Shadow World
I'm tired. Exhausted even. I'm in hiding, drained of all energy, and moments from certain death. Basically, life's not going my way at the moment. Sadly, it's just as much my fault I'm in this situation as it is others putting me here. I didn't have to listen to the prattle of my so-called friends or listen to anything they said about that channel. That's where it began.
Before I get into my hour-long rant about how exhausted I am and how unfair my situation is my name is Yū Narukami. Before my mom and dad separated it was Souji Seta. I prefer Souji over Yū though. I'd take Soso over Yū, and I hate that pet name. I was a bit of an average student with average needs and average desires. I went to school, participated in clubs, met girls, and made a lot of enemies. I never really talked to many other people, because I felt no need to. I never got into double trouble because I'm not stupid enough to get caught in anything crazy other people tried to get me into.
Or rather this is what I tell myself to get through those times.
It's never truly me that gets myself into these situations. It's always other people that drag me down with them. It got to the point that I flat out avoided others but still my animal magnetism drew them in. I soon found myself mixed up with organized crime and a gang or two because of certain girls that thought I looked attractive enough. I couldn't guess why because the dark brown of my hair was replaced with grey after a bad situation. I'm a bit tall for my age sure, but I'd say I'm not impressive. I don't dress for success either, but I guess it's just one of those things, right?
Now for my current predicament.
Right now my mom and step dad are having a bit of an "outing" with local and foreign authorities and so to protect me from the backlash sent me off to live with my uncle on my mom's side in some country town called Inaba. Yasogami-Inaba to be exact. Seeing that I didn't care too much at the time I just put on the uniform they gave me and left with a gym bag of a couple travel clothes and hygiene stuff. I made sure that I didn't leave my gaming system or my laptop either. Secretly, I'm a bit of a tech geek mainly because my step dad taught me well.
Best I start this from the beginning, right?
It started with me stepping off a train and meeting a girl dressed like a punk with black hair. She was hot, very attractive, head turning even, but oozed trouble. I tried to leave her alone because I know trouble when I see it. Sadly, trouble followed me wherever I went. That was the beginning of one of those times.
Inaba Train station
"Hey you," I heard behind me and just about groaned. I just arrived here in the sticks and already I'm being targeted by someone.
I took a breath and turned around. A white slip of paper was risen up in front of me for me to take. I reached up for it and took it from the delicate hand that held it. I opened it to see what it was. I recognized it but still pat down my pocket to see. I found it missing.
"You dropped this," the rude sounding girl said to me before crossing her arms under her chest. I looked at that paper and smiled before pocketing it again. Must have dropped it when I took my hands out of my pockets after getting past the doors. That's a good way to reason this out.
"Thank you," I said politely.
"Whatever," she shrugged. "I only picked it up." The girl turned away from me and walked away. I watched her leave in every way possible. That girl was probably my age and maybe goes to school here. She's also very pretty, but sadly I know trouble when I see it walking, and it's not because of the attitude. I've a nose for this sort of thing and something tells me if I get involved with that girl I'll pay for it in more ways than one. But with a girl like her, I get the vibe that it might be worth it in the end. Not sure if I should find out regardless.
I looked back down to my note and smiled again. I opened it to the words written down on it. "Keep moving forward." I said to myself and folded the paper back up. This one weird girl gave this to me for whatever reason but the gesture was nice, and a little funny. Keep moving forward, but to what exactly? I'm dealing with my family business whether I like it or not almost at all times. I'm tired of the stupid stuff my parents started and sort of relieved to be away from all that drama. There's only so much a guy like me can withstand before he has to make a tactical retreat.
This is mine.
I pocketed the paper and looked around a moment for my uncle. He was supposed to be here by now to pick me up but nowhere to be found. To be honest, I don't really care if I lived with him or not because I'm tired of the drama of adults and their disorders.
I used to go out whenever I wished to when I lived with mom or dad. Though I never stayed out late like delinquents would I did visit a fair amount of exotic places to broaden my horizons. I never cared about studying or good grades, because I can recall almost anything I hear or see even if I don't understand it completely. It helps smooth things out and makes moving forward that much easier.
A fault I have is my unsubdued and unwavering sense of curiosity. My curious nature has gotten me in trouble before. I just can't leave well enough alone. Once something catches my attention I'm drawn to it. That girl is one of those things, because I'm curious of her nature and origin. I wondered what her name is and how I can get to know her as well.
My next fault is my preferences pertaining to women. I like pretty girls no matter the shape, size, color, or personality. That last one is stretching it. Some personalities I can fathom and others I can't seem to understand. I tried working for it before, but it was way too much work for me at the time.
Branched from that fault is my unshakable love for really special girls. I can't resist the special ones no matter how hard I try. I can't resist the urge to get to know them and help them were I can. If it leads to anything that's all well and good. It's how I've pissed off my fair share of boyfriends and girlfriends from the attention I gave their girls. It wasn't my fault that they couldn't give their significant other the help they needed. It's especially not my fault that they decided to pay me back with "special favors" at times either.
"Memories," I smiled inwardly a bit.
"Hey, there you are." I turned my head and spotted the man who must be my uncle since I was literally the only one to step off the train to this town. It's really out of the way and the norm for me to come here. There's green everywhere, mountains close by, clean air, and it's too quiet. I might start getting culture shock if I'm not careful and have a mini freak out. I heard a man can die from shock, and I don't wish to die like that just because of a change of venue.
The man who walked up to me did have a bit of my mom's likeness, I guess. He looked like he really needed to shave his face and his shirt was a bit sour looking as if he's been wearing it for the past couple days. I may be wrong, but I feel this is the case.
It's a grey buttoned up collared shirt with a red tie and he wore black slacks for pants. He wore a casual form of dress shoes tied in a bow and tucked in but that was only the left shoe. Did he just wake up a moment ago or was the typical for him? I suppose it doesn't matter though. I'd like to say that I can read people pretty well and take pleasure out of figuring out the persona of an individual but when it's not my business I try to keep it that way.
"Afternoon," I turned to face the man and reset the hold I had on my bag, so the strap was higher on my shoulder. The older man smiled and walked up to me. I picked up the smell of old coffee and stale cigarettes. When is the last time this man took a bath just to get cleaned up? He brushed his teeth before coming out here but forgo brushing his hair and more. I'm going to have to live with this man for a year until I'm a senior too. This might become an interesting year if I'm not careful.
Despite my thoughts and how negative they are I proceeded to introduce myself. "I am or was Souji Seta but now I'm Yū Narukami." I rose up my hand and waited for the man to take it.
"Afternoon Souji," he said my old name with an almost familiar smile on his lips and took my hand to shake it. I'm around his height being only two or three centimeters shorter but, in a month, or so I'll probably be his height. That's a bit funny that I'm this tall for my age, but mom also told me that I was going to grow up like my dad. I've made so many people jealous because of my height. I don't see the problem of being short. Being tall in this country has been so tough that I'm surprised I don't have brain damage from all the surfaces I hit. I don't mind my height though. With it I resemble dad more than mom that's for sure and would prefer my old name to my new name. I guess my uncle here picked up in this.
"I don't think you remember me but my name is Ryotaro Dojima." He chuckled a bit and rubbed the back of his head. "Wow you grew up. I remember when you was this high." Annoyingly, he placed his hand at his knee to illustrate just how small I was back. I believe it was when I was a toddler.
I can remember him a bit, but I know he wasn't alone like he is now. Last I checked my uncle was married, but where was my aunt anyway? I haven't heard much of him since I was a kid and yeah my father and mother had their falling out, but I know I went to their wedding. I can remember when my aunt gave me a slice of cherry-strawberry pie. I can't really remember her face all that well, but I do recall her being one of the nicest ladies in the world next to my math teacher. She was really nice to me just for the sake of being nice, and I appreciated that from her. Most old ladies like messing with students like me because of how easy we are. Not me though. I'm thankful of what experience I do have.
"Well," I responded evenly and let go of his hand to return it to my side. "I grew up like you said uncle. Thanks for coming to pick me up, but what took you if you don't mind me asking? I've been waiting for an hour and a half now." I checked my music player that I picked up after going through Iwatodai City to visit a chat friend in the way here. I was a bit ahead of schedule and so decided to spend a night there and try out the night life and karaoke. I out sang this one girl claiming to be a teen pop idol and left the club very satisfied with myself. I won over 19,000 yen from bets and the like so I used it to buy myself a music player and nice headphones. They seemed to be in style at the time and fit well over my ears. It's screen is easy to navigate and the fact it tells time helps a great deal. I had to leave my phone at home because of "reasons" and I couldn't get one in Iwatodai City without having to pay an insane amount for it. I just settled with music player right now.
"Sorry about that," my uncle apologized. "I would have gotten here sooner but with all that's going on right now it may have slipped my mind."
I can understand that. I heard of a murder that took place here while on the way. It was on the news in the train for the victim was hanging upside down on an antenna of all things with an expression that could be explained as "Utterly crushed and stripped of all being" if that even makes sense. Coming to a town with a killer on the loose, lucky me, right?
"But I'm here now and we can get going," my uncle pat me on the shoulder.
"Ahh," we both heard from someone and somewhere and that someone was a little girl and that somewhere happened to be a spot behind my uncle's leg.
"Oh, yeah," my uncle smiled and placed his hand on top of the little girl's head. "This is my daughter Nanako. Say hi to your cousin Nanako." The little girl instead hide further behind her dad's leg out of sight but peeked out just enough to keep a suspicious eye on me. Dojima just chuckled and gently pushed her out from behind his leg to his side. "Don't mind her nephew. She's just shy is all and not used to meeting new people. Little tike latches on every chance she gets when we get out together so…"
My little cousin pouted and smacked my uncle in the rear with her cheeks puffed out. My uncle played this off well because now she was out in the open for me to see. She's a cute girl with childish dual pig tailed hair. Dear old dad doesn't seem to know how he raise her that well I'm guessing if how lackluster the both of them act and look. My city life is really making me out as a bastard. I should calm it down.
My uncle laughed at my cousin and pat her over the head again. "Come on nephew. My car is parked a over there." I nodded and followed behind my uncle.
I have to spend a year here huh? I hope it's not too boring and the girls aren't too pretty. If not my life might get a bit too interesting, and I really don't want that. A simple student life would be the best I can handle right now.
I threw my stuff in the back seat and sat beside my stuff in the center and my cousin to my left. "Seat belts." Uncle Dojima said to the both of us, but I know he's was talking to me. I'm lacking my seat belt. Hell, I forgot about it completely. Seat belts aren't really a thing on train cars and when I rode with mom or dad it been by a large car or taxi in which I never bothered. I used the city bus to get to school every day as well. Basically, I never needed seat belts most of my life. I can easily understand their application but still never used them. Statistics say a seat belt can kill you just as fast as you going through the windshield. But this is his care and so his rules, so I pulled my seat belt down and fiddled with the clip from a moment before getting it to snap in.
Uncle Dojima nodded in approval and started the car. I just about rolled my eyes at man but remained neutral as usual. I rather come off as a snob who thinks you're not good enough to warrant a response with a viable expression. It keeps the idiots away sometimes.
I rested my elbow on the door of the car and watched the country scenery pass me by. This place seems peaceful enough, and I'd believe it too if not for the murder that took place like a day ago. It's going to be like that one American movie out here in just know it just without the cannibals and the chainsaw. Instead it's going to be the sick torture, insane words, and the sense of embedding doom at the end of it. The Hills Have Eyes: Inaba edition. I shivered a bit and stopped my thoughts right then and there. I'm going to jinx myself if I'm not careful.
My cousin won't stop looking at me. Every couple seconds her eyes would float towards my general direction but avert the moment I'd move to catch her or even twitch a finger. I may be tired, but I know the feeling of being watched. Even my uncle persists with looking back at me through his rear view mirror. I want to ask them what about me fascinates that so much that they have to keep glancing at me, but I'm lacking the will and desire to. It's a bit annoying and bothering me. but I'll deal with it. In the city you don't stare at a person like this unless you want attention and sometimes it's not the variety you'd be craving for. I'd know from experience being why I can't stand it.
I took a calming breath once more like before we left the train station. This is going to take some getting used to.
"So," My uncle's voice resounded through what was an awkwardly silent car. I drew my eyes towards him and saw his through his rear-view mirror. My uncle looked taken back from my patented Seta Sight. My dad was a bit of a badass and taught me a lot of self-defense techniques when I was able to visit him. To sharpen my eyes with a firm addition of my negative emotions mixed into it and focused on key areas I'm able to get someone to back off it they which to confront me. My uncle was put off for a moment, but that hesitation lasted only a couple moments. I need to improve my stare a little more if it can't make this uncle of mine to back off completely.
"I guess you're a second year, correct?" He asked.
I nodded my head and turned my attention back to the scenery outside the window. "Yes sir," I said respectfully.
"And how old are you again?" Random question and a waste of one if you ask me. I'm a minor despite my demeanor and size. To an adult it's all about your years and not your body type. I can do things many adults can't and yet this question always came up. Unlike that one time I was asked to work at a host club for a night or two a week. I love Japan even though I wasn't born here. America is awesome if you live in the good cities like San Diego or Houston. Studying abroad was cool and I'd go back there if I could. I'd get another good job to broaden my prospects a little more, but I might get lucky here. Who knows?
"I'm 17," I responded evenly. "I was held back a year," I answered his unspoken question just as I watched us pass by a river.
"Because of you Mom and Dad's "situation' I'm guessing," my uncle said gruffly. "While you're here I don't want you to worry too much for things that usually fix themselves. If you can skip a grade and be with your peers it could benefit you. I heard you're smart." It depends on who you ask I suppose. My mom was worried about my education and dad about my physical endurance. I was taught how to fight by my dad but more to show restraint and use my words when possible by mom.
If you don't need words then don't use them.
Skipping a grade would really set me apart though. I'll need to be careful if I do decide to take the tests. Maybe once I get there just before anyone knows who I am.
I nodded my head again and my uncle grunted at response to this.
We'll see when I get there. If it's about skipping a grade I can simply take the finals and leave it at that. Maybe I'll go directly to college overseas or away from Japan. Small towns like this have a habit of making a pariah of out those who stand out, and I really don't need that right now.
I reached down to my headphones and up them on over my ears to play some J-pop. A small trip to Korea not too long ago exposed me to it, and I've never been the same ever since. All the music I've been exposed to forced me to have an open mind to what I listen to. American Rock, K-pop, Irish smash, Russian rock, and even traditional Chinese. If it sounds good I listen to it. Right now, I think I'm in a "cool off" mood so maybe a little "For You" by Azu. Just little bit.
I felt the sensation of visual intent once more and this time drew my eyes towards my little cousin. She made a small jump in shock from this and earned a small smile from me. Sadly, another fault I have next to curiosity, pretty girls, and lack of good personality is that I like kids. I sort of wouldn't mind having one right now even though I'm only 17. Whether it's a boy or girl I like to raise kids and teach them to get away with things. Nanako I think my uncle called her is innocent and cute. I feel that if I corrupted her, like teaching her how to cheat I cards or use her innocence to get her way, I'd be signing my ticket to the pit begging a demon to whist me away.
I noticed before that her eyes focused on headphones so maybe the curiosity on my mom's side might be bleeding out. I pulled of the phone from my right ear and rose it up before her. She looked at the right earphone then back up to me. I gave her an encouraging nod and gentle smile. Her small hand came up and took it from my fingers and pressed it to her ear just as the chorus started to hit it. Her eyes brightened up a bit as we listened to the final half of the song together.
"I like that song," she said just when the song ended and a minute past afterwards.
"That makes two of us." I smiled at my little cousin. She seemed to calm down a little for me which is what I really wanted. Awkward silences between myself and adults is one thing, but the same between myself and a child is not good-to-go.
I pulled my music player over to show her. "More?" I asked.
"Do you have Junes?" She asked excitedly.
Junes? Does she mean that Walmart knockoff store that's gotten big here in the East? Junes really couldn't take off like Walmart did but it's still taking Japan and China by the hairs. I wonder if I do have the Junes Theme in my playlist. While I have a healthy assortment of music I'm not sure if I have that one.
"I'll get it later if I don't." I promised and leaned back in my seat. My music comes from my phone via back up so I'm not sure if I have any theme from some random store. Speaking of stores, I really need some money to buy myself a television. Mom forgo to give me money being why I had to do some by betting and gambling to get what I have now. My dad would tell me to stop being lazy and earn it the way he did. I can do that if I find a nice club or bar and meet the daughter of the CEO of a well off company in it.
My uncle passed by a Junes on the way downtown to what I read is the Central Shopping District on a sign we passed by. Uncle pulled over and stopped at a gas station which I'm thankful for. "I'm gonna get some gas. You can go and stretch your legs if you want. Just don't go to far," he said. I nodded to my uncle and decided to do just that. If I'm going to be here for a year I might as well get my bearings now. I've pride myself on my sense of direction and navigational powers. Spending years finding my way through the back alleys of all the cities I've been to has forced me to navigate through use of landmarks and etc to get around.
With my hands in my pockets like that of a nervous teenager from a teen fic, I made my way down the street tor the direction of the highway we stopped at. I stopped by one store that had suits of armor and what not outside it like some sort of Feudal Japan blacksmithy or something of the sort. I gruff looking man was inside hammering away at a sword, and I got interested in this. I opened the door and walked in. My eyes wandered around from all the different swords, clubs, and more old fashioned weaponry on the walls and in barrels. I wandered towards a small section with imitation samurai swords at it. My dad would kill me if he heard me call them samurai swords instead of Katana, tantō, or chokuto. He prefers I call them by their actual titles or real names. My dad told me that a sword wasn't just a metal slab with a wooden grip. It's alive and can feel just like us. I found dad's talk about weapons crazy but to each his own.
I picked one up and examined it for a bit. It's well made as far as my knowledge of this stuff goes. I rose it up in my hands and still in the sheath and held it in a high stance like my Bushido obsessed father taught me. The high stance though felt like I was a lumberjack in front of a tree so I switched to a low stance instead.
"Speed and efficiency with a firm level of confidence to back up your skill." I recited my father's words well and pondered whether or not I'll ever need a sword. I doubt it. This is the time of guns and roses, war and love, so a sword will be a liability for the most part. Unless your like Raiden and can deflect bullets like a total badass. I can only wish to be as awesome as him or a mega super solider like the Big Boss.
"You like swords boy?"
I almost jumped when I heard this scary and deep voice behind me. The fact he called me "boy" on top of that had me way on edge. I quickly placed the sword down in the barrel, faced the man in front of me, and bowed. "Sorry about touching your merchandise sir." I sincerely apologized to the man before he killed me via my face through the window of the shop. The man was large, bald, has an Irish red beard and physique, and probably could Frisbee me into next week if I stepped out of line. I'm beginning to regret coming in here.
"Don't worry about it boy. I noticed you wielding that piece of art of mine with finesse. You're trained are you not?" I didn't answer and the man smirked under his beard. "Do you want one?" I blinked. This man just offered to give me a sword? No way, there's always a price. He probably wants me to work her for a month to pay off the price for a sword here. "It's no big deal. While my art is unlike any normal man can create," the man said with his chin cupped and grinned. This man is full of himself that's for sure. "I don't mind giving get one to a potential."
"A what?"
The man just shook his head. Then he reached over the picked up a sword from his left that was a little longer than the chokuto I held before. I had half of my hand sticking out from the end and I was raised to hold the sword with both. It was a bit awkward, but I made due. This one is an actual katana. Something I can use. "Here," the man tossed the sword at me which I caught with ease with my left hand. My father would so the same. He told me to always catch the blade with your off hand and never the main or worse both. "That will do."
I agreed with him and held the sword tight in my hands. "Thank you sir," I bowed once more. The man nodded and waved me off. He returned to his hammer and left me to my own devices. I held the sword he gave me in hand and smiled just a bit.
This day got better.
I left the store with my sword wrapped in paper. I can't have people thinking I'm a serial killer or something. I pass a convenience store that had a toad inside and I wasn't talking about the statue. I past this by for a tofu store. I stopped and mused on the idea of getting some. While I don't care much for vegan food I do like tofu on occasion. Miso soup with tofu being a few dishes where I eat tofu without a care in the world. I pass it by as well and continued up. There are a lot of mom and pop stored closed on this street.
June's strikes again.
Nothing really caught my attention until I spotted two people arguing with one another. I stopped and looked at them. I couldn't really catch what they were saying because… Wow that girl is pretty. This girl is my age or a year or two older than me with light brown way hair that fell past her shoulder to her upper back. Her eyes are a light brown like her hair. I couldn't help but stare at her for a moment. I wonder if she has a boyfriend. With her snobby attitude just from the way she's talking the guy with her I sincerely doubt it. I've feeling that she sees herself as superior compared to others and probably revels in it. I wonder if I tried to talk to her what it would build to.
"Why are you staring at me?" I blinked as the girl walked up to me and stood with her chin up to glare up to me. I'm taller than her so that makes sense. The girl looked at me with a mildly annoyed and expectant gaze with her arms crossed over her chest. That mean look I've seen many times over. I wonder how to go about this one versus the many others and almost smiled.
Play on her vanity of course.
"Because your beautiful in my eyes." Blunt and to the point usually works on this sort of girl. I smiled softly as I looked into her eyes and noticed that "mean look" of hers fade away and replaced with one of surprise that grew and grew as she looked me over. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," I continued smoothly. "I couldn't help myself. It's a fault of mine. When I see a very beautiful woman I tend to stare a bit," I said shyly and struggled to keep my eyes on hers. It's not easy.
"Well, starring is weird and rude you got that?" She said coldly but much more softly than before than when she approached me. "If you want to talk to a pretty girl you confront them not stare like some creeper."
"Sorry again. Do you mind if we talk a bit then?" I asked.
The girl rose an eyebrow at me and smiled but it wasn't joyful. "You only want to talk to me because I'm pretty right?"
I nodded in response, "especially because of that."
The girl giggled a bit with her fist covering her lips. "Well, at least you're an earnest one, my junior."
"Junior?" I muttered. I looked down at my coat and noticed I had the blazer for the school on. It got cold on the way here, and I didn't have much time to pick up anything warm for my arms. I didn't have the money to pay for it anyway, so I put on that Yasogami blazer instead and found it warm enough for me to get by. This girl goes to the same school as me that much is obvious and if she's calling me junior that means she's a third year making her my senior.
The girl smiled at me and put out her hand for me. "You're new here aren't you if you don't know who I am?" Oh no, is she one of those popular girls? She's pretty enough sure, but I didn't expect to be approached and seen by one of these popular girls right off the bat like this. I have to play this cool because if she has a boyfriend then last thing I need to do is be forced to go Bamboo Blade on him with a wooden stick like the last one.
I took her hand in my own and shook it.
She hummed and her smile grew. "You got soft hands for a boy," she remarked upon which means I have softer hands than the boys she's used to being around. I can use a sword, but I never killed my hands in a way to turn my palm into one giant calloused pad. Mom made sure of that for the day I get myself a rich girl friend and later rich wife. It's always about arranged marriages to her but my dad made sure I wouldn't follow the trope of being a stupid and defenseless pretty boy which I despise by the way. Seeing that we're on the hands subject I squeezed her hands a bit and mused to myself. Someone works for a living. Pushing carts or handling paper boxes maybe.
"I'm new and don't know you. I'd like to though if you can enlighten me."
"Isn't the man supposed to introduce himself first," she countered with those eyes still penetrating mine.
"I'm Yū. Yū Narukami from Fubuyaki City," I introduced myself.
The girl's eyes widened a bit at this. "A city boy thrown into the sticks huh? I bet this is a cultural shock for you." And she would be right. I'm not a country boy. The most country I can say I was when I went ATV riding through Arizona with my dad during my visit. It was fun and gritty. Sand gets almost everywhere whether I like it or not.
"Sort of like Hana-chan," she shook her head but not in a positive way. A guy she knows maybe.
"Is this Hana-chan your boyfriend?" I asked on impulse and she giggled.
"He wishes with how hard he tries. It's almost cute." I've heard that before. When a girl says it's "almost cute" what she means to say is that he's annoying enough to warrant attention but not exactly the good sort. I bet this guy is head over heels for this girl, but she doesn't reflect the same with him.
"Why do you ask city boy? Hoping to be my boyfriend or something?"
I shook my head at the trouble on two legs. "I wanted to talk is all. I didn't get your name."
She winked at me and took her hand back from mine. "If you impress me maybe I'll give it to you Naru-chan." I felt a fire in my chest when I heard that. This girl is trouble and I just got myself on her radar. That's just great. I nodded and turned to walk away.
My day went from not bad to good and right back to not bad in under ten minutes. That's got to be a new record.
I made my way back to the gas station and saw my uncle talking to someone with long grey hair like my own. When my uncle saw me approach he said something to the person and walked back to his car. The guy must have pumped his gas so they must be an attendant. I'm not sure of their gender though. I can normally pick up on these things but for them I can't.
"Have a good look around," my uncle asked to which I nodded. He looked at the paper wrapped sword in my hands and rose an eyebrow at it. I shrugged and told him it's a souvenir. I threw it in the back and nodded to him.
"Hey there, I'm guessing your new?" The attendant stated as I walkd away from the trunk of the car.
"I am," I said loosely. I didn't want to seem like a target like I made myself out to be moments ago with that girl.
"Well, allow me to welcome you to Inaba." The man, I'm assuming now, rose up his hand and I took it in a firm shake. I pondered on the sensation I'm picking up from his grip but came out with a blank slate. He worked at a gas station and yet his hand had no rough patches, callouses, marks or even scratches on it. I can't tell what he does with a hand shake for once and this creeped me out. I let his hand go and fought the urge to step back.
"I'd be careful in this town. It can get pretty boring and if you're from the city you might get stir crazy." Am I really that transparent that they can tell I'm from the city that quickly? Damn it.
I took a breath and said, "Sure." The man put out an ominous almost mysterious smile. "Best way to fight that boredom is with a job. If you want you can work here. We have some open spots." I never pictured myself working at a place like this, so I shook my head. The man looked disappointed for a moment before shrugged. "Well just remember what I said."
"I'll be sure to." I waved at the man before walking back to the car. While that guy was suspiciously nice to me for no apparent reason he did make a good point. I might go stir crazy in an overly quiet town like this without something to do. Maybe I'll work for that blacksmith guy and build my body up a bit more. I'm athletic in build but not muscular like my dad.
I felt my head pulse and pain climb up from the back of my neck up to my forehead. I tripped my head and grit my teeth waiting for it to fade away. I must be more tired than I thought to be suffering from headaches like this.
"Are you okay," I heard from my cousin Nanako and nodded. This pain was more bothersome than painful. It came out not nowhere, but I've had worse that's for sure. I helped my cousin into the car and sat down as well. I rested my head back and took a breath then closed my eyes as the pain persisted to hound me.
Man this day is one of those days.
Uncle Ryotaro's house was very middle class which I could appreciate same with the room he gave me with all the necessities that a high school student could need. Well, I didn't have a bed, but I can buy an air mattress or something of the sort later once I get a job. If I bring friends over I'm going to need a bed or couch large enough to hold them just encase I need to beat them at Battlefield or COD once I get myself some WI-FI in this house for my PlayStation. How can this house have no Wi-Fi I will never know, but I'll make do for now. I still got my ASUS so I won't be bored.
I straightened up my room and broke down many of the boxes placing them to the side. My cleaning took a moment but by night time I was finished for the most part with straightening everything up. Now all I was missing is a good flat screen television and not this aged old one in my room from the 90's. For the love of Kaguya it's not difficult to buy a decently sized flat screen now a day. In Tokyo I could buy one for only as much as my new sword costs. Speaking of my sword, I need to find a nice baseball bat bag to place it in so I can travel with it from place to place like a ronin or something. It would be nice take it to school to defend myself if need be. That's one of few reasons I joined the kendo club for my first year in high school.
With my list of effects to acquire piling up I thought on how to get them. I can work during certain days and at night as well. I have days off on Sunday and half days on Friday and Saturday depending on my extracurricular activities. My mom wanted me to be a full time student, but I'm really not for that so I might've tweaked the class selection roster a little to give myself more free time. I'd rather broaden my horizons more than sit in a boring classroom all day. The seats hurt my butt after a time. I need to find a couple job applications later or freelance work when I can. Either way will work out for me.
"Souji!" I heard from downstairs. I happened to have a room upstairs. "Come down. Dinner's ready!" I felt my stomach growl and gulped. I'm starving. I haven't eaten for most of the day and I've ben cleaning for most of the afternoon. I'm up for some food.
I placed my bag on my couch and quickly flew down the stairs. I picked up the smell of curry anywhere and stopped at the table. A table that was so low that I was forced to sit on my butt to eat anything. I guess this is how it's going to be unless I eat my meals upstairs.
"I know this isn't what you might be used to but…" he paused.
I noticed the hesitance in my uncle's expression and smiled. "I'm good Uncle Ryotaro, no need to fess over me." I sat down on the pillow below me in front of the food he for sure bought instead of made. The lack of dirty or clean pots and pans sprawled around the countertops of the kitchen made it off as such. Regardless, food is food and I'm thankful for such odd morsels.
"Go ahead and eat. This is for you." My uncle leaned forward with a tired smile on his lips. "I want you to feel like you're at home here and that you're a part of our family."
"Yes sir!" I sounded off with a smile on my lips.
My uncle looked taken aback before smiling as well. "You're the jock type aren't you?"
"I might be," I shrugged. I've had a very active lifestyle and always had a physical fitness teacher to grind my typical teenage phase down into powder. Then turn the powder into clay for them to mold. My mom and dad weren't always there, and I still had to know my place. I'm not a jock but I know when to respect authority. Then again this wasn't one of those times. He asked a simple question and I responded like a dumb jock.
I turned back to my food and got to business.
Ring ring. Ring ring.
I heard the ring of phone just as I was about to eat same with my Uncle. "God who's calling at this hour," my uncle cursed as he reached into his pocket for his phone. "Dojima speaking," he sighed and took the call. He said a couple words and stuff but finally ended with an tired, "I'm on my way." He hung up his phone to face us.
"Sorry, But I gotta go take care of some business. Go ahead and eat without me," he declared and a shocked and sad expression was equipped to Nanako's face. She stood up with one of those looks begging him not to leave but duty calls it seems. I saw the confliction in my uncles face but he buried it hard. "I don't know how late I'll be so help him out. Okay Nanako?" He asked his daughter.
Nanako was silent for a couple moments before dropping her chin. "Okay."
My uncle smiled lightly at her and walked to the back door. He opened it quickly and looked outside. "Nanako, what did you do with the laundry," my uncle asked before stepping out.
"I brought it in," she answered him.
"All right," I called back as he got his shoes on. "I'm off." He closed the door and we could hear the sound of a car moments later. Nanako sat back down and turned on the television.
The curry tastes how you would expect store bought to taste like, but it was good. Generic but good. I drew my eyes to the television and the news about some affair scandal stuff between a reporter and some average Joe name Namatame or something like that. Compared to the big shots my family deals with this guy's little scandal was small news. I past it up and went back to my food until I heard something interesting. There's a sale on televisions at Junes.
"Every day's great at your Junes~" the annoyingly catchy tune of the shore came up.
"Every day's great at your Junes~" Nanako sang right after then smiled sweetly. She looked at me and by God I couldn't resist.
"Every day's great at your Junes~" I sang next. Nanako smiled as brightly as her brown eyes shined. I smiled as well because hers was that infectious. She's really a cute girl and I really want to spoil her and teach her to manipulate her dad with easy but can't. Guys like that burn in hell to this day.
"I guess you really like Junes huh?"
"I love Junes!" That's more of a "hell yes" if I've ever heard one.
I finished my food and climbed up to my feet and said good night to my two family members. I yawned as I made my way back up to my room and fell straight down to my couch. I sighed as I sank into the cushions and rolled over to my back.
I'm tired but I really don't want to go to sleep. I've had some weird dreams as of later that I can barely remember. I thought that maybe it was because of the craziness of the week but maybe this time I'll be lucky.
I closed my eyes and felt myself drift to sleep. I felt myself let go. Then I felt myself falling. Like, actually falling.
I opened my eyes to mist and darkness around me. I saw the ground coming fast and got ready to land. I hit the floor and rolled hiring the five points back to my feet.
What happened? Where am I? What the…?
I looked around and saw only fog. In my hands was the sword I bought. Oh yeah, I fell asleep on top of it didn't I. And now I'm in a dream unsure of where I am.
I rubbed my hand through my hair and sighed.
I should have kept my thoughts to myself because I just jinx myself and made it worse.
I sighed again and started walking. Might as well get this over with…again.
A/N: I'm still not sure how far I plan to go with this story. It started out part of the Hunter series but shifted it because the story was fine just needed a shift of MC. Yu or Souji depending on whether you follow the manga or anime was never one of my favorite wild card users. The lack of back story left a lot for the imagination though I will admit that. While I've changed a few things and what not, the premise of the canon story will stick but only to a point. Let's see where this goes.