Big Hero 6: The Art Thieves
Big Hero 6: The Art Thieves
Chapter 15: Missing Pictures
The sun rose just as I awoke to its annoying, yet warm rays shining straight on my eyelids. Feebly, I tried to block out the bright light with my arm before groaning and giving up any hopes of snoozing, opting to just get up. I drowsily sat there on my comfy bed for a moment, yawning and stretching out my spine like a lazy cat before throwing off the covers and slipping into my cosy slippers in order to go take a quick shower. The initially cold water splashed onto my body got me fully awake and shivering, but it rapidly turned steamy hot a few seconds later and I sigh in both relief and satisfaction. Humming a cheery tune, I come out of the stall, dry myself off, and head to my room to grab my outfit for the day as I continue to dry my hair with a towel. All in all, it was just another normal morning routine for lil' old me.
As I got dressed, I heard my mom's voice calling me from downstairs. "Sakura, honey, hurry and come down! You might want to see this."
Curious of what she could possibly want me to see, I trot downstairs while I braid my hair into its usual style with a towel draped casually across my shoulders to catch any remaining wetness from my damp locks. I stop just short behind the sofa, mesmerized by the TV.
The news reporter spoke about a few pieces of priceless artworks going missing—stolen—with the thieves still on the loose.
I look at my mom with one of my eyebrows raised incredulously. "Wow, that's bad. I really hope that they find whoever stole those artworks—I mean, they're priceless and some of the oldest, surviving ones after all."
She merely shrugged as she placed a plate of pancakes on the table, gesturing for me to sit down and eat before heading off to wash the dishes. I complied, sitting down and cutting my first piece of pancake with my eyes still glued to the TV screen.
My dad nods from the sofa, straightening his newspaper and crossing his legs before replying. "Yeah, and they are made by the top painters of the world as well, but if they get ruined they'll be completely worthless." I hummed and nodded in agreement while munching on mom's delicious, fluffy pancakes. I decided it was too bland so I poured some butter-flavored syrup on top of it. Yum, that is some good ol' tree sap right there.
After breakfast, I grabbed my backpack and hopped on the cable car headed to my school. It was an uneventful, yet peaceful ride.
Meanwhile, at a certain bakery and coffee shop...
As she took a momentary break from serving her loyal customers, Aunt Cass stared at the screen of her little TV set in the corner of the shop, her hands on her hips and shaking her head gently before sighing in disappointment. "What a shame, stealing famous artwork like that—they should be ashamed of themselves! I hope those thieving scoundrels are caught soon with the masterpieces recovered back to its rightful places."
Tadashi chose this moment to come down the stairs, wearing a casual blue blazer over a black shirt, a pair of work jeans, turquoise and white sneakers, and his usual black baseball cap with the emblem of the San Fransokyo Ninjas. "What's going on Aunt Cass?" He asked, curious as to what his ever emotional aunt was fussing over now.
Said shop owner turns around, with her arms crossed and huffing annoyedly, replies, "some idiot and their accomplices stole a bunch of old, famous artwork. Can you believe the nerve of those jerks?! I think it's just sad."
Tadashi couldn't help but nod in agreement at that, understanding his aunt's annoyance. "Yeah, it sure is." He then turned towards the stairwell and yelled, "Hey, Hiro! Hurry up! We're both gonna be late if you don't come down in the next 5 minutes!"
"I'm coming! Just, uh, give me a sec! Baymax is cuddling me right now and I sorta kinda can't move!" The teenager shouted back, a hint of desperation in his voice.
Tadashi sighed as he told him to hurry up again, but he had to cover his mouth with his hand to stifle the laughter threatening to bubble out when he heard Baymax commenting on how distressed Hiro was becoming and claimed that he should hug him longer in order to relieve the stress; which of course resulted in more stress for Hiro as more hilarious sounds of his little brother struggling against a talking oversized balloon echoed down the stairs.
Meanwhile, at school...
As I walked into class, I was greeted by my friends. I automatically returned their smiles and waves, exchanging "how do you do"s and "I'm good, thank you"s.
Heading towards a somewhat secluded corner of the classroom where my desk is, I sat down in my chair and pulled out my art book to work on sketching another picture of Tadashi. By now, with how many pictures of Tadashi I draw, it doesn't take long for me to complete another image of him. I close my book right after adding the finishing touches to his dark, charming eyes, blushing and sighing like the lovesick schoolgirl that I am. "Why do I keep thinking about him? I mean, sure he's good looking...and kind...and smart...b-but he's just a friend, nothing else...right?"
Meanwhile, a few blocks away at the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology...
A rushing Tadashi ran into class, skidding to a halt with his brother Hiro in tow, both panting and out of breath.
"Hah...hah...w-we made it, hah..." Hiro gasped in between his breaths, bent over and leaning his hands on his thighs.
"B-barely..." Tadashi replies, shooting a sideways glance at Hiro.
"Hah...at least we're not technically late."
"Still, too close for my comfort."
Honey Lemon perks up from whatever she's doing once she spots them, and goes to them with a cheery skip in her step. "Hey guys! Glad to see you two here right on time!" She giggled happily before clapping her hands excitedly, looking between the two with as much energy as a hummingbird."So! Did you guys hear what happened on the news? A bunch of famous artworks had been stolen from top museums all over the world!"
"Wha—really?!" Hiro, apparently having no clue about the heists, exclaimed. He straightens up once he's sure his lungs aren't gonna cave in from his recent sprint to the lab. Maybe Tadashi's right when he says that he should get in some more exercise other than the late night escapes from angry bot fight players.
Tadashi nodded, having recovered quicker than Hiro. "Yeah, I heard from Aunt Cass this morning. It's a real shame."
The brothers and Honey Lemon retreated further into the lab, chatting about the stolen artworks and everyday-to-day stuff, joined in by the rest of their friends as they started another busy day at the technology institute's lab.
Back to Sakura...
Today's routine was pretty normal, with the difference being that as I go from class to class, I keep hearing my classmates and teachers alike talk about the missing art pieces. As a result, it got me thinking about it all throughout the day too. When school finally ended, I waved bye to my friends and stepped back onto the cable car. I hopped off it at the stop near the café, deciding that a quick visit before I head home wouldn't hurt.
When I walk into the bakery and coffee shop, Aunt Cass turns around from polishing her silverware and smiles at me in greeting.
"Hey Sakura, how's school today?"
I grinned back and shrugged, making a beeline towards a table to dump my stuff on it before sitting down on the chair next to it. "Oh, y'know. Like normal."
Aunt Cass comes over and leans on the table with her hands casually, he smile now gone. "By the way, did you hear about the missing artworks?"
I nod, frowning along with her. "Yeah, I did. It's horrible that someone would do something like this. It hits me hard personally too since I'm an art major."
"Oh yes, that's right. You poor dear." Aunt Cass tsked, her brows furrowing in worry. "Well, hopefully the art will be found soon. Anyway, enough gloomy talk. What can I get you?"
"Something refreshing, please."
She nodded, heading back behind the counter to whip up something tasty. I thanked her when she returned with an ice cold strawberry frappé.
"Hey Aunt Cass? Is Tadashi and Hiro home yet?" I asked, sipping the delicious treat.
"Hiro just came back half an hour ago. He told me Tadashi had to stay behind in the lab a bit longer for an experiment to test some kinda weird gizmo junk or another—hahah, you know how I am with understanding the wacky technology those boys work with—but he should be back any moment now." She responded, shooting me one of her usual friendly smile as she rambled on. Well, at least she seems to be in a better mood.
In the next minute or so, Tadashi enters the shop. He appeared to be surprised when he saw me. "Oh hey Sakura, you're here."
"Yep. I'm here." I replied somewhat meekly, giving him one of my best smiles.
He dropped his stuff on a nearby table and sat in a chair backwards facing me, propping his chin on top of his folded arms which were resting on the chair's back. "So how's your day? Did anything interesting happen?"
"No not really. Just the usual with the added gossip about the missing artworks, of course."
Tadashi grimaced, his handsome face crinkling like one of my portraits when I scrunched up the paper after deeming the drawing subpar. "Yeah, I've heard about that. It sure sucks, huh?"
"Yeah, I does." I scratched my cheek in an effort to distract myself of the oncoming blush that will no doubt soon take over my face. Talking to Tadashi and staring at his chiseled yet also adorable face always left me feeling flustered before long. "Did anything interesting happen to you?"
He snorted, rolling his eyes. "Baymax wouldn't let Hiro go this morning, and we had to run to class like feral dogs were biting at our heels." He laughed at my amused expression, and I turned slightly away to hide the blush that was definitely blooming on my face now. His laughter gets me pretty flustered, too.
We talked for awhile longer before Hiro comes thumping down the stairs, munching on a cookie. He padded over to us immediately the moment he noticed me and Tadashi, standing in front of us and waving at me as he scarfed down the biscuit and licked his fingers before greeting me properly.
"Heya Sakura. What's up? Did you hear about the missing art?"
I nodded, gulping down some more frappé. "Yep. I've been hearing about it all day. I heard Baymax got into a cuddling mood with you again?"
Hiro chuckled, rubbing his head sheepishly. "Yeah. Almost got us both late."
We all chatted for a few minutes more before I checked the time and realized that I needed to get going. I finished my drink, thanked Aunt Cass, gathered my stuff, waved goodbye to Tadashi and Hiro and their aunt, and merrily went on my way. The visit lifted my mood significantly, and I couldn't keep the smile off my face even as I stepped into my house.
After Sakura had left, Aunt Cass finished closing up the store and headed upstairs, leaving her two nephews alone for some much needed TV time. Hiro took a look at the dreamy expression Tadashi sported, eyes moving up and down to assess the rest of his body language before a mischievous grin morphed onto his features. "So. I see you turned into a little puppy while hanging out with Sakura again, as usual."
Tadashi snapped out of his blissful trance, blushing as he looked up at his little brother like he'd just been caught red-handed stealing a snack from Aunt Cass's pantry. "Huh? No, no I didn't. I—" He paused to clear his throat nervously. "I mean, we just talked. That's all."
Hiro laughed, crossing his arms behind his head as he started his trek upstairs back to their room. "Yeah right, you are so head over heels for her. I can't wait to tell Baymax this."
Tadashi blushed even more as he followed Hiro up the stairs, giving his snickering brother a playful shove. "Just, shut up Hiro."