Rudie Sisters
Chapter 2: A Trip 'Round the City
Melody was sleeping peacefully while she was listening to her music, she was so sound in her sleep that she did not hear the brakes of the bus, the sudden stop made Melody's head slam against the seat in front of her. "… Ow…" Melody groans. She rubs her forehead and peaks outside of the window, the excitement made the pain on her forehead immediately disappear. "This is it…" Melody said to herself, "our new home…". Melody turns to her little sister and tries to wake her up, Tune let's out a big yawn and stretches out her arm, one accidently smacks Melody right in her face, causing her to fall to the ground. "YAWN! That was a good nap, hey Mel? Where'd ya go!?" Tune says while searching for her sister.
"I'm right here…" Melody said with a grunt.
"Well, what the heck are you doing down there? The bus stopped, don't ya wana see our new home?" Tune quickly puts on her knitted hat and grabs her backpack. "C'mon slow poke!" Tune said while skipping away. "Coming…" Melody lets out a sigh and grabs her backpack. The two gets in line that was heading for the bus doors, Tune happily hops up and down in line, waiting to see her new home. "Oh! I can't wait, can you sis?" Tune asks cheerfully. Melody smiles at her little sister and pats her knitted hat. "I'm very excited, Tune! Hopefully there's an apartment on sale too!" "Yeah!" Tune cheered.
The bus door finally opens, before Melody and Tune can gaze at what was before them, the crowd behind them pushes them forward. "Wait! WAAH! Hey, no pushing!" Tune exclaims. "Tune! Stay close to me!" Melody clenched onto her belongings and fights her way through the stampede of people. The two were tightly squished together like a can of sardines, the air around them begins to thicken as all of the passengers head for the same exit.
"IF NONE OF THESE PEOPLE BACK OFF! I'M GONNA BITE ONE OF 'EM!"
"T-TUNE, NO!"
Melody and Tune fell face first into the ground, the two heard the rumbling of footsteps beneath them. The two quickly grab their bags and head for cover. The herd of people finally ended as Melody and Tune got back to their feet and brush the dust off them. "Are you alright, Tune?" Melody grabs her sister's hand. "Y-Yeah, I'm okay… But what the heck was their problem!?" Tune grunts while fixing here hat.
"I'm not so sure, Tune… Maybe they all had to use the bathroom or something, it was a long trip after all…"
"Well!" Tune exclaimed while slinging her backpack on her shoulder, "They didn't have to be so PUSHY!"
The two finally had the chance to scan their new surroundings, it was different, they mused, they were not used to the busy life of the big city. Both Melody and Tune watched as people scurry from one bus to the next. The streets were flooded with cars of all shapes and sizes roaring at one another. Sirens, music, and laughter filled the air and was heard from all corners of the terminal. It was nothing like the two sisters have seen before.
"Wow! Look at all of those buildings," Tune pointed to the giant skyscrapers, "One of them has to be renting an apartment, right sis?"
"You're right Tune," Melody replied. "But before we start searching for a place to stay. We should probably grab a bite to eat! Something smells good around here don't you think?" Tune inhales the delicious aroma while sticking her little nose in to the air. "Wow! You're right sis! Something smells really good! Let's go!" Tune merrily walks along the sidewalk, following the wonderful smell of food.
"W-Wait, Tune! Slow down, we have no idea where the smell is coming from! Let me at least grab a map so we won't get lost!"
"Don't need a map, sis. Just use your nose!" Tune inhales deeply as she traces the smell of food. Out in the distance, Tune spotted a food stand. She knew the smell was familiar, it was fried fish and dumplings! "THERE IT IS! C'mon Mel!" Tune runs towards the food stand with her mouthwatering. Melody sluggishly follows her little sister.
"I'm coming, I'm coming… I can't keep up…" Melody lets out a long sigh, Tune can be a bit of a handful, especially when she gets excited. It was always like a little child who got a hold of too much sugar in the kitchen while their parents weren't looking. Melody grabbed her belongings and follows her sister on the busy sidewalk, she looks up into the sky of buildings once more. The large building towering over her made her head spin, "there's so many of them," Melody says to herself, "hopefully we'll be able to find one within my budget…"
"Hey Mel! I'm over here, c'mon I'm starving!" Tune whines.
"Coming!" Melody replies while heading towards her sister. "Maybe if I eat something, I'll feel a lot better…" Melody said to herself.
The food looked amazing! The two thought to themselves. Melody and Tune's mouth watered as they gaze at the food before them. The aroma of the sautéed onions, peppers, and fried fish tickled their noses. The cook opened the pot of white rice, the steam flooded the air that the two can almost taste it in their mouths.
"Mmm! Smells great, let's get it!" Tune says gleefully.
"Ha-ha! Alright, alright. Sir, we'll have two of those please."
"Sure thing ladies!" The cook serves two to go meals for the two sisters. "That'll be 500 yen"
"No problem!" Thankfully, Melody exchanged her U.S currency and made it into yen at the airport. "Here you go, Tune!"
"WOOH! Thanks!" Tune frolics to the nearest bench in begins to open her food.
"T-Tune! Wait Up! Oh, thank you sir!" Melody says while bowing.
"Ha-ha! No problem, you two take care now!" The middle-aged man waves at the two as they ran towards the bench.
"Tune, you can't go running off like that," Melody says nervously, "this place is huge! I don't want either one of us to get lost."
"Hey, I was just heading towards the bench. You worry too much!" Tune opens her meal as the sight of her food made her mouth water.
"Well, dig in Tune!"
"You don't have to tell me twice!"
Tune devours her food while Melody takes her time and enjoys every moment of it. She loved the well-seasoned fish bring warmth in her mouth, it was nice and crisp with a hint of citrus that brought a tangy sensation to her taste buds. The dumplings were deep fried which crackles the moment Melody sinks her teeth into it. The white rice was not to hard or mushy, it was mixed with sautéed peppers and steamed bok choy. Melody and Tune hasn't eaten anything since the long trip to Tokyo-to, they're glad they got the chance to fill their stomachs, nothing like a hot plate of food after a long journey!
Tune lets out a burp which makes Melody flinch. "Yep, we're gonna be happy here!"
"Oh really? And what makes you say that, Tune?"
"The food here is great, DUH!"
The two laughs happily as they ate their last bit of food. Melody grabbed her and her sister's plate and threw it into the trashcan. Melody looks at her watch and realizes of much time flew by.
"Tune, let's check out the houses around here. We need a place to stay before it gets dark. Hopefully someone is selling an apartment nearby."
"Do we have to...?" Tune says while whining, her stomach round and plump after devouring her meal.
"Do you want to live out on the streets and be some hobo's best friend?"
"Hey, I like hobo's!" Tune says playfully, Melody only raises one eyebrow, not amused. "Fine, fine..." Tune sluggishly gets up and brushes off the remaining rice from her jacket.
"Are you sure the food made it to your mouth? Looks like your jacket was hungry too!" Tune only sticks out her tongue playfully.
"Alright! Let's start hunting for apartments, Tune!" Melody said positively, the food helped give her a boost of energy. It was just what she needed.
"YEAH!" Tune replied cheerfully.
The two scanned the area in hopes of finding an apartment that they can afford. The prices of the local apartments made Melody's bit her fingernails, by the time she paid for the first rent, she would not be able to pay for the upcoming month. Melody did not want to give up, she knew that there had to be an apartment nearby that was well within her budget. If Melody can't find one today, then she would have no choice but to take her and her sister to a motel so that they can search for more apartments in the morning.
"LOOK!" Tune exclaimed.
"YOU FOUND ONE!?" Melody turns around swiftly as her eyes searched for the cheap apartment.
"No! Look, fireworks! Let's buy some, sis!" Tune points to a corner store a few feet away from them.
"… Tune…" Melody's eye twitches, "… We have to find somewhere to stay before nightfall… What will buying fireworks do for us!?"
"It won't take long, I promise! I thought we can use them to celebrate once we find a place to live! Pretty please!" Tune begs while fluttering her eyelashes. Melody knew she wouldn't win against her sister's begging, she knew that Tune would only bug her until she finally approves.
"… Oh, alright. But we have to be quick!"
"YAY!" Tune grabs her sister's arm and pulls her to the store, "Tune wait! AH!"
The two enters the store, it wasn't just fireworks, the store was flooded with DVDs, vinyl records, and electronics as far as the eyes could see. The bell at the door notified the store owner, she was an old woman, she kept her hair in a loose bun which she held together with two chopsticks. "Why, aren't you two adorable! How can I help you lovely ladies today?"
"FIREWORKS! LOTS OF THEM!" Tune said with excitement.
"Tune, calm down. Hello ma'am, we would like to purchase some fireworks, please!"
"Well, I have plenty of that, dear!" the old woman chuckles. "Help yourselves, are you two going to a celebration of some sort?"
"O-Oh, um, kinda. Not really, we're-"
"We're gonna celebrate when we find an apartment!"
"Oh my! You two are not from here are you? Well, welcome to Tokyo-to! Why don't you take this bag of fireworks, they're on me!"
"Really!?" the two said in unison.
"Of course! It's as a gift for your safe journey to Tokyo-to and for your new apartment."
"Wow! Thank you ma'am!"
"Yeah, thanks!"
"Oh, it's my pleasure. You two have a nice day, and good luck finding your new home!"
"We will!" The two said while leaving the store. Melody tries to place the fireworks into her backpack but with no avail, her backpack was completely filled with her belongings that she brought from America.
"Ugh, I can't fit the fireworks because of my skates!"
"Hey! Why don't we just wear them?" Tune suggested, "we'll be able to find an apartment quicker that way!"
"That's a great idea Tune!" Melody smiles. Melody and Tune takes off their shoes and places them into their backpacks, they then slip their skates on while stuffing the fireworks in each of their backpacks. "There!" Tune exclaimed, "now we can both carry the fireworks and we'll be able to travel faster! Where should we look first Mel?"
"Hm, why don't we try over there?" Melody suggested.
"Sure! Race ya!"
"You're on!"
The two skates happily by the sidewalk in search for their new home. They felt a sense of freedom whenever they put on their skates, especially Melody. She smiles the moment she felt the wind blowing through her long wavy hair that she kept in a ponytail. Melody did not allow the fear being homeless cloud her mind, she had to remain positive, not just for herself, but for Tune as well. "This is our day…" Melody says to herself, "… Everything will be different, nothing will ruin this day for us. Nothing…"
Unknown by the two, someone was watching them. It was the store clerk, glaring at the sisters as they skated along the sidewalk. "Rudies…" she said to herself, "I knew there was something off with them…" the woman grumbled underneath her breath. The woman quickly grabbed her phone to call someone, someone who she thought would take care of the two delinquents.
"This is the Rokkaku Headquarters, how can we help you today?"
"Hello officer, I just found two rudies in my store just now…"
"We will be there shortly ma'am."
"They've already left sir, but I know where they're heading…" The woman said while glaring outside of her store window. She despised rudies with a passion, thrill seeking teens on skates who have absolutely nothing better to do with their lives but to go around vandalizing public property. After a bunch of rudies vandalized her store a few months ago, the old woman hated every last one of them. "They're all no good," she said to herself "they all need to be punished!" and she was going to make sure that the two female rudies will.
"They also stole some items from my store as well…"
