Tokyo Academy-Reality Strikes: The Tokyo Academy Series, #2

By Karin De Havin

She has a hidden power that could kill her.

 

Seventeen-year-old artist, Erin Van Horn wins a coveted spot as an exchange student at a prestigious Tokyo high school. But once in Japan, Erin struggles to keep her grade point average as she is pulled further into the mysteries of the Japanese paranormal world. It doesn't help that the ghost that haunts Erin won't tell her what it wants. To top it off, right before finals she is visited by death.

 

Death has marked her. Will she survive?

 

Find out in Reality Strikes, book two of the Tokyo Academy Series by author Karin De Havin.

 

If you enjoy kick ass young adult Tokyo based urban fantasy with a mystery that makes you turn the pages, then one-click for your copy of Reality Strikes today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karin De Havin
• Release date: Feb 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393428848

Book preview

Chapter 1

Life Changer

November 1-11:30 PM

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I stared at the Golden Pavilion painting as if it knew the answer to my question. My breath formed a cloud from the arctic-like temperature in the room as I called out to the spirit that still lingered close by. Tell me what you want me to stop.

I heard a faint mumble, and then the freezing cold air vanished. The ghost had fled the room. Why wasn’t I petrified that I just spent time with the spirit of a dead person? Had watching Supernatural on the CW neutralized the impact of the moment when I had actual contact with a ghost? Probably. I told myself I watched the show because of how hot Dean and Sam were, but something else compelled me to binge watch all the seasons. Something deep inside me sparked from the first moment I watched the show. I never had anything supernatural happen to me in Magic Valley. Yet, it felt like watching the show was preparing me for something.

It blew my mind that I had to come all the way to Japan to find out what it was. But would I truly ever learn anything from a shy spirit? I smiled to myself as the goosebumps receded from my arms and the room’s temperature returned to normal. A vision of my grandfather’s face popped into my mind. He always had a saying for life’s memorable moments. I knew what he would say to me now—only time will tell you the answer.

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November 11-11:00 AM

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There was only one thing that could take my mind of my encounter with the ghost—writing Tori’s list. I sat down and tore a blank page from my journal. Third time’s a charm. I wrote down the list from memory.

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Erin’s Japan to-do list

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1. Get a fantastic rock star boyfriend. (Kenzo has become my total focus. Better watch out harem!)

2. Make some great new friends. Find a new Tori. (Almost checked off thanks to Gina! I’m so close to winning over Setsuko, too. The party should seal the deal.)

3. Chronicle all your adventures. Even bathroom visits. (Okay, I’ve been slacking on the journal entries but I’m sure my life will get a lot more exciting now that I ‘m sharing it with a ghost. Better stop dragging my feet and ask my parents to cough up the bucks so I can get a camera in case it shows itself.)

4. Study under a famous artist. (Again, I’m a total slacker. Need to call Fudo to set up a date with his father ASAP!)

5. Eat something adventurous. (Being as I spit out the live shrimp, I still don’t have this checked off the list!)

6. Buy the latest Hello Kitty must-have item. (Maybe I can just steal my alarm clock. If I don’t throw it against the wall first!)

7. Japan is a mystical and spiritual place. (No kidding Tori! I picked up a ghost on my first day. And in Heavenly Burger of all places!)

8. Visit Tori’s relatives and search for anything interesting hidden in the family’s closet. (This one still makes me bite my nails. Need to win over Setsuko so I can hit her up for Japanese lessons.)

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I caught a glimpse of myself in my desk mirror. Funny, I didn’t look any older. No horrifying gray hairs—yet. But if the ghost kept popping up, I might sprout some soon. But I had another reason to worry. My aunt’s hair turned completely white by the age of seventeen. The reflection in the mirror confirmed I’d picked the perfect birthday outfit. I’d finally managed to find an XXL T-shirt in a cute little boutique. I smiled down at my pink shirt that declared I Pretty Dolphin in rhinestones that clung to my chest and waist giving me a killer hourglass silhouette. Despite the three boxes of Little Pockys I inhaled after my ghost visit, I’d managed to squeeze into my favorite pair of black skinny jeans to finish off the look. Still, with only millimeters of breathing room left, I’d better lay off the Pockys for a while.

My kitty clock meowed three times reminding me I needed to get going. I was tempted to throw the thing out the window. Besides hating Hello Kitty with a passion, it was a constant reminder of how much I missed Tori.

For a brief moment I thought about telling her about the ghost, but with the fact that her father had just passed, I kept my paranormal news to myself.

I looked forward to meeting Setsuko at the train station even though she avoided me all week. Every time I tried to talk to her about the party, she darted away. She wanted her party prep to be a surprise, but how much planning could a little party take?

The sound of Okasan cleaning grew louder as I hit the bottom of the stairs. Aki greeted me with a bit of apprehension in her voice. Happy Birthday, Erin. I hope you do not mind, I invited my best friends to your party.

No problem.

Okasan aimed the vacuum right towards me. She must resent actually having to clean the house for once. Before I could make an evasive maneuver, the floor attachment had inhaled one of my big toes.

I screamed, What the heck are you doing?

Trying to shake my bare foot free, Okasan pointed at me. "Dame. Totemo Dame!"

Aki let out a sigh as she bent down to rescue my captive toe. I’m sorry. My mother is upset you aren’t wearing your slippers.

Instead of telling her how I really felt, I ran towards the entryway, threw on my shoes and slammed the door behind me. Despite my throbbing toe, I practically sprinted down the road by the railroad tracks. I didn’t even have a chance to enjoy the beautiful reds and oranges of the maple trees that lined the neighborhood streets. Setsuko was going to kill me. No way she could carry all the groceries by herself. I rounded the corner only to stop dead in my tracks. Ahead of me stood Setsuko dripping wet and frantically pumping air into her lungs.

She dropped her bags. Are you crazy? How do you do this every day?

I picked up the overflowing groceries. Do I have a choice?

We both laughed as we continued the trek along the railroad tracks. After another ten blocks, Setsuko could barely breathe. She managed to puff out, Are…we…there…yet? If...we…aren’t, can you call an… ambulance?

Don’t worry. We just have two more blocks. No wonder she was out of shape with her sports car ride to school every day. I had to practically carry her, and the grocery bags the last block. She might have been a size zero, but she was darn heavy.

Once inside the house, I was amazed Gina was there and had already been decorating like crazy. Bright colored streamers draped gracefully everywhere within reach. In the corner, a strange multi-colored blob hung crooked from the ceiling.

Gina rushed to greet us. About time you guys showed up. It’s four and we have so much left to do.

Dropping the bags on the kitchen counter, I gave her a hug. Don’t stress. I thought she needed a distraction. "I like your new hairdo. The layers around your face look really cute.

Gina ran her fingers through her newly acquired bangs. Thanks for the hair compliment, but I’ve got to get back to work. Setsuko has me on a strict schedule.

I turned to Setsuko. Don’t you feel guilty for making Gina a nervous wreck?

She only smiled and continued stacking plates on the buffet table.

I got busy in the kitchen. The girls were so nice to do this for me; the least I could do was help out with dinner. Besides, I didn’t trust either of them in the kitchen. They were strictly fast-food girls. I pulled the groceries out of the bags and began to prep for dinner. Gina helped chop up the lettuce and tomatoes while I started to brown the meat. I glanced up at the blob by the ceiling and pointed. I’m curious. What the heck is that?

Gina motioned for me to move closer. Don’t say anything, but that’s Setsuko’s pride and joy. It’s her version of a piñata. We have to cut her some slack as she had limited resources.

I stared up at the multi-colored creation. Well, I guess her heart was in the right place, but what’s it supposed to be?

Don’t laugh. She was trying to make a donkey. See all those streamers on the one side?

I walked over to take a closer look. That’s the tail? Stifling a laugh, I knew Setsuko had tried her best. As I gazed at the still unrecognizable blob, all I could think was she must have failed all her craft projects in school. I walked back to Gina. It’s the thought that counts. Right?

She gave me a hug. And what thoughts she must have been thinking to make that.

We burst out laughing. From the next room Setsuko complained about things not being perfect. I continued my chef duties and Gina headed to the living room to help Setsuko. The tacos were a cinch as the shells were the pre-fried variety. All I had to do was fill them with meat, lettuce and tomatoes. Throw a little cheese and salsa on top, and voilà—tacos. While the meat simmered, I figured out how I was going to fake my way through the enchiladas with no oven. I can be pretty resourceful in the kitchen. Back in the States, besides watching Supernatural, the Food Network was my best friend.

Okasan milled about taking the whole thing in. I wondered if she had ever sampled a taco before. Probably not. Most of the restaurants that served them were in the heart of Tokyo. One day I had desperately tried to locate the El Torito in Shinjuku for a taco fix, but I could never find the place. As this was going to be the family’s first experience with tacos, I should at least try to make sure the food was edible.

Setsuko came into the kitchen to check up on me. Five-thirty. Is everything under control?

No problem. How about you guys?

We have the buffet table set up and the chips and salsa are out. I think my theme looks terrific.

I stepped out of the kitchen and took a peek. Setsuko had wrapped the long console table in the living room with red, blue and yellow colored paper. She even made matching napkins. Setsuko had taken her Taco Tuesday theme very seriously. I had a sneaky feeling she must have been on the prom decorating committee.

The doorbell rang announcing our first guest. Gina bounded down the entryway. She flung open the door and squealed when she saw Adam. She instantly went from looking frazzled to glowing. Funny how women were so transparent about how they felt about a man.

She brought Adam over to the kitchen where I worked frantically on my enchiladas.

Adam held out a present. Happy birthday, Erin. Here’s a little something I thought you might like.

Setsuko tried to grab the gift away from me. Hey, don’t open that yet. You need to put it on the present table over by the TV.

I walked towards the purple draped table. Yes, Mother. Adam was in for a wild ride being alone with the three of us.

With time running out, my enchilada making was having mixed results. They were taking longer than I thought. Setsuko hovered by the door, waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive. You would have thought hundreds were coming as she nervously looked out the living room window. I hustled to get the rest of the dinner done.

Hiroshi emerged from his room with Fudo in tow. I stepped out of the kitchen to introduce them to the girls. Hiroshi had on a black vinyl jumpsuit with I King in rhinestones blazed across the front.

Setsuko let out a gasp. You’re the guy from the park!

Hiroshi beamed from ear to ear. Yes. Y’all like the show?

You were great! I love your accent, so cute. Setsuko had way too much enthusiasm in her voice.

Fudo ignored the Hiroshi love fest and handed me a small box with a cute little paper doll sitting proudly atop a red bow. Happy Birthday.

I felt his breath against my neck as I nervously brushed back my hair. Thanks. You didn’t have to.

Fudo grazed the top of my hand as he reached out and touched the little doll.

Something to help you remember your birthday in Japan.

Was Fudo flirting with me?

Setsuko grabbed the present away from my hand. I’ll take that to the table for you.

One thing about Setsuko—she meant business. I also realized she must have been in charge of one too many gift tables at family weddings.

Otosan came home from work to discover his home had transformed into