Chapter 16
Digital noise blared from the earpiece of the receiver for a few second, causing Natsumi to pull it away from her ear. Then she heard a faint voice. She thought she heard a voice say "Natsumi?" She pulled it back to her ear and yelled "SHOUJI, IS THAT YOU?"
"You don't have to yell so loud, Natsumi." That familiar voice was as clear as if he was standing right in front of her. Natsumi couldn't help herself-she started crying as she shouted "I'M SORRY... I mean I'm sorry, Shouji. It's just... I'm just... I'm..." as she continued to cry in relief.
"Natsumi, I'm OK. Please don't worry" Shouji assured her. "I've just left the mountainous area. It was worse than I thought getting through there. I'm guessing I still have about four hours left before I get to Bokuto."
"I know what you mean, Shouji" Natsumi agreed. "I've seen a lot out there today."
"You mean you've been out in the city?" Shouji exclaimed. "Natsumi, why?"
"Doing my job, Shouji" Natsumi replied, a bit annoyed. "First, we had to rescue Honda, his daughter and two of her friends when they had a wreck just outside the station. Then I led a team to commandeer medical supplies for Kyou."
"Natsumi, why are you risking your life like that?" Shouji asked, incredulous.
"Shouji, I AM a Metropolitan Police Department officer!" Natsumi replied, now upset. "I have trained with the SAT and the JSDF Rangers. I know what I'm doing!" She was nearly shouting at him now. "And what about you? You're driving here all alone, in what? A truck?"
"It's a Humvee, Natsumi" Shouji replied, also upset. "I'm risking my life to help all of you!"
"So am I, Shouji, so am I!" Natsumi declared. She began to cry. "I'm just so afraid for you" she confessed.
"How do you think I feel, hearing about your exploits?" Shouji retorted. "I'm scared that when I get there you won't be there-ever again. I couldn't face..."
"You won't have to worry" Natsumi said, getting control of herself. "I'm not going anywhere the rest of the night. Shouji, I just miss you so much!"
"Natsumi, I'm not mad at you" he replied "you just caught me off guard with that news."
"Look, I know we're all on the ragged edge, Shouji" Natsumi admitted. "Just please get here safely-and as fast as you can!"
"That's my plan, my love" Shouji told her.
Natsumi's eyes began to tear again, but for a different reason. "I'll be waiting, my love" she echoed, then she got excited. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you! Miyuki and Kenny are getting married!"
"That's sudden" Shouji replied "but I can understand why. When are they going to do it?"
"Tomorrow morning" Natsumi said.
"I wonder if they'd mind a double wedding?" Shouji mused.
"I don't know, I'll have to ask..." Natsumi stopped in mid-sentence as the meaning of his question sunk into her. She started crying-again-and sobbed "Yes, yes, yes!" into the phone.
"Yes what?" Shouji inquired.
"Yes, I'll marry you, Shouji Toukairin!" Natsumi cried out.
Miyuki snapped her head up at Natsumi's statement with a look of delighted surprise. She jumped up as she began to cry and exclaimed "Oh, my! OH MY! A double wedding!"
"I'll see you as soon as I can. I love you!" Shouji said.
"Just get here safely! I love you!" Natsumi replied. The line went dead.
Miyuki ran to her best friend and the two of them hugged each other, crying with happiness. Kenny walked in just then, his sleeves rolled up and his face smudged with dust from moving the computer in the other office. "What's going on with you two?" he asked, puzzled at their display.
Miyuki looked up at Kenny with tears streaming down her cheeks and an enormous smile on her face. "We're having a double wedding tomorrow!" she exclaimed as she continued to hug Natsumi.
Kenny rushed to the two women and threw his arms around both of them. "Congratulations, Natsumi!" he cried out, laughing. They stood there in a group hug for a few minutes, laughing and crying. Finally Natsumi said "Guys, I have work to do. I need to write my report."
As they disengaged from each other, Miyuki said "I have to finish those plans, too."
Kenny replied "Yes, you do, so we can move the computer into your office." The three of them were smiling and giggling as they turned to their tasks. As she sat down, Natsumi suddenly went quiet.
"Oh, God! I forgot all about Sahashi!" she wailed as she stared at her computer screen. "How can I be so happy at a time like this?"
Aoi had walked into the squad room as Natsumi had remembered her fallen team member. She rushed over to the shaken policewoman, then leaned down and hugged her. "Natsumi, it's alright. We've all said it today" Aoi reminded her. "There'll be a time for mourning when we get through this ordeal. We have to hold on to the little things that keep us human and caring or else..." He voice trailed off.
The two of them stayed like that for a few minutes, then Natsumi leaned her head back against Aoi's shoulder. "Thanks for reminding me, Aoi" Natsumi said. She then heaved a sigh and sat up to write the report. Aoi stood up and walked over to her desk, then sat down at it. She opened up her file drawer and retrieved her P239 and shoulder holster, slipping them back on.
Miyuki looked at her monitor as she sat down and noticed the prompt on the screen. "It seems like the file is done printing" she stated. "Kenny, as soon as I shut the computer down we can move it" she told Nakajima. While she waited for the computer to shut down, she turned to Aoi and asked her "has Onodera been released from the holding cell yet?"
"Oh, yes!" Aoi said with a long sigh. "That was... um, interesting. I hope I made the right evaluation" she confessed.
Gendo Onodera listened as Natsumi and Saori escorted Sahashi out of his holding cell. He couldn't see much of what was going on as he was down the block of cells and only could only see a sliver of the area down by his companion's cell, but the sounds more than made up for the lack of visuals.
"Sahashi, we've come to take you to the Chief. He needs to see you" Natsumi stated flatly.
"I don't want to go and I don't have to..." Sahashi started to reply. Onodera heard a jangle of keys as the cell door was opened.
"Get up, Sahashi!" barked Saori, who sounded like she had gone in the cell.
"I said I don't want..." he repeated, then screamed "What the F***? Why you have a gun, Saori? Are you going to..."
"SHUT UP!" Saori screamed. "I don't need a gun to take care of you! I can take you down with my bare hands! This is to guard your sorry ass from the walkers!"
"What walkers?" Sahashi yelled.
"The ones we'll be running into when we leave the station" Natsumi growled.
"L... le... leave the station?" Sahashi stammered.
"C'mon, get up! The Chief will tell you all about it" Saori said with malicious glee in her voice.
Gendo heard a noise, followed by a loud "thump" that was punctuated by a cry of "Ow! That hurt!" from Sahashi. Gendo assumed Saori had drug the unwilling police officer out of his bunk and onto the floor. He couldn't help smiling at the picture of the petite woman dragging the taller man out of bed. He knew from experience that small didn't automatically mean weak.
Loudly protesting, Sahashi stood up and walked out of the cell. Gendo caught a glimpse of the officer walking out of the holding cell block, rubbing his left butt cheek on which he had apparently landed. He was followed by the two policewomen, both toting suppressor-equipped guns. Saori was still in her normal uniform but Natsumi had changed into fatigues that made her look like a JSDF soldier. The door closed behind them and the area fell silent.
Gendo laid back down on his bunk and mulled over the scene he had just heard. He wasn't surprised that Sahashi had been removed from his cell before he was. After all, even if he was being a disruptive force, he was still a police officer. Gendo imagined that the Chief would give Sahashi some task to redeem himself with. The only thing Gendo couldn't gauge was how much Sahashi wanted to redeem himself. He had seemed pretty bitter about the state of the Metropolitan Police Department the whole time he was complaining to Gendo. When he calmed down a bit, however, Sahashi seemed like the type of person who would be willing and able to overcome a setback like the one he was experiencing.
Gendo laid there, staring at the ceiling and ruminating about his life. His perspective on it had changed a great deal in the last twelve or so hours. He had gone from being a smug-no, cocky-rich boy to a person who no longer knew his position in the world-or even if the world still existed in any recognizable form. He gave a bitter laugh. Hell, he wasn't cocky-he was a self-absorbed, arrogant bastard who had tread the line between being an evil person and turning into a full-blown sociopath.
But that all changed in the blink of an eye, it seemed to Gendo. More accurately, in the time it took to fire eight poorly-aimed shots from that P230 JP pistol-the one that almost doomed him. It was the one that alerted Aoi to his plight, though, and for that he'd be eternally grateful to her. Or... him?
When it came to Aoi, Gendo was of at least three minds. First off was the seemingly innocent young lady that he had stalked. The old Gendo had lusted after her. He had seen her as another target to conquer and debase, a somewhat shy, giggly woman whose suffering made Gendo feel superior, almost like a god. But even then, something had started to happen in his heart. He had begun to see her as a person, not just an object of rape, humiliation and dominance. He even began to have feeling of compassion for her, perhaps even love.
Of course, that was all swept away by the stern, powerful police officer Aoi. When she arrested Gendo for the series of rapes he had committed, he was taken aback by the sudden change in her demeanor, the hard edge that had sprung up like a weed. He remembered realizing how the hunter had become the hunted and the prey had turned out to be a bigger predator than he had been. Add to that the shock, surprise and humiliation of seeing the very male Aoi Futaba walk into that courtroom almost four years ago. Gendo recalled his mission was to kill him by the end of this day.
Those two views of Aoi were completely overshadowed by the life-changing moment he had experienced just a few hours ago. Gendo didn't need to close his eyes to see the horde of undead people that were just about to make him one of them. That sight would never, could never be stripped out of his memory. The only comfort he had when that specter arose was its ending: hearing the answering shots from behind the horde, seeing them drop one by one, and finally seeing the blood-splattered but angelic form of his savior, Aoi, as the last being standing.
Gendo struggled with trying to keep it from turning into something more than it really was. He could tell he was romanticizing his rescue, but it was so hard not to at times. Whether Aoi was biologically a man or a woman, Aoi was such a beautiful visage that Gendo had to fight the urge to fall head-over-heels in live with her... er, him... with the Aoi who was his guardian angel.
He lay on his bunk for a long time, struggling to turn all his thoughts and emotions into a coherent narrative. He was so deep in thought that he did not hear the footsteps come down the row of cells to his. He did not sense the presence of anyone else in the cell block until a heavenly voice called his name: "Gendo... Gendo..."
Gendo looked in the direction of the voice just as the delicate scent of her perfume entered his nose. Aoi was standing there, holding the key to his cell. She was a vision to him, and he sat up immediately. "Will I be let out of this cell, Aoi-chan?" he asked.
Aoi blushed a bit at the use of the familiar suffix but did not look down. "Onodera" she said quietly, choosing her words carefully, "the Chief would like to see you now. He wants to discuss the terms of your release."
Gendo saw the reaction to his use of her name and noted her reply. "Then, let us go to him, Officer Futaba" he replied politely. Aoi unlocked the cell door and swung it open. Gendo walked out of the cell and headed for the hallway outside the holding cell area. Aoi followed right behind him.
As they walked down the hallway, Gendo turned to Aoi and asked "Should we take the elevator or the stairs?"
'The Chief has asked that the elevators be reserved for emergencies and moving supplies to the upper floors" Aoi explained. "We'll have to take the stairs." She was relieved that she would not have to spend any time in an elevator with him. Aoi still had some lingering concerns for herself. She didn't know what Onodera might try to do and what might be the results.
They walked up the stairs as the had traveled the hall-Gendo in front with Aoi following right behind. At the top of the stairs, Aoi said to Gendo "Turn left here" then came up beside him as they approached the former Criminal Investigation Division offices. She guided him to the office where the Chief, Inspector Kinoshita and Inspector Tokuno waited to inform him of his fate. Gendo found himself getting a bit nervous in spite of himself.
When they came to the office door, Aoi opened the door and then stepped back to allow Gendo to enter first. She followed him and closed the door behind her. She directed Onodera to a spot facing the three officers then returned to a position by the door.
"Gendo Onodera" the Chief began, "we are meeting here to inform you of our decision concerning your continued incarceration. Due to the extreme nature of the present crisis we find ourselves in, we must act as the final arbiters of your situation. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I do, Chief" Gendo replied.
"Good. First I will go over the list of charges" Kachou continued. "You are accused of violating your parole by attempting to contact witnesses in the trial of which you were seeking a rehearing; also by consorting with known criminals and possessing a firearm, specifically an illegally obtained semi-automatic pistol. Finally, you are accused of attempted murder of a Metropolitan Police Department officer."
Gendo felt beads of sweat form on his forehead. He hadn't expected such a formal hearing. His stomach began to churn as he contemplated returning back to the cell. Would they take care of his needs? Would they even remember him if and when they evacuated the station? He wasn't sure at all how this was going to turn out and it left him speechless.
"Now, we have noted that you were saved from a group of walkers" Inspector Kinoshita stated, taking over for the Chief, "by the selfsame MPD officer you had sworn to kill. Since that time, you have, by all reports, acted in a selfless manner. Of particular note is your leading us to a cache of weapons that have been instrumental in evening the odds between the walkers and our officers. You have also followed all instructions without protest and without fail. Furthermore, Officer Futaba has interviewed you and it is of her opinion that you may be trusted-that you would not jeopardize the safety of all here at the station."
Gendo nodded, tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes. Aoi said he could be trusted, he thought. She can see that I've changed.
The Chief continued on, "Therefore, Gendo Onodera, we have decided to release you from incarceration. There will be conditions and limits on that release, however, and willful violation of any will result in a return to the cell. Do you understand?"
Relieved, Gendo nodded his head and said "Yes, Chief, I understand. What are the conditions?"
Inspector Tokuno spoke up. "These are the conditions you will live by while here in Bokuto Station. First, you will not be allowed to be anywhere where there are unsecured weapons. Any willful violation of this condition will result in immediate re-imprisonment or worse. Any accidental violation of this condition will be handled on a case by case basis. Do you understand?
"I do" was the reply.
"Second, you will have access to all areas of the station designated as civilian shelter areas. Areas designated as off limits to civilians will be forbidden to you unless you are specifically ordered or brought to that area. Do you understand?"
"I do" Gendo acknowledged again.
"Third, as there are a number of people from outside of Bokuto Station that have taken refuge here, we have decided to require you to wear a standard prisoner transfer jumpsuit so as we may be able to identify you anywhere at any time. This is not meant to bring any humiliation or degradation upon you but only to allow us to be able to locate you easily. We have a supply of the jumpsuits here so you will be able to change your clothes on a regular basis. Do you understand?"
Gendo had a bit of a frown at the reading of that condition but he replied "I do."
"Along with that, there will be a standing order that you are to be treated like any other refugee unless you are in violation of any conditions of your release. Any one found mistreating you will be severely punished."
"Thank you" Gendo said, appreciating the gesture.
"Finally, we will require you to contribute to the day to day work load of the station" Tokuno told the parolee. "This will include cleaning duties and any other duties for which you are fit to carry out. These will not be punitive but will be considered a show of good behavior. Do you understand?""
"Yes, I do" Gendo replied. I will be happy to help out however I can."
"Now, all of this applies to the confines of Bokuto Station and its compound" the Chief explained. "We will not be able to extend any protection if you were to venture outside the walls. We would consider that to be a rejection of your release conditions. However, considering the extreme danger outside the walls, we will not pursue you if you leave the station. You will be entirely on your own."
Gendo nodded at that. "I understand, Chief. Having had such a close brush to that fate worse than death, I know exactly what you mean. I will not give you any trouble."
Inspector Tokuno beckoned to Aoi and she went over to a file cabinet. On its top sat four folded orange jumpsuits. She picked them up and took them to Onodera, handing them to him. "Here are your new clothes, Onodera" she said. "I'll take you to the detectives' locker room to change. Don't worry, they don't keep any weapons there so I won't have to accompany you inside."
Aoi crossed over to the door and opened it. Gendo walked out and as Aoi followed, she said "Turn right, it will be the fourth door on your left." Gendo entered while Aoi waited in the hall.
He returned a few minutes later in a jumpsuit, carrying the other three and his street clothes. "What do I do with these?" he asked.
Aoi thought a minute, then told him "I'll take them and put them back in the Chief's office for now. If all goes well, you may be back in them soon."
"Do you think so, Aoi?" Gendo asked.
"I've noticed a change in you even from when I rescued you" Aoi admitted.
"Would you like to tell me about it?" Gendo replied.
"Well, I know the Chief wanted me to take you around and show you the off-limits areas, so I guess we'll be spending some time together" Aoi told him.
Gendo gave the news a little smile. "Also, I don't remember having had lunch yet, and it feels like it's time for dinner."
"Oh, you're right!" Aoi said as her stomach started to rumble a bit. "It's been such a chaotic day for me I completely forgot about lunch!" They arrived at the office door. "Wait here a minute, I'll just put these away." She opened the door without knocking and walked in.
As Aoi walked in, Kachou, Kinoshita and Tokuno looked up from where they were reviewing some reports. "Is something wrong, Futaba?" Karouko asked, a bit startled.
"No, Ins... Karouko" Aoi stammered. "I was just going to put Onodera's clothes where the jumpsuits were."
"Good idea, Aoi" said Kachou. "Make sure he knows this is off-limits unless we call for him or he requests to see any of us."
"Of course" Aoi replied. "By the way, would you mind if we both had an early dinner? I don't know if he had been given lunch and so much has happened I just realized I didn't have mine."
"No problem, Aoi" Karouko said. "Just don't take too long."
Aoi and Gendo walked into the cafeteria together. A few people looked up but did not seem to notice the orange jumpsuit, but they could see one or two heads shaking. They went through the line and found an empty table in a quiet part of the room.
They had been eating quietly for a few minutes when Gendo stopped and looked at Aoi. "You were saying a while back that you noticed a change in me from even this morning" he said. "What do you mean by that?"
Aoi put down her chopsticks and looked at Gendo. "It's true. I've noticed a great change in you, from when I found you in that doorway until now." She stopped for a minute to gather her thoughts. "You're not the same person you were before."
Gendo smiled at Aoi. "You mean I'm not the same self-centered bastard I was before, right?"
Aoi blushed. "I didn't mean it like that..."
Gendo chuckled. "I know. That's my evaluation of the way I was back then, which in this case was about nine AM this morning." He paused, then gave Aoi a pensive look and told her "I still can't quite understand just why I have changed so dramatically."
Aoi thought about the question for a few minutes. She looked at Gendo and said "I think I've figured it out. Up until today, you were always the aggressor, not the victim. Today was the first time you experienced being the victim."
Gendo mulled over Aoi's observation. "Yes, I guess I got to see it from a different side today." Then a look of horror spread over his face. "OH NO!" he exclaimed. "That was how the women were feeling when I was..." his voice trailed off. He dropped his chopsticks and covered his face with his hands. "Oh God!" he groaned "I was such a monster! I deserved to die!" He hung his head in shame and began to weep.
Aoi was startled by the sudden outburst. She looked around to see heads all turning their way as the man they knew as the Chuo Rapist sat there crying his eyes out. "Onodera, pull yourself together, man!" she hissed. "People are staring!"
Gendo picked up a napkin to wipe his eyes as he struggled to regain his composure. "But... but... you were right, Aoi. I can understand it now. I... I..."
Aoi was looking around nervously. "I understand, Gendo" she said to him softly. "You're right to shed tears of remorse for what you've done-but not now. There are people here who won't understand it and will use it against you."
"You're right, Aoi" Gendo replied. "I'm trying to get a hold of myself. It's just such a stunning revelation you've given..."
A patrolman from another station came up just then and interrupted Onodera. "What'ch cryin' about, big bad man?" he sneered. "No pretty girls to..."
"I don't know who you are, but you better stop right there!" Aoi snapped at the intruder. "Remember, the Chief said no one was to harass Onodera while he was here."
"And who's gonna make me stop, little missy?" the officer retorted. "Are you gonna run to your Chiefie and tell him what's going on?"
"That won't be necessary" a gruff voice came from behind the intruder. He spun around to take on the new person only to come face to face with the Chief. The officer stopped before he could utter a word, fear spreading through his body.
"Did you not hear my command clearly, Officer Araki?" the Chief questioned, glancing at his name badge. "What part of "leave Onodera alone" was unclear to you?"
"But... but... he was over here bawling like a baby and..."
"And what? You thought you could get away with it?" the Chief snarled. "You realize that with Onodera released from a holding cell there's one more open for the likes of you."
"I... I..." Officer Araki stammered, then turned to Onodera. "I am sorry for harassing you, Mr. Onodera" he said, bowing to Gendo. "Please forgive me."
Gendo looked at him with red-rimmed eyes that held a look of caring. "Officer Araki, I am very aware of our present situation and I am willing to put this aside and forgive you so that we may all find a way to survive together."
Stunned by the graciousness of the man he tried to attack verbally, Araki continued to bow and say "I am sorry, I am sorry" as he backed away from the table. Once into the aisle, he turned and ran out of the cafeteria.
"Gendo, that was very gracious of you" Kachou said. "Did you mean it?"
Gendo smiled. "I'm sure you can guess I was well-trained by my father in the art of verbally eviscerating a man while appearing sincere" he said. "However, the events of the day have given me a whole new perspective on life-a crash course, if you will. I meant every word I said just then. I want nothing more than for all of us to get out of this alive."
Kachou sighed. "You don't know how much I appreciate hearing that. You've justified my faith in Aoi's evaluation of you and my gut feeling. However, I didn't hear what was being said until the last. Just what happened?"
Gendo replied "I've learned more about myself since this morning than I've learned in all the years preceding. We were discussing that and Aoi gave me the key to understand myself-what I was and what I am now-and that key released something I thought I had lost forever-my conscience. The experience was so shocking I began to cry. I guess the officer saw an opportunity and misjudged Aoi's response to his act. If anyone knows how tough Aoi can be, it's me."
"I understand, Onodera" Kachou acknowledged "however, no offense, but I am leery of so-called 'battlefield conversions.'"
"No offense taken, Chief" Gendo assured him. "I understand I'll have to prove myself. I want to start now. Is there anything I can do to help out?"
Kachou thought for a minute, then checked his watch. "It's still early, but we have a number of futons that need to be set out for the night."
"I'd be happy to assist with that, and any other duties you feel I am suitable for" Gendo stated firmly. "I consider it the first step in my working to prove I've changed."
"Well, then" Kachou said as he turned to Aoi, "would you take Mr. Onodera down to the custodian's office and introduce him to Koichi Iwasaki. Tell him Onodera will be his worker for the rest of the day." Turning back to Gendo, he continued "Then we'll see where we can use you tomorrow."
Just then, Officer Ayane Hayashi came up to the three of them and said "Chief, I'm sorry to interrupt but I was sent to tell you that the team is back from the supply run."
"Thank you, Officer Hayashi" Kachou said. He looked at Aoi and Gendo. "I've got to go make sure they're alright. Aoi, you know what to do." He turned and followed Hayashi out of the cafeteria.
Aoi and Gendo cleared their table and then headed down to the custodian's office. Aoi introduced Gendo to Iwasaki and then headed back to the squad room, stopping in the woman's rest room to freshen up a bit. As she entered the squad room, she heard Natsumi wailing "How can I be so happy at a time like this?"
"So that's what I've been up to the past hour or so" Aoi concluded.
"Wow. You've had quite a day, Aoi" said Miyuki, "but what's troubling you about your evaluation?"
"I'm afraid Onodera's romanticizing the whole situation" Aoi confided. "That makes me worry about his long-term stability. If he develops a fixation on me, he could revert back to the old Onodera."
"I see" said Natsumi. "That is troubling." She stopped and stared at Aoi for a few seconds. "You seem so focused and... and... I just have to come out and say it, intelligent. What happened?"
"Alright, I have another confession to make" Aoi said, smiling. "I'm not as ditzy as I let myself seem to be. You know I went to Tokyo University, right?"
"Yes, on a basketball scholarship" Natsumi replied.
"True, but my major was Psychology... and I didn't add a Criminal Justice minor until my third year. That was when I became certain I wanted to go into police work."
"You have a degree in Psychology? Our Aoi?" Natsumi exclaimed.
"Actually, a masters degree" Aoi admitted. "I was about to start for my doctorate when I was asked to go undercover as a woman. I guess that dream is gone now."
"But... but..." Natsumi stuttered, shocked at the news.
"After the whole mess with Sahashi and then the Chuo Rapist case, I just needed to... to escape" Aoi said sadly. "Coming here was such a change, such a breath of fresh air that I guess I assumed the role of the ditz so as not to alienate you all. I'm sorry."
Miyuki smiled. "With all the turmoil in your life, I can see why you'd want to just blend in" she said. "Aoi, we love you no matter what."
Kenny walked into the squad room. "Mi-chan, your computer's all moved now. All you need to do is set it up."
"Mi-chan?" Aoi said. "I like it!"
Miyuki giggled. "It's cute, isn't it?"
Inspector Kinoshita stuck her head in the door. "Miyuki, It's time. We need those plans. Could you bring it up to the conference room?"
"I'll be right there" Miyuki said, hurrying over to the printer to retrieve a stack of pages.
"What plans?" Natsumi asked.
"The ones that may just get us safely to a new home" Miyuki said as she walked out the door.