First Arrival

The Previous Day,

Sunday,

Some Time After Noon.

Ren sat in the moving train, his posture relaxed yet purposeful, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Behind his dark shades, he could barely see the passing lush green fields as they zoomed past it at breath necking speed.

As the train moved along the tracks, Ren remained lost in his own world, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. With each mile passed, he drew closer to his destination.

They finally reached their destination; Yugen.

Yugen was a small coastal island located a thousand miles off of the coast of Tokyo. It was connected through to the Mainnland via an overseas railroad network.

A sprawling Urban City known majorly for its breathtaking cherry blossoms in spring that painted the city's skyline pink, but they say nothing is ever as good as it looks, unfortunately the City hid a much darker side beneath the colourful exterior.

The city had its fair share of illegal businesses. It was a front for Smuggling, Drug trafficking, Prostitution Rings, Gang Wars.

Ren stepped off the train at Fujihara City Train Station, the sound of the engine and the clattering of wheels on tracks disappearing behind him. He adjusted his backpack, the inaudible conversations of the bustling crowd blending with the occasional announcements over the overhead loudspeakers.

He navigated the station with not much difficulty, showing his ticket at the exit gate before following the signs towards the main exit. As he emerged out into the open air, he was greeted by the various mundane sights and sounds of the city: the honking of car horns, the chatter of walking pedestrians, and the distant heavy construction.

Ren quickly flagged down a passing cab, its yellow and black paint slightly faded, but the driver offered a friendly smile to make up for it. "To where, young man?. " he said.

Ren handed over a slip of paper with the address of his new apartment. "Do you know where this location is?, "

"Ah, yes. " The driver nodded and Ren got in with his luggage. The driver then pulled away from the curb, weaving through the streets with practiced precision.

"First time here?, " The driver glanced through at Ren, who looked lost.

"Yeah, " Ren answered absent minded, as he watched the cityscape unfold before him, a mix of towering buildings and smaller shops and the occasional parks breaking up the urban set-up.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here, " the driver smiled.

"I sure hope so. " Ren replied, his head rested looking through the window.

Ren's pocket buzzed and he slid his hand through his pants bringing out his flip phone. He flipped it to see who was calling him and it seemed to irk him greatly as he didn't need a second look to put the call off and put his phone back.

They finally arrived at their destination; a modest apartment building. Ren paid the driver his fee and stepped out, his gaze scanning the structure. It was an older building, but it was well-maintained, with a distinct feeling that the newer buildings often lacked.

At the entrance to the building, Ren was greeted by a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. "Oh hello.. You must be Renji, " she said, extending her hand. "I'm Mrs. Kato, your landlady. "

Ren hesitated a little bit but eventually shook her hand, noticing the strength in her grip despite her age. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kato. I'm Ryūhara Ren. "

Early 40s; Ren tried to guess her age but she exuded this nice smell and feel that made Ren's young body feel warm and fuzzy inside.

She nodded, her eyes twinkling. "My son and daughter are about your age. " She began. "They're out right now with some of their friends, but I'm sure you'll get to meet them soon. "

Ren offered a polite smile, even though he could care less, his thoughts already drifting to his new home for the next 3 years.

Mrs. Kato then led him up a flight of stairs to the second floor, stopping in front of a metallic door with a brass number 5.

"This is your apartment, " she said, handing him the key. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask I'll be downstairs. "

"I'll make sure to remember that. " Ren thanked her and stepped inside, closing the door shut behind him.

Ren stepped into the entryway where he removed his shoes and placed them neatly on the tiled floor. He was greeted by the subtle scent of tatami mats and newly furnished furnitures.

The apartment was small but very cozy, with a single bedroom, a kitchen and a small bathroom. Ren walked through each room, mentally mapping out where he would place his belongings.

The bedroom was the first room he entered. The floor was covered with tatami mats, a low wooden futon frame lay against one wall, topped with a neatly folded futon mattress and a stack of soft blankets. Sliding doors separated the bedroom from the rest of the apartment.

He slid open the doors, moving to the kitchen. Ren found a compact but efficient space. Wooden cabinets lined one wall, their sliding doors revealing neatly organized dishes and utensils. A small gas stove with a single burner stood next to a stainless steel sink, with a bamboo dish rack perched above.

The countertops were small, with just enough space for preparing meals. A small refrigerator hummed quietly in it's corner, its surface free from messy loads for the meantime.

Above the sink, a small window looked out onto the street, letting in natural light and a view of the bustling city outside. "Nice view, " Ren noted.

"Wonder if I can fit through it?. " Ren left that wild thought for another time.

Lastly was the bathroom which divided into two sections. The first part, the washitsu, contained a sink with a mirror above it and a small counter for toiletries. The walls were tiled in a soothing light blue, adding to the sense of calm Ren felt inside.

A sliding door led to the second part, the ofuru or bathing area. Here, Ren found a tub made of smooth ceramic. Next to the tub was a handheld showerhead mounted on the wall, with a small stool and a bucket for rinsing before soaking in the tub.

Satisfied by this, he set down his luggages and pulled out a white jacket and a card from his bag. The card bore the address of a local establishment—one he intended to visit immediately.

His phone rang again, the persistent vibration echoing in the quiet apartment. He glanced at the screen once again, recognizing the reoccurring caller, but chose to ignore it again just like earlier. He slipped the card into his jacket pocket and shrugged on the jacket, giving one last look at the apartment before leaving.

The hallway outside his apartment was narrow, lined with similar numbered doors that led to the homes of his new neighbors. He descended the wooden staircase, the sound of his footsteps echoing softly in the stillness. As he reached the bottom, he found the landlady waiting for him there by the staircase.

"Ah, Renji-kun, how did you find your room?, " she asked, her voice gentle and welcoming. "Hope it was to your city taste, you know Yugen is a bit different from Tokyo. "

"The room was nice, " Ren replied, returning her smile. "I don't think I'd have any issues with it. "

"I'm glad to hear that. If you ever need anything or just want someone to show you around the town, don't hesitate to ask, I'd be happy to set you up with Seiji , " she offered.

"I appreciate it but I don't think that would be necessary, " Ren said, nodding appreciatively. "I'll keep that in mind, "

With a polite bow, he left the building and stepped into the bustling streets of Yugen City. With no leads apart from the card, He set out to his destination a cafe called 'Kissaten Sakura'