Thieves Of Olympus

9

BRIANNA

We arrived in Japan after long hours of travel.

I imagine myself going to the shrines and popular landmarks pero hindi iyon ang pinunta ko-namin-dito. We have to retrieve the stolen fire.

Isang hapon ang naghihintay sa amin sa rooftop. His corporate attire is smooth, natatapatan naman ng sinag ng araw ang salamin niyang suot. May kasama din siyang body guard.

"Welcome to Japan!" yuko niya sa amin.

"Thank you Mr. Ishima." pormal na bati ni Mason.

Thank the Gods he speaks fluent English. Luckily, marunong magnihongo si Mason. While I can adapt to any language.

He went with us in the elevator, "My son, Masahiro, will go with you to the hotel."

"We can manage, Sir." sagot ni Mason, "We appreciate your kindness."

"No, I promised your father to lend our help." pagtanggi nito.

"If you insist, the pleasure is ours." he nods.

Pagkababa sa lobby ay may nahihintay na binata. Two years older than us. The younger version of the old man-si Masahiro. Nasa labas na din ang sasakyan na gagamitin.

Mr. Ishima can't come with us dahil may meeting pa ito. He waited for us to depart before proceeding inside the building again.

Nagsimulang magusap sina Mason at Masahiro. Hindi naman makasabay sina Clea at Gareth. Nihongo ang gamit nilang salita.

His chinky eyes landed on me, "What is your name, young lady?"

"My name's Brianna," shifting on my seat, "These are my friends Clea and Gareth."

"Nice to meet you." pagyuko niya.

"Ano daw sabi?" si Gareth.

"Nice to meet you daw." sabi ko.

Clea nods habang pinatranslate ni Gareth kay Mason ang sinabi.

"I'm sorry the two of them can't speak or understand nihongo." paliwanag ko.

"I understand." his eyes smiles with him, "I want to learn english to anyway."

I feel Mason's eyes on me, "That's good. It will help you communicate better."

"So where are we staying?" tanong niya.

Lumingon sa amin si Masahiro, "At a capsule hotel. We can transfer you guys if you want."

"It's okay." sagot niya, "We will not stay for long."

Capsule hotels are trending nowadays. May mga vlogger na gustong i-try ang mga ito since mura lang. May iba na nakikiuso din.

Hindi ko ineexpect na masusubukan ko ito ngayon.

"Do you want to eat first?" tanong niya.

Kumalam ang sikmura ni Gareth sa likod namin na nagpeace sign. Clea and Mason is stoic. While I anticipate eating authentic hand pulled noodles.

Masigla ako napasagot, "Sure. We'd love to!"

Sa isang ramen shop kami pumunta. May sushi din silang tinitinda. Freshly made.

"Welcome! Come in, come in!" energentic na tawag ng matanda.

Kakaunti ang mga tao kaya sa counter kami pumwesto. Masahiro orders for us, "5 orders of special ramen, one order for sashimi and sushi."

Naamoy ko na ang broth sa labas. Secret recipe ng pamilyang nagpapatakbo nito. May nagawa naman ng sushi at sashimi sa harap namin.

Malapit lang din dito ang capsule hotel na tutuluyan namin.

"Oishi!" I blurted out.

Natuwa ang matanda sa amin kaya binigyan niya kami ng extrang sushi at green tea. "On-the-house" na daw.

Bumili din muna kami ng drinks sa convinient store bago pumasok sa hotel. Masahiro guided us bago kami iwan. Magkakatabi lang din ang mga pwesto namin.

Hinihimas ni Gareth ang sikmura, "Sarap matulog nito!"

"You look happy Gareth." Clea noticed.

He stretched his back, "I'm already full!"

"Let's try the public bath first." aya ko.

"Sure. Saka tayo magplano." pagsangayon niya.

Before submerging ouselves into the hot spring we wash ourselves first. May nakahanda na towel at kimono pagkatapos maligo.

Magkahiwalay naman ang babae at lalaki. Traditional ang hot spring. A bamboo wall is used to separate us.

If things will go as planned matatapos agad namin ito. May nakapatong na towel sa ulo ko ganoon din kay Clea. The water's not too hot, in fact nakakarelax ang init nito.

We relax our minds and body. Prepairing for what comes next.

After 30 minutes ay umahon na din kami. Nagbanlaw ulit at sinuot ang kimono bago nagtipon sa lounge. Muntik pang himatayin si Gareth sa pagbababad.

"Nagresearch na ako bago tayo umalis kahapon." bungad ko sa kanila.

Clea uncaps her drink, "What did you find?"

Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa kanila, "I tried searching for swords and Samurais."

"We need to be careful." Mason purses his lips, "We don't know who has it."

"Tama. Baka sa mga yakuza binigay iyon." Gareth seconded.

Buti ay kami lang ang tao dito. Pasalamat kaming hindi narinig ng iba ang sinabi niya.

"You think may Demigods pa dito?" tanong ko.

"Maybe yes, maybe no." si Mason.

Clea looks at him, "We are not sure if Hephaestus sired another child here."

"A sibling for Mason?" nagulat si Gareth.

"Who knows." I sighed and shrug my shoulders.

My thoughts wander about. It is like my head is above the clouds. I am thinking too much. Is this what Athena mostly do? Think of endless possibilities and thoughts?

Do you often do this, Mom?

I think and worry about you.

Athena-mom answered. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I suddenly want to feel her hands on my shoulders.

Please give me strength to do this.

I always do my child.

I have so much unanswered questions.

Then I will give you one. Now, be safe.

Thank you!

I feel a thug like spark at the back of my head. Parang binuksan ang ulo ko at muling sinara pagkatapos lagyan ng impormasyon.

I blink and shook my head. I massage my temple first.

Nagalala silang tumingin sa akin. I smile to assure them that I am okay. Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago uminom ng inumin.

Now I know where we will begin. The question is are we gonna finish it there?

Hinarap ko sila bago tumango habang tinitignan sila sa mga mata.

"We are going to Seki City."