Kagari wakes up, late as always. As he exits the bedroom, he catches a glimpse of something. He goes on to check it out. Beside the couch lay a necklace.
I got this from my grandfather... I knew it. She tried to steal from me. Must've slipped her hands as I tackled her.
He puts it back in the drawer. Still... I wonder what her deal is. Could she be homeless? I doubt it. There's something odd about her.
He stretches. I won't overthink it. She should be well on her way by now. We might never meet again.
He gets ready for the day. First thing on his mind is doing a store run. He brushes his teeth, showers and gets dressed. As he's ready to leave, his mom walks in.
"You're still skipping breakfast?"
Kagari sighs. "You scolding me every day won't change that. I don't have an appetite at this hour."
"It's 2PM."
"You know what I mean. I just woke up."
"Alright, I won't mention it again."
She will.
"Want something?"
"I'll come with if you wait."
Kagari thinks about it. "Fine. We can grab more with your car."
"Will you ever get a license?"
"Probably not."
She sighs. "You shouldn't let one incident rule the rest of your life. It wasn't your fault."
"I know. It's not that. I just hate driving."
"That's fine. Honestly, I'd rather know you safe."
They head out some time later. The weather is still cold. It will rain again.
While heading toward the car, Kagari stops in his tracks. Why does it feel like I'm being watched?
He turns to his mom. "Did you lock the door?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Can we double check?"
She sighs. "If it makes you feel better."
They step back up. Emika puts the key in the lock, but Kagari stops her.
"What is it?"
"Please wait."
He takes his shoes off and heads in. What is this boy thinking?
He goes in the drawer and pulls out the necklace. He pockets it and heads out again.
"We can go now."
Emika locks the door.
They head back down and enter the car. I still feel uneasy.
They begin driving. Kagari keeps his eyes open, checking the rearview mirror constantly. Doesn't look like we're being followed. Then why do I feel like we are?
"Kagari."
Am I going insane?
"Kagari."
Are my senses fooling me?
"KAGARI!"
He snaps out of it. "What?"
"Are you listening to me?"
"Yes?"
She sighs. "I was asking you where we're going."
He looks out the window. "Your choice."
"Fine. Whatever's closest." What's going on in his head?
They pull up to a nearby supermarket. They step outside the car and begin toward the entrance.
Emika worries. "Are you okay? You keep looking around."
"I'm fine. Thought I saw someone I know."
"In all directions?"
He stays silent. They make it inside.
Emika points to the fruit section. "Let's get some strawberries. A friend told me they're the best in the city."
"Yeah."
Inertia keeps him moving, following his mom.
Then, a stranger bumps into him. "Oh! I apologize!"
"Don't worry."
As the stranger moves past him, Kagari's stomach drops. Did he just...?
With no hesitation, he lunges toward the guy, grabs him, trips him over and pins him to the ground.
His mom turns around upon hearing the impact. "Kagari! What's gotten into you?"
He doesn't speak. Instead, he goes in the stranger's pocket and pulls out a necklace.
"This seems familiar. Do you know why?"
The thief squirms. "I'm sorry! I'm starving out here."
Why do I feel like he's lying? He seems well put together. Wait, what's that behind his ear?
He stares closely. Is that a tattoo? Why do I...
His mom comes closer, shouting. "Is that your grandfather's? Did he steal it from you? I'll call the police!"
Kagari sits up, letting the thief go. "That's too bothersome. It's fine, I got it back."
She grabs him by his shoulders. "It's not fine! Guys like him need to be punished or they never learn!"
Kagari takes her hands off him. "They never learn anyway. Let's not make a hassle out of this, please. He's gone already."
She's still angry, but gives in. "I can't believe you. Fine, have it your way... but so what if he's gone? They've got cameras!"
He sighs. "Again, that's too bothersome. Let's drop this, please."
She complies. Begrudgingly.
They spend half an hour browsing and adding items to their cart, a time during which Kagari remains hyper-aware. They sit in line until the cashier begins scanning their products. Her scanning rhythm seems off.
They load up the trunk and take off.
As she's driving, Emika lets out a big sigh. "Alright, what's going on?"
"Nothing serious."
"Stop dodging. Please tell me. Maybe I can help."
Kagari keeps staring out the window. Silent, reserved. I don't wanna worry her, but not telling her might be even dumber. She needs to know the danger we might be in.
He inhales deeply and exhales. "I have this unshakeable feeling since we left."
"What feeling?"
"That I'm being watched. That we're being watched. I could be paranoid, but this never happened before."
A look of worry forms on her face as he goes on. "The man that bumped into me... there's something odd about him."
"He seemed too well-put together to be a thief, right?"
Kagari looks to her. "Exactly. You thought about it too."
She smiles. "Where do you think you got the smarts from?"
He smiles back, but says nothing. Emika continues. "Do you think he targeted the necklace specifically?"
The question shocks him. "Why... how would you even think of that? Is there something I should know?"
Emika sighs. "There's a lot to talk about. Let's get home."