" Ladies and gentlemen: we are about to begin our final descent into Karakura, Japan in approximately 10 minutes. It's a lovely, sunny day of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. We ask that you buckle your seatbelts and turn of your electronics. And thanks again for flying Delta airlines," the pilot said. I woke from my slumber and stretched before relaxing back into my seat. Finally I'll be in Karakura, finally I can meet them!
The ones that fight the bonies! My name is Hotaru Murakami and I can see spirits. Ghosts, demons, and bonies. What's a bony you might ask? It's a monster that has a bone like mask, large and monster like, and has a hole in its chest. For years I thought I was the only one who could see them until I read an article over the summer on earthquakes in this Japanese town. It wasn't the article that was special but the picture with it. To normal people it was just a crater in the ground but to me I saw a dead bony and a man wielding a sword over him. Someone other than me saw these things, was fighting them and winning! And I had to meet this person.
So I signed up for the study abroad program. And now here I am, about to land in Japan. The plane had a fairly bumpy landing but pulled into the terminal quickly. As soon as the bing went off I undid my seatbelt, grabbed my carry on bag, and bolted off the plane. I had my luggage already delivered to my new 'dorm', which was an apartment I rented in the city. After a quick cab ride I was finally at my new apartment just as the sun was setting. Stepping inside I saw the place was furnished with generic run of the mill furniture.
" Good thing I brought my posters," I mumbled as I dragged my large suitcase up the stairs. Opening the first door I found a large bedroom and across the hall a bathroom. Downstairs a living room and a kitchen and boxes abound. The first thing I did was plug in my IPod and turn on some jams. Then I spent the next few hours dancing around the apartment while unpacking, screaming out songs and plenty of air guitars. And now I am collapsed on the couch as I cook some stovetop ramen. Just as I unplugged my IPod from upstairs someone knocked on the door. I ran downstairs and answered the door to a busty orange haired girl.
" Hi are you um Hotaru?" she asked a little nervous.
" Yes can I help you?" I asked.
The girl smiled happily, shyness gone. " I'm Orihime and I live next door nice to meet you," she said and hugged me.
I choked as I was crushed by her giant boobs and bone-crushing hug. I had to take a few breaths after she released me before I could talk. " Um hi I guess. But how do you know my name?"
" Oh yes sorry! I'm from Karakura High School and I was told to show you around a bit tomorrow."
" Oh ya they told me someone would be coming. Well it's nice to meet you Orihime," I said then held out my hand. She stared at it blankly. Oh right! I made a small bow and Orihime smiled again. " Would you like to come in for a bit?"
I stepped to the side as Orihime came inside. Um… tea! I went to the stove and put some tea on. " Your Japanese is really good," Orihime said as I saw her sit on the couch.
" My grandma is Japanese and I lived with her half my life," I replied casually.
" Then who do you live with now?"
" My Aunt. Well not exactly. She works under some fancy fashion designer and travels a lot. So I basically live by myself back home."
" Oh me too!" Orihime said excited. She definitely seemed to be a little quirky I could just feel it. I mean who's happy about being an orphan?
" Do you mind if I eat? I haven't eaten in a day," I said pulling the ramen off as the water for the tea began to howl.
" Oh no it's fine!" she replied over the screaming kettle.
I poured the tea and grabbed my food before sitting down. " Thankfully I brought this spare ramen with me. I guess after school tomorrow I'll do my first round of grocery shopping. And lunch I'll get from the cafeteria."
" We don't have a cafeteria." I gave her a blank look. " Lots of High schools in Japan don't have cafeterias."
" Urgh what am I going to do for lunch tomorrow?"
" I can share some of my food with you," Orihime said cheerily.
" Oh thanks," I said embarrassed.
We spoke for a few hours and I found out both Orihime and I were both orphans and lost our caretakers in the past year, my grandmother and her brother. And though she was a little quirky she was still my first friend here and I would happily accept any friends at this point. " I should head to bed now its past midnight. Do you know how to get to school?" Orihime asked while heading for the door.
" Yup I've got a map," I said following her.
" Ok I'll see you tomorrow. Nice to meet you Hotaru," Orihime said waving. I waved back before closing the door and rubbing my eyes. Man I was tired. Yawning I headed upstairs and quickly threw on a pajama shirt while brushing my teeth before bed. I fumbled with my phone and set the alarm, my eyes already falling shut, but finally set the time. This was the worst part, the first night. A new bed to get comfortable in. But I was so tired already that sleep easily took me that first night.
