*Chapter 1: Okinawa*
'Dear Wonskolaser,
Well, I made it to that island you wouldn't shut up about. Vacation get away of the highest order. Now I can start my search for this great artist you've also been raving up and down about. Wonder how old he is now. Dude's gotta be ancient. Anyway, I'll write again soon with updates. See you soon.
Yours,
Renae'
XXXXXXX
(Now Playing: Mass in C Minor, K427, "Great" Kyrie by Amadeus Mozart)
In the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan, rain came pouring down upon the land and nearly drenching a lone figure walking towards the nearest city. It was a short female figure with nothing but a backpack and a katanna cleverly hidden in a hockey stick carrier. She was clad in a grey hoodie, a navy-blue skirt. and a straw cone hat that completely covered her head from the falling rain. IT also nearly covered her face.
Finally, after traveling a few miles on foot, she came to a local bus stop. Although the notices, maps, and other stops were all in Japanese on the bulletin board, she only had little trouble reading the kanji characters. After making certain she carried the funds necessary to pay the toll, she quietly sat down on the bench and waited for the next bus to arrive, silently listening to the pattering rain. Then a few minutes later, a gang of teenage boys approaching the bus stop starting leering at her when they noticed the girl sitting there alone.
(End Music)
"[Hey little lady, you come here often?]" one boy, apparently the leader sneered in Japanese, crudely flirting.
"[...Go away.]" the girl hissed.
The boys were momentarily taken aback by the harshness in her voice, but soon fell into a fit of mocking laughter.
"[I don't think you realize that this is our turf, missy]." another boy wheezed.
"[Ask me if I give a shit.]" the girl replied very dismissively.
The gang didn't take too kindly to that.
"[Alright you stupid girl.]" their leader declared menacingly. "[I think it's time we taught you some manners.]"
Before they could even get uncomfortably close to her, the girl shot out and pummeled the leader with her martial arts skills.
Five minutes later, a bus slowed to a halt at the stop and allowed the girl to come aboard.
"[Erm, excuse me, young lady.]" the driver began politely. "[But didn't I see four others with you?]"
"[Nope. Not at all.]" the girl answered smoothly.
The bus driver looked out the vehicle's windows and open doors one more time before shrugging. Perhaps it was all a figment of his imagination, or a mirage created by the falling rain. The girl exchanged her money and sat down in a seat near the back as the bus went on its way.
Behind the stop were the gang members beaten unconscious and piled up.
XXXXXX
The bus later made its last stop in Okinawa's capital, Naha. A bustling city referred to as 'Nafa' by Okinawan native locals. The girl disembarked from the bus and continued on her way. The city glowed in the rain brilliantly like a cluster of jewels. The girl nearly blended perfectly into the throng of people going up and down the streets. She tried not to get too distracted by all the shops, but the restaurants were rather enticing since her stomach had been pinching her for food. Because she was on a search and retrieve mission, she didn't want to stop.
In the end however, the girl gave in to her hunger pains and disappeared into a noodle shop. It was nice and quiet inside, apart from the pattering of the rain and the murmuring of the other patrons which actually added to the ambiance. It also allowed the girl to slightly unwind and think without her mind going in eight different directions. The kindly restaurant server came by her table to check up on her.
"[Have you had enough to eat?]" he asked politely.
"...Hai. Arigato gozaimasu." the girl replied in the same manner leaving him slightly impressed.
"[Don't think I've seen you around here before. Are you visiting?]"
"[...Actually, I'm searching for someone. Would you recognize his face if you saw it?]"
"[Well, I could try.]"
The girl reached into her hoodie and pulled out a photograph.
"[This man.]"
The server took a close and careful look at the picture of the person her was seeking.
"[Ah yes, I've seen him before.]" he replied. "[He drops by from time to time. I don't know his place of residence mind you, but you might be able to find him at the local tea house down the street. He's there frequently.]"
The girl felt her spirits lift. It was the biggest break in her search that she had since arriving.
"Arigato." she said appreciatively. "[You've been a lot of help.]"
She got up out of her booth and left the server a hefty tip for his service and assistance.
"[If you don't mind my asking, miss.]" he began again. "[Is this man related to you?]"
"[...sort of.]" she replied. "[Stepdad.]"
"[I see.]"
"[I would also really appreciate if you'd be discreet about this.]"
"[Of course. Well. I hope you find him.]"
"[So do I.] Sayonara."
With that, the girl left the restaurant and headed for the tea house.
AN: The []'s are to symbolize the characters talking in a foreign language. The more you know ;)
