Chapter 19

The group is seen leaving out of Di-Ode with a couple of bags in their hands. 

“I get it you were trying to save money but next time don’t be afraid to ask. Thankfully; you were with two REAL students; so we were able to get the discount in spite of this mess.” said Rin scolding Shishijima for the stunt he pulled. 

“Oh thanks again! However, that was the first time it hasn’t worked. I usually have one or two people who manually enter it in for me. I just think that lady was new. I don’t know if you know this but, I’m sort of a regular here.” said Shishijima.

“Well, we can go back to my place to try them on.” said Shishijima. 

“That’s going to be a negative. I’d rather go back to my house where I feel safe.” said in jest by Rin as she headed for the tram stop. 

“Hey! Don’t be like that. I am as sane as they come.” complained Shishijima. 

“Well—You have a very funny way of showing it. I mean what grown man would think to dress up as a high schooler all for a discount. All while knowing  you were going to be with actual high schoolers.” lectured Rin. 

“Well—when you put it like that. I mean yeah; it was irresponsible of me but like I said I usually do it and it works. I just—wanted you guys to find me cool in some way.” said Shishijima stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. 

“Hey come one now. It was a nice gesture and all. It’s just—hard to figure out your motives and when you do tell us we have no choice to go with it. Just try to be considerate in trying to include us in some plans. That’s all!” said Rin turning around to cheer up the solemn Shishijima. 

“When you put it that way. I guess I could be a little more open with — you know stuff.” said an unsure Shishijima trying to cheer himself up. 

“There you go! It’s ok to ask question and make your opinions or strategies known. We are a team after all.” said Mari. 

“Well our stop is right here! I’ll see you guys tomorrow. I’ll text you about the outfit when I try it on.” said Rin in a hopeful tone. 

“Yeah. See you tomorrow at my house. We definitely will go over the performance and rehearse.” said Shishijima as he walks away with both him and Shanshira waving.

Both Rin and Mari get on the tram and head home. 

Later that day, Rin gets to her house and immediately walks upstairs. However the walkway between the stairs and her room are all sticky. 

“Rinko have you been drinking juice upstairs again!” yelled Rin. 

Rinko replied with  “NO! WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR? A CHILD?” from downstairs. 

“Whatever.” replies Rin closing the door to her room. 

She lays her belongings on her desk and changes out of her street clothes. Stripped down to her undergarments she then looks at the outfit she just bought. 

She then decides to give it a try and put it on so that if there is any size issues she could alert the others. She slips on the outfit and notices that she forgot to get any accessories . 

“I think it actually fits pretty well but it looks sort of plain without anything to accompany it.” said Mari looking at herself in the mirror. 

“How about this?” she whispered placing a long beaded necklace around her neck. 

“Now too casual and plain it doesn’t make me look any more unique.” she thought to herself. 

She ran over to her closet to look through all her accessories. Movie stuff around and placing the jewelry and accessories on her body to see how they look. She stops and look at her phone and thinks to herself. 

“Should I—I shouldn’t.” she mutters to herself before she walks over to her phone. 

She says “Call Santana”, then the phone begins to call with a couple rings letting out before voice can be heard. 

“HELLO! Rin?” can be heard from the other end. 

“Hey Santana. Uhm sorry to bother you. I know you’re busy and all.” said Rin conscientiously. 

“No. I’m actually at the gym  working but I’m about to finish and go hit the showers.” said a panting Santana. 

“Oh well; sorry to bother I should really let you finish.” said an apologetic Rin. 

“No, No! I’m assuring you that you are not bothering me. I gave you my number to contact me so don’t feel bad if you call in the middle of doing something. I mean I somewhat of a multi-tasker anyway.” said Santana with a chuckle. 

“Oh Ok.” said a frazzled Rin. 

“So what is it you called me for? Do you want to finally finish that conversation?” inquired Santana. 

“Uhm. I actually called you for a favor.” said an hesitant Rin. 

                          THE NEXT DAY

The school bell rings and Rin flys down the flight of stairs leading to her tram stop. Mari follows behind her and they make their way to tram stop right as it is making its way there. 

They both hop onto the tram and as she is sitting  on the seat she gets a call from Shishijima.  

“Hey! There’s a change of plans for today. Meet me here at this address that I’m sending you now.” said Shishijima over the phone. 

“Wait! Why the sudden— “*click*. Shishijima hangs up the phone Rin could even finish her sentence. 

“What’s up with him?” asked Mari. 

“I don’t know? He gets like this when he’s focused. Let me see where we’re going so I can get a reroute to the navigator AI.” said a confused but oddly acceptant Rin. 

“Well, hopefully it’s not some sketchy place where there are solicitors on every corner. I’m trying to see my mom in person not through a random call.” said a reluctant Mari.

“Don’t worry the address leads to a dance school.” said Mari. 

“A dance school? Wow, it seems like you may actually get to rehearse without Shishijima’s neighbors coming after with a cane.” said Mari. 

“Yeah! How could I forget? Talk about one of the scariest times in my life. However, the lady at the concierge did tackle him to the ground; so at least I know who to go to if it ever happens again.” said a relieved Rin. 

Rin types the address into the directions app on her phone and sent the route to the tram’s navigator AI. Which gives the bus the a route that takes into account the nearest bus stops and alerts the rider’s which bus stop the should get off at. 

“So it says we have another two stops after the one we usually get off at.” said Rin. 

“Ok. Well I’m going to take a nap and you wake me up when we get there.” said Mari rubbing her eyes. 

“Yeah! Sure just make sure that you’ll be ready to walk when we get off. It’s two blocks away from the stop.” said Rin. 

“Nevermind! If I go to sleep I won’t feel like walking that long to go anywhere.” said Mari. 

“Good choice!” said Rin cheerfully as she rubs Mari’s head. 

So the girls wait until they got to their stop and disembark from the tram. 

Rin notices the street that they are walking on. She remembers the tree’s and the benches on corner as well. 

“Why does this place feel familiar?” said Rin. 

“I don’t know I haven’t really been downtown that much other than to visit my aunt and maybe to go to art museums.” responded Mari. 

The two walk down a block look at all the sights of the large buildings and skyscrapers. The see a couple of kids walking down the street and some coming down the same sidewalk. 

“We must be getting close!” said a cheery Mari. 

“Yeah.” said Rin in response. 

They see a brush of foliage in their eye line black most of the school. However, once they continued down the sidewalk the tress because less abundant allow parts of the school to peak through. 

They walk another half a yard down the sidewalk towards a clearing where the sunlight broke through. They walked right into the sunlight  turning right on the sidewalk where they  saw a small school with a brick front and large windows cascading across the length of the building. 

A sign lay in the right of the school that says “Parker Crim’s Alternative Dance School” lit up with a motion script. 

“Wow! Such a nice little school and it’s hidden right in the middle of downtown.” exclaimed Mari. 

“Yeah. It’s a — um nice school” said Rin. 

They both walk into the parking lot passing student on their way to the front entrance. 

They walk into the two sliding glass doors and walk into the lobby of the school. They stop what looks like a janitor to help point them in the direction of Room 198. 

The janitor points them in the direction of the room where they will meet Shishijima. 

They walk down a crowded hallway filled with students of the school leaving for the day. They make right at the end of the hall like the janitor told them and at the end of the hall there was a room at the titled Performance Hall with motion script moving fluidly over the double doors. 

The two look at themselves for a minute in confusion but then Mari look to the left of the double doors and sees room card that says “RM. 198” in bold lettering. 

She point this out to Rin and both open the door walking into the double doors.