Chapter Two

On York Street, in the Byward Market Square, Chelsea, now up to 19 and sporting a very developed and curvaceous body with a slim waist and flared hips, stood still looking around for Patrick. When she turned to her left, she saw him coming over. With a bright smile, she ran to give him a hug.

"Sorry I'm late." said Patrick.

Chelsea stopped hugging and giggled "You're always late."

"Yeah, I know."

And so, the two of them pressed on to go shopping together on the market.

After two hours, with their bags full of stuff, Patrick and Chelsea were having a talk about an upcoming birthday party. It was going to be Chelsea's birthday party next month.

Chelsea smiled "I can't believe it's almost my birthday party. I'm so excited."

"Same here." said Patrick. "In fact, I've got a pretty awesome present for you."

"Don't tell me, Patrick. I want to be surprised." After giving him a kiss on the cheek, Chelsea ran off for home. "Bye."

Patrick, on the other hand, smiled as he watched his girlfriend heading home.

Later, he returned home, only to find the floor covered in foam, perhaps a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Rook and Buzz were having a discussion in the hall.

Rook said "For the hundredth time, Buzz! All experiments must be conducted in 'laboratories', not lavatories!"

Buzz chuckled "Sorry, Rook. But I tried to-"

"Did I miss something?" interrupted Patrick before he closed the door.

"Oh, Patrick." Rook replied. "Buzz decided to do an experiment on baking soda and vinegar. He did it in the bathroom sink, and this is the result."

"By the way," said Buzz, "how's Chelsea?"

Patrick replied "Oh, kind and gentle as always. She's excited for her birthday party. And I told her I've got a…." But he paused. Patrick looked down without saying anything else.

Rook looked into his roommate's eyes and asked "You didn't get her a birthday present, did ya?"

"No." said Patrick. "I lied to her. I just wanted to impress her. That's all."

"Lying to a girl is a bad move. I think you-"

But then there were knocking sounds coming from the front door.

"Oh. That must be Landlord Walt." said Patrick as he opened the door.

Once the door was opened, it was revealed to be their landlord, Walt. A Scottish elder who was wearing a blue robe and had a Santa-Claus beard.

Walt said "You haven't paid your rent yet."

"Oh yeah." said Patrick as he offered his check. "Sorry for keeping you waiting, Mr. Walt. That should be the right amount."

Walt looked down at the floor and noticed the foam everywhere. He said "Don't worry about your wee floor, lad. You don't have to pay for it. And here's your mail." With that, the landlord offered the mail to Patrick and he closed the door leaving the trio to continue their talk.

Patrick turned back to his roommates, saying "I know that's wrong, lying to a girl. But I'm not worried."

"Well, of course you're not worried." said Buzz. "She's been your love interest since grade six. I bet you don't know what to get her."

While checking the mail, Patrick replied "She's a girl. It wouldn't be too hard to find-" He found one letter and opened it to read it. "Buzz, a letter from your mother."

"Really? What's it say?"

"She says, uh… 'do your laundry or no Digimon for a month'?"

Buzz sighed in annoyance. He came to open the door and yelled at the empty lobby "That's emotional blackmail, and you know it! I will sue you, renter's right!"

"Dude," said Rook, "she doesn't live here."

"I know," said Buzz, closing the door, "it was a practice."

"You're an idiot, you know that?" said Patrick, still looking through the mail. "A total idiot."

But something grabbed his attention. Patrick found a black envelope. He opened it revealing three black coupons written in white. But what could it mean and why?

"Hey guys," he called, "check this out."

The trio went to the dining room table to check one of the coupons and it said "Having trouble with your life? Wishing to find hopes for your future? Then head down to the Sushi Japan Buffet at 168 St. Laurent Boulevard and meet its manager, Kinomoto."

Patrick noticed that the other two coupons were written the same thing. Thinking about this deal, Patrick said "Sounds good to me. Let's volunteer."

"Well," said Rook, "since you're looking for Chelsea's gift, it might be worth it."

After half an hour, the trio drove to the sushi buffet. Entering the building, there were only a few people inside the joint, either due to the fact that it's past lunchtime or that it's perhaps losing money. But that didn't matter to the trio. They're more interested in meeting the manager than what's in store for them in the restaurant.

A waitress came over and asked "Can I help you boys?"

Patrick answered "Yeah. We got these coupons in the mail."

He offered the waitress the black coupons and she led them to the manager's office. Inside, it had all kinds of artifacts from Feudal Japan, like katanas, samurai armour, etc.

"Eesh." said Patrick. "I don't know if I should get my girlfriend a gift in the pawn shop in a restaurant."

"Perhaps not." Rook agreed. "There's this one time I had a friend who bought a ball on display at a Pizza Hut. And it attracted mice because it had cheese and sauce on top."

Buzz gasped in surprise. "You should get this cool hat!" he said, picking up a bear trap.

"Yeah," said Rook being sarcastic, "try it on."

Adjourning in closer, the boys saw someone sitting at the desk, a figure hooded and cloaked. The boys can barely see his face through his hood. But they're not sure if they could trust him or not.

"Are you... Kinomoto?" Rook asked.

The figure said with a low voice "I am. I suppose you, three boys, have something to say?"

"Yes, sir." said Patrick. "We got these coupons."

Once Patrick handed him the coupons, Kinomoto examined them. "Ah yes," he said, "then you've come to the right place."

Suddenly, there was a snapping noise. Buzz yelled "Fits perfect!"

"Did you touch that fucking bear trap?!" Kinomoto shouted.

Buzz came over with a bear trap on his head like a hat and lied "No."

Patrick interrupted "Anyway, we're here to ask you something."

"Proceed." Kinomoto agreed."

"You see, my girlfriend's birthday is next month and I want to get her something super romantic. I wish to see if you can help me."

The hooded man said with a smooth tone "Hmmm. Perhaps, I could. But first, a story."

After pulling out a Japanese map from under the table, Kinomoto started telling the story.

"During the 1600s," he said, "in ancient Japan, a furious battle took place between the good magician, Tenchi, and the evil Oni Daimyo, Akuma. Akuma pitted his dark magic to obtain an army of evil beings known as the Dreadful, and to unleash the giant beast, Shakku. In the end, Tenchi triumphed by slaying Akuma with the sacred Ryu Sword. But Akuma swore to Tenchi that someday, he will return to possess the sword for his chance to unleash Shakku."

Patrick interrupted "Okay. But what else happened?"

"Let me finish first." said Kinomoto. "Legend tells that after the battle, Tenchi shattered the sword and scattered it to the winds. He feared the weapon was cursed for the demon blood it contained."

But Patrick was having no interest in it at all. Why would he be interested in some old sword? "Wait. Why would I give her a sword? This is retarded."

But Kinomoto interjected about more before Patrick would walk out of the office. "No. Bring me the sword and in return, I shall give you the greatest gift a girl- NO! A woman- NO! A goddess could ever hope to receive. Your journey starts in Japan."

"I knew it." Patrick complained, leaving the room. "You're weird. I'm just gonna-"

Suddenly, it hit. Patrick remembered something from long ago. He told his friends that they'll have their own adventures in the future. This could be his chance.

He turned back with something to say. "On second thought, count me in. Me and my friends will go."

"WHAT?!" yelled Rook.

"Very well." said the hooded man. He offered Patrick his map of Japan. "Head to Rockcliffe Yacht Club. There's a seaplane pilot named Ryan heading for Tokyo. Follow this map. Once you've reached the sushi bar outside the city, ask for my son, Kijimunaa. He will help you."

And so, the trio walked out of the door, beginning their adventures at last. Rook, however, was disdained over the fact that he's actually going outdoors, because he hated it so much. But he hid his dilemma from his friends, just to make them un-disappointed.