Stories From Tokyo-To

Chapter 16: Funky Radio!

It's been two days since Gum brought me to Mew's place. I can't say they've been productive, but I can't complain, considering the circumstances. The pain and bruising died down, so I figured today would be ideal to get back on the street. I also didn't want to be a bother to Mew. She's been a great help, but my problems shouldn't be hers. I gathered my things and decided to head out that morning. I made sure to tidy up the place and headed for the door.

When I opened the door, a gust of wind rippled the clothes on my back. The sun's blinding light made me wince, but as soon as my eyes adjusted, I gazed at what was around me.

"Woahhh!" The first sight that greeted me was the hustle and bustle of Benten-Cho's business district. Car horns, people talking, and TV ads filled the morning's soundscape. It turns out that Mew's hideout was a repurposed utility storage shed made to look like it was condemned by city officials. I was impressed by how concealed it was.

"You're heading out already?" Mew's voice startled me. I looked around to see where she was, only to find her sitting atop the graffiti-riddled shed. She giggled and took a sip of her morning brew.

"Uh, yeah. I figured getting out of your hair would be the best option. Thanks for everything you've done for me!" I gave her a polite nod and approached the door leading to the building's staircase. "Hold on!" she cried. I promptly turned to see what she needed.

"Yeah?"

"You're not gonna wait for Gum? At least stay another day. You're really not in the condition to head off on your own!" She tilted her head in confusion.

"Why would I wait for her? I'm not actively looking to be scolded again." My brows furrowed as I mumbled the latter half of my sentence to myself.

"She wanted to speak to you before you leave!" Mew hopped off the spot she was perched and approached me. "She didn't really mention why, but it seemed important. That AND if you leave, I'll probably be the one getting a stern talking to instead of you..." She clasped her hands together and gently swayed side to side, giving me puppy eyes.

I sighed. "So I have no choice, huh?"

Mew smiled, biting her lip and shaking her head. She took me by the wrist and led me back into the hideout. Walking in gave me a better look at the interior since I just walked past it. It was a quaint first room, equipped with a kitchenette and a workbench on the adjacent wall. It reminded me of the one Slate had in his workshop. She caught me gawking at her living space and chuckled. 

"Like what you see? Cute, isn't it?" She poured me a cup of coffee and offered it to me. Taking it, I nodded and smiled. "Yeah, it is."

"So, what's your story? "

"My story?"

Mew gave me a cute grin, and then she threw me off guard by asking me mid-sip. "Yeah! What are you all about? The stranger I nursed back to health. The cutie who went up against Poison Jam and lived to tell the tale!"

"Cutie?!" I almost choked on the sip I took and blushed a deep red. She took notice and smirked. "Well, what is there to say? I'm just a kid who ran away from home. I wanna find a place that I can call my own and be with people who really get me... or at least leave the shit show I was in."

"Aren't we all?" Mew added as she leaned against the wall leading into the other room. I came to the realization that this girl didn't even know my name! I was taken aback and apologized that I hadn't properly introduced myself.

"Benisu? That's a nice name!" Mew replied. "What's your street name?" Intrigued, she inquisitively slanted her head to the side.

"Oh, I haven't really put any thought into it. I know it's pretty important out here, but I was never really one for naming things..."