Takumi intended to take the public bus instead for now. There are two ways of paying for a bus ride in this city. One, by paying using cash.
Two, by using a transportation card or so-called IC Card.
IC Card is an electronic card for payment for various types of local transportation in Japan – such as e-money cards in Indonesia. There are many types of IC cards in Japan, issued by different companies and valid in different regions as well. Please note: IC cards can only be used within an area for local trains or buses.
Here are some of the most famous IC cards:
1. SUICA
Suica can be used to take trains in the metropolitan Tokyo area, be it trains on the JR East line, subway, bus, and Tokyo Monorail that connects Haneda airport with downtown Tokyo.
Oh, Suica can also be used for shopping in many shops including minimarkets! Usually these shops display the Suica logo on the front (glass/door) of their shop.
2. PASMO
Similar to Suica, PASMO is also a transportation card that can be used in the metropolitan Tokyo area. Can be used for trains, subways, buses, or shuttle buses. Like Suica, you can also use PASMO to shop at stores that have the PASMO logo on it.
Then what is the difference with SUICA? The only difference is the company that issued it. Suica is issued by JR East, while PASMO is issued by Tokyo Metro. So, some of the rules for the two cards are also different, including where you can buy and return cards, and more.
There are still various kinds of other transportation cards.
But unfortunately, Takumi now doesn't bring both of them. Takumi was in too much of a hurry earlier to forget that important thing.
Takumi stood frozen at the front door of the bus. He pleaded with the driver to use the smoothest possible language. Takumi also bowed several times.
"Gomen Oji-san! Just this once, please let me ride the bus for free, okay?"
Takumi said as cute as possible. He held his index finger in front of his mouth.
"Just this once. I beg you, Oji-san...."
Without realizing it, someone was looking at him with a strange look from one of the passenger seats. The man was as old as Takumi's father and grinned mysteriously.
Then, the man used his transportation card to pay Takumi's bill.
Takumi immediately cupped his hands while bowing towards the man.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Oji-sama!"
The man just smiled and returned to his seat, without saying a word.
***
Takumi got off the bus in a hurry, making his feet rest on the wrong foot. As a result, Takumi's ankle sprained slightly. Takumi groaned in pain, but no one paid any heed. The bus stop was very quiet, maybe because it was working hours. Ah yes, Takumi forgot something. He had to get to school soon.
It seemed that Takumi's activities to the point of admiring his face just now only happened in a dream. In real life, Takumi often experiences this kind of misfortune. Don't have time to take selfies in front of the mirror, Takumi just didn't have time to eat breakfast earlier.
Takumi ran as hard as he could, ignoring his still sore legs. From behind, another teenage boy was also running. The uniform was the same as the current Takumi was wearing, but Takumi had never seen that figure before. Maybe a sophomore or third grader, he thought.
The teenager was running ahead of Takumi. Takumi watched the teenager. His face looked familiar, but Takumi couldn't remember where he had seen the teenager's figure. It was the first time Takumi had seen such a green-eyed teenager. Maybe it's a student from abroad. How could he possibly know someone from abroad like him.
The young man was seen pleading with the gatekeeper to open the door. Unlucky! Takumi is late again today. He ran again and stood behind the crowd of other late students.
"Sensei! Open the gate, please~~!"
Yes, that's how the late students whined to the school gatekeeper and a teacher who was there.
The teacher looks angry, he shouted at the crowd of students who were late earlier. Takumi couldn't help but stare at all of his teacher's nagging. Takumi was full because almost every day he got that scolding.
Takumi looked around. He was looking for the teenager who passed him earlier. However, suddenly someone grabbed Takumi's arm and made him run. Takumi was stunned for a moment, before finally he was forced to follow the figure's hand pull.
They had run far enough, and now they were near the great wall. Takumi didn't say anything since then. He was still searching for his lost memories. Takumi was sure he had seen the young man before. But, he didn't remember where they first met.
"Hosh, hosh ... this sucks! Why do I have to be late on my first day of school?"