Haga: ''Ah, really... They sure are some troubling children, aren't they.''

Aoba: ''Y-Yeah. Aren't they?''

Haga: ''If they weren't so mischievous, they'd be quite cute...''

Aoba: ''That's for sure!''

I'm still surprised no matter how many times I see him change almost different person.

I think it's like said that people like that are fast to flip the switch...

Haga: ''Oh yeah, Aoba-kun.''

Haga-san walks to the counter and picks up a paper bag by his feet.

Haga: ''I'm sorry, but could you deliver this baggage to the courier? You can wrap it up for today as you go.''

Aoba: ''Eh, is that okay?''

Haga: ''Yes. In fact, a customer is suddenly coming here today, so I thought I'd close the shop early.''

Aoba: ''In that case, I'll do it.''

I pick up my bag next to me and take the paper bag from Haga-san.

As I check the slip, I notice the destination is a bit far.

This is a package going to the courier.

Aoba: ''I'll be leaving then. And thanks for today''

Haga: ''Yes, good work. Be careful.''

I bow at the widely smiling Haga-san and step outside.

The time display on my Coil reads 3:00 PM. Some people mingle in this area even though it's a back street.

There were several routes I could use to get to the courier. I wondered which would be the fastest.

I take a soft lump of fur both of my hands out from my bag on my shoulder.

While holding the sleeping lump of fur, I start it by pressing my hand against its forehead.

Aoba: ''Ren. Wake up.''

When I call him, he opens his deep-black eyes with a click.

Ren: ''...Aoba.''

Aoba: ''I'd like to go to the courier, can you search fro the quickest route?''

Ren: ''Understood.''

Silently, Ren lightly touches his paws to my upper arm.

Ren: ''Road 241 at east is blocked because of a police inspection. buses are canceled for maintenance. it is quicker to make a detour bypassing the north terminal.''

Aoba: ''I see, thanks.''

When I pat his head, Ren barks once and wags his tail.

Aoba: ''Okay. Let's get going.''

The best way to travel around here is by foot. It's what everyone does.

The transportation system in the Old Resident District is pretty bad.

There's a bid street running through the center of the city, and sometimes there may be a bus or a train, or even a taxi.

But they also can be cancelled or delayed without notice, so they're not really reliable.

The roads might be blocked at any time too, so nobody trust public transportation.

Even now there are hardly any cars on the street. There's only one taxi waiting in vain and some junked cars parked by the roadside.

The sidewalk is filled with people coming and going.

The most reliable thing you could have are your own legs.

Hopeless Old Resident District is divided into North, South, East and West. They're similar but have some differences.

For example, the East district, where both Heibon and my home are, is residential area mixed with parts of down-town.

The whole district is relatively safe and it's easy to get your hands on various things.

The North district is an off-limits area, and has become something like a ghost town. It's unsafe.

The West district is a residential area, but you can't really do anything shopping there.

The south district is full of clothing shops, game arcades, and entertainment facilities, so a lot of young people go there.

And if you go further than the North district, there's Platinum Jail, a place full of celebrities and corporate purveyors.

Platinum Jail is one of the five Japanese conglomerates. And when Toue Inc. bought this island, Midorijima, they transformed it to a members-only entertainment area.

If the stories I've heard are true, everything there seems to be luxurious.

Starting with the Oval Tower standing in the center of the city, there are a huge casinos, movie theaters, shopping malls, and hotels... Anyway, it's packed with all sort of things.

Basically, you can't become a member unless you're invited, but the membership fee is about enough to buy this whole island... or so I've heard.

Of course people here in the Old Resident District can't get into Platinum Jail.