So, here's the second chapter! I'm not too sure how people are gonna react to the DNA match…. *readies shield to ward off vegetables*
Please enjoy!
Chapter Two
Amai Satou was frustrated.
"So, you're firing me?"
Kurotama, her manager, nodded. "I'm sorry, but we just don't have the room anymore to keep you around. It's become too crowded with staff nowadays, and we're starting to let people go."
"It has nothing to do with the fact that your girlfriend just happened to get a job here, even though our roster's filled?"
He winced. "N-no... nothing to do with that..."
She snorted. "Whatever. I hope you realize that there's a lot of customers that're gonna be pissed I'm gone." She threw down her towel, catching the attention of a couple of barmaids.
"I was gonna quit anyways; the pay's shit."
Ignoring Kurotama's indignant blubbering, Satou stalked to the employee lounge. She spun in her combination and just about yanked the door off its hinges. Her co-worker, Aoki, jumped at the slam. "Amai-san, what's the matter?"
"I got sacked."
She ripped off her apron and replaced it with her white fleece jacket, pulling on a matching pair of gloves and a red scarf.
Aoki frowned.
"But why? You're one of the best bartenders we've got! Almost everybody asks for you; we even get grest tips with you!"
Satou growled, pulling on her black boots. "Kuro hired his damn girlfriend in my place."
Her co-worker gaped. "Akemi-san?! B-but she has no experience whatsoever! The patrons will eat her alive!"
"Not my problem anymore. I'll just find another job." Saying goodbye to her friend, she promised to call her once she found another weekend job.
The irritated brunette stalked to the door, flipping off her ex-manager as she did so. "Have fun dragging Akemi away from drunkards, fucker!"
She kicked it open, secretly hoping the wood would splinter as she slammed it shut, stomping down the sidewalk afterwards.
Damn, that was my best-paying gig...
Satou groaned, rubbing her face with a gloved hand. "Now what... I have to go to school tomorrow, and I don't have enough time to look for another today..."
A glance at her watch earned another irked groan; 9:45 p.m.
Shimofuri' wil be expecting me soon... my shift ends at 10...
Satou decided to go ahead and start home. There's always someone looking for a student to work; whether it be part or full-time, she didn't care. Money was money, after all.
Her feet automatically found the route home, winding through downtown Tokyo and passing into the less-welcoming suburbs. Dingy apartments lined the sidewalk. Stray dogs howled into the night, and a mangy cat leapt into a garbage can as she passed.
Finally she reached home: Shiromizu Flats. Third floor, second room on the left. Her key fit the lock perfectly, opening to her sparsely-furnihed living room.
"Onee-san! You're home early tonight."
She smiled as her younger sister entered the room, a cup of green tea steaming in her hand. Shimofuri grinned happily at her. "How was work?"
She made a face. "I got fired today."
Shimofuri gasped. "What?! B-but I thought Kuro-san loved having you work there!"
"That was before he hired Akemi in my place."
Her sister frowned. "That's horrible... she doesn't even have a liquor license, does she?"
Satou snorted, pulling off her jacket, her scarf following not long after. "Doubt it. She can't even write her full name." She kicked off her snow boots, leaving them at the door.
That got her a poorly-stifled giggle. "That's not nice, sister."
She grinned, pulling off her gloves and setting them on the small kotatsu. "Well it's true. I highly doubt she can even use a cash register properly."
Shimofuri smiled. "Sadly, I hve to agree. That poor woman has no clue." She shuffled into the kitchen, a woolen shawl wrapped around her small shoulders. "Want some tea? I just made a fresh pot."
Satou nodded. "I can make it, nee-chan."
"Oh hush. I'm sick, not an invalid."
The elder girl chuckled, setting herself beside the table. She was glad to see Shimofuri up and about, even if it was just around the apartment. Her sister had just been released from the hospital a few days prior after catching a rather terrible cold.
Any form of illness sent Satou into a worried frenzy, and for good reason.
When she was 7, Shimofuri had been diagnosed with leukemia, and they had struggled with the bills for what seemed like forever. Satou was stil working to pay off the debts but, not wanting to worry her sister, had kept the bills hidden in her room.
Once Shimofuri returned, the kotatsu had been heated to a comfortable temperature. Satou patted the spot next to her, taking the tea as the younger girl sat down.
"This is what the wintertime should feel like..." She frowned. "If only Mama could be here..."
Satou stiffened. "She would want us to be happy, Shimo-chan. Especially you."
Her sister nodded, cuddling closer to Satou. "I know... I just miss her..."
The brunette hugged her sibling close, running a soothing hand through her blonde locks. "I do to..."
Wanting to change the subject, she asked her how school was going, and if she was ready for tomorrow. Shimofuri instantly grinned, going into intricate details about her social life, mentioning someone named Ichigo and how they had become really good friends. The girls talked until late in the night, then both parted ways, wishing the other goodnight and preparing for bed.
Satou sighed. "Let's get ready for another day of hell tomorrow." She stripped, pullied on her pajamas, and slipped between the covers of her small bed.
Her room was sparse; a twin bed, a dresser, and the door to a tiny closet. The only other item that fit was a squat bookshelf, filled with her prized novels and fantasy books.
Heaving a large yawn, her emerald eyes slipped closed.
Ryou and Keiichiro waited pensively for the results. The computer was still scanning compatible matches for the DNA they had found.
Keiichiro grinned, waiting with baited breath as the scan inched forwards. Ryou leaned against the wall, his gaze pensive. They both jumped when the search ended.
Confirmed: one match found.
A picture appeared on the screen: a girl with long, wavy brown hair, plae skin, and bright green eyes, a small mole sat underneath the left one.
Name: Amai Satou. Age:20 years. Current residence: Tokyo, Japan.
Ryou nodded. "Good, she's located nearby. Computer, find out what school she goes to."
It complied, pulling up a picture of Daikan Senior High.
"Daikan, huh." The blond muttered. "Doesn't Ichigo go to Daikan Junior High?"
Keiichiro confirmed his thoughts. "Yes, and it would appear that Amai-san has a sister that goes there. She seems close to Ichigi-chan."
Ryou nodded, turning away from the screen. "Have Ichigo bring her here. Inform her of the situation and invite both girls to the Cafe."
Keiichiro nodded, outputting the information to Masha. "Done." He turned in his chair to look at his partner. "Now all we must do is wait."
Satou woke to her sister's cooking, the scent of bacon and eggs a welcome alarm. She stretched, removing herself from her bed and moving into the kitchen.
Shimofuri called out to her without turning from the stove. "Your plate's on the table. I'm fixing mine, then I'm off to school."
Satou hummed in reply, sitting and beginning her meal. "I'll walk you to school. I don't like it when you go alone, you know that."
Her sister laughed. "I know, but you don't have to worry. Ichigo-chan invited me to walk to school with her. I'll be fine."
"Where are you meeting?"
"Down the street at Fujikano Square."
Satou nodded. "Alright, but keep your phone on you and turned up until you get with her." Shimofuri nodded, finishing her cooking and sitting next to her sister. Both ate in comfortable silence, the younger finishing first. She rinsed her dishes and placed them in the sink, hustling to her room to dress.
Satou was right behind her, rinsing her own dishes and heading for the bathroom. The sisters shared a bathroom, not that they minded, and kept up with a schedule of who used it when. Shimofuri was currently brushing her teeth, but finished fast and replaced her brush. She spat, wiped her mouth, and hugged her sister goodbye.
She
She was already dressed in her uniform: A grey skirt, with a white puff-sleeved shirt tied with a red bow under a black sailor collar, and a grey jacket. Her feet were enclosed in light grey wool socks. She waved, shoes in one hand and her bag in the other. "Bye sister! I'll see you later!"
"Have a good day! And call me if you end up having any plans, alright?"
"Okay, bye!"
Slam.
Once Shimofuri left, Satou stripped and hopped into the shower. Scrubbing herself clean, she took a bit of extra time on her hair, making sure the dark brown strands were especially clean. once finished, she dried herself and dressed, pulling back her slightly-damp locks in a loose bun.
Satou couldn't start her day right without a warm scrub, along with a steaming cup of tea; the former had just been completed, the latter was sitting on the stove, just waiting for her. Grinning, she started for the kettle.
Once her thermos was filled, she grabbed her own school bag and left. Her school happened to be right across the street from her sister's; Daikan Senior High. The schools shared names due to their close porximity, not to mention the fact that the students from the junior high usually graduated to the larger school.
She adjusted her uniform as she walked; a white dress shirt topped with a black sailor collar tipped with red stripes with a red tie underneath, a black vest, and a black jacket, lined like the collar. Thick black socks and brown loafers covered her feet, glistening with disturbed frost as she ran.
I hope Shimo-chan remembered her coat and hat...
She herse;f had grabbed her own jacket, gloves, and scarf, fully prepared for the cold weather. It was still a bit early, so her pace was slow. She passed a small park, along with several shops and, surprisingly, a museum. Sparing a glance, she slowed at the publicised exhibits.
"Red Data animals..?" She checked her watch, noting she had a while before the school even opened its doors, and decided a quick peek wouldn't hurt.
She entered the museum; it was a surprise to see a few patrons already wandering about the exhibit. It was very interesting, to her surprise. She had known about the concerns for conservation, but the extent that the Earth's resources had decreased startled her.
After wandering a while longer, Satou left.
"That was actually interesting... maybe I should take Shimo-chan to see it..."
A tremor cut her off, the quake sending her to her knees. "An earthquake?!" She moved to the side of the street, bracing herself in the doorway of an unopened shop. Another large tremor shook the street, then stopped as quickly as it had started.
"W-what the hell?"
Satou waited a bit, then moved from the door. The street was quiet. No one was rushing outsied to inspect for damages, or even question the sudden shakes. She shook her head. "Weird..."
Beginning to walk again, her body suddenly became extremely weak. "W-what's wrong... with.. me..." Satou fell to her knees once again, her world fading in and out of focus before blacking out altogether.
She found herself floating in darkness, confusion etched on her face. "Where am I?" The echo of her question encircled her, only increasing her worry. She felt so alone...
A light at the end of the darkness caught her eyes, growing larger by the minute. "What is that..?" The blob gradually took shape, growing until it appeared before her, clear as day.
"A... horse?" The animal whickered to her, nodding its head and motioning her forward with its head. Against her better judgement, she advanced until her hand barely touched its velvety nose. It stepped forward again, a growth on its forehead barely missing her head.
"Wait... i-is that... a... horn?!"
The horse nickered, its nostrils inhaling her scent and pushing further into her palm. It nudged her hand out of the way, moving to stand directly in front of her, then walked into her. She gasped, a tingling sensation emerging from the entry point.
Did a fucking unicorn just walk inside me?!
Despite the confusion she felt, a peaceful sensation bubbled up inside her, making her feel...
Complete.
The darkness faded away along with the comforting sensation, an woke to find herself back in the middle of that street. Laying a shaky hand on her forehead, a dozen questions swept through her mind.
But, deciding that now would probably be a good time to leave, she stood on wobbly legs and hurried for school, missing the new pink mark glistening on the back of her hand.
Okay, so, yes. The animal's a unicorn. OOH, SO ORIGINAL. But I have a good reason. If the DNA transfer worked so well with animals that were close to extinction, why not try the same system with an animal that isn't supposed to exist at all? I mean, Ryou's rich, so it's not hard to imagine he has connections that can get him certain... items...
Anyways, I thought it was kind of a cool idea.
Thank you to those who have read and reviewed! I appreciate it so much~!
-Tenshi