Chapter 5

4th Ward Shinjuku

Saturday Morning

It was the weekend before mid-semester break, Haruko and Bella had decided to take advantage of the warm sun and sapphire sky's to head into one of Tokyo's more well-known districts. Most of the morning had been spent window shopping and goofing around in arcades and they had just arrived at what was easily the biggest shopping centre Bella had ever seen. There were entire floors dedicated to clothing outlets while others contained nothing but electronics or books or well… everything really.

Haruko glanced over at Bella "so where do you want to go first?"

"Well I guess I'm going to need some winter wear soon, might as well get it now."

"Ok then we need to head to", Haruko quickly skimmed over the information booth looking for an appropriate store, "the fourth floor."

"I still need to buy souvenirs for a few people too" Bella added.

"Do you have anything in mind?"

"Not really".

She still needed to get something for her parents and Mitsuko. So far nothing she had seen had really seemed appropriate, after all Charlie had helped bank roll her trip and without Mitsuko's encouragement and tutoring she wouldn't even be here.

She likes cats, maybe something cat related…

Now anyone who knew Bella would know that shopping wasn't really her thing, but even still she couldn't help but enjoy herself as they went from store to store looking at all the amazing and bizarre things displayed in the shopfront windows. It certainly helped that shopping with Haruko was a laid back affair; they were certainly in no hurry to be anywhere.

By the time the two were done Bella had picked out rather nice teal jacket along with a set of red gloves and matching scarf, along with a few sets of casual jeans and shirts. She'd also spotted a few rather nice gift items including several phone straps and postcards that she eagerly purchased. A certain pale pixie would have been proud…

Don't think about that.

"Ugh, I need to sit down"

"Well there's a park not far from here", Haruko replied, "We could find somewhere to take a break there?"

"Sounds good to me".

It didn't take them long to find a quiet corner with some shade to rest in.

Bella sat down with an audible sigh, leaning her back against one of the tree's scattered throughout the park as she opened her bag and pulled out a bottle of water for herself before offering another to Haruko.

"I can see why so many people come here, it's so peaceful", she said as she looked around the park at all the other people milling about walking their dogs or just lazing around like they were. "It's so peaceful".

Haruko sat down across from her taking a gulp of her drink. "It's even better in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom" her eyes lit up ever so slightly. "If your still here then we should come back".

"I'll still be here since I arrived mid-year, come to think of it my birthday is around then".

"Oh! We could come back to celebrate, we could even invite Hide and that friend of his". Haruko said perking up at the Idea.

"I Guess, so long as it's just the four of us," Bella replied. "I'm not a huge a fan of parties".

"O-okay… well it could be a picnic then?"

"A picnic sounds cool".

"Then it's settled", Haruko Stated in what sounded like an attempt at mock seriousness. "Spring next year were coming back".

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Bella said digging around in her bag and pulling out a small set of sandwiches. "I made them before we left, want some?" she asked as she handed one to Haruko.

"That's ok. I'm not really that hungry".

"You sure? I made sure they were vegetarian. I figured you probably were since you only seem to buy salads when we're at the cafeteria".

"Well. Since you went to the trouble of making them…" Haruko accepted one of the small triangle shaped sandwiches from Bella taking a few dainty bites.

The comfortable silence was broken by a beeping sound. Rummaging around through her things Haruko pulled her phone out of her bag and flipped it open.

"I'm really sorry but somethings come up, I have to go" She said apologetically as she stood to leave.

"Is everything alright?" Bella asked concern evident in her voice.

"Everything's fine", Haruko assured her. "It's just my little cousin, He's staying with me for a while and locked himself out". She gave a small lacklustre smile.

"Oh Okay, I guess I'll see you later then."

"I'm really sorry!" Haruko called out as she hurried toward the bus station. "Please make sure you head home before dark ok!"

Bella leaned back watching as Haruko left, her shoulders slumped. She pulled out her phone, the screen blinking to life she stared at the time.

2:45pm

Well I guess I could explore a little more on my own… I still need to find something decent for Dad and Mitsuko anyway. I guess I could get dad some Japanese beer…

Standing up and brushing the grass from her knees, she picked up the remains of Haruko's partially eaten sandwich, stuffing it into her bag as she ambled through the park and back into the busy Shinjuku streets. A while later Bella had more or less given up on finding anything halfway appropriate for a gift and had settled for a small plush toy she had found in a hobby store. Hopefully Mitsuko would like it.

She was about to call it a day when she spotted a familiar pair of faces coming out of a small establishment a little further up the street. Up ahead Kaneki was hurrying along trying to keep pace with the young waitress from Anteiku, who was striding down the street in the opposite direction.

What was her name again Touko? Touku? Ah Touka!

Deciding against running after them and potentially interrupting what for all she knew was a date Bella instead turned her attention to the store they had walked out of. It didn't look like much, just a wooden plank door with a small window displaying a couple of rather unique if morbid masks. Either side of the door were some small plants and other tastefully arranged decorations along with a small sign posting the opening hours. The wall was a creamy white colour with an intricate mural of what seemed to be the stores logo.

HYSY Art Mask Studio?

Curiosity getting the better of her Bella opened the door and stepped inside.

"Hello?" she called out as entered the store, surveying the room as she looked for wherever the proprietor might be. The interior had a rather modern feel to it with chequered floor tiles and down lights that illuminated the room. When no one answered her attention fell on the contents of the establishment.

Masks

All around the room masks were openly displayed on the walls, in display cases and on mannequins lined up in neat rows running through the centre of the room. In the corner of the room a small work station littered with tools, sketches and an assortment of other items was set up next to a half open door.

Bella made her way around the store, wandering between the mannequins examining the different designs as she went. Some had a traditional feel to them while others had been crafted with a more western theme in mind. A kabuki mask and fox mask hung next to beautifully crafted Venetian masks, some full face while others only covered portions. Grotesque yet highly detailed masks that looked as if they had come straight from the set of some horror film seemed to stare at her as if they would come to life any second.

With no sign of the owner Bella was about to leave when she spotted it. A an intricately carved feline mask with swirls of midnight blue and ruby on an ebony base that had been polished to a mirror shine sat nestled in one of the display cases. The shape and design gave it an almost Egyptian feel to it.

This is perfect! Mitsuko would love this!

Leaning in closer she examined the price tag. ¥9800

Wow okay that's rather pricey…

"See anything you like?" a soft spoken voice asked.

Bella nearly jumped out of her skin letting out a startled yip as she clutched her chest in shock. She turned around and found herself face to face with a young man who stared back at her quizzically. The man looked to be in his twenties with dark black hair that was styled into an undercut, his pale skin covered in piercings and elaborate tattoos and clothing that consisted of baggy pants and sandals with a black wrap sweater. Designer sunglasses covered his eyes.

Despite his punkish appearance his thin frame and quiet and rather relaxed body language made him seem rather delicate, almost feminine.

"I-uh yes I was just…" caught off guard and fumbling she opted to just point down at the cabinet instead.

"Hmm?" He followed her gaze, "a good choice. Though if I'm being honest I don't think it particularly suits you".

"Oh no, it isn't for me it's a gift for a friend back home"

"Oh a gift? That's very generous of you" he said tilting his head slightly. "Will you be purchasing one for yourself?"

"Uh no not today thank you", Bella spared another glance at the price tag, "I might come back some other time actually" she said rather sheepishly, "I've already spent quite a bit more than I planned today".

"Mm well how about… you let me design a mask and in return you can have this one at half price?"

"Really?"

"All of my masks are designed with someone in mind, it'd be a shame to let the opportunity pass by", he shrugged. "It's not often I get customers like you in my little store".

"You don't get many foreigners in here?"

"That too..."

Sit over there and well get started", He gestured to his workstation.

Bella took a seat and the shopkeeper wrapped a measuring tape round her head, jotting down numbers as he recorded everything he would need to tailor a mask".

"Any allergies?"

"No"

"Any preference for material"

"Not really"

"Any hobbies"

"Reading and Japanese I suppose but-

"A boyfriend or Girlfriend?"

She visibly flinched, though he was polite enough not to say anything. "N-no, what exactly does any of that have to do with making a mask?

"It helps to know a bit about the person I'm making the mask for, keeps me motivated and helps with keeping the end product somewhat unique". He jotted down a few more notes on his pad. "Why did you decide to come to japan?"

"I-guess to see if I could. You could say I'm trying to grow up a little, become stronger or more independent? I can't really put it into words I just felt like I needed to do more with myself".

"You have such delicate features, almost like a doll" he mused. "Maybe a porcelain mask? Or perhaps something more traditional, something with a little more colour". Bella squirmed under his gaze.

"There all done" he said standing up to collect her purchase. "Be sure to come back in a week or so if you have a chance it should be done by then, I'll even keep it off show for a while in case you decide you want it".

"Thanks I'll do that".

Once he was done boxing the ornate mask he led her over to the register. Bella handed over a wad of cash and thanked the man. Tucking her new purchase away in her bag she made her way out the door, her shopping done for the day.

The man watched as she left the store. It wasn't often he had a customer like her and had to admit he was rather excited about this next project.

"Do come again".


And here it is Bella meets the mysterious mask maker...

I'm really sorry it took so long but I had a Really hard time with this one. Thanks to a combination of writers block and indecisiveness it ended up completely different from what I originally planned. I was going to make it a little longer but settled on the 2000 word mark since you know, It was taking ages so the rest will be in the next chapter.

One other thing. Someone was kind enough to show me how to set up polls on the profile page so I have one going now. Its really only for curiosity's sake. the poll question is "What kagune do you most prefer?" If you don't know what that is no worries It will be explained as the story goes on. Ill keep the poll open until the next chapter comes out.

As always thank you to the following who took the time to review! And please do leave more I really want to improve and I need your help for that so opinions and constructive criticism is important.

Nikacat123

KioshiUshima

Lightningpanda

Lady Cocoa

GuineaPigPoo : I'm glad your enjoying my work :-)

Corina O

MaxFangIggyNudgeGazzyAngel : Its good to know that everything makes sense so far that was one of my bigger concerns when I decided to write this.