Act 2:

The boy rises with the sun and begins the day. He brushes by a couple of boxes but luckily he doesn’t wake up his pet fox, Yunyin. He goes outside and carves a pattern into his Zen Garden in the backyard and meditates for a while. After meditating, he goes to the toolshed and brings out the Padded Dummy and the two practice swords. He swings the bokken around several times before challenging the dummy. He arms the dummy with the kendo shinai and practices striking. After he finishes, he calms himself for a mighty blow disarming the dummy. As the sun fully illuminates the sky, the bustle of the street begins.

He re-enters his home and puts out some kibble for his pet, and he remembers to take his towel and heads for the bathroom to take a shower after his workout. The shower glass fogs and the whole bathroom is covered with mist. He emerges glistening with droplets of water, he takes his towel and dries up, stroking the towel against his skin, removing every bit of moisture. He begins blow-drying his hair, ruffling his hair to make sure it dries correctly. He makes his way upstairs to fetch his uniform. He dons a black dress shirt with a white lining and cyan blue rectangle tie with a cross pattern accompanied with three holes in the tie. The holes signify what year he’s attending. His pants are simple black slacks with some added flair that is cyan suspenders. He rolls his pant’s cuffs and puts on his Y3’s. Glancing at the mirror, he smooths his hair and corrects his cowlick. Much to his surprise, he smells something reminiscent of a baconeggandchesse on a roll. He scurries to the source and sees a rare sight, Rinka in the frilliest apron preparing a Baked Egg with Cheese on a roll.

“Well, there are two things I definitely didn't expect to see. Number one, an extremely toned Pro Wrestler in skin-tight clothing with the most absurd apron. Number two, the most misleading breakfast, how do you mess up a Bacon Egg and Cheese?” The boy says bewildered.

“You said it so fast I thought this is what you wanted but I asked my phone a minute ago and realized my mistake…” Rinka says with a pout.

The protagonist stricken with guilt, calms down, and says.

“Well… Sorry. Thanks for the meal, it’s not what I expected but it looks great! Why do I smell bacon though?”

Rinka responds in a prideful tone.

“I also made Bacon Wrapped Tilapia for Yunyin and me. Last time we met you said my cooking wasn’t all that good so I got better.”

“Hmph, is that right? I didn’t know a Grizzly Bear could learn how to cook but it’s fish, so I couldn’t be too surprised.” The boy says with a smirk.

“Gr-Grizzly Bear huh? How about I give you another so-called bear hug? And if you couldn’t tell you’re not getting breakfast anymore.” Rinka says sternly.

“Woah Woah Woah… what’s with the switch up? I’m sorry okay? Uhhh… Your cooking is amazing, even better than Nangoku Shuka, and I won’t call you a bear anymore, okay? The boy apologizes.

Rinka giggles and then says.

“You know I’m not petty… You misjudged sunrise this morning because of the weather, and not to mention you took a long hot shower just to stimulate the hot temperature of her body warmth, am I right?” Rinka gloats.

“Shit, that's a bit too spot-on- actually wait no. Y-You’re wrong. But if I really did misjudged the sunrise then… Oh no, I gotta go.” The boy exclaims.

“You can have your Baked Egg and Cheese when you get back as punishment for thinking I’m petty. I’ll give you this buttered toast though. Good luck Beringela!” Rinka says as she pushes the boy outside of his home.

“Welp, I am gonna be late so might as well run and at the same time.” He reluctantly says.

Yunyin races outside and jumps into the boy's arms and cuddles him. The boy rests the fox down and a single tear drops from his face.

“Thanks, buddy, really needed that. I got the energy to really go on for the day. Aside from this toast, at least.” The boy says holding back any more tears.

He makes a mad dash through the streets of Tokyo and soaks in the ever-changing sights of the future. Old houses and common stores that tell a story of the past and maintained by the family of the community, among brand new infrastructures attached to high-class labels and companies. Cable cars and monorails stretched across the sky.

As he continues to run, he treads down an incline and the toast rips ever so slightly with every stride until it finally breaks apart and falls on the ground. A bit crushed, the boy picks up the toast and throws it in the garbage pile nearby. He waits for the stoplight, alongside a businesswoman and handyman. A person calls from the distance behind him and calls out his name.

“Saito? Mr. Kazami!” the person calls as he runs up to Saito.

Saito snaps around quickly and says.

“Well if you’re gonna dox me, how’s the heir to the special animal fighting style gym. Maxi Pawa InuNeko! Nekomaki Akihiro?”

“Okay sure, I guess I shouldn’t say your full name in public. Then again, I could disable all of the neighborhood if I wanted to.” Akihiro says with a cheeky smile.

It still boggles my mind how you’re good at the thing I’m built for and vice versa for me.” Saito questions.

Akihiro leans in for a hug and says.

“And that is precisely why we are best friends, we complete each other. Nevertheless, I’m glad you’re back, partner.

Saito hugs him tight and says.

“You know I couldn’t stay away from you for too long.”

As they catch up and talk about the experiences they encountered during the past six years, they slowly reach school. The wind scatters the cherry blossoms across the sidewalk, falling five centimeters as a second goes by. Saito catches a glimpse of a beautiful girl resembling another childhood friend. Evenly cut bangs, wild edges, and a long ponytail of dark purple hair that rests on the back of her waist.

“Her hair is so long now, it’s almost unreal. She gets even more beautiful each year.” Saito mutters to himself.

Akihiro, taking notice of his friend’s comment, interjects.

Seems like you’re still infatuated with her after all this time. Didn’t find anyone you like in America?”

Saito responds with a cheeky response.

“Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t say there’s another girl that doesn’t pop into my head. But it’s for other reasons.”

Akihiro bursts into laughter and says

“That way you crush over the beauty in front of you definitely tells me the other girl doesn’t have a chance. Go over and talk to her already.”

He pushes Saito in the direction of the beauty and gives a smile. With Akihiro’s encouragement, Saito runs full speed ahead and leaps into the air, diving towards his target shouting.

“Tsu-chan!!!”

The girl glances at this speeding force and gets into a proper stance. She twirls and uses the back of her hand to deliver a mighty blow. 

An ominous sound travels and the clouds in the sky suddenly vanish after she swung her hand. Truly, a slap heard around the world.

Students turn in shock and awe to this Tsu-chan still in pose and Saito slowly getting up from a nearby bush. The students act as if they saw nothing after Tsu-chan releases her pose. Girls belonging to the kendo club clap and raise a scoreboard of 10 points.

Saito walks over slowly towards Tsu-chan and rubs his cheeks saying.

“Seems like the women’s division Kendo Champion is as strong as her sword. Right Tsu, er… Tsubaki?”

“Hmph, I have nothing to say to you right now,” Tsubaki responds mildly irritated.

Akihiro walks up and says.

“Tsunbaki, even for you that was a bit cold. A complete 180 from that fiery attitude you usually have.”

Tsubaki gets ready for a retort but suddenly.

The Bell Chimes.

“Good Morning students, all report to the auditorium so we can discuss in deeper detail about summer activities and our proper send off to you all, wishing a wonderful summer break. Students and Teachers that are interested in supervising the summer festival event can acquire a bonus and earn credits.” The woman over the PA says.

Tsubaki looks at the two gentlemen with a glare and heads off with some female students to the auditorium. Both Akihiro and Saito look at each other confused, and head to the auditorium. Akihiro guides his friend to the seating arranged for his class. Saito spots Tsubaki in the front row with her friends. Saito ponders on Tsubaki’s behavior as he steals glances at her. Tsubaki is primarily fixated at her hands as she blushes bright red. They sit through the lecture, waiting for it to end. Soon enough, it actually does end. Everyone rises from their seats and begins to exit the auditorium, Tsubaki vanishes from Saito’s sight as the crowds of students draw closer. Saito disregards his worries and heads over to the admission’s office to submit and check his files. Akihiro tags along but seems to be more attentive to his phone. As they leave the school, Saito suggests. 

“Aki, wanna head the shopping district over in Minato City? I need some more food and clothing. Rinka’s been stealing provisions and I might need a bit lighter clothing. America gets cold and a lot of my stuff is kinda thick.”

“I’ll come with you but I don’t think you’ll have to worry about clothes, you can even borrow some of my clothes”. Akihiro replies.

They exit the subway and reach the shopping district, they window shop and get what they came for. As they leave the shopping district, Saito comes across a fabric shop. He stops in front of the store and says.

“Ya know, that scarf I used to wear back when we were younger? I never stopped wearing it until I left. Not sure where it is, to be honest. The fabric was from one of my mother’s dresses and I kept it as a keepsake. Last time I wore it… I think it was pretty bruised up. I wonder if Tsubaki kept on to it after I left with her… Sorry, this store just reminds me of it. Tsubaki and I would shop for fabrics for her mother. We made our own kimonos and yukatas. I’m trailing off again…”

“It’s okay to trail off Saito. Whatever is on your mind, Tsubaki and I will always hear you out.” Akihiro assures.

“Heard you loud and clear bud, not so sure about Tsubaki but thanks. Can we head in for a bit? Saito suggests.

They enter the shop and glance around at all of the fabrics and textiles with all different patterns and textures. After browsing for a few minutes, they hear someone enter the shop while they’re in the back of the shop. They walk a bit closer to the front of the store and hear Tsubaki chatting with the shop owner. Tsubaki thanks the shop owner for making her request.

The shop owner teases Tsubaki and says.

“The fabric you brought in was some very high-quality stuff so I was surprised by your request to fix something that seems like it went through a run-in with a relentless dog. Based on how you treat it must belong to someone important. You even asked me to teach you how to fix it and place an embroidery on it. The smell of the fabric seems to belong to a boy, is this for him?”

Tsubaki gives a genuine smile and blushes as she gives her response.

“Thank you Madam E for helping me learn how to do this. It’s for someone really important to me. Someone I cherish a lot. Someone who helped become who I am.”

She exits the store with renewed steps and hums her way to the station. 

Akihiro and Saito walk out of the fabric store a few minutes after Tsubaki leaves. They walk over to the train station and suddenly Saito stops, drops one of his bags. As he bends down to check if anything busted open. He stays in place and asks.

“Aki, does Tsubaki have a grudge against me or something? She’s been kind and wholesome to everyone except for me. And based on what she said to the shop owner, she’s getting a gift for her boyfriend? Just how much did I miss?”

“Calm down. Don’t think about that right now. Let’s get these bags to your new house. I’m a bit surprised you didn’t move back into your old place.” Akihiro says.

“I wanted to ease into a new condo by myself. The Grannies didn’t want me going back to the house yet. And technically they own the house now. If I went back now-” Saito cuts himself off as the train arrives at the station.

The train ride is fairly smooth and doesn't have too many people. Crowded train rides seem to be the thing of the past. They soon reach the desired location and walks over to the house, talking about the sights and the people that inhabit them. As they get closer to the house, Saito sees Yunyin, rushing down the road and jumps into Saito’s arms.

"Yunyin? Why are you outside in the street? Did you smell from the house and came rushing? Saito interrogates his pet.

Yunyin nods his head and licks Saito’s forearm.

"Aww, you're amazing. Thanks but I don't want you to hurt yourself out here on the street. Hop on my head and let's get back to the house." Saito says as he smiles.

The fox heeds his owner and jumps on Saito's head.

They arrive at the apartment and Akihiro says.

"Wow, this place is pretty good. It's not as big as a house or anything crazy but it's so nice looking and pretty. How'd you even afford this place?" "All the money I saved up and the advance I asked for from work… Is what I would say if Rinka hadn't spent it. Now, my Grands own the place, and based on how they do things, I'll have to comply with their demands. Can't exactly rent this type of place being a minor." Saito says.

They enter the house and head to the living room.

“Yunyin! Yunyin! Where did you bolt off to? Rinka yells.

They come across Rinka looking under the couch with her ass pointing to the ceiling. She seems to be wearing a cosplay of Yuri Sakazaki, the top half, a karate gi, and the bottom being shiny blue leggings that seem to be a bit tight.

These adolescent teen boys both stop in their tracks and quickly huddle their legs and get a small nosebleed. Yunyin jumps off of Saito’s head and runs over to Rinka. She pulls out from under the couch and sees the two boys in their sorry state. She gives out a small chuckle and tidies herself up, gets comfortable on the couch, and says.

“Oh, I didn’t expect you to come home so early. And Akihiro, you’ve grown into a fine young man too, you’re even taller than Saito now. It seems your macho man of a dad made sure to bulk you up. I should head to the gym sometime soon to see your father. I’m not exactly his pupil anymore but I wanna check on him. Maybe even challenged him.”

“It’s great to see you too Rinka! Your match last month was pretty amazing, I saw you pulled out a few moves that my dad taught you and figured I’d see you again soon. Seems I was right. We bought some groceries since I know your calorie intake is high, and you seem to be taking over Saito’s fridge to get that extra intake. It’s important you keep up your regiment but Saito’s a pile of bones.” Akihiro says with a chuckle.

“Oi oi oi, my frame is fine, and you know it. Very aerodynamic and has just about the same muscle density as you, I’m sure of it. I don’t need any more than this. But I’d like my food not to finish up so quickly since someone decided to splurge with money, they didn’t have the right to.” Saito retorts.