This choice: One of the girls walks through the milling crowd to you and Miss Kibishii. • Go Back...Chapter #7One of the girls walks through the crowd. by: Mr. George   She gives a curt bow to Miss Kibishii, and a tight smile towards you.
"This is Tanaka Sakura, she'll show you to your room."
"今日は、お元気ですか。 Konnichi wa, o-genki desu ka?"
You give Sakura a bow, it feels like you're hammering a tent peg home with your forehead, as she's almost a foot shorter than you. As you straighten up, her look has softened somewhat, and she returns your greeting. A wave of homesickness sweeps over you, as you suddenly feel the distance.
Taking out your mobile, you want to send a brief text to say you've arrived. There are no bars, and no hint of Wi-Fi, which isn't a problem, as Miss Kibishii snatches it from your hands.
"Isolation is part of our program, a break from the modern world." Her tone is clipped, and you have to accept it.
"I just want to call my family to tell them I've arrived..." you say, "Can I use your phone... the land line?"
She babbles something impatiently in Japanese, but you make out "...ありません。 ...arimasen."
Seeing your confusion, "It's a big adjustment, I understand. However, we don't have a phone. Isolation is part of our regime." Her words are spoken as if explaining a simple point to a stupid child.
"If you write them a letter, once a week, a member of staff goes to the village, and she can post it." Miss Kibishii slips your mobile into her pocket ending that discussion.
You want to protest, but you're tired from the journey, confused, and clearly there's been some mistake made, and frankly you haven't got a signal, so with a low sigh, you let it go.
You don't want your start here to get any worse so you change the topic.
"Is the village nearby? I'd love to see it? What's it's name?"
"No, no visits for new arrivals." Turning towards Sakura, she doesn't have to say anything more. Sakura is eager to be away, with a gesture for you to follow, she leads you through the castle, and towards your bedroom.
The castle looks well maintained, and wonderfully old, but cold seeps from the walls.
You end up in a plain room, with two single beds, and two simple wardrobes. A lead-lined window, looks out over the snow-capped trees of the forest.
Sakura's hand pats one of the wardrobes, "これ, this is your... yours." she says in uncertain English.
Her nose wrinkles cutely, and she waves to a heavy oak panelled door.
"お風呂... sumim... sorry, Would you like a bath?"
Popping your head through the door, you take it in.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564...
It's entirely in keeping with the style of the castle, and you sincerely hope the water is piping hot. Your muscles ache in anticipation, the long journey catching up with you.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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