I woke up in the Icarus bus the same before. Though this time, it was different. I knew why I was here. And this time, it was winter. A few months had past, since I left camp Sovionok, but it was time to go back for the next
a session. I looked to my right and saw
familiar face, right next to one of
the shadiest people I have ever seen
in this camp. He couldn't have been
any older than 13, and was wearing a
men's turtle neck, and dress shirt. He
was on his phone, and I could see it
was in Japanese. He noticed, and
looked at me. I saw his scarf, which
had the Imperial Japanese flag on it.
"Do you mind?" He asked, but I
wasn't paying that much attention. All
I could notice was the scarf. I realized
he was talking to me so I said, "Oh
sorry." The kid looked back at his
phone. He was looking up music by
some, 'Hatsune Miku.' This was funny
because he was sitting right next to
Miku. Leaning on her as a matter of
fact. I figured they might be brother
and sister being the only Japanese
people in the camp. I tried to not look
at the scarf, but it intrigued me. If he
is an Imperial, than why is he going to
a Soviet camp? I mean the name gives
it away… I decided not to let this
bother me, but I still was confused.
Though I realized he has a phone. A
smartphone. Considering it was the
80's, this was confusing, but I
shrugged it off. Maybe Japan has
smart phones these days. Or maybe…
he got here same as me. I really didn't
want to think that, but it was a logical
explanation. Suddenly, the bus
stopped, with a screech. We arrived
at Sovionok. The two statues of
pioneers continued to stand tall. We
left the bus, and were greeted by Olga
Dimitrievna, who spoke about the
new person in the camp, who is called
Xien. Odd, where have I heard that
name before… some singer? Maybe
he had the same name. We then went
inside the camp for the lineup, to sort
out cabin arrangements. I was put
with Dimitrievna again, and Xien was
put with Ulyana, which I though was
the opposite of his state of mind. He
seemed like he was either a silent
sociopath, or a 40 year old
professional hitman. I wont go with
any other idea other than killing
because of that expression on his face
Everyone walked to their cabin's and I
walked with Dimitrievna to our cabin.
It was getting late, almost 5:00. If I
remember anything from last session,
the bell calling us to dinner would
sound. I thought about that kid on the
bus, and how he seemed to be alone,
not counting Miku. I should go talk to
him… but then the sound bell called
all the pioneers to the canteen. I
walked over, as my stomach
commanded me. When I got there, I
sat at my favorite table, in the
farthest corner. I sat down with my
food, cutlet, potatoes, buns, and
kompot. Eventually, Xien came over
to the table, because there were no
others available. He looked at me,
and I looked back. It seemed as if he
didn't know what to say. So I started
the conversation. "Hi there!" He
smiled, a small grin. "Well hello." He
replied. I could tell he was quite shy.
"Hey, sorry for looking on your phone
earlier. I saw it said Miku, and I was
confused." He nodded, and at that
moment Miku sat down at the table.
"Everyone's a bit surprised when they
find out. Most people don't recognize
me though." I thought about it, and
suddenly remembered another
person in their band, VOCALOID I
think it was called… Xien Tsuzuki.
Yeah. "So you made a lot of rock, and
sympathetic songs right?" He looked
at me confused. "Whatever genre
sympathetic is then I guess so." We all finished and decided to go to the pier. We met Alisa and Ulyana there too. I was not quite thrilled with that, but
Xien didn't seem to mind. He walked
over and leaned on the wooden
guardrail next to Ulyana. He didn't
speak though. Nightfall was
approaching and it began to get c
older, and colder, to add on to the
already snowy environment. Xien
double wrapped his neck in his scarf,
and the rest of us put up hoods, and
adjusted our jackets. Xien looked up
at the moon, and I could see his eyes.
They were purple, and bloodshot, but
they looked as if they were sending a
message to the moon. The kid was
mysterious, especially the phone, the
imperial scarf, and the choice of outfit.
Nightfall, I guess fell on us? But that's
besides the point. Olga Dimitrievna
came to us and told us to return to
our cabins. So trying to avoid a lecture,
we all hurried there, saying goodbye.
Alisa and Miku walked to there cabin,
me and Dimitrievna walked to our
cabin, and Xien, and Ulyana, walked
to their cabin, cracking jokes along
the way. I wonder… does he? "Like"
her? Well, I guess that's none of my
business. I got to the cabin, threw
myself onto my bed, and slipped away
into a dream, briefly remembering
the day's events.