Act 2: Secrets of the Skies
Segment 1: Frosh Days
Chapter 1-10: Omiyage
Satsuki awoke to the sound of bags being moved around. It seemed a bit earlier than her alarm setting. What was going on? She blinked and yawned, then turned in her bed. Alexandra and Lindsay were both getting dressed in light jackets and were piling things into backpacks.
Lindsay glanced over at the movement of the sheets. "Good morning, Satsuki!"
"Good morning," came the response. Satsuki glanced at her phone, then over at Gabumon, who was still snoozing under her sheets with its horned head poking out. The other two Americans had quickly accepted it was supposed to be a toy plush, and Gabumon had managed it the whole time. She was grateful she didn't have to explain anything, unlike Ryuta.
She was still surprised that somehow he was the first one to let it slip. He was normally very good at keeping secrets like that.
"Whoops, I hope we didn't wake you, Sats," added Alexandra. She zipped up her backpack. Satsuki glanced over at their desks. Most of their stationery and books were still there, so it wasn't like they were moving out.
"Maybe, but it's fine. It's not too early. What…?"
"We're going back to see family! Just flying north to Seattle," Lindsay explained. "Hey, if you ever get the chance, you should visit too, I bet you'd love it. Mount Rainier is visible if it's a clear day!"
"I see." Satsuki sat up in bed. Fortunately, there was no upper bunk to hit her head on. "Well then, have fun."
Lindsay swung her backpack over her shoulder, leaving the other strap dangling jauntily, and waved. "See ya!" The two giggled and resumed chatting about Christmas celebrations with their families as they left the dorm room.
Gabumon grunted and shifted in bed. "Are they gone?"
"Yes."
It sighed and pushed itself up to a sitting position, then stared up at Satsuki with alert eyes. "I woke as soon as they started moving."
"Oh… how long was it?"
"Maybe thirty minutes? I'm not sure. So, they're flying too, huh."
Satsuki nodded. Hers was tomorrow. She had booked it as soon as her parents had given her the approval to switch tracks. "Today's our last day here. I think… I want to make sure I've seen what I wanted to see here in LA before going home." She snuck off to the washrooms to brush her teeth and straighten out her hair.
Gabumon went poking through her phone. The two of them had been down to Sawtelle plenty of times. Satsuki had visited every weekend for a meal, as it reminded her of home. As it went through those photos of food that she had posted to social media, a notification came up on her phone.
• • • • • • •
Dragon Boy 2
Heeeey
You up?
07:23
We're awake
~Gabu
07:24
w good morning Gabumon
07:24
07:24
I saw Satsuki's message last night to the group
07:24
Just wanted to ask in private
She's feeling okay, right? She's happy?
07:25
I think so
It seems she's going to do what she wants to
07:25
That's good to hear
07:25
She trusts you to message people like this? w
07:26
Yes… I only message the other Tamers though
You don't trust Monodramon, I assume
07:26
Nope (〃⌒∇⌒)
Not at all
07:26
Speaking of which, how is Monodramon?
I know it likes to be out and about
07:27
Ah… it's doing okay, I think… We went out west recently
Most people just gave me looks
07:27
Nothing too distracting though
I did overhear someone saying "Of course, he's Japanese"
I don't know how to feel about that…
07:28
What do they mean?
07:28
It's a stereotype…
That we're obsessed with anime
07:29
I see…
07:29
I guess a few people are but most of us aren't
I think Takaharu is the only one like an otaku
Even so, he's not truly one
07:30
The comment stung a bit, is all
There are plenty of otaku in Britain anyway, I've seen them
07:31
You're not following the card game anymore?
07:31
I still am, not closely
Projects are keeping me busy
07:32
• • • • • • •
Satsuki returned from the washroom looking much more refreshed. "Someone text?"
"Your boy."
"Oh? What did he say?"
"He was worried about you, that's all."
"He would be," Satsuki commented as she pulled out some street clothes and changed into them. "How are they?"
"They're doing fine, I think. Where are we going today?"
"Santa Monica. It's been in the back of my head for a while, but… I just never really felt like I had the time to travel all the way over there." She put on a light jacket. Los Angeles and the area around it was still warm, but not enough to avoid wearing one. "Besides, it's the last day here and I think I should bring something back. I know I'm not on vacation right now, but it just seems appropriate."
Gabumon handed her phone back. "For your parents?"
"Them and the Tamers. Kazu too, though he won't see it until summer next year."
Gabumon packed another set of folded clothes into the luggage bag. Satsuki was sitting at her cleaned-out table. She was busy reviewing her own paperwork and flight schedule. She didn't intend on starting another term at UCLA.
Instead, her application to the Culinary Institute was under review, and she had applied to have her student visa transferred. Regardless of the outcome, she had to vacate her unit. She didn't mind. She would be back in California by September of next year, or so she hoped.
"Should we leave them a message before we leave?" Gabumon asked.
Satsuki perked up and looked over her shoulder at the two empty bunks. Her roommates' clothes and bedding were still there, of course.
Gabumon tried to read her expression. It couldn't quite tell what it was. "No," came the reply. "There's no need."
It shrugged. "Alright, then." It zipped the bag shut while Satsuki got up and ensured her desk's drawers were cleaned out. She packed her backpack with her laptop and other stationery and slung it over her back. "Is the ride here yet?"
She glanced sat her phone. "Just a few minutes. We can go downstairs."
"Sure." Gabumon disappeared into her phone as she pulled the bags away and cracked the dorm unit open.
She gave it one last lookover, although there was hardly anything special about it. Her shoulders heaved as she sighed. "Shame this didn't work out," she commented, earbuds in.
"Well, as long as you're happy, I think it's worth it," it replied from her phone.
"Mmhm." She pulled the bags out of the doorway and closed it behind her, making sure to lock the unit door. The hall was quiet, and so was the elevator. Many students had already left to return to their usual homes. She made her way over to the don's room and knocked. The don was always on duty, after all.
The don opened her door. "Satsuki, I heard yesterday. Sorry it didn't work out here."
Satsuki shrugged. "Life is like that sometimes."
"Hey, I can take you down and see you out, if you want."
"Sure." The two of them hopped in an elevator.
"So where are you headed off to?"
"Home."
"I meant your next school. If you are, anyway."
"Oh, I'm applying for culinary school."
The don's eyes widened. "Culinary school? Where?"
"Here. Somewhere in Napa Valley."
"Oh! The Culinary Institute! Goodness, Satsuki, I had no idea. The gastronomy bachelor's was only offered in New York, I thought."
"That one?" Satsuki shook her head. "Ah, I thought about it, but… I can learn from my parents, I think."
The elevator doors opened. The lobby was still and quiet, though some Christmas decorations were hung up. "Your parents are chefs?"
Satsuki nodded. "Both of them, yes, back in Japan. I'm going to return once I'm done, and then… we will see." She gave a soft and carefree shrug with a smile. "I have some ideas."
"How exciting! Best of luck," the don crooned.
Satsuki offered her the keys to her unit. The car she had ordered to pick her up had just arrived – or so her phone was probably telling her by the vibration. "Thanks." She handed over the keys. "I guess this is farewell." Satsuki waved to her, and to the dorm receptionist, and pulled her luggage away with her.
The driver helped her load her luggage into the back of the car. The university campus was still pleasant, if a bit nippy. As she watched the university campus fade into the shops and restaurants she frequented just south of the campus, retreading the route she took to get here, a wave of relief washed through her. It would be nice to see her family and friends again and have some time to reset.
She glanced at her phone. Her driver was too busy trying to navigate his way between cars to the nearest interstate to notice the quick flash of light as Gabumon emerged beside her in the back of the vehicle. Gabumon peeked out the window. It had seen this area a few times, of course, on Satsuki's shoulders. The vehicle turned right and made its way onto the highway ramp. Being relatively early in the morning on a weekday, the highway was very busy, but Satsuki had planned for this anyway. She had a lot of time before her flight.
Her driver rapped his fingers against the leather wheel and looked around. "Flying home, miss?"
"Yes." Satsuki glanced in the mirror. He sounded vaguely Hispanic.
He nodded. "If you don't mind me asking, where to?"
"Japan."
He laughed slightly. "I wish I could go someday." He looked up in the mirror. "Huh, when did you bring that in?" Satsuki pointed at Gabumon and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, that. I didn't see it earlier."
"I sneak it around," she remarked with a faint smile, hoping that was all the questions about Gabumon.
He nodded. The traffic was still stop-and-start, but at least they were making progress down the I-405. Traffic cleared as they passed the I-10, forking away from all of the downtown commuters, and then again as they passed Route 187 and Culver City. "Is that a Digimon or something?"
So, the questioning wasn't done just yet. "Yep." Satsuki glanced over at Gabumon, who was as still as it could be.
"I thought I recognized it from somewhere. My cousin's kids are obsessed with it, just like he was when he was a kid himself." He cracked a coughing laugh. "I was a little too old for that, though." The car fell silent as the vehicle turned lightly to the left, then to the right. "Just coming up on Century now. Hope you're not too delayed by traffic," he added.
"No, I should be fine." Satsuki checked her phone again. As planned, still enough time to safely catch her flight.
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Urawa Red Diamonds finally defeated in Week 14! WE League goes to winter break
NNK Sports | Published 2021.12.13 11:06
The WE League hibernates over the upcoming several weeks as the cold sets in, but it goes to sleep with a notable result!
Urawa Red Diamonds hosted Tokyo Verdy Beleza and were stunned 1-3 off three goals in the first half, only managing a response well after any possibility of recovering a result had passed by. The guests quickly found the back of the net via forward MIYAGAHARA Kyo's left foot (9', 19') with assists by Annabelle-Margerite OUTREMONT and TAGAWA Tsubasa. Left back MATSUI Himiko (15') added to her previous tally on the season, a commendable statistic for a defender. The single Diamonds' goal came by way of a spirited solo effort by pacey substitute winger YAMAZAKI Yoshino (83'), with the assist coming from a deep long ball by captain centre-back KATO Minako. The defeat is now the hosts' first. Because of it, Tokyo Verdy Beleza deny the Diamonds a chance to get closer to first place and keep themselves in the race with one point back of a three-way tie for second.
At the top of the table, INAC Kobe Leonessa continues to make space for itself with a 1-2 away victory at officially slumping Nojima Stella Kanagawa. Despite a bright start to the season, the home side now finds themselves double-digit points off championship pace and six points back of second. They have slipped into a negative goal differential as well. Despite the result, the home crew dominated the first sixty minutes of the game, outposessing first-place Kobe 61-39, and shooting 5 times on target versus 2. A red card after a clumsy, studs-up challenge by midfielder MURATA Sachiko (64') changed the shape of the game, and from there Kobe took back control. The game was levelled by the 73' via a quick one-two play between forwards FUKUDA Konomi and Lily WONG Hei-Fook, and the second goal has been deemed an own goal by Kanagawa keeper KIKUCHI Hatsue (79'), although much of the spin that caused it to bounce awkwardly off her arm and against the inside of the far post could be attributed to the leg of defender BANNO Hatsu.
A quiet affair at Sendai between MyNavi Sendai and AC Nagano Parceiro, second and third-bottom sides respectively, ended equally as quietly at 0-0, with only three shots on target from each side and a total of 11 shots attempted, with 3 corners. Sendai captain AIBA Kurumi, who has finally made her return from injury, commented that their largest column in the table is the draws column, and it is of utmost significant they turn those draws into wins instead of losses. However, they continue to battle an injury bug, and are hopeful the winter break will allow them time to refresh and reset. Barring a sudden rise up the table, though, a championship title this year seems out of reach.
In another clash of bottom feeders, Omiya Ardija Ventus welcomed bottom club Chifure AS Elfen Saitama, producing a more open game with fourteen total saves and a final score of 2-2. Saitama made their mark first in the 22' by a free kick taken unusually by USHIO Koharu. The hosts would respond just before the first half ended, controversially in the third minute of what had been only one added minute of extra time. Goalscorer and Dutch international Irene Janneke BAKKER (45'+3) won't care about the refereeing decision, and the referees later stated that the two additional minutes of extra time had been added due to an extended medical check for a potential ligament sprain and concussion. Regardless of the decision at centre-circle, the hosts would push further on and get their second with a penalty in the 67' tucked high and just under the roof of the net by German midfielder Astrid LERNER. Chifure AS Elfen Saitama would not be denied and would put up a fight of their own, outpossessing the hosts 59-41 in the final fifteen minutes, and eventually scored the equalizer off a goalkeeper header – a perfect way for keeper HARADA Toyo (90+5') to cap off her eight saves on the night.
Finally, after briefly flirting with pole position back after Week 10, JEF United Chiba have descended the table with a poor 1-2-2 record in the last five games that has resulted in slipping to fourth on goals for, with 16 goals compared to Urawa Red Diamonds' 19 (both are on a GD of +5). Head coach FUKAO Ami expressed her disappointment in a press interview following the week's 1-1 draw with Albirex Niigata, saying the quality and intensity of the first ten weeks has dissipated and needs to be rekindled, and will be hoping that a decent break from the cold and blustery conditions at the seafront will warm the team's spirits and legs.
The sole Albirex Niigata goal shocked the home crowd in the 10' from a screamer of a shot from approximately fifteen paces outside the box; keeper HASHIUCHI Nonoka was caught off her line following a sudden midfield turnover by YAMAZAKI Ritsuko after being tackled heavily by Niigata forward NAKAGAWA Mio. Despite the sideline protests, the goal would stand, and SATOU Yoshika would put in what may be a goal of the season winner, and certainly contender. The home side continued to snooze with the team stuck in second gear; they were outshot 7-3 in the first 45' and did not test Niigata goalkeeper AWAJI Himeko until the 58'. The only Chiba goal, rescuing the point, would be placed in net by captain and centre-back AYAME Endō (69') from an outswinging corner, and from there the visitors would bunker and counter to keep the draw.
The league will return to action on 5 February 2022.
LEO: 27 (8-3-1) | +16 (26-10)
REG: 22 (6-4-2) | +10 (17-7)
RED: 22 (5-7-1) | +5 (19-14)
JEF: 22 (6-4-3) | +5 (16-11)
BEL: 21 (5-6-2) | +5 (24-19)
STE: 16 (4-4-5) | -1 (16-17)
ALB: 12 (2-6-5) | -6 (11-17)
PAR: 11 (2-5-5) | -8 (9-17)
VEN: 11 (2-5-6) | -10 (9-19)
MYN: 10 (1-7-5) | -6 (11-17)
ELF: 9 (2-3-8) | -10 (11-21)
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