Business as usual [Private]

Language Reference: Japanese/Russian

It has been a little over a couple of years since the silver-haired orphan, Alyssa Mikulich, was adopted by the Fukamori family and brought to Japan after spending much of her life in the Siberian tundras of Russia. Ever since her move to Japan, Alyssa has struggled to adapt to a new landscape, a new language, new culture, and a warmer climate. In comparison to the climate of Northern Russia, Japan might as well be at the equator. But just as soon as she had a new mother; Ryosuke, her brother, and Alyssa moved out to an apartment while their mother took time to herself. Given her lack of understanding of Japanese, which was the only language Ryosuke spoke, they hardly had the opportunity to bond, especially with Alyssa spending much of her time reading books to teach herself the language. In an attempt to strengthen their bonds as well as teach her a bit more about his homeland, Ryosuke had invited Aly out for night on the town. Only problem is… Alyssa got lost.

Alyssa stands at the corner of a street with her sapphire eyes fixated on the street sign slightly above her head. Confusion laces her gentle expression as she tries to decipher the collection of “moon runes” that was Japanese kanji. Her understanding of the language was basic at best and could only speak it, not read the complex symbols of the Japanese alphabet. ”I wish I had landmarks…” The young woman mutters to herself in her native language: Russian.

Her right hand lifts to adjust her crimson beret that sat neatly atop her flowing silver locks, then lowers to adjust her white sleeveless jacket, adorned with a crimson tie that matched her pleated red and black skirt, black thigh high socks and shin-height boots. If her silver hair didn’t already make her look like a foreigner, her sense of style certainly did. Alyssa reaches into the black messenger bag that hung against her left hip for a map of the city that she kept on her at all times, hoping that maybe this street appeared on it and could lead her to the café that Ryosuke had invited her to. While extracting the folded paper from her bag, a curious bystander approaches her, asking if she was lost.

Alyssa turns to address the male with the moon’s gentle light casting a soothing glow against her fair skin, hesitantly nodding her head as nervousness caused by uncertainty about how to respond, ”Uh… Yes… I need to find café…” Alyssa responds, speaking slowly not for his sake, but for her own; simultaneously lifting the map in her hand and points to it.

The man seems to understand Alyssa at first, but pauses in his reply, prompting Alyssa to follow up with a drinking gesture. Instantly, the man understands what she wants and nods his head, taking the map from her hand and marking an “x” on the map where the nearest café was. After handing the map back to her, Alyssa bows her head appreciatively, ”Thank you…" this being one of the few phrases she can say fluently and rushes off down the street, knowing that by now, she was late.

Life in the city was much different than being at an orphanage, in the wilderness, or even in the military school. Everywhere she looked, there was someone walking down the street, a store with someone shouting out sales, someone having a party, someone out on a date, the stars were not as visible as they were in Russia and there weren’t nearly this many buildings. It was a bit overwhelming to say the least and while Alyssa navigates the myriad of streets that lead to the café, a part of her wished that she had been born in Japan rather than Russia so that she wouldn’t need to learn all of this so late in her life. In the end, she believed that Ryosuke could be someone that can help teach her what she needed to know.

Turning the last corner towards the café, Alyssa spots red and blue flashing lights coming from a couple of police vehicles parked outside of a quaint store. At first, Alyssa didn’t think anything of it, but as she drew closer, she spotted the distinctive silver hair of her older brother. She smiles slightly, unaware of what the cause of this police presence was and more focused on getting the night started before it grew too late. Slowing to a brisk walking pace, Alyssa extends a hand over her head to wave and accidentally shouts in Russian, ”Brother! I found you!”