Chapter 01 - Things are off to a Wonderful Start

Story Arc 1: The Complications of Riding a Bus
Chapter 01 - Things are off to a Wonderful Start

“I hate taking the bus!”

- Gino Lane

It’s not that it’s a bit inconvenient. Rather, the issue is…when’s the darn thing going to get here!? Pardon me, but I didn’t introduce myself, have I? The name’s…erm…Gino. Gino Lane. I’m an assistant. An assistant to what, to whom, or of what? Not important. I’m mentally self-narrating as I wait for this bus. This is not weird at all! Everyone does it, right? Please, hear me out.

I recently relocated from a small town to…a city that looks about the same as my hometown, except wider and a bit more densely packed. And a bit more tall buildings compared to my hometown, not that there were many in my hometown. You get what I’m saying, right?

In this city, where new beginnings are waiting for me…

…are the outskirts, the rural area of where I live. There are a lot of friendly, welcoming people here compared to the city of topic, or what little I experienced from the city. The rural area is also more scenic, with mountains looming in the near distance, floral changing with the seasons, and a more calm, aesthetic, serene beauty and atmosphere that I’ve always longed for practically my whole life. Certainly didn't get this back in my hometown.

I don’t mind living the rural life. In fact, I prefer it. I don’t think there’s any other place I’d rather be. The only problem is that it’s a pain in the ass to get to the city and even more of a pain to return FROM the city. The bus stops here don’t make much of a lick of sense. There are bus stops that have the same name as other nearby bus stop, but they aren’t distinguishable from each other. A bus stop’s name is Flower Rock Station? Well, there’s also a Flower Rock Station bus stop in the opposite direction, and in the opposite direction to the left, and in the opposite direction to the right. So pick a bus stop, roll the dice, and chances are that you most likely are at the wrong bus stop to where you need to go. At least put a ‘north’, ‘south’, ‘east’, ‘west’ on these things, for cryin’ out loud!

“Any moment now, the bus will arrive, and I will be on my way to my job orientation!” I said aloud with shining enthusiasm. “After all, it’s only morning time. The day’s just beginning!”

7 AM turned to 8 AM. 8 AM became 8:45 AM. 9:34 AM crept up on me before I realized it, along with the slightly uncomfortable warm, autumn weather.

“This is the punishment I get for having false optimism, right?” I said with a cheerful smile. I removed my phone from my pocket and opened the transportation app that was recommended for me to download before I moved here. “Maybe I’m just at the bus stop early, and the bus will arrive at….7:25 AM! The freakin’ bus was supposed to have arrived over two hours ago!? What the hell?!”

I took a deep breath and regained my composure. “Losing my temper won’t help. Let's look for another arrival time. Look, another one is supposed to arrive in another minute or two.”

As these words escaped my mouth, a bus arrived. Finally! I may be a little late going to the city for orientation, but I can now get to where I need to be. I’ll let Mr. Supervisor know what’s going on once I get settled in on the bus. He’ll understand.

“Good morning! Is this bus going towards the urban district of Ikisakata?” I asked the bus driver with a kind smile and closed eyes.

“No.”

“No? Eh.”

“This is the bus to Bridge Ahead City.”

“Then…what bus is to Ikisakata?” My smile grew kinder.

“I reckon it’s that bus stop behind you.”

I turned around, only to see a bus passing by a Flower Rock Station bus stop because no one was waiting to board that specific bus.

“Oh shoot, and that was the last bus until after lunchtime,” the bus driver said in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Until lunchtime? Then, what time will it come back?”

“2 PM.”

“Oh, I see,” I said in deadpan kindness, a smile still on my face, eyes still closed. “Then, if you’ll excuse. I’ll let you continue on with your day. Thank you very much.” I took a step back, exiting the bus, and bowed politely.

The bus drove off as I was still in my bowed position. I stood in that position for a while…a brief but long while. Calmly, I positioned myself upright, got out my phone, and dialed Mr. Supervisor.

Brrrring. Brrrring. Brrrring. Brrr…

“Hello, this is Aiam Supervisor,” Mr. Supervisor spoke.

“Hello, this is Gino,” I greeted with a calm, resolved tone.

“Gino? Where are you? You’re supposed to be at the office for orientation!”

“I couldn’t get on the right bus, so there’s no way for me to get there until after lunch.”

“Have you not rode a bus before? How can you make such a simple mistake?!”

Simple my ass. “I’m sorry, sir. Could you come to where I am to pick me up? I know how important orientation is, and I don’t want to miss it.” My voice was still calm yet resolute.

“That’s too much trouble! Find a way to get here or else!”

“Yes, I understand. Sorry. I will find a way.” In the same manner of how I spoke, I ended the phone call. I stood there calmly for a brief yet long while. A bird flew above me and left a fresh present on my formal suit. Bird poop. On my suit. Hehe. Haha. Of course that would happen to me. With my phone in hand, still calm and resolute, I redialed Mr. Supervisor’s number.

“Yes, this is Aiam Supervisor.”

“Hi, this is Gino.”

“Gino? Please tell me you found a way to get here!”

“Mm. I’m going to walk there.”

“Walk? But that’s over two hours!”

“Mm, I know.” I ended the phone call with a touch of the button and waited in silence as I gathered my thoughts to take the next course of action. No sooner than I began to think, I received a phone call.

“Yes, this is Gino.”

“Gino! Stay where you are! I’m coming to pick you up! Don’t start walking, please!”