Chapter 3

It was strange to her, but it was not unheard of for her to have imagined things. In fact, there had been so many times where she had thought that she had seen all sorts of little monster-like creatures. But at this point in her life, it would take incredible proof for her to convince herself to believe in something out of the ordinary. So because of this, she turned to her new friend and did her best to ignore the sight of the man she had "seen".

"Geez Kamiko, is something the matter? I can walk you-" Naomi started.

"No, no it's alright but thank you so much. I guess I can see you at school on Wednesday. Goodbye!" She rushed her words nervously. Though she tried, she couldn't help but be shook. Naomi thought it was strange but ignored it due to other things she had on her mind like the drama buzzing about the newly coming year.

Kamiko waved her goodbyes and took her phone back out of her small bag to check the map again so she could see the direction she was to go in as she watched her befriended stranger walk off in the path she obviously new very well. She was still bewildered by what Naomi could be doing in the incredibly far away city of Tokyo. Though, she had a few theories she had conjured up on the long ride. One being she was also from some exotic country like she was, which she was aware was probably unlikely in the sense that Kamiko is already late to move since her school is starting in only a few day. Her second theory being that she was there shopping or hanging out with her other gyaru-dressing friends near the city of Harajuku, which was home to bizarre and colorful fashion, kind of like what Naomi seemed to be interested in.

Once she had a decent understanding of where she should be headed, she headed down the street with the trees looming over the narrow sidewalk has her mind raced with excitement along with anxiety. The nature which surrounded her was bright and made her feel at peace. The warm air of the dying summer brushed against her exposed skin and she remembered how much she had loved this feeling. However, she knew to cherish the calmness of the current weather's state since typhoon season was inevitably near. She continued down the way and believed that her soon-to-be new home should be near.

As she walked on next to the pale street in which had very little passing cars, only occasionally demanding her attention. However, she did find her awareness being directed towards the open dojo near what was said to be her destination. Curiously, she peeked into the large building. There seemed to only be a few people occupying it, if not only one. That is when she had remembered what Naomi had told her, something about some guy that spent most of his time there, or something like that. Kamiko couldn't exactly remember since she found herself occasionally spacing out during her brief conversation with Naomi earlier. She attempted for only a moment or two to remember the athletic boy's name. Though, she could not. As a spur of the moment attitude took over her logical, discussion making part of her growing brain, she came up with the thought to go in and talk to him and maybe even get a chance to introduce herself and acquire another friend before the start of the new school year.

And so, she went through the open doorway and somewhat confidently searched for somebody to ask for assistance from. It had been only a few seconds since she had walked in and she decided to call out verbally rather than suspiciously looming around near the entry.

"Hello?" She waited for an answer, honestly not wanting one at this point, due to the fact that she considered herself to be wasting her precious unpacking time. Suddenly, she felt something move behind her near the door which her back had been facing. She turned abruptly with her eyes wide from being to intrigued in the whole situation.

"Oh hello there, what is it that you could want here?" It was a young boy, you could say about the age of Kamiko but seemed more mature, at least from his atmosphere. She figured that this must be the boy that her friend was referring to and she then felt pleased with herself for finding him before she could bring herself to quit her exposition for the person she didn't know. After being able to examine him for just a second more, she somehow felt like she now remembered his name. There was something indeterminable that was familiar about him.

"Sorry- I'm Kamiko Horikishi. Do you happen to be Kento...?" The last part was obviously pronounced in confusion.

"Actually yes, how did you know? Have we met before?" He questioned.

"Uh, well, no, I don't think that we've met, I've just moved her today and I was on my way to the manga shop next door when I remembered that Naomi, I don't know if you know her or not but, she told me about you when I met her earlier on the train coming from Tokyo." It was a mouthful that she had forced out despite her nerves.

"Ah yes I know Naomi. She seems like a good person but sort of bland if you ask me, I'm guessing you'll be going to Sakai High as well?" Kamiko was left in utter confusion, Bland??, She thought to herself. Nothing that she noticed about Naomi was bland, Are we referring to the same Naomi or what?, If they weren't Kamiko believed to be in deep trouble if extreme makeup and hairstyles was the "bland" here.

She decided to end up pondering over that later on in the day and almost forgot to respond to him. "Yes, I'm going there. Are you also a sophomore?" She could only hope so but she thought it would be the most logical based off of his appearance.

Yeah, I am." After he responded Kamiko felt an awkward feeling arousing in the area so she decided that she should probably go back to finding her grandparents before the started to worry.

"Okay well, I'll be on my way. I'll be staying next door so if you ever want somebody to talk to I'll probably be free."

"Thanks see ya soon." He said casually. And so, she was on her way again, but this time only a few steps away before she got to the shop.

She came across the welcoming, small cube-like building with wall which was exposed to the street being completely produced by thick glass. She was put at ease when she read the simple katakana informing her that this was indeed Mizuki's Manga. The door had a semi-circle shaped handle to with Kamiko let into her grasp and pulled allow entry to herself into the well lit room which was pleasantly crowded with Japanese comic books of all kinds.

"Oji-san, Oba-san, are you guys home?" She called out to the room that appeared to be absent of life. When she heard a sort of shuffling coming from behind one of the large stacks of shelves, she felt suddenly concerned for her safety and the shop she just had met with.