Miichi

“See you tomorrow.” Yuna said, waving to Ramon. “Yeah, yeah.” Ramon said, walking away. They were outside, upon completing their little race they both decided to head home. Yuna took a deep breath, and grabbed her bike, not riding it but walking. Her mind was racing, trying to figure out how to find this secret organization, to get answers.

She walked over to Hiroko’s house, and rang her doorbell. The door opened. “Welcome, Ms Chatan.” an older woman said. “Hello, thank you Ms. Shaku.” Yuna said quietly. “Don’t be so nervous dear.” Ms Shaku said, pulling Yuna into the house. “I’ll take it under advisement. Where have I heard that before?” Yuna asked herself, speaking so quietly that nobody could hear her. “Let's go wizard.” Hiroko said, a tiny mock to Yuna. “I am.” Yuna said, walking to Hiroko. Hiroko dragged Yuna to her room. A room covered in posters of rock musicians, and Buddhist quotes. “Here we are.” Hiroko said, putting Yuna’s sweater around Yuna’s body. “Thank you.” Yuna said, smiling, as she hugged her sweater. “So, what actually happened?” Hiroko asked. “Magic.” Yuna said. “Seriously.” Hiroko said. “I am serious.” Yuna said. Hiroko stared at Yuna with a blank stare.

Yuna grabbed Hiroko’s hand, and dragged her out of the room, and into the bathroom. “What are we doing?” Hiroko asked. Yuna said nothing, just looked to the bath, and held out her hands. Hiroko saw as water appeared from nowhere. “You’ve gotta be playing a prank on me right?” Hiroko asked. “I’m not.” Yuna said. “How? Why? How?” Hiroko asked, taking a step back, and leaning against the door. “I think it’s because I'm a Noro.” Yuna said. “Fat chance. If it’s because you are a Noro then wouldn’t I have magic, you know as a practicing Buddhist?” Hiroko asked. “So full of yourself. I didn’t mean to say that.” Yuna said, looking away. “Of course I’m full of myself. I’m kind of a bid deal.” Hiroko said. “To whom exactly? Who outside of our school knows you exist?” Yuna asked. “You are on one. Did magic give you a big head, make you feel special?” Hiroko asked. “Well yeah. I have magic.” Yuna said. “And what are you going to do with it?” Hiroko said. “What? I don’t know. Learn, use, have fun with it. It’s magic. Why do you have an attitude about it?” Yuna asked. “I don’t.” Hiroko said, looking away, crossing her arms. “You’re jealous of me. I finally have something special about me, something you can’t ignore, and you're jealous that it’s not you with the magic. Shouldn’t you, I don’t know, be happy for me? Isn’t that something your Buddha would do?” Yuna asked. “That’s cheating, using my Religion against me.” Hiroko said. “You should live by your religion.” Yuna said, looking away. Hiroko hugged Yuna. “I’m sorry. I just. I want to live by it, but it is hard sometimes. I’m happy for you, but it’s magic. Of course I am jealous. Still.” Hiroko said. “Friends?” Yuna asked. “Until the heat death of the universe.” Hiroko said.

Night comes, and Yuna leaves. She puts her clothes into a bag, and carries them on her bike, getting on, and biking off. As she continues on her way home she stops, and stands. Staring at the moon. She takes a breath, her mind racing, before continuing on. She made her way home, and entered it. A normal looking apartment. Yuna walked in, set out her second pair of clothes on the table, took off her sweater, and set her jacket next to the clothes. She made her way to her room, and laid onto her bed, putting a pillow over her face. She removed the pillow and sat up, closing her eyes, feeling the Mabui around her. She inhaled, and felt it around her, letting it rub against her. She watched as the Mabui changed colour. Blue to green, to orange and purple. Going around in colours. She held out her hand, and the Mabui followed, turning to an orangish red. She snapped her fingers, and fire emerged from the spark. Yuna opened her eyes, seeing the smoke in her room. She smiled.

The next day comes, she lies in her bed, tired and disheveled. After spending all night learning how to use her magic. She looked over at a clock. “Jiichi, Kang, Mabui. I’m sorry. I don’t have the strength to talk to you today.” Yuna said, a small smile spread across her face, as she drifted to sleep. It doesn't last as her eyes quickly open. “The tour. I forgot about it. How could I forget about it?” Yuna asked, sitting up. Yuna quickly got up, and got dressed, fixing her hair, putting on makeup, hiding her bags under her eyes, grabbing her sweater. She ran out of the house, her bag in tow. She hung her bag on her bike, before running away with the bike, jumping on and riding off.

She made her way back north, near Kurashiki dam, passing the museum, and getting to a small building, where a group of tourists waited. Everyone in the group looked different, some european, others central asian, and a few people from mainland japan. Among the group was Yusuke. “Does anyone know the time?” Yuna asked. The Europeans ignored Yuna, others tried to decipher what Yuna said. Yusuke walked to Yuna “It’s early. About 5:13.” Yusuke said. “Why are you here?” Yuna asked. “Is this not a tour, I want to learn about your culture's Shintoism.” Yusuke said. “Utaki Shinko. Why? We’ve known each other for years, and know you want to learn about it.” Yuna asked. “Why not?” Yusuke said. “Excuse me Ms, are you the tour guide?” a Mainland Japanese guy asked. Yuna wasn't fully able to make out the sentence. “He asked if you are the tour guide?” Yusuke asked. “Yeah.” Yuna said. Yusuke relayed the message to the Japanese man. “When does the tour start?” the Japanese man asked. “I got most of that. We can start at 5:15.” Yuna said. “5:15.” Yusukue said to the Japanese man. “How come you know Mainland Japanese?” Yuna asked. “How come you know Okinawan?” Yusuke asked. “It’s Uchinaaguchi, or if you want to not be technical Okinawan. Hard work and research.” Yuna said she tried to correct him, but ultimately gave up, causing her to finish the sentence in a defeated tone. “You ready for this?” Yusuke asked. “Of course I am.” Yuna said.