Sorry for not updating in a while. As an apology, you get another chapter within this week, I promise. I split this chapter in two, so now I have another chapter waiting for you.
Thanks for all your favorites, follows and comments. They always cheer me up and make me smile.
"Finally! I thought mom would never let me enter the train. She acted like I'd be going to war, not another city. I seriously thought she'd change her mind at the last second, and I'd have to stay in Izumo!"
Hana shook her head and let herself fall on her seat with a heavy sigh, then took a fashion magazine and some headphones out of her backpack and put them on the table with too much force behind it. Eiji looked at her in understanding, then smiled.
"I'm glad I can spend more time with you again, Hana. And don't worry. If mom promises you something, she won't go back on her word. She was just worried, that's all." Hana's features relaxed at Eiji's words, and her eyes softened while she looked at Eiji.
"Yes, I know that, of course, Eiji. But you didn't have to survive her lectures from last night. She went on and on about the dangers of a major city and lectured me to be careful and never leave your side. I'm not a kid anymore and can take care of myself!" she complained while crossing her arms in defiance.
"She's overreacting. It sounded as if I'd wander through the depth of hell." She pouted for a moment; then, a small smile appeared on her face.
"Thanks for convincing mom to let me go with you, Eiji! I can't believe I'm going to Tokyo! This is so cool!" Hana's eyes sparkled with pure joy and excitement. Eiji looked happy, but then his cheerful expression faded away.
"Well, I admit that convincing her was not an easy task... I spent days trying to win her over and see the situation from our point of view."
Hana rolled her eyes, then pointed at Eiji. "Doesn't surprise me. All of this is your fault, you know?"
"Huh? Why?" Eiji's eyes widened in confusion while he stared at his sister. "What have I done?"
Hana looked at Eiji, then glanced at Ash for help.
"Ash, please tell me he's joking." She stared at Eiji, again, taken aback by his innocent reaction.
"Eiji, that should be obvious, don't you think?" Ash replied, agreeing with Hana. When Ash looked into his eyes, however, he realized that Eiji was totally clueless. Pure confusion was dancing in his dark brown eyes. Ash shook his head, then slapped a hand across his face.
"Eiji, you came back from a big city after being severely injured. And you weren't just injured; you were shot, for God's sake. So, it's only natural that your mom is anxious that Hana will get hurt, too, if she travels to a city of the same size. Tokyo is the largest city in the world if the entire Tokyo metro area is included, with more than 38 million residents. So, it's even bigger than New York," he reminded him sternly.
"And every big city also has its dangerous parts. We know that better than anyone. It's understandable why she was seriously worried about her. And about you, too. She nearly lost you."
"Yes, you're right. I honestly forgot all about my injury since it healed perfectly well. And it seems like a lifetime ago," Eiji replied, meeting his gaze. "But Tokyo isn't New York. And the circumstances in New York were special. Japan is perfectly safe."
Ash knew that shadow lingering in Eiji's eyes. It meant he forgot about his injury because he was too busy worrying about him. The truth was openly revealed in Eiji's eyes.
He slowly learned to read emotions better, but he still had much to learn. He could read some gestures and noticed minor details in Eiji's eyes. But many details, gestures, and body language were still a mystery to him. He hoped he'd improve in that area eventually... Eiji pulled him out of his thoughts when he placed a hand on his knee.
"And my mom was worried about all of us. Including you, Ash. You noticed that, too, right?"
"Yes, I did. She even asked me to look after you and told me to return safely. No one has ever told me that before. Except for you, Eiji. And Max, maybe. That took me completely off guard. For a moment, I was so shocked I had no idea how to react to that", he admitted honestly.
"That's because my mom considers you part of our family, Ash. Even if she's still a bit careful around you, she realized that you're a good person."
"Eiji's right, but there's more to it. When Eiji left for New York, he was depressed and completely lost. He was just an empty shell or a shadow of his former cheerful self. It was horrible to witness," Hana explained in more detail to Ash.
Eiji's sad eyes met his sister's, and he silently nodded, agreeing with her and maybe quietly apologizing. Hana's dimmed eyes expressed how much that memory still haunted her, the hurt still visible.
"However, when Eiji returned here, he was his old self again, cheerful and smiling," she continued, cheering up again. „Mom and I realized later on that the reason for his happiness was you, Ash. So, we're grateful to you because you healed Eiji from his depression and gave him a reason to smile again. To be happy. To live again. It's just that the concept of her son being in a relationship with another guy is new to her. But she sees that you are Eiji's happiness. Give her some time. She needs some time to accept it, that's all."
Ash stared at Hana, and Eiji didn't look any less stunned. They looked at each other, then at Hana. Then, Ash slowly nodded.
"I'm glad that I could help Eiji, but I think he helped me so much more. I don't know what I would have done without him..." He softly looked at Eiji for a moment.
Ash then fixated his gaze on Hana, turning serious again. Hana had never left Izumo and had loving parents who always looked out for her, worried about her, and comforted her. So, she automatically assumed that all parents were like that. She might have seen a series or read in the news about bad parenting or child abuse, but it was different to experiencing or seeing such horrible things firsthand because you or your friends were involved...
"Hana, you should be grateful that your mom is worried about you. Even if she's a bit overprotective after what happened to Eiji, it means she loves you. Not everyone is as lucky as you two and had parents who loved you unconditionally."
"Meaning your parents weren't like that?" she quietly asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. She nervously put some strands behind her ear while timidly looking at him. Ash imagined that Eiji had looked similar when he was younger. They both had the same dark brown hair, only Hana's was longer and fell onto her shoulders.
Like Eiji, she also had some shorter strands that fell across her forehead. If flustered or insecure, she used her hands to pull her hair back into a ponytail. Or she shoved some longer strands behind her ear or some bangs covering her forehead from one side to the other. It was cute. Eiji also put some strands to the side of his face like that.
Hana had learned that Ash didn't like to talk about his past and wondered if asking such a personal question was allowed. Ash saw the question in her brown eyes. She also looked at Eiji as if she silently wanted to ask for his permission.
Ash smiled sadly at her and nodded. Maybe it was time to tell her at least the censored version about himself. She deserved to know because they got along fine, and she was like a little sister to him. She was family and also one of the reasons that he finally felt like he belonged.
He had just hesitated to tell her about himself until now because he instinctively wanted to protect her. Yet, Hana had open and intelligent eyes that were openly curious about him. Besides, they had this compartment to themselves on such an early morning on a weekday, so no one would overhear them, which put Ash at ease.
And he had promised her that he'd tell her more about himself on this trip. Or Hana would investigate herself if she hadn't already done so and would distance herself from him again when reading about his past in New York.
"Yes. My mom was a teenager when I was born. She left me with my dad right after my birth and ran away. And my dad didn't care for me at all, either. For him, I was just a burden, and he hated me for some reason. I've never figured out why."
Ash looked at Eiji, who sat beside him and had just put a hand on his shoulder for comfort. Eiji always noticed when his mood darkened, he tensed up, or he was about to lose his temper.
He looked at his sister, and Ash felt how the hand on his shoulder tightened. Eiji tried to control his emotions, too. Max had told him after their trip to Cape Cod how Eiji had gotten seriously mad at his dad for his sake since he had wanted to get rid of him again as soon as possible.
"I met his dad. He was a horrible father. Then, he cast a side glance at Ash.
"Given your looks, I don't see much of your dad in you, Ash, so I can only assume that you look a lot like your mom, and you constantly reminded your dad of the woman who left him. That's not an excuse for his rude and terrible behavior towards you. However, it could be one reason why he didn't want to have anything to do with you."
"Maybe..." Ash looked out of the window, reflecting on it for a moment. That thought had never occurred to him before. Now that Eiji had mentioned it, it made some sense, though... His dad had always tolerated Griff, but he had always been a red flag to him...
"My dad abandoned me and left me with my half-brother Griffin who was your age at the time, 15 years old. Could you imagine raising a child on your own like that? You're just one year younger."
"What? No, of course not!" Hana's eyes had widened in horror at the mere thought.
"Well, he did. And he did a pretty good job. He was kind and warm-hearted and the only person who loved me. I have gained my passion for books from him. He always wrote poems and stories and wanted to become a writer. So, he often read books and poems to me. We had a little house close to my dad's, and I grew up there."
"That sounds hard at such a young age. Your brother must be an amazing person. I'm afraid to ask, but what happened to him?" she asked carefully.
"He joined the army and died several years later. Here's a photo of him. He showed his phone to her with an image.
Hana looked at it with interest. It was the photo Max had given him, where Griffin had bent down to his height, and they were wearing a baseball uniform. It was the only photo he possessed of himself and Griff, so he cherished it and had taken a photo with his cell phone, so Griff would always be by his side, in a way...
"Wow, that's you next to him, right? I see some resemblance. You look so cute. And Griffin loved you. He has kind eyes and a warm smile. Kind of like Eiji."
Ash stared at Hana, speechless for a moment, when hearing this innocent reaction from her. Then, he looked at the photo and relaxed again, feeling how a half-smile formed on his face.
"Yes, I agree. Eiji's warm smile sometimes reminds me of him, too."
"It does? You've never told me that." Eiji's eyes widened as he stared at him, stunned for a moment. Ash gave him a small smile.
"Your warm smile and the gentle way you look at me sometimes remind me of him. He had the same kind and compassionate personality you do. Is that weird?"
"No, it isn't. It's great that I remind you of Griffin. That way, he'll always be close to your heart. Like me." He ruffled his blonde hair and smiled softly at him.
"I guess I haven't looked at it that way." He felt how a small smile dawned on his face. Eiji always found the right words. Even if he thought it was weird and embarrassing that Eiji sometimes reminded him of Griff, Eiji was always supportive and never judged him. He was fortunate to have met him.
Hana rolled her eyes, then cleared her throat impatiently. "You know I'm still here, right?"
"Sorry, Hana. All I wanted to say is that not everyone has a loving family like you two. You should appreciate it."
To his surprise, Eiji was the one who replied.
"We know that, Ash. In Izumo, most people are nice and take care of their family and neighbors, too, so we always take it for granted. Only if you leave there you'll realize that not all cities are as safe and peaceful as our little town by the sea where everyone is there for each other."
"I'm sorry, Ash. I didn't know. I know my mom loves me. And my dad did as well. But since Eiji returned, my mom has been too overprotective, and it's been getting on my nerves. All my friends have been to Tokyo and wanted to take me with them, but my mom has never allowed it, not once. I know she does it because she cares and worries, but I wish she would trust me more. I'm not a little kid anymore, and I've never given her a reason to doubt me. That's why I'm so happy that she agreed this time."
"I just wanted to tell you that you're lucky growing up here. It's a nice place with kind people," Ash replied sincerely.
"Where did you grow up?" Hana suddenly asked, encouraged because he was more talkative than usual.
The last few times, he had always abruptly changed the topic when she had asked questions about his past. Still, Hana was just openly curious about him because they got along really well.
He had slowly learned that Eiji's world was new to him. Here, people talked openly about themselves and didn't hide their true selves. At the beginning, he had always gotten suspicious when people asked him about himself or his past, automatically assuming that they wanted to use that information against him eventually.
Eiji had been sad that he still assumed that people had ulterior motives, assuring him that people here were just interested in him.
Mainly because he stood out with his blonde hair and green eyes but also because most people knew Eiji and had heard that he had come home injured and had brought a foreigner along with him. So, they had been the talk of the town for a while, and some rumors were circulating about them.
With Eiji's help, he realized after a while that asking him questions was open curiosity and a conversation starter to learn about the new boy in town. So, Ash tried to talk more with people around him, but it wasn't easy for him. But at least he tried, Eiji had reminded him. It was easy to trust Eiji and Hana. But he had difficulty trusting or opening up to other people, especially adults, having learned the hard way never to trust them.
Still, he slowly learned to be more open towards people who knew Eiji and his family and coworkers at the café. Eiji constantly reminded him that given his horrible experiences, he couldn't expect miracles, that recovery from trauma was a slow but steady process, and that he needed patience. If he pushed himself too hard, he'd suffer from a relapse and make everything worse. When seeing Eiji's worried expression, he decided he was right.
"I grew up in Cape Cod. Have you heard of it?"
"I think it's a vacation spot, isn't it? It was in one of our English school books."
"Yes, it's an island close to New York, but it belongs to the state of Massachusetts. It's a summertime destination where many wealthy people have a summer house or a cottage. It's a beautiful place by the sea, just like Izumo. And as windy."
"Then, how did you end up in New York?" Hana asked curiously, interested to learn more.
"When my brother left to join the army, I was still young, and my dad didn't want to take care of me, so he sent me away to his sister. But I ran away from there. I went to New York to find my mom since she was originally from New York. It was my dream to find her, but I've never succeeded. It was impossible with the little information I had. Things only got worse because I was homeless and a runaway kid living on the streets. Then, someone picked me up from the streets—someone powerful and dangerous involved with the mafia. I don't want to talk about it but let's just say that he did unimaginable things to me and made me suffer for a long time. That's why I want to forget it."
"Fine, I understand that. And I'm not interested in your past, Ash. What I want to know is who is the real you? According to the newspaper articles I've found, you're a cold-blooded gang leader who ruled the underworld with an iron fist. They called you a monster, a devil, and a merciless killing machine." Hana replied, suddenly serious and looking directly into his eyes, the intensity of that gaze taking him off guard. After a moment, however, her eyes softened and warmth reflected in them.
"However, that's not the person I met here in Izumo. I mean, it's obvious that you experienced something horrible, but the guy I met here is a smart, kind, and funny one who loves teasing Eiji as much as I do and often takes my side in arguments. You're nice to my mom and me and try hard to find a new beginning here. You also tried hard to learn our language and have improved a lot. So, I wonder who the real you is," Hana explained her thoughts patiently to him.
"What if I tell you what the newspapers wrote is true?"
Ash saw how Eiji tensed up next to him, firmly gripping his hand, tightening the hold on it. He didn't interrupt him, though. He knew that this conversation would be inevitable.
So, Eiji remained silent and watched the two of them with some concern. Yet, he was a bit nervous and played with the string of his hoodie all the time. Until Ash placed a hand on his knee and smiled at him. Eiji immediately relaxed and just nodded at him.
Ash loved that Eiji understood that this conversation was about the two of them and only took part in it as a bystander. Ash didn't like to talk about his life, but at the same time, he realized that talking about those problematic topics helped him immensely.
It was easier to talk to Eiji's family than to someone professional he didn't know at all. Talking to Hana had always been easier since she wasn't an adult, but a teenager, so he found it much easier to trust her. Another reason was that Hana was important to him. Eiji and Hana reminded him of himself and Griff, so he wanted to protect both of them and ensure that Hana had the childhood he never had.
Even if she constantly reminded him that she wasn't a kid anymore. Yet, by his standards, she was. If he thought about Sing, who had taken over Shorter's gang at the same age and had been the best fighter in New York besides him, everyone in comparison seemed like a kid to him.
"I'm not sure. I would ask you next what reason you had to become a gang leader and kill people."
Ash stared at her in disbelief. Hana met his gaze, her brown eyes looking at him with such intensity and intelligence behind them; it startled him for a moment.
Casting a glance at Eiji, he saw how Eiji smiled knowingly at her. Amusement flickered in his brown eyes. He had expected that answer from his sister. Like brother, like sister. Both didn't believe in rumors but asked him for his side of the story first. They both cared about the truth and followed their gut feeling and skill of being a good judge of character before anything else.
"Why would you ask that?"
"I may be younger and a country bumpkin, but I'm not stupid. I watch the news, research things online, use social media, and read books. So, even I know that the world isn't black and white. Someone who kills isn't necessarily evil, and someone who saves people isn't necessarily a Good Samaritan. It's not always that simple. It's the circumstances that matter most. As Sherlock Holmes said, the key to any crime is motive. Without a motive, there would be no crime at all."
Ash grinned when hearing that. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Eiji would have answered the same way. Except for the Sherlock Holmes part. He's probably never read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," he replied, smirking at him.
Eiji glared at him for a moment, then punched him softly on the shoulder. "Damn book nerds," he muttered under his breath. "I bet you've never heard of Daido Moriyama or Hiroshi Hamaya, either."
"Who?" Ash and Hana asked in unison.
"Exactly my point," Eiji replied smugly, smirking knowingly at them. "The first one is a famous photographer of city life. He tried to capture the frantic nature of cities with a unique aesthetic that reflects the dark side of urban life. And the second one is a documentary photographer. His work focused mainly on the traditions of Japan, which gives viewers great insight into moments of everyday life – snapshots of an amazing time. You could lead a lot by looking at his photos, Ash."
Ash nodded at Eiji, then Hana turned to him again.
"I know that you're not a bad person. I've watched how you treat Eiji, and honestly, that's all I need to know. You're always gentle and kind around him, and you smile more. And you treat my mom and me the same way. For me, it's not about who you once were but who you are now that matters. I just want to make sure my family is safe. That you don't want to be involved in crime again, and most of all, that you won't hurt my brother. That's all."
Eiji stared at Hana in amazement, his eyes widening at that remark. After an instant of silence, his eyes softened, and he relaxed again.
Ash nodded in understanding. "I became a gang leader to protect myself and others I loved. You can only protect your loved ones if you have followers, power, and money, so I founded a gang. I killed people because they attacked my gang or me first. Most of the time, I didn't start the fight. I'm not a saint, however, and I won't pretend that I am. I deeply regret killing people, though, and wish I could undo it or make up for it," Ash tried to explain his situation in New York in simple terms.
"I came here with Eiji to have a new start, even if I still doubt that I deserve that. But, don't worry, I don't want to be involved in crimes again. I want to live a normal life and work around books. I'd never hurt Eiji, you, or your family. All I want is a peaceful life. I never had a normal and quiet life, and I've started to enjoy it. Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, it does. Thank you for finally answering my questions, Ash. I'm relieved. I didn't want to be nosy. But it's hard to trust someone you know nothing about. Who's a complete mystery. I just want to know more about you. And I will. That's also why I'm glad I could join you on this trip. I can get closer to my brother again. And I can learn more about you. I hope this trip will bring us closer together, too. Even if you don't tell me yourself, I'm sure I'll learn more about you."
"I'm sorry, Hana, I ... I'm not good at talking about myself..."
"It's fine. I'm sure we'll have a great time in Tokyo."
"Yes, I hope so, too. I'm looking forward to it."
Ash smiled at her, relieved she wasn't pushing him and left it at that. At least for now. Like Eiji, she probably saw more than he wanted her to see. She shared the same empathetic levels that Eiji possessed. It made him smile.
"Now, can we finally eat something? All this serious talk made me hungry."
Ash and Eiji both burst out laughing, then Eiji unpacked their snacks.
Hana looked at the two bento boxes and inspected them closely. While one looked perfect, the other looked messy and chaotic, as if one had been prepared by someone new to this, a beginner.
"Wait, one of them was prepared by Ash and the other by you, Eiji, right? That one looks chaotic, so it can only be from Ash." Hana pointed at the right one and looked questioning at Ash, then at Eiji in turn.
"We each made one, yes."
"I tried to make the omelet and the onigiri, but they still look terrible. If you want to be sure, try the chicken sandwiches," Ash advised, feeling down. He had tried his best, but the result still looked awful. He wasn't used to failing at something, so he felt stupid. In comparison, Eiji's attempt was perfect and looked like a masterpiece of art, not food.
"Ash makes the best sandwiches! They'll change the universe. It's a recipe from New York. But don't worry, Ash, your cooking skills have improved. All you need is some practice."
Hana smiled at him and tried the omelet first with some chopsticks and had some difficulty because Ash's first try looked chaotic and fell apart a little. And yet, her eyes started sparkling when she tried it, and he cheered up instantly.
"The omelet is delicious! Although it's a bit crooked. But it tastes great! Then, she took one of Ash's sandwiches. He had cut each sandwich into triangles so they were easier to eat.
"Wow, your sandwiches are amazing. I think I have to come by your apartment more often."
Ash felt how his cheeks heated up when Hana praised him. Eiji patted his head. "See, I told you you've improved. And it's adorable that you're still blushing when praised. You're still not used to it."
Ash stubbornly looked away and crossed his arms. Eiji put an arm around his shoulder and whispered something into his ear.
"You'll make a great wife one day," returning the phrase to him that Ash had told him with a smirk back in New York. Ash shot him a death glare, and Hana burst out laughing.
"But you really surprised me. First, you got up earlier than me this morning, which is a miracle in itself; then, you even made breakfast for us and prepared a bento box, and last but not least, you were actually ready to leave before me without the tiniest trace of sleepiness. So, the only conclusion I can reach is that you're a clone or a holo projection. He pinched his cheek.
"Ouch!"
"No, you're real. Maybe a doppelgänger or a secret twin?" Eiji wondered aloud, tightening his eyes and staring at Ash's face in pure concentration as if diving directly into his soul. After a moment, he stopped, a glint in his eyes as if he was up to no good.
"Although I don't think the world is ready for two of your kind," he chuckled, smiling wickedly.
"Eiji, stop that crap! I was just excited and couldn't sleep, so I thought it would be a great idea to help you with the preparations. I won't do it again!" he exclaimed, pouting and crossing his arms in defiance. Eiji put an arm around him and pulled him closer. Even if Ash still feigned annoyance, he felt how a small smile escaped his lips as Eiji smiled softly at him.
"Yes, you were actually a great help this time, thanks! So, you can get up early if you try. But not for me..." He left the rest of the sentence hanging heavily in the air, and Ash saw him pouting. It was adorable. Ash had always thought that mad Eiji, who shoved his lower lip into a slight pout, was the cutest, but he'd never tell him that...
"I like to get up early. But not in the mornings," Ash countered, smirking at Eiji. "You never stay up late with me, either. It's not my fault you go to bed like the elderly, grandpa."
Eiji took the guidebook lying on the table in front of him and smacked it on the top of his head, then cast him a dirty look.
"You shouldn't use books like that. As a weapon. It's disrespectful to use a well of knowledge that way."
"Damn book nerd! And I didn't use the book as a weapon or for an attack but merely as a subtle reminder that not only books deserve respect but me, too. Sometimes, I think you love books more than you love me," he complained, challenging him, shooting a death glare at him. It didn't last long before Eiji's expression melted into a softer one, so Ash knew he was just teasing him.
"Never." Ash kissed him on his cheek, then said in a low voice: "However, books have one advantage, they don't talk back." Eiji glared at him and was about to get his revenge, but Ash stopped his arm in midair, laughing happily.
Hana, who sat opposite them, giggled wholeheartedly and shook her head at their war of wits. She was already used to their bickering by now and knew best not to interfere.
"I like to get up early. But not in the mornings. I have to remember that phrase. I'll tell that mom the next time she forces me to get up before 9 a.m. on the weekend." Ash gave her a conspiratorial smile, and Eiji sighed in defeat.
"I think Ash already has a bad influence on you," Eiji added, failing hilariously at a scolding undertone. "Mom will probably blame me if you turn into a rebellious teenager who skips school."
"Really funny! Since you were always the innocent and perfect poster boy, fulfilling the role of the rebellious teenager and misbehaving troublemaker everyone expects to see falls upon me. Maybe I should get one of those hideouts under a floorboard or wall where I hide all my dirty secrets." Eiji just shook his head in frustration, but his honest face betrayed him.
They continued eating in silence for a moment. While Eiji listened to music, Ash read a book, and Hana browsed through a fashion magazine while eating.
Of course, Eiji's mom had made lunch boxes for them as well, afraid they'd starve to death on their 7-hour trip, so now they had enough food for one week, at least.
But then, they also had taken a starving teenager with a pitless stomach with them. Hana had a never-ending appetite and looked like she hadn't received any food for the last few weeks. Ash grinned when seeing that, unable to hide his amusement
Hana's cheeks flushed bright red when she felt Ash's gaze on her. "It's fine. If you don't want to turn out and look like Eiji, the grade-schooler, eat as much as you like." Hana chuckled.
"Ash, that's rude. Eiji at least looks like a middle schooler now," Hana countered, smirking at Eiji.
Eiji shot both of them a dirty look and stuffed a piece of chicken into his mouth. His eyes, however, revealed how much he had enjoyed this trip already.
So, when will we arrive in Tokyo?" Hana asked while they were eating. "You still haven't given me an answer yet."
"That's because I can't eat and look through my documents simultaneously. If you don't let me finish eating and check where we have to change trains again, we'll never reach Tokyo," Eiji stubbornly replied while finishing the rest of his food.
Eiji tried to take out the folder containing all the travel information, including the hotel reservations and the train info, with one hand but didn't succeed. When he had taken out the folder halfway, he lost his grip on it, and it was about to fall to the floor. Before it landed on the floor, however, Ash caught it, grabbed the folder, and stuffed it into his backpack without even bothering to look at it.
"Eiji, Hana, relax, ok? Hana, you're too excited and impatient, and Eiji, you're too nervous. Everything will be fine. We change trains at Okayama Station at 11.39, walk to platform 23 and take the Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi towards Tokyo, where we'll arrive at 3.15."
When Eiji and Hana stared at him in awe, nearly dropping their food, he grinned at them. He loved that he could still surprise Eiji like that, even if Eiji knew he had a better memory than most people.
"But I only showed you our traveling route once.", Eiji exclaimed in amazement. Hana didn't look any less stunned. Was remembering a simple train schedule that extraordinary? Everyone could do that, right?
"I booked the train connection myself, if you remember. It's only natural that I remembered the details when making the for the trains," Ash said, shrugging it off.
"Finding our seats is your task, though. I've never been on a Shinkansen before, so I have no clue how to find our train compartment, let alone our seats."
"That's easy!" Hana replied. "There are markings on the ground telling you where to stand on the platform to enter the right compartment. The door of the train compartment stops at that exact spot. All you have to do is enter and find your seat. Piece of cake." Hana grinned at Ash.
"Says the expert who has never been on a Shinkansen, either," Eiji smirked. Hana stuck out her tongue at him.
Ash followed their interaction with some amusement and chuckled while he stowed away all his belongings into his backpack and handed their luggage to them from the overhead compartment since they had to change trains soon.