• Chapter One
    tab My eyes were fixed on the mailbox since seven o’ clock in the morning. Anxiety built up inside me as I watched car after car rush by our one-story suburban home. I knew today had to be the day… the day all my hard work paid off.
    tab “Kai, baby…” My mother and father stood behind me with worried expressions. “Please don’t get your hopes up, dear. I’m certain you’ll make it, but I don’t want you to feel like you’ve failed if nothing goes according to plan.” My mother’s eyes were filled with concern.
    tab “It’ll be fine, champ. Just try to keep yourself preoccupied until the mail arrives.” My dad placed his cold hand on my bare shoulder. I had been sitting in my underwear all morning. I didn’t even think to take a shower or do something productive. I just had to get the mail.
    tab “Eh, okay, guys.” I started to get up, until suddenly I heard a slide of a door, a crunch of paper, and a click of the mailbox being shut tightly to secure all the wonders inside it. “It’s... Here…” I zoomed outside, mailman not even in his van yet, and slammed open the mailbox door. “Not my mail, not my mail, not my mail. What the hell? Where’s my letter?!” I almost broke down into a spiraling, never ending pit of doom until in my hand, like magic, appeared a golden floral decorated envelope.
    tab “Sorry, little man, didn’t mean to forget this one.” The mailman then headed back to his van and drove off. My name was swirled onto the front of the envelope in silver print. Surely something this beautiful couldn’t possess bad news. My fingers traced the edge of the envelope, finding a place to tear it open without damaging it. Once open I read the fine print with keen eyes.
    tab tab tab Dear Kai Willow Jameson,
    We would like to invite you to Kyoto High School’s ceremonial orientation. There we will welcome you with a Japanese lunch, show you a layout of the campus, provide you with a map, and give you your room key. Dress nicely, as this is a formal occasion. It will be held at Garland Event Center at 12 PM. Congratulations and welcome to Kyoto High!
    tab tab tab tab Your principal,
    tab tab tab tab tab Jenny Tsubaki
    tab My jaw dropped in amazement. I did it. I shouted at the top of my lungs, “Mom! Dad! I can’t believe I did it, but I made it guys! I made it to Kyoto High School!”
    tab It was the chance of a lifetime, a high school student’s every wish, I, Kai Willow Jameson, was admitted to a prestigious high school for the rich and intelligent! Kyoto High meant everything to me. Did I mention it was in Japan?! Tokyo, Japan that is. It took a consecutive 4.00 GPA to get in and many recommendation letters from a couple of my favorite instructors. Gerald Jones had helped me the most though. His recommendation letter highlighted the greatest accomplishments of my academic career in South Willington High. He was great friend of mine and one amazing teacher. I cared for him as much as my family. I couldn’t wait to call him and tell him the good news.
    tab My parents spewed tears as I announced the good news. My sisters, Lilly and Reta (pronounced REA-TA), spilled fountains of tears too as they realized their only brother was being sent far, far away. “Be safe, Kai!”, “We love you, Kai!”, “Don’t forget to brush your teeth, Kai!” were only a few of the many comments my parents and siblings provided me with. Oh, and of course the all famous, “call me when you get there, sweetie,” statement. Ah, family… you can never get enough of them. I was going to miss that sweet homemade food smell and the warm welcoming of my sisters when I got home from late night study sessions. Tears found their way into my eyes as I looked at my smiling family. I fell into them, hugging them all.
    tab “I’ll miss each and every one of you. I’ll call daily, I promise! As soon as I get off the plane and as soon as I get to my room and even before breakfast, lunch and dinner! ”
    tab My dad patted me on the shoulder, “Son, that’s okay,” he laughed. “Once a day is fine, Kai.”
    tab “What if I get home sick?” I looked up at each of them with a wet, ‘puppy-dog’ face.
    tab “You’ll be fine Kai-cake,” my mother assured me as my sisters snickered at one of my mom’s ridiculous pet names.
    tab Smiling, I hugged them all once again. Happiness overwhelmed me. I threw my arms up in the air and shouted, “I’m going to Japan!” My family laughed as they watched me skip gleefully to my room. I pulled out my cell phone and quickly dialed Gerald’s number.
    “Jone’s residence.”
    “You won’t believe what I have to tell you!”

    tab A few weeks had past after my orientation and the time had come to board the plane to my new life. I ran my fingers over the cracks in my bedroom doorframe. “Goodbye, old pal.” I stared at the empty room. A tear ran down my cheek as memories gathered in my head.
    tab “Kai! Let’s go, kiddo!” My father’s voice broke my nostalgic trance. I drug bag after bag downstairs into the car, said goodbye to my sisters, and watched as my one-story suburban home grew further and further away.
    tab At the airport we met Mr. Jones. His tall, lanky body stood clumsily on the steps on the airport entrance. His short, dark brown hair shined in the sunlight, giving him an even paler appearance. I had never noticed before but his eyes were beautiful silver.
    tab “Oh hellooo, Kai bear! Hello Mister and Misses Jameson!” He stood taller than ever, greeting us each with a hug.
    tab “Mr. Jones I’m nervous! I can’t thank you enough for all the support and help you’ve given me!” I hugged him tightly, eyes glossing over with tears.
    tab “Oh no, don’t cry, Kai bear! Please don’t cry. I’m going to start crying!” He was such a ditz for such an intelligent person. It only made me like him more though. I was going to miss Gerald. He made me feel very important; more important than anyone had ever made me feel. He hugged me back even tighter, laying his chin in my head full of long, black hair. His body was so strong… so warm… Wait—what was I thinking?
    tab “Oh, Kai, you’re so cute!” A snap from my mother’s camera broke me from my stupor. I looked up at Gerald once more and thanked him. Letting go of his hug I picked up two of my bags and began to lug them towards the cargo hold. Gerald and my parents grabbed the other three bags and chunked them onto the conveyer belt of luggage.
    tab “Kyoto High School private plane now available for boarding. Kyoto High School private plane now available for boarding.”
    tab A private plane, eh? Man, this Kyoto High was really something else. “Well, I suppose I should be boarding now, guys.”
    tab “We love you so much, Kai! Be safe, dear. Call us later!”
    tab “I love you all too! I will. Bye!” Final hugs and kisses went around, and I took one glance back as I headed towards my sector. I felt overwhelmed with homesickness already, but it was fine, because Japan was right around the corner!

    Chapter Two
    tab The flight to Japan was unbelievable. I saw vast yards of dark, blue ocean, lights twinkling from the cities below and clouds… lots and lots of clouds. My ears were screaming with pain. It was my first time on an airplane and I was not enjoying it. The pressure in my head only made me feel sick.
    tab “Are you okay?” A tiny girl peered at my face with huge, sweet eyes. Hair golden blonde hair swirled around her face like vines. She had plump red lips and beautifully straight teeth.
    tab “Eh, I could be better,” I smiled.
    tab “You have such pretty hair… And your eyes… That blue… It’s perfect.” I was a little weirded out by her sudden compliments.
    tab “Urm… Thanks?” I nervously lost my smile.
    tab “Haha.. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you even more uncomfortable. You just look so much like a girl.”
    tab Did she just say I looked like a girl? Goodbye ego.
    I sighed deeply and looked at her with a confused face. “Are you serious? I look like a girl.” A huge frown grew upon my face.
    tab “Sorta… You’re so cute and tiny like one, too!”
    tab “What?! Tiny…?! Gee, thanks.” She giggled at my obscene gestures.
    tab “I like you. What’s your name?” She flipped a piece of her golden blonde hair from her face.
    tab “Kai. Kai Jameson. What about you?”
    tab “Sophie.” Her smile seemed to never disappear. It was a nice, soft smile though. “You look tired. Need a pillow or anything? Oh! You can lie on my shoulder!”
    tab “Um… No, that’s okay.” I was tired though. But sleeping didn’t seem like the right thing to do right now… especially not on her shoulder.
    tab “Oh, come on! It’s fine.” She suddenly pulled my head down onto her chest. It was so soft, so warm. The beat in my heart seemed to grow louder and louder with every second.
    tab “This isn’t your shoulder!” I pulled back my head frantically, gasping for air.
    tab “You’re right, but it’s fine. Guys like laying on these more right?” This girl was strange. I wasn’t sure if she was friendly or some kind of freak.
    tab “Well, I don’t think this is right. We hardly know each other!”
    tab “Well… You’re right about that as well. It’s okay though, I swear. I just like making people happy.”
    tab I couldn’t get thought after thought of perversion from my fifteen-year-old mind. She was so beautiful and perfect; so amazingly cute. I wanted to lie on her chest. I wanted the warmth and security of her body. Suddenly, it was like those emerald eyes sucked me in. I placed my head on her chest, hugging her body close. Maybe she could be my new girlfriend or something. She ran her soft fingers through my hair, caressing the back of my ears. I drifted into slumber. Maybe this plane ride wasn’t so bad after all.

    tab “Kai bear… Kai bear…” Gerald? I cracked my eyes open to dim lights casting down on the aisle on the plane. I looked up, still feeling nice and comfortable, searching for Gerald. Sophie patted my head with a subtle smile cast across her face. I must have been dreaming. “We’re here, Kai. We’re in Japan.”
    tab Japan… Already? I released myself from Sophie’s embrace, a stared out the window.
    tab “We should probably get off the plane and get our suitcases, Kai. I have to go catch a limo my father called out. He should be here soon.”
    tab Limo? Spoiled much? I had to catch a taxi on my own.
    tab Sophie looked down at her cell phone as it blazed a bright white. “Oh no! I’m already about to be late. I have to go, Kai. I’ll catch you at school. Enjoy your time in Japan!” She then got up, grabbed her purse and rushed out of the airplane. Aw, I didn’t even get her number. I’m such a loser.

    tab After picking bag after bag of clothes and other necessities off the belt, I headed outside to search for a taxi. It didn’t take as long as I thought. I was on the road to a new school, on the road to a new life. I gawked at the huge buildings we passed, admiring their neon lights. People walked the street, enjoying their time. It almost looked like New York, but with more Asians. I hadn’t been studying much Japanese. I hope no one decided to talk to me.
    tab Huge iron gates began to appear in front of the taxi window. Could this be Kyoto High? A huge elaborate signed cleared that up for me. “Here… you go, sir.” The driver seemed to struggle with English.
    tab “Thank you; arigato.” I paid him the fees for the trip and gathered my bags. I turned back to see him driving away. This was it. I was here and ready to get my room. Boy was I tired. The night felt like day, but my body had already quickly adjusted to the time. I started down the stone path leading to the entrance of the school. I studied my map of Kyoto the night before and knew where everything was. Section D, number 32 was my room. I was ready, I was pumped! I was anxious to meet my new roommate.
    tab The hall seemed active. What time was it anyway? A loud bass seeped out the door of my room. My roommate had to be throwing a party. Ah, how was I supposed to study under these circumstances? Grabbing my key, I sat my bags down and began fumbling with the door. CRASH! The door flew open and landing on me was my drunken roommate. His spit dribbled down his face and onto my face. “Ugh! Get off of me!” I pushed at his chest, but it was no good. The guy weighed a ton. How could someone like him get into a school like this?
    tab “What’s wrong, little girl? Join the party!” He picked me up viciously by the wrist and dragged me inside.
    tab “I’m not a girl! What’s the meaning of this? Who are all these women…?” Girls in the skimpiest of school uniforms were lined up against the walls dancing, drinking, and being overall crude. I just wanted to sleep! I rushed outside the room and gathered my bags. I dashed down the hall and sat on the nearest staircase I could find. Why me? Suddenly I felt myself at ease and began slowly dozing off to the thump, thump, thump of bass.

    tab “Hey, bro! Bro! Wake up, man! It’s almost time for class and you’re lounging around on the stairs like some drunken idiot. Parties are so stupid. You must be one of Kiro’s friends.” Bro? Kiro? Who the hell was this guy thinking I’m some drunken idiot?
    tab “Excuse me, but I’d appreciate if you would watch what you say. I didn’t have a place to stay last night; my roommate is a complete fool.” I picked myself up and looked at the guy causing me problems. He was a tall, muscular guy; had messy brown hair but a clean appearance. He was dressed in the school uniform; a blue, plaid tie with a white button up shirt and blue slacks.
    tab “I’m sorry, man. I’m Riku, by the way. Why don’t you use my room to clean yourself up and we’ll go talk to your roommate about this situation later? What did he do anyway..?”
    tab “Well, I didn’t even get to put my key in the door and he was drooling all over me.”
    tab “Some gay? Disgusting.”
    tab “No, no. He was drunk and partying. There were about ten women in my room dancing offensively. It was horrible! I couldn’t sleep with that going on. So, I just crashed over here on the stairs.”
    tab “I see. Well, like I said, go to my room. It’s upstairs here in number 47. I’ll wait for you here. Oh, grab something to eat if you want. I bought some snacks to keep me going last night.” He smiled at me and took a seat on the stairs. “Here’s the key.”
    tab “Thank you so much!” He was very nice. I couldn’t believe how a total stranger could just let me waltz up to his room and change. That’s trust right there. I took the key from him and dragged my bags upstairs.
    tab Up in room 47 I noticed Riku liked many of the same things I did. The color green obviously (his bed sheets, laptop, and mini-fridge were all green), video games, reading, and cleanliness. Everything was spotless; clothes were folded perfectly and his bed was made. I took out my uniform and began undressing. I was down to my rubber ducky boxers when I heard the doorknob twisting open. “I’m still changing Riku! Hold on!” That didn’t stop the door from opening however. In walked Sophie, dressed in her plaid skirt, knee high stockings and cute blouse. The buttons on the blouse were opened just enough to get a glimpse of cleavage. I stood there silently, boxers hanging barely on my waist. “Sophie?”
    tab “Kai! Are you Riku’s roommate? I was just going to drop off an extra map.” She looked me up and down, slowly admiring what was now bulging beneath my boxers. “Um… Kai?” She pointed at my underwear.
    tab “Ah!” I quickly covered myself, flushing a bright red. She giggled at my obscene gestures and placed a map on Riku’s desk.
    tab “Give this to Riku, Kai. Don’t be late for class!” She winked at me and left the room.
    tab “She’s so pretty… Now time to get dressed.” Scrambling to put on my clothes before any more uninvited guest showed up, I dug out my notebook and a pencil, grabbed the map and rushed down the stairs to meet Riku.

    Chapter Three
    tab Class was interesting. My teacher Mr. Ayumu stared at me his whole lecture. It was staring to make me feel a bit uneasy. He eyes constantly scrolled over my face. I looked away nervously, checking out all the different people in the room. A group of students in the back of the class had cat ears. Surely they had to be role-playing, but why in school? Mr. Ayumu suddenly called out to me. “Kai Jameson, if you don’t stop looking around the class I’m going to keep you after.” I didn’t want that, this guy was already giving me the creeps. I nodded my head and began looking to the front of the room.
    tab Once class was dismissed I followed Riku back to his room. “Hey, what’s up with the cos-players in the back of the class?” Riku laughed hard.
    tab “Cos-players, Kai?”
    tab “The cat ear people… They’re cos-players right?”
    tab “You’re so silly, Kai-kun.” He patted my head and continued walking towards his room.
    tab If they’re not cos-players then what are they? I was very confused and his laughing didn’t help the situation. I just wanted a straight answer. I had to meet one of them; find out what the deal is.
    tab “Let’s go talk to that roommate of yours, Kai.” We changed to clothes a little more comfortable and headed down to my room. My roommate was there, loafing about on his bed, playing some games.
    tab “Hey, who the hell are you guys? Oh, Riiiiiku… What’s up nerd?”
    tab “Ah, you didn’t tell me Kiro was your roommate, Kai!”
    tab “Kiro…?” I didn’t know how to feel about this situation, but it felt bad. Just then Sophie showed up, grabbed Riku and whispered something in his ear.
    tab “Kai, I’m sorry buddy, I’ll be right back!” He rushed off with Sophie, holding her hand.
    tab Aw, man… I was left alone with some jock I was supposed to negotiate room terms with. Why me? “Um… Kiro, sir, I don’t mind you making yourself at home, but this is my room too and… and I... um...”
    tab “Shut up, twerp. I’m trying to play C.O.D.”
    tab “But I really need your cooperation. You see, I have to study a lot and… I don’t really mean to be rude, but I can’t be bothered by noise.”
    tab “You’re bothering me with your noise, kid. Will you please shut the ******** up?”
    tab “You think you would welcome me to Kyoto, you… you a**!”
    tab “Oh… I’ll welcome you to Kyoto alright.” He got up suddenly, closed the door and got close to me. “If you don’t shut your little nerd mouth, you’re going to be dead.” He grabbed my shirt and stared angrily into my eyes.
    tab “How original… Really? You’ll be working under me in a few years, so I wouldn’t ******** with me if I were you, Kiro.”
    tab “You’re all talk, kid.” At that point it was as if my life had been drained from me. Pound, pound, pound was all I could hear and the crushing of bones was all I felt. Japan wasn’t supposed to be this way. In America I was never pushed around this way, no matter how smart I was. Was it all over for me? Was I going to have to give up my hopes and dreams because I wasn’t going to make it to the age of 16? Suddenly, it stopped; the pounding on my face and the pounding in my heart. It just stopped.

    tab I woke up in my bed. I guess Kiro realized my death meant his expulsion. He couldn’t give a school like this up, no matter if he was here to slack off or actually learn. “You’re awake, eh?” He looked down at me. I shivered in fear of getting punched again. “Listen here, kid. You rat me out and you’re dead. Got it?” His annunciation on the word ‘dead’ made me flinch.
    tab “Yeah, I got it. Sorry again…” I laid there shivering. Riku and Sophie never came back… Some friends… “Kiro, where’s the bathroom?”
    tab “Down the hall, twerp. Showers down there, too.”
    tab “Thanks…” I got up from my bed and headed down the hall to the restroom. Inside, I looked in the mirror. My face was surprisingly not completely ruined. A bruise around my eye and a bloody lip were the only things that Kiro left me. I filled the sink up and dipped my face in it, the cool water stinging my busted lip. I couldn’t let people know what Kiro did to me… I didn’t want to risk it.
    tab I looked in the mirror once more, there behind me, dripping wet and naked, was Riku.
    tab “Naked?!” I turned around quickly, slipping a bit on the water I spilled from the sink.
    tab “Yeah, so? Oh, damn, bro…” Riku looked at my bruised eye. “I’m sorry, Kai! This is all my fault…” Without much thought Riku threw his naked body onto me and hugged me close. I let my arms dangle freely in fear of touching anything inappropriate.
    tab “Riku, Kiro hurt—”
    tab Cutting me off, Riku touched my face, “I know, Kai-kun. I’m going to put an end to Kiro.”
    tab “You can’t! He told me I’d be dead if I told anyone and got him expelled. Please, don’t Riku!”
    tab “Oh, Kai. Fine… but stay with me tonight.”
    tab Something felt odd about this whole scene, but as long as I was away from Kiro, it was fine. “Okay, Riku. Don’t ever leave me behind like that again though… Why’d you leave with Sophie anyway?”
    tab “She… had something for me.” He turned away, grinning. “I’m going to go get dressed. Wait here, Kai.”
    tab Once dressed, Riku led me to his room. His roommate was already fast asleep in his bed. We crept in quietly and I unpacked some of my clothes from my bag I left in his room the day before. Slipping on my PJs I questioned Riku where I would sleep.
    tab “If you don’t mind you can share my bed, Kai.”
    tab “Umm… Well, sure, I guess.” Riku crawled into his bed and held the blanket up for me to join him. I jumped onto the bed and wrapped myself in the blanket. This didn’t feel right. It actually felt a bit awkward, but as long as I was away from Kiro.

    tab “Kai! What the hell!?”
    tab There I was, lying with my arms wrapped tightly around Riku with an unfortunate morning visitor.
    tab “Get off of me!” Riku shoved and shoved at my body. Quickly, I jumped up, falling out of the bed.
    tab “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”
    tab “Have a nice dream?” He wiped his clothes like I had some sort of zombie disease.
    tab “Eh… something like that.” As a matter of fact, my dream was about Sophie. She was dancing… swaying her hips back and forth, back and forth. She licked her lips seductively, crawling over my body, then, behind her, I saw someone else; one of those cos-playing cat people. He called my name, held out his hand and told me everything would be better. It was strange but Sophie didn’t even matter at that point.
    tab Suddenly, I realize Riku was yelling at me, “come on, Kai. Get ready! We need to get to Mr. Ayumu’s class.”
    tab “Right!” I got rid of my PJs and threw on my uniform. Together, Riku and I rushed downstairs and through the building to get to Mr. Ayumu’s class. “Aw crap, I forgot my notebook. I’ll meet you in class, Riku!” Rushing back to Riku’s room, I grabbed my notebook and pencil, checked my hair one last time in the mirror and rushed back downstairs and through the building.
    tab I opened the door quietly, because I knew I was late. Shutting it softly I tip toed to my seat.
    tab “Kai Jameson! This is the second day of class and you’re already getting on my bad side,” Mr. Ayumu announced. “One more time and you’re going to have to stay after class!”
    tab “Yes, sir. Won’t happen again, I promise!”
    tab “Take a seat, Kai. As I was saying, the molecular structure…”
    tab “Ayumu hates you, bro,” Riku whispered.
    tab “He gives me the creeps…”
    tab Riku chuckled under his breath and continued taking notes.

    Chapter Four
    tab After class, I bid farewell to Riku, called my family, chatted it up some, did some homework in the student lounge and headed out to Tokyo to get some well needed food. Japan was so beautiful. Despite the large buildings and dark alleys it was quite a sight.
    tab I was constantly stopped and asked to buy porn, drugs, weapons, and other illegal things. I must have been on the wrong side of town. I followed the map I received from the admissions office and eventually found a place to eat. Noodles galore! I ate so much my stomach extended an inch or two from its normal place. I paid for the amazing noodles and tipped the cook. Leaving, I noticed it was starting to rain. A little rain wouldn’t hurt, so I decided to walk back to the school in it. Seconds later it began pouring down. More and more rain fell, eventually I took shelter in an alley way protected with a canopy.
    tab I heard hiccups and muffled voices behind me. I hugged myself for warmth and watched as three figures approached me.
    tab “Look who it is… my favorite little American, Kai.” Kiro and his gang of drunks stumbled around the alley. Kiro came up to be, burping in my face, and pinched my cheek.
    tab I shivered snapping, “Get the ******** away from me, Kiro!”
    tab “Don’t you want to play, little canary?” He smirked evilly at his friends and stroked my face. “You’re such a pretty little girl, aren’t ya’?”
    tab “I’m not a girl! Stop it, Kiro, back off!” I shoved his hand away.
    tab “He’s a feisty one, eh? Let’s show him how us big boy’s play, eh, guys?”
    tab His vile friends snickered, grabbing a hold of my wrist, pinning my wet body against the brick wall behind me.
    tab “Knock it off, you drunken assholes! Help! Someone help!” I squirmed and kicked, forcing Kiro off. Kiro motioned for his groupies to hold my legs and he began reaching up my shirt. “Ah! Stop! Please, please…” I cried. I couldn’t do much more than cry. The rain grew heavier, blocking out my view to freedom. I couldn’t do much now… They were just going to get there way. I closed my eyes, feeling my belt undone and dropping to the ground. My pants were unbuttoned and a hand slid down caressing my every area.
    tab “Haha, he must like it! Check this out!” I was hanging there like a display. I felt dead inside… Why couldn’t this rain just stop?
    tab PAK! PFFCH! I fell to the ground, eyes still closed. I heard the screams of Kiro, the grunts of him being pulverized by something. His friends could be heard scurrying along the sidewalk, yelling and cursing. I was afraid, I might have been rescued from being torn apart on the inside, but there was something worse going to deal with me now. All I could do was keep my eyes closed.
    tab Suddenly, all grew quiet. The rain slowed down to a soft pitter-patter and there was no more screaming or grunting. Tears rolled down my face, I curled up in a ball waiting for my execution. Mom, Dad, Reta, Lilly? Why did I leave you all? Why did I come to this horrible city? I heard wet footsteps coming my way. I didn’t dare peek at my fate. The cold grew warm now as a blanket was placed over me. I felt myself being picked up, taken into the rain and put inside a car. I opened my eyes now. Maybe my executioner was a protector. I mean they were driving a Prius. What was the worst thing they could do? I looked and waited for the person to get in the car. Finally, the same silhouette I saw in my dream appeared in the window. He opened the car door and got inside. I rubbed my eyes free of water and got a better look at him. He was pale, had jet black hair and those funny cos-playing cat ears. Why? He was far too old for that. He wore nice clothes and had a soft face.
    tab “You okay, little one?” His voice flowed like velvet; soft and cool.
    tab “I think so… Who are you?”
    tab “Jet Shinomeru. Those guys didn’t hurt you did they?” He pushed the hair from my face. I flinched at his cold touch. “It’s okay… name?”
    tab “Kai… Jameson. I’m fine, you’re freezing though… Can I ask you something?”
    tab “Yeah, sure…”
    tab “What’s with the cos-playing cat ears?”
    tab Jet choked on his spit as bubbles of laughter busted out of his mouth. “Cos-playing?”
    tab “Why does everyone laugh at me when I ask that!? It’s a serious question.” Jet turned on the heater and began driving.
    tab “I’m sorry, Kai. You must be a tourist or something, right?”
    tab “No… I’m from America though. Only been here for about a week, not even that. I go to school here now at Kyoto High School.”
    tab “Ah, well, in Japan we don’t have a very big variety of races like you do in America. There’s basically Asians, tourists (or people like you), and us, the Nekos. We came from God knows where and I don’t know much about our race. But yeah, these cat ears are real, kid.” He scratched his ears as he ended his explanation that didn’t explain much at all.


    ---that's it.
    tell me what you think.
    did I bore you? sorry ('x