Author Note: Sena is pronounced like Scene-a (lower a sound like apple not A).
~CWA
Chapter 1- Moving In:
Sena:
I couldn't help but whistle at the apartment. It wasn't considerably big or anything. It had simple furniture, simple walls, and a bedroom. Just a very simple one-bedroom apartment that Souh (who insisted to call him Uncle) called a 'commoner dwelling.' I wasn't offended because compared to the mansion (that I saw because it was there that he gave me part of my payment now) it was a 'commoner dwelling.' Heck, maybe even an 'ant dwelling.' Speaking of the payment though, it was large. I had only part of the payment (the other half I would get after the ball), and it was still a lot. I mean, when I said a lot what I really meant was 'I wouldn't make this much in three years of street magic here in Japan, I wouldn't make even half of it in three years.' In America, maybe in three years I would make half of it. That's only because business was better in America.
Souh said his goodbyes and left me to my own devices. He must've been really rich since the apartment, while a commoner place, was already furnished. I felt a bit bad but I quickly waved it away. If he wanted to hire me a month early because he thought people swarmed to hire me- then let him think that. Now, in America, it was true.
I missed America. I had moved there when I was about twelve (currently I was sixteen) from Germany. I loved my home country- I really did. But honestly, I thought of America as my home country. They had awesome junk food, soda pop, and not to mention- customers. Ah, those were the days. I had taken up magic when I was very little and was already a 'professional magician' when I was thirteen. People loved my street magic and I performed on big stages too. People hired me and it was good. However, I thought I should expand myself in Japan. Biggest mistake ever. That stupid mistake cost me a lot. I didn't have any parents (I had gotten to America because I was snuggled there), so no one could tell me just how bad my idea was. I bought a one-way ticket to Japan and didn't look back. I wish I did though. Since in Japan, business went straight down the toilet in only one year.
Still, America was my big shot and I blew it because I decided to head up to Japan. I smiled, that was okay though because I may not have the same wealth I did in America (which wasn't a lot but enough that I had an apartment), I was happy. After all, living on the streets I was able to perfect my magic tricks, get street smart, and meet a bunch of interesting people. Speaking of that…
I took a quick shower (which was much needed) and got dressed into new clothes I bought. I wasn't one to spend a lot of money at once, but I needed some new clothes. So now I wore black skinny jeans and a simple red tank top. I brushed my long blue hair and then I locked the apartment as I headed out. I need to go see Ikuo.
On my out, I bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry," I said quickly and bowed. The…man?…in front of me smiled brightly.
"Oh you are just the most darling little thing!"
Little? Dude, no need to rub it in…Oh! He's not talking about my chest…dang dirty mind. He, I was sure it was a guy but he was dressed like a lady- drag queen maybe. He had long red hair and manly eyes. Manly man. I was crushed into a large hug,
"You are just too cute! I love your hair! You can call me Ranka," he smiled, "I have a daughter around your age! Oh! She could use a friend that's a girl," he mumbled under his breath, "unlike that host club and their idiotic president."
I blinked. I met a lot of extreme people in my life- but this guy took the cake. Before I could say anything, a small brunette came up. She was a little bit shorter than me and had her brown hair in a short haircut. She had on Capri's and a pink shirt.
"Dad, please don't babble, it's impolite."
"Of course Haruhi," he cried and hugged her, "You are just so polite! Your mother and I raised you so well!"
I started to slowly back away but I couldn't help but sigh in relief when the strange man left. The girl, Haruhi, turned to look at me.
"Sorry Dad's a bit…"
"-Extreme?"
She smiled,
"Yeah."
We shook hands,
"I'm Haruhi, did you just move here?"
"Sena and yeah."
She smiled,
"It's a nice neighborhood. I could show you around if you like."
I smiled brightly and hugged her,
"Oh that would be wonderful! Thanks!"
She gasped and I let go. I gave her a sheepish look,
"Sorry…but I sort of kept getting lost."
She smiled faintly,
"Understandable…my apartment's right there," she pointed to one not far from mine, "come by anytime- I'm sure Dad wouldn't mind. He seemed to like you."
I chuckled,
"Okay."
After our goodbyes, she left and I headed out to find Ikuo.
It took me an hour to find it. I was telling the truth to Haruhi earlier- I did get lost her rather easily. I walked into the small shop that said Ikuo's Bookshop. It was a quiet, peaceful little bookshop and café. The building itself was two stories- the lower one being the shop and the second level was a living quarters.
The little bell on the door chimed when I walked in. I saw a few customers, but my attention was one the guy that greeted me. He was an elderly man, a bit shorter than me even if he was very old. His hair was pure white and his face was wrinkled. Ikuo.
"Greetings, Ikuo-san," I bowed. He waved his hand with a chuckle,
"I told you- just call me Ikuo. We are friends after all."
I smiled faintly. In my short time in Japan, Ikuo was like a grandfather. He was very wise as well as kind. He stored all my magician material in one of the upper rooms. Sadly, he didn't have enough room to house me, but he gladly held onto my material for me at night until I needed them.
"Ikuo," I said happily, "I got an apartment!"
"You did," he asked shocked. I smiled,
"Yep! A man hired me to do an event later and until then- I have an apartment to stay in- all by myself!"
"That sure is something," Ikuo muttered, "I assume you need your material then."
I nodded,
"That's why I'm here so I can move all my material into that apartment while I am there so I can practice."
Ikuo smiled as well,
"I understand and you know you're always welcomed here! You add some energy to this old place," he winked. I laughed,
"Thank you."
I didn't let Ikuo help me as I loaded the stuff into his car- we did need a way to transport everything after all. I actually wouldn't let him help me as I unloaded stuff either. Yet, since I ran into Haruhi when I was unloading stuff into my apartment- I got her to help me.
"What is all this," Haruhi asked as she carried a big trunk. My eyes widened and I grabbed the other end,
"Whoa! Easy with that! And it's my material."
"Material?"
"You didn't know," Ikuo chuckled, "She's a magician."
Haruhi's eyes got wide and we set the trunk in the living room.
"Really?"
I smirked and reached behind her ear and pulled out flowers,
"Yep."
I handed her the flowers,
"How did you," she asked.
"Magic," I winked, "and you might want to put those in water when you get home."