Miu turned around in bed, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position. The sun was shining inside the little room and there was no escape for her tired eyes. She pulled the blanket up, covering her head with it. A ''miau'' could be heard from downstairs. It got louder. Nichi was already wide awake and pretty hungry. He jumped on the bed and started sharpening his claws on Miu's pillow.
Miau.
-Yeah,yeah... -Miu growled, tightening her grip on the blanket. -I should have gotten a cat that sleeps longer. -She yawned.
It was 9 in the morning. The sun was shining outside, but the windows were frozen. That wasn't the typical november weather. The snow was shimmering in the sunlight and snowflakes were dancing in the wind. Miu opened the window and took a deep breath.
-Lets get something to eat.
She picked up Nichi and walked into the kitchen. Got the cat food Nichi was eyeing, and gave him some. Miu opened the fridge, looked trough it while balancing on one foot. In the end she made herself some eggs and a hearty salad. She crammed trough the fridge and found a piece of fruitcake that was laying there since last night.
After she was done with eating she looked trough her stuff in the kitchen, made sure she had all the ingredients she needed for the cake. She was short on strawberries. There was no milk either and she only had a little piece of bread left. She got dressed, made a list of the things she needed to buy and headed out to the nearest shop. The first thing she did, after stepping out the door, was slipping and sliding down the stairs ... on her butt. The whole sidewalk was covered in ice.
-Should get some salt for the sidewalk as well...-she mumbled, rubbing her ass.
On the way to the shop she saw a lot of elderly people gathered together in little groups. They were chatting about the tsunami that hit weeks ago. A lot of people died and more lost their homes.
-Did you hear? The mansion on the Suwari Hill burnt down last night.
-That hill on the western outskirts? I heard it was owned by a wealthy foreigner but it seemed abandoned.
-Was someone living in that house? Did someone die?
-I only heard it from my nephew, he is a firefighter and was there last night. He told me that there was a young woman living in that house.
-By herself?
The old woman nodded.
-Well he told me that she was found in the living room. Everything burned to ashes in that house.
-Oh my! That poor girl!
-She is in the hospital, she was in a coma-like state when they found her. She wasn't breathing.
-This must be heavenly punishment...so many bad things are happening lately.
-The forest next to the house burned down as well. There is a huge black spot in its place.
The old man was shaking his head.
-This is heavenly punishment i tell you...
Miu reached the shop. There were a lot of things happenning indeed, but heavenly punishment...rather coincidence. She imagined a villa that has been burnt down to a crisp and the forest around it...all black...what a sad picture.
After she was done with shopping and returned home, she made the cake. It was already 4 in the afternoon. She didn't know when dinner would start at Shuichi's house so she waited for a sign, a call or a message maybe.
Two hours later her phone started ringing. It was a message from Shuichi. His mother was away for an hour so they had time to decorate everything. Miu was already dressed and ready to go. She packed up the cake, checked the windows and locked the door. She was careful not to slip again. Five minutes later she was standing in front of Shuichi's house. She knocked, but there was no answer. She shifted her weight from one foot to another.
After a few moments the door opened and a guy was leaning against it.
-Hey Shu-chan!
-I told you not to call me that.-he said opening the door completely, letting her in. -I am not a little kid.
Shu, or rather Shuichi, was 18 and in his last highschool year. He was as tall as his brother, Miu only reached till his chin. He had short black hair and brown eyes. Shu could be mean at times, he had a sharp tongue. That's why he had a rather bad reputation in school and was known as a deliquent. After Shuichi's mother remarried, Shuichi got a stepbrother. They got along pretty well. Miu called the little brother Shu-chan and Shuichi...Shuichi. Shuichi called his little brother Shu as well. It was like a nickname everyone used, to avoid misunderstandings.
Miu found Shuichi in the kitchen. He was preparing dinner. Steak with mashed potatoes and salad was on today's menu. Miu's stomach started growling. She put the cake on the table,then started taking her jacket and shoes off in the hallway. She saw Shuichi's head pop out the kitchen door.
-Could you put your stuff into my room?
-Why?
-Noni likes to chew on stuff. If he finds your things on the lower shelf he will chew them to bits. The other shelves are already all occupied. Just bring the things into my room. -he said smiling at her.
-Is Noni here? I didn't see him since you got him! He should be 5 months old by now. x3
-No, mom took him out for a walk.
Miu nodded. She climbed up the stairs, stopping at the first door on the second floor. She opened the door and looked around. The walls were a light green, the floor was wooden and had a nice color. She put her shoes into the corner of the room and flung her jacket on a chair. She caught a glimpse of a book on Shuichi's desk. It was a new release of her favourite author. She couldn't get the book yet. It was part of a series and sold out by the time she managed to go the the flipped trough a few pages, sitting down on the bed. She just finished reading the first page when she heard a knock.
-I see that you found something interesting, but i need your help now. You can take it with you if you'd like. I already finished reading it.-Shuichi stepped inside the room.
Miu nodded and put the book back on the shelf. She helped Shuichi decorate the dining room, and finish cooking. By the time Shiori got home everything was ready. Shiori was overwhelmed and close to tears.
After dinner they were sitting in the living room,chatting and having cake. Among other topics, Miu's shop and school came up a lot.
-You might go bankrupt.-Shu commented.
-Why that?
-It isn't a positive thing that a criminal preyed upon his victims in your shop, is it now?-he laughed.
-It wasn't just my shop, but the whole district. I might as well get more clients. -Miu stated confidently.
Shuichi and his mother looked confused.
-You guys don't watch the news at all do you? -Shu laughed.
-What is Shu talking about? A criminal?-Shiori looked at Miu, worry showing in her eyes.
-Nothing important, just a little disturbance that happened yesterday in the shop.
Shu fiddled with his phone, then gave it to Shuichi and his mother.
-It's all over the internet, on Youtube, on Facebook..- Shu laughed.
Shuichi and Shiori looked at what seemed to be a video on Youtube.
-Get the hell out of here or i will crush her throat!
...
-Okay!Thats what i am talking about!Now!I want 10 million Yen, and a car. And get the fucking police awa..
Then a crash could be heard and the sound of the police taking the man into costudy.
-What? He didn't leave a tip...
Shiori put her hand on her mouth,her face getting pale out of shock.
-Miu you can't do something like this! What if something happened and...
-I am fine. -Miu cut Shiori off.-No worries. -she grinned.
-That man was dangerous!-Shiori insisted.
-He didn't see it coming so it was safe.-Miu put her hands up in defense.-And i couldn't let him do as he pleases in MY shop.
-Child, you should be more careful. You are a girl after all.-she warned.
-I am maybe not as strong as a man but i make up for it in wit. -she grinned.
-Or brute force.-Shu grinned.-Gorilla women like you sure are scary.
-Gorilla woman?! Come here, you coward!
-Bring it on!-Shu stood up flexing his arms.
Miu jumped up as well, just to be pulled down again by her shirt. Shuichi tightened his grip on her shirt, not letting her stand up.
-That's enough for a joke Shu. Sit down. And you Miu...don't be so jumpy. That's why you get into trouble all the time.
-I didn't do anything. -Miu sulked,looking at her hands.
Shu chuckled. Miu stuck her tongue out at him. Shu has been teasing Miu since Shuichi introduced them to each other, and she played along. She had fun. Shu was the little brother she never had.
-Who wants another piece of cake?-Shiori asked.
After the birthday party Shuichi escorted Miu home.
-I told you i will be fine. It's just 5 minutes away.
-Yes, but it's already dark outside. I won't take any chances.
-Yeah,yeah.-Miu smiled at him.
They walked in silence.
-I hope that girl will be okay.-Miu
-Who?
-The girl who was living in the huge mansion that burnt down the other day. I heard she is in the hospital.
Shuichi nodded.
-They say she has no family..or relatives. That's sad...-Miu seemed to sink into some sad thoughts or memories so Shuichi stopped and patted her on the head.
-I am sure she has a lot of friends who will take care of her.
-I think so too. Thank you very much for today.-she said, reaching her house.-I had a lot of fun and it's so nice having dinner with other people...with friends i mean. And thank you for the book!-she grinned,holding up the book.
-You are welcome. - Shuichi smiled at her.
After separating, Shuichi stayed outside the house for another 2 minutes, staring at the lights that got turned on in Miu's room. He snapped out of his daze a moment later. Something was vibrating in his pocket. He crammed trough his jacket and pulled out a gadget that looked like a phone.
-Yes?
-Kurama, meet us in the office in 30 minutes. We have a problem.