One year ago

Spring

Aiko strode through the cherry blossom trees in Sakura park. In a week summer would be upon the city like a wet blanket and as the last of the petals fell from her favorite tree in her favorite park a pang of regret that the season was almost over. Her favorite time of the year was coming to an end. She glanced at her watch, half past three. She would be late for her kickboxing lesson and Gretchen didn't like it when she was late.

"A young lady should be prepared for the world and being tardy take's part of life's essence away."

That old lady has some funny ideas of what the real world is like.

Aiko didn't know how old her father's kaji shitsu was but Gretchen had served the Takashashi family for generations. She was more than a more house servant she was kaji shitsu and kango-fu rolled into one role and she was masterful at keeping house and taking care of Aiko.

Enough foolishness, time to get to my lesson.

As Aiko changed her trajectory toward the church she ran into a man dressed in a white suit. Papers from a folder he was carrying spilled everywhere. She pulled back slightly, Aiko didn't want to harm the man. She was strong for her age and had been known to injure grown men.

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"Sorry Ojisan, I wasn't watching where I was going."

The man was tall and middle-aged. He had a cane, but it seemed more decretive than functional. His salt and peppered hair was immaculate. He dodged her sudden moved with ease.

Is he a sensei? He moved like one.

"That's quite alright child, just be more careful in the future."

She helped him pick up a holder that he was carrying. Papers of technical-looking items for some kind of helmet and several mathematical calculations that made her head spin blew in the wind.

"I'm so sorry if I messed up your work."

"No worries girl, it was an accident. But, shouldn't you be in school?" the older man questioned.

"We have a half day, today. But I'm late for my lesson."

“Are you a professor?”

“No, I’m an investor and philanthropist.”

“Oh, you help people?”

“Yes, I work with academics and scientists all over the world to make things to help people.”

“Ah, like Professor Paladin?”

The man’s demeanor changed He seemed guarded, colder than before.

“How do you know that name?”

“I saw it on one of the papers, he has an interesting name. Who is he?”

“No one special—wait I was just about to go back to my office in mid-town. I can give you a ride home if you like."

A wave of caution washed over her. It was a feeling that she wasn't used to experiencing from her sheltered life.

"No, I will walk," she said as she hurried toward Claremont street.

Near the outskirts of the park she turned, expecting to the see the man, but he was gone.