⇲ 𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐎𝐄 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘    〉 𝐉𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐍 !
XXXX.      ✿      CIRCA JUNE 2012.
𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞
SWV.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Sunlight streamed through Odette's window, landing squarely on her face, pulling her from the depths of a disoriented sleep. She squinted, groaning as she threw a hand over her eyes, shielding herself from the unwelcome brightness. The cool, airy calm of the room felt like a stark contrast to her warm, dream-laden state, leaving her exposed and mildly irritated.

She sat up slowly, her vibrant red hair falling around her shoulders in disarray. Reaching up, she ran a hand through the strands and winced as her fingers caught on knots. "Shit... I forgot to put on my scarf," she mumbled, giving her head a gentle, self-chiding slap. Her normally sleek hair was now a wild halo of frizz and rebellious curls, poking out in every direction.

Yawning, she stretched her arms and glanced around her room. The soft tatami mats beneath her feet and the quiet simplicity of the space reminded her just how far she was from home. Her phone buzzed softly on the side table, pulling her attention. She checked the time, realizing with a pang of guilt that she'd slept in.

Slipping out of bed, she padded to the small kitchen area, where a note from her grandmother awaited her on the counter:

Good morning, Odette. I've gone to register you for school and pick up your uniform. I'll also be getting some groceries. Spend some time getting to know the shrine and the city—you'll need it. Remember to meditate and keep a clear mind. I'll see you later.

Odette smiled, feeling a surge of warmth at her grandmother's familiar, no-nonsense handwriting. She texted her parents and a few friends back in Florida, letting them know she'd arrived safely, then set the phone aside, preparing herself for the day. After a quick breakfast, she showered, taking extra time to tame her frizzy hair back to its signature, silky red.

She dressed in a black cropped hoodie paired with stretchy, graphic joggers that hugged her form comfortably. The joggers featured striking red accents, matching the vivid tone of her hair and giving her look a sharp edge. Her fluffy knee-high boots completed the outfit.

She brushed on her makeup with precision, focusing on her bold brows and voluminous lashes, a bright highlight under her eyes to give her a lifted, radiant look. A nude gloss brought out the natural fullness of her lips, and with a final glance in the mirror, she nodded approvingly. This was her—a mix of glamour and grit, bold and unapologetic.

Her stomach growled softly, reminding her she hadn't eaten much for breakfast. With the city stretching out just beyond the shrine, she decided to take her grandmother's advice and explore a bit.

Once she was ready, she slipped her phone into her pocket and stepped out, breathing in the fresh, crisp morning air. The city was alive with energy, a mix of tradition and modernity that buzzed around her like a melody.

She made her way through the winding streets of Kamigoe City, her steps carrying her deeper into the blend of temples, modern storefronts, and clusters of cherry blossom trees.

Her first stop was a small clothing store she'd noticed on her way into town the previous day. The storefront was unassuming, but the racks inside held treasures—fabrics in rich colors and textures, clothes that were a unique mix of styles she hadn't seen back in the States.

She wandered through the aisles, her fingers brushing over soft sweaters, edgy graphic tees, and stylish pants. A pair of black pants with red stitching caught her eye. The material was stretchy, fitted, and would go perfectly with the boots she had on.

After grabbing the pants, she moved over to a display of dresses. She typically went for a more edgy look, but one particular dress, a soft pastel pink with an off-the-shoulder neckline, somehow felt like it belonged in her new wardrobe. She held it up to her body, examining herself in the mirror, before nodding in approval. Maybe she could mix things up a little in Japan.

She ended up with a few items: the black pants, the pink dress, and a set of cropped tees with edgy designs that suited her perfectly. At the counter, she chatted briefly with the shopkeeper, her limited Japanese enough to make a basic conversation.

The shopkeeper, an elderly woman with a kind smile, complimented her red hair, and Odette thanked her with a bashful grin, feeling a sense of warmth in the interaction.

With her new clothes in hand, she continued her exploration of the city. The sights and sounds around her felt like an adventure, each street corner revealing something new—a small, traditional tea shop, a bustling arcade filled with teenagers, a street artist sketching portraits. She took it all in, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Eventually, the smell of something sweet and savory drew her to a small food stall nestled between two larger buildings. The sign advertised "deep-fried donuts," a treat she'd never heard of but was more than willing to try. She ordered one, watching as the vendor dipped the dough in hot oil, pulling it out golden and crispy, then dusting it with powdered sugar.

Odette took a bite, and her eyes widened. The donut was warm, with a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy inside that melted on her tongue. She let out a small sound of delight, savoring the unfamiliar taste. She'd had donuts before, sure, but nothing like this.

The vendor laughed at her reaction, clearly pleased with her enjoyment.

As she walked away from the stall, still munching on the donut, she felt her phone buzz. It was a reminder from her grandmother's note to take some time exploring the shrine grounds, meditating, and familiarizing herself with her surroundings.

But she still had one more place she wanted to check out before heading back—the bookstore.

The bookstore was tucked away down a narrow alley, its sign worn but inviting. Inside, the smell of old paper and ink filled the air, and rows upon rows of books were packed into every corner of the shop. Odette browsed through the sections, her fingers trailing over spines and covers as she took in the variety of titles.

She found herself gravitating toward a section on the supernatural—books about spirits, hauntings, and Japanese folklore.

One particular book caught her eye: The Spirits of Kamigoe City: Legends and Mysteries. She added it to her growing pile, which also included a book on meditation techniques and a Japanese-to-English dictionary that she figured would come in handy.

At the counter, the shopkeeper looked over her purchases, nodding approvingly. "You have an interest in spirits?" he asked, his voice gruff but kind.

Odette nodded. "It's... a family thing, I guess," she replied, not sure how much to explain. "My grandmother has a shrine here."

The shopkeeper's eyes sparkled with intrigue, and he smiled knowingly. "Ah, then you must be the new keeper of the Monroè Shrine."

Odette felt a spark of pride at his words. "Something like that," she said, grinning. "Still getting the hang of things."

He nodded, placing her books in a small cloth bag. "Take care of the shrine. It's a place of great importance."

With a respectful nod, Odette thanked him and left the store, the bag of books swinging at her side. She made her way back to the shrine, her heart light with the thrill of the morning's adventures. By the time she reached the shrine gates, the afternoon sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard.

She was about to head inside when she noticed someone standing at the entrance, a book held up close to his face as he muttered to himself.

A boy, maybe an inch shorter than her, with thick-rimmed glasses perched on his nose and a book held up to his face. He seemed completely absorbed, muttering to himself as his eyes scanned the pages, his fingers drumming a nervous beat against the book's spine.

Curious, Odette walked up to him, tapping his shoulder lightly. He flinched, snapping the book shut and looking up at her with wide, startled eyes. His cheeks turned pink, and he stammered, clearly flustered.

She noticed his glasses first—they had a slight smudge on one lens, and he pushed them up with a quick, awkward gesture, trying to regain his composure.

"Uh... hi," he managed, looking both shy and captivated. "I, um... didn't realize anyone else was here."

Odette raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, it is a shrine. People tend to show up. You here for the... paranormal research or something?" She nodded toward the book in his hand, the title emblazoned across the cover: Paranormal Events of Kamigoe City.

"Oh, uh, yeah," he stammered, pushing his glasses up again. "I, uh... I've always been interested in this stuff. Heard there was a shrine here, thought I'd take a look around, but it was closed when I got here..."

Odette chuckled, finding his awkwardness strangely endearing. "Lucky you, then. I just got back from shopping. I'm Odette, by the way." She extended a hand, her smile widening as she watched him struggle to process the situation.

He blinked, then shook her hand, his grip surprisingly warm despite his nervousness. "Ken... Ken Takakura." He looked down, cheeks flushing even more. "Are... are you the owner?"

"Technically, it's my family's," Odette replied with a gleam in her eyes. "My grandma runs it, but she left me in charge while she's out. So, I guess that makes me the... keeper, for now."

Ken's eyes widened with interest, and he adjusted his glasses again, this time out of excitement rather than nerves. "That's... really cool. I mean, a family shrine, with history and everything. And you're... y'know, the keeper?" He looked like he was on the verge of geeking out, and Odette couldn't help but be charmed by it.

"Yeah," she replied, gesturing for him to follow her inside. "Want a tour? I can show you around."

Ken nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing on his feet as he followed her. They walked through the grounds, Odette explaining bits and pieces of the shrine's history as Ken listened intently, his eyes gleaming with fascination.

He asked questions—more than she could keep up with at times—but his curiosity was genuine, and Odette found herself enjoying the conversation, feeling a kinship with him she hadn't expected.

They eventually reached the training dojo, a smaller building nestled near the edge of the property, surrounded by towering trees that cast dappled shadows across the ground. Inside, the air was cooler, tinged with the faint scent of incense, and Ken looked around, his mouth open in awe.

"This is... incredible," he breathed, running his fingers along one of the wooden pillars. "I've read about places like this, but I never thought I'd actually see one. You're... really lucky to have something like this."

Odette shrugged, a soft smile on her lips. "Guess I never really thought of it that way. But yeah... it's special."

Ken turned to her, an eager glint in his eye. "Do you... do you actually train here? Like, with spiritual stuff?"

"Something like that," Odette replied, feeling a mix of pride and uncertainty. She wasn't fully trained, not yet, but she was willing to try. Especially with an audience, even if it was just one cute boy who happened to be into the same stuff as her.

Ken, emboldened by the setting, dared to say, "Think you could... show me? Maybe just... meditate or try to unlock something?"

Odette hesitated, feeling a flicker of doubt, but Ken's eager gaze pushed her forward. "Alright," she replied with a smirk. "But don't blame me if something weird happens."

Ken grinned, taking a step back to give her space. "Trust me, I'd love to see 'weird.'"

Odette settled onto the mat in the center of the dojo, closing her eyes and drawing a deep breath. She focused on calming her mind, on letting her energy flow freely. For a while, nothing happened, and she could sense Ken's anticipation beginning to wane. But just as he started to deflate, she felt something shift.

A faint, pulsing energy stirred within her, and she concentrated on it, letting it build. A tingling warmth spread through her, and she felt a strange sensation—like a weight lifting from her chest, like she was somehow becoming lighter.

Ken gasped softly, and she opened her eyes, catching a glimpse of a black and red aura flickering around her. A skull-like mask began to form over the upper part of her face, casting an eerie, shadowed glow across her features. Her body lifted off the mat, hovering just inches above the ground.

Ken's eyes widened, and he stepped forward, alarmed. "Odette! Are... are you okay?" His voice wavered with a mixture of awe and fear, but he didn't back away.

Odette felt her consciousness drifting, like she was somewhere between reality and a dream. She could hear Ken's voice faintly, and she struggled to focus on it, to ground herself. Suddenly, the energy surged, and she felt a jolt, her body snapping back to the ground.

Ken lunged forward, catching her clumsily as she fell. She blinked, her eyes wide, gasping for air as if she'd surfaced from the depths of an ocean. The weight of the experience settled over her, but Ken's warm, steadying presence kept her grounded.

"You... you were floating," he whispered, his voice a mixture of awe and disbelief. "That was... incredible."

Odette took a deep breath, steadying herself as she looked up at him, a smile breaking through her exhaustion. "Guess I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, huh?"