part 4:
Things to Do in Tokyo When You’re
Cursed, Curious, or Independently Wealthy
by Jason Bertovich
with a few bits, things, and general fiddling
around with by Matthew Atanian
©2010/2011 by Matthew Atanian and Jason Bertovich
Boy Scouts ½ Created by Matthew Atanian
Things to Do in Tokyo When You’re
Cursed, Curious, or Independently Wealthy
by Jason Bertovich
with a few bits, things, and general fiddling
around with by Matthew Atanian
©2010/2011 by Matthew Atanian and Jason Bertovich
Boy Scouts ½ Created by Matthew Atanian
Kenneth “Kenny” Pendrell was preparing to take his leave from Japan. Time to head back to Springfield, his Laboratory, and most importantly, the person he left in charge of the Laboratory while he was away, that being one Jon Becker.
Kenny shuddered a little as he folded his underwear and meticulously laid it in his clothing bag. He knew that he could trust Becker. Well, mostly. True, part of that trust was based on a temporal-based paradox that told him that he should. It had been slightly more than half a year since he invited Mr. Becker into his world and despite a fairly shaky start (or rather, restart – paradoxes could be so confusing sometimes) he had proven himself to be a more than capable lab assistant and, even more importantly, a pretty good friend.
But still, Mr. Becker was, well, Becker. So, there was some apprehension in leaving the lab to his sole steed for a few days, but it really couldn’t be helped. Certain experiments needed monitoring and Mr. Becker was well instructed on what he should be looking out for and he knew that if anything got outside his ability to handle, he would contact Kenny immediately.
Still, one word kept running around in his head. That word was Octoparrot. Kenny, remembering that experiment, shuddered again and continued packing. He had a “flight to catch” and goodbyes to make. Besides, the sooner he said his goodbyes and made his way back, the sooner he could say his hellos again.
Kenny closed the zipper on his clothing bag and checked the latches and security snaps on his larger equipment bag. Satisfied that both were secure and that no underwear would fall out, and no neutrino power cells would be unleashed upon the fabric of hammer-space, he turned to his temporary roommates. Mike and Aaron were both were putting their futons away into the storage closet. A moment later, Bill Hughes opened the door and poked his head inside, giving a head nod gesture that seemed to indicate he was coming in, but wanted to make sure it was cool first. Aaron and Mike gave the unspoken permission and Hughes finished walking into the room.
Hughes nodded his head to greet Kenny. Kenny nodded back and then pushed his glassed back up the bridge of his nose. Aaron, looking at Hughes and arching his eyebrow, asked, “Where’s Gelinas?”
Hughes shrugged. “Still sleeping I guess. Looked to be pretty exhausted last night. Guess you could say he was dog-tired.” Hughes snickered lightly at his own bad joke, right before Mike’s hat flew at him with blinding speed.
Hughes stumbled back and tripped over his own feet, and ended up on his back with a resounding thud.
Aaron sighed as he helped Hughes up. “So, what is it like sharing a room with the notorious snorer?” he asked him.
Hughes shrugged. “Don’t know yet. Didn’t sleep there last night.”
Aaron narrowed his gaze. “You know, we’ve been meaning to have a talk to you about this little sleeping arrangement you’ve seem to have made unbeknownst to our friends, the Porters.”
Hughes rolled his eyes, expecting a lecture. “Listen man, I’m not a total scoundrel. Whether you choose to believe it or not, I’ve made it a point to not take advantage of the Porters when they’re at their most unguarded.”
Aaron stared a little at Hughes. “Their most unguarded?” he repeated.
Hughes shrugged his shoulders, “Dunno what to tell you. I’ve seen as much of Kirstin as you have, if that’s what you’re really worried about.”
Aaron backed up a little. “What do you mean by that?” Aaron stammered slightly. “Me and Kirstin are just friends.”
Hughes put up his hands in mock surrender. “Sure, fine. If you say so.”
“Personally, I’m actually more worried about the potential for you being discovered,” Mike said. “The more often you do this, the greater the risk you run that Nicole will find you out and by extension, everyone else.”
“Shouldn’t we be having this conversation with Matt ‘Sarah’s Best Friend’ Atanian?” Hughes replied defensively.
“Matt’s not living with Sarah, or at least attempting to,” Aaron responded.
“That’s splitting hairs. ‘Matty’s’ been over enough. Besides, Kirstin is in on this. She’s been more than cool with it. It might be a shock to the other two, but if it happens, I don’t think it will be the disaster everyone else thinks it would be,” Hughes argued, crossing his arms to indicate that he was done with this topic.
Tense silence enveloped the room. Kenny coughed slightly and stood up. “Sirs,” he began, “I believe I should be on my way. Since Mr. Gelinas is still asleep, will you give him my regards? I’m going to go say my goodbyes to the Porters and Mr. Atanian.”
Mike looked to Kenny, “When do you reckon we will see you again?”
“I should be no more than a week, or maybe two. I need to tend to some lab matters, but I’ll try to visit again soon,” Kenny said with a smile. Mike, Aaron, and Hughes all thought that Kenny definitely seemed to smile a lot more these days and that seemed like a good thing.
“Well, have a safe ‘trip’ then. Let us know when you get back into the U.S., in any case. You know, just to let us know you got back okay. Hate to think of you going into empty space and ending up taking the wrong turn at Albuquerque,” Mike said as he stood up and patted Kenny on the back.
“No worries here, but nonetheless, I will give you a call this evening, local time zone. Good day, sirs,” Kenny said and then he picked up his luggage, opened the door, and made his exit.
For a moment the room was quiet. Aaron returned his look to first Mike, and then, slowly, to Hughes. “So, we still have a few days before we have to start our exchange student cover and go attend classes. What should we do with a brand new metropolis at our fingertips?” Aaron asked with a little flourish.
Mike yawned. “Honestly? I think I might pull a Gelinas and catch up on some sleep. I’m seriously feeling the jet-lag. I think I’m gonna rest up a bit and then see what Bill wants to do when he decides to wake up.”
“If he decides to ever wake up. I swear, that guy once slept through an entire week of summer camp. Still managed to get three badges, too,” Hughes said, bemused.
Aaron shrugged. “What about you? You got any plans?” He asked, looking to Hughes.
“Maybe. Maybe the same plans that you do,” Hughes said knowingly. “I overheard you talking with Nicole and Kirstin about exploring the area, checking out the school and such. And I know Nicole is also planning to pick up some books on Japan and Japanese that she had ordered before she arrived. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind my coming along, if you extended the invitation.”
“You’re planning on coming whether I invite you, or not, don’t you?” Aaron asked, knowing the answer.
“I think I’d like to go, either as your guest, or as Nicole’s arm accessory,” Hughes beamed. Mike rolled his eyes. Aaron did likewise.
“Fine. If they still plan to go out, I’ll ask if I can bring you,” Aaron said, slightly annoyed at being outplayed.
“Dude, it’ll be great. The bookstores they’re going to are in Jinbo-Cho!” Hughes said with a smile.
“What’s so great about that?” Aaron asked.
It was Hughes turn to roll his eyes. “What did you do during that long flight here?”
“Slept some, watched the movie, ate a pretty mediocre meal,” Aaron answered.
“Well, while you did that I took advantage of my time in Nicole’s suitcase and started reading the guidebook she packed.”
Aaron cocked his head. “How did…?”
Hughes pointed to his eyes. “Night-vision, my fellow curse-sufferer. Cats got pretty good night-vision, and now so do I when I take the icy cold dip. Anyway, the point being, I had quite a few hours of quiet time to kill, so I read up on Tokyo and learned quite a bit. The name Jinbo-Cho is pretty famous. It’s the home of some of the country’s largest publishers and it’s a book-lover’s Mecca. It’s in the Ward of Chiyoda. And do you know what else is in Chiyoda?”
“No, but you’re going to tell me, right?” Aaron said, wondering if Hughes would ever get to his point.
“Akihabara, my friend. Akihabara,” Hughes said with a twinkle in his eye.
Aaron sighed. “Hughes, I’m not Kenny or Matt. If I was them, I’m pretty sure what you just said would turn on some light in my head. But I’m not, so do tell. What is Akihabara?”
Hughes slumped a little, feeling a little defeated that his newfound knowledge was not appreciated. “Akihabara is also known as ‘Electric town.’ It’s the place to go for tech geeks, otaku, and other fanboys. It’s a one stop shop for videos, anime merchandise, electronics, comics, and games.”
“You know, I do seem to recall Matt mentioning the place,” Mike quipped, off the side. “Something about inflicting himself upon it.”
Aaron perked up a little, but then came back down. “That’s cool and all, but I don’t see us doing much video game shopping while we’re here. Our systems are back in the states, and even when we bring them over, they won’t play imported games, and even if we get them modded, we can barely read enough Japanese to make the whole experience seem like extra homework.”
Hughes arched an eyebrow. “Who said anything about video games. They have other types of games, my friends. Games of the cardboard variety.”
Aaron perked up again. “Japanese Magic Cards?”
Hughes nodded. ”Remember when we were pricing older packs? Stuff like Arabian Nights and Legends were like forty, fifty, even sixty bucks a pack. That’s when I started researching the foreign market. Those older sets came out later in other countries, so they’re not as old here as they are back home, so they might still be available, and even better, still affordable. Best of all, they’re all touney legal when we bring them back home. Hell, that jerk Bertovich’s red/green deck is half a combination of German, Italian, French, and Japanese.”
“Damn, that’s what I call thinking,” Mike said off to the side, impressed. “Guess Nicole is rubbing off on him. If I give you a 2000 Yen note, think you can get me something good?”
“I can try,” Hughes said, exuding confidence. “Of course, that depends on Mr. Abdowmassy here.”
“I’m in,” Aaron said, grabbing Hughes’ extended hand in a firm handshake. He then stopped shaking, but did not relinquish his grip. “But sometime soon, we’re still going to have a talk about you staying in the Porters’ room at nights.”
Sarah walked out into the hallway and noticed that someone was simultaneously exiting the next door over. She saw the youngest of the Boy Scouts, Kenny. He seemed to be carrying two suitcases, which together almost seemed to overpower him. He put them down when he saw her.
“Oh, good morning, Ms. Porter,” the boy said.
“Hello,” Sarah responded. “So, what’re you up to today?”
“Actually,” Kenny said, “I’m planning to head home. So I did wish to say farewell.”
Sarah blinked. “What about school?”
“Oh, I’m not here as part of the exchange program,” Kenny explained. “I was just visiting.”
“Not a very long visit,” Sarah pointed out.
“Oh, I’ll be back, Kenny said. “I just have things to attend to.”
“Ah, I see,” Sarah said even though she didn’t.
“Are Ms. Kirstin and Ms. Nicole awake?” Kenny asked. “I would like to take my leave of them.”
“Oh, um, sure.”
Kenny nodded and knocked on the Porter’s door. A moment later he entered, leaving the cases in the hall.
Nicole and Kirstin welcomed in Kenny. Kenny looked around the small room and noticed the steaming teacups on the table. Kirstin and Nicole sat cross-legged and looked up to Kenny.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Kirstin asked sweetly.
Kenny weighed the proposition in his head. And then shook his head, a little sadly. “I would like to, but I can only stay for a minute. I’m just making my rounds to say goodbye before my cab takes me to the train station,” he said. “I still have to catch up with Mr. Atanian before I leave. Thank you, in any case, Ms. Kirstin.”
“Kenny, please, I’ve said before there’s no need for the ‘Ms.’” Kirstin brought her teacup to her lips and took a slow sip.
“My apologies,” Kenny apologized.
“It’s alright, Kenny,” Kirstin said. She sighed. “You just say what feels right to you.”
“Thank you, Ms… er… Kirstin,” Kenny corrected.
“It’s a shame that you’re not staying. Smart kid like you would probably adapt well here,” Nicole said.
“Will we be seeing you again before we come home?” Kirstin asked.
“Oh yes. I plan to make a few more visits here, so I’m sure to stop in again, even if it is just to say hello,” Kenny said with a smile.
Nicole shifted her eyes to Kenny, then slowly sipped her tea. “That sounds pretty expensive,” Nicole stated, slightly suspiciously.
Kenny mentally kicked himself for flinging that information out so casually with Nicole in the room. Kirstin’s presence always made him a little less guarded. He could explain the hammer-space conduit to Kirstin. She had seen the lab. She could deal with the strangeness that his life involved. Nicole could deal with the strangeness too, no doubt. (In fact she already had, but due to that confounded temporal paradox that was now an unlived memory.) Unfortunately, it would lead Nicole to asking new questions, questions the others didn’t want asked.
His cool demeanor never broke. “We’re independently wealthy. It’s just not something I like to throw around in polite conversation.”
Nicole shifted her eyes again and grinned. “Fair enough. Let me know if your folks are ever in the need for investment opportunities. I have a few out there that could turn independently wealthy into extremely independently wealthy.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Kenny said evasively. “In any case, I look forward to my next visit.”
Kirstin smiled and tilted her head slightly. “Us, too. If you let us know next time you’ll be in town and we’ll be sure to make a special meal for you.” Kenny was mentally in wonder how she could roll so casually with his lie to her sister.
“I would like that. Thank you very much, Kirstin.” Kenny then turned away and walked back to the door.
Kenny then paused, looked back to the twins one last time, lingering his gaze momentarily on Kirstin, smiled, and then exited. Nicole grinned to herself and shook her head, sadly amused. A moment later, the door Kenny had just left through reopened and Sarah came into the room. She looked exasperated.
“Bathroom not free yet?” Nicole asked from behind her teacup.
“No, no. It’s open. Just had to deal with, well, I had to deal with him to get there,” Sarah mumbled.
“Oh, you two sharing a mutual space for a year is going to be an absolute scream,” Nicole said to herself, rolling her eyes.
“Nicole, be nice,” Kirstin quietly scolded. She turned to her older sister. “I thought you and Matt had reached a mutual understanding about this situation?”
“Mutual understanding is one thing. Total acceptance is another. I’m still not sure how I feel about this,” Sarah said she walked into the kitchen area and poured herself a cup from the teapot.
“Well, for better to worse, we’re all here now, so we might as well get used to the situations our lives have put us into,” Kirstin said, with surprising
authoritativeness to both Sarah and Nicole.
“Where did that come from?” Nicole asked, surprised at her quiet twin’s surprising show of clout.
Kirstin calmly smiled and let the moment pass. She had made her point. A quiet fell over the room.
“So,” Sarah said after clearing her throat, “what do you two have planned for your first full day in Japan?”
“We were thinking of doing some exploring. I was talking to a few of the scouts last night at the welcome party and since we’re all attending the local school, we might as well check it out. Maybe do a little sightseeing in the neighboring areas,” Nicole said matter-of-factly.
“How far were you two planning to travel?” Sarah asked, concerned at the idea of her two sisters walking around in a strange city.
“Well, we thought we’d nip on over to Furinkan to check out our school, and then just nip on the train for a quick trip three wards over to Chiyoda ward,” Nicole explained. “Jinbo-Cho!”
“Ah, you want to get that stuff you ordered,” Sarah said with reserved approval. “Okay, well you girls seem to have a pretty solid plan and itinerary. Though, I do expect you home before it gets too dark.”
“Guess we should probably think about getting cleaned up and ready to head out. The bathroom’s free, right sis?” Nicole asked Sarah.
“It is unless someone’s taken it in the last minute,” Sarah confirmed.
“Ok, I’m going to go get cleaned up. Kirstin, you want to double check with Aaron and let him know we’ll be heading out in a little while?” Nicole said grabbing her bathroom bucket.
“Okay, Nicole.”
Nicole exited the room and Kirstin followed to see who would be available to make the trip today, leaving Sarah to her own thoughts and cup of tea.
Some time later, a group consisting of Aaron, Kirstin, Hughes, and Nicole had set out. It was a decent walk from Clock Hill over to Furinkan, even if they were neighboring areas. The four of them were getting close as they continued various small talk over this and that. They were presently walking beside a wrought iron fence but came to a stop as they came to the currently closed main gate of Furinkan High School.
The Westminster chimes rang out, followed by twelve distinctive gongs to mark that is was now noon. “Wonder if we’ll have to wear uniforms like in those anime shows?” Aaron wondered.
“I’m not sure,” Nicole answered. “I’m sure the school staff will let us know more when we start. I’m more curious what sort of uniforms they have here, though. I hope it isn’t a sailor fuku. Don’t get me wrong,” she said, addressing the boys, “I know your Matt’s got eyes only for Sarah, but I’d still hate to risk any pervy thoughts going through his otaku brain if he saw us in those!”
Aaron and Hughes had time to exchange a worried glance before Nicole finally laughed to let them know she had been joking.
“I always thought that Obachan looked rather elegant in hers when she showed us those old photographs of her from when she was a girl,” Kirstin told her twin.
“Yeah,” Nicole said quietly. “She did.”
A contemplative silence enfolded the group. A moment later it was broken by a rough cough. They turned away from the school and looked to who it was.
It was a boy with a thick mop of black hair and a spotted bandanna. He looked dirty and tired and he had a large backpack strapped to himself. He looked familiar to most of them, for surely they had seen this unfortunate soul on many an occasion before.
“Furinkan Koukou wa doko da?” the man demanded of them. Suddenly a look that was an impressive mix of horror, frustration, and confusion grew on his face, much like the horrified expression of Edvard Munch’s The Scream. “Oh, no! Not again! I swore that the boat captain said he was going to Japan! How did I end up in Massachusetts again?” He spun around in dramatic fashion and gripped his head in abject despair.
After a moment, the man collected himself, straightened himself up, and addressed the stunned and confused group. “My apologies,” he said with a bow, “Sorry for taking up your time. I must be off, for I cannot rest until I find Furnikan High School.” Having said that, he then turned, gave a half hearted wave, and dashed off again.
“But… but…” Aaron stammered.
“You just found it,” Nicole finished. It was too late as the boy was long gone, running at what could be described as inhuman speeds.
“I feel so bad for that boy,” Kirstin said sadly.
“So,” Hughes said, breaking the solemn mood that had settled upon the others, “anyone else up for lunch?”
“Is there anywhere nearby?” Aaron asked.
“Well, when I was researching local businesses prior to our arrival I came across mention of a pretty profitable Chinese place called Neko Haten,” Nicole answered. “‘Profitable’ usually equals ‘good.’”
“That sounds Japanese,” Kirstin chimed in, confused.
“Well, we are in Japan, sis,” Nicole pointed out. She continued to explain. “Anyway, it is supposed to be owned and operated by some Chinese immigrants. It’s supposed to be not far from Furinkan High School, so we should try it out. Could make for a convenient hangout.”
“I’m game. I like Chinese food,” Hughes said. As he said it, however, a pressing question occurred to him. “By the way, what does Neko Haten mean anyway?” he asked, already familiar with the first word and suddenly worried about the content of the second.
“Rough translation would be ‘Cat Café,’” Nicole said. Between looking at street signs she missed the nervous gulp from Hughes.
“I just hope it means they like cats as pets, and not that’s what’s on the menu,” Hughes nervously joked.
Nicole rolled her eyes, an exercise that was becoming all too common when dealing with Boy Scouts and men in general. “I’ll be sure to tell them to hold the Tabby, then.”
“Nicole…” Kirstin said with a mock-scolding tone.
The smell of hot beef and chicken broth filled the air as the four walked into the Neko Haten. The four looked around in interest as they took in the restaurant. At several small round tables sat customers, including some who appeared to be students from the recently departed Furikan High, apparently playing hooky for lunch, happily chatting and slurping from noodle bowls. At the long counter at the back of the restaurant, piping hot bowls were put out and quickly picked up by the perky waitress, a purple-haired teenage girl wearing an ornate Chinese shirt and pants.
“It’s a noodle house!” Nicole said in amazement.
“It’s kind of like The Rising Sun, back home,” Kirstin added.
Hughes and Aaron just looked to each other and shrugged. A hoarse cough from behind caught all four’s attention. They quickly turned to the front counter where the cash register sat and looked at the wizened two-foot tall woman leaning on her twisted and knotted three-foot tall walking stick and eying them. “Table for four?” she said in perfect English.
Hughes looked the old woman over and arched a half-cocked eyebrow, “A mummified monkey?”
This question was greeted with a resounding bashing of his head at blinding speeds from the old woman’s stick. Hughes went down like a house of cards. “Petulant child,” The old woman scolded.
“Oh my…” Kirstin said, astonished.
“Yes, please,” Nicole said, answering the initial question and paying no mind to the semi-comatose Hughes.
“This way, please,” The old woman said cheerfully and led Nicole and Kirstin to an empty table.
Aaron hung back for a moment and looked down to Hughes, “Dude, you okay?”
“Just peachy,” Hughes replied, still dazed. “Just point me in the direction of that bus that hit me.”
Aaron helped him up and they then joined the others. The old woman and Nicole were exchanging pleasantries.
“I must say, your English is fantastic!” Nicole said, impressed.
The old woman cackled happily, “You don’t live for a hundred years for nothing!”
“You’re much younger than you look,” Hughes muttered under his breath. His head was savaged by her stick again.
“Your friend is a very ill-mannered, petulant boy,” the old woman said with a grin.
“No, just an idiot,” Aaron said apologetically.
“Ah,” the old woman said understandingly, “No shortage of those here, I’m afraid.” She then burst out in laughter and then waved over the teenage girl. “This is my great granddaughter, Shampoo. She’ll be your waitress.”
“Nihao!” The girl said with a beaming smile.
Kirstin nodded appreciatively, “Thank you, Miss…”
“Cologne,” The old woman answered.
“I’ve heard glowing reviews, Ms. Cologne. What’s the special of the house?” Nicole asked.
Cologne gave the question some thought and suggested several different types of ramen and udon bowls. A moment later, a chef called out to Shampoo and placed a steaming circular pan on the counter. On it sat a perfectly browned ring of dough, and nestled on top an assortment of wonderfully smelling fried noodles and other ingredients.
“What’s that?” Aaron asked, eying the tray as the girl carried it to another table, greeted by happily smiling teenagers wearing Furikan’s uniforms.
“Oh that’s an experimental dish from one of our new chefs. She spent some time over in America and seemed to pick up some rather, ahem, peculiar ideas. It seems to be very popular with the teenagers though, so we added it to the menu,” Cologne explained.
“It looks like a noodly pizza,” Hughes commented.
“It looks delicious!” Aaron said, eyeing the kids trying to hold slices of the concoction in one hand, and chop sticks the other.
“I’m game,” Nicole said.
“Sounds good to me,” Kirstin added and the four agreed to try the new dish. Cologne called Shampoo back over and Nicole gave her the order.
“Very good, what you want drink?” Shampoo asked.
“Two pots of tea and four iced waters, please,” Nicole said. Shampoo nodded and went toward the back to the kitchen. Cologne thanked them for their business and then returned to the front to greet new customers.
Nicole stood up from her seat, “While they’re getting our drinks, I’m going to use the ladies’ room. Be back soon,” Nicole said and then went off to find the facilities.
A few moments later, Shampoo placed two steaming pots on the table, along with four small Japanese teacups, and then placed four glasses of water and cubed ice at their seats. She smiled politely and went off to other duties.
Kirstin picked up and then raised her glass. “Welcome to Japan, guys!”
Aaron and Hughes picked up their glasses of water and raised them to meet Kirstin’s. Hughes thought for a moment and decided to add, “Kampai!”, which brought a smile to Kirstin’s face which in turn brought a smile to Aaron’s face.
Shampoo walked by with another tray of glasses filled with ice water. A moment later, there was a loud shout from the kitchen. The door to the kitchen burst open and an angry Chinese man wearing an apron and brandishing a butcher knife came running, giving pursuit to a squealing, small, black, Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. The pig deftly zigged, zagged, and dodged the man’s attempts to capture him. The pig dove between Shampoo’s legs, causing the girl to stumble and fall backward, flinging the tray into the air as she fell. The pig meanwhile, made his escape and was out the front entrance, squealing in joy of finding sweet freedom. Cologne watched the scene unfold, sadly shook her head and ‘tsk’ed’ in annoyed disbelief.
Kirstin gasped in horror as she watched the glasses of water float in the air, dumping their contents on the unaware Hughes and Aaron. A moment later, they vanished as they physically shrunk down into their smaller animal forms.
Kirstin ran to their side of the table and looked down at the duck and cat struggling to untangle themselves from their now massive clothes. Aaron looked up and her and quacked in a slightly embarrassed tone. Kirstin bent down and helped him and Hughes out of their clothes. She then looked around for Nicole, still not seeing her, she returned her attention to Aaron.
“You need to find some hot water and get dressed! Nicole will be back any moment,” Kirstin hissed.
“Quack!” Aaron said with a nod and bundled up his and Hughes’ clothes with his wings and waddled off. Hughes mewed quietly and then walked off, following Aaron.
Kirstin sat back down and rubbed her temples in worry. She really cared for her friends and understood that they couldn’t help what the curse did to them, but still, she wished that life could be just a tad less complicated.
A couple minutes later, she spied Aaron waddling past her again, still in duck form and seemingly not very concerned about it. Kirstin gasped and picked him up again. Aaron struggled in her arms, quacking in surprise. A moment later, Aaron looked at her and embraced her, which caused her to ‘eep’ in shock and drop him.
Aaron gave a confused quack and then pulled out a pair of glasses, from where she could not begin to fathom, and placed them on his bill. He studied Kirstin for a moment and quacked again.
“What are you doing? I said you need to find hot water before Nicole sees you. And where’s Billy?” Kirstin interrogated. She then paused, realizing that she was missing something important. “And since when do you wear glasses in duck form?”
Aaron stared at her as if she was talking to him in Swahili. He quacked at her in a confused tone. He scratched his head with his wing and stared at her. She sighed and said, “Just find some hot water, kay?”
“Um, why are you talking to a duck?” Nicole asked from behind.
Kirstin leapt up in shock and spun around to face her twin, who was wearing a slightly confused expression. She needed to come up with something quick. “Um... what duck?” Kirstin mentally palmed her face. That was not the something.
“The one that is standing behind you. The one you were talking to quietly for some reason. The one that I saw wander in from outside as I was coming back from the ladies’ room. Poor fellow looks soaked. Must of got caught up in that late summer shower that just started,” Nicole answered.
Kirstin looked to the window and saw that the sky had darkened and it was raining, just as Nicole had said. “Sorry, just was making animal talk. Y’know, like when you play with Neko-chan.”
“With a duck?” Nicole asked, eyebrow arching further.
“Yes, with a duck,” Kirstin reasserted, hoping that would be enough.
Nicole weighed this and then shrugged her shoulders and retook her seat. She poured herself a cup of tea. She then took a sip and eyed the two empty seats. “Where’s the guys?”
“Oh, they had to use the facilities, too,” Kirstin lied.
“Oh? That’s weird, I didn’t see them. Must of been distracted by the duck walking in,” Nicole said between sips.
Kirstin nodded in agreement and then paused her head nods. “So, you saw it come it from outside?”
“Yeah. Just waddled right it from the rain, shook itself off walked into the restaurant,” Nicole answered.
Kirstin poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip herself. How did Aaron manage to get outside so fast? A new thought also entered her mind. It seemed very odd that a duck could just walk into a restaurant and not one person seemed to pay it any mind. Japan was becoming more unusual by the hour.
A moment later, Shampoo brought to their table the noodly pizza-like concoction they had ordered. Nicole cut a slice and placed it on her plate, “Those guys better get back soon or it’s gonna get cold.” She then grinned, “Geez, and men accuse women of taking too long to use the bathroom. What is taking them so long?”
Kirstin placed a portion on her plate as well, “Good question,” she said quietly, eying the direction Aaron had waddled off.
Aaron pushed open the kitchen door, using all his duck strength, and waddled in, still clutching his and Hughes’ clothes in his wings. Hughes padded lightly behind him, looking around the kitchen nervously, not liking the idea of being a cat in a Chinese restaurant, the urban legends he had heard and such.
Aaron looked for hot water, any hot water, and he knew the clock was ticking. If they took too long, Nicole was going to get suspicious. A moment later, Aaron heard the kitchen door swing open again, and before he could find a hiding spot, he watched as another duck entered the room.
Aaron quacked a confused quack and eyed this other duck. The duck regarded him back and then looked over to Hughes. Hughes mewed quizzically. The duck then surprised both Aaron and Hughes by embracing Hughes in a loving duck embrace. Hughes responded by hissing angrily and brandish claws with furious slashes. The duck let go of Hughes and sadly walked away in duck dejection.
Hughes panted in confused anger. His fur standing on end, unsure why a duck decided to embrace him. Japan was getting more and more confusing by the minute. Another door swung open and once again, Aaron found he was unable to hide himself from discovery and anxiously awaited the wrath of the person walking in on their intrusion.
The person, an older Chinese man wearing an apron, walked through the doors and looked down at Aaron and Hughes briefly and then walked by, ignoring them. Aaron breathed a sigh of relief and then gave pause for thought. That was very odd. Most times, restaurant employees are not too keen on ducks and cats wandering around the kitchen. He could hear Bill Gelinas’ voice in his head questioning everything that was happening to him and how believable it was. Aaron mentally told himself, Shut up, Bill, and then went back to his task of finding hot water.
The pair wandered further into the kitchen and they then came upon a teenaged Chinese girl washing dishes in the sink. Perfect! Aaron thought! Hot
water found. Now, to get some help from the girl to aid them in their plight. He walked up and gently tugged on the girl’s pant leg, hoping to get her attention. No one seemed shocked by their presence here and he suspected she would not be either.
His suspicions were correct as she looked down at them and did not bat an eye at a duck and cat trying to get her attention. She may not have batted an eye, but Aaron and Hughes certainly did when they saw who the girl was.
It was Perfume.
Perfume looked down and smiled at Aaron and Hughes and then began to speak in her native Chinese. Aaron and Hughes looked at each other with confused expressions and began mewing and quacking at Perfume in hopes of her understanding their dire need for hot water. She seemed to understand and picked up the nozzled sprayer, turned the water spigot to hot, she aimed and sprayed them.
The smile on her face faded when the naked Aaron and Hughes appeared in front of her. Her eyes went as large as saucers and she pointed at the naked boys in exasperation. Aaron and Hughes covered themselves and looked back to Perfume with equal exasperation.
“What are you doing here?!” all three said at the same time.
“I thought you cousin and stupid Mousse!” Perfume gasped.
“Your cousin?!” Aaron asked.
“You mean there’s more curses?!” Hughes asked. “Is that why that other duck tried to molest me?!”
Perfume calmed herself and looked to Aaron and Hughes, after a moment she realized something, blushed, and averted her gaze. Aaron and Hughes noticed and both quickly retrieved their clothing. As they put back on their clothes, Aaron looked over Perfume and asked again, “What are you doing here? I thought you were going back to China to hide from those Jusenkyo fanatics?”
“This is family’s noodle shop. Great Grandmother and cousin come here and open shop. I work here as chef,” She explained.
“That old lady with the nasty cane is your great grandmother?” Hughes asked.
Perfume nodded and then gasped in horror, “You can’t be here! You need to go. NOW!” She started pushing them toward the door.
“Whoa, whoa. Wait. Hey!” Aaron protested as Perfume started shoving them out of the kitchen.
“Yeah, what’s the deal? We just found out you were here. Why are you trying to get us to leave?” Hughes asked.
Perfume stopped pushing and eyed them with genuine panic and concern. “If Great Grandmother finds out I know you, she figure out who you are!”
“And…?” Hughes asked.
“Ai Yai!” Perfume exclaimed in frustration, “Do you remember why I came America in the first place?”
“To kill us in compliance with Amazon laws,” Aaron answered.
“You dead?” Perfume pressed on.
“Um, no,” Hughes answered.
“Ah,” Aaron said with an understanding nod, then a nervous gulp.
“Exactly. I allowed to stop hunting you and leave America because of Jusenkyo problem, but if Great Grandmother find out who you are, she insist on finishing job,” She said with a serious tone. “I prefer not do that. I already promise not to try kill anymore, so I don’t want to press issue right now, if I help it.”
Aaron nodded and grabbed Hughes by the shoulder and turned him to the door exiting the kitchen and back into the restaurant. He turned back toward Perfume before exiting and spoke, “We’re all staying at the Maison Ikkoku in Nerima Ward. If you ever want to visit or if you need someone to talk to.”
Perfume smiled and nodded, “Garden Snakes stick together.”
Aaron smiled and walked through the door, pushing Hughes in front of him.
Perfume sighed and then turned back to her sink of dishes. She sadly began to scrub the dirty noodle bowls, worried that Great Grandmother would find out her Patrol was there and she would be forced to try and kill them again. Great Grandmother was a clever one and that worried the young Amazon.
A moment later, another duck walked up to her and tugged on her pant leg. Perfume looked down at the duck, sighed, and sprayed him with the nozzle.
A teenaged Chinese boy with long black hair appeared next to her. The boy took Perfume into his grasp and embraced her as he would a long lost lover. “Shampoo, my love!”, the boy cried out in Chinese.
Perfume responded by bashing the boy on the head with a frying pan that had been in the
sink. “Wrong cousin, stupid Mousse!” Perfume responded back in her native tongue.
The boy produced a pair of glasses, from where exactly Perfume dare not guess, and put them on. He eyed Perfume and frowned. “Oh, hello, Perfume. Where is Shampoo?” He asked, again in Chinese.
Perfume fumed at her sink, gritted her teeth, and then screamed out in her beautiful Amazonian Chinese dialect, “She is working, unlike you, you stupid jerk!” She then turned the spigot back to cold and sprayed him again, reducing the poor boy back into duckdom.
“What a beautiful language,” Hughes commented to Aaron, hearing Perfumes screams through the door as they walked away from the kitchen. Aaron rolled his eyes.
Aaron and Hughes rejoined Nicole and Kirstin at the table and quickly served themselves two pieces of the Perfume’s noodly pizza concoction. Hughes ravaged his first slice in three bites and then reached for a second.
Nicole eyed them, “What took you guys so long?”
Aaron and Hughes looked at each other and then Hughes looked back to Nicole and spoke in a calm and reasoned manner, “Bathroom ninjas.”
Nicole Blinked a few times and then rolled her eyes. “Guys are so weird.”
“Let us never speak of the bathroom ninjas again,” Hughes said sagely and then bit into his second piece.
“Just eat your food,” Nicole said, exasperated.
“Nicole…” Kirstin mock-scolded.
“Oh, is it raining?” Aaron asked, seeing the darkness outside through the window.
“Just late summer shower. They’re supposed to be scattered throughout the day,” Nicole answered, between mouthfuls of her lunch.
As if cue, the window brightened and Aaron could make out shafts of sunlight as the rain subsided. He sighed quietly in relief and tucked into Perfume’s special and quietly hoped his luck would hold out until they got back safely to the Maison Ikkoku. He had the dreadful feeling that they were already running on borrowed luck as it were today.
As the four ate and chatted about their upcoming destination, Cologne eyed the boys from the front register and narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
To say that there was a book store in Jinbo-Cho was like saying there was a fish in the Pacific Ocean. One only had to pick a direction and take ten steps, and one would most likely hit a book store… or at least someone reading a book.
Kirstin looked around in amazed wonder. Her bright eyes shined with wonder at this entire book town inside a city.
Nicole reached into her satchel that was hung over her shoulder and pulled out some folded papers. She looked them over and then surveyed the surroundings. She then confidently started walking across the street from where the Shinjuki Line station had deposited them.
“So, where to first?” Hughes asked.
“There’s a small shop near the station that has one of my orders,” Nicole answered, turning to look at Hughes as she continued walking forward. “I’m going to pick it up,” She then smacked right into a young man with a shock of bright pink spiked hair. Nicole apologized with a brief bow and continued on her way.
Aaron pulled Kirstin alongside him and nudged Hughes forward to walk alongside Nicole. He then whispered in Kirstin’s ear, “Hey Kirstin, can I ask you a quick question?”
Kirstin smiled softly in anticipation of the question. “Yes,” she said, “it was pink.”
“Hmm? Oh yes,” Aaron said. “The hair. That is going to take some getting used to. So, you three got the whole spiel, too, then?”
“The whole ‘Secret of Japan’ stuff?” Kirstin nodded an affirmative. “Right after we were brought to the denuralizarion center for long-term visitors, much like you all were, I gather.”
“Denuralization?”
“Where they remove the... What was it called? The ‘Perception Filter’ that foreigners get upon entry to the country.”
“Where’s Kenny when you need him?” Aaron muttered to himself. Then to Kirstin he said, “You mean the flashy thingy? Kenny immunized us to that. Thought we were in big trouble at first when those agents took us!”
“Lucky you,” Kirstin commented. “The surface nuralizing and denuralizing was fun enough, I assure you. I do so hope we aren’t deemed a security risk when we leave the country next year, because the deeper retconning process they described sounded like it would leave quite the headache.”
“Well, I don’t think we need to worry about being a security risk,” Aaron told Kirstin reassuringly.
“Oh, and why not?” Kirstin inquired.
“Well,” Aaron earnestly told her, “you’re you!”
Kirstin smiled. “And you’re you,” she told him.
“Lay that on any thicker back there,” Nicole shouted back from where she was leading the way, “and we can open up a sweet shop!”
Kirstin blushed and looked away from Aaron as her twin stopped walking and announced, “I think this is the place!”
Nicole worked fast, and the group was soon leaving “Bookville,” as Hughes dubbed it, and heading towards the electric town of Akihabara.
“So, um, where do we start?” Hughes asked.
Nicole consulted the documents in her satchel once more. “The few shops I have to hit here are further up this road, so let’s go that way,” she pointed. “But shout out if any of you see anyplace you want to go into.”
They made their way down a street that was crammed with shops. One thing that caught their eye was a small outdoor café that seemed almost an anomaly in its electronic store surroundings. Nicole almost thought she saw someone familiar sitting at one of the tables.
“Isn’t that Atanian?” she asked. She pointed, and the others followed her gaze to see the trench coated figure, who surprisingly enough seemed to be seated with someone else. “Who’s that chick with him?”
Aaron and Kirsten, sensing there would be trouble if they let Nicole investigate further, simply shrugged their shoulders. “That doesn’t look like Matt to me,” Aaron responded.
“If you say so,” Nicole replied, taking one last brief suspicious look at the trench coat clad figure and the long bluish-green haired girl sitting with him.
Suddenly their desire to get Nicole elsewhere had an added incentive as Hughes thought he felt a drop of water fall from the sky and hit his cheek. Hughes looked around to see if anything caught his eyes. Anyplace that would be a good shelter for the soon (and hopefully brief) storm he knew was about to come. Suddenly his eyes lit up like an excited child on Christmas. “Hey, let’s go there!”
Aaron looked to where Hughes was looking and smiled himself as soon as he saw it. It was a thing of beauty. He recognized it instantly. He should, he has sixty copies of it printed on sixty card backs tucked inside one of the pockets of his jacket. The Magic: The Gathering logo and it called out to him as if to say of the store before them, “There be gold in these here walls!”
Aaron found himself pondering for a moment why his inner monologue was talking like grizzled 1840’s prospector. He didn’t ponder long however, as Hughes was already half way to the door. Aaron followed him.
And so did Nicole and Kirstin.
The small building’s exterior was deceptive because on the outside the store looked to be tiny in comparison to the others around, but once inside the store was huge. Huge, but not cavernous. There were no vast tracts of empty space, instead every possible square foot was utilized and almost every narrow aisle between these utilized areas was occupied with various customers.
Aaron and Hughes grabbed Kirstin and dragged her away leaving Nicole alone to fend for herself in fanboy paradise. Clutching her bundle tighter, she squeezed past two excitable young men perusing the doujin section. While her understanding of Japanese was still not what she could call fluent, she was able to pick up pieces of their dialogue which appeared to be about character types and their acceptability in the eroticism industry.
Leave it to nerds to dissect the culture of porn, Nicole thought to herself with a wry grin. She looked around and saw large, expressive eyes everywhere she looked. Manga covers, wall scrolls, and posters advertising PC games were everywhere and each featured animated girls, their hair in a vast rainbow of colours and their eyes overly large and expressive. Nicole also noted that the majority of these cartoon girls also shared another part of their anatomy that was large and expressive and it wasn’t their eyes. Nicole rolled her eyes, Otaku…
She spent her time checking out the various displays and marveling at the potential in the obsessive fanboy market. She’d have to research this, might be something worth investing in.
Passing by one display, something plush caught her eye and she picked it up. She couldn’t help smile at the sheer cuteness of the object, although something else also tickled the back of her brain as she held the item in question and she was momentarily distracted. Thus, she jumped slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, fearing a nerdy fanboy, and smiled with relief when she saw it was only Kirstin.
Kirstin, meanwhile, looked a combination of frazzled, which was rare for her, and utterly lost, which was even rarer.
“Oh, hey!” Nicole said.
“We need help,” Kirstin answered without being asked.
“What’s up?”
“Aaron and Bill found what they were looking for and they have no idea how to tell the shopkeeper,” Kirstin responded.
Nicole felt the urge to roll her eyes but refrained. “I’ll be right over to help you guys. Luckily, I know how to haggle in seven languages” She then returned her attention to the plush Eva Unit 02 toy she still was holding and placed it back on its display, her eyes lingered on it a few extra moments.
Kirstin peeked over her twin’s shoulder. “Find something?”
Nicole shrugged. “Not really.” She cracked her fingers excitedly. Now, let’s get over to the boys before the store keeper charges them the ‘Ignorant-Gaijins-who-don’t-speak-Japanese-tax,” Nicole said.
The rain had kept them in the store for a while longer then they probably would have stayed otherwise, although for reasons varying greatly between Nicole and everyone else no one terribly minded the prolonged stay. While there, due to the length of their stay the boys ended up buying a little more then they probably would have otherwise. Also, Nicole had left a business card with the shop’s owner after a bit of a discussion about the potential profitability of mail-order sales to the growing American otaku market.
Still, as it was now getting late they had decided to make their way back to the train station. Pretty soon, they’d want to be thinking of dinner, and Kirstin worried that she hadn’t had a chance to check out the local food markets yet. Something for tomorrow, she supposed, as she pondered that they’d most likely be eating out tonight.
Her pondering was broken when she realized she had been asked a question. “I’m sorry, what?” she asked.
“Any good ones?” Aaron asked her. As they walked, Aaron and Hughes were comparing their new Magic cards. Although she hadn’t purchased nearly as many, Kirstin had picked up some as well.
“Oh,” Kirstin replied. “Well, some I don’t recognize and some that were reprinted in that Chronicles set you gave me some cards from. I did recognize a couple rares though. I got a Mirror Universe and a North Star.”
Aaron whistled, impressed. “Nice. Same thing here. Couple cards I already had, but I did find a Legendary Land called The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale.”
Kirstin giggled as did Nicole. “Maybe Kenny’s a wizard. That would explain some things about your small friend,” Nicole mused loud.
“Y’know, sometimes I do wonder if that might not just be the case,” Aaron responded. To himself, he thought, If you only knew the half of it! Then he turned to Hughes who was strangely quiet during the exchange. “How about you? Anything good in that pack of Unlimited that you found?”
Hughes slumped a little. “I got a Roc.”
Aaron winced. “A Roc of Kher Ridge?” Aaron asked.
Hughes nodded forlornly. “I got a Roc,” he repeated.
“Is that bad?” Kirstin asked.
“Well, it’s not awful or anything, but it’s kinda… um… vanilla. Okay, but not very exciting for something that’s out of print,” Aaron explained.
Kirstin nodding in understanding.
Hughes sighed quietly. “Oh well, Cést La Vie. Guess I’ll just have to use my vanilla rare and beat you with it,” Hughes mused out loud.
“Speaking of vanilla, I am getting hungry,” Nicole pondered as the group reached the station. “Let’s get the train home then find someplace to eat."
They discovered they had a short wait for their train, so Kirstin took the opportunity to excuse herself. While she answered the call of nature, her twin
was pondering the dinner situation. “Didn’t we pass something between Ikkoku and the Clock Hill station?” she asked. “Someplace called ‘Cha Cha’ something or other?”
Hughes shrugged. “You’ve got me.” Of course, unlike the others who had seen the route twice now, Hughes had been in a suitcase for one voyage so his recall of the surroundings of their new abode were understandably a little less reliable than that of Nicole and Aaron.
And Aaron, it seemed, did recall the place. “Was that a restaurant? I thought it looked more like a bar.”
“Oh, come on,” Nicole replied. “I’m sure they’ve got something to eat.”
“Yeah, but what would Matt and Sarah say,” Aaron interjected, “if they found out?”
“You worry too much,” Nicole assured him, patting him on the back as she did so. “Hell, I’ll call Maison Ikkoku from the station when we arrive and see if Sarah’s eaten yet. Matt, too, if he’s back from his excursion yet.”
“Assuming he hasn’t died and gone to otaku heaven today,” Hughes joked. “Well, I’m in,” he added. “Just so long as this place has more to eat than pretzels or peanuts.”
“Relax, it’ll be fun,” Nicole said. “Oh, there you are!” she added upon noticing Kirstin approaching. The train was also approaching. “Good timing!”
“Oh, hey,” she said, seeming a bit distracted. “So, um, what’ll be fun?”
“Just figured out where dinner’s going to be. Um... you okay there, sis?”
“Huh?” Kirstin shook her head. “Yeah.”
The others looked at her a moment. The train doors opened. Nicole shrugged, turned, and got on the train.
Aaron and Hughes were about to follow when they both felt a tug on their sleeves. They turned to Kirstin who had a sleeve clutched in each hand. “We’ve got to talk,” she said.
Kenny shuddered a little as he folded his underwear and meticulously laid it in his clothing bag. He knew that he could trust Becker. Well, mostly. True, part of that trust was based on a temporal-based paradox that told him that he should. It had been slightly more than half a year since he invited Mr. Becker into his world and despite a fairly shaky start (or rather, restart – paradoxes could be so confusing sometimes) he had proven himself to be a more than capable lab assistant and, even more importantly, a pretty good friend.
But still, Mr. Becker was, well, Becker. So, there was some apprehension in leaving the lab to his sole steed for a few days, but it really couldn’t be helped. Certain experiments needed monitoring and Mr. Becker was well instructed on what he should be looking out for and he knew that if anything got outside his ability to handle, he would contact Kenny immediately.
Still, one word kept running around in his head. That word was Octoparrot. Kenny, remembering that experiment, shuddered again and continued packing. He had a “flight to catch” and goodbyes to make. Besides, the sooner he said his goodbyes and made his way back, the sooner he could say his hellos again.
Kenny closed the zipper on his clothing bag and checked the latches and security snaps on his larger equipment bag. Satisfied that both were secure and that no underwear would fall out, and no neutrino power cells would be unleashed upon the fabric of hammer-space, he turned to his temporary roommates. Mike and Aaron were both were putting their futons away into the storage closet. A moment later, Bill Hughes opened the door and poked his head inside, giving a head nod gesture that seemed to indicate he was coming in, but wanted to make sure it was cool first. Aaron and Mike gave the unspoken permission and Hughes finished walking into the room.
Hughes nodded his head to greet Kenny. Kenny nodded back and then pushed his glassed back up the bridge of his nose. Aaron, looking at Hughes and arching his eyebrow, asked, “Where’s Gelinas?”
Hughes shrugged. “Still sleeping I guess. Looked to be pretty exhausted last night. Guess you could say he was dog-tired.” Hughes snickered lightly at his own bad joke, right before Mike’s hat flew at him with blinding speed.
Hughes stumbled back and tripped over his own feet, and ended up on his back with a resounding thud.
Aaron sighed as he helped Hughes up. “So, what is it like sharing a room with the notorious snorer?” he asked him.
Hughes shrugged. “Don’t know yet. Didn’t sleep there last night.”
Aaron narrowed his gaze. “You know, we’ve been meaning to have a talk to you about this little sleeping arrangement you’ve seem to have made unbeknownst to our friends, the Porters.”
Hughes rolled his eyes, expecting a lecture. “Listen man, I’m not a total scoundrel. Whether you choose to believe it or not, I’ve made it a point to not take advantage of the Porters when they’re at their most unguarded.”
Aaron stared a little at Hughes. “Their most unguarded?” he repeated.
Hughes shrugged his shoulders, “Dunno what to tell you. I’ve seen as much of Kirstin as you have, if that’s what you’re really worried about.”
Aaron backed up a little. “What do you mean by that?” Aaron stammered slightly. “Me and Kirstin are just friends.”
Hughes put up his hands in mock surrender. “Sure, fine. If you say so.”
“Personally, I’m actually more worried about the potential for you being discovered,” Mike said. “The more often you do this, the greater the risk you run that Nicole will find you out and by extension, everyone else.”
“Shouldn’t we be having this conversation with Matt ‘Sarah’s Best Friend’ Atanian?” Hughes replied defensively.
“Matt’s not living with Sarah, or at least attempting to,” Aaron responded.
“That’s splitting hairs. ‘Matty’s’ been over enough. Besides, Kirstin is in on this. She’s been more than cool with it. It might be a shock to the other two, but if it happens, I don’t think it will be the disaster everyone else thinks it would be,” Hughes argued, crossing his arms to indicate that he was done with this topic.
Tense silence enveloped the room. Kenny coughed slightly and stood up. “Sirs,” he began, “I believe I should be on my way. Since Mr. Gelinas is still asleep, will you give him my regards? I’m going to go say my goodbyes to the Porters and Mr. Atanian.”
Mike looked to Kenny, “When do you reckon we will see you again?”
“I should be no more than a week, or maybe two. I need to tend to some lab matters, but I’ll try to visit again soon,” Kenny said with a smile. Mike, Aaron, and Hughes all thought that Kenny definitely seemed to smile a lot more these days and that seemed like a good thing.
“Well, have a safe ‘trip’ then. Let us know when you get back into the U.S., in any case. You know, just to let us know you got back okay. Hate to think of you going into empty space and ending up taking the wrong turn at Albuquerque,” Mike said as he stood up and patted Kenny on the back.
“No worries here, but nonetheless, I will give you a call this evening, local time zone. Good day, sirs,” Kenny said and then he picked up his luggage, opened the door, and made his exit.
For a moment the room was quiet. Aaron returned his look to first Mike, and then, slowly, to Hughes. “So, we still have a few days before we have to start our exchange student cover and go attend classes. What should we do with a brand new metropolis at our fingertips?” Aaron asked with a little flourish.
Mike yawned. “Honestly? I think I might pull a Gelinas and catch up on some sleep. I’m seriously feeling the jet-lag. I think I’m gonna rest up a bit and then see what Bill wants to do when he decides to wake up.”
“If he decides to ever wake up. I swear, that guy once slept through an entire week of summer camp. Still managed to get three badges, too,” Hughes said, bemused.
Aaron shrugged. “What about you? You got any plans?” He asked, looking to Hughes.
“Maybe. Maybe the same plans that you do,” Hughes said knowingly. “I overheard you talking with Nicole and Kirstin about exploring the area, checking out the school and such. And I know Nicole is also planning to pick up some books on Japan and Japanese that she had ordered before she arrived. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind my coming along, if you extended the invitation.”
“You’re planning on coming whether I invite you, or not, don’t you?” Aaron asked, knowing the answer.
“I think I’d like to go, either as your guest, or as Nicole’s arm accessory,” Hughes beamed. Mike rolled his eyes. Aaron did likewise.
“Fine. If they still plan to go out, I’ll ask if I can bring you,” Aaron said, slightly annoyed at being outplayed.
“Dude, it’ll be great. The bookstores they’re going to are in Jinbo-Cho!” Hughes said with a smile.
“What’s so great about that?” Aaron asked.
It was Hughes turn to roll his eyes. “What did you do during that long flight here?”
“Slept some, watched the movie, ate a pretty mediocre meal,” Aaron answered.
“Well, while you did that I took advantage of my time in Nicole’s suitcase and started reading the guidebook she packed.”
Aaron cocked his head. “How did…?”
Hughes pointed to his eyes. “Night-vision, my fellow curse-sufferer. Cats got pretty good night-vision, and now so do I when I take the icy cold dip. Anyway, the point being, I had quite a few hours of quiet time to kill, so I read up on Tokyo and learned quite a bit. The name Jinbo-Cho is pretty famous. It’s the home of some of the country’s largest publishers and it’s a book-lover’s Mecca. It’s in the Ward of Chiyoda. And do you know what else is in Chiyoda?”
“No, but you’re going to tell me, right?” Aaron said, wondering if Hughes would ever get to his point.
“Akihabara, my friend. Akihabara,” Hughes said with a twinkle in his eye.
Aaron sighed. “Hughes, I’m not Kenny or Matt. If I was them, I’m pretty sure what you just said would turn on some light in my head. But I’m not, so do tell. What is Akihabara?”
Hughes slumped a little, feeling a little defeated that his newfound knowledge was not appreciated. “Akihabara is also known as ‘Electric town.’ It’s the place to go for tech geeks, otaku, and other fanboys. It’s a one stop shop for videos, anime merchandise, electronics, comics, and games.”
“You know, I do seem to recall Matt mentioning the place,” Mike quipped, off the side. “Something about inflicting himself upon it.”
Aaron perked up a little, but then came back down. “That’s cool and all, but I don’t see us doing much video game shopping while we’re here. Our systems are back in the states, and even when we bring them over, they won’t play imported games, and even if we get them modded, we can barely read enough Japanese to make the whole experience seem like extra homework.”
Hughes arched an eyebrow. “Who said anything about video games. They have other types of games, my friends. Games of the cardboard variety.”
Aaron perked up again. “Japanese Magic Cards?”
Hughes nodded. ”Remember when we were pricing older packs? Stuff like Arabian Nights and Legends were like forty, fifty, even sixty bucks a pack. That’s when I started researching the foreign market. Those older sets came out later in other countries, so they’re not as old here as they are back home, so they might still be available, and even better, still affordable. Best of all, they’re all touney legal when we bring them back home. Hell, that jerk Bertovich’s red/green deck is half a combination of German, Italian, French, and Japanese.”
“Damn, that’s what I call thinking,” Mike said off to the side, impressed. “Guess Nicole is rubbing off on him. If I give you a 2000 Yen note, think you can get me something good?”
“I can try,” Hughes said, exuding confidence. “Of course, that depends on Mr. Abdowmassy here.”
“I’m in,” Aaron said, grabbing Hughes’ extended hand in a firm handshake. He then stopped shaking, but did not relinquish his grip. “But sometime soon, we’re still going to have a talk about you staying in the Porters’ room at nights.”
Sarah walked out into the hallway and noticed that someone was simultaneously exiting the next door over. She saw the youngest of the Boy Scouts, Kenny. He seemed to be carrying two suitcases, which together almost seemed to overpower him. He put them down when he saw her.
“Oh, good morning, Ms. Porter,” the boy said.
“Hello,” Sarah responded. “So, what’re you up to today?”
“Actually,” Kenny said, “I’m planning to head home. So I did wish to say farewell.”
Sarah blinked. “What about school?”
“Oh, I’m not here as part of the exchange program,” Kenny explained. “I was just visiting.”
“Not a very long visit,” Sarah pointed out.
“Oh, I’ll be back, Kenny said. “I just have things to attend to.”
“Ah, I see,” Sarah said even though she didn’t.
“Are Ms. Kirstin and Ms. Nicole awake?” Kenny asked. “I would like to take my leave of them.”
“Oh, um, sure.”
Kenny nodded and knocked on the Porter’s door. A moment later he entered, leaving the cases in the hall.
Nicole and Kirstin welcomed in Kenny. Kenny looked around the small room and noticed the steaming teacups on the table. Kirstin and Nicole sat cross-legged and looked up to Kenny.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” Kirstin asked sweetly.
Kenny weighed the proposition in his head. And then shook his head, a little sadly. “I would like to, but I can only stay for a minute. I’m just making my rounds to say goodbye before my cab takes me to the train station,” he said. “I still have to catch up with Mr. Atanian before I leave. Thank you, in any case, Ms. Kirstin.”
“Kenny, please, I’ve said before there’s no need for the ‘Ms.’” Kirstin brought her teacup to her lips and took a slow sip.
“My apologies,” Kenny apologized.
“It’s alright, Kenny,” Kirstin said. She sighed. “You just say what feels right to you.”
“Thank you, Ms… er… Kirstin,” Kenny corrected.
“It’s a shame that you’re not staying. Smart kid like you would probably adapt well here,” Nicole said.
“Will we be seeing you again before we come home?” Kirstin asked.
“Oh yes. I plan to make a few more visits here, so I’m sure to stop in again, even if it is just to say hello,” Kenny said with a smile.
Nicole shifted her eyes to Kenny, then slowly sipped her tea. “That sounds pretty expensive,” Nicole stated, slightly suspiciously.
Kenny mentally kicked himself for flinging that information out so casually with Nicole in the room. Kirstin’s presence always made him a little less guarded. He could explain the hammer-space conduit to Kirstin. She had seen the lab. She could deal with the strangeness that his life involved. Nicole could deal with the strangeness too, no doubt. (In fact she already had, but due to that confounded temporal paradox that was now an unlived memory.) Unfortunately, it would lead Nicole to asking new questions, questions the others didn’t want asked.
His cool demeanor never broke. “We’re independently wealthy. It’s just not something I like to throw around in polite conversation.”
Nicole shifted her eyes again and grinned. “Fair enough. Let me know if your folks are ever in the need for investment opportunities. I have a few out there that could turn independently wealthy into extremely independently wealthy.”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Kenny said evasively. “In any case, I look forward to my next visit.”
Kirstin smiled and tilted her head slightly. “Us, too. If you let us know next time you’ll be in town and we’ll be sure to make a special meal for you.” Kenny was mentally in wonder how she could roll so casually with his lie to her sister.
“I would like that. Thank you very much, Kirstin.” Kenny then turned away and walked back to the door.
Kenny then paused, looked back to the twins one last time, lingering his gaze momentarily on Kirstin, smiled, and then exited. Nicole grinned to herself and shook her head, sadly amused. A moment later, the door Kenny had just left through reopened and Sarah came into the room. She looked exasperated.
“Bathroom not free yet?” Nicole asked from behind her teacup.
“No, no. It’s open. Just had to deal with, well, I had to deal with him to get there,” Sarah mumbled.
“Oh, you two sharing a mutual space for a year is going to be an absolute scream,” Nicole said to herself, rolling her eyes.
“Nicole, be nice,” Kirstin quietly scolded. She turned to her older sister. “I thought you and Matt had reached a mutual understanding about this situation?”
“Mutual understanding is one thing. Total acceptance is another. I’m still not sure how I feel about this,” Sarah said she walked into the kitchen area and poured herself a cup from the teapot.
“Well, for better to worse, we’re all here now, so we might as well get used to the situations our lives have put us into,” Kirstin said, with surprising
authoritativeness to both Sarah and Nicole.
“Where did that come from?” Nicole asked, surprised at her quiet twin’s surprising show of clout.
Kirstin calmly smiled and let the moment pass. She had made her point. A quiet fell over the room.
“So,” Sarah said after clearing her throat, “what do you two have planned for your first full day in Japan?”
“We were thinking of doing some exploring. I was talking to a few of the scouts last night at the welcome party and since we’re all attending the local school, we might as well check it out. Maybe do a little sightseeing in the neighboring areas,” Nicole said matter-of-factly.
“How far were you two planning to travel?” Sarah asked, concerned at the idea of her two sisters walking around in a strange city.
“Well, we thought we’d nip on over to Furinkan to check out our school, and then just nip on the train for a quick trip three wards over to Chiyoda ward,” Nicole explained. “Jinbo-Cho!”
“Ah, you want to get that stuff you ordered,” Sarah said with reserved approval. “Okay, well you girls seem to have a pretty solid plan and itinerary. Though, I do expect you home before it gets too dark.”
“Guess we should probably think about getting cleaned up and ready to head out. The bathroom’s free, right sis?” Nicole asked Sarah.
“It is unless someone’s taken it in the last minute,” Sarah confirmed.
“Ok, I’m going to go get cleaned up. Kirstin, you want to double check with Aaron and let him know we’ll be heading out in a little while?” Nicole said grabbing her bathroom bucket.
“Okay, Nicole.”
Nicole exited the room and Kirstin followed to see who would be available to make the trip today, leaving Sarah to her own thoughts and cup of tea.
Some time later, a group consisting of Aaron, Kirstin, Hughes, and Nicole had set out. It was a decent walk from Clock Hill over to Furinkan, even if they were neighboring areas. The four of them were getting close as they continued various small talk over this and that. They were presently walking beside a wrought iron fence but came to a stop as they came to the currently closed main gate of Furinkan High School.
The Westminster chimes rang out, followed by twelve distinctive gongs to mark that is was now noon. “Wonder if we’ll have to wear uniforms like in those anime shows?” Aaron wondered.
“I’m not sure,” Nicole answered. “I’m sure the school staff will let us know more when we start. I’m more curious what sort of uniforms they have here, though. I hope it isn’t a sailor fuku. Don’t get me wrong,” she said, addressing the boys, “I know your Matt’s got eyes only for Sarah, but I’d still hate to risk any pervy thoughts going through his otaku brain if he saw us in those!”
Aaron and Hughes had time to exchange a worried glance before Nicole finally laughed to let them know she had been joking.
“I always thought that Obachan looked rather elegant in hers when she showed us those old photographs of her from when she was a girl,” Kirstin told her twin.
“Yeah,” Nicole said quietly. “She did.”
A contemplative silence enfolded the group. A moment later it was broken by a rough cough. They turned away from the school and looked to who it was.
It was a boy with a thick mop of black hair and a spotted bandanna. He looked dirty and tired and he had a large backpack strapped to himself. He looked familiar to most of them, for surely they had seen this unfortunate soul on many an occasion before.
“Furinkan Koukou wa doko da?” the man demanded of them. Suddenly a look that was an impressive mix of horror, frustration, and confusion grew on his face, much like the horrified expression of Edvard Munch’s The Scream. “Oh, no! Not again! I swore that the boat captain said he was going to Japan! How did I end up in Massachusetts again?” He spun around in dramatic fashion and gripped his head in abject despair.
After a moment, the man collected himself, straightened himself up, and addressed the stunned and confused group. “My apologies,” he said with a bow, “Sorry for taking up your time. I must be off, for I cannot rest until I find Furnikan High School.” Having said that, he then turned, gave a half hearted wave, and dashed off again.
“But… but…” Aaron stammered.
“You just found it,” Nicole finished. It was too late as the boy was long gone, running at what could be described as inhuman speeds.
“I feel so bad for that boy,” Kirstin said sadly.
“So,” Hughes said, breaking the solemn mood that had settled upon the others, “anyone else up for lunch?”
“Is there anywhere nearby?” Aaron asked.
“Well, when I was researching local businesses prior to our arrival I came across mention of a pretty profitable Chinese place called Neko Haten,” Nicole answered. “‘Profitable’ usually equals ‘good.’”
“That sounds Japanese,” Kirstin chimed in, confused.
“Well, we are in Japan, sis,” Nicole pointed out. She continued to explain. “Anyway, it is supposed to be owned and operated by some Chinese immigrants. It’s supposed to be not far from Furinkan High School, so we should try it out. Could make for a convenient hangout.”
“I’m game. I like Chinese food,” Hughes said. As he said it, however, a pressing question occurred to him. “By the way, what does Neko Haten mean anyway?” he asked, already familiar with the first word and suddenly worried about the content of the second.
“Rough translation would be ‘Cat Café,’” Nicole said. Between looking at street signs she missed the nervous gulp from Hughes.
“I just hope it means they like cats as pets, and not that’s what’s on the menu,” Hughes nervously joked.
Nicole rolled her eyes, an exercise that was becoming all too common when dealing with Boy Scouts and men in general. “I’ll be sure to tell them to hold the Tabby, then.”
“Nicole…” Kirstin said with a mock-scolding tone.
The smell of hot beef and chicken broth filled the air as the four walked into the Neko Haten. The four looked around in interest as they took in the restaurant. At several small round tables sat customers, including some who appeared to be students from the recently departed Furikan High, apparently playing hooky for lunch, happily chatting and slurping from noodle bowls. At the long counter at the back of the restaurant, piping hot bowls were put out and quickly picked up by the perky waitress, a purple-haired teenage girl wearing an ornate Chinese shirt and pants.
“It’s a noodle house!” Nicole said in amazement.
“It’s kind of like The Rising Sun, back home,” Kirstin added.
Hughes and Aaron just looked to each other and shrugged. A hoarse cough from behind caught all four’s attention. They quickly turned to the front counter where the cash register sat and looked at the wizened two-foot tall woman leaning on her twisted and knotted three-foot tall walking stick and eying them. “Table for four?” she said in perfect English.
Hughes looked the old woman over and arched a half-cocked eyebrow, “A mummified monkey?”
This question was greeted with a resounding bashing of his head at blinding speeds from the old woman’s stick. Hughes went down like a house of cards. “Petulant child,” The old woman scolded.
“Oh my…” Kirstin said, astonished.
“Yes, please,” Nicole said, answering the initial question and paying no mind to the semi-comatose Hughes.
“This way, please,” The old woman said cheerfully and led Nicole and Kirstin to an empty table.
Aaron hung back for a moment and looked down to Hughes, “Dude, you okay?”
“Just peachy,” Hughes replied, still dazed. “Just point me in the direction of that bus that hit me.”
Aaron helped him up and they then joined the others. The old woman and Nicole were exchanging pleasantries.
“I must say, your English is fantastic!” Nicole said, impressed.
The old woman cackled happily, “You don’t live for a hundred years for nothing!”
“You’re much younger than you look,” Hughes muttered under his breath. His head was savaged by her stick again.
“Your friend is a very ill-mannered, petulant boy,” the old woman said with a grin.
“No, just an idiot,” Aaron said apologetically.
“Ah,” the old woman said understandingly, “No shortage of those here, I’m afraid.” She then burst out in laughter and then waved over the teenage girl. “This is my great granddaughter, Shampoo. She’ll be your waitress.”
“Nihao!” The girl said with a beaming smile.
Kirstin nodded appreciatively, “Thank you, Miss…”
“Cologne,” The old woman answered.
“I’ve heard glowing reviews, Ms. Cologne. What’s the special of the house?” Nicole asked.
Cologne gave the question some thought and suggested several different types of ramen and udon bowls. A moment later, a chef called out to Shampoo and placed a steaming circular pan on the counter. On it sat a perfectly browned ring of dough, and nestled on top an assortment of wonderfully smelling fried noodles and other ingredients.
“What’s that?” Aaron asked, eying the tray as the girl carried it to another table, greeted by happily smiling teenagers wearing Furikan’s uniforms.
“Oh that’s an experimental dish from one of our new chefs. She spent some time over in America and seemed to pick up some rather, ahem, peculiar ideas. It seems to be very popular with the teenagers though, so we added it to the menu,” Cologne explained.
“It looks like a noodly pizza,” Hughes commented.
“It looks delicious!” Aaron said, eyeing the kids trying to hold slices of the concoction in one hand, and chop sticks the other.
“I’m game,” Nicole said.
“Sounds good to me,” Kirstin added and the four agreed to try the new dish. Cologne called Shampoo back over and Nicole gave her the order.
“Very good, what you want drink?” Shampoo asked.
“Two pots of tea and four iced waters, please,” Nicole said. Shampoo nodded and went toward the back to the kitchen. Cologne thanked them for their business and then returned to the front to greet new customers.
Nicole stood up from her seat, “While they’re getting our drinks, I’m going to use the ladies’ room. Be back soon,” Nicole said and then went off to find the facilities.
A few moments later, Shampoo placed two steaming pots on the table, along with four small Japanese teacups, and then placed four glasses of water and cubed ice at their seats. She smiled politely and went off to other duties.
Kirstin picked up and then raised her glass. “Welcome to Japan, guys!”
Aaron and Hughes picked up their glasses of water and raised them to meet Kirstin’s. Hughes thought for a moment and decided to add, “Kampai!”, which brought a smile to Kirstin’s face which in turn brought a smile to Aaron’s face.
Shampoo walked by with another tray of glasses filled with ice water. A moment later, there was a loud shout from the kitchen. The door to the kitchen burst open and an angry Chinese man wearing an apron and brandishing a butcher knife came running, giving pursuit to a squealing, small, black, Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. The pig deftly zigged, zagged, and dodged the man’s attempts to capture him. The pig dove between Shampoo’s legs, causing the girl to stumble and fall backward, flinging the tray into the air as she fell. The pig meanwhile, made his escape and was out the front entrance, squealing in joy of finding sweet freedom. Cologne watched the scene unfold, sadly shook her head and ‘tsk’ed’ in annoyed disbelief.
Kirstin gasped in horror as she watched the glasses of water float in the air, dumping their contents on the unaware Hughes and Aaron. A moment later, they vanished as they physically shrunk down into their smaller animal forms.
Kirstin ran to their side of the table and looked down at the duck and cat struggling to untangle themselves from their now massive clothes. Aaron looked up and her and quacked in a slightly embarrassed tone. Kirstin bent down and helped him and Hughes out of their clothes. She then looked around for Nicole, still not seeing her, she returned her attention to Aaron.
“You need to find some hot water and get dressed! Nicole will be back any moment,” Kirstin hissed.
“Quack!” Aaron said with a nod and bundled up his and Hughes’ clothes with his wings and waddled off. Hughes mewed quietly and then walked off, following Aaron.
Kirstin sat back down and rubbed her temples in worry. She really cared for her friends and understood that they couldn’t help what the curse did to them, but still, she wished that life could be just a tad less complicated.
A couple minutes later, she spied Aaron waddling past her again, still in duck form and seemingly not very concerned about it. Kirstin gasped and picked him up again. Aaron struggled in her arms, quacking in surprise. A moment later, Aaron looked at her and embraced her, which caused her to ‘eep’ in shock and drop him.
Aaron gave a confused quack and then pulled out a pair of glasses, from where she could not begin to fathom, and placed them on his bill. He studied Kirstin for a moment and quacked again.
“What are you doing? I said you need to find hot water before Nicole sees you. And where’s Billy?” Kirstin interrogated. She then paused, realizing that she was missing something important. “And since when do you wear glasses in duck form?”
Aaron stared at her as if she was talking to him in Swahili. He quacked at her in a confused tone. He scratched his head with his wing and stared at her. She sighed and said, “Just find some hot water, kay?”
“Um, why are you talking to a duck?” Nicole asked from behind.
Kirstin leapt up in shock and spun around to face her twin, who was wearing a slightly confused expression. She needed to come up with something quick. “Um... what duck?” Kirstin mentally palmed her face. That was not the something.
“The one that is standing behind you. The one you were talking to quietly for some reason. The one that I saw wander in from outside as I was coming back from the ladies’ room. Poor fellow looks soaked. Must of got caught up in that late summer shower that just started,” Nicole answered.
Kirstin looked to the window and saw that the sky had darkened and it was raining, just as Nicole had said. “Sorry, just was making animal talk. Y’know, like when you play with Neko-chan.”
“With a duck?” Nicole asked, eyebrow arching further.
“Yes, with a duck,” Kirstin reasserted, hoping that would be enough.
Nicole weighed this and then shrugged her shoulders and retook her seat. She poured herself a cup of tea. She then took a sip and eyed the two empty seats. “Where’s the guys?”
“Oh, they had to use the facilities, too,” Kirstin lied.
“Oh? That’s weird, I didn’t see them. Must of been distracted by the duck walking in,” Nicole said between sips.
Kirstin nodded in agreement and then paused her head nods. “So, you saw it come it from outside?”
“Yeah. Just waddled right it from the rain, shook itself off walked into the restaurant,” Nicole answered.
Kirstin poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip herself. How did Aaron manage to get outside so fast? A new thought also entered her mind. It seemed very odd that a duck could just walk into a restaurant and not one person seemed to pay it any mind. Japan was becoming more unusual by the hour.
A moment later, Shampoo brought to their table the noodly pizza-like concoction they had ordered. Nicole cut a slice and placed it on her plate, “Those guys better get back soon or it’s gonna get cold.” She then grinned, “Geez, and men accuse women of taking too long to use the bathroom. What is taking them so long?”
Kirstin placed a portion on her plate as well, “Good question,” she said quietly, eying the direction Aaron had waddled off.
Aaron pushed open the kitchen door, using all his duck strength, and waddled in, still clutching his and Hughes’ clothes in his wings. Hughes padded lightly behind him, looking around the kitchen nervously, not liking the idea of being a cat in a Chinese restaurant, the urban legends he had heard and such.
Aaron looked for hot water, any hot water, and he knew the clock was ticking. If they took too long, Nicole was going to get suspicious. A moment later, Aaron heard the kitchen door swing open again, and before he could find a hiding spot, he watched as another duck entered the room.
Aaron quacked a confused quack and eyed this other duck. The duck regarded him back and then looked over to Hughes. Hughes mewed quizzically. The duck then surprised both Aaron and Hughes by embracing Hughes in a loving duck embrace. Hughes responded by hissing angrily and brandish claws with furious slashes. The duck let go of Hughes and sadly walked away in duck dejection.
Hughes panted in confused anger. His fur standing on end, unsure why a duck decided to embrace him. Japan was getting more and more confusing by the minute. Another door swung open and once again, Aaron found he was unable to hide himself from discovery and anxiously awaited the wrath of the person walking in on their intrusion.
The person, an older Chinese man wearing an apron, walked through the doors and looked down at Aaron and Hughes briefly and then walked by, ignoring them. Aaron breathed a sigh of relief and then gave pause for thought. That was very odd. Most times, restaurant employees are not too keen on ducks and cats wandering around the kitchen. He could hear Bill Gelinas’ voice in his head questioning everything that was happening to him and how believable it was. Aaron mentally told himself, Shut up, Bill, and then went back to his task of finding hot water.
The pair wandered further into the kitchen and they then came upon a teenaged Chinese girl washing dishes in the sink. Perfect! Aaron thought! Hot
water found. Now, to get some help from the girl to aid them in their plight. He walked up and gently tugged on the girl’s pant leg, hoping to get her attention. No one seemed shocked by their presence here and he suspected she would not be either.
His suspicions were correct as she looked down at them and did not bat an eye at a duck and cat trying to get her attention. She may not have batted an eye, but Aaron and Hughes certainly did when they saw who the girl was.
It was Perfume.
Perfume looked down and smiled at Aaron and Hughes and then began to speak in her native Chinese. Aaron and Hughes looked at each other with confused expressions and began mewing and quacking at Perfume in hopes of her understanding their dire need for hot water. She seemed to understand and picked up the nozzled sprayer, turned the water spigot to hot, she aimed and sprayed them.
The smile on her face faded when the naked Aaron and Hughes appeared in front of her. Her eyes went as large as saucers and she pointed at the naked boys in exasperation. Aaron and Hughes covered themselves and looked back to Perfume with equal exasperation.
“What are you doing here?!” all three said at the same time.
“I thought you cousin and stupid Mousse!” Perfume gasped.
“Your cousin?!” Aaron asked.
“You mean there’s more curses?!” Hughes asked. “Is that why that other duck tried to molest me?!”
Perfume calmed herself and looked to Aaron and Hughes, after a moment she realized something, blushed, and averted her gaze. Aaron and Hughes noticed and both quickly retrieved their clothing. As they put back on their clothes, Aaron looked over Perfume and asked again, “What are you doing here? I thought you were going back to China to hide from those Jusenkyo fanatics?”
“This is family’s noodle shop. Great Grandmother and cousin come here and open shop. I work here as chef,” She explained.
“That old lady with the nasty cane is your great grandmother?” Hughes asked.
Perfume nodded and then gasped in horror, “You can’t be here! You need to go. NOW!” She started pushing them toward the door.
“Whoa, whoa. Wait. Hey!” Aaron protested as Perfume started shoving them out of the kitchen.
“Yeah, what’s the deal? We just found out you were here. Why are you trying to get us to leave?” Hughes asked.
Perfume stopped pushing and eyed them with genuine panic and concern. “If Great Grandmother finds out I know you, she figure out who you are!”
“And…?” Hughes asked.
“Ai Yai!” Perfume exclaimed in frustration, “Do you remember why I came America in the first place?”
“To kill us in compliance with Amazon laws,” Aaron answered.
“You dead?” Perfume pressed on.
“Um, no,” Hughes answered.
“Ah,” Aaron said with an understanding nod, then a nervous gulp.
“Exactly. I allowed to stop hunting you and leave America because of Jusenkyo problem, but if Great Grandmother find out who you are, she insist on finishing job,” She said with a serious tone. “I prefer not do that. I already promise not to try kill anymore, so I don’t want to press issue right now, if I help it.”
Aaron nodded and grabbed Hughes by the shoulder and turned him to the door exiting the kitchen and back into the restaurant. He turned back toward Perfume before exiting and spoke, “We’re all staying at the Maison Ikkoku in Nerima Ward. If you ever want to visit or if you need someone to talk to.”
Perfume smiled and nodded, “Garden Snakes stick together.”
Aaron smiled and walked through the door, pushing Hughes in front of him.
Perfume sighed and then turned back to her sink of dishes. She sadly began to scrub the dirty noodle bowls, worried that Great Grandmother would find out her Patrol was there and she would be forced to try and kill them again. Great Grandmother was a clever one and that worried the young Amazon.
A moment later, another duck walked up to her and tugged on her pant leg. Perfume looked down at the duck, sighed, and sprayed him with the nozzle.
A teenaged Chinese boy with long black hair appeared next to her. The boy took Perfume into his grasp and embraced her as he would a long lost lover. “Shampoo, my love!”, the boy cried out in Chinese.
Perfume responded by bashing the boy on the head with a frying pan that had been in the
sink. “Wrong cousin, stupid Mousse!” Perfume responded back in her native tongue.
The boy produced a pair of glasses, from where exactly Perfume dare not guess, and put them on. He eyed Perfume and frowned. “Oh, hello, Perfume. Where is Shampoo?” He asked, again in Chinese.
Perfume fumed at her sink, gritted her teeth, and then screamed out in her beautiful Amazonian Chinese dialect, “She is working, unlike you, you stupid jerk!” She then turned the spigot back to cold and sprayed him again, reducing the poor boy back into duckdom.
“What a beautiful language,” Hughes commented to Aaron, hearing Perfumes screams through the door as they walked away from the kitchen. Aaron rolled his eyes.
Aaron and Hughes rejoined Nicole and Kirstin at the table and quickly served themselves two pieces of the Perfume’s noodly pizza concoction. Hughes ravaged his first slice in three bites and then reached for a second.
Nicole eyed them, “What took you guys so long?”
Aaron and Hughes looked at each other and then Hughes looked back to Nicole and spoke in a calm and reasoned manner, “Bathroom ninjas.”
Nicole Blinked a few times and then rolled her eyes. “Guys are so weird.”
“Let us never speak of the bathroom ninjas again,” Hughes said sagely and then bit into his second piece.
“Just eat your food,” Nicole said, exasperated.
“Nicole…” Kirstin mock-scolded.
“Oh, is it raining?” Aaron asked, seeing the darkness outside through the window.
“Just late summer shower. They’re supposed to be scattered throughout the day,” Nicole answered, between mouthfuls of her lunch.
As if cue, the window brightened and Aaron could make out shafts of sunlight as the rain subsided. He sighed quietly in relief and tucked into Perfume’s special and quietly hoped his luck would hold out until they got back safely to the Maison Ikkoku. He had the dreadful feeling that they were already running on borrowed luck as it were today.
As the four ate and chatted about their upcoming destination, Cologne eyed the boys from the front register and narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
To say that there was a book store in Jinbo-Cho was like saying there was a fish in the Pacific Ocean. One only had to pick a direction and take ten steps, and one would most likely hit a book store… or at least someone reading a book.
Kirstin looked around in amazed wonder. Her bright eyes shined with wonder at this entire book town inside a city.
Nicole reached into her satchel that was hung over her shoulder and pulled out some folded papers. She looked them over and then surveyed the surroundings. She then confidently started walking across the street from where the Shinjuki Line station had deposited them.
“So, where to first?” Hughes asked.
“There’s a small shop near the station that has one of my orders,” Nicole answered, turning to look at Hughes as she continued walking forward. “I’m going to pick it up,” She then smacked right into a young man with a shock of bright pink spiked hair. Nicole apologized with a brief bow and continued on her way.
Aaron pulled Kirstin alongside him and nudged Hughes forward to walk alongside Nicole. He then whispered in Kirstin’s ear, “Hey Kirstin, can I ask you a quick question?”
Kirstin smiled softly in anticipation of the question. “Yes,” she said, “it was pink.”
“Hmm? Oh yes,” Aaron said. “The hair. That is going to take some getting used to. So, you three got the whole spiel, too, then?”
“The whole ‘Secret of Japan’ stuff?” Kirstin nodded an affirmative. “Right after we were brought to the denuralizarion center for long-term visitors, much like you all were, I gather.”
“Denuralization?”
“Where they remove the... What was it called? The ‘Perception Filter’ that foreigners get upon entry to the country.”
“Where’s Kenny when you need him?” Aaron muttered to himself. Then to Kirstin he said, “You mean the flashy thingy? Kenny immunized us to that. Thought we were in big trouble at first when those agents took us!”
“Lucky you,” Kirstin commented. “The surface nuralizing and denuralizing was fun enough, I assure you. I do so hope we aren’t deemed a security risk when we leave the country next year, because the deeper retconning process they described sounded like it would leave quite the headache.”
“Well, I don’t think we need to worry about being a security risk,” Aaron told Kirstin reassuringly.
“Oh, and why not?” Kirstin inquired.
“Well,” Aaron earnestly told her, “you’re you!”
Kirstin smiled. “And you’re you,” she told him.
“Lay that on any thicker back there,” Nicole shouted back from where she was leading the way, “and we can open up a sweet shop!”
Kirstin blushed and looked away from Aaron as her twin stopped walking and announced, “I think this is the place!”
Nicole worked fast, and the group was soon leaving “Bookville,” as Hughes dubbed it, and heading towards the electric town of Akihabara.
“So, um, where do we start?” Hughes asked.
Nicole consulted the documents in her satchel once more. “The few shops I have to hit here are further up this road, so let’s go that way,” she pointed. “But shout out if any of you see anyplace you want to go into.”
They made their way down a street that was crammed with shops. One thing that caught their eye was a small outdoor café that seemed almost an anomaly in its electronic store surroundings. Nicole almost thought she saw someone familiar sitting at one of the tables.
“Isn’t that Atanian?” she asked. She pointed, and the others followed her gaze to see the trench coated figure, who surprisingly enough seemed to be seated with someone else. “Who’s that chick with him?”
Aaron and Kirsten, sensing there would be trouble if they let Nicole investigate further, simply shrugged their shoulders. “That doesn’t look like Matt to me,” Aaron responded.
“If you say so,” Nicole replied, taking one last brief suspicious look at the trench coat clad figure and the long bluish-green haired girl sitting with him.
Suddenly their desire to get Nicole elsewhere had an added incentive as Hughes thought he felt a drop of water fall from the sky and hit his cheek. Hughes looked around to see if anything caught his eyes. Anyplace that would be a good shelter for the soon (and hopefully brief) storm he knew was about to come. Suddenly his eyes lit up like an excited child on Christmas. “Hey, let’s go there!”
Aaron looked to where Hughes was looking and smiled himself as soon as he saw it. It was a thing of beauty. He recognized it instantly. He should, he has sixty copies of it printed on sixty card backs tucked inside one of the pockets of his jacket. The Magic: The Gathering logo and it called out to him as if to say of the store before them, “There be gold in these here walls!”
Aaron found himself pondering for a moment why his inner monologue was talking like grizzled 1840’s prospector. He didn’t ponder long however, as Hughes was already half way to the door. Aaron followed him.
And so did Nicole and Kirstin.
The small building’s exterior was deceptive because on the outside the store looked to be tiny in comparison to the others around, but once inside the store was huge. Huge, but not cavernous. There were no vast tracts of empty space, instead every possible square foot was utilized and almost every narrow aisle between these utilized areas was occupied with various customers.
Aaron and Hughes grabbed Kirstin and dragged her away leaving Nicole alone to fend for herself in fanboy paradise. Clutching her bundle tighter, she squeezed past two excitable young men perusing the doujin section. While her understanding of Japanese was still not what she could call fluent, she was able to pick up pieces of their dialogue which appeared to be about character types and their acceptability in the eroticism industry.
Leave it to nerds to dissect the culture of porn, Nicole thought to herself with a wry grin. She looked around and saw large, expressive eyes everywhere she looked. Manga covers, wall scrolls, and posters advertising PC games were everywhere and each featured animated girls, their hair in a vast rainbow of colours and their eyes overly large and expressive. Nicole also noted that the majority of these cartoon girls also shared another part of their anatomy that was large and expressive and it wasn’t their eyes. Nicole rolled her eyes, Otaku…
She spent her time checking out the various displays and marveling at the potential in the obsessive fanboy market. She’d have to research this, might be something worth investing in.
Passing by one display, something plush caught her eye and she picked it up. She couldn’t help smile at the sheer cuteness of the object, although something else also tickled the back of her brain as she held the item in question and she was momentarily distracted. Thus, she jumped slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, fearing a nerdy fanboy, and smiled with relief when she saw it was only Kirstin.
Kirstin, meanwhile, looked a combination of frazzled, which was rare for her, and utterly lost, which was even rarer.
“Oh, hey!” Nicole said.
“We need help,” Kirstin answered without being asked.
“What’s up?”
“Aaron and Bill found what they were looking for and they have no idea how to tell the shopkeeper,” Kirstin responded.
Nicole felt the urge to roll her eyes but refrained. “I’ll be right over to help you guys. Luckily, I know how to haggle in seven languages” She then returned her attention to the plush Eva Unit 02 toy she still was holding and placed it back on its display, her eyes lingered on it a few extra moments.
Kirstin peeked over her twin’s shoulder. “Find something?”
Nicole shrugged. “Not really.” She cracked her fingers excitedly. Now, let’s get over to the boys before the store keeper charges them the ‘Ignorant-Gaijins-who-don’t-speak-Japanese-tax,” Nicole said.
The rain had kept them in the store for a while longer then they probably would have stayed otherwise, although for reasons varying greatly between Nicole and everyone else no one terribly minded the prolonged stay. While there, due to the length of their stay the boys ended up buying a little more then they probably would have otherwise. Also, Nicole had left a business card with the shop’s owner after a bit of a discussion about the potential profitability of mail-order sales to the growing American otaku market.
Still, as it was now getting late they had decided to make their way back to the train station. Pretty soon, they’d want to be thinking of dinner, and Kirstin worried that she hadn’t had a chance to check out the local food markets yet. Something for tomorrow, she supposed, as she pondered that they’d most likely be eating out tonight.
Her pondering was broken when she realized she had been asked a question. “I’m sorry, what?” she asked.
“Any good ones?” Aaron asked her. As they walked, Aaron and Hughes were comparing their new Magic cards. Although she hadn’t purchased nearly as many, Kirstin had picked up some as well.
“Oh,” Kirstin replied. “Well, some I don’t recognize and some that were reprinted in that Chronicles set you gave me some cards from. I did recognize a couple rares though. I got a Mirror Universe and a North Star.”
Aaron whistled, impressed. “Nice. Same thing here. Couple cards I already had, but I did find a Legendary Land called The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale.”
Kirstin giggled as did Nicole. “Maybe Kenny’s a wizard. That would explain some things about your small friend,” Nicole mused loud.
“Y’know, sometimes I do wonder if that might not just be the case,” Aaron responded. To himself, he thought, If you only knew the half of it! Then he turned to Hughes who was strangely quiet during the exchange. “How about you? Anything good in that pack of Unlimited that you found?”
Hughes slumped a little. “I got a Roc.”
Aaron winced. “A Roc of Kher Ridge?” Aaron asked.
Hughes nodded forlornly. “I got a Roc,” he repeated.
“Is that bad?” Kirstin asked.
“Well, it’s not awful or anything, but it’s kinda… um… vanilla. Okay, but not very exciting for something that’s out of print,” Aaron explained.
Kirstin nodding in understanding.
Hughes sighed quietly. “Oh well, Cést La Vie. Guess I’ll just have to use my vanilla rare and beat you with it,” Hughes mused out loud.
“Speaking of vanilla, I am getting hungry,” Nicole pondered as the group reached the station. “Let’s get the train home then find someplace to eat."
They discovered they had a short wait for their train, so Kirstin took the opportunity to excuse herself. While she answered the call of nature, her twin
was pondering the dinner situation. “Didn’t we pass something between Ikkoku and the Clock Hill station?” she asked. “Someplace called ‘Cha Cha’ something or other?”
Hughes shrugged. “You’ve got me.” Of course, unlike the others who had seen the route twice now, Hughes had been in a suitcase for one voyage so his recall of the surroundings of their new abode were understandably a little less reliable than that of Nicole and Aaron.
And Aaron, it seemed, did recall the place. “Was that a restaurant? I thought it looked more like a bar.”
“Oh, come on,” Nicole replied. “I’m sure they’ve got something to eat.”
“Yeah, but what would Matt and Sarah say,” Aaron interjected, “if they found out?”
“You worry too much,” Nicole assured him, patting him on the back as she did so. “Hell, I’ll call Maison Ikkoku from the station when we arrive and see if Sarah’s eaten yet. Matt, too, if he’s back from his excursion yet.”
“Assuming he hasn’t died and gone to otaku heaven today,” Hughes joked. “Well, I’m in,” he added. “Just so long as this place has more to eat than pretzels or peanuts.”
“Relax, it’ll be fun,” Nicole said. “Oh, there you are!” she added upon noticing Kirstin approaching. The train was also approaching. “Good timing!”
“Oh, hey,” she said, seeming a bit distracted. “So, um, what’ll be fun?”
“Just figured out where dinner’s going to be. Um... you okay there, sis?”
“Huh?” Kirstin shook her head. “Yeah.”
The others looked at her a moment. The train doors opened. Nicole shrugged, turned, and got on the train.
Aaron and Hughes were about to follow when they both felt a tug on their sleeves. They turned to Kirstin who had a sleeve clutched in each hand. “We’ve got to talk,” she said.
Jason's Notes
No real notes this time. Ultimately, it’s only part of a larger story so maybe when Matt-kun does the other two, I might have some interesting things to say. For now, I’m glad to have been invited to do this piece by Matt. It kinda sat on my desk half finished for a while, but ultimately I think I got through it okay.
I’m also proud to be one of the few authors in this universe to have penned a chapter in each of the three main stories in this universe. I think Matt might be the only other one, so that’s something I’m kinda cool to hang my hat on.
As for me. Where do I stand? Hmmm…good question. Me and Matt have had many a conversation on that subject and while I might not be back full time, you folks might still hear from me from time to time, so take it for what that’s worth.
As for me, personally, I’ll bid you all farewell, until we meet again. There’s a lovely lady sitting out in our living room waiting for me to finish typing this
so we can discuss things regarding our matrimonial vows that are upcoming this October, so while Story-Matt may or may not ever win his Sarah, I’m pretty happy to have won my real-life Sarah.
Catch ya when I catch y’all.
- Jay Bertovich (January 2009)
I’m also proud to be one of the few authors in this universe to have penned a chapter in each of the three main stories in this universe. I think Matt might be the only other one, so that’s something I’m kinda cool to hang my hat on.
As for me. Where do I stand? Hmmm…good question. Me and Matt have had many a conversation on that subject and while I might not be back full time, you folks might still hear from me from time to time, so take it for what that’s worth.
As for me, personally, I’ll bid you all farewell, until we meet again. There’s a lovely lady sitting out in our living room waiting for me to finish typing this
so we can discuss things regarding our matrimonial vows that are upcoming this October, so while Story-Matt may or may not ever win his Sarah, I’m pretty happy to have won my real-life Sarah.
Catch ya when I catch y’all.
- Jay Bertovich (January 2009)
Matt's Notes & Disclaimers
Bad Matt! Bad, bad Matt! I’m sure you all noted that Jason dated his notes, and I must admit that it is early April as I type out mine. I quite liked the story that Jason had delivered, but it did need a bit of work. I had to re-order the events a bit to better make it fit into the day as a whole as I had it thought out for the stories preceding and following this one.
Also, I had to excise some material. Jason agreed with me that he had included quite a bit of Perspectives-style angst. Not to say it wasn’t good material. Hell, I’m going to save it and if I ever get around to finishing up Perspectives for Jason (assuming he doesn’t suddenly decide he wants to do it after all, which he’s more then welcome to!) I’ll probably recycle it into there if I can! But it was decidedly Perspectives in tone, and this is Boy Scouts ½ here!
And finally, I did have a bit of new material to add into it myself. Some things that just occurred to me might be nice as I edited the story, some things that would help it better fit into the story arc as a whole, and finally one big scene that Jason left out of his version. His version instead included the subtle narrative, “Many strange things had just happened inside that Chinese restaurant and to chronicle them all here would deprive another storyteller a golden opportunity to bedazzle his or her readers with this tale.” Shrewd way of getting out of a scene, my friend! Not that I blame you. I assume we have writers block to thank for that, and I will agree that it can be a bitch sometimes. I must admit a touch of it myself, in that these notes are being written before I add in that scene. Alas, unlike you I can’t pass the buck to someone else! I’ll think of something, I’m sure. In fact, dear reader, unless you’re a weirdo who skips ahead and reads these notes first, you should already know what that something is! (If Kenny [a] still had a time machine and [b] wasn’t fictional, I’d ask you to slip on back and let me know!) So nothing to worry about on your parts.
Still, to get back to the point, while I did tinker with this story quite a bit, and then procrastinate a bit, and then accidentally forget about it for a few months, and then go, “Oh, crap! I’d better get back to that,” and then finally finish my tinkering... Where was I? Ah, yes. While I did tinker a bit, I tried to leave things in Jason’s voice as much as I could, and leave as much of his material as possible intact. Hopefully he is satisfied with the results, and hopefully you are, too, dear reader.
And now... number one. The larch. The larch.
And now... disclaimers. Various elements inspired by or borrowed from the works of Takahashi Rumiko. These would include Maison Ikkoku, related characters, and related settings, from her series Maison Ikkoku. From Ranma ½ would be the usual Jusenkyo curses, and the usual Ryoga cameo. (Although after this story, I may retire that for a while. Just thought it would be funny as all hell for him to see our characters and misconceive where he is! Poor boy had it right for a change and didn’t even know it!) Adding to what will undoubtedly be growing references to the original work, however, we now have Furinkan High School, the Neko Haten, and the characters of Shampoo, Moose, and (although not for the first time) Cologne.
And the ever continuing language question... In Ranma ½’s English dub, at least, Shampoo speaks with a noticeable accent and Moose doesn’t. (Sadly I am not fluent in Japanese, and thus can’t necessarily pick up accents when watching subtitled, so while I have been told Shampoo has an accent in the original, I couldn’t confirm if the same is true for Mousse. So we’ll just go by the dub and say he doesn’t.) I surmised from this that Shampoo isn’t as fluent in Japanese as Mousse is, perhaps because she may have also studied English. (Insert Gelinas complaining, “Isn’t that convenient?” here.) Mousse, meanwhile, is stuck speaking just Japanese or his native Chinese. (I wonder if he and Aaron could converse in Duck?) Cologne, meanwhile, being an old bat, I figured I could justify being fluent in English as well as Japanese.
And now... The horse chestnut.
(Unless, after reading my revised version and my notes, Jason has any further notes of his own?)
Also, I had to excise some material. Jason agreed with me that he had included quite a bit of Perspectives-style angst. Not to say it wasn’t good material. Hell, I’m going to save it and if I ever get around to finishing up Perspectives for Jason (assuming he doesn’t suddenly decide he wants to do it after all, which he’s more then welcome to!) I’ll probably recycle it into there if I can! But it was decidedly Perspectives in tone, and this is Boy Scouts ½ here!
And finally, I did have a bit of new material to add into it myself. Some things that just occurred to me might be nice as I edited the story, some things that would help it better fit into the story arc as a whole, and finally one big scene that Jason left out of his version. His version instead included the subtle narrative, “Many strange things had just happened inside that Chinese restaurant and to chronicle them all here would deprive another storyteller a golden opportunity to bedazzle his or her readers with this tale.” Shrewd way of getting out of a scene, my friend! Not that I blame you. I assume we have writers block to thank for that, and I will agree that it can be a bitch sometimes. I must admit a touch of it myself, in that these notes are being written before I add in that scene. Alas, unlike you I can’t pass the buck to someone else! I’ll think of something, I’m sure. In fact, dear reader, unless you’re a weirdo who skips ahead and reads these notes first, you should already know what that something is! (If Kenny [a] still had a time machine and [b] wasn’t fictional, I’d ask you to slip on back and let me know!) So nothing to worry about on your parts.
Still, to get back to the point, while I did tinker with this story quite a bit, and then procrastinate a bit, and then accidentally forget about it for a few months, and then go, “Oh, crap! I’d better get back to that,” and then finally finish my tinkering... Where was I? Ah, yes. While I did tinker a bit, I tried to leave things in Jason’s voice as much as I could, and leave as much of his material as possible intact. Hopefully he is satisfied with the results, and hopefully you are, too, dear reader.
And now... number one. The larch. The larch.
And now... disclaimers. Various elements inspired by or borrowed from the works of Takahashi Rumiko. These would include Maison Ikkoku, related characters, and related settings, from her series Maison Ikkoku. From Ranma ½ would be the usual Jusenkyo curses, and the usual Ryoga cameo. (Although after this story, I may retire that for a while. Just thought it would be funny as all hell for him to see our characters and misconceive where he is! Poor boy had it right for a change and didn’t even know it!) Adding to what will undoubtedly be growing references to the original work, however, we now have Furinkan High School, the Neko Haten, and the characters of Shampoo, Moose, and (although not for the first time) Cologne.
And the ever continuing language question... In Ranma ½’s English dub, at least, Shampoo speaks with a noticeable accent and Moose doesn’t. (Sadly I am not fluent in Japanese, and thus can’t necessarily pick up accents when watching subtitled, so while I have been told Shampoo has an accent in the original, I couldn’t confirm if the same is true for Mousse. So we’ll just go by the dub and say he doesn’t.) I surmised from this that Shampoo isn’t as fluent in Japanese as Mousse is, perhaps because she may have also studied English. (Insert Gelinas complaining, “Isn’t that convenient?” here.) Mousse, meanwhile, is stuck speaking just Japanese or his native Chinese. (I wonder if he and Aaron could converse in Duck?) Cologne, meanwhile, being an old bat, I figured I could justify being fluent in English as well as Japanese.
And now... The horse chestnut.
(Unless, after reading my revised version and my notes, Jason has any further notes of his own?)
Jason's Further Notes
Hey it only took two years to finally finish what was essentially five pages and three thousand words. That’s yet another record I’ve managed to set. Now I hold the records for most stories NOT written by Matt in the BS½ Universe, longest story written in the BS ½ Universe (Of Possible Alternatives),
and NOW the record for longest delay for the next chapter in BS ½. Boy, I bet Matt really regrets agreeing to let me pen a chapter in the main series.
The reason for the long, long, painfully long delay stems back to the scene involving the Neko Haten. As Matt explained, I had hit a horrible writer’s block when that scene came up and instead of tackling it like a mature, dignified writer, I opted to dump it on Matt’s doorstep like a one-eyed sewer mutant baby. After two years, I finally managed to overcome my mental blocks and have gotten back into writing with gusto (See Of Possible Alternatives author’s notes for more details on those mental blocks.) Seeing as Matt never got around to finishing the before mentioned scene, I decided to try tackling it again. I think it’s not too bad an effort, actually, but I guess that’s up to Matt and you guys, the readers.
So, now it’s finally done and barring any more major revisions, it’s now ‘in your hands,’ dear readers. Hope it at least lived up to the dreadful wait.
Major props to Matt for his superb job as editor. Matt was very much right in that the original version of this story was indeed a little too ‘Perspectives-y.’ His edits and switches really do make for a much easier read and I wanted to give him in commendations on that.
Oh and if it wasn’t obvious, Kirstin’s second encounter with a duck in the chapter was not Aaron. Got a feeling he’s gonna have to explain why “he” decided to hug her, especially since he didn’t.
Okay, I’ve finally finished my contribution to Boy Scouts ½ in Japan and I hope to be able to do it again someday in the future. But for now, after 8 straight weeks of writing, I’m going to finally take a short break so I can start gathering my notes together for the next big project. So, until that time, be seeing you.
- Jay Bertovich (January 2011)
and NOW the record for longest delay for the next chapter in BS ½. Boy, I bet Matt really regrets agreeing to let me pen a chapter in the main series.
The reason for the long, long, painfully long delay stems back to the scene involving the Neko Haten. As Matt explained, I had hit a horrible writer’s block when that scene came up and instead of tackling it like a mature, dignified writer, I opted to dump it on Matt’s doorstep like a one-eyed sewer mutant baby. After two years, I finally managed to overcome my mental blocks and have gotten back into writing with gusto (See Of Possible Alternatives author’s notes for more details on those mental blocks.) Seeing as Matt never got around to finishing the before mentioned scene, I decided to try tackling it again. I think it’s not too bad an effort, actually, but I guess that’s up to Matt and you guys, the readers.
So, now it’s finally done and barring any more major revisions, it’s now ‘in your hands,’ dear readers. Hope it at least lived up to the dreadful wait.
Major props to Matt for his superb job as editor. Matt was very much right in that the original version of this story was indeed a little too ‘Perspectives-y.’ His edits and switches really do make for a much easier read and I wanted to give him in commendations on that.
Oh and if it wasn’t obvious, Kirstin’s second encounter with a duck in the chapter was not Aaron. Got a feeling he’s gonna have to explain why “he” decided to hug her, especially since he didn’t.
Okay, I’ve finally finished my contribution to Boy Scouts ½ in Japan and I hope to be able to do it again someday in the future. But for now, after 8 straight weeks of writing, I’m going to finally take a short break so I can start gathering my notes together for the next big project. So, until that time, be seeing you.
- Jay Bertovich (January 2011)
Matt's Final Notes
God, I suck. It is now about six months after Jason delivered his final version of the story to me, and I am only just now getting around to doing a few tiny last alterations, doing the (rudimentary) HTML coding, and putting it online. Well, hope you enjoy!
Anyway, I do intend to start work on the next story soon. So... see you in five or so years with the next installment of Boy Scouts ½ in Japan!
Anyway, I do intend to start work on the next story soon. So... see you in five or so years with the next installment of Boy Scouts ½ in Japan!