The afternoon sun slanted through my open apartment window, casting long shadows across my tidy desk. Dust motes, illuminated like tiny stars, danced in the golden light. My fingers, nimble and practiced, flew across the art tablet's smooth surface, a faint clicking accompanying my movements. The character on screen – a lithe elf warrior, clad in shimmering emerald armor – slowly took shape. The design was straightforward, a commission for a guild emblem, but the subtle details – the intricate braid in her hair, the glint of light on the etched pommel of her sword – demanded my careful attention.
On my secondary monitor, a vibrant world unfolded; a fantastical landscape teeming with pixelated heroes battling grotesque monsters. The streamer's voice, a cheerful flow of commentary, blended with the gentle tap-tap-tap of my stylus, a counterpoint to the digital chaos onscreen. The colors – the deep greens of the elf's armor, the fiery oranges of the in-game explosions – competed for my attention, yet somehow, my brain effortlessly juggled them, filtering the visual noise while my conscious mind focused on the delicate curve of the elf's eyebrow. It felt less like multitasking, and more like a seamless weaving of two separate realities.
It was early January in Miami, the sun a hazy gold warming my skin. Perfect weather, though I knew some would shiver and complain. Growing up traveling the globe with my Aunt Akari, I'd seen real cold. It might even be snowing in Kyoto right now, though it wasn't likely. Her image flickered in my mind – Akari, with her sleek black hair pulled back, her dark eyes sharp and watchful beneath a calm façade. Even at 42, she possessed a timeless beauty, a subtle strength etched into her elegant features. Thinking about her made me wonder what she was up to.
Some people talk about how it isn't easy growing up while moving a lot, but for me, it was just life. I knew it wasn't as bad as some military families had it. Akari was a security consultant who worked with some of the biggest firms in the world. Her job required her to travel a lot, though we spent most of our time between jobs either in Kyoto or Miami. that meant a lot of my education was either online or with tutors. Aunt Akari was strict, but I appreciated her. My parents passed when I was too young to remember anything and Takahashi Akari, who was their friend, raised me.
As I finished my work, I signed it using my art pad. Cai Masaru Ryuzaki, named after the heritage from both parents. Cai was a Welsh family name from my mothers side while Masaru was Japanese from my father's side. My looks reflected the mix, with coal black hair, golden eyes and a height that would be standard for a Caucasian. Unfortunately, I had experienced a lot less of my mothers cultural heritage than my fathers. Aunt Akari had done some business in the UK, but we never established a residence there.
As with most people, I had grown to reflect my upbringing rather strongly. My Aunt was strict, only rarely showing her playful side. That meant learning and practicing were always a priority. I had passable experience in a wide range of disciplines, from martial arts, to art and literature, though my degree was in computer science. Thanks to my unique and focused learning experience, I was able to graduate from an online American collage at twenty, and spent the last year working and living in Miami. I was what Americans would call a renaissance man, but as Shakespeare phrased it, "A jack of all trades, is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one." I enjoyed a wide variety of activities, and I didn't like the thought of limiting myself.
Still, my diverse preferences had a drawback. I was still trying to find my place in life, and I was conflicted about what I wanted. If I loved or excelled in one specific field, I would expect finding my path would be a lot less complicated. I knew a lot of people my age wanted to travel and experience the world, but while that had it's appeal, I had already done a lot of that. I wanted to try having something more stable and lasting, but I wasn't sure how to go about that. Honestly, even the thought of staying in one place for too long made me a little uncomfortable. So a dichotomy of preference had a definite drawback.
While I was thinking about my direction in life, —or lack thereof— I received an e-mail notification from Aunt Akari, and my phone vibrated a moment later. Seeing it was her, I quickly answered. "Hey Aunt Akari, what's up?"
"Cai, did you get it?" she asked in her usual clipped way. She was always business first. I opened the folder and found an encrypted file.
"Yeah, I got it. Is this the usual?" I asked as I opened several tools used to examine and decrypt files. She often sent me things like this. As part of her work she would ask me to test different systems and see if I could crack them. The pay was actually very good, and was what made up a large portion of my income.
"Yes, this one is particularly tricky, and I need the results by tonight if possible." There was a pause before she continued. "How are you doing? Are you eating well?"
"Yes Auntie, I've kept a good diet."
"And your exercises? It wouldn't do to allow yourself to grow soft now."
"Yes Aunt Akari, I haven't let up. I make sure to keep in shape. Thanks to the work you send me, I can afford a good gym. I may not be at your level, but I do well enough."
"Good. Just because you're living on your own doesn't mean you can slack off. What about girls? Have you met anyone?"
I rolled my eyes "No Auntie, no one special. I meet plenty of people when I go out to play my music, but somehow, I haven't found anyone that I was interested in." I glanced to the corner at my guitar case. Maybe tonight I should go out again. I knew a few places that let amateurs play. I wasn't a master, but I did well enough that I could meet some people.
"It's all because of that girl isn't it? I told you to let it go. She isn't worth being hung up over." Her tone was still strict, but I could hear the concern in it.
"I know Auntie, and I have let go. It was a long time ago, and I've put all that behind me. It's just difficult to let myself fall for someone new when I might be hurt. I know myself well enough to realize that I don't do things in half measures, and if I allow myself to fall for someone and they aren't serious in return... I just don't want to do that again." The girl in question was my first kiss. It shouldn't have been that serious, and for her it never was, but I fell hard. Perhaps because of the way I was raised, when I allowed myself to become attached, it tended to stick.
Akari's tone became softer. "I see. I don't know how to help with that. You know I'm not good at this sort of thing. I just want you to be happy."
"I know. It's ok, I'm not in a hurry." I cleared my throat and grimaced. I didn't care for this kind of discussion. Feelings were well and good, but it didn't take a lot to have too much of that particular good thing. Changing the topic I asked "So what about you? where are you at right now?"
"Eastern Russia for the moment, but I'll be back home soon." There was only one place she ever called home, and that was on the outskirts of Kyoto near the mountains. "You should come soon too. It's Amaya-chan's birthday soon, she'll be turning twenty. As you know, that number is particularly important in her family." She paused, before she continued "I know you want to make your own way, and I approve. But it would mean a lot to her to have you there, and I would like to pay for your trip. It would be my gift to her."
I had to hold in my sigh. I definitely wanted to be there for Amaya-chan, and while I did ok financially, it was just that. 'Ok' wouldn't get me back to Japan. For her though, I could swallow my pride. Besides, My Aunt had given a valid excuse. "Sure, that sounds good. I'll make plans. Thank you Aunt Akari, it means a lot to me." I made sure my tone let her know how serious I was.
"Good. Then I look forward to seeing you. You should let Amaya-chan know too, I'm sure it would make her happy." I could hear the satisfaction in her voice. It had been awhile since I last visited, and this would be good.
We exchanged farewells, and I was left ruminating once more on my life, past and future. I started some system diagnostic software to get started on my Aunt's project while I thought. Just because I moved a lot as a kid, didn't mean I had no friends or that I lacked a social life. On the contrary, I had several friends all around the world, many of whom I kept contact with online. I made friends easily enough, but I only had a few that I would consider close. Of all of those, Amaya-chan was the best. We had grown up together, at least whenever I was in Kyoto. She and her family had even accompanied me and my Aunt on occasion. We had many of the same lessons and tutors, which meant she was the closest thing I had to a classmate.
My computer finished with it's work and I had to turn the streamer, RogueLily, off so I could focus. She had been streaming about a new mmorpg that I was looking forward to getting into. She was one of my favorite streamers for that type of content. Not only was she fun to watch, but she had a lot of insightful commentary.
Giving my full attention to my new project, I lost myself in my work for several hours. My Aunt was right. This was a far more secure file than usual, and there were a few times when I was nearly stumped. In the end though, I decrypted the file without opening it. The details were probably fake anyway, as it was unlikely anyone would use real data for a security test. I had peaked a few times on previous projects, and what I found had made no sense to me anyway. I gathered the data from my diagnostic and put together a pack to send to my Aunt.
Checking my phone, I saw that the time was just after 6 pm. Kyoto was thirteen hours ahead of Miami, so it would be just after 7 am, and Amaya-chan should be awake and started with her day. Searching for her contact, I decided to text her.
Me: Hey, you up?
It only took a second for her to reply.
Amaya-chan: Cia! It has been way too long since you last contacted me! Why did it take so long?!
I couldn't help but smile. She actually emoted far better in her texting than she did in person. Most people who met her thought that she was calm and stoic, but I knew there was always a lot going on in her head.
Me: What do you mean so long? I contact you at least twice a week! You're so spoiled!
Amaya-chan: It does not matter! You should be contacting me two, no, three times a day at least! How else will I know that you are not in trouble again? Or worse, secretly planning world domination without me? I have a right as your best friend to know. It is not a girl is it? You should not be rushing into anything again!
My smile grew upon reading that. It was good to know that some things would never change. She was always worried about me, even on the occasions when she was in just as much trouble.
Me: So what if I have a girl or two? No man is an island after all, and I have a reputation to cultivate! I joked.
Amaya-chan: Moh! No! Bad Cai! You should not be playing with me like that! I almost believed you! If you get girls, that is fine, but they must be good for you, and you must always have time for me!
Me: Okay, okay! I get it, lol! Only good girls (who appreciate my superior taste in friends) and keep time for you. No problem. Speaking of time for you, I'm making plans to be back in Kyoto for your birthday. So you better make time for me too! No other boys that day, you'll have to tell them to hide until I leave!
I loved to tease her. I didn't think she was even interested in guys that way. At least she had never mentioned anything.
Amaya-chan: Yay! I cannot wait to see you again! It has been so very long. As for other boys, I do not find it amusing. Yuck! You are the only one tolerable, so I suppose I can find time to spend with you on that day. But only because I am incredibly generous.
I could practically see her making a face at that. She wasn't often very expressive, but if you pushed her buttons just right, her reactions were definitely worth it. After wrapping up our text, I grabbed some water and sat in a lotus position on my mat on the floor, putting on some calm music. Breathing evenly, I began to let my mind wander. I always found it helpful to relax and gather myself after intense focus like the work I had done earlier.
My thoughts wondered through the conversation I had with Amaya-chan, specifically to her comment about getting into trouble. There were many times as kids that we got into trouble together, and most of them were now good memories.
There was one occasion where...
We had been visiting the Tenryuji Temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto, wandering through the serene bamboo forest and exploring the temple grounds. Amaya-chan had been quiet that day, her usual stoic expression a little more somber than usual. I knew something was bothering her, and I was determined to cheer her up. I turned to her with a mischievous glint in my eye. "I have an idea," I whispered. "Follow my lead."
I stealthily grabbed a small, intricately carved wooden bird from a nearby offering table. "This is a sacred offering," I hissed dramatically, "and it needs to be returned to its rightful place... in the forbidden section of the garden, in the bows of the tallest tree!"
Amaya-chan and I sneaked into the forbidden section of the garden, our hearts pounding with excitement. The temple grounds were serene and beautiful, but we were on a mission to bring the sacred offering to its rightful place. We located a tall tree, its branches reaching towards the sky, and began our ascent.
The tree had plenty of branches to hold onto, and we were both practiced tree climbers, so we had no trouble. Finally, we reached a suitable perch and I handed her the wooden bird. With a solemn expression, she placed it carefully among the leaves, a secret treasure hidden from view. We shared a smile, and I was glad she was feeling better.
I climbed down first, jumping the last few feet to the ground. I turned to catch Amaya-chan as she descended, but she slipped and we tumbled to the ground in a heap, our scrapes and bruises a testament to our adventure. We dusted ourselves off and sneaked back out, our hearts racing.
Just as we thought we'd gotten away with it, Aunt Akari appeared, her arms folded across her chest. "I know what you two were up to," she said, a hint of amusement lurking behind her stern expression. We froze, knowing we'd been caught, but she simply shook her head and laughed, her stern demeanor melting away.
That day, we learned that sometimes the best memories are made when you follow your adventurous spirit, even if it leads you to forbidden places. And, of course, that Aunt Akari always knows more than she lets on.
I must have drifted off at some point, because the next thing I knew, I found myself in a situation that could only be described as a dream.
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