I am in the airport. What was its name again? Oh right, it was Haneda. I glanced around. There were many people. Chattering. Smiling. Laughing. Crying. Therefore, this is what it felt when someone is leaving, or had just come back after a long time staying on another country. I dragged my luggage behind me. I was wearing sunglasses, for eye protection from the sun of course.

There lots of people outside the airport too. A taxi stopped in front of me. I went in, and the driver turned the vehicle on and drove away from the busy airport.

“Yoyogi, please,”I said. Then the driver gave me a nod and continued driving.

Yoyogi is the place where I lived. It was great living there. I felt like a child, being excited to see its mother again. To be reunited once again.

Tokyo hadn’t changed at all. Although I can see new buildings being constructed. The shopping districts seem to be crowded today. I hadn’t forgot that Sunday is a busy day for shopping in Shinjuku, Tokyo. I came from America, but originally, I lived here in Tokyo until I was 10.

 My father has been promoted as an executive of the company he was working at and had to be moved to America as a representative for the company too. He brought Mom and me with him. It is a father’s obligation not to leave his wife and daughter alone after all.

 A nostalgic feeling had hit me so hard, it made me unusually excited. I happily gazed at buildings that I find great or attractive.

Suddenly, I remembered something. Something very important. I do not know why I came here. Is it because I miss the country where I had real friends? Is it because I want to enjoy here? On the other hand, is it because I was searching...? Desperately searching for something…

When we got in front of my old home at Yoyogi, I paid the driver the exact amount. The taxi drove away. I was standing by the gate of my old home. It was still the same. Although I was sure that there were weeds sprouted like mushrooms around the yard. It has been seven years. I am so happy to be in my old house again. I gave a sigh of relief that nothing bad happened to it while we were living in America. I walked to the gate, bended my body down and started unlocking it using an old rusty key.

It doesn’t seem to fit.

“Come on…” I mumbled, while trying to fit the key in the lock. After several failed attempts, the lock came off. I stood up, wiped my skirt. Instinctively, I turned my head both left and right. There was no one around my sight. Not even a fly. It was quiet here. I realized that it was cold. I tightened the scarf around my neck and grabbed the handle end of my luggage.

Kring Kring!

It was the sound of a bicycle bell. I was curious who made that sound; I glanced to the right side, where the sound came from.

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 There was a figure moving; the person riding the bike seems to be rather, wiggling.

  I squinted my eyes, trying to see that strange person. Who might it be? The bike moved sideways, then towards me.

When the figure got nearer, like something had risen from the horizon. I tried to step back, but I only stood where I was. Not moving a single body part. I hear the man yelling at me to go away, but I couldn’t. It was undeniable.

“Move away! “Said the man. He was wearing a coat and had a troublesome face. His hair was long, messy and pointy. My eyes met his widened eyes. I felt something rising up inside me. I had the urge to embrace him in my arms. Like a faraway star that I wanted to reach for a very long time.

CRASH!

It was too late. I can see stars dancing around my head. I felt the cold stone caught me. There was hot white pain penetrating my body.  I pulled my body back up and saw the bike in front of me.  The handlebars were twisted. The wheels are still moving, but only a bit slow. But where is he?

“Ah… That really hurts…”

I quickly sat on the ground at turned my head behind: it was the troublesome man. He was there, behind me, rubbing the back of his head.

“A-are you all right?” I asked. “I am so sorry! Geez, I shouldn’t  have blocked the path in the first place…”

The man stood up, he was smiling.

“Ah, yes I’m all right. Its not your fault, I could have been more careful though…”

Suddenly, as it was unexpected, he held out his arm. I stared at his happy face. He wasn’t mad or upset at all, even though I broke his bike.

Something….No, someone… He really does look like someone I have met a long time ago, but I don’t know who or what…

With no choice, I accepted the gentleman’s kindness; I slowly grabbed his hand, I gripped it very tight, I stood up, my waist tingling in pain, I groaned a little.

“Ouch!”

“O-oh! Just bear with the pain a little longer,” said the man, with a worried expression. I let go of his hand and finally, I can walk with my two legs again like a baby who had walked on its own for the very first time, but my waist still in pain.

Wow. Really? He is the kindest, generous man I have ever met in my entire life. I wonder how many women he had helped? Probably a few? The world will never know…

“This must be your house,” he said, turning his head away from me and pointed to my house. “Could you be…?”

Could I be what? What? What? Just say it come on! Arghhh!!!

“Could it be that you are the new owner of this house?”

Well, I have lived here for 10 years, so that meant I am not new here. Heck, I still even know the name of the district where I lived.

Hmm, it wouldn’t be that bad if I told him that I just moved here, right?

“Yeah, I’m the new owner. The previous owners sold it me a month ago,” I said lying. I felt bad though.

Color had drained from the man’s face. Why? IS he hungry? Before I could ask any of this, I must ask his name first.

“Uhm, let’s see here… “I mumbled, looking away shyly from him.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Uhm, what is your name?” I quickly asked, with my voice trembling in embarrassment. “A-ah! I’m so sorry I asked a thing like that!” Crap, good thing I apologized quickly or I might have creeped him out.

“My name is Kogaru…” he croaked.

Kogaru?

Wait, that seems familiar…

Really? It really does seem familiar...

“Excuse me, did we already met?” I asked shyly.

Something has risen inside me again. I was a little…happy?