Hidden in plain sight

The painter

Getting up was a pain in the butt. Getting dressed was a drag. I yawned as my dogs, if you could even call them that, followed me into the kitchen until I filled their dog bowls with left overs from last night. "I'll be heading out Azusa, Tatsu. Remember don't leave the property unless you have to. Other than that do what you want." Both made grunting noises as they continued to wolf down their food. Sighing I walked out the door and went to meet up with Mikaido to go to school.

My name is Kuroyuki Shizuku. I'm a first year at Raira Academy age 16. I excel in math and science while I'm average in Japanese literature. Best friend Mikaido Ryugamine and cofounder of The Dollars. My pen name is Subaru so no one will actually know me besides Mikaido.

I was so lost in my thought that I wasn't paying attention where I was going and bumped into someone. "Ah Gomen. I wasn't paying attention sir." I said before looking up. My eye widened as my blues met warm brown eyes. They stared back at me in surprise, he seemed to have stilled for a moment before shaking his head.

"oh it's you. It's fine kid. Hey aren't you suppose to be in school?" He asked crossing his arms.

Sighing I nodded and lifted an arm to rub the back of neck. "Yea. It's my first day. Mika and I are meeting up to show me the way to school. Although," I paused dropping my arm as I stared at the man. "I am wondering what you are doing out so early. Aren't you a bartender? I assume bars aren't open this early." It was his turn to sigh as he pushed his sun glasses up.

"No. It's just what I wear to work. It was a gift from my younger brother." He admitted. I nodded and smiled up at him slightly before reaching up and pushing his hair away to see the cut from last night. I could sense someone watching us, but chose to ignore it. Not seeing the cut I smiled to myself slightly.

"I'm happy you heal fast. I was sort of worried you got a concussion yesterday from that hit. But I was right." I stated making him look at me weirdly. "You're strong. You push a humans boundaries thus making you one of a kind and special." as I said this I saw his cheeks turn a light, almost unnoticeable shade of pink. The moment was cut off bythe beeping of my phone, pulling it out I saw it was Mika and answered.

"Ah Gomen Gomen Mika. I'm on my way don't worry.......no I got lost and a kind man is sending me off on the right path of life....no I wasn't watching anime last night......ok a little but now we're going to be late so bye!" Glancing back at the man I smiled politely before bowing my head. "As much as I'd like to continue this conversation, school calls me. I hope we do get to meet again." I said before turning around and running off to my meeting spot with Mika.

Time skip

A yawn escaped the girl as the final bell rang. She stood waiting for Mikaido and Anri to gather there things,both of them were class reps so things did tend to take a bit longer. She was humming happily to herself until her phone rang. Looking at it she sighed before waving at her friends, "Something came up. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Without waiting for an answer she left, walking at a fast pace until she got out of the building before sprinting out of there. Many things were rushing through her mind, specifically finding someone who had information on her father. Someone's she's been hunting for years. Glancing around both ways before making sure it was all clear she jumped up onto the railing above her and dropped to the pathway before running again. Things were moving faster than she had thought in this city, she had more resources and more Intel here than in Tokyo, finding her father should be easier. Especially if he was hiding there. A strong possibility especially with all the stuff that I've heard has gone down here in Ikebukuro. 'The painter should have a clue. He was last seen in Shibuya but he'd most likely come here because of the population. But which park would he be at. That's the question.' She thought jumping over a railing. Landing lightly on her feet She dashed through the streets, looking for the old man who should have some information on her father. Taking out her cell phone She redialed the number from early, he answered on the fourth ring.