Cityscape Tokyo

By Soul Tsukino

Cityscape Tokyo follows the adventure of adopted siblings Sho and Kyoko Kimmamoro. The brother and sister are normal bickering siblings living with their guardian Rei. When Kyoko enters the hospital, things are turned on their head when the Yamazaki Medical Corporation enters their lives revealing a dark past and long buried secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Soul Tsukino
• Release date: May 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311249661

Soul Tsukino

Soul Tsukino lives in the state of Maine. When not enveloping himself in a new fiction story he also comments on happenings in the animation and Otaku fan scene. A creative writer since he was young, he runs a writing panels for local animation conventions. When not putting words to a page, Soul enjoys Professional Wrestling and historical pop culture.

Book preview

Cityscape Tokyo

by: Soul Tsukino

Smashwords Edition

Published by Soul Tsukino

Edited by: AE

Copyright 2014 Soul Tsukino

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Thank You

About the Author

Thanks

Connect To Me

Chapter 1

It was a chilly October night over the Minato ward of Tokyo. The temperature was unusually cold for this time of year, and it was at its coldest during this early hour of the morning of the 10th of October.

Over the last 25 years Minato had gone through much change. As with any metropolitan district, change was a constant. Businesses had come and gone, and relics of their residence in the city only lasted so long before being taken down or remolded for the newest tenants. Whether it was an embassy, apartment complex, or one of the many high rise office buildings, most of the structures within Minato had been torn down and rebuilt entirely. Many of the buildings that once filled the skyline were gone and replaced by even taller monuments of business high above the people who walked the streets below them.

At the base of these architectural monuments, lay the well maintained highways that wove among every corner of the ward. Even at this early hour there were many late model cars along the roads as many well paid employees drove home from late night shifts. The sounds of traffic were always in the air, especially around the centers of business. Although environmental laws and automotive technology had cut down on the pollution, both in air quality and noise, the presence of the traffic was always noticeable.

One sound that had never left in the last 25 years was the sound blaring from an incoming ambulance. The tone grew in intensity as the emergency vehicle approached the stretch of highway leading towards the large Minato Ward Hospital. The sound had become almost common since the massive hospital complex had been constructed, and tonight the sound once again filled the air. Hearing an approaching vehicle, cars pulled to the side of the road to make a pathway for the vehicle to pass by. The ambulance turned the corner, and as fast as was legally allowed, it sped by the parting traffic heading towards the medical facility.

The ambulance pulled up to the large doors of the hospital. The back door flew open and two technicians carried a stretcher out and towards the door where it was met by a team of nurses and doctors. The crowd of people rushed into the building furiously working over the patient strapped to the stretcher.

As the hospital doors closed a car pulled into the parking lot nearby. The doors opened, and two people rushed into the side door of the emergency room. The man and woman both had concerned looks on their faces as they went up to the registration desk.

We are here for Yuriko Sakai. She just came in on the ambulance, the man stated.

The small receptionist at the desk turned around, grabbed a clipboard and some papers, Please take a seat and fill these out. We will be sure to give you any updates.

The man took the clipboard and nodded. They sat down in a couple of the empty chairs in the nearby seating area.

Emi and Ken Kimmamoro were here for their dear friend, Yuriko. They had been friends for a very long time and were as close as family. They all worked for the Yamazaki Medical Corporation. Emi and Yuriko even worked for the same part of the office together. The two women were overjoyed when they both became pregnant at the same time, with Emi delivering a baby boy only 2 months before.

Tonight, however, was not the trip to the hospital they had expected to take. After receiving a late night call from a weakening Yuriko, they had left their son in the arms of their friend Wally and his daughter Rei before rushing to Yuriko’s home. When they arrived, they were shocked to see their friend on the floor and barely conscious. She was deathly pale. Her eyes had developed a haunting, inhuman green color.

It was that image that swam in the minds of the couple as they filled out the paperwork as quickly as possible before Emi gave the clipboard back to the receptionist. The short woman with glasses and shoulder length hair sat back down, looking into the worried face of her husband.

What happened to her?

Ken took a second to think. I don’t know. She is always so careful.

They held each other’s hand as they sat and waited for any kind of news or update on Yuriko’s condition. Thoughts ran through their heads of any possible complication or condition that could have made their friend so sick.

It was close to half an hour before an elderly doctor came out and approached the couple.

Are you here for Ms. Sakai? he asked gently.

Yes doctor, Ken answered. I am Ken, and this is my wife Emi. How is Yuriko?

They all took a seat.

I’m Dr. Cho, head of emergency medicine. Yuriko came into the hospital with a very faint heartbeat. We did everything we could to save her, but unfortunately she passed away shortly after she arrived.

Emi’s bottom lip curled inward and quivered at the horrible news. Ken just held his breath knowing that wasn’t the end of the news.

Our lead obstetrician, Dr. Yun and I worked very hard, and we were able to deliver a baby girl. She is being examined upstairs, but early signs were good.

Thank goodness, Emi breathed as tears trickled from her eyes.

Dr. Yun will be down later to give you an update on the baby’s condition, but I wanted to ask a few questions.

Ken nodded.

We were alarmed at Yuriko’s condition. She shows signs of a foreign substance that caused a lot of discoloring on her abdominal wall and in her eyes. Was she taking any kind of medications?

Not at all, Emi was quick to answer. She was very careful with what she took. We both worked for the Yamazaki Medical Corporation, but she had been on maternity leave for the last 3 weeks.

The doctor nodded. I see. We will have to run tests before we know what caused such damage to her system.

Can we see her daughter? Ken asked.

Dr. Yun will bring you up to her when she comes down to give you an update on her condition, answered Dr. Cho.

One thing Doctor, Emi said wiping her eye, Yuriko said if she had a daughter she wanted to name her Kyoko. It was her grandmother’s name, and she always loved it.

Dr. Cho gave a comforting smile, I will pass this along to Dr. Yun. She will be please that Yuriko’s daughter now has a name.

She will have a good home. We will take her in, Emi tearfully said. Yuriko would want that. We have a two month old son. We were going to raise our kids together.

Dr. Cho nodded. It’s good to know she’ll have a good home waiting for her when she leaves the hospital. I’ll go give Dr. Yun her information, and she will be down to see you soon.

Thank you, Doctor, Ken said bowing his head.

I’m sorry for your loss, Dr. Cho said bowing to the couple.

Please make sure Kyoko is healthy, Emi pleaded.

She is in great hands with Dr. Yun. She will do everything she can for little Kyoko, Dr. Cho stated with a comforting smile.

Dr. Cho bowed again before leaving the room. Left to themselves for the time being, Ken and Emi looked to each other.

She’s gone Ken. How could this happen?

Ken heaved a big sigh. I don’t know… but-

Emi looked to her husband. You don’t think they had something to do with this, do you?

You know what goes on there, Emi. Yuriko was so careful with everything she did.

Emi’s hand shook, They wouldn’t have. Not her. Why?

Ken just shook his head. I don’t know. I’d better call Wally. He’s going to be devastated.

Emi’s thoughts went to their friend, Wally, and especially his little daughter Rei. They had been close to Yuriko as well and knew the little red haired girl would be very upset.

Ken pulled out his small cell phone and put it to his ear. Emi buried her face in her hands and let go of the tears she had been holding back since she arrived.

Wally? It’s Ken. She’s gone Ken. She didn’t make it.

Hearing the words made Emi sob even harder.

We don’t know. The doctors said something got into her system. They were able to deliver the baby. We are waiting for an update.

There was another pause.

Kyoko, just as she wanted. She’ll live with us.

Ken nodded to the words Wally was telling him.

Wait until morning to tell Rei. Let her sleep. Hopefully by then we will know more about what happened and about Kyoko’s condition.

Ken nodded listening to his friend.

I don’t think she had anything official. We’ll have to work out the details in the morning. I’m worried about Kyoko right now. We are waiting for the doctor to update us on her condition.

As Ken and Wally talked, Emi just buried her face in her hands and cried. The memories she had shared with her dear friend for so long came rushing back. From when they had first met in high school until she last saw her before today it all came back to her. It wasn’t until she felt Ken’s embrace that Emi looked up.

It’s going to be okay. We will make things okay for her, Ken whispered.

What will we tell her, when she gets older?

Ken hugged his wife again, We will worry about that later. Right now Kyoko needs someone to love her as much as Yuriko did.

Emi only nodded.

We can try to solve things later. Right now let’s just make sure she will be okay.

Chapter 2

The mid June sun bore down on Minato’s streets as the day wound down for many of the ward’s residents. The streets and walkways were packed with a large mix of both well dressed and uniformed workers just finishing their work day. Uniformed school children of all ages appeared as schools classes had ended for the day. This was the time of day when the children of the different schools in the area were mixed in with each other. The colors of their different uniforms blended together to form a multicolored throng of young people.

Amongst the crowd of office workers and school children 15 year old Kyoko Kimmamoro was quickly winding her way past the other people. As she walked her long trail of dark hair bounced off the back of her dark blue school uniform. Her desire to get home made her long legs move as fast as they could through the crowd. Getting through this crowd every night was always a chore even though she had done it many times through junior high and now high school.

Wait up, A meek voice exclaimed a number of steps back.

Kyoko didn’t even notice the pleas of her brother coming a few feet behind her. Kyoko wasn’t going to slow down just because her brother Sho couldn’t keep up. The thin boy wasn’t as skillful in getting through the pedestrian crowd as his sister was and was getting tossed around trying vainly to keep her in eyesight.

As crosswalks and intersections went by the crowd started thinning out. She breathed a relieved sigh as he reached the large pedestrian crosswalk. This footbridge not only let people cross one of the major traffic lanes in Minato but also signaled to Sho and Kyoko it wasn’t much longer before they would be home. Sho reached the top of the stairs and briskly scampered across the bridge to try to catch up to his sister. She kept up a brisk pace and stayed ahead of him even as he reached the stairs on the other side of the bridge.

This side of the bridge gave way to a section of Minato that once housed homes for foreign diplomats of the various embassies in the area. However, in recent years the embassy housing had been moved to another section of the ward and the area was turned into residential housing. It made for a home setting just a short distance away from the high rise buildings that dominated the ward’s skyline.

Kyoko strode up the sidewalk passed the fences of the houses leading to their home. Their house was hardly new, with faded white paint and a red brick fence that was chipped in several places. Kyoko strode up the small stone path splitting their small front lawn and walked through the front door.

I’m home.

Kicking off her shoes and tossing her book bag on the nearby stairs, Kyoko plopped down on the couch. The living room was simple with wood floors and white walls with green furniture around a TV. Kyoko grabbed the remote to the large TV just as Sho came into the doorway gasping for breath.

Why didn’t you stop?

Kyoko turned with a surprised look. I thought you were right behind me. Why didn’t you say anything?

But I did, Sho whined.

Make it home okay you two?

Both looked over to the hallway as the tall red haired Rei peeked into the living room. The woman had an oven mitt on one hand and her glasses teetered on her nose. Her deep red hair was messy and out of sort.

Yeah, Kyoko replied. You know the usual rush.

Rei then looked over to Sho. Are you okay?

Poor wittle Sho couldn’t keep up, Kyoko mocked with a taunting baby voice.

Sho avoided looking at his sister as he turned around. I’m going to get changed.

Leaving the taunts of his sister Sho went up the stairs and to his room. His room wasn’t much to talk about. It was very plain and neat with his closet on one side of the room and his bed on the other. His desk with his computer sat next to the window with a view of the street in front of the house, and a small dresser with a TV sitting on top sat in the corner. It wasn’t much, but it was the quiet place he could go whenever he needed peace. He set his book bag down and opened his closet to change out if his school uniform.

As he was getting changed Sho began to unwind from the school day and the rush home. He always kept in mind the homework he needed to get done before the end of the night, but he was able to relax now that he wasn’t scrambling in the middle of a large crowded street.

With his school uniform now in the laundry room Sho came back downstairs. He passed Kyoko still sitting by the TV and went down the small hallway and into the kitchen. The smell of dinner cooking met him at the threshold. Rei turned around from washing her hands in the sink and smiled.

Beef and vegetables, she pronounced. Just came in this morning. Dad wanted us to try it before they sent it out to market.

Sho’s eyes looked to the floor. It smells good, He said unsure tone in his voice.

The red headed woman before him was Rei Hinaki. Rei had been a big part of their lives growing up, despite being seven years older than he or Kyoko. She had been their friend, babysitter, and a de facto parent since the death of his mother and father five years before. Rei had lived an interesting life, being the daughter of Wally Hinaki, head of Hinaki Foods, one of the biggest prepared food companies in Japan. Even though she had never had a job, her father had made sure she, Kyoko, and Sho lived comfortably. As a trade off, it seemed Rei’s father often used them as unofficial testers for products Hinaki Foods wanted to introduce. Despite keeping their fridge stocked up free of charge, there were times where the food they were given still needed a lot of work. The memory of two months before when they were to try Hinaki Food’s new International line of prepared burritos, and spending the rest of the night in the bathroom was still fresh in Sho’s mind.

So how was school? Rei asked reaching into the fridge and pulling out a can of her favorite beer.

Ok, I guess. We have a big math test coming up I need to study for.

Oh? Rei asked. Don’t stay up to late tonight.

I won’t, Sho replied, knowing his habit of being up way to late at night studying and doing homework was an issue.

Rei sighed. Now if only your sister would study half as much as you do, her grades might be a little better.

Sho rolled his eyes. It was true, Kyoko didn’t study very much and often seemed disinterested in what any of her teachers were saying and her grades reflected that. They really had a hard time getting Kyoko to study for their high school entrance exams. She had just barely made it, passing on her second attempt.

As the oven’s buzzer sounded, Rei spun around and opened the oven’s door. She reached in and pulled out the tray full of bubbling sauce hiding beef and vegetables inside.

Ouch! Ouch! Hot! Hot! Rei exclaimed quickly flopping the tray on the counter.

Rei nursed her slightly burned hands and cursed herself for forgetting to put her oven mitts back on after washing her hands. As Rei nursed her wounds Sho went to the fridge for a drink. As usual, it was filled with Hinaki labeled foods along with several different drinks and numerous cans of beer. Sho grabbed a bottle of litchi flavored drink and sat down at the foot table. Feeling her burns cool Rei grabbed a spoon and stirred the evening’s main course. She took small spoonful and gave the dish a taste.

Mmm. I think I got it right this time.

With the dish to her satisfaction she quickly prepared some rice from the rice cooker in some bowls before turning to the hallway.

Dinner’s ready.

After a few seconds Kyoko came into the kitchen. Rei placed the beef tray down at the table.

So what freeze dried masterpiece do we have tonight? Kyoko asked reaching into the fridge and pulling out a bottle of fruit drink.

New beef and vegetables recipe, Rei answered happily.

Well, smells good anyway, Kyoko said sitting down.

Rei frumped, Why does everyone keep saying that?

Kyoko rolled her eyes. Sho kept his head down as he spooned out some of the dinner onto his plate and picked up his chop sticks. Kyoko and Rei also took their share of the meal in front of them. Rei was first to dig in as the other two both looked on hesitantly.

M mm, Rei said after swallowing. It is good.

Both Sho and Kyoko took their chopsticks and tried some of the stew. Indeed, it was good-not heavy on the spices, not underdone, and not tasteless and flat.

Works for me, Kyoko replied before opening her bottle and taking a drink.

I think so too, Rei said cracking open her beer and taking a sip, Sho?

Sho kept his head down. Umm, it’s okay. I guess.

Sho then began eating some rice without another word. Everyone dug in.

So how was school? Rei asked.

Kyoko scoffed, Boring as usual.

I still think it would be more fun if you joined a club after school, Rei advised. You just started high school. Try to enjoy it.

Are you kidding? Kyoko replied with a curl of her lip. "Most of those clubs are either filled with dumb jocks and gym rats or geeks who need someone to talk to. I’d rather be enjoying myself here than wasting anymore time at school."

That’s not true, Rei sighed. But at least you’ll have more time to study for that big math test coming up.

Kyoko looked up surprised, How did-

She then shot a dirty look to Sho. The boy just looked down to his dinner. She could tell he was avoiding looking at her. Kyoko looked down grumbling.

It’s just some stupid test.

Rei set down her chop stick and cleared her throat. She adjusted her glasses and held up one finger.

It may seem stupid now, but you’ll need it someday.

Kyoko raised an eyebrow and looked to Rei who was trying to hold a sage-like expression on her face.

How would you know? You failed math, too, and you’re doing all right.

Rei’s eyes opened and so did her mouth. She looked upwards to the ceiling and stuttered as she knew Kyoko had jabbed her with a truthful point.

Well… uh…I had other skills that helped make up for it.

Kyoko rolled her eyes, Sure you did.

Rei gave a nervous chuckle as she grabbed the can of beer next to her and quickly swallowed a large mouthful. Kyoko gave a small satisfied smirk as she went back to picking over her dinner while Sho quietly ate the meal. This was in keeping with the routine most nights. Kyoko and Rei carried the conversation while Sho only added minimally to the dialog. Rei noticed Sho’s continued silence and looked at him with a smile.

So? Is this dinner a keeper?

Sho looked up from his plate with a small nod.

It’s good.

It’s all right, Kyoko added munching down a mushroom piece.

Good, because dad sent over four more boxes of this, Rei said.

You know, Kyoko said. I’d wish he send over more of that ice cream. We never seem to have enough of that.

That’s because you keep eating it, Rei retorted slyly. Wonder how your school uniform still fits after all that.

I don’t get fat that’s why.

Rei scoffed, Keep eating all that ice cream and your rear end will get as big as your chest.

Kyoko shot Rei a dirty look as Rei smiled, having gotten the younger girl back for the earlier dig. Kyoko sulked but then looked over to her brother.

Don’t you say a thing.

Sho was caught off guard as he swallowed a piece of beef and looked to his sister with an innocent look.

But I wasn’t going to-

But you were thinking it, interrupted Kyoko pointing one of her chop sticks at him.

Sho, having no answer, just looked down at his plate. Kyoko looked to him with disappointment.

You are such a doormat.

Sho didn’t put up any defense to the deadpan insult. Rei looked to Sho and then to Kyoko.

Stop teasing your brother, Rei interjected. He does just fine. Right, Sho?

Umm... I guess so, Sho answered not knowing what to say.

See?

Yeah, sure, Kyoko snarked sarcastically, Whatever you say.

The meal went on with mostly Kyoko and Rei talking about boys and going to the shopping district of Akihabara together sometime while Sho kept mostly quiet. With dinner over Sho retreated to his room to start on his homework while Rei and Kyoko sat in front of the TV for a while. It didn’t take long for Rei to fall asleep on the couch while Kyoko watched her favorite game show.

Kyoko sighed, resting her face on her balled hand as some foreign pro wrestlers ran around trying to pop balloons on top of a bunch of girls from the latest teenaged idol singing group heads. She always hated those types of girls, since she was stuck taking boring classes with boring teachers on boring subjects, but there they were on TV just because they could recite some song that someone else wrote for them. She was twice as good looking as any of them; however she was stuck here in Minato while they were going around the country living the good life. They had thousands of screaming fans hanging off her every word and here she was with her doormat brother.

Kyoko sighed away her thoughts and stared at the screen. The girls looked like they were having fun, but Kyoko noticed that their faces started turning blue. She blinked a couple of times and looked to the wall across from her and noticed that the normally white walls were turning funny colors as well. Her heartbeat got a little faster as she felt her head begin to spin and a pain begin to build up inside her head. She tensed her eyes shut, leaned her head back, overcome by this sudden feeling. She took a quick breath as the throbbing feeling in her head intensified like she was burning up. She had never felt a pain like this ever before. The throbbing intensified and Kyoko wondered just what was going on with her.

Then as quickly as the pain built inside her head she felt a massive shock run down both arms, making her jerk in pain. She felt a heat building in the palms of her hands making her close both her fists instinctively as she felt them get hotter and hotter. Then with no warning everything seemed to pass. The heat and the pain sensations were gone as suddenly as they began. Kyoko opened her eyes and blinked a few times. She saw that the color of the walls around her had returned to normal. She felt her heart rate quickly calm itself as she took another deep breath. The room had stopped spinning and she raised her head to see that the people on TV had returned to normal.

Kyoko?

Rei’s soft voice quickly got the girl’s attention.

You look pale.

Kyoko had to think for a second before she could respond.

I’m just tired I guess.

Rei yawned, sitting up from her nap. Better go to bed early tonight then. Don’t want you to get sick.

Yeah.

Kyoko looked down at her hands; the hot feeling passing down her arms into her palms was still fresh in her mind. She didn’t know what had come over her. She momentarily thought that they had had another bad batch of test food for dinner, but quickly realized if that was the case she’d be stuck in the bathroom as would the others. Kyoko looked down at her feet and then got up, tossing Rei the remote for the TV.

I’m going upstairs, Kyoko said before heading over and traveling up the staircase.

Don’t forget to leave your uniform in the wash room.

Rei reached the top of the stairs. She saw the light in Sho’s room on underneath the door. He usually spent much of the night after dinner up in his room doing homework. She didn’t feel like scoffing at his efforts right now and went into her own bedroom. Crossing the threshold, she clicked on the light before closing the door behind her.

The small bedroom was a stark contrast to her brother’s room. The walls were toned bright pink and covered with posters of her favorite movies and cute members of different idol boy bands. Dirty clothes and boxes were scattered around the floor of her room and the small vanity in the corner was covered in make up and hair spray, along with assorted other beauty products. Sitting beside the vanity on the floor was a small portable sewing machine with a few bits of cloth draped over it. The bed sitting against one wall was unmade.

Kyoko sat down at her vanity and looked at herself in the mirror. She looked closely at her face and her eyes. She didn’t look pale or sickly at all, not even sweaty. She felt her forehead, and it felt fine to her. Kyoko sighed again. Maybe she really was just tired. She had felt fine all day, but remembered how bad she had felt a moment ago.

Kyoko picked up her school bag from the floor and tossed it on her bed before lying down and staring at the ceiling for a few minutes. She felt fine now and didn’t feel tired. As much as she hated doing it, she still had homework to do. Rei had been right; they did have that math test coming up. Kyoko took one more look over herself before she got up to change out of her uniform.

It was a little while later in the evening when Sho came down the stairs. His homework was finished for the night, and he decided he was going to take a small break before studying for their upcoming tests. As he reached the bottom stairs, Rei was just getting up from the couch, yawning.

Homework done? She asked mid yawn.

Yes. There wasn’t too much.

Rei stretched and got up following Sho into the kitchen. Sho got into the fridge and took out another bottle of fruit drink as Rei turned on the faucet and grabbed the scrub sponge.

So how was school today? Rei asked as she began to scrub some of the dishes in the sink

It was fine, Sho answered sitting down at the foot table. "We started new lessons in geography class,