The Unusual Trio

Chapter 3

It was Friday. Mali got up quite early to get herself ready for the visitation of her brother's grave. She dressed in a simple black dress with lomg sleeves and it almost covered her ankles. She also wore black high heel boots. She took the flowers that she bpurchased earlier this week.

. As soon as she put on her coat, she was ready to go. After leaving a note, she starts walking to the nearest station. There, trains came by, but it wasn't often like every hour. It was more like every other hour that the train would show up.

She sat on the bench as she waited for her train.
"Excuse miss, do you know what time the train would come?" A young man asked. He was taller than Mali by a head.
"Actually I don't. Sorry." She apologized.
"That's all right." He accepted the apology. Mali had no idea when the train was supposed to come.

Someone gave her a timetable.
"Thank you." She thanked. The person nods only. Mali scans the timetable. The train wasn't supposed to be here for another 90 minutes. Great. What will she do while waiting out in the cold?

For 90 minutes, she would sit in odd positions. People would look at her funny, but she could care less at the moment. Finally, everyone saw the light from the opposite direction. The train stops at the station. People boarded and took their seats. Mali gave her ticket and stares through the window. It would be five hours before she got to Moscow.
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Rose and Suki dragged their luggage at the airport.
"I told the patient that having your appendix removed will not kill you. They think that they're dead." Suki reports.
"Poor person." Rose chuckles.
"Wait, you didn't violate HIPAA?" Rose had to ask.
"What? No way! I didn't tell you who the patient was. Nor did I tell you the history. I just had to tell you that because if was funny."
"I'm just asking. It's what I learned in school."
"No, no. It's okay. I'm not slightly offended. It's good that you're aware."

Rose nods and headed for the check in.
"I cant wait to arrive at Russia." Suki gushed.
"Me neither." Rose agreed. They went to the gate and they has to wait fifteen minutes before the boarding officially began.
"Do you know how to speak Russian?" Rose asked.
"Which is why I brought my handy translation book. Consist of Russian, French, Chinese, and so much more." Suki grinned.
'At least someone came in prepared.' Rose thought happily.

The boarding began. A few people who were waiting gave their tickets. Rose and Suki followed along. They found their seats and sat. Suki was one row behind her. Since it would be close to ten hours in the air, Suki brought in her pink and white blanket. Once that falls on top of her body, she is out like the light. Rose plugged in her earbuds and started listening to music that she downloaded earlier. The pilot announced that they would be taking off, so all wifi and data connections has to be off. Once they were stable in the air, Rose continues to listen to music.
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In Japan, it is Saturday. Jordan threw his luggage into the back of the taxi cab. Josiah called earlier this week. No one was able to watch Isami for the few days that he and his wife would be gone. Then again, trying to make arrangements was last minute. Literally the day before they were supposed to depart to Singapore. Josiah had no other choice but to take Isami along with him.

That meant that Jordan would be kid-free for the nect two to three weeks. Jordan got in the taxi cab and told the driver his destination.
"That'll be 3375 yens."
"What? How come?" Jordan was shocked.
"I charge by every mile. Every mile equals 112 yens. From here to the airport is thirty miles away."
"Fine." He grunted and begrudgingly paid the amount.

The driver starts driving to the airport.
"Out of curiosity, where are you going?" The driver asked.
"I'm going to Russia."
"Hmm. Very interesting. I hope you have fun over there."
"Thank you." As soon as they arrived, Jordan dragged his bags inside. He checked his watch. Had some time to use the bathroom and grab food.

He first used the bathroom and then purchased his food. It was time to start boarding the plane. Jordan gave his ticket and looked for his seat. He received a message. He checks it and sees that it was from Ayima. She thanked him for checking on the turtle. Turns out that the turtle was pregnant, which is why that it was barely moving. Jordan responded. Ayima tells him good luck with his research paper. He also thanks her.

Jordan and Ayima's relationship is strange in a good way. They aren't in an actual relationship because Ayima is a high school student while Jordan is Dr. Kubo. It's strange how they met. Jordan was doing his weekly observations at the bay and sees something black and blue floating through the waters. He slowly approached the floating thing. It turns out to be a human. The human wore a blue shirt and a pair of black pants. She also wore ankle boots and had chains around her waist. Reasons why she wore that getup was unknown.

He screams and Ayima (didn't know her name at the time) screamed.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm searching for an Asterias Amurensis. It's part of my project."
"You're not exactiy doing a good job." Jordan mumbled under his breath, but Ayima heard the statement.
"Hey!"
"What? It's true."
What do you know about searching for a starfish then?" She challenged.

Jordan thought for a moment.
"For starters." He pointed to her face.
"Wear goggles if you want to see better. Second, dress properly. Third, have a picture as to what the starfish looks like. Fourth-"
"Okay, okay, okay. Sheesh Mr. Know-it-all." She grumbled.
"I'm a marine biologist. I know what I'm talking about."
"I guess."
"Do you know what an Asterias Amurensis even looks like?"

Ayima sadly shook her head.
"I'll help you. Only because I don't have anything to do now. I finished my weekly observations." She nods and followed him. At least an hour later, Jordan finds the starfish.
"Eww! I don't want to touch it!" Ayima squealed.
"Why did you even take marine biology?"

She shrugged at him and avoided his eyes.
"I'm Jordan." He stated.
"I'm Ayima." They shook hands.
"Are you an expert with marine biology?"
"I'm actually Dr. Kubo. I have a doctorate in the field."

She smirks and looked at Jordan.
"If you're a doctor, then you wouldn't mind helping me with marine biology for the year? You could be my mentor." She suggested.
"Why should I?" He crossed his arms.
"Because you should. I'm taking marine biology one the first semester. Then marine biology two in the second semester."
"Are you in high school or college?"
"High school. Marine biology is split in two sections for some reason. Right now, I would like to be your mentee. You can totally help me."

Jordan seems to be thinking about that.
"What would I get out of this?" He asked.
"Free food?" She suggested meekly.
"Deal." They shook on it. For the next two weeks, Jordan would help Ayima with her work while she would bring whatever food she felt was right for the day.

He sighs when he remembered the day he met her. Like seriously, who would wear something that nice and delicate in the ocean? He shuts off his phone as the plane was prepared to take off to Russia.