Hina was forced to quit McDonald's. It was because a child guidance center worker reported the underage labor. She was wandering the streets looking for work. Unconsciously, she went out to a disreputable place. Just as she was about to turn back, a man caught her arm.
'Hey, girl. If you're looking for a place to make some money, I got a good one for you.'
Her instinct told her to run. Before she took action, the boy showed up.
'Get your hands off her!'
The thug was smirking. He gripped her arm even tighter.
'This is not the place for a greenhorn like you. When you start earning money...'
Before he could finish, Hodaka junmped on the man. As they fought and struggled, Hodaka felt uncomfortable in his pocket. His hand naturally grasped the pistol. A shot was fired, into the sky.
While the man panicked, Hina pulled the boy's hand and they ran away together in the pouring rain, to an abandoned building. They panted their way up to the roof. His hair was soaking wet and he looked like a pathetic puppy. She held out a handkerchief.
He smiled at her, 'Thanks,' and he wiped his face. 'The rain, it never stops.'
She smiled back, 'Trust me, it's going to be fine now.' Putting her hands together, she prayed.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew and the leaves flew off the trees. Then, strangely enough, the rain that had been falling incessantly stopped. He noticed there was a small shrine by her side. Blue sky peeked through the clouds.
She opened her eyes, 'What's your name?'
'Hodaka.' He looked bewildered by the miracle she performed right now.
From his name, she had the impression of a ship sailing in the sea breeze, wading through the waves as it went.
He asked, 'Your name?'
'Hina. A letter of the sun, you know, a letter of vegetable.' She beamed a warm smile at him like sunlight.