Ren and the puppet show PART 1

Ren and Raku had been looking for a month ago for the place of the photo that Ren had when he was a baby.

Ren for his part kept trying to mime Raku what he remembered of that place. While Raku was looking for what her friend Ren tried to told.

It was quite complicated because Ren didn't remember much about that place and also, as usual, he didn't speak.

-This is much more complicated than I thought. Every time we search we are further away from finding a specific place.

Raku said. She then sighed and moved closer to Ren.

-I'm starving… Do you feel like going to a coffee shop Ren? So we rested for a while.

Ren nodded and took control of the chair again.

Raku seems to have gotten used to Ren accompanying her everywhere.

Ren and Raku went back to the city, careful not to be chased again like last time.

They arrived at a cafeteria, sat down and each asked for something to drink while they chatted.

In the middle of their conversation, they were interrupted by a strange man with a mask that only covered his eyes, with a black and white checkered top hat and a black dress with white stars.

-Attention, humans! I've come from outer space to announce that the Hoshijima Island Puppet Festival is reopening!

Said the man shouting to get attention.

-Wow, since I was little I haven't even gone. Would you like to go Ren?... Ren?...

Raku looked under the table, seeing that Ren was scared as a kitten.

-Calm down Ren! He's not a real alien, he's just acting!

Ren got up trembling because he trusted his friend but even so he was afraid of the man who entered.

The man turned around after hearing the boy's name, approached Ren and Raku and with a smile offered them one of his promotional brochures.

-Long time no see, Ren. I hope you visit us again...

The man whispered.

-Well, I'm leaving! My mission in this coffee shop is accomplished!

He said to himself as he left.

-Looks like the alien man knows you. Do you remember him?

Raku asked.

As Ren denied remembering that person, Raku yelled upon seeing the brochure.

-Ren! Look at this!

Raku showed him the brochure, pointing to the puppet on the cover.

-It's the same as the doll on your keychain but bigger! We have a clue! We have to go!

Ren was shocked to see that, he grabbed the brochure and was shocked again.

-What's wrong Ren?! Are there more clues?

Ren showed him the brochure pointing out that at the festival they sold tuna pie at a cheap price.

Raku after that laught and they left the cafeteria in the direction of Hoshijima Island.

The island was full of people, both residents and visitors.

Although the residents did not stop looking at Ren and talking to each other with astonished faces.

There being a lot of people, Ren couldn't run, but from his smile he seemed to know that this was the place where he was born and lived before going to the orphanage.

-Ren, it seems that everyone is looking at you. You seem to be famous.

Raku said between laughs.

Suddenly, a strong and big man stands in his way.

-Ren, how long? I still regret not being able to hide you for so long. Your mother would scold us if she were still with us.

Ren looked around and then pointed at himself, wondering how he knows him.

-I see you haven't changed. Quiet and forgetful like you used to be. My name is Kenji. Come on, follow me, I'll take you somewhere before the puppet show starts.

Ren and Raku followed the man to an old abandoned house.

Upon entering, there was furniture and the photo of the same woman that Ren had in his album.

-It is normal that you do not remember your mother. Mrs. Hoshino, passed away one year after having you from unknown causes. Since then we tried to hide you, but when the police found out we had no choice.

Said the Kenji.

-"Hoshino...?" Rio Hoshino?! Is that her real face?!

Raku asked in amazement.

-Exact. The former famous festival puppeteer. The festival was canceled due to her death, but a few months ago we noticed her presence and she asked us to reopen it. I guess your mother discovered your whereabouts from heaven.

Kenji said ruffling Ren's hair with a smile.

After that he opened one of the cabinets and took out a wooden box with dust.

-In addition to being a puppeteer at the festival, she was a toymaker. She will always go up to the city to sell her toys. And since you were born, your mother bothered us with the fact that you were going to be her successor.

He laughed and gave the box to Ren.

-I'm not the one to decide what to do with your life, but surely she would have been excited that you at least had this of her. They are her work tools.

Ren opened the wooden box and smiled.

He was happy because he was finally able to find out who he was and where he came from.

As Ren looked at the box, Raku approached Kenji.

-What about her father?

Kenji sat in a chair as he saw Ren's smile for the first time in a long time.