Tucker was twisting and turning in his bed as this was something he could barely contain himself over. Even though Eleanor was going to be missing out on this. What did he have to care about her? He heard a knocking on the door and wanted to see what it was. Tucker yawned before getting up. It was still dark out and the clock read four nineteen in the morning. Tucker rubbed his eyes as the knocking was heard again. Afterward, he walked over to see who it was at the door. He opened it to find someone rather excited there. It was Rin.

Katawa Shoujo- Parity

"Hey, are you ready to go?" Rin asked. Tucker seemed confused as even though his bags were packed, Rin had caught him flat footed.

"Just about, I need to get dressed and get myself cleaned up. You're up pretty early, the sun isn't even out yet." Tucker explained to Rin that she woke him up very early. He still needed a few things to do.

"Okay, Hanako has my belongings with her, and we agreed to meet with Lilly and Hisao at the station. Are you okay with your belongings?" Rin asked Tucker if he would be fine with his belongings.

"I should be good. I just need to clean myself up." Tucker gave his answer while he was pulling his school uniform on him. He wanted to at least look presentable. He then grabbed his belongings and headed out the door. He turned behind to lock it to see if he had everything. He went over to the bathroom. "Watch my stuff while I get my hair and teeth brushed. Those things are going to come with me." Tucker explained to Rin to watch over his belongings while he got himself to look presentable.

"Okay." Rin told Tucker. It wouldn't be ten minutes later until they had arrived at the front entrance of the boy's dorm. Rin spotted Hanako who had both of their belongings with her. Hanako was shivering a bit in the early morning air.

"Morning Tucker." Hanako greeted him. Tucker was pulling his suitcase with him as well as his bag where he kept his books in. He had the calico under his right arm.

"Ah Hanako, looks like you're also up early. I made sure everything was packed for the trip." Tucker greeted her. Hanako bashfully smiled at the both of them before she began to speak again.

"I was the first to wake up and I helped Rin get her belongings down here. Anyway, we should make our way to the train station as we have to board the train. We'll walk there as the station isn't very far." Hanako explained to Tucker about how their early morning started. Tucker nodded a bit before they began to make their first part of the trip, walking there. As they walked off of the school grounds and into the town around them. Tucker decided to take up some conversation with Rin and Hanako.

"I've never been to Hokkaido before, it's certainly a long trip to get there." Tucker began. Hanako just smiled before she began speaking again.

"It's the estate that Lilly and Akira visit during the summer, all alone in the countryside. Akira still goes there from time to time as they plan to sell it. Hopefully someone would want to purchase it. It's tidy as there aren't any leaks." Hanako explained, Tucker listened with interest.

"Is Akira coming with us?" Tucker asked Hanako. Hanako turned away as if she had some bad news. She didn't want to dampen the party as she had to tell the truth.

"Akira planned something with her boyfriend so she isn't coming." Hanako began. "But you and Rin had made the right decision to come with us so five's a party I guess." Rin giggled at Hanako's phrase about the group of a party.

"You actually made me laugh there Hanako." Rin began. "When people ask about me if I can make some kind of jokes, nobody seems to understand the punchline of what the joke is and I have to explain it to them, just like my paintings." Tucker seemed to cue into what the girls were saying to each other as Hanako seemed to be interested.

"Well, you two seem to have it out for each other. I'm always up for adventures." Tucker admitted that even if it was a long trip for a week of relaxation going across the country on a slow train ride, he would consider that to be the best week. "I wonder if we can do something after we graduate, the bunch of us going halfway around the world by train. We get to see the steppe, the forest, the mountains, getting off at the station for a look around before we continue onward with our trip. How does that sound?" Tucker seemed to explain to Rin and Hanako if they were open to that idea. Hanako smiled at the idea.

"But we're going to have to fly back as that trip is only one way there?" Rin asked if this was going to be possible. Tucker knew how to climb up a tree but not to get down from there. He paused awkwardly before he began speaking.

"I… uh… I haven't thought about that, it was just a suggestion of what we should do, if you two are open for wild adventures, let know." Tucker seemed to stammer a bit before he began speaking again. "I'm open for suggestions." Rin turned to her left to see the bright sun beginning to creep its way into the sky; Someone wanted to make their face known.

"Hi dawn." Rin humorously greeted the rising sun. They continued to walk along as they were getting closer and closer to the train station. "The sun said hello back." Rin told them.

"Well, that's nice." Tucker told them. They finally got to the station as they looked around to see who bought who with them. "Who has the tickets?" Tucker asked. Tucker shivered before he exhaled into his hands and rubbed them together to generate some heat.

Katawa Shoujo- Daylight

"Lilly probably has them." Hanako told Tucker. Tucker knew this was all right as the clock just read four fifty-seven. Lilly and Hisao were bound to show up any moment now. "I might as well get you drinks while we wait for them." Tucker and Rin don't respond as Hanako looks at them. She recognized those two faces. "That must be them." Hanako walked forward with Rin and Tucker as Hisao and Lilly were wondering why they had to catch the early morning train.

"What are they talking about?" Rin asked.

"We're just probably groggy about waking up early and the train schedule is working against us." Tucker replied. Hanako walked forward as she began to address something.

I'm… sorry Hisao." Hanako began. Lilly and Hisao looked at Hanako who had decided to make herself known.

"Sorry? What for?" Hisao asked curiously. Tucker and Rin were looking ahead to see what Hanako's reasoning was.

"I was… the one who suggested taking a normal train." Hanako told Hisao what her reasoning was. Hisao began to think of the fact that they were going to enjoy a slow ride today. He knew he needed to act respectfully.

"It's fine, I'm just grumbling." Hisao remarked. Tucker and Rin looked on as they were wondering where their train was. Lilly walked forward and she began to speak next.

"My my Hanako, you don't need to shoulder the blame yourself. Even without your suggestion, I'd still have opted for the same thing." Lilly explained to Hanako that she didn't need to take any of the blame. This made Hanako feel a bit more confident about herself. Tucker and Rin continued to watch as they heard the wheels, the bright golden lights of the train as it slowly stumbled to the platform, it was a ten-carriage train as there was clearly something appealing about it. Other than the five of them, the station was completely deserted. No one was brave enough to handle the early morning cold. Tucker looked at Rin as if their train had arrived.

"Well… here it is." Rin told the group, Hisao, Hanako and Lilly turned their heads to see Tucker and Rin were joining them for the adventure today. They decided to grab their bags and head onto the train. Lilly and Hanako clearly had huge bags they were bringing with them. If anyone was going to notice, they were going to ask the girls what was in their bags first.

"Just what did you have to pack into those things, anyway?" Hisao asked Lilly while he investigated the bags curiously. He wanted to see what Lilly had brought with her.

"The bags? Hmm..." Lilly began. She pauses a moment and tilts her head in thought. Tucker and Rin looked on as they began to slowly approach Hisao and Lilly. Hanako was ready to board the train, otherwise the train was going to leave without them. "A change of clothing, raincoat, underwear, sleepwear, a number of books... I think that's most of it."

"You make it sound as if I'm unprepared." Hisao humorously told Lilly while trying his best to put on a smile. Tucker and Rin continued to inch forward as Lilly seemed to pick up the conversation where Hisao dropped the ball.

"You brought less?" Lilly asked Hisao.

"Underwear and a pack of cards. That's it." Hisao gave his answer. Lilly seemed to be thinking what else he forgot.

"No pajamas?" Lilly asked if Hisao had any clothes he needed to change into. Hisao paused as if he had forgotten something back at Yamaku.

"Damn. I knew I forgot something." Hisao grumbled, he realized he left something behind, too late to go back and get it now. Lilly clasped her hands together before she began speaking.

"There'd be clothes you could use there. Akira still occasionally goes there, after all, and I think some of our parents' clothing is still in storage. I don't think there'll be any problem with you borrowing a set of pajamas, if need be." Lilly explained to Hisao that there was still some clothing at the house. Tucker and Rin approached the carriage of the train as the porters began to take their stuff onto the train.

"Thanks. Still, I don't mind just sleeping in my normal clothing." Hisao generously told Lilly that he was thankful, but he wanted to sleep in his normal uniform. Lilly looked at Hisao as that raised some red flags to her.

"For two days?" Lilly asked. She didn't want to see Hisao a smelly mess if he just stayed in his uniform for the next couple of days or so. Hisao paused as if he blushed a bit.

"Good point." Hisao awkwardly told Lilly as the vixen had outplayed him. Tucker and Rin had help packing their bags onto the train except one bag where Tucker had the calico and the magazine with him. Hisao looked at the clock as he was scared of getting left behind. The train was about to leave. "The five-thirty train was ours, right?" Hisao asked. Lilly closed her eyes before she began speaking.

"Correct." Lilly told Hisao. Hanako picked up her bags and handed them off to the porter to take on the train. Hisao knew there was no time to waste.

"Either of you want me to take your bags? Mine's not exactly heavy." Hisao asked if he was up for them to take their bags. Lilly offered her bag to Hisao which he took to the porter.

"My my, that's very gentlemanly of you, Hisao." Lilly explained as Hisao also took Lilly by the hand.

"Don't accept too reluctantly, now." Hisao explained to Lilly. He picked up whatever Lilly had left and headed off for their carriage. He spotted Hanako climbing on board as he knew he had to ask her something. "Are you fine with that?" Only a silent nod from Hanako as Tucker helped her aboard. Lilly was the next to board with Hisao entering last. They went off to find their seats to sit in. Hisao knew by the trip's end, he would have counted every sentence that Lilly said in one hand.

"Ah Tuck, I wasn't expecting you or Rin to be coming with us." Hisao greeted Tucker. Rin was busy sitting as if she was beginning to doze off.

"I didn't know if I wanted to come along with this trip as I asked Eleanor, but she shouted back at me so me and Rin are doing this solo. Her loss however as she is missing out." Tucker explained to Hisao about what happened with him and her.

"Yeah, I figure. Eleanor is changing for the worse and I've begun to distance myself from her these days. She says she loves me though I don't know if her answer is genuine. At least you still remain truthful to yourself." Hisao sighed as Eleanor was hacking off all the relationships, she had with others around her for the sake of her future. Tucker looked back as Rin had fallen asleep. He knew he needed to bring something up with Hisao.

"Well, that's not the point why I brought you here." Tucker began. He pulled out the magazine for Hisao to read over. Hisao was reading the magazine over as he was excited too about the prospect.

"Wow, I never knew you and Rin were into this type of stuff." Hisao began while he flipped through the pages. Tucker smiled a bit before he began speaking.

"It went from painting to art, to games and… here we are." Tucker explained where their relationship had taken them and what new things, they were trying out for each other. "Rin seems to be enjoying this every step of the way." Tucker explained. Suddenly there was a lurch as the train departed from the station, the trip to Hokkaido had begun.

Four and a half hours would pass as it was now ten in the morning. They weren't going to arrive until midafternoon to the station. With the morning landscape passing by the window and the occasional rattle of the train bumping the carriage around, Hisao was trying to focus his attention on the aging playing cards held in his hands. He was playing against Hanako as Lilly was busy reading a book.

"I'll raise you five." Hisao told Hanako as he pushed the rook to the center of the pile of chess pieces that Hanako had brought with her.

"Um... I..." Hanako began. She was trying her best to memorize the game that she, Hisao and Rin played that night with William. The game Tucker was absent from. She scrunches her face up and leans over to Lilly conspiratorially, the two exchanging a few whispered words. Considering how often this has happened so far, Hisao's coming to doubt Hanako's grasp of how to play poker. It doesn't seem to disturb Lilly's reading though, her hands flitting over each page with only occasional corrections to account for the train's bumping and rocking. The collection of chess pieces that they're using as chips is steadily growing anyway, so it doesn't really bother Hisao. Looking around them, their carriage is almost as empty as the station platform they had waited for the train itself on. Only a handful of people can be seen, looking mostly like tourists and couples on holiday. While the two continue their less than clandestine strategizing, a small boy looks over the seat and stares at Hisao. Hoping he doesn't begin to stare at Hanako, Hisao simply gives him a wave and a smile. Thankfully, he retreats back to his seat after finding them far too boring to waste his attention on. Hanako finally made her move.

"I'll see you and raise you... another five." Hanako told Hisao as she pushed her knight to the center as Hisao looked around, he didn't have any knights to raise Hanako and seeing the fact that he didn't want to go all in, he knew he had to flop this round.

"Damn, you got me. I fold." Hisao told Hanako before flopping his cards down. Hanako laughed as she seemed triumphant in beating Hisao yet again. Hisao has been bluffing, and she's caught him. Hanging his head, Hisao began to push over a large portion of his winnings. Hanako looks absolutely delighted, and even if Lilly keeps her attention focused on her reading material, Hisao could see the smirk on her face. They're both extremely pleased. For a moment Hisao tried to work out what Lilly's reading, but the cover is too faded to read beyond the fact that Roman letters are on it. It's a pity that he can't read the Braille above the printed title. Hanako was putting the chess pieces back into the box which was lined with velvet to have them stored in a snug spot. "What're you reading, Lilly? The title looks like it's in English." Hisao asked Lilly if she knew what the book was called.

"That's right. It's "And Then There Were None", an old British story. I could read it to you if you'd like." Lilly told Hisao what the book was called. She asked him if she wished to read what the book was about to Hisao to be nice. She extends the offer with a grin, obviously in jest.

"I think I'll pass, thanks." Hisao told Lilly that he wasn't in the mood to read. Hanako finished putting the chess pieces away and she folded up the travel case. She got up and moved the case into the storage above them where their stuff was.

"I'm going to go find Rin and Tucker. I want to chat with them." Hanako told Hisao that she was going to go find her other group of friends. Hisao finished putting the playing cards away before turning to Hanako.

"Sure thing." Hisao explained to Hanako. Hanako headed down the car to the rear of the train as she remembered them telling her that was where they were going to go.

Hanako arrived at the rear of the train where it was mostly deserted other than Rin and Tucker. It was the observation car as the two of them had finished breakfast. Hanako walked over and sat next to them.

"I noticed you were reading something. It looks exciting." Hanako began as if she was curious to see what they were doing.

"We're going to the hobby shop in Hokkaido while at the Satou summer residence. We don't know how much energy we'll have to go visit and if we don't today, we can always go tomorrow." Tucker told Hanako that they could spend some time together during the break. Hanako nodded as if she remained excited by this idea.

"I would definitely enjoy this." Hanako responded. They looked out as they had been riding in the stuffy train for the past few hours. There was a balcony on the observation car, a rather big one too. "Want to get some fresh air?" Hanako asked them.

"Sure thing." Rin replied. Tucker packed his belongings away and placed them where no one would find them. They walked over with Tucker opening the door, Rin and Hanako walked outside with Tucker following behind them. Once he closed the door, they were now outside, getting the fresh air as the rails of the train were getting spat out like tickets. It was a beautiful way to observe the landscape as the train went by.

"I definitely like being out on balconies of moving vehicles. You feel like you're a cloud sometimes, getting to pass things you never really thought about." Rin began. She sat down on the bench with Hanako sitting right next to her. Tucker sat on the bench next to them also observing the scenery.

"Definitely feels like you're flying along even if there is nothing to do. Time stops yet goes at the same time." Hanako added. She looked to see the line of silver steel train tracks next to them as they were heading into a double track section of the journey.

"Definitely remember the song I listened to last night though I don't remember the song name of what it was called. It reminds me of what we're doing out here though I definitely wanted to listen to it on a piano." Rin added. Tucker curled his left leg onto his lap as he was going to have a good time with Rin singing.

"I can try to make the music for you?" Tucker began. He was ready to use both hands even if his left arm was going to hurt a bit.

"You can try." Hanako smiled at Tucker as his attempt would be welcome. Tucker nodded with a smile of his own. He began to play the fingers of his hands on his leg as if he was striking the keys of the piano to create sound to the best of his ability, he attempted to make the same rhythm as Rin went first.

"Riding on the City of New Orleans. Illinois Central, Monday morning rail. Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders. Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail." Rin went first as if she was singing into the morning air. Hanako then began as she took over for Rin.

"All along the southbound odyssey. The train pulls out at Kankakee. Rolls along past houses, farms and fields." Hanako went next as if she had a beautiful voice. Tucker seemed to be happy as Rin took over for Hanako as another train passed by them on the track next to them.

"Passin' trains that have no name. Freight yards full of old soot black faced men. And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles." Rin spoke of the tune as they passed the train next to them. They both began to speak together.

"Good morning, Japan, how are you? Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son. I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans. I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done." Hanako and Rin tried their best to recreate the rhythm with Tucker still playing his imaginary piano.

"Dealin' card games with the old men in the club car. Penny a point ain't no one keepin' score. Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle. Feel the wheels rumblin' 'neath the floor." Hanako went next as they were going in a pattern. Rin went next.

"And the sons of Pullman porters. And the sons of engineers. Ride their father's magic carpets made of steel." Rin had taken over as she was happily feeling the rhythm take over her. Hanako went next as if the piano was compelling them happily forward like the train they were riding on.

"Mothers with their babes asleep. Are rockin' to the gentle beat. And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel." Hanako called out as they continued to ride off into the countryside to find the summer residence.

Katawa Shoujo- Afternoon

The train would stop in the afternoon as Hokkaido was the terminating point for the train. The passengers got off to what seemed to be a rustic small town. They pulled their bags off as it had been a grueling few hours to get there. Tucker knew he had the time to stretch his legs and see what the summer residence was going to look like. After a seemingly endless trip, they finally reach the promised land of the Satou summerhouse. Even after the train trip, the walk up seemed to take forever. Despite Hisao's grumblings though, they have never guessed the sight that would be in store for them once they've traveled that long, deserted road. It looks more like a farmhouse than the everyday house neither Tucker and Hisao had imagined, small in size and surrounded by trees and bushes. An empty expanse of wheat fields and farming land can be seen as they walk up, the fencing only consisting of rickety old wooden planks. It really drives home how far the five of them are from the major cities, and is a sight that feels antithetical to the environment they grew up in. The only thing that doesn't surprise Hisao is its Western styling.

"Wow, it's amazing out here..." Hisao began, he seemed to be blown away by the entire style of the house. Tucker and Rin were a little nervous as the summer house seemed to be in the middle of nowhere.

"Mm, it's wonderful." Hanako added. Lilly smiled a bit to them as she began to explain the house to them group.

"That's nice to hear. While Akira may have said that she's kept the house in reasonable condition, I was worried that we might have different standards of "reasonable."" Lilly explained to them about the house. She knew that they were all alone and they had nothing to worry about. Hisao was looking around to see where everything was.

"It looks like there isn't another soul for miles. I thought Akira would be the type to keep to the city." Hisao began as there was truly nothing between them. He looked around again to make sure they were truly alone. Lilly furrows her brow in thought, seemingly recalling almost forgotten knowledge.

"Hmm, from memory there's a small town not too far ahead. Other than that, though, this is largely just old farmland. Akira and I stayed in our parents' house which was in the nearest city for a while, but after they left, we decided to move into a smaller, more easily maintainable, house." Lilly explained that they used to stay in the nearest city but they moved here as the place was much easier to maintain. Hisao nodded as he seemed to understand everything. Tucker and Rin didn't bother to say a word.

"To find a place like this in Japan nowadays... it's kind of anachronistic." Hisao tried his best to describe a place like this as the people just mainly stuck to the cities.

"Well, this town does have quite a bit of history." Lilly added. Tucker wanted to speak up about the place that Yuuko had suggested to visit but nothing had come up in his mind. Hisao looked down the street one last time before getting back to the task at hand.

"Shall we go in, then? I'm parched." Hisao asked as he felt quite thirsty getting there. He needed a drink.

"It was a long walk to get here." Hanako added, she too had grown parched from the walk.

"That's fine, follow me." Lilly explained. She turned and began to lead the way after she gave an enthusiastic nod, the five of them lugging our bags into the house. The moment they set foot inside, Hanako and Hisao start looking around, taking in every detail of where they'll be staying for the next few days. All the artifacts of another's life stopped mid-motion are around the house, such as the television guide lying beside the counter it was on, and pans in the adjoining kitchen still sitting on the stove. It's a strange feeling, really; as if we were stepping into Akira's life for a brief moment, before leaving in a couple of days just as we'd come. Of course, the more mundane reality is that she just hasn't cleaned up after herself that well.

Tucker and Rin have yet to step inside.

[A/N]: Leaving this on a cliff-hanger as the next chapter will be where the events will pick up from this chapter as I'm once again splitting this into two for this day. The next few or so chapters will be spent in Hokkaido and there will be more to Rin's hobbies that will be explained in.