PREFACE: Hello, readers! I've got the very next issue of my River City Girls series! This one sees Kunio resuming life as usual after his visit to Jimmy's dojo in the previous issue. Enjoy!

Issue #02: "The Hunt"

Chapter One

Kunio walked down the halls of River City High. The last bell had rung, which never failed to put a smile on his face. He'd been smiling all day today, and everyone had noticed. They'd all welcomed him back with hugs and hi-fives. It made him strangely happy to be back.

He stepped through the school's front doors, seeing Hiroshi standing by the front gates.

"Yo, Hiroshi!" Kunio called.

"Kunio!" Hiroshi beamed, jogging over to him.

"How've you been, dude?" Kunio happily asked, fist bumping Hiroshi.

"I should be asking you that!" Hiroshi said. "It feels it's been forever since I've actually seen you!"

"Yeah. . ." Kunio nervously chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry 'bout that. I needed some time to get my head back on straight. That fight with Sabu really screwed with me."

"Hey, don't worry about it,"Hiroshi said, raising his hands. "Sabu put you in the hospital. I'd say you deserved some time away from everything."

"Thankfully all of my teacher's think so too," Kunio grinned. "They say I don't have to make up any of the work I missed while I was gone!"

"I mean,"Hiroshi replied. "That makes sense. "You did set us free from the control of a yakuza boss, after all!"

"So why don't we catch up today?" Kunio asked.

"Aw man, I'd love to!" Hiroshi happily nodded. "Uh, stop by my house tonight? I got some homework that I wanna do first."

"Sure thing. . ." Kunio mischievously smiled, walking toward the gates. "You big nerd!"

"H-hey!" Hiroshi laughed. "Hold on a minute there!"

"Can't hear you!" Kunio pointed to an ear as he opened the gate. "I'm walking away!"

Kunio happily began to jog down to the parking lot. This was the feeling of victory he'd anticipated receiving knowing he'd saved his city.

And it was a feeling he planned on savoring for as long as he could.

Kunio pulled up to Hiroshi's house. He gave the horn a honk.

He saw Hiroshi lightly jogging down his front steps and over to his car door.

"Heya!" Hiroshi greeted, climbing inside.

"What's up?" Kunio replied with a smile.

"So," Hiroshi said with a chipper tone, fastening his seatbelt. "Where are we headed?"

"Wherever you want, man." Kunio replied.

"You sure?" Hiroshi raised an eyebrow. "It's your first night back out. Don't you wanna pick?"

"Nah, it's fine," Kunio shook his head. "Where do you wanna go?"

"How about Cart Mart?" Hiroshi hopefully asked.

"That store for the old games?" Kunio gave a weak chuckle, facepalming. "Well. . .I did say you could pick, didn't I?"

"That you did!" Hiroshi proudly held a finger up. "And I'm finally gonna get you to see how awesome classic video games are!"

"You sure seem awfully sure about that." Kunio smirked.

"Oh just you wait!" Hiroshi grinned, crossing his arms. "There's a whole rabbit hole of classic gaming that you'll want me to drag you down once I show you the essentials!"

"Now I'm almost curious about what the heck you're gonna show me. . ." Kunio said.

"I can't wait to show you!" Hiroshi replied, eagerly bringing his clenched fists up to his chest. "You know where Cart Mart is, right?"

"Of course not," Kunio said. "I don't play old games."

"Not to worry!" Hiroshi said, jutting a thumb at himself. "I'll be your co-pilot!"

"Alright then, I guess," Kunio smiled, putting the car info drive. "Where do I make my first turn?"

Author's Notes: And that's going to do it for this first chapter, guys!

I figured that since Kunio had already met back up with Riki in the previous issue, the next person he needed to talk to was Hiroshi. Hiroshi's one of his closest friends, so Kunio catching up with him was the natural next step to him settling back into his life.

There isn't much else to go over here, so stay tuned for the next chapter! Things will be get interesting for sure!

Until next time!