Chapter Six: Gems of Sea:

The room itself is small and faces the street. If I look out the window, I can see the cliff turned out to the sea. I open the window and let in a breeze. The cool air makes me tremble. I end up pushing the window back down half way. The sun really brightens up the brightly painted walls in the room. I sit back on my bed. This room actually rather nice. It certainly is much cleaner than my room back in New York. Heh, I wonder how long that’s going to last with me here. I look over on the bookcase and notice a little brown box. Oh? What’s this? Curious, I climbed off the bed and walked over to the bookcase.

Kanji was carved in the wooden lid of the box. I ran my hand over what I assumed were words. Looks like a mini-treasure chest. My mind begged me to open it. It feels like I’m invading someone’s privacy with this, I thought. I lifted the lid and peeked inside. The smell of old musk greeted my nose. Tiny seashells sat on the velvet-lined inside. I had never seen them so small and white before. I picked one up and looked at it. A strange wave of nostalgia came over me as I ran my fingers over the smooth surface. My eye happened to catch black feathers surrounding the shells in the box. Both were arranged in such an elegant pattern too.

“Briana!” someone shouted outside my door. I reached forward to catch the box before it hit the floor.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Come out with us,” the voice said. “We’re going to the market to buy ingredients for lunch and dinner!”

“Sure!” I shouted. “Hang on!” I put the box back on the bookcase and left the room.

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I came down to the front door to find a few of my “housemates” waiting for me. Noiz, standing at the head of the crowd, flagged me down.

“Hey!” she called. “So glad you could join us.” I pushed my way through the small crowd over to her. My cousin clapped her hands together.

“Great!” she said. “We’re all here now! Let’s get going!” She opened the door and led the way out. Noiz and I stood out in our group of Japanese people walking down the dirt-paved road.

“Where are we going?” I asked a person next to me. The Japanese man looked at me, blankly. I didn’t think that he understood me.

“Where are we going?” I asked in a slower pace.

“Mar-ke-to,” he replied. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“The market?” I asked.

“Yes!” he answered. I tilted my head at him.

“But where in the market?” I asked. He walked ahead of me without an answer. I dropped my shoulders. You could’ve answered me at least, pal! Noiz led the group to an entry sign and paused.

“Okay, everyone!” she said. “You have an hour to meet back here with your purchases. Get only the best that you can find within your budget and get before they are taken away by the other people here. Do you understand?”

“Yes!” the group answered. I looked around after I spoke. Noiz set her phone.

“Okay,” she said. “Get shopping now!” I was left standing there as everyone dispersed. Noiz grabbed me by the arm and dragged me with her.

“You stay with me,” she whispered. “You don’t know how to bargain around this country.” I only nodded at her.

“Okay,” I said. She led me straight into the market. I looked up at her.

“So what are we looking for?” I asked. Noiz turned to me with a little smile on her face.

“Just the gems of the sea,” she replied. I narrowed my eyes at her.

“Gems of the sea? What are those?”

“Come along and you shall see.” Noiz winked at me before we resumed our walk.