Chapter 2: Making new friends and foes
How did I get myself into those situations? Not that this wasn't fun with everyone but usually I avoided large groups of people. "Hey, you haven't touched your food. Don't you like it?" Akira asked me while I was in a daze. I snapped back to the real world.
"Oh the food is great," I lied… I hadn't even tried it yet. "Just not used to someone cooking for me… you see where I lived with my parents, I usually handled the cooking."
"You like to cook?" he asked. That little slice of info seemed to excite him more, which was hard to believe since the boy always seemed to be on a sugar-high…
"Yeah. Kinda I watched a lot of the Food Network back in Kyoto."
"Oh cool I guess that's something we have in common!" Wow this boy was excitable. I was worn out just watching him… and did he really have to get so close?
"Akira, you're making the girl unconformable," Miharu scolded.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you though, Miharu-chan."
"You don't have to be so formal, you know. Not around us anyways," Nozomu told me with a dashing smile. He seemed to be a foreigner since he had blonde hair and blue eyes, but he didn't struggle when speaking the language nor did he have an accent. But he sure tried to be a charmer…
"Sorry force of habit." I said a little embarrassed. To be honest, this was the most fun I had in years. They all seemed to be really friendly well… except for Mitsuru who always seemed a bit distant and angry for some reason. But Akira said he was like that to everybody except for Miharu, a noticeable thing since the two were in a deep conversation. But it was pretty quiet since everyone was eating what Akira cooked, except for Nozomu who only seemed to eat soup and drink juice. Must not like solid food that much…
"Well, it would be good habit to get over, you know. After all, we're all friends here, right?" Okay. I don't know if Nozomu is being nice or flirting with me? Maybe both… I thought exasperated.
"Alright, Nozomu, I will try." I went back to brooding a bit and started eating. It was amazingly good… I had to remember to ask Akira for the recipe later… "Say um… Misoka right?" I asked the short guy with huge round rimmed glasses and shoulder length black hair.
"Yes, Ms. Yaramani?"
"How long have you guys lived together?"
"Awhile… why do you ask?"
"I just was curious. I mean, they would let a little boy and a bunch of teenagers live alone? Seems unlikely to me…"
"Little boy?" he questioned in an offended tone. "In actuality Ms. Yaramani, I'm twenty-two, thank you very much."
"Oh, my apologies. It's just you are kinda of short—I'll shut up now." I muttered when he glares at me.
"Besides," Misoka continued, "we do have a mentor to look after us… Oboro owns the bar and allows us to stay here."
I then heard a man's laugh as Oboro came into the room, "Yes. We've all become a sort of family here as well."
"I see. It sounds like it…" I looked at the time and stood up, "It's getting kinda late. Maybe I should get home…" Next thing I know Akira is right beside me. Wow, the boy's fast. I could've sworn he was on the other side of the room a second ago?
"I'll walk you home. It's dangerous walking around at night."
"Tha-that's okay, Akira. I walked around Kyoto at night all the time."
"This isn't Kyoto though," he stated as he got close again. I prayed to the spirits that I wasn't blushing.
"Okay, I guess… if you insist." I said as we walked out we walk in an awkward silence. I cleared my throat and broke the stillness. "Thanks, by the way… I had a great time."
"Glad to hear it! It's always good to have friends around to make the transition easier." He stated in a cheerful tone. Had to hand it too this guy, his personality was infectious.
"I guess so…" I smiled.
"Hey you smiled!" he said as if it was a surprise. Yes, I smiled. Just because I don't smile all the time doesn't mean I can't smile.
"Why do seem surprised?" I ask in an insulted tone.
"Oh, sorry. It's just you seemed sad about something… You know, you can tell me what's wrong. I won't tell anyone." I looked to him in shock. Part of me wanted to tell him, and the other want me to give some retort but his eyes were so intense and sincere…
"My parents disappeared three months ago. I've been living with friends since then." I mumbled after a deep breath.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that… I lost my parents to when I was a kid."
"Oh dear, Akira…" But he interrupted me.
"Miharu lost her parents too, and Misoka lost his mother. Oboro has been like a father to all of us."
"Yeah, I could tell… you know Akira, there's something different about you from other boys." I noted. He looked to me with surprise.
"Really, what's different about me?" he asked, almost nervously.
"Well, first off I never met a guy who likes to cook," I chuckled, "and… I've never been able to talk to someone so openly before. It feels nice." I said blushing a little as my eyes looked at the ground. I glanced up to notice we had reached the shop. "We'll see you later, Akira, bye!" I called as I ran inside, taking a look back to see Akira grinning widely, waving me good bye. I could have sworn I saw a bit of pink on his cheeks… was he embarrassed by what I said?
I closed the door behind me and saw Toraki busy looking at some strange orange stone. "What are you looking at Uncle?"
"I don't really know… I found it a few days ago. All I know that it is very valuable," he mumble, looking at the stone from different angles as if he'd find a sign of what the gem could be. "Did you enjoy yourself?"
"I had a blast. They are all very nice."
"Hiro called awhile ago. He was wondering where you were. When I said you gone somewhere with some new friends, he seemed surprised."
"Why is it so surprising that I made friends?" I questioned.
"I guess it's because you've been so introverted since…" He stopped himself.
"Oh, I guess that would be a good guess as to why…" My voice drifted to a hush as I headed up the stairs. "I'm going to take a shower and call Hiro before I go to bed. Night, Uncle." I called. I got into the bathroom and removed my clothes and take off my pendent. Today was a strange day. I thought to myself, letting the warm water of the shower run down my body. First I meet Akira and then he brings a whole swarm of his friends. Well, at least I won't be so alone in this new town but there is something about Akira… I can't put my finger on it but I know he's different. I eventually stepped out of the shower and put my night clothes on along with my necklace. I yawned as I went into my room and I called Hiro back.
"Hey, Mai. Glad you're back. I heard you met some people over there?"
"Yeah." I sighed, "You were right. I ran into Akira-san again."
"You mean the guy with the piercings?"
"Yep but you get used to them after awhile."
"You do seem to like this guy…" he commented in a digging tone.
"He is just a friend, Hiro-san. I mean, I just met the guy. Oh, and guess what? He actually can cook."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"No offense Hiro-san, but you can't cook too save your life."
"So. I'm a guy. Normal guys don't cook!" he declared.
"Did you really just say that? That is very sexist of you Hiro-san!"
"Sorry! But you do not have to yell," he groaned and I think he was rubbing his ears.
"Alright, good night Hiro-san. I need to get to bed. I've got school tomorrow."
"Okay, talk to you later Mai!"
"Yeah bye." I hang up and gave another yawn. I hopped into bed and drifted asleep.
…
Getting up was hard. I moaned and slammed the alarm clock. So tired... I get up out of bed and put on the uniform Uncle had left me. As I walked down the stairs, I saw Uncle up and looking at the same stone again. "What is so interesting about that stone, Uncle?"
"I don't know… I just can't stop looking at it," he muttered as I grabbed an apple.
"If you say so… See ya later Uncle!" I yelled as I ran out into the autumn air. It was chilly but I was used to that. As I walked I noticed Miharu. "Hey, Miharu-san!" I called as I ran up to her.
"Oh, hey Mai. Excited about going to a new school?" she asked.
"Yes and no. I'm nervous, I guess you can say."
"That's normal. You know, being nervous I mean."
"I guess so." I get enough courage to ask her something. "How long have you known the guys?'
"Awhile, I helped them with something's and I lived there ever since."
"Oh what did you help them with?"
"A few things... let's just say it's a long story."
"Okay…" I say as we walk into school then as soon as we walked into the building Miharu was swarmed by a bunch of girls.
"Hey Miharu give me some luck!" a girl with long black girl asks. The girl then notices me.
"Oh who are you?" she asks. "I don't remember seeing you here."
"Oh this is Mai Yaramani she's the student from Kyoto."
"Nice to meet you." I say in a shy voice. I hated being the center of attention the girls eventually dissipate and I ask. "Why did they ask you for luck?"
"Oh apparently I have the ability to bring good fortune to the people who touch me."
"Weird…" I say.
"Weird is the word." She says "I will see you later Mai bye." And she heads for her class. School was… well it was boring and tiring but thankfully I managed to survive. Eventually school ended and I was heading home or I was going to?
…
You know Akira, there's something different about you from other boys. I knew she couldn't have meant that she thought I was a werewolf… She couldn't have known, could she? No, she couldn't know but I wonder…
"Hey Akira, can we get some food here!" Mitsuru yelled.
"You know, you could get your own food." I grumbled, my thoughts giving me a headache.
"But you are the only one that can cook."
I stuck my tongue out at Mitsuru as Oboro walked in. He noticed me rubbing my temples and stated, "You've been distracted a lot lately. Akira, is something wrong?" I shook my head.
"No, I'm fine. Just thinking…"
"Oh."
"And no, it's not about Keiko. I'm happy for her." They all think I'm depressed about her going with that other guy but I was fine with it. She deserves to be happy. "I think I'll go out for some air." I mumbled, walking out.
It was chilly today but it was late November, so it was expected. I jumped on the roof and checked the time. Hmm… Miharu should be getting out of school. I wonder… I ran from roof to roof and noticed that Mai was one of the first ones out but she was stopped by a young man. I was curious so my ear popped up and I tried to listen in on the conversation. She seemed to know this boy.
"Oh Hiro-san… Why are you here?" she asked.
"Job interview," he answered a bit too quickly. I didn't believe it. The answer sounded too rehearsed.
"In Tokyo?" She didn't seem to believe him either.
"Yup, and I wanted to check on you."
"Hiro-san, I don't need to be checked upon. I can handle myself," she muttered with annoyance. "Plus, I can't believe you left Ayame alone. Isn't she pregnant?"
"Three months."
She sighed and said, "Okay, but you better get back to her soon. Well, I got to go promised Miharu that I would come over to do homework. Bye." She then ran off while the man had a frustrated look come across his face. The man Hiro then took out his cell-phone.
"The object got away," he said into it.
"What? We need the girl to find the Suncrysts," an icy voice spoke from the receiver. A chill rain down my spine from the sound of the voice. Who were these guys?
"What does Mai have to do with them?" Hiro demanded.
"The Suncrysts were created to counteract the Teardrops of the moon. They were taken by the priestess when she left the shrine. The girl carries her blood. She might be able to detect them."
"And if she can't?"
"Then we will release her and seal her memory. No harm done at all," the voice explained.
"Alright, I will try again." Hiro said hanging up with a sigh, "If the woman wouldn't have fallen for that mutt this would have never happened." With that the man began to head the same way Mai did. I noticed his tattoo a pentagram with an inverted triangle. It had to be the sign of a cult. I used my phone to take a picture of it and ran back to the bar.
"Misoka, are the girls here?" I asked as I busted through the door.
"Yes. They are upstairs. Why do you ask?"
"I think we might have a new conspiracy on our hands," I muttered.
"Oh?"
"What do you know about something called a Suncryst?"
"The Suncryst… why?" he asked.
"What are they?" I demanded. "It's important. I think something bad might happen we don't figure this out."
"Alright calm down, Akira. They are the counterparts of the Teardrops, containing the power of the sun. They disappeared around the same time as the teardrops did."
"What do they do?"
"They have the power to nullify the power of the Teardrops making both useless. But if used with the Teardrops, they can boost the power tenfold. Now, what's this about?"
"Well… I think we have people trying to do the find the Suncrysts. I doubt it's for good. Some guy showed up at Miharu's school. I think he was trying to get Mai to come with him willingly but she left to meet up with Miharu here. He then called someone on his cell… whoever was on the phone him thinks Mai might be able to inform them on the Suncrysts location. They mentioned a legend that I was familiar with because it was one told by my people."
"A legend?"
"The Priestess and the wolf. It's about a human woman falling in love with a werewolf."
"Like the Princess and the demon?"
"Yes, but she was banished when the head priest found out about their relationship. The wolf then killed the men of the shrine in vengeance."
"And what does Ms. Yaramani have to do with this?"
"They seem to think she might be the descendent of the priestess of the legend, I guess."
"Hmm… if this is true we need to keep an eye on the girl."
"Couldn't we just tell her like we did Miharu?"
"No! We do not know if she really is what they think she is. Until we can be completely sure, we will not show her our true identities."
"Hey what are you guys talking about?" Miharu asked.
"Oh, Miharu. Where's Mai?" I asked.
"We finished up our work a lot faster than we thought we would, so Nozomu offered to take her home," she explained. "Care to explain what's going on?"
"We will," Misoka replied. "Please gather everyone who is here though. This is something that must be told to everyone."
Fifteen minutes later, we were all gathered and Misoka debriefed us on the possible situation. Oboro then left to tell the Moon Emperor about the possible danger. After a half hour, he returned with one simple order. "Gather the Suncryst before the enemy does and bring them to the Palace of the Moon for safekeeping."
Oh, boy… it looked like the fun was about to begin.
