The plane landed smoothly on the runway of Moscow Airport. Dai-ki, stepping out of the cabin, winced at the sharp smell of dampness and gasoline. Above him hung a steel-grey sky, from which torrential rain poured. The downpour was so heavy that it seemed as if the whole city would sink into its grey water.
"Well, I've arrived in Moscow, and it's like Atlantis itself," Dai-ki muttered.
At that moment, a tall, strong man in a grey suit with an unchanging, even in such weather, light tie approached him.
"Dai-ki Tamura?" the man asked, shaking his hand.
"Yes, and you?"
"Miyamoto Mesei-yuki, head of the accounting department," replied the man, with a slight smile. "Welcome to Moscow!"
Dai-ki was slightly surprised: in his imagination, the head of the department should have been gloomy and strict, but this man looked... pleasant.
"Thank you," Dai-ki replied, holding out his suitcase. "Where's the car?"
"We'll get there now," Mesei-yuki led Dai-ki to the airport exit, where a black Toyota was already waiting.
The drive to the city was like being plunged into a horror movie. Dai-ki was already beginning to regret not bringing an umbrella. Moscow was submerged in a sea of grey rain, and the narrow streets and grey multi-story buildings seemed to be drowning in this greyness.
"After all, they don't say 'Moscow is not made of rubber' for nothing," he muttered, watching the houses rushing past the window.
"Moscow isn't made of rubber, but its inhabitants are very hospitable," Mesei-yuki replied. "And you will soon see for yourself that not everything is as gloomy as it seems at first glance."
"'Hope it's not as gloomy as it seems'," Dai-ki thought, staring at the pouring rain, which was already beginning to seep into his soul, like into Moscow's old houses.
"So... where are we now?" Dai-ki asked.
"We're at the 'Hotel Ukraine'," Mesei-yuki answered. "We'll start getting acquainted with Moscow from here."
Dai-ki unexpectedly smiled.
"Ukraine? Well, okay, let's see what they have in Moscow?"
"'Maybe they have at least one good vantage point'," Dai-ki thought, looking out the grey window of the "Toyota."
On the way to the hotel, while in the car, Miyamoto explained that "Kairosu Group" had been in negotiations with Moscow authorities for a long time about creating joint ventures aimed at developing tourism. And finally, the first step was taken: the company financed the restoration and renaming of the "Ukraine" hotel to "Bavaria" - a luxurious hotel located in the heart of the capital.
"I don't know about tourism, but the comfort here is top-notch," thought Deiki to himself as they approached "Bavaria."
The hotel truly made an impression. The gilded stucco ornaments, massive oak doors, luxurious carpets - everything spoke of grandeur and wealth. Deiki expected to see something more modest, but "Bavaria" exceeded all his expectations. His room was spacious, with a king-size bed, a large balcony overlooking the Kremlin and a bathroom equipped with the latest technology.
"Well, maybe it's not so bad here," Deiki admitted to himself, looking around his new temporary "home."
He was accustomed to his modest apartment in Tokyo, where there was a constant lack of space, and even the cramped conditions had begun to seem normal to him. But here, in "Bavaria," he felt completely different - free, relaxed, as if he were at home. Despite the cold and rain, there was a feeling that something new, something interesting, something… not quite what he expected, but definitely worthy of attention, was beginning.
"So, forward, Deiki Tamura!" he whispered to himself, smiling. "See what this Moscow will surprise you with. And most importantly, don't forget about Okinawa. You're going there when this temporary assignment is over!"
Deiki went to the window to admire the view of the Kremlin towers hidden behind a veil of rain.