It's been too long since Amber hung out with her friends… her human friends. Tanya, the fashion guru owns the vintage clothing store called 'Hyppo'. It's three doors down from the bookstore. Tanya is a slim blonde with big green eyes. She dates Darrel, the coffee shop owner from Columbia. When Darrel first opened his corner café 'Bean Counter' she was his first customer. It was love at first fight. The story goes that he had complimented her pretty 'frock', which by his accent, she mistook for another word and she sprayed a mouthful of cocoa all over his face. It took a moment for them both to calm down but in the end she accepted his apology and he accepted her phone number. Then there is good, old Charlie of Charlie's Records and Memorabilia Emporium. He buys and sells old records. He is the most honest and sincere person Amber knows, and he's handsome too. His tall, broad physic, cool blue eyes, cropped brown hair and dazzling smile could get him and girl he wants. But he only wants Amber. Still and to this day, he's waiting patiently for Amber to give in. She always gently turns him down. He goes away, then shows up again like she never said no. He dates and has his fun like any guy would but in his heart of hearts, if Amber could be his, he would deny any other advances. She wishes she could tell him to back off, that she has already given her heart to someone else. There is too much risk, for both Charlie and Raphael. If Charlie ever found out about Raphael, their lives would be over. And if Raphael ever found out that Charlie still pines for her, that poor human wouldn't see the mad mutant coming.
She shrugs it off, not being able to come up with a solution right now. She puts her earrings on, kisses her napping turtle's forehead, grabs her bag, and heads out of the apartment. Tanya, Darrel and Charlie are not bad company. They're actually pretty fun. Also, as long as she keeps up appearances with these other shop owners on her block, the fewer questions about her personal life she'll have to answer. She hops down the steps and sits her purse on the front counter to look for her keys. She likes the big, stylish bag Tanya gave her but everything gets lost inside. She dumps the whole lot on the counter and rummages though the contents for her keys. Why does she need to travel to dinner with so many things? She curses and hears a stifled chuckle from behind the counter. She leans over to see Mikey sitting on the floor surrounded by comics, soda and chips. He looks up at her and smiles.
"Mikey, you know I can't sell those comics if you get them all sticky and greasy." She teases.
"No worries Amber. You can't sell this series anyway." Mikey says.
"And why is that?"
"The last issue is missing."
She cocks her head at him. "Doesn't it bother you to spend all this time reading the series and never know how it ends?"
"No way. This is my third time reading it. It's a great hero's tale. I'm trying to take it all in and then ink up my own ending." He pats a black folder sitting on the floor beside him. Sketches are falling out of it."
"You are going to write the ending of the comic? I didn't know you had a talent for art too."
"I am a mystery, Amber. Don't think you got me all figured out." He says hauntingly.
"Hmm well, I'd love to read it once you've gotten started. Ah! Here they are!" She finds her keys in the little red wristlet, not the brown one. She really needs to carry a smaller bag. She begins to stuff her belongings back inside and walk toward the door. "May I make a suggestion for your comic, Mikey?"
"Sure." He says.
"The story doesn't have to end. You can take it anywhere you want it to go." She turns, blows a kiss to him and locks the door behind her.
"Wow, I guess I can." He says. He finishes issue number eleven and reaches for number twelve when he hears something buzzing on the counter. He stands up slowly, slightly stiff from sitting so long and sees Amber's forgotten cell bouncing over the wooden surface. He would have ignored it but he sees the name of who is calling. He doesn't answer. He'd never dare. He just watches the cell wobble, staring at Arimi's name shining in the blue display screen. Once the phone goes out he picks it up. He wonders if she's leaving a message. The phone lights up again and vibrates in his hand. His mind goes blank. This is a really stupid idea. He activates the call, places the phone to his head and listens.
"Moshi moshi, Amber-chan!"
Her voice doesn't remind him of Mitsu. Mitsu had a strong, confident, voice; it rang like a bell. Arimi's voice reminds him more of a cute little cat… if cats could talk. He can't speak. Seeing her picture and hearing her for the first time turns his stomach into a bunch of knots.
"Hello.. hello? Amber? It is me, Arimi."
He clears his throat. "Hello."
"Hello. My name is Arimi Kirisawa and am requesting to speak with Amber Grant please."
"Uh, she's not here right now. Would you like to leave a message?" He says.
"No. That is alright. I will try later. Have a good morning."
"Don't you mean good evening?"
"Oh yes! It is evening where you are."
"And where are you?" Like he didn't know.
"I am in Yokohama, Japan."
"Really, that's like, on the other side of the world!"
"It is."
"Well, in that case, good morning and good evening to you, Arimi." He speaks her name and feels a strange longing creep over him.
He slides a hand over his face when she giggles. "Good evening and good morning to you… I am sorry. What is your name?"
"M-Mikey." He stammers. He probably shouldn't tell her but he does anyway.
"Mikey…" She pauses for a second too long. "I do not mean to be rude, but is that your full name?
"No, it's Michelangelo."
"Michelangelo?" She whispers and sends chills down his spine.
"Y-you can just, I mean, friends call me Mikey."
"Ok, Mikey. I will go now. Until next time?" She says.
"Yeah, until next time..." He says. He hears the phone beep, signaling her hang up. "Arimi." He whispers. He kneels and gathers the comics into a small stack. He turns off the lamp and quickly heads to the back of the shop. He looks around to make sure he's alone and undoes the latches and locks of the faux bookcase door that leads to the basement. He makes his way down and sits on a stool in the corner. He may not get another chance to do this stupid thing again. He redials the number and waits.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Er, Moshi to you too. It's me again, Mikey."
"Mikey! Has Amber-chan returned?"
"Uh, no. But the last time we spoke, which was actually the first time we spoke, like half a minute ago, you said 'until next time' and it's 'next time' now so I thought I'd check up on you. How have you been in the last thirty seconds?
She giggles again and he catches his breath. She is too cute. "I have been just fine, and you? "
"I'm much better now that I'm talking with you." Oh, damn! He comes on way to strong. She hadn't even known he existed up until two minutes ago; now he's hitting on her like a sleaze ball. Clean it up! "I mean, you have a very cheerful voice. And it's not like I get to talk to someone from Japan everyday. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all. I would like to talk with you. I have never spoken to anyone from America personally since I met Amber-san. Are you her boyfriend?"
"No! No. I'm sort of like her little brother. I noticed she left her cell phone in the bookstore when you called.
"You are in the bookstore now? She has told me all about her store! I think it is a very interesting profession. Do you work there at night? Is it not closed?"
"Uh, yeah, I do work here." Phew. "I keep the place clean and do inventory, making sure none of the books wander off. What do you do?"
"Me? I am the most informed and pleasant tour guide, Arimi. I have graduated from university as a Japanese historian. Everyday I meet people from all over the world and they ask me about my culture and I take them on tours. It is a very fulfilling vocation."
"It sounds kind of tiring. Doesn't it get boring having to say the same thing over and over again?"
"Not at all, I get to travel all over my land and witness visitors' excitement every day. I am very proud to encourage that response."
"You must be really smart. I'm sure people love listening to you talk all day."
She giggles again. "Thank you. How do you like working in the bookstore?"
"It's kinda fun. Different people come in all the time. We have some regulars too. I love it when Amber stocks new comics. I love comics.
"Comics, like manga. I love manga! Japanese comics, mostly high school romance."
"I never read manga but I do like anime." He says. "All the crazy magic fighting and huge swords. The music is pretty cool too…"
"What kind of music do you like?" They both ask, and both laugh. "You go first, Arimi." Mikey says.
"Well I like punk rock. A lot of guitars, lighthearted words, something to make me hop down the street."
"I like rock too! Drum solos, wicked vocals, I could jam all day!"
"I love the underground music, no mainstream for me. My favorite band is called 'Two Yama Go!' They play all the time in warehouse raves and festivals. They only have one CD and I play it all the time."
"That sounds awesome! I've never been to a rave before."
"Really? Then I would really like to go with you some time. Have you ever been to Japan?"
"Uh, a long, long time ago. I don't get to travel much. Have you ever been to America? New York?"
"No I have never. Maybe I should come and visit someday?"
"Yeah, sure… I mean no! No, you should never come here!"
"Why?"
"Why? Well, um it's very polluted, and New Yorkers aren't the friendliest people in the world. And the city's really big! And our gas prices are horrendous!"
She falls out laughing over the line. "Mikey you are so funny! Please keep talking! I want to know all about New York and all about you."
"Wow." He says to himself. She finds him interesting and he does not want to disappoint. "Let's, um, start with you. What about your family? Tell me about your parents.
"I am an only child. My father runs his own company specializing in handcrafted weapons of ancient Japanese styles. There are books written about his works. And he gets a lot of job offers providing weapons for documentaries and movies. He has even provided some of his best work for movies made in Hollywood. In his spare time he runs a small antique and hobby shop. My mother is a housewife and dignitary. Her side of the family has a lot of old money. She is a beautiful and proper lady and her status is very important to her. She is glad that I do not pursue my father's passion of old weapons. Since I am their only daughter they give me anything I want including a monthly allowance so that I may live in the heart of city-life and do as I please. I am a tour-guide by choice and sometimes I take my job lightly. The other women are jealous of me and I do not make many friends. I do not flaunt my money. But I do not need to work as they do. My father is very kind and I love him very much. My mother would rather I take etiquette classes and find a wealthy husband. I do not want that kind of life. I like what I am doing now. And what about you, Mikey? Tell me about your family."
It's only fair that she tells him. "I do have a family. They are really great. I have three older brothers. I'm the youngest. One is brave, one is smart, and the other's a jerk."
"A jerk?" She laughs.
"Yeah, sometimes. And our Father, he is very wise and old and taught us the art of…? He cuts himself off.
"The art of what?" She asks.
"Uh, art as in watercolors, sculpture, painting, ya know?" His first lie… well, if he doesn't count the mutant turtle thing.
"That is lovely. You must be talented. He must have wanted you and your brothers to be come great artists. Is this why he named you Michelangelo?"
"Yes, you're probably right… Uh you had mentioned you were a tour guide, is that how you met Amber?" Mikey changes the subject quickly, not wanting to lie again.
"Yes. Amber is a wonderful person. She is the friend I have been waiting for. She is kind and patient and beautiful too. She helped me with my English and I helped her with Japanese. I have never had so much fun, not until I met you. She says.
"Awe, jeez, Arimi." He blushes.
They continue their conversation to the fullest, laughing at each silly joke and helping through each language barrier. They finally come to the point where they run out of actual topics and just play 'twenty questions'.
"Favorite Anime movie?" Arimi asks.
"Hmm, Akira, the original dubbed version. And you?" Michelangelo asks.
"Spirited Away!"
"Yo, that movie is totally cool!"
"Yes, that is why I like it. What is your favorite sport?"
"I love skateboarding. I'd like to try surfing though."
"My favorite color is orange. What is yours?" She asks.
"Now way! That's my favorite color too! What's your favorite food?" He asks.
"Curry shrimp with udon noodles. What is yours?"
"Any type of pizza."
She laughs. "Have you ever had eel on your pizza?"
"No… but I'm willing to try anything once. Have you ever had French fries on your pizza?" He asks.
"Yes I have, with ground beef and hot chili sauce."
He laughs. "Where have you been all my life?"
"I have been right here, asking the same question." She says.
He goes silent. He has to be careful not to get his feeling tangled up, or hers. But he can't hide his happiness. He had found a friend in Arimi. Maybe this chat will help him to finally get over his loss of Mitsu. Surely there couldn't be any other reason as to why they are speaking now. He is content in his reasoning. He will leave it at that.