Chapter 2 - Two Mysterious Strangers

On October 30, 2019, Miyuki had been attending university classes with her friend Yumiko since early morning. Time passed pleasantly for her, as always, because Miyuki truly felt called to be a social worker and each university lesson prepared her for this task. She absorbed the knowledge with great curiosity, but not only for good results - Miyuki simply wanted to learn all this and was interested in every word of the professors.

Yumiko was also interested in learning, maybe not as much as Miyuki did, but still. However, that day she was extremely distracted, flirting from a distance with one of the colleagues from the course, who sat several places behind them. He was not a new student, but rarely attended classes, which was why he caught Yumiko's eye only now, and this guy was very much of her type - well built, tall, with black eyes and hair, darker skin, and with very masculine face features. Surprisingly, among musicians, Yumiko liked different types of men, even quite different from this guy, such as Aoi Takashima, who was tall, skinny and pale, but in reality she only dated guys like that college friend from their courses.

- Idols are idols, they can even look feminine, use makeup if their work image requires it, as long as they make good music.- Yumiko used to say, explaining this to Miyuki, no matter if her friend was interested in it or not.- Musicians are like works of art, and that's how I look at them. I listen and admire, but I would never touch, because that's not what they are for. That's why I'm pissed off by all those psycho-fans who dream of a date with their idol. And I say that if they had to hide in corners from paparazzi for a while, they would immediately regret dating someone famous.- she made it clear.- I prefer to date real guys that I can touch and I don't have to share them with millions of horny female fans. Besides, I have my favorite type, which is hard to find among artists.- added Yumiko at the end.

That day, right after class, Miyuki and Yumiko went to a bar that was located near the university and was popular with students, to work on their afternoon shift.

- Miyuki.- Yumiko turned to her when they had a moment of rest.- Today I will have to leave work early, I already notified the boss...- she began, looking at her apologetically.

- You mean I'll have to go back alone? In the darkness?- Miyuki asked in disbelief and with a little fear.

- Unfortunately yes. Forgive me, honey, but this guy, Hoshi, from our class, asked me on a date today.- Yumiko explained.- You know how I like him so I can't miss this opportunity. He's perfectly perfect, exactly my type when it comes to looks. Now I have to see if it will be the same with the personality.- she spoke excitedly, and Miyuki, looking at her, couldn't take that chance from her friend.

- Okay, got it. Then go ahead and don't worry about me, I'll be fine somehow.- Miyuki said after a moment.- After all, it's not the first time that I go alone at night. Since so far nothing has happened to me, it will probably also be so now.- she added like a spell, mainly to calm herself.

- That's the spirit!- Yumiko patted her shoulder appreciatively.- You can't let the fear control you forever. Besides, remember what I told you. People are real monsters and they not always hide in the dark, but you can defend yourself against them, after all, we both finished the self-defense course they organized at the university a year ago, remember?- she continued in a slightly more serious tone.- You can do it, you're already a big girl, Miyuki. I believe in you.- Yumiko added with a slight smile.

- You know what, you're right. Thank you very much.- Miyuki replied and smiled as well, before giving her friend a little hug, then they both went back to work.

~~~~~~~~~

This time Yumiko went out to collect orders, and Miyuki stayed at the bar, taking care of its eastern wing intended for fans of more traditional drinks, because the western one, the kingdom of unconventional connections, was handled by the main bartender, Ryosuke Sakai, called by everyone The Wonderful Ryo, because he was very talented at bartending tricks and knew many different drinks. He was of medium height, well built, with pale skin, brown eyes, and hair always dyed in some strange color, from red to orange and green to blue, one time he even had silver hair or white as well. Overall, Ryo was a crazy guy despite approaching his 30s, being already 28, but still acting like a teenager. He was a charming flirt, popular with the women visiting the bar, both young students, as well as older ones, even those well over 40. Ryo "charmed" every woman that caught his eye, regardless of age, and more than once took one of them to his apartment for a quickie. In this aspect, Ryosuke resembled Miyuki a slightly crazier version of Yumiko's brother, who was also a womanizer, but certainly in a more polished form.

Ryo led a life like a rock star, or at least a stereotypical one - he did not shy away from alcohol or other things, including drugs, women and strong music. He and Yumiko shared the fact that they were Aoi Takashima's fans, but Yumiko avoided long conversations with Ryo anyway - once she let him talk her into a quickie in the bar restroom right after work - and, as she said, one time with him was enough for her.

Miyuki, on the other hand, strongly rejected Ryo's advances, as she had no intention of losing her virginity to someone like him. He, however, did not give up, guessing that Miyuki was still untouched, which, as Ryo himself said, turned him on incredibly. Luckily today Ryosuke was very busy in his bar wing and surrounded by a wreath of admirers, so he didn't even have time to tease Miyuki, much to her delight.

- One sake, please.- a pleasant male voice broke her out of her thoughts. Miyuki looked at the man who sat down on a high stool by the bar, right in front of her. He had broad shoulders, black hair cut short, black eyes and fairly delicate but still very masculine face features.

- Of course, I'm serving now.- she confirmed quickly, preparing the alcohol and a glass. From the corner of her eye, Miyuki watched the stranger even more closely, who didn't look like your typical bar-goer. The man had nicely styled hair, was wearing a beige sweater with a white shirt underneath, also had a very pretty, well-groomed hands and nails.

- I'm sorry if this would sound rude, but...- Miyuki began rather shyly, handing the man a glass of alcohol.- You don't seem like someone who goes to places like this a lot.- she finally confessed, causing the stranger's slight amusement.

- You are very perceptive, miss.- the man said, watching her with his black eyes that sparkled.- Yes, I don't go to bars, but today I made an exception because I heard from my friend who works at the university that a very talented student works here.- he continued, causing Miyuki's face to be surprised.- My name is Kai Ichatashiko, I am a psychologist and, as strange as it sounds, also a close friend of your professor, Mr. Taniguchi.- he added at the end.

- Really?- that was all Miyuki was able to choke out, surprised by what he said, because professor Taniguchi was already in his 50's and this man was certainly no more than 30 years old.

- Yes, really.- Kai nodded.- Your name is Miyuki Sakurai, right?- he asked after a moment.

- That's right.- Miyuki replied, slightly tense.- But why...- she wanted to ask something.

- Professor Taniguchi told me you were afraid of the dark.- Kai cut in on her word.- He asked me to talk to you and try to get into therapy. You know, it's better to get rid of such fears.- he explained, then emptied his glass in one gulp, wincing a bit later. Then he reached into the pocket of elegant trousers, which were the color of coffee and milk, and pulled out a wallet with one of his business cards out of it, he put it on the bar counter and moved towards Miyuki with two fingers.- Think carefully about it, and if you will be interested, call me and we will arrange the first visit.- Kai added with a smile.

- Ah, I don't know if I can afford a visit in a private doctor's office...- Miyuki began to speak again, carefully taking the card and looking at it.

- Don't worry, I don't take a lot. I help people who cannot afford expensive therapy, I even work with a foundation that partially finances everything.- Kai interrupted her again, taking two notes from his wallet and putting them on the counter as well.- That's for sake, keep the change, it's a tip.- he added, then slowly rose from his high bar stool.

Miyuki looked at him in surprise, and as he stood up, she could see that he was very tall and had very long legs.

- Thank you very much for your generosity.- she said after a moment.- I will consider your proposal.- Miyuki added.

- Remember, you should find the light within you.- Kai added at the end, smiling mysteriously, then quickly disappeared in the crowd of people, heading towards the exit of the bar.

Miyuki was struck by these words and only then did she realize that Kai Ichatashiko had some strange light within him... Similar, if not the same, as the one her grandmother had.

~~~~~~~~~

About an hour before closing, Yumiko slowly began to gather to go, but was stopped for a few more minutes by the music video that was being played on the TV set above the bar. It was the newest song by Aoi Takashima, whose popularity has grown more and more recently. There weren't many people left in a bar, so it was possible to enjoy the screening, besides, many people in the room and at the bar also watched the music video with attention.

- Isn't he a great artist? Aoi is not pretending, he expresses himself freely...- Yumiko sighed, leaning against the bar counter, and Ryo was standing right next to her, also staring at the screen as if enchanted.

- This dude is fucking awesome. I love his hard, edgy music and dark, crazy image.- Ryo summed up his praise.

- Well, the music is okay, but the video is a bit too controversial for my taste.- Miyuki spoke up before turning her full attention to wiping the counter with a cloth.

- You know what, you are really boring at times.- Ryosuke shot her a disappointed look.

Yumiko clenched her hand into a fist and slapped him quite hard on the shoulder.

- You'd better go back to work.- she said tartly as she walked over to Miyuki, since the music video just ended.

- Well, it's time for me.- Yumiko announced, then hugged her friend.

- Have fun on your date. And thanks.- Miyuki replied, then watched her as she walked from behind the bar into the hall to went out through the main exit.

~~~~~~~~~

An hour later, when the bar closed and cleaned up, Miyuki, along with Ryo and the boss, a slightly fat, bald, short guy in his 50s named Jiro Wada, exited through the back door, which the boss locked at the end. The boss immediately got into the car and drove away, rushing to his wife, who had already called him, while Miyuki was about to go her way when Ryosuke offered her a lift, but she politely refused him.

- You're afraid of the dark, aren't you? Do you really want to go back alone at this hour?- Ryo asked as he followed her for a moment.- I promise that I will do nothing, just give you a lift home.- he assured.

- Sorry, but I don't trust you on that.- Miyuki replied.- Besides, I can really handle it, it's not that far.- she assured.

Hearing this, Ryo finally backed up to the parking lot, got into his car and drove away.

Miyuki walked for another five minutes in relative peace, though she felt scared. Suddenly, however, it intensified when Miyuki heard footsteps behind her, and, glancing back, she saw that was followed by a man in black tracksuits, with a hood pulled tight over his head, and she saw only the outline of his face, covered with an equally black mask. His hands were hidden in his pockets, and eyes were fixed on the pavement. However, Miyuki's heart sped up even more in fear as the man continued to follow her for the next five minutes.