Me: Aw, Kouya left…
Shun: Why are you sad?
Me: OMG! SUPER ADORABLE WOLF! (tackles Shun in a bear hug)
Tatsuki: Hey, I think you're choking him! Let the little guy breathe!
Shun: (gasping) I am not little!
Me: (grins) Sure you aren't. Well, I do not own Morenatsu, or else I would have ended Kouya's route a little differently!
Shun and Tatsuki: Why his route and not ours?
Me: On with the story!
August 2
A Day at the Market
I groan, opening up my eyes slowly. It takes me a good minute to realize I'm looking at the ceiling of the room I'm renting out. But last I remember, I had fallen asleep in Raimon's. I'm still wearing the clothes I arrived in, which definitely reek of perspiration. The heat is intense, even with the shades to the window closed. I sit up and pull off my shirt, which clings a little bit to my skin. I don't bother to look down at myself, since I know I'll be disappointed.
Being small is not pleasant, and looking like a skeleton makes it even worse. I never really got much more than what was necessary when it came to meals, but I always have hoped my kendo would help. Sadly, it has only made me look worse, really.
I pull of my shoes, socks, jeans and boxers, leaving me fully in the nude as I move to the dresser. I pull open the only drawer in use, sighing. All that I have inside is enough clothes to last three more days, my kendo gi, and a few pairs of boxers. By the look of things, I'm going to have to find somewhere to wash out my clothes in the next week or so.
I pull on a white set of boxers and my gi, slipping on my sandals. I take a quick look around, and I notice my sketchbook and pencil lying on the bed stand, like they are waiting for me. My fedora is propped on a hook on the wall, though I don't grab it, only my sketchbook and pencil.
I slide open the paper door, and the heat pounds into me. I hold in a gasp, stepping out and locking the door. Walking down the hall in this heat feels like walking through a desert, minus the sand. Chatter is going on in the lobby as I walk down the stairs, and I can see Torahiko and Hiroyuki. They seem to be in the middle of an argument of some kind, but they laugh after the beastman says something, so it must not be very serious.
"Tora, if you were on top last night, then how come you were on your back? If I recall, you're the one who moaned my name, not the other way around."
Okay, things just got weird. I feel blood rushing to my face as I pass through the lobby and to the door, hoping they don't notice me. Hiro grabs my shoulder though, which dashes those hopes.
"Lee-san, I see you're awake! After Juuichi had to carry you back here last night, I thought you'd never wake up."
So that's how I got back here. "W-Well, I don't really remember much of last night. But I'll be going out, so bye!" He keeps a firm grip on me, so I can't really move away. Curse it.
"You don't really know your way around Minasoto, so how about we take you around? Torahiko's uncles gave us the week off since I just came back from the city, so we could give you a tour of the town."
Torahiko grins, holding up a thumb. "Besides, it gives us some time to learn more about you! So what do you say?"
I let loose a sigh, already knowing they won't take no for an answer. "Fine, I guess. What do you have in mind?"
"The market is always a good place to go," the tiger laughs. "Besides, I need to stop by Pier 21 and get a few things for tonight's dinner. You can get a couple souvenirs for when you go home before you forget, as well."
Both of them grab one of my arms, guiding me out of the inn to my embarrassment. They drag me towards the north side of town, but I'm glad no one is outside right now to see this. For five minutes I'm dragged, but they release me when a number of stalls and larger buildings come into sight.
Torahiko waves as he leaves Hiroyuki and me, entering one of the larger buildings. I look down, aware as people look my way while passing. Chatter is in the air as the residents of the town look at the stalls and converse with one another, which makes me slightly uncomfortable. I mean, I don't really know anyone, being an outsider.
"Come on, let's look around," Hiroyuki laughs, pulling me to one of the stalls. A husky beastman sits behind the stall, scanning over a newspaper from behind a thin pair of glasses. He is in a rather formal work uniform, and I can see a few similarities between him and Kouya. Another husky, a woman, works at a sewing machine, adorned in a cherry blossom kimono.
The man looks up to us as we approach, setting aside the paper. "Well, if it isn't Midiyoshi-kun. It has been some time since we last met."
"It certainly has been, Aotsuki-san. You were away when I came during Christmas break." Hiroyuki taps my shoulder with a grin. "This is Blade Lee. He is visiting from America."
My mind is twisting around the Aotsuki bit, so I'm delayed in greeting him. "It's nice to meet you, sir."
"Neija, we have customers!" The woman behind him stops the sewing machine, turning to us with a smile.
"Mitsuhida, you know you can help them out still."
"But you know more about, this, than I do."
By this, Mitsuhida means the bundles of cloth being displayed on the stall. I look at each one, mostly to appear interested. Neija-san sighs, shaking her head. She makes a quick greeting to Hiroyuki before looking towards me. I can tell she is sizing me up, since she apparently makes everything herself, based on the sewing machine. I must admit, I have to hold down a shiver as she does so.
"Well, you're a bit small, but I think I have something about your size." Neija moves to a stack near the sewing machine, digging through it carefully. It takes a minute for her to find what she is looking for, and I admit, when she shows it to me, my expression is just about priceless. Hiroyuki chuckles as I study the detail of the garment. It is a deep green cloth robe, a yukata, I believe, with a slight pattern of leaves. A few spots seem to glow when turned, but the effect only lasts a few seconds. "This is a Longevity Yukata. I used a special silk and cotton to make it, so it has a nice look when in the right light."
I take it from her hands, studying it even closer. It feels soft, and I can see that it really is my size, or close at least. In some spots between the leaves, the traditional character for Long Life is sewn in a darker green color.
"How much is this?" Neija-san chuckles while Mitsuhida-san simply grunts, reading his paper again.
"Normally, it would be 1000 yen, but for you, I'll sell it for 500. This is the first time one of Kouya's friends has bought something from the stand."
Okay, now I know why I was confused about the Aotsuki name. These must be Kouya's parents. I don't make the realization public, simply digging around my pockets. I take a complete minute to realize, I forgot my wallet.
"I've got you covered man," Hiroyuki laughs, pulling out a 500 yen coin and handing it over.
"Have a nice day, boys," Neija says with a nod. "And if you see Kouya at all, please make sure he hasn't forgotten the plan to get together for dinner."
"Yes, Aotsuki-san," I say, bowing. Luckily, my gi goes to the ground, unlike some I have back home, so it barely shows my feet. Hiroyuki and I walk away, the yukata held to my chest with my sketchbook, the pencil tucked in my pocket. "So, what was that about? It almost seems like they don't see Kouya that much."
The other boy laughs nervously a little, scratching the back of his head. "Curious about our husky friend, are you?" I blush in embarrassment, making him laugh harder. "It's fine! You don't really know much about anyone in the crew, so I can tell you. Kouya actually moved into an apartment just after middle school, since he wanted to be a guitarist. Last summer, he managed to get rid of all the hard feelings between him and his dad, but he still lives on his own, especially since he graduated. He's been doing really well, since he has a job."
I nod, finding myself drawn in. So Kouya is living on his own. He must be 18 by now, I guess, so it makes a lot of sense. "And what about the others?"
"Tatsu-nii works with his dad, Tappei, trying to become a master carpenter. Juuichi is a judo expert, and helps teach the high school students, even though he graduated, with Shun's older brother, Ten. Shun still is in school, like Soutarou, but he spends his time playing video games. Soutarou is practicing to be a soccer star, using all the tricks Kyouji taught him. I don't know what Kyouji does in his spare time, but he often gives Soutarou pointers. Shin usually is alone and reading, but I think he's aiming to either be a businessman or a writer. Who knows, since he's always reading different books. Kounosuke has started his own photography business, though he's having some trouble still with being on time. But he makes up for lateness in the amazing pictures he's taken."
That only leaves Torahiko and Hiroyuki. I must admit, they make me curious, not just because they are dating, but also because they seem completely different from the others for some reason.
"Torahiko is trying to become a famous chef, so he is always trying out new recipes in his spare time. Honestly, that's how he got with me; I can't help myself when it comes to food. I don't really know what I'm going to do with my future. Most of my time is spent with the gang, alone with Torahiko, or working. I'll probably try helping Torahiko out with his dream."
Speaking of the tiger beastman, I can see him coming out of Pier 21, waving, his left hand holding several bags. "You two didn't go far," he laughs, patting my shoulder, if not a little too hard. "So, what are you guys up to right now?"
"Hiroyuki was telling me about the crew, since we just saw Kouya's parents." He grins, wrapping his arms around my and Hiroyuki's shoulders.
"Well, isn't that grand! Hey, since it's going to be lunch time soon, how about we return to the inn so I can prepare a big meal?"
"I'm up for that," Hiroyuki cheers, raising a fist in the air. I shrug with a nervous smile, and we start to walk away from the market. I take a quick look around before we leave, but I see no sign of anyone I met yesterday. I kind of wish someone was here, so I could have them tell Kouya what his mother asked me or Hiroyuki to tell him.
Me: Well, Lee is certainly getting acquainted with the crew!
Shun: Aw, I wasn't in this one?
Me: Sorry.
Tatsuki: Are we in the next one at least?
Me: You'll have to wait and see! Oh, and I will be doing some days in multiple parts, just so everyone knows!