December 11th. It's been five days since I started helping out at Wee Angels Orphanage and most of the girls have been calling me Onne-chan since day two. Ukyo and Tsunami remain my closest orphans. They're truly like the sister I have, but actually care that I'm there. I really want to make them happy; to see them smile. That is one of the reasons why I am outside tonight at ten-thirty on the outskirts of Tokyo, rummaging through little bushes and patches of woods.
On Ukyo's Christmas list was a Nazunokusa, and I knew quite well that she wasn't going to get it from the overrated Santa Claus. Being a trainer myself, I came up with the idea that I could capture the Pokemon and put it in her stocking. Same for Tsunami, who asked for a Karakara. Of course, they were both too young to actually train a Pokemon, but there was nothing wrong in having one for a pet. That's basically what my Togepi is. I keep it in a poke-ball, but it hardly ever battles.
I was having little to no luck on finding the Nazunokusa. I found a pair of Koratta, but that was about it. I did have time though. Christmas was not until the 25th. But like the experienced shopper, I like to get my shopping done early if possible. Then again, my efforts weren't necessarily passed onto others. My sisters always pretended to not have enough time to shop for a gift for me. I'm smarter than that. They practically live at the mall.
I paid my price for crawling around on all fours. My hand got suddenly punctured by a thorny branch astray from its bush. I couldn't control my voice and a small shriek escaped my throat. I lift my hand in front of my face. The blue-black night made my blood look violet. It wasn't much, but it would make a scab later. There truly is a reason for wearing gloves. (Maybe I should get a pair).
"Is everything alright back there?" Came an approaching voice.
"Uh, yes! Everything is fine!" I call back, not sure how far away the voice is.
A boy comes through the overgrown brush ahead of me. I felt sort of foolish sitting there on the cold ground in front of him, holding out my hand as if asking for money. I couldn't quite understand the look on his faced. It was like he was shocked to see someone here, even though he knew someone would. The other part was a slight smile. I didn't know what to do back , so I just smiled as well. He comes closer and holds out his hand.
"Here," He says. "Let me help you up."
"Uh, arigatou." I say, letting him take my outstretched hand.
He pulls me to my feet and then looks down at his thin glove. "Chi?"
"Aiya!" I look down at my small injury. "Sumimasen. I forgot that I cut my hand earlier. Will it wash out?"
He just shakes his hand around for a few seconds. "Don't worry about it. What are you doing out here anyway?"
"Looking for Nazunokusa. They only come out at night." I say. "What are you doing out here?"
"Uh," He stumbles. "I'm traveling and I just came into town. Then I heard your scream, and now I'm here."
"Oo! Traveler! Where did you start?" I ask.
He bites his lip. "Hokkaido?" He didn't sound certain so I just assumed that he meant 'around the Hokkaido area'.
"Usou!" I say. "That's a long way!"
"Well, I…" He scratches his nose. "I do have a bike."
"Datte, Sugoi!" I look straight up at him. "What's your name?"
His smile returns. "Satoshi."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Kasumi." I hold out my bloody hand, laugh, and quickly switch it.
His smile got bigger when he heard my name. "Kasumi-san. Nice to meet you too."
"Where are you planning to stay in Tokyo?"
"Um, I'm not sure." Satoshi replies. "Do you know any good places?"
"I'm actually visiting Tokyo over the holidays myself." I say. "I'm staying and volunteering at a local orphanage."
"That's nice of you."
Satoshi had gorgeous, deep brown eyes.
"Better than home!"
"Where is your home?" Satoshi asks.
"In the Kanto region." I reply.
Satoshi hesitates a little bit. "Would you mind if I walked you back to the orphanage? It's getting a little late, don't you think?"
I was a little taken aback, "Okay," , but I accepted the kind offer anyway.
Satoshi is a very weird guy. He didn't even know what way to go to get back to town. Well, I couldn't blame him. He apparently had never been to Tokyo before. I've traveled a lot myself, but had never been up by Hokkaido. Something was telling me that the definition of Christmas Spirit was walking me home. Every time he saw someone walking alone, he wished them a Merry Christmas. Whenever a grumpy person was in sight he would mumble, "What a lump of coal". It came across as a little childish at times. At the others, it struck me as adorable. I couldn't help but notice though that his ears looked funny. They were bigger than your average person. I told him that and he went as red as a cherry. Then I laughed and he did too. It was nice to have someone to just joke with.
A good smell reached my noise at around two blocks away from the orphanage.
"Oh, that's that famous coffee shop."
"Coffee?" Satoshi looked puzzled.
"You've never had a cup of coffee?" I ask him in return.
"Well, I don't really care for the stuff." He says. "I do enjoy lattes though."
I stick out my tongue. "That's just a cup of hot milk though."
Satoshi shrugs. "Put a little bit of ginger and vanilla in it and you got yourself a pretty good latte."
"That doesn't sound too bad, but I prefer the rich stuff."
Satoshi sniffs the air once more. "Do you want to go get a cup?"
He was being very bold. Wait, what was I thinking? It was just picking up a cup of coffee!
"Sure."
We walk the rest of the way until we reach the shop. Costumers were sitting in the booths next to the window chatting over hot mugs and cookies and Christmas cakes. Satoshi and I push our way through the door, setting off the little jingle bell above. We order what we want; Satoshi's took a while because he had to explain to the person behind the counter exactly what he wanted in his latte, and leave the store warming our hands on the take-home containers. I got my favorite: peppermint mocha.
The orphanage came up sooner then I thought it would, so Satoshi and I sat on the front step and continued to make conversation while sipping our coffee.
"So," I say. "Why Tokyo?"
Satoshi puts one hand behind his head. "I suppose you could say that I'm on a mission."
"A mission? Sounds exciting."
He passes a look of exasperation. "Not exactly. It's most likely one I can't accomplish."
"What makes you say that?" I ask.
"It would be very hard to explain." Satoshi says. "Uh, can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"It's a very, very strange one."
"I don't mind."
Satoshi sighs. "How do you make someone fall in love with you?"
I take a sip of my mocha. "You can't make someone, Satoshi. Are you meeting up with an old friend here? A girlfriend?"
"I guess you could say that." Satoshi replies. "You can't make them?"
"No," I shake my head. "If it was meant to happen, it will. You can't stop it; you can't start it. That's just the way it works. Just be yourself and destiny will do the rest."
Satoshi lets out a big breath quickly, making it sound like a chuckle.
"Will that help?" I ask a little worried.
"Huh? Oh! Yes, it will. Thanks, Kasumi." Satoshi says in a rush.
I give him a little tap on the shoulder. "Daijoubu, Satoshi. I'm sure whoever you're looking for is waiting for you to come get her. You're a nice guy."
He smiles at me. A smile where you don't open your mouth, so your lips look long and thin if you do it too big. But his was just the right size. It looked perfect. He then seemed to remember something suddenly.
"How's your hand?" He asks.
"Oh, I forgot all about it." I remove it from my coffee cup and look it over. The blood was dried and it was a little sore to touch, but that would be all better once I washed it. "It'll be fine."
The door behind us opened.
"Kasumi Onne-chan?"
I turn around to see Ukyo in her nightgown and slippers. The calligraphy for the word Kuma was etched across the chest.
"Ukyo!" I smile at her. "Aren't you up a little late?"
She comes out further so she was right next to me. "I should be saying that to you."
I look at my watch. Quarter to midnight. "Ah, yes, I am out a little past dark, aren't I?"
"A little?"
I tickle her stomach and she covers it with her arms as she laughs. "Yes, a little." I say in a higher pitched voice.
"Well, I guess I ought to get going." Satoshi stands up.
I stand up as well. "Oyasumi. I'll see you around? I hope you find that person you're looking for."
He smiles again. "Oyasumi. I hope so too. And thanks for that advice."
"No problem."
Satoshi walks down the steps and waves shortly before walking off down the street. I go back into Wee Angels Orphanage with Ukyo to tuck her back into her bed and then go to my own. After cleaning up my right hand, I put on my pajamas and climb into bed. I knew that sleep wouldn't come to me easily, but it did eventually. Tomorrow, I would go back out to continue my Christmas shopping. I would again be on my hands and knees searching. Mienai. Just like Satoshi who was searching for that someone. I hope he finds her so he could have a happy Christmas.
____
Japanese Romanji Translations! (In order of appearance)
Onne-chan – sister
Arigatou – Thank you
Chi – blood
Aiya- Oh, no!
Sumimasen – I'm sorry (formal form)
Usou – You're lying
Datte, Sugoi – But still, that's amazing
Daijoubu – It's alright/ Don't worry
Oyasumi – 'Night
Mienai – Searching