24: Hobby

I fly up off the ground, drenched in sweat, glancing around to find my bearings. For a moment I try to catch my breath, trying to push the nightmare out of my head. It started out just like usual, washing my hands for what feels like forever and never getting them clean. What was the rest of it about? It felt so real. But why can I not remember that last part when I looked at him?

From a distance I hear light meowing, getting closer. Miss Puff prances toward me, five little balls of fur following her. Once they get to me, they all swarm me, demanding attention and I manage to forget about the nightmare for the moment.

“Hai, hai,” I mutter, trying to pet them all.

They pounce over each other, climbing up onto my lap like it is a game to get my attention while their mother lies down at my side. Did she only bring them over here so I would play with them while she takes a nap? One of the kittens manages to climb up onto my shoulder and starts playing with my hair.

“Ah, play with the others, okay?” I mutter, picking her up and setting her back amongst her siblings.

Then I hear the engine of Jeremiah’s truck approaching from down the road. Soon, it pulls into the driveway, and I see them emerge from the truck. Kiara notices me and comes over, smiling.

“Looks like you’re having fun babysitting,” she says.

I glance down at the kittens, rolling around and smacking each other while using my legs as cover.

“Want to come help us unload the truck?” she asks.

I nod. “Okay.”

After gently shooing away the kittens I stand and follow her. Then I help them carry in the groceries. Jeremiah then has me go with him to help unload the hay at the barn along with some wooden poles. Once we get the hay put in its place I glance at the poles.

He notices me. “We’re gonna start building a new fence to replace that one,” he says, pointing over next to the barn.

I look over. It does look rather old and falling apart.

“Mind giving me a hand with that? It’ll be tough work since we’re gonna be digging new holes,” he says. “It’ll take a while to finish.”

I nod. “I do not mind.”

He smiles. “Great. Let’s get started then.”

Next thing I know we are digging holes in the summer heat. Before long, sweat is dripping down my neck. It has been quite a while since I worked to this extent. I finally give in and pull my hoodie off, tying it around my waist. After we get a few posts set he drops his shovel.

“I’m gonna go grab us something to drink,” he says, wiping the sweat from his brow.

“Okay,” I mutter between breaths, my throat dry.

He leaves and I continue digging. After a few minutes I hear the door open.

“Shyba! Let’s take a break!” he calls from the picnic table.

I turn to look at him. “It is not done.”

“I know. That’s why we’re taking a break,” he says.

“I can keep going,” I say.

“Dude, get your ass over here and get a drink!” he shouts, however strangely enough his tone does not seem angry.

My chest tightens and I set the shovel against the truck, going over to the picnic table. He hands me a glass of ice water and I silently take it. Then I sit down with my back to the table, taking a few sips. He sits next to me and takes a big gulp of his before letting out a huge sigh.

Then he turns to me. “Did you clean the fridge?”

My stomach flops. Was I not supposed to do all of it? I simply nod.

He laughs. “I thought so. I opened it up and it was so clean I was almost blinded.”

I feel my chest deflate. “It was dirty… and I had nothing to do.”

“You need a hobby.”

“Hobby?”

He leans back against the table, propping one arm up on it. “Yeah, something you like to do that takes your mind off things. Like, for example I like to build things and Kiara does her sewing and craft stuff.”

I stare down at the glass in my hand. “I do not have that.”

“You don’t have anything you like to do?”

Am I supposed to? I just shake my head.

“Hmmm, well, we’ll find you something. I guess just for right now you could work on your reading. Kiara has some books I’m sure she’ll let you borrow.”

For a moment I contemplate what he said. Do I really need a hobby? I just need to work so I am earning my keep. I don’t need something to do just to do it.

The door opens again and Kiara emerges with a couple plates and a bag of chips tucked under her arm. She comes over, setting the plates on the table.

“I made you guys some sandwiches. I hope you like turkey Shyba,” she says and glances down. “I forgot to get ham while we were at the store.”

“It is good,” I mutter, taken aback by her generosity and glance up at her. “Thank you.”

She smiles. “No problem.”

Then she goes back into the house while Jeremiah and I eat our sandwiches, sharing the chips.

“What about art?” Jeremiah asks, his mouth full.

“Art?” What is he talking about?

“Yeah. You think you would like drawing or something?”

“I would not know what to do,” I mutter.

As we eat, he throws out more ideas. By the time I finish eating, I no longer bother to speak, not knowing what to say. There really is nothing that interests me.

I stand to head back to the barn when the door opens again. Kiara approaches with a small plate. She stops before me and looks up at me, her brows arched as she holds a plate of sliced apples. She thrusts the plate to me, and I reflexively reach up, grabbing it as my heart races.

“Um… Shyba wa ringo ga suki desu ka?” she says quickly, her voice slightly shaking.

For a second, I am completely stunned, staring at her. “Ah… mm…” I mutter, giving her a nod, unable to believe I just heard her genuinely speak in my mother tongue.

Has she still been learning even after realizing I understand English? What is the point? Still, hearing her speak it was so surprising my heart is still pounding.

“Did I say it right?” she asks, fidgeting with her fingers.

I nod. “Yes.”

She smiles, giggling, before turning and trotting back into the house. I am left standing there almost in a daze and glance back down at the apple slices.

“What did she say?” he asks.

“She asked if I like apples,” I mutter.

“Oh,” he says and looks at the plate. “Can I have some?”

I hold it out to him, and we both finish it off before heading back to work. By the time Reba is home we have over half the posts put up. Then after dinner, I go to shower off and change into a long-sleeve shirt and sweatpants.

As I leave the bathroom I glance over to Kiara’s door, Jeremiah’s words ringing in my ear. It would not hurt to ask to borrow a book, would it? It is true I need to practice more. There are still so many words I do not know.

Before I realize it, I am at her door, raising my hand to knock. No, this is stupid. I should not bother her over something so trivial. I leave back downstairs to go outside, heading over to the picnic table. To my surprise, there she sits atop the table cross-legged and gazing up at the stars. She is singing, her voice so gentle.

I pause, the sound washing over me like a soothing wave. For a moment it is like her voice has me caught in a trance. She turns and catches sight of me, stopping. Her eyes are wide, cheeks red. My stomach flops. I embarrassed her.

“Wanna come sit with me?” she asks.

Silently I go over to her, sitting up on the table next to her. This is good, right? We are ‘hanging out’ as Jeremiah and Nicky call it. For a moment, everything is silent. Should I say something?

“Do you believe in aliens?” she asks.

I look up, seeing her gazing out at the stars. “Aliens?”

“Yeah, like from outer space, from other planets. Do you think there is life out there?”

Her question puzzles me, and I look up at the sky, the countless stars. “I do not know.”

She uncrosses her legs, letting her feet rest on the bench and leaning back on her elbows. “I like to think there is. I mean, the universe is so huge there’s no way we can be the only living things,” she says. “But I don’t think they’re like what most people think they are. I like to pretend that maybe they’re like fairies that fly around in the galaxy and have colorful translucent wings.”

“Translucent?” I mutter.

“Oh, it means kind of see-through.”

As I stare up at the sky, I try to picture what she imagines; little fairies hopping between stars, playing, and laughing. What a weird idea. A thought I never dreamed of.

“You are…” I mutter slowly, trying to find the word, “strange.”

“Am I?” she asks, glancing over to me.

Crap. Did I say something wrong? “Ah… not bad,” I mutter, trying to explain. “You surprise me. It is strange… but… not bad.”

She giggles. “Well, we’re friends so we should be able to talk about weird stuff like this, right? Is there anything you want to talk about?”

For a moment I am unsure. What could I really offer in a way of conversation? “Ah… Jeremiah says I need a hobby and to read more books to practice English. So, he said to ask if I can borrow one from you… if that is okay.”

“Oh yeah, no problem,” she says, sitting up. “Let’s go up to my room and I can show you some books you might like.”

She leads me into her room, waving me in. I slowly step in, glancing around. It is decorated in pastel colors, mostly lavender and mint with floral designs. Her bed sits long-way against the wall with a sheer canopy over it and so many pillows I am unsure how she finds room to sleep. The shelves and desk are cluttered along with a chair piled with clothes.

“Sorry, it’s a mess,” she mutters and laughs nervously. “I know where everything is though.”

She goes over to a small bookshelf next to a table with pieces of fabric scattered all over and a large machine on it. “What is this?” I ask, pointing at it.

“Oh, it’s a sewing machine,” she says, crouching down in front of the bookshelf. “Now let’s see. I’m gonna get you a few of my adventure stories. That should tide you over for a while.”

She pulls a few books from the shelf and hands them to me. “This is a three-part series so start with the one on top. I think you’ll like it. It shouldn’t be difficult, but if you need help just ask.”

I glance down at the stack of books in my hands. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she says smiling. “Oh, could you help me with something?”

“Ah, okay,” I mutter. What in the world could I possibly help her with?

She wrings her hands, biting her lip. “Well, ever since you got here, and I was trying to memorize phrases to talk to you I actually found Japanese pretty fascinating and the culture is really interesting, so I’ve been studying it a bit. I thought it would be cool if I could practice with you since you are, well, from there. Would you help me?”

Her request stuns me. She wants to learn a whole new language? “I do not know how much help I am, but I will try.” It’s the least I could do.

She smiles, her eyes lighting up. “Awesome!” she says. “Do you mind if I ask you about a few things now?”

“Okay,” I mutter. I have nothing else to do but read these books.

Her excitement seems to roll off her in waves. She quickly goes over and clears a spot on the bed. “You can sit here,” she says, then goes over to her desk.

I go over and sit on the bed, setting the books beside me. She comes over, sitting next to me with a book and a notepad. Without realizing, even after I have answered her questions, we end up talking about it until midnight. Oddly enough, I did not want it to end and as I sit here in my bed, I find myself wanting to talk to her again. How strange, this new life of mine.

Tokyo—

Screaming and crashing sounds can be heard from behind ornate double doors at the end of the long hallway. The guards posted before the door remain unmoving, though exchange a worried glance. Nori makes his way closer to the door, steeling himself.

After a deep breath he knocks twice and enters. The once pristine office is now left in tatters, the desk in pieces, a chair lodged into the wall, cracks and crevices scattered about the floor and ceiling. He makes mental notes of all the items that will need to be replaced. Again.

Another raging squeal comes from the other side of the room along with a clatter as a vase of flowers hits the floor, water spreading across the tile. Nori looks over to the figure as she huffs. Her body is shrouded in a hooded cloak, so he is unable to see her expression, but her body shakes in anger. A normal sight as of late, but today seems worse.

“Master,” he addresses, closing the door behind him and bowing.

She rights herself, adjusting the cuffs of her sleeves. “He did not open the door,” she growls through gritted teeth. “How can that imbecile not do something so simple?”

“I am sure there must be a reason,” Nori says. “Perhaps if it is shown to him repeatedly, he will eventually open it.”

“I can only do this once every twenty-one days,” she growls.

“Your aura is strong, Master. There is no way he can resist being pulled to the door forever. And as of right now, it is the only chance we have at finding him.”

She grabs the already half-broken chair next to her and throws it at Nori, who catches it, before gently setting it down. “What do you mean the only chance?! You could not find anything?” she shrieks. “How does my dragon just go missing like that?!”

“The trail is cold. We have no leads,” he states. “The last person to see him was the friend of Tetsuya, Shino, his last target. There were no clues in Red Dragon’s apartment. There is nothing.”

“That is impossible! There has to be something! You are not looking hard enough!” she shouts then punches the wall, leaving a large hole. She huffs for a moment, before righting herself again. “I will not stop until he opens the door and reveals his location. And if someone has taken my dragon, they will wish they never laid eyes on him.”

He nods once. “I will continue on my end as well.”

She waves him off and he leaves the room. As he gets down the hallway he sighs, pulling out his phone. He checks over the digital map, zoomed in to the north part of California along with Oregon and Washington. He studies the map, a spot marked in the middle of the ocean, and several towns and cities circled along the coast. His eyes narrow and he stuffs the phone back into his pocket before leaving the hallway, another screech echoing from the ornate doors.