⇲   𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐃𝐀 𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓 〉 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍  !
XXXX. ✿ CIRCA JUNE 2012.
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠     𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐑
MF DOOM.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

The muffled beat of MF DOOM's "One Beer" thrummed in Odette's ears as she made her way through the bustling corridors of Haneda Airport. Her oversized pink hoodie was a comforting weight on her shoulders, its fabric soft against her skin as it fell just past her waist.

The gray flare pants she wore swished with each step, a blend of style and comfort that made her feel a bit more grounded amidst the unfamiliarity. She clutched the strap of her carry-on tightly, her gaze darting around as she searched for a familiar face, her nerves a mix of excitement and anxiety.

On top of her head, her silver headphones—adorned with a unique Spiderman design—rested lightly, the song still playing as she scanned the crowd. Her red hair, flat-ironed and sleek down to her lower back, caught the light, gleaming with a bright intensity.

She'd always had a spark, an undeniable energy, but being here in Japan, her grandmother's world, made her feel like she was on the edge of something monumental.

It had been years since she'd seen "Grandma Mo," as she affectionately called her grandmother. The last time was her 10th birthday when Mana had flown to Florida to celebrate that special milestone.

Odette remembered the warmth of her grandmother's embrace, the softness of her voice, the way she'd looked at her as though she held a legacy Odette couldn't yet understand. And now, at sixteen, she was here, ready to step into a world that had once felt so distant.

Finally, her eyes landed on a figure standing near the entrance of the arrival gates, and her breath caught. Mana Monroè was there, tall and regal, her deep brown skin glowing under the soft airport lights.

She wore a long, flowing robe with subtle patterns, an elegant fusion of traditional Japanese design and her unique style. Her hair was streaked with silver, and her eyes held a wisdom that seemed to pierce through the crowd and settle right on Odette.

Odette slipped her headphones off, letting them rest around her neck as she approached, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and joy. "Grandma Mo," she called, her voice carrying a bit of Florida's sun-kissed warmth across the cool airport air.

Mana's face softened as she saw Odette, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "Odette," she replied, her voice low and soothing. She extended her arms, and Odette didn't hesitate, stepping into her grandmother's embrace. There was a strength in Mana's hug, a reassurance that seeped into Odette, settling her restless heart.

"It's been so long," Odette murmured, her voice muffled against her grandmother's shoulder. "I... I didn't know if I'd ever see you here like this."

Mana pulled back slightly, keeping her hands on Odette's shoulders as she looked her over, her eyes shining with pride. "Look at you. My little girl, all grown up," she said, her voice tinged with emotion. "You're as beautiful as your mother was at your age. And that hair... you've got her spirit."

Odette grinned, rolling her eyes playfully. "Momma nearly lost it when I dyed it red."

Mana chuckled, her laugh low and rich. "I'm sure she did. But it suits you." She released Odette's shoulders, her gaze still lingering on her with a warmth that made Odette feel both seen and safe. "Are you hungry? I imagine the flight was long."

Odette nodded, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Starving. Airplane food isn't exactly gourmet, you know?"

Mana laughed again, a sound that was both familiar and comforting. "Come, then. We'll get something to eat on the way home." She turned, leading Odette through the bustling crowd and out toward the exit. "There's a lot for us to catch up on."

As they walked, Odette took in the sights around her, letting the city's vibrant energy wash over her. Tokyo was unlike anything she'd ever experienced.

The streets were alive with people, a blend of modern and traditional, neon signs casting colorful glows over buildings that stood side by side with shrines and temples. It felt like stepping into another world.

They climbed into a taxi, and as the car pulled away from the airport, Odette glanced out the window, her heart racing with anticipation. She stole a glance at her grandmother, who sat quietly beside her, a serene expression on her face. There was a calmness to her that Odette envied, a sense of wisdom that came from a life lived with purpose.

"Grandma Mo," Odette began, hesitating for a moment. "Momma said... she said you'd teach me. About... everything."

Mana turned to her, her eyes soft but serious. "Yes, Odette. That's why you're here. Our family... we have a responsibility, one that's been passed down for generations. Your mother knew that you needed guidance, and she knew that only I could give it to you."

Odette swallowed, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her hoodie. "And what exactly does that mean? Being here, learning from you... what am I supposed to do?"

Mana reached over, placing a gentle hand on Odette's. "It means understanding who you are, who we are. The Monroè family has always walked the line between worlds, guiding spirits, and protecting the balance. It's a path that requires strength, discipline, and sacrifice. You have a gift, Odette—a gift that needs to be nurtured, and shaped. That's what I'm here to help you with."

Odette's gaze dropped, her mind racing with questions. "So... all of this, it's real? Spirits, powers... everything?"

"Yes," Mana replied simply, her tone unwavering. "It's as real as you and me sitting here. The world you've known is only a fraction of what exists. There's a whole realm beyond what most people can see, and we must understand it, to respect it."

Odette took a deep breath, nodding slowly. She'd always sensed there was more, something beyond the everyday life she'd known. Her mother had hinted at it and shared glimpses of their family's legacy, but hearing it from her grandmother, seeing the conviction in her eyes, made it feel tangible, undeniable.

They fell into a comfortable silence, and Odette let her thoughts drift, absorbing the weight of her grandmother's words. She didn't fully understand what lay ahead, but there was a part of her that felt ready, even eager, to face it.

The taxi eventually pulled up in front of a traditional Japanese house, nestled in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by trees and the faint sound of a distant stream. The Monroè Family Shrine stood just beyond the house, its silhouette peaceful yet powerful against the darkening sky.

As they stepped out, Odette took a deep breath, feeling the cool evening air fill her lungs. This place felt different from anything she'd ever known, a world away from Florida, but there was something about it that felt... right.

Mana led her inside, and Odette looked around, taking in the delicate paper screens, the wooden floors, and the faint scent of incense that lingered in the air. The house was both foreign and familiar, a place of history and secrets, but also a home, her new home.

"Come," Mana said, leading her to a small room with a low table and cushions. They settled in, and Mana poured tea, her movements precise and graceful, a ritual that seemed to carry meaning with each gesture.

Odette sipped her tea, feeling its warmth spread through her, grounding her. She glanced at her grandmother, who was watching her with a steady, patient gaze.

"This journey won't be easy, Odette," Mana said softly. "But you're stronger, stronger than you know. And I'll be here, guiding you, every step of the way."

Odette met her grandmother's eyes, feeling a surge of determination. She didn't know what the future held, but she was ready to find out, ready to embrace the legacy that was hers.

"I'm ready, Grandma Mo," she said, her voice steady. "Whatever it takes."

Mana smiled, a quiet pride shining in her eyes. "Then let's begin."

The smell of fresh basil and melted mozzarella filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of incense that lingered from earlier. Odette watched her grandmother in awe as she worked in the kitchen, her movements calm and practiced, each gesture carrying a grace that spoke of years of experience.

Mana was making Odette's favorite meal—lobster capellini with fresh mozzarella—a dish her mother had made for special occasions back home. The rich, savory scent of the tomatoes, herbs, and pasta bubbling away in the pan brought Odette a sense of comfort and familiarity amidst this foreign environment.

"You remembered," Odette murmured, a smile tugging at her plump lips as she took a seat at the small kitchen table.

Mana looked over her shoulder, a soft smile gracing her face. "Of course I did. It was the first dish your mother taught me to make. She made it sound like it was a recipe passed down for generations." Her chuckle was warm as if recalling a memory. "Turns out, she just saw it on a cooking show. But she always did know how to make it feel special."

Odette laughed, shaking her head. "That sounds like Momma. She'd always make it with extra mozzarella for me."

Mana nodded, turning back to stir the sauce. "Well, I'll be sure to add extra mozzarella, just like she did." There was a brief pause as she tasted the sauce, adjusting the seasoning before continuing. "Your mother's always had a talent for making the ordinary extraordinary, even in the kitchen. It's one of her gifts."

As the meal came together, Odette felt a strange sense of calm. This was the kind of moment she'd missed with her grandmother—the quiet, everyday exchanges that somehow carried a weight of love and legacy.

But beneath the warmth, there was a lingering question that weighed on her mind, and as Mana brought the steaming plates to the table, she couldn't hold it back any longer.

"Grandma Mo..." Odette started, hesitating as she picked up her fork. "I know Momma has... abilities. And now you're telling me that I have them too. But... what exactly does that mean?"

Mana settled into her seat across from Odette, folding her hands in her lap as she regarded her granddaughter with a gentle, thoughtful expression. "I was wondering when you'd ask," she said softly.

She took a slow breath, as though gathering her thoughts, and began. "A soul reaper is someone who acts as a bridge between worlds. We must guide lost souls—those who cannot find their way on their own—and help maintain the balance between life and death."

Odette's gaze was fixed on her grandmother, her fork forgotten. "So... you're saying we guide spirits? Like... taking them to the afterlife?"

"Yes," Mana replied, her voice calm but serious. "It's not just about guiding, though. There are different kinds of spirits. Some are peaceful, merely lost or confused, while others..." Her expression darkened slightly. "Others are angry, bitter, even dangerous. Those spirits can disrupt the balance, and cause harm. It's our responsibility to ensure they don't."

Odette nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her grandmother's words sink in. "And... Momma, she can do this too?"

Mana's lips curved into a small, proud smile. "Your mother has the gift, yes, though her talents lean toward something different. She has the ability to communicate with spirits, sense them, and guide them gently. But she chose not to pursue the full training of a soul reaper. She wanted a different path, a life that allowed her to be with you, to raise you in peace."

Odette absorbed this, a slight pang of guilt flickering in her chest. She'd never truly understood the sacrifices her mother had made or the choices she'd faced. "So... what does it take to become a soul reaper?"

Mana leaned forward, her gaze intense. "It takes discipline, training, and above all, respect for the forces you're working with. You'll learn to manipulate energy, to see beyond the physical, and to interact with the spirit world. But it's not a power to be used lightly. Every action has consequences, and as a soul reaper, you'll bear the responsibility of those consequences."

The enormity of it hit Odette all at once. She'd expected something mysterious, something powerful, but hearing it laid out in her grandmother's calm, steady voice made it feel real, almost overwhelming. "And... what about the family shrine? Momma mentioned it was important, but she didn't go into detail."

Mana's gaze softened, and she gestured toward the window where the shrine's silhouette could be seen against the evening sky. "The Monroè Family Shrine is sacred to our lineage. It's a place where the boundaries between worlds are thin, a place where we can communicate with the spirits of our ancestors. The shrine is both a sanctuary and a training ground, a place where you'll learn and practice the arts that have been passed down through generations."

Odette felt a shiver run through her, a strange mix of excitement and trepidation. "So... I'll be learning all of this? From you?"

"Yes, but not just from me." Mana's smile turned slightly mischievous. "There are others who will help guide you along the way. At the end of this week, we'll visit an old friend of mine, Seiko Ayase. She's a well-known spirit medium, and I think you'll find her perspective enlightening. She has a way of making things... interesting."

Odette raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A spirit medium? So, she can communicate with...?"

"With the dead, yes," Mana confirmed. "And much more. She has a connection to the spiritual realm that few possess, and her insights will be valuable for you."

Odette tried to take it all in, the new world she was stepping into feeling larger and more complex with every word. There was so much she didn't know, so much she had yet to understand. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, and she stifled a yawn, her eyelids feeling unexpectedly heavy.

Mana chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Overwhelmed?"

Odette managed a small smile. "A little. I guess I didn't realize... how much there was."

Mana reached across the table, giving Odette's hand a reassuring squeeze. "We have time, my dear. You don't have to learn everything all at once. For now, just focus on adjusting, and settling in. The rest will come."

Odette nodded, feeling a sense of relief at her grandmother's words. She glanced down at her plate, realizing she'd barely touched her food, and took a bite, savoring the familiar flavors. The meal was warm and comforting, grounding her in the moment, and as she ate, she felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders.

As they finished dinner, Mana set down her chopsticks, her expression turning thoughtful once more. "One more thing, Odette," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "You'll be attending Kami High School while you're here. It's important for you to continue your education, both in the academic sense and in our family's tradition."

Odette looked up, surprised. "Kami High? That's... where I'll be going?"

"Yes," Mana replied. "It's a good school, and it will allow you to meet others, to understand the culture here. You must find balance, that you learn to navigate both worlds—yours and ours."

Odette nodded slowly, feeling a strange sense of anticipation mixed with nervousness. The idea of starting at a new school, in a new country, was daunting, but there was also a thrill to it—a chance to reinvent herself, to embrace this new chapter.

After dinner, Mana helped Odette carry her bags to her room, a cozy space with traditional shoji screens, soft tatami mats, and a futon that was already laid out for her.

A small table with a delicate vase of flowers sat by the window, and the view overlooked the garden and shrine, the moon casting a silver glow over the landscape.

Odette set her things down, taking in the quiet beauty of the room. It was simple, but there was a warmth to it, a sense of belonging she hadn't expected.

Mana placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. "This is your home now, Odette. Rest well. Tomorrow, we begin."

Odette nodded, her heart filled with a quiet determination. As she settled onto the futon, exhaustion finally catching up with her, she felt the weight of the day begin to melt away.

She closed her eyes, listening to the soft rustling of the trees outside, and let herself drift, comforted by the knowledge that she was exactly where she was meant to be.