Encounter:

I wasn't your typical city girl before I got transferred to Inaba due to your not so typical problems. My parents died in an accident years ago and sad for me, I'll be all alone. It's not that I can't take care properly of myself, maybe I still need some guidance. So my guardian asked my mother's brother, my uncle, to let me stay at their place for one year which he agreed on. I don't really remember who or what kind of person he is, all I know he is a police officer. A hero of justice to some.

I'm not really a social person. In fact, I only talk to others unless they approach me first so this is kinda bothering me. I made friends when I was still in the city but because they took the initiative to know me. The friends I had were my dorm mates and some club members. I really don't a have a choice or the right to complain but instead, I should be grateful they took me in. I'm only bothered if I would be able adapt to this sudden change again. New school, new environment and new faces. And hopefully I can blend well into it. I decided to call it a day and took a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's gonna be a long day.

Tomorrow Afternoon

"Yasoinaba. Yasoinaba." The train operator announced.

I finally arrived at my destination. "So this is Inaba, huh?" I murmured to myself and made my way out of the station.

I let my eyes roam around in this unfamiliar place where I'll be staying for a year and if you're going to ask me to describe it in word, I sure have the perfect adjective for that: Bland. I mean there really is nothing here. Everywhere I look, it's the same scenery all over again. It feels like I'm in a painting or something. What was I expecting anyway? This is in the middle of nowhere.

"What a way to spend the year." I muttered before releasing a sigh.

"Hey, over here!" A voice shouted. I turned around to see where the voice came from. A man who's probably in his early Forty's waved at me as his grayish black hair swayed with the wind, his noticeable three-day stubble was apparent giving hints that he has been working non-stop for days. His grey eyes shone with glee as he greeted me "Well, you look good in person than your photo." I blushed at the sudden compliment. "Welcome to Inaba. I'm Ryotaro Dojima. I'll be looking after you."

I was about to bow my respects when he suddenly reached his hand towards me for a quick shake which I gladly accepted. "Stop with the formalities. I'm your mother's brother by the way so I guess that makes me your uncle." Then he gestured the shy little girl hiding behind him for introductions. "And this is your cousin. Introduce yourself to her Nanako."

A little girl with brown hair styled in pigtails and brown orbs hesitantly came forward to introduce herself. But came running back to his father's back right after she spoke. That's kinda adorable.

"What are you getting so shy for?" Dojima-san released a heartily laugh that resulted to Nanako hitting him on the back. "Oww!" He groaned in pain. I could only smile in the exchange.

We made a few stops before we actually reached home. The whole trip was surprisingly relaxing . This place wasn't that bad I guess.

Evening

It was one hell of a day and tomorrow would be my first day in school. Great to be me! I'm nervous as hell right now but who cares? I'll just be myself. If they don't like me, then I won't force them. So much edginess.

"Fight Minako!" I shouted in attempt to cheer myself up and put on my game face or whatever you call it. But that's not the way it works, I still feel anxious and yeah, butteflies in your stomach. I need to fight this anxiety. I sighed defeatedly and decided to sneak out to get some fresh air.

Outside

I toured myself in this unfamiliar place hoping to get myself to calm down but unfortunately, there's nothing to do. All stores were already closed. Not all actually, a bar was still open but Dojima-san might find out and would probably kick my ass if he does. And now I suddenly miss Iwatodai. I remembered Club Escapade and the nightly sermons I get from the Bald Monk. I have never thought I would be separated from them. I was taking things for granted.

"This isn't helping at all..." I muttered as I reminisced the times I was with my true friends: Junpei, Akihiko, Mitsuru and the others. I know this place is not far from them but it's still different not being able to spend your daily life with them. I broke into tears as the memories came rushing back in to my mind. I was too consumed with my emotions until a figure came in front of me and offered something that caught me off guard.

I wiped off my tears away that seems to blurred my sight and looked at the figure standing in front of me. It's guy in his early or late twenties with an unruly black hair and gray eyes glowing under the moonlight. He was wearing a black suit with a white long sleeved shirt inside that complimented well his crooked red neck tie.

There was a silent pause between us until he decided to break the ice.

"Are you okay missy?" He asked and handed me a white handkerchief.

"Y-yeah." I wiped off my tears once again and gratefully accepted the said handkerchief that made him somehow form a smile on his face. "Thanks."

"Someone broke your heart?" He asked again humoring me this time with his smile unchanging. Maybe it was his way of comfort?

"Not really. Just remembering stuffs." I snorted.

"Oh well missy. This is not the right place for you to remember those "stuffs". It's already late and you need to go home and remember those stuffs inside your room." He said as if he was reprimanding me like I am some child but for some odd reasons, it made happy. "Hey, what are you grinning there for? You're not taking me seriously here." He knotted his eyebrows in dismay but only to appear adorable in my view. I can't help but smile. He looks like a kid trying to appear as an adult.

"Fine fine." I said in defeat. He's too adorable that I can't take him seriously.

"You really are not taking me seriously here, missy." He let out a huge sigh and took something inside from his suit. "Look, I'm a police offer. You shouldn't be here roaming late at night. Come here now, I'll take you home."

He's a policeman? For a guy who looks lousy? There are really a lot of things that is unpredictable. Maybe he knows Dojima-san? Oh wait, this town is small so I'm sure he really knows my uncle. I'm fucked if he finds out.

"I'm fine. I can handle myself. I'm fine really. I'm a strong girl who needs no police man." I strongly rejected and laughed like an idiot pretending to be an idiot. Oh god, what am I doing with my life?

"You look like you're hiding something." He stepped forward and looked at me from closer perspective resulting to invasion of my personal space that made me uncomfortable which he didn't seemed to notice. Well, he is a police officer. This shit is normal for them. He was too close that I can smell his alluring scent. Did I just say alluring? "Whether you like it or not missy, you're getting accompanied by me."

"W-what?! I said I'm fine. Geez." I exclaimed in panic which made him even more suspicious of me.

"What if something happens to you? I would be accounted responsible." He scratched the back of his head.

Oh right. I was too selfish. Of course I am his responsibility now. If something happened to me, I'm pretty sure he would be taken out from the force or somethinf just because of me being a little bitch. I cursed myself internally.

"Ugh fine. Take me home, Mr. Officer." I groaned in response. I'll just accept whatever punishment Dojima-san give me.

Without any questions, he accompanied me on my walk way home. The town was quiet and so are we. It was pretty awkward walking side by side in complete silence. I wanted to ask him some questions but wasn't able to. I'm sure he too wants to ask questions but instead, he just hummed some unfamiliar tunes as he escort me back. I just decided to keep my questions to myself and ask him the next time I meet him. I'm sure I will.

"Uhm, are you sure this is your house?" He questioned and gave me a look of curiosity.

"Yeah. If you know Dojima-san, he is my uncle." I stated resulting a comical expression from him. I was expecting that. I giggled.

"That ain't funny, missy." He frowned and ruffled his slightly unruly hair.

"Can you please do me a favor, Mr. Officer?" I asked and looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Depends." He shrugged off his shoulders.

"Can you please keep this encounter from my uncle. Please?" I begged and winked at him. "Pretty please?"

"Fine fine. Just don't do it again next time. Maybe you can do it but not during my shift." He sighed in defeat. He was about to walk away but I forgot there's this one question I wanted to ask him now. Like really right now.

"Hey wait!" I called out to him.

"Hmm?" He turned back.

"Minako Arisato." I shouted at him. He gave me a confusing look before he was able to pull off a smile like his usual ones.

"Tohru Adachi." He said and smiled at me in a carefree manner that somehow made feel warm despite the cold weather. "Don't cause anymore trouble kid." He waved his hand at me as I watched his back disappeared into darkness.

Author's note: So there's the chapter 2. I'm still thinking how to develop them. Tell me what do you think about this chapter. All reviews and feedbacks are greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for reading. See you next chapter.