Jade Unveiled [Webtoon WIP]

Episode 1 : Confrontation

It was early morning; the windows were open by a crack and a few petals of the cherry blossom flew into her tiny studio. Clara was feeling ecstatic as she recently set foot into Osaka, Japan for a volunteering project. This project would help her in a research for her paper she was writing for her university back in England.

25-year-old Clara Brown, originally from Surrey, attending Oxford University, is now in her final year...

Every day she is supposed to take the train to Takarazuka, where she is sent to help at the Tanaka family's business.
The Tanaka's are known for their Kukejiku paper. This is an ancient way of making paper in Japan, also known as the famous scrolls, such as the wall-hung painted ones. They are all so unique and gorgeous to look at.

Just the thought of it, would make Clara wake up all excited. She loves these types of things; Ancient tradition, old scrolls, books, culture. Japanese has been a minor degree for Clara. Although she has been studying Japanese, she was still not fluent at it.

Arriving at the Tanaka's traditional style-house, she enters the usual way, by switching into a pair of home slippers. Before entering she bows respectfully.
"Good morning Mr. Tanaka, may I come in?"
"You may Clara, hope you had a calm trip on your way here?"
"Yes, thank you."

Both enter the crafting room, where they sort out the fibres and sit at the table for the early morning tea.

"So, Clara, by now I know you are studying in Oxford. Care to tell me more? What is it that brought you here to my humble abode?"

"Well, Mr. Tanaka. I would like to know more of this tradition and bring light to the people about the Kukejiku and how it is made. I think this is an art that should not be forgotten and should be granted more value."

"That is nice of you to think that way. But-" He pauses and refills his cup of tea. "Something feels off. There is more..."

"Yes, there is."

She lightly lifts her chin to meet with Mr. Tanaka's eyes and reaches for her pocket. On the table, she plants the pendant.
The pendant has a beautiful light green shaded gemstone embedded with gold Greek armature and in the middle a circle with an Asian symbol. And as she lifts her hand from the pendant. Mr. Tanaka's eyes widen.

"What do you know about this pendant?" she asks.

Silence broke down as Mr. Tanaka looks for the right words to say.

"Where did you get this?"

As he is about to grab the pendant. Clara takes back the pendant in a jiffy.

"Listen carefully," he says "this pendant has been a family heirloom for centuries. It has been lost for over two years now. I cannot express my gratitude sufficiently to you but please accept my teachings in return..."

"I am afraid I will have to decline your offer until I get some answers Mr. Tanaka."

"Then tell me what it is you seek, and I will see fit to whether I can fulfill your request. But in return, I too have some questions."

Clara nods in agreement.

"Tell me, who exactly has sent you here?"

"It was Prof. Ventura from the archaeology department."

"Prof. Howard Ventura?"
He knows where I live... this is not a good sign. "Tell me what else?!"
He asks in an urgent tone.

"He wanted me to research about this pendant I found."

"Where did you find this?!" His eyes started to waver.

"I think it is time you would answer some of my questions Mr. Tanaka... how did you lose the pendant?"

"I- I, my son, Jade, had lost it in England during his last year in the University."

"Jade?" ... Jade Tanaka...

"Clara, please, I can't explain everything to you now, but..."

"I can't give you the pendant Mr. Tanaka...not yet. This is the only thing that still connects me to my boyfriend."

"Your boyfriend?"

"Yes, unfortunately, I lost him in a car crash... and the only clue I could find was this pendant."

"I see, I'm really sorry to hear that."

"No, it's fine. I understand that this might have come as a surprise to you. And you had no knowledge of this event."

...

"If you'll excuse me. I'd like to get some fresh air."

"Yes, but please... Miss Clara... the pendant is really-"

"-important. I get it. Now if you'll excuse me."

Clara left the crafting room and walked around the patio. She notices the pretty flowers blooming. It was March and the cherry blossoms would fall down now... it is always a nice time around. While she was catching some fresh air, a tall figure opens the gate and enters with a bike. He had dark hair, dark eyes and slim figure. His face was a bit covered by the baseball cap he had on.

She was taken aback when he stared a bit from afar. She gazed back and gave a tiny bow.

He enters the house quickly.

Who was that?...

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