9. Imperial City

Higurashi watched the back of the running young man. 'The Peeping Tom…'

"He knows you Machida?" Higurashi had already stopped walking when Akira bumped into Machida's shoulder. After seeing the running man away he asked Machida. It was a question but it sounds more like a statement. He was sharp enough to see the young man's small reaction earlier when he saw Machida.

Machida suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. He felt a little weird upon thinking what could be the reason. He sharply looked around secretly for a possible danger. Upon making sure that no enemies were around, he answered Higurashi's question.

"I saw him on the train yesterday sir. To be exact he kinda saved me." Machida seriously stated.

"Heh..so your life now is indebted to him huh?" 

"Ah no sir. He helped me because I had also helped him unintentionally. So it could be said that we are now even." Machida explained hurriedly but on how he had helped that monkey boy he will not explain the exact detail.

Higurashi then continued walking without commenting on Machida's explanation.

Akira on the other side was finally inside the plane. Looking out through the window where he could see a private plane on the other far side lost in thought.

The plane soon departed and he somehow felt a little bit emotional inside. Taking a deep sigh, he settled his emotion.

Before noon, Akira's flight landed at Imperial City International Airport. He first went to a telephone booth and dialed Hamada's landline number.

In the Hamada residence, the old couple were very unsettled as they were waiting for news. They had seen the incident last night on the tv news. Seeing the tragic image of the train on the tv made them pale in great worries. Since last night, the couple have not been able to sleep and keep waiting for Akira's news. The couple were in this state when the telephone rang.

The couple looked at each other, nervousness could be seen clearly on their faces. The old man then took the phone to answer.

'Hamada residence hello?' Akira heard a  slightly trembling voice of an old man after a few rings.

"Grandpa, it's me." Akira suddenly felt how worried the old couple must have been. He forgot to call them in the morning. They must have heard the news about the incident already.

'Akira-kun? You alright?' Grandpa Hamada finally felt relief after hearing the young man's voice.

'Is it Akira-kun? Thank goodness!' Grandma Hamada even sounded by the side. Which made Akira smile unknowingly.

"Yeah, I am alright grandpa. I just arrived in Imperial City. I'm in a telephone booth right now inside the airport."

'Good, good. It's good to hear that you are alright.'

"I am sorry I did not call you soon. My phone broke and I am in a haste this morning to catch my flight."

'It is okay. The important thing is that you called and that you are alright.' 

"Hmm. Please tell grandma not to worry. I'll hang up now."

'Okay.'

With plain black jeans, a thin white printed shirt, top on with a light brown cotton jacket, black and white sport shoes and white headphones on his head, Akira stepped out from the airport with a black backpack and a black hand carry bag. He called a taxi that would bring him to the residence address that was left to him by his late grandfather located in Area D.

"To this place please." Akira handed the taxi driver a piece of paper for him to read the exact address.

Akira watched outside the taxi window as it ran at minimum speed. Sometimes it would stop in the traffic light then continue moving. This scenario repeated a few times before they entered a residence area. The taxi turned to the first block and ran a few minutes before it stopped in front of a 10 meters high wall that was made of stone with vibrant all seasons shrubs planted in alignment to the wall outside. Green trimmed grasses were also growing on the walls with some thorny crawling vines. The big gate was made of expensive and sturdy black colored wood. Two big traditional styled lamps were hung up on both sides of the gates. The #28 written in bold and golden color can be seen on the stone post between the small gate and the big gate.

In one look, one could say that the owner of this place is quite rich.

Akira was also surprised upon seeing the place. This residence was very different from the other residences that they had passed. The wall and gate alone could  tell the big difference.