Chapter 1

Okida, Tokyo, Japan

December 24, 2015

"Relax your shoulders." Narinig kong bulong niya sa akin. I did as what I have been told and furrowed my eyebrows. "Focus on the target, Mallory." Dugtong pa niya. After a few seconds of settling the weight of this heavy metal in my hands, I aimed at my target. "Okay. Fire."

I pulled the trigger and aimed at the target. The gunshot echoed inside the empty shooting range.

"Bullseye!" Gideon cried and did a little happy dance. Hinihingal kong ibinaba ang baril at tinanggal ang electronic headset mula sa aking ulo. Isang malaking ngiti ang sumilay sa aking labi.

"I really hit it?" hindi makapaniwala kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Yes, you just did! Now pack up your things because we're going home."

Kaagad akong sumimangot. "Pero Gideon—"

"No buts, Mallory. For God's sake, it's holiday today!" iminuwestra niya ang kaniyang paligid. "The only reason why we're still allowed here is that I am friends with the owner of this shooting range. We should be at home, eating soup and getting all cozy with our loved ones."

But I don't have any loved ones anymore... I thought inwardly and my heart sank.

"So?" he nudged me repeatedly.

I sighed. "Fine. I can't stay here if you're going away."

"Yes, of course. Shooting class is over. Let's go home!" he sang and started picking up his bag.

Binalingan kong muli ang target mula sa di kalayuan. I still have to squint my eyes to ensure that I really hit the center. When I had made sure that, yes, I really did hit the center, that's when I slipped out of my track suit and slipped into my coat.

"It's freezing outside." Ani Gideon sa akin habang isinusuot niya ang kaniyang boots.

Tumango ako bilang pagsang-ayon at isinuot ang aking pulang coat. Even with my four layers of coat, the cold is still seeping in. And to think that this shooting range already has a heating system. The temperature will really drop low once we're outside.

Hinintay ako ni Gideon habang nagsusuot ako ng boots. He frowned when he saw mine.

"Heels? Really? You're going to wear a goddamn pair of heels at the thick snow?" tanong niya sa akin.

"I have no shoes that has no heels." Simple kong sagot.

Matagal niya akong tinitigan bago siya humalakhak nang malakas. "Oh, Mallory. You've really turn into a woman. Dati-rati'y flats lang ang suot mo—"

"Shut it, Gideon." I snapped and walked past him.

"Wanna go to the Nezu shrine before we go home?"

"No thanks."

"Or shopping?"

"I'd rather buy it myself." I gave him a sheepish smile. "Where's the fun in that? You're going to see your gift."

He frowned at me. "You're just going to buy me a gift because I reminded you to do so. Last year, you even forgotten that it's Christmas time."

Tumawa ako. "Well, yeah. I was so busy at work."

Sabay kaming lumabas ni Gideon sa shooting range. He thanked the owner again and when I first stepped outside, I immediately wanted to go back inside.

The snow is only two inches when got there and now it's over five inches. Pinagmasdan ko ang paglubog ng aking suot ng boots sa nyebe habang naglalakad kami. Gideon held my arms, trying to keep me steady as we crossed the busy streets of Tokyo.

In outside world, it was so lively and joyous. Most Japanese shops are either playing a Christmas carol or lighting up their Christmas trees. Tahimik lang kaming naglalakad ni Gideon sa dagat ng mga tao. Most of them are busy with their phones, trying to get home as early as possible to spend some time with their family.

"Here's the bus stop..." Gideon announced. "Sigurado ka bang hindi ka sasabay?" tanong niya sa akin.

Tiningala ko siya. Over the years, he had matured and turned into a fine grown man. He is nothing like a clumsy drunkard when I first met him.

"Nope. Someone's waiting for me at home, Gid..."

Isang malumanay na ngiti ang sumilay sa kaniyang labi. "Okay, then. Be safe, Mallory..." aniya. Hinintay ko munang makahinto nang maayos ang bus at makasakay siya bago ako nagsimulang maglakad.

Snowflakes decorated the entire city. I held out my hand and tried to catch one but as soon as it reached my black winter gloves, it immediately melted in my hands.

Because of the extreme temperature, I started to shiver as well. Mas binilisan ko ang aking lakad patungo sa Yanaka Ginza shopping center. The street is buzzing with people as well. Halos hindi na ako makadaan nang maayos. Plus, my heels are killing me. Gideon is right. I should wear something more comfortable the next time I'm going out, especially if it's winter.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I caught glimpse of a red and black scarf along with other multi-colored shawls displayed at one rack. The woman smiled at me when I came closer to inspect the items.

"Konbanwa..." (Good evening...) she said gently.

I bowed slightly at her. "Konbanwa..."

"Sore wa samu-sade wanai?" (It's cold, isn't it?")

"Toketsu." (Freezing) I replied and grabbed the red scarf. Iniabot koi to sa kaniya. "This one, please."

"Oh, you speak English." Anito sa natatawang boses.

My eyebrows rose up. She looks like a typical Japanese woman to me, only her accent is much better than any other Japanese I have ever met.

She wrapped the scarf in a red dotted paper and even placed a ribbon to seal it. I smiled tightly at her and handed the money before I bowed again.

"Merry Christmas..." anito.

"Yeah..." I mumbled. "Merry Christmas." And quickly left.

Before I go home, I decided to buy some freshly-friend Genki Menchi Katsu. The vendor even gave me a discount because I'm his last customer before he closes his shop to spend some time with his family.

Nagmamadali akong nagpunta sa bus station nang matapos na akong makapamili. Ang nyebe ay kumakapal sa bawat minutong nasa labas ako ng bahay. The winter hemisphere only started a couple of days ago but it's literally freezing right now.

Even the bus I took played some Christmas carols on my way home. Isinandal ko ang aking ulo sa salamin at pinagmasdan ang mga taong naglalakad sa kalsada. Most of the time, the Tokyo streets are busy and buzzing with life. Wala itong ipinagkaiba ngayon. The only difference is that, people are trying to finish their work early to spend some time with their family for the holiday season.

I glanced at my wristwatch. Pasado alas syete na ng gabi. If anyone is already looking for me at home, I'm sure to receive a call or a text but I haven't checked my phone since we arrived at the shooting range that afternoon.

Dahil sa sobrang pagod ay ipinikit ko saglit ang aking mga mata. The bus run slowly because of the heavy traffic. Nararamdaman ko din ang unti-unting pagpasok ng lamig sa aming sinasakyan.

I sighed and played with my fingers. The 15-minute drive home lasted for half an hour.

By the time I finally got to our gate, I was exhausted and hungry. Bahagya kong itinulak ang gate at kaagad iyong isinarado. Our little garden is coated with snow. The single Cherry Blossom tree stood beautifully. It will never fail to amaze me.

"Mallory?"

"Oh," I smiled at Suki and waved the plastic bag I'm holding. "Hi, Suki! I've brought some food!"

"Great! We were just about to call you. Come on here..." aniya at mabilis na isinarado ang pintuan para hindi makapasok ang lamig. Ngumuso ako at binilisan ang aking paglalakad kahit na nakasuot ako ng mataas na takong sa nyebe.

I removed the cursed boots and placed it neatly next to their shoes outside. Nang makapasok na ako ay hinubad ko din ang aking coat. I took a deep sigh of relief when the heat started to envelope my body. At least, it's warmer inside. We just got the heater repaired to provide us comfort during the cold season.

"Mallory!"

I turned around and was immediately engulfed in a hug. His usual manly scent entered my nostrils as I crashed against his massive chest. Before I could even react, he placed a kiss on my lips. Ang kaniyang kaliwang kamay ay gumapang sa aking beywang at hinapit ako palapit sa kaniya.

I smiled.

"I'm home, Leon..."