The streets were alive and buzzing crowds flooded along its arteries. Cars slogged by and made human choke points at red lights. They navigated the dense mobs clutching their school bags. A mass of colorful signs and lit billboards caked in adverts like makeup on a cheap whore assaulted her eyes. She scanned the approaching shops one by one. Behind her Eli kept their fingers locked through the narrow maze.
"Are you sure it's near?"
"I could find it with my eyes closed Elicchi. Sorry we've gotta make this stop first. I'll treat you to a place I know after."
She felt the uneasy tightening of Eli's grip. Like a lamb being led through a field of wolves, Eli's eyes were restless. When she bumped against strangers she stared with a startled doe face, but Nozomi tugged her along silencing any awkward apologies. The sun beat down on the asphalt spilling its temper and turning the soles of her shoes hot. Sweat beaded along her forehead or made her bangs stick like a second skin. The few fragments of the streets she'd pieced to a mental map eroded as the heat came to tide. Her heart hammered, her vision blurred, the ground closed in-
"Elicchi can you hear me?"
Suddenly she was slumped in Nozomi's arms as entering passerby stared behind false discretion then moved along. Acutely she felt the fire under her skin and the sandpaper grittiness in her throat. Her tongue withered begging for water, until helpless as a newborn she looked up and mouthed it. Nozomi's face hardened to stone and her eyes summoned an edge Eli had never seen. In an instant she felt Nozomi outgrow her youthful school uniform. It carried in the new weight to her voice.
"I see. Stay close and walk slow."
The narrow hallway had a dead end and a flight of stairs that creaked to high heaven wherever they stepped. Though one of their hands never separated, with the other Eli held the banister; her knuckles grew white and stung. Soon they crossed a doorway into a sea of dingy lights. They both squinted before rows of camcorders and cameras lined behind glass cases. The floor was carpet but surprisingly well kept. Eli shielded her eyes, hiding behind Nozomi's back and focusing holes into her shoes.
A lone man behind the counter to their right peeked over his newspaper. His faintly wrinkled face lit up into a picture of youth when he saw Nozomi. He politely folded the news with experienced hands and offered a smile.
"Ms. Tojo, those parts came in you're right on time."
"Ah good. I thought I might be too early like before. Did you receive the advance payment?"
"Oh yes your parents were the usual way. Not a word again this month I'm afraid."
Their words slurred and bent into garbled nonsense that made Eli's ears throb. She felt the sudden rigidness of Nozomi's shoulders; saw her round face become hard tense lines. It plucked at her brain and told her everything yet nothing. The man went on; his hands made vague motions toward Eli. It chilled her blood and she stiffened.
"Is your friend a tourist?"
They felt him scrutinize her uniform with distaste.
"Is she one of those with a school girl fetish?"
He made a crude gesture in mid air that bore no repeating. Instantly the hard lines of Nozomi's face grew tighter as she glared down her nose. Eli watched her shake her head sternly. It calmed her heart if for a moment. Though she couldn't see, Nozomi's eyes darkened like a burgeoning storm. The man recoiled and gripped the counter trembling. Regret stomped across his face with deep tracks. He averted his eyes and cleared his throat.
"No, we're classmates Mr. Yamada. I wouldn't bring one of those into your shop; I'm hurt you'd suggest it. Eli is decent."
"Can she speak?" He asked as he slid forward a small taped box.
"Very well, but not right now I'm afraid. She's been suddenly unwell and rather shy."
She took the package and placed it carefully into her bag. It just barely fit under the zipper and formed a bulge after being sealed. Her eyes remained a storm unspoken in words. She gestured something disappointed in return, as if taking the last laugh on what he had started. His mouth went firm then frowned. Silently he retrieved his newspaper and began to flip it open. He pointedly ignored Eli, and she returned it.
"Till next time Ms. Tojo."
"Yes. Goodbye Mr. Yamada."
They felt his stare fail discretion and stab into their backs on the way out. The venomous aftertaste of her bitter tone lingered in pain and pride. Descending the stairs again, Nozomi propped Eli against a wall. She saw Eli's glazed eyes and dangerously slow breaths remain unchanged. As she dug for her wallet she scanned over an aged vending machine.
"I doubt you can understand me much but stay there. I'll get you something. Breathe as deep as you can."
Eli nodded drowsily at the half garbled noise that floated into her ears. The polyester in her uniform stuck as if it were seared in with hot glue. Sweat continued to blanket her face, slowing the confusion that dawned there as she watched Nozomi's blurry shape. A tangled vibrating knot of nerves crawled up her chest and left nausea in its wake. She wiped her cheek when Nozomi returned leaning an opened Pocari Sweat toward her. Her voice was gentle, as though she weren't commanding but suggesting. An image of her grandmother struck her muddled brain then faded.
"Drink slowly or you might choke. A sip at a time is fine."
Without hesitation or fuss she obeyed. The condensation on the side of the can chilled and sent a shiver down her spine. It nearly bit off her tongue to exercise restraint. The cold stoked the burn of her thirst as she noticed Nozomi stand patiently, waiting. Something in her pitied and sunk. It came with the suddenness of a house collapsing. The air changed with the slightest twinge of alarm Nozomi wore, as if she'd heard Eli's pride crack. Against the usual measure of her expressions, it stuck and screamed its presence.
As her senses returned with each sip, the ignorance of Nozomi Tojo's identity within her memories rang profoundly loud. She could run over what she'd observed, sift through it one fact at a time. Perhaps even reevaluate it in full. In the end she pushed it away to drown in drink. Nozomi's eyes had long lightened again up close. She hummed something nameless and leaned against the wall beside Eli. When Eli finished she retrieved the can, dumping it into a nearby waste bin. Her quiet voice cut the silence like a sudden guest.
"Heat and panic was it?"
"Yes I think so. It's embarrassing, in front of all those people, that man, where you could see…"
She startled when Nozomi pat her shoulder.
"This is my fault, you've only been here a few months. I'd made assumptions thinking you'd get completely used to things. The rest of today will be on me."
"Nozomi that's more than kind of you but it's alright." The name rolled half awkwardly off her tongue, as if she still couldn't decide the way its shape fit.
"It's only proper, and because I want to."
That snuffed what little embers remained of Eli's protest. Slowly they rejoined the rushing crowd outside. The wind had been knocked from their feet; instead they gently navigated with a stroll. Now Nozomi hummed a tune that made Eli's eyes widen. Hesitantly she reached and touched her arm. Abruptly Nozomi stopped and stared at her, though they kept walking.
"You know of 'And Quiet Flows The Don'?"
"Bits and pieces when I found it, that was a long time ago. I was much smaller, couldn't and still don't understand a word of it. The music stayed with me though. The colors too, they were pretty."
A smidgen of bold courage welled in Eli's chest and touched her words when she replied,
"I was born not very long after the union became the federation it is now. Even then people loved old films like those. They are…высоко ценить, I think your word treasured is closest to that."
Nozomi laughed lazily and opened her mouth to reply when a surprised cry killed her thoughts. Instead she tilted her head finding Eli stopped with her jaw slightly hung. She was pointing like a dazzled child at a shop window.
"They keep whole meals out just like these?"
Their eyes fell on rows of bright foods arranged beside each other. The display filled the entire window like a three sectioned folded paper. Platters of various sizes were paired with bowls on neat trays. Fried noodles sat with soups covered in garnish, cutlets with their juicy fried skins shined golden under the lights. They hadn't reached halfway when Nozomi spied the drool hanging off Eli's lower lip.
"Those are food models, it's only to show you what the place offers."
"You know many things but that's the best joke you've told me yet. I'll ask a waiter."
Before she could hear another word Eli disappeared inside the restaurant. With a shake of her head Nozomi glanced again at the window; her hidden hunger rose in her throat. It took her forcefully by the hand and guided her through the door.
It was hardly a minute when she found Eli among the bustling evening rush crowds. Her height and conspicuous blonde hair rung like a fire alarm in a room of dark haired customers. Each table she passed shot her a fleeting stare and she felt an audiences curiosity not for the first time. Her gut sank as it always did. She found Eli pointing and gesturing toward the displays. The sound of her rapid fire questions carried a note above the general din.
The distressed waiter behind the counter nearly waved in relief when she approached. He returned to his best manufactured smile and bowed.
"Good Afternoon Miss would you like a table for one?"
"Oh no, for two sir. I think my friend has already decided what she'd like."
She slyly smiled as she put her hands on Eli's shoulders. Her eyes urged him to play along, a statement instead of a suggestion. He glanced back and forth between them for an uncomfortable pause. When Eli's face knit in confusion he gathered and recovered his voice.
"Certainly. I was only explaining to the Miss here we don't sell the resin models, nor are they for eating. Our chefs can however bring you the edible versions of those things if you desire."
" хорошо, it seems you were right Nozomi. That's unfair to make something fake so realistic. I was ready to break the glass!"
The waiter froze mortified and taking root into the spot where he stood. Nozomi instead poorly hid a barking laugh behind a cough. They watched him hesitantly reach for two menus before motioning for them to follow. Now the crowd's attention fell on Eli up and down. A handful turned lecherous noting the arrival of the curve to her waist, of her shapely bottom and full peach like breasts. There was no second guessing when Nozomi switched their places side by side. A fire brighter than that of earlier stoked hot as a forge in her glare; her hair bristled, it birthed the tenseness in her mouth. It spoke of a spark for violence without words. Soon in the manner of a lightening flash, it was gone as they slunk into seats.
Eli wore a dumb grin nearly as wide as her head. The honesty it held could've driven Nozomi to tears. She settled for another laugh where it filled the silence. Her hands thumbed the menu.
"Are you excited to greet the food in person?"
Finally Eli chuckled in return.
"There's that, but, this is the first time you've taken me to get real food."
That knocked the whirling gears of her mind to a halt for a moment. She paused in thought, filing through her memories with efficiency. Eli had told the truth, though it baffled her for a pause. Soon she shrugged it away and smiled nonchalantly. Her eyes softened. They were infectious enough to tease a glimmer of curiosity on Eli's face. She watched her grin become eager. With a quiet shock she realized it was the most relaxed expression she'd managed from her since their first conversation.
"I'd like to know more about who's paying for our dinner. You can't keep playing the mysterious helper after today. At least, maybe not for me. Is it alright for me to ask…any question?"
A weight dissolved its steel grip on her heart, from her mind. The relief tingled and made her smile. A true smile warm as the summer sun on a gentle day. Wordlessly she leaned in with her chin rested on her palm.
"Where would you like to start?"