Yaso-Inaba

I thought I was asleep on the way. I had dreamed that I was thanked all my friends from my old school. My usual routine every year. Well, I got transferred a lot due to my parents's work. It's not that I'm enjoying everytime I moved to another city, but somehow I felt tired of moving a lot. I kinda like stayed in city where I was. This year my parents have to spend entire year aboard cause of their job. But the true reason was the new city I had to stay now was located in countryside. Small town, that's why I didn't really interested. But because I still had to finish my high school and my mother threatened me that she wouldn't send me any money if I disagreed to stay with my uncle (from my mother's side). And here I am, stranded away from big city to small countryside.

I was staring out of the window when a sudden headache stroked me.

Thou art I, and I am thou…

I gasped. "What the hell was that?" I muttered to myself. I was a hundred percent sure, I heard someone saying weird stuff. But, I looked around and everything seemed normal. Maybe I'm just tired. My phone rang. It surprised me. There's a message.

"I'll go pick you up at the station. Be at the main entrance at 4 o'clock."

It was from my uncle. I said that he didn't have to pick me up at the station, but he forced that he already promised my mother to take care the best of me. I just sighed.

"The next station... Yaso-Inaba. I repeat. The next station.. Yaso-Inaba." said the announcer. I immediately took my bag. It was just one bag actually. I already sent all my stuffs three days ago. I walked out the train as it stopped at Yaso-Inaba station. Still fifteen minutes again till my uncle arrived. I decided to walk around. For countryside, the station looked fancy. I can see Risette on a big television, with her charming attitude. It was a diet-beverage advertisement. All people immediately gathered in front of the big television where the advertisement was shown. I'm not really interested doing that. In fact, I could met many stars in the city I lived was. So, seeing them just usual thing for me.

Well, countryside is countryside. There's nothing here, duh! So I decided to walk to the main gate. It's almost 4 o'clock anyway. And here, Inaba district: my mother's hometown. Come to think of it, I thought this is probably my first time coming here.

I slung my bag over my shoulder. Beautiful scenery awaited me as I stepped outside the station.

"OVER HERE!" I heard someone yelled. Man. My eyes automatically searching that sound. An attractive big man welcomed me. I think he's my uncle (well, I never meet my uncle actually). Yep, this man is my uncle.

"Oh, you look better than in the photograph." He waved his hand to me. "I'm Doujima Ryoutaro, the one who's going to take care of you. Welcome to Inaba-district." He smiled then offered to shake hands. I accepted it, smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Seta Souji." I introduced myself. Formal way. He's my uncle, but I…felt uncomfortable talking to him. Maybe because it's the first time we met. So I (without realize) was speaking in formal way.

"Haha, nice to meet you too. Don't be too formal like that. We're family right?" he smirked. Then continued, "Well, I actually used to change your diapers you know?" he laughed. I didn't know how to react. Should I laugh?? Hey, it's about me right??

"Oh yes, and this is my daughter. Nanako." He patted the little girl's head. I didn't realize she was there. So she was hiding all this time? "Come on Nanako, say hi to your cousin." I could tell the little girl was nervous. "H—hi.." then she hid again.

"Ahahaha,, you're shy?" said Dojima. Nanako snapped him from the back. "OOOUCH! Hahaha..." Doujima patted his daughter's head again

"Well, should we going now?" asked Nanako. She seemed upset. "Okay, okay. You, go to the back seat, kay?" He pointed at me then I nodded, well I was really tired. So I didn't want to talk too much and headed for the home immediately.

Dojima stopped at gas station. "You can go on your own right?" She nodded.

"The restroom?" said the attendant like he knew what she was thinking. "Go inside and it's on the left. You know what the left is? The hand where you're not using your chopstick." he explained proudly.

"I know what's left. Geez.." Nanako seemed upset (again). She headed to the restroom with anger. She looked mature for someone in her age.

"Are you going on a trip?" asked the attendant to Dojima ignoring Nanako. "No, we went to pick this guy up. He just came from the city and will be living here from now on,"explained Dojima. Thanks, I thought. I'm so tired that I really didn't want to answer any question now. Should we leave? Come on!

"Fill it up with regular," said Dojima and he stepped away for smoking. I was standing beside the car, looking around. Trying to memorize the place. "Hi…" the attendant was coming closer to me. "From the city huh?" he smirked. "You're a high school student right?" I just nodded. Well, I didn't really good talking to stranger. So I just nodded or answered shortly. "I was surprised to hear that you're from the city," he continued. "I actually think it's kind of boring here. Since you're still in high school, you'd better find some friends and get a part time job." He smiled wryly. What's the point explained all of this to me anyway?? Friends huh?

"No, the countryside is actually quite nice. Anyhow the air is a lot cleaner here, unlike in the city." I give the best attitude I could. I really didn't want to make any enemy here so I lied. "But it reeks with gasoline smell here," answered the attendant. From the way he talk, he really didn't like or what?? "Hahaha…" he laughed. Seeing that, yah I laughed too. Nice welcomed I'd say.

"Guess it'd be weird if I said "welcome to this town", wouldn't it?" he offered his hand.

"Not at all," I leaned forward, accepted his offering.

The attendant went away, reminded by his assignment to refill the fuel.

"TCH…", crap! One more headache. I could hear a glass-broken-like sound.

"Are you okay?" I saw Nanako reaching out to me. She seemed worried. "Are you sick? You don't seem very well.."

"No, I'm fine. Don't worry." I made up an excuse. I just wanted to rest. IMMEDIATELY.

"Alright, guys! Let's get going." Doujima yelled.