[Shaman King] Hoshi ga Hoshii desu * chapter 28: in Shibuya

[lucathia]

Title: Hoshi - ga - Hoshii - desu
Chapter: 28/45

Author: lucathia_rykatu
Email: rykatu@yahoo.com
Series: Shaman King
Rating: PG
Genre: General
Feedback: will be highly appreciated
Spoilers: end of anime
Disclaimer: Shaman King belongs to its rightful owners (which does not include me!)
Archive: livejournal / fanfiction.net

Summary: "I want the stars" -- An amnesic Hao only remembers that the word "Hoshi" is special to him. Found unconscious in America, Hao takes on the name of Hoshi and eventually returns to Japan. This is his story after the anime.

-----chapter 28: in Shibuya-----

Hoshi raised his free hand to shade his eyes. Once Hoshi had exited the station, he found himself standing at the outskirts of one of the busiest shopping districts ever. His eyes followed the never-ending lines of buildings, the colorful billboards, and the flashing, advertising flat screens. One of the screens was showing a video of a popular singer. The buildings ran along both sides of the streets, with millions of people pouring in and out of the buildings. His eyes swept over the people walking along the sidewalks and in the streets, slightly amazed at the sheer amount of people. Where had all these people come from? How could these people withstand being pushed and shoved in that horrendous crowd? Didn't these people have anything better to do than mill about in Shibuya?

He tugged on his bag. He was a bit hesitant to approach the globs of humans, for fear that an overflow of their inner thoughts would drive him crazy. But, he had been fine in the station, so the crowd in Shibuya shouldn't be too much of a problem. He was here in Shibuya already. There was no sense in just standing here, pondering his time away. He might as well plunge into the crowd.

As Hoshi squeezed his way through the crowd, the thought that Shibuya wasn't a good choice for observing humans crossed his mind. As he glanced about, he noticed that most of the people walking about were teenagers. He wanted to observe humans. Not just teenagers. He probably should have just stayed at the station or gone somewhere else instead.

Darn, school's starting in a few more days and I haven't finished my summer homework yet! I definitely have to call someone so that I can copy their homework, or else I'll never finish in time.

Tsk. That thought certainly belonged to a lazy, irresponsible person. As Hoshi continued into the crowd, the people's thoughts became more lucid with closer proximity.

I wanted to go swimming, but she wanted to go shopping instead. I wonder why I can't ever refuse her demands!

His birthday is coming up. I want to find a special present for him. I should be able to find something he likes in Shibuya, since Shibuya is the ultimate trendsetter.

Hoshi paid attention to the first few thoughts that drifted to him, but after a few, he sort of lost interest in them. They were so...ordinary.

Hey, that guy over there is pretty cute. I wonder if he has a girlfriend?

I want to buy some new perfume. I think I'll go over to Shibuya 109 and shop around there. They have everything there! It's a shopper's heaven.

Hoshi felt like sighing. This was pointless.

Still, he glanced forward, noticing a tall, rounded building that had the large words "Shibuya 109" across it. His spirit Hoshisuke floated in front of him, peering at the tall building curiously. The tiny form of his spirit was almost lost among the crowd.

Apparently, the building was a large collection of fashion stores, variety shops, and restaurants. He wasn't here to go shopping though. What he really needed right now was a place to stay for the time being. Shibuya was full of buildings and people. It was bare of nice, sturdy trees where he might have been able to sleep.

Another stray thought slipped through his barrier.

Lots of teenagers here, perfect time for me to hunt my next soon-to-be idol!

"Hello there, are you here alone?"

Hoshi looked away from Shibuya 109 as a tall, eager man addressed him. Did that last stray thought belong to this man? Was this man hunting for an idol? Hoshi laughed inwardly. Outwardly, he gave a slight nod.

"Well, that's rare. Have you been here before?" asked the man. Hoshi felt like rolling his eyes. People should just get to the point and stop dancing around what they really intended to say. Hoshi shook his head and began walking a bit quicker, hoping that the man would get the point and stop bothering him.

I guess he's not interested in what I have to say. But, I can't let him just walk away! Have to make the suggestion at least.

"Wait, I want to ask you something. Would you like to be an idol?" asked the man hurriedly.

Hoshi kept walking without stopping. "Me? An idol?"

Absurd.

Yes, you! You'd make a great idol. I bet tons of people would fall for you.

"Of course I'm talking about you!" The man replied with a smile, meant to reassure.

Hoshi stopped walking and turned around with a wide smile. The man's hope rose at the sight, but they were instantly crushed with Hoshi's next word.

"No."

-----0-----

Hoshi glanced at the business card in his hand. The man had tried to persuade him to consider becoming an idol and had even given Hoshi a card in case Hoshi changed his mind. He noticed that the man worked at the NHK Studio Park, which was near where he was right now. No wonder the man was trying to recruit people around Shibuya. Still, Hoshi wasn't interested in becoming an idol. It was a waste of time. He crumbled up the card and tossed it over his shoulder into the nearest trash can. Now, where was he going to find a place to stay?

The Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel should be just around the corner. I think it's the tallest building in Shibuya, so I definitely can't miss it. Lugging this huge suitcase around is quite inconvenient. I have to find my hotel soon.

Hoshi smirked. Hearing other people's thoughts was actually quite convenient at times, especially when they just happened to think about something that he wanted to know.

He scanned for the tallest building in the area, assuming that it was the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel. Upon seeing the tall building, Hoshi began heading towards it.

-----0-----

Hoshi glumly glanced at his wallet, or Manta's wallet actually. He hadn't expected renting one hotel room to be this expensive. At this rate, he was going to run out of money soon. He didn't plan to use any of Manta's credit cards either, for they'd be able to trace him through that. So, he should probably be more careful about his spending from now on. Either that, or he needed to find a job. He scowled at that thought. He felt perfectly at home sleeping in the trees, but Shibuya was practically treeless. He did notice the beautiful Japanese garden that was part of this hotel, but the trees inside were so miniature. It would have been silly if he had tried to sleep in the garden, for people would actually notice his presence there.

He took the elevator to his "stylish" room, as advertised. Setting his bag down on the bed, Hoshi approached the windows. He brushed aside the drapes and peered through the glass, watching the tiny, moving dots that represented the people he had just walked amongst. Shibuya was just so mind-boggling. So many people came here, some to shop, some to socialize, and some for no purpose at all. Hoshi had to admit, somewhat grudgingly, that Shibuya did have its charm. If humans were born as boring creatures, they certainly knew how to make life more interesting, at the expense of destroying Nature. The tall, gatherings of shops and the different entertainment sections in Shibuya clearly demonstrated the creativity of human beings.

They knew how to entertain.

Hoshi's let the curtains fall as he turned his attention back to his room. Even this hotel was solid proof that humans lived to innovate and to entertain. His room was lavishly furnished to encourage him to stay here for the night.

He hated the room though. It felt more like a lavish prison than the stylish room it was supposed to be. Not too mention it was so expensive!

He sighed as he grabbed the now lighter wallet and made for the door.

Time for dinner.

-----0-----

He held the restaurant's menu in front of him, his eyes scanning over the different items. A waitress had laid out the plates and silverware in front of him and left to bring back a pitcher of water, all the while muttering under her voice.

Hoshi hadn't noticed the coming and going of the waitress as his head swam with all the bizarre names of the dishes. He had never gone to a restaurant with Sora and Tsuki since they had lived pretty far from the closest restaurant.

He glanced to the side of the menu, taking note of the orange-checkered tablecloths and the wooden chairs. The restaurant was small and simple, and orange seemed to be the color theme of the restaurant. Little orange flowers decorated the vases and the walls. Hoshi glanced back at the menu.

"Are you ready to order yet?" demanded the waitress, who had returned with the pitcher of water.

Hoshi's menu blocked all view of the waitress, so he was saved from seeing the waitress's annoyed expression. He only saw a glimpse of the waitress's black outfit and gloved hands as she poured the water.

Hoshi lowered the menu, about to order whatever.

The girl lowered the pitcher, about to set it down.

"Finally, I've waited long en-"

Her eyes widened as they locked on with Hoshi's. The pitcher slipped out of her hands, shattering on the floor. Tiny shards of glass scattered over the floor as the water seeped into the floorboards. She didn't notice any of that as she stepped closer to the table.

"H-Hao-sama?" asked the girl tentatively. Her words seemed to indicate her disbelief that he was truly sitting right before her eyes, yet inwardly she already knew that it was true and was rejoicing.

It's Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama Hao-sama!

Hoshi placed the menu on the table, wincing slightly at the girl's loud, enthusiastic thoughts. He appeared calm, though right before his eyes was one of the girls from his dream, someone from his past, someone he never thought he'd meet, someone he wasn't sure even existed until now.

And she was standing right there.

-----to be continued-----

next chapter: forgotten companions