This choice: ...A strange mansion in the hills • Go Back...Chapter #5...A strange mansion in the hills by: Mr. George   You admire the busy streets, and the brilliant neon, as you pass through the city. Though the robotic chauffeur is off-putting. He... It seems proficient at driving, moving smoothly through the traffic. It obeys all the traffic laws, as best you can understand them. As it drives it points out certain features as you pass them.
It's impossible not to be impressed, but you find it's way of pronouncing your name, a little slow.
 Miss...-ter Johnson....
The emotionless voice, turns into a drone that you ignore as the journey continues. The driver does answer your sleepily asked questions, that you manage to get out. But the effects of Jet-lag, and your leaving party means your eyelids become heavier, as you leave the more brightly lit parts of town.
Even now, it's still impossible to confuse it as America. The architecture is just too different, the mountains are beautiful and unfamiliar. Resting your head against the cooling glass of the side window, you see the lights of the city forming a complex circuit of city streets as the car ascends away the mountain. Your forehead bumps and bounces softly against the glass, but not so badly that it keeps you awake.
- - - - -
A freezing gust wakes you with a start. A trickle of drool dribbling from the corner of your mouth ensures you create a terrible first impression.
"Johnson-san... Danieru Johnson...."
Still groggy you turn towards the human voice. It's a beautiful, young faced woman, her head just inside the door as she peers into the dull interior of the car. It takes two attempts to free the seat belt, and you smile awkwardly at her as you do.
"Yes... Yes,.. -er- Hai, I'm Daniel..ru-san... desu?"
Your foggy brain struggling with even the rough introduction you attempted before leaving. Getting out the car, your feet crunch in the snow. Your breath whorls around you as you exhale. A huge palatial house looms out of the darkness, and around you, trees block most of the view. Though, you can see spottily through the gaps that you are high in the mountains, and any dreams of Karaoke, and nights in Tokyo are evaporating.
Closing the door behind you, looking over the roof of the car, "And you are...?"
"I'm Suzuki, Natsuko Suzuki." She bobs politely as she beckons you towards the imposing mansion. You see another dark haired girl getting your luggage out the boot. You exchange smiles, but not words. You want to offer to help, but aren't sure of the ettiquette. Would it be wrong to offer to help? Would that suggest she was weak? It's all so different. Natsuko's feet crunch through the snow, and you decide to just give the girl a polite, brief nod before trailing after Natsuko.
By the large front door, you see a large wooden sign. The Japanese characters cut into the snow-capped wood.
途方もない女の子のための家
"The name of the house?" you ask.
Natsuko pauses a moment then agrees.
A stern looking woman stands in the doorway as you approach. You couldn't call her intimidating, she's half a head shorter than you. But you see Natsuko's whole manner become nervous and stiff. They have a rapid-fire, conversation, which includes her pointing at you. The speed is far beyond you, and you're afraid to interrupt. Natsuko bows repeatedly during the conversation, and even without speaking you know she's apologising or apologetic. You can't work out how she could possibly be to blame, but you aren't about to join in this conversation.
Eventually, the stern woman lets out a slow deep sigh. Her breath masking her face in a cloud of icy-white vapour, until she gestures Natsuko into the house.
With a curled finger, she summons you closer. Despite her size, her slim build, her age, you still feel unsettled. You spare a backwards glance to the car, and the girl there. Moral support? Explanation?
She give an unmistakable grunt of impatience, and you give an apologetic smile and step forward.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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