The driver opened the trunk and started loading Yoichi's luggage into it. "Yoichi!" Mieko called from inside the house. "Get down here! Now!"
Yoichi was standing in front of Mika's door. He'd been knocking gently for over half an hour, but she hadn't answered. His delay had caused him to miss the bus, so his parents had ordered a taxi (an online service called Umber) to take him to his aunt's place. They were millionaires now, after all.
Yoichi sighed and spoke softly to the door, hoping his sister would hear. "I'm sorry, Mika. I'm sorry for lying to you about packing my things yesterday. I didn't know how to tell you, because I knew it would break your heart."
"I promise I'll call you every day when I can. I'll visit during breaks, and take you to the park on weekends, just like we always do. I made your favorite Korean Bungeoppang and some Taiyaki. Don't worry, I hid it in the secret stash so older brother won't eat it all," he added, but there was no response from behind the door.
The taxi honked its horn, signaling Yoichi to hurry. He said quietly, "Goodbye, Mika," and turned to leave.
When he reached the living room, he stopped. Yuichi stood in his way, wearing that mischievous smirk. He ruffled Yoichi's hair and said, "Try not to die, little bro. Remember—survive, manipulate or be manipulated."
Yoichi rolled his eyes at the cryptic words. He had braced himself for whatever this trip would bring.
The driver started the car and sped off. Yoichi glanced back one last time. Yuichi was standing there, holding a jar filled with Bungeoppang and Taiyaki, Mika's secret stash. Even from a distance, Yoichi could see her tear-dried face behind him.
He felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't wanted to hurt her, but there was nothing he could do. It was out of his hands now.
A few minutes into the ride, Yoichi smirked as his mind wandered back to the day before. The whole school had thrown a celebration in his honor. It felt more like a practice run for a play than a real celebration.
One by one, teachers and students gave long speeches. One teacher presented him with a mug that said, "Best student alive." His class monitor gave him her "Good luck" pin, and Ichiro had given a painfully awkward speech that made Yoichi wish he could disappear.
*"Oh great, another pointless speech,"* Yoichi had thought at the time. He knew all of them were hoping for recommendations or favors, now that he had been granted a scholarship to the prestigious Yamabuki Elite High School. The fact that he didn't have to take an entrance exam made him feel like an outsider.
*"Fitting in is going to be a nightmare,"* he thought, but at least his relatives would be there on his first day—at least, that's what he thought.
---
Yoichi stared out the window as the city rushed past. The radio played a soft, melancholic song—"Blue Bird" by Ikimono Gakari—its haunting tone blending sadness and longing. Yoichi didn't care much for music, especially now that his life was about to change completely.
*"Typical. Millionaires, and they couldn't even get me a real train ticket,"*he thought, annoyed by his parents' decision to drop him off at the train station instead of giving him a proper ride.
When the car finally stopped, Yoichi grabbed his luggage and stepped out. He stood on the platform at Shinjuku Station, waiting for his Big Aunt to pick him up. According to the driver, she would be there in about an hour.
Yoichi sat on a bench, holding his luggage, dreading the hour-long wait. The screeching of trains and the chatter of strangers didn't help his mood. With nothing else to do, he walked to a nearby stall, hoping to grab a book to pass the time. But all they sold were romance novels and erotica.
*"This is just disappointing,"* Yoichi thought.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called, "Cousin Yoichi?"
Yoichi turned around, confused. "Do I… know you?" he asked, uncertain.