Kenichi Shirahama was an average guy with a mostly normal family. Well if you call a dad obsessed with guns to the point of treating them like legendary weapons. A sister who is intelligent beyond her years that likes making schemes. Then there was his mother that seemed to hide a great strength. That's all completely normal right?
Anyway he was doing one of his favorite pastimes at the moment. Some people would think that was boring when he was in China. His family decided to get out of Japan this summer because their eldest child was starting high school soon. He needed more life experience outside of books and plants his parents' claimed.
His short time of peace for the day was soon to be over, however. He heard a commotion behind him and found himself unable to ignore it. He stood up from where he sat in the grass in surprise. A beautiful black haired girl wearing a red chinese dress running from a lot of guys in white robes. He couldn't make out what was being said. His understanding of Chinese wasn't up to following such a fast exchange of words. Reguardless that many guy's chasing one girl probably wasn't a good thing, she looked concerned.
His weak knees began to shake as he considered making a strategic withdrawal in the opposite direction. He chose to go with bravery instead. Was it stupid, probably? Yet he simply couldn't do otherwise. He rushed over to help her and was amazed as she leaped over his head. In slow poorly executed Chinese he addressed the group of men. "It's against the rules to gang up on one person, especially a girl!" Then Kenichi tried to take up a defensive Karate stance he saw a picture of in one of his books.
Renka was shocked to see the Japanese guy stand up to mama's students. His stance was full of openings, but it was kinda sweet he tried. However, she was not above exploiting her lesser pupils' surprise followed by laughter. She took all the people that were trying to drag her back home out with speed and precision. Then she smiled her best, but realized the boy's eyes were closed. Her next words were in clear Japanese. "You can open your eyes now, I took care of them. What's your name?"
"Kenichi Shirahama, what's yours if you don't mind sharing?" He noticed her stunning smile as he asked.
"Well aren't you sweet, you can call me Renka. Do you mind if I call you Kenichi? After this I think first names are best." She didn't want him to know her last name was Ma. The whole family was famous so she wanted her first real friend to treat her like anybody else.
The brunette blushed profusely at such a question. "Sure, I guess that's okay Renka."
"Great, glad to hear it Kenichi, thank you for helping." She gave a small bow before continuing to talk. "Listen are you interested in martial arts?" The young woman waited somewhat eagerly for a response.
"Yeah, I've been part of the Karate club. They don't teach me anything so I mainly just watch. I think I need to find a new place to be when I start high school. Maybe they'll have a gardening club?" The boy realized he was rambling a bit, but for some reason he felt at ease around Renka. Probably because she handled all those guys without any trouble. Like a tiger cutting thru fire. At least that's what he thought before he closed his eyes.
"Plants and flowers huh interesting choice. Go ahead I say do what you like. Since you have some desire to defend yourself. How about I give you a few lessons in Kenpo? Honestly those Karate jerks don't deserve someone like you." The girl blushed a little at her back handed compliment. He is cute in a goofy sort of way. He has the heart to be someone great one day she could tell. However, he definitely need a push in the right direction.
"Thanks Renka I really mean it. Your the first real friend I've made. Sorry, that sounds kinda lame. It just makes me feel like the future will be brighter you know." He left unsaid that she was the most gorgeous girl he has ever met. Kenichi didn't want to sour the new relationship by saying something like that too soon.
The female cleared her throat loudly to quiet her racing heart. "Glad to hear it let's get out of here. These guys will wake up soon I bet." She grabbed his hand without thinking and started walking away.
Last day of the Shirahama vacation in China...
"Here you go Kenichi, call me when you can kay." The stunning girl handed her phone number over on a slip of paper.
"Of course Renka." He searched his pockets for a slip of paper to write his own number down. He came up empty then had an idea. He grabbed the bookmark from his latest book then wrote his own number on it. "Here's mine and a souvenir of our time together as well." He was so happy he had a girl's phone number.
"Seriously your too kind I'll take good care of it." Without warning she gave her friend a full body hug of joy. She realized it was a little agressive, but couldn't help herself.
Kenichi was on cloud nine as she walked away. She was so soft yet there was steel in those curves. After a few minutes his moment of bliss was interrupted.
"Onii-chan why do you have that dazed look on your face?" Honoka was spot on when it came to breaking her brother out of his daydreams.
"You'll understand when your older Honoka. Let's go, or we might miss the plane." The siblings walk was full of talk about simple things like making sure everything was packed and meal plans.
The youngest Shirahama wasn't fooled. She knew something was up when that Renka girl had dinner with the family yesterday. Dad couldn't stop gushing about how proud he was his son made a new friend. Mom was a little on edge though. Like something was happening she wasn't prepared for. Reguardless, the girl genius began making schemes to make sure her brother wasn't taken advantage of by that black haired bimbo.
Phoenix Alliance Compound...
"Mom I'm back sorry about being late. Kenichi and his family are going home today." The main dojo was oddly dark Renka thought.
Suddenly the lights came on and the heir to the Ma family was surrounded by ten men in white robes. The Lady Ma master of the disciples around her spoke. "It's fine daughter now you must make up for slacking off with that boy as we agreed!"
Renka Ma took up a defensive stance and smiled darkly. "Of course mother as we agreed." Kenichi Shirahama had no idea how important he was to her, but he would soon enough.
