gave a sheepish smile and rubbed the back of his head before moving a strands of his black spikey hair from his face. "Well, you know I like to keep my collars unfurled."
Saeko shook her head and leaned into her husband and stared out into the city. "Yes, and I'll always keep fixing them."
He nodded and then began running his fingers up and down her lower back watching their home feeling content in the moment.
"How's the work going with the dojo?" Takashi asked; he knew that Saeko had postponed her own studies at a different junior college to pursue a different path as well. She sacrificed everything she held near and dear living with her father Kage Busujima at their estate with the successful family dojo to strike out on her own and embrace new challenges.
Takashi remembered her father's reaction and how stunned he was, but also understanding of his daughter's wishes. Kage had made the decision to loan her a small amount of money to build a dojo at whatever location she desired. Takashi flashbacked to when his wife told him and her father that she wanted to live a new life in Hokkaido and picked the Hakodate as the location. She felt that the port town would be the perfect place and also provide her with a chance to grow in a different city.
"It should be ready in about three weeks barring unforeseen circumstances." Saeko answered, she sounded relived that the work being done to make the dojo where she would instruct kendo was almost complete and then it would be time to begin teaching the students who had signed up. "I'm looking forward to finally opening the dojo and teaching children."
Takashi smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close. "You know you'll be a great instructor, just like your Dad."
Saeko simply nodded rested her head on her shoulder wrapping her own arm around his waist. "I certainly hope so."
"You will." Takashi told her confidently. "I'm sure of it."
"What about you?" Saeko asked, she noticed Takashi grimacing a little knowing the question she was about to ask. "Have you found a job yet?"
He sighed, "No."
Saeko nodded her and held him tight. "It's okay, just keep at it." He still looked dejected. "I'm sure you'll find something."
Takashi felt appreciative of her words, but at the same time still felt like he was going nowhere fast. He thought about the day when they spoke with his parents who were equally stunned but incredibly supportive, he and Saeko told their friends of their decision to move to Hakodate and they came across more upset and annoyed than supportive at least that's how Rei Miyamoto and Saya Takagi sounded towards Saeko while Kohta Hirano, Morita and his longtime best friend Hisashi Igou seemed disenchanted with him and his choice to leave Tokyo.
It was not a pleasant afternoon to be sure and it made him and Saeko uncomfortable with how frosty they came across when the group said they would think about joining their farewell party. A week passed and his parents and Saeko's father both were there including Alice Maresato and her parents and even Rei's parents showed up unannounced to give them their best wishes.
Sadly, none of their friends showed up or even bothered to call of text. It was difficult to swallow and hard to except, but Kage told them that sometimes young people had a hard time excepting change or an understanding that growing as a person meant experiencing new things.
In the days leading up to their departure Shizuka Marikawa and her partner Rika Minami visited them to say goodbye and share one big goodbye dinner saying that they would keep in touch and help them out whenever they could.
"Don't let the lack of support or communication from our friends give you more doubt." Saeko told him, sounding like she was reading his mind. "We have our parents for support and Shizuka and Rika believe in us."
"Yeah," Takashi curving his lips into a smile. "Besides I'm sure we'll make new friends soon enough."
"And we have each other." Saeko said smiling warmly and then leaning in to share a quick kiss.
After kissing they looked at each other and rubbed cheeks before continuing to watch Hakodate go about its day as a living, breathing city.
Two hours later, after a delicious late lunch, Takashi and Saeko returned home holding hands after leaving the station that served as part of the cities rail line they walked to the neighborhood where their apartment was. It was a nice, quiet and safe area that housed several convenience stores, a few fast food places like McRonald's and Sentucky Fried Chicken and some bookstores, a few electronic stores and some clothing boutiques.
As they approached their three-story building, they stopped and stared at a large moving van, the rear of the trucked facing them as several large boxes were being unloaded and placed on the sidewalk and walkway. Two movers were going back and forth, the young couple looked to see who was moving in.
"Wow, new neighbors." Takashi said mildly surprised.
Saeko nodded her head, "The landlord did say that we'd be getting some new residents soon."
They watched as a young man who looked to be around Takashi's age appeared and crouched down to pick up another box, dressed in jeans and a black t-shirt, his lightly tanned skin glistening with sweat and his short, brown spikey hair was a noticeable feature on him as well as the long scar that ran across the top of his right forearm and ended at just above his elbow. He stretched a bit revealing he wore a gold wedding band on his left finger.
The young man turned his head when he noticed he was being watched. He smiled at the couple in front of him and was about to open his mouth, when a rather busty older woman with long blue hair that looked to have several horns curved at the sides of her head appeared, dressed in what appeared to an extremely tight fitting pink tank top and equally tight-fitting pearl white shorts that made Saeko's look modest by comparison.
"Don't carry that box by yourself you silly boy." The blue-haired woman said playfully. "Let me help you."
"Y-yeah, sure." The younger man replied with a laugh.
She looked rather excited and bounced up and down before walking around crouching down to help the young man in front of her. Her left finger also had a gold wedding band with three diamonds on the top.
"Um… wow…." Takashi stammered out, totaling forgetting that his wife, who was equally as busty was right next to him.
"She's rather…. Exuberant." Saeko finished for him, though she knew that wasn't what he meant, but decided to let it slide because she knew her husband would never do anything to hurt her. She couldn't help but wonder how old she was – the blue haired woman with what looked to be violet eyes was at least ten years older maybe a little less.
Takashi was about to open his mouth when the couple in front of them stopped and smiled and waved.
"Oh!" The blue-haired woman said. "Is that why you stopped?"
"Yes." He nodded at her and smiled at Takashi and Saeko, "I think they might be people who live here."
Takashi and Saeko smiled back waved hello before approaching their new neighbors it didn't take for them to stand a few feet away and get a better look at the new residents of their apartment building.
"Hello there," Saeko greeted them warmly. "We're the Komuro's, my name is Saeko and this is my husband Takashi."
"Hey guys." Takashi offering to shake his hand.
"Nice to meet you Takashi, Saeko." The brown haired man said smiling, though it showed a bit of nervousness, "My name is Arashi Mikami." Takashi shook hands with Arashi and watched as Saeko shook his hand as well.
"And this is my wife Sayo." He turned his head to look at his own wife who smiled excitedly and shook both hands of Takashi and Saeko.
"Hi!" Sayo said happily. "So cool to meet you!"
Saeko smiled at the energy level of the woman in front her, she clearly had a ton left despite moving so many boxes and furniture around.
"I'm guessing you're our new neighbors?" She asked.
"Yep." Sayo replied, "Got into town two days ago and the truck arrived this afternoon. Been busy ever since."
Saeko looked at the moving truck and noticed that a big screen television, a coffee table and a large couch were still inside as well as several boxes in various sizes. Saeko thought it'd be nice to help out and make the Mikami's day easier by helping out.
"Need some extra help?" Saeko asked, she saw in the corner of her eye that Takashi was bit surprised by the offer, but also knew it was a good idea too.
Arashi and Sayo looked at one another and the numerous about of their stuff that still needed to be carried to their new home and both nodded.
"That'd be great. Thanks." Arashi said to appreciatively.
"Yeah, that'd be awesome of you!" Sayo said as she pulled Saeko towards her and led her to some boxes.
"Well…" Takashi spoke up before walking closer to Arashi. "Where do we begin?"
Arashi chuckled and rubbed the back of his brown hair sheepishly and guided Takashi to the large sofa.
End Note: So, I've decided to just go ahead and write a story anyway. Hope you liked this first chapter.