The Anime Castle

Vol. 2

We had already left the house and made our way to the nearest shopping center using civilians as directories. And you should have seen the looks we got everywhere. After we got to the shopping center I was already used to it. Once we were in the mall Takumi went went straight to the music department. Mom had given both of us $20 so we were set. At first I had no specific place I wanted to visit until I remebered that i wanted to cover up the wallpaper in my room. I did not know where to find posters. Person by person i made my way to the decor center. Poster sat in neat orders. I chose some of animals like a panda and a cat. Another of my favorite anime and the last one of a girl band i listened to often. All of these were surprisingly cheap and left me with $15. Neighboring the decor isle was the crafts section. I scanned not expecting to find anything but I did remeber my key in my back pocket and thought that maybe it wouldnt hurt to make it into a necklace. Incidentally there was a small thin chain in front of me where i was searching. I picked it up and found it to be only $1.50. "okay" i mumbled as if giving myself permission. I hit a McDonalds last with the $14 i had left. A small salad and a Hi C would suffice. My brother came and sat next to me to show me some new CD's he had bought. Girls around the place stared at me with envy. I blushed knowing that they had gotten the wrong idea.

Takumi and I agreed we were done shopping and I sugested maybe we catch a dollar movie. He turned down the offer.

"My feet hurt, Mikaru" he whined. I rolled my eyes already annoyed with him because we hadnt even been walking that long.

"Okay so what, do you want to go home?" i asked sarcastically trying to emphesise that going home would be boring. But to my dissapointment he nodded anyway. So i got up grudgingly and picked up my bags. He did the same. Then my backpocket started feeling warm. I reached into it and fished out the key. I dropped it as soon as I felt the singing of it against my palm. "What the heck!" I exclaimed. It hit the ground with a high ting. To my relief nobody was staring. Takumi looked at me questioningly. "Why did you do that?" he asked. "It was....it was very hot." I mumled still dumbfounded.

Then the highlight of my week happened.

"saw you drop this" a guy said. He had strange red hair and very dark brown eyes. He was wearing a black sweater and black jeans. I wanted to stop him from picking it up but when he did he dididnt seem affected at all. Stunned i took the key from his hand as he politely handed it to me. "Thank you. I...I dont know what got into me." my words were back as long I didnt focus on him to much. He smiled again but this time with a hint of suspicion. But still he nodded once and walked away.

Takumi didnt seem stunned by the scene that had just taken place at all. Tipical. He lifted his bag and started,"if your done ma'am" I rolled my eyes but walked in front of him.

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By the time we got home it had started raining. Actually it had started on the bus but it had started pounding as soon as we got into our house. Takumi made his way straight to his room. I wasnt as lucky to be ignored by mom.

"So how was the trip?" she asked as she washed the tomatoes for tonight's dinner. "Fine" I answered not eager to tell the story. But she was'nt happy with just fine.  "Mikaru....I want you to be happy here." she said pleadingly and i almost felt bad for her. Almost. "Well im not. I was fine back in Japan where it was fine to look like this" I gestured at myself dramatically. "What...Is this what this is about, Mikaru? Your self esteem?!" She was angry now. "No. Nothing. I didnt meanthat. Im just missing my old life mother. My old friends and especially my old sorroundings." i said as fast as I could because i didnt want to argue.