Chapter 9 - Life Stories

"Hello Shinichi," Alex met him smiling and kissed him on the cheek. "Hi," he said. “Shall we?” Shinichi opened the door of his car and held it for her. "Sure," said Alex and sat down. Shinichi slammed the door.

They were silent for a while until Alex broke this. "You know, there isn’t really anything going on in the cinema yet. What do you think of that. We’re going to eat something and then go to the cinema." Shinichi just nodded. “Very nice.” Alex sounded happy.

(In the restaurant)
Shinichi resigned himself to Alex. He'd heard a lot about her. She was the number one topic of conversation among boys in high school. Every second person said that they already had something going on with her. Shinichi didn't really know what to think about her now. He rejected the thought again. He had never been the kind of person to be prejudiced about stories.
"What about you. You are so quiet." Alex interrupted his thoughts. “I'm all right.” Shinichi tried to appease her. “Well, yesterday you were more talkative.” She waited briefly. But got no answer from him. So she spoke again. "So tell me. What brings you to LA. You have lived in Tokyo so far."
"Well ... uh ... you know ..." He didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected this question. Nobody had spoken to him about it either. Until now. "I was fed up with Tokyo. And since my parents live here, I just came to LA." He lied. Shinichi couldn't tell her that he almost went on it in one case and that the police and the FBI thought it better that he left Japan and ... and ... and her. `Ran ...` again it shot through his head.
"There are no more reasons? No ex who made your life hell?"
Shinichi paused. "An ex? How did you come up with something like that?" He laughed.`No, it wasn't an ex. And it didn't make my life hell either. On the contrary, they ... "He noticed that his thoughts were drifting away again.
“That's what people tell each other.” Alex sipped her Coke.
"Oh? And you listen to what other people say?"
"Um, no. Not really. But there is also a grain of truth in every story."
"If you want to see it that way, okay. Do you want me to believe what people say about you?" Shinichi raised an eyebrow at her as he leaned over to her.
Alex was startled. “What do they tell each other about me?” She was insecure and could guess what he was talking about.
"Let's put it this way ..." Shinichi leaned back and crossed her arms behind her head. "You are the most popular girl in school. That is a fact and you know it too. Now the question arises as to how a girl becomes the most popular girl in high school. Either she is aloof or else, and that is what you are thinking about tells you she lets every second one. "
“Sure, yes.” She sighed. "So if that's the only reason you dated me ..." Shinichi interrupted her. "No, Alex. That's why I definitely didn't meet you. I've always approached people without prejudice. I only form an opinion when I know people better. And I'll do the same with you. Well is there any truth to that? What people say about you. "
"No, it isn't. I don't know how that got around either." Alex stared at her Coke. She was embarrassed about the conversation.
"Well, you see. So there is not some truth to every story." Alex looked up and saw Shinichi smile. She looked at the clock. "We should then slowly go to the cinema. Of course, only if you still want to."
Shinichi eyed her. She was nice. And she was cute too. What more did he want?
"No, let's go. I don't feel like going to the movies. We should talk a little more.After all, one person thinks the wrong thing about the other. We could clarify that first. Don't you think "He leaned on the table.
Alex nodded. "You're right. Then tell me. What has happened in your life so far?"
Shinichi laughed. "So I should start. Ok. But then it's your turn." He waited for Alex to confirm before he started to talk. "Well. I was born in Tokyo and grew up there. And went to school there."
Now Alex laughed. "That's kind of clear. And next?"
"Nothing more. Except that I lived alone in Tokyo from the age of 13, as my parents felt they had to move to LA."
Alex stopped short. "At 13? Why did your parents leave you alone?"
Shinichi closed his eyes for a moment. Once again he thought of Ran. "Because I didn't want to change schools. I wanted to stay in my familiar surroundings. Quite simply." She nodded in understanding. "So and now I'm here because, as I said, I didn't feel like staying in Tokyo anymore. Even if living alone was nice. At some point you miss your family." Shinichi took a sip of his water. "And now you. How has it been in your life so far."
"Well, I was born in Miami. But only because my parents were there on vacation. I grew up in Seattle. My parents separated when I was nine. I came here with my father because he was his new wife here Since then I've been in LA and try to make the best of it. Even if many try to beat me up because I'm not what they would like me to be. Which probably explains the talk about me. "
Shinichi nodded in understanding.
They still talked about one thing or the other. Mainly through school. Until they decided to go home around 10 p.m.

When Shinichi was in bed, he thought again about his date with Alex. He started to smile. "This could become something ..."