<span style="font-weight: bold">CHAPTER 1:</span><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #BF0000">The rumored town, Iwamura</span></span><br/><br/><br/>It was another ordinary day for Kei as he sat in the meager comfort of the bus's seat, looking at nothing in particular out the window. As the outside blurred by him, Kei thought about his life in the city, his activities there had taken a great toll on him that he felt the need to get out. His job in the customer service industry demanded so much of his time, especially with his new boss hounding him for completing ridiculous amounts of paperwork in a tight deadline. Adding more to the pressure he felt was the scary face of an angry boss. As if his job and new boss was not enough, scouts of the Japan national basketball team also kept bugging him to pursue a pro career day in and day out, it was just too much. This trip was just the getaway he needed for a break... desperately.<br/><br/>He looked around the bus briefly. There weren't that many people making the same trip he was at this time, leaving the bus Kei took half empty which he was somewhat grateful for. Feeling his body aching from prolonged sitting, Kei looked at his watch to check the time, it was almost nine in the morning. They had been on the road for nearly two hours now that he was beginning to wonder when would they ever get there. Just as he was about to ask someone on the bus, Kei caught a glimpse of sparkling blue from the corner of his right eye.<br/><br/>The vast ocean greeted Kei's eyes as he turned to look. Their bus was steadily making its way down the mountain pass and already, Kei could see civilization at the foot. He was almost at his destination and the beauty before him instantly took the trip's fatigue out of him. Kei couldn't contain his excitement anymore. Taking out a camera from his pack, Kei opened his bus window and took snapshots of the view before him. With something to do to keep him busy, it did not take long before Kei noticed that their bus had already made it into the town entrance. He eagerly got off the bus and the first thing he did was breathe in the air.<br/><br/>"So this is the rumored town of Iwamura. Not bad." he said to himself.<br/><br/>The first thing he noticed was how clean the streets were. It definitely came as a shock to him since he was used to a city's somewhat dirty surroundings. As Kei continued walking into the station, he couldn't help but notice that there were only a few people around, contrary to what he was expecting. Nevertheless, he pressed on and just as soon as he entered the bus station lobby, he was greeted by a middle-aged man wearing casuals with a brown jacket, his voice nearly piercing Kei's ears with its loudness.<br/><br/>"Greetings traveler! Welcome to the town of Iwamura! The Jewel of the East! The Tenth Wonder of the World! Are you here to sightsee? Perhaps looking for a job? Or are you here to chase the burning passion of romance? Oh sweet youth! I envy you young sir!" the man paused, as if about to wallow in his own tears.<br/><br/>"U-uh.. no... I..." Kei stuttered.<br/><br/>"Never fear for I am here! I can see it in your eyes, the hunger for companionship! No need to tell me about your loneliness my good sir, for Iwamura will definitely take them away from you! Oh but before that, allow me to give you this..." he trailed off and pulled something from his suit's inner pocket and forcefully handed it over to Kei.<br/><br/>"W-wait... I... h-hold on..." Kei muttered, desperately trying to get a word in.<br/><br/>"No need to thank me oh lonely sir, simply allow me to aid you in your quest for love! With that map, you should be able to find your way easily around town, and eventually... to the heart of the woman you seek! Enjoy your stay and may the goddess of love smile upon you! Onward to a man's happiness!"<br/><br/>Before Kei could even really get a word in, the man in the brown suit was already walking away with a ridiculous pace onto his next... target? Whatever the case, Kei looked at the map he was given and found that it was detailed and easy to follow. Sighing in defeat and shrugging his shoulders, Kei looked around and spotted a cafe with only a few people inside. Making his way towards the cafe, Kei decided to take the time and study the map to plan out his first day in Iwamura.<br/><br/>"This is going to be fun!"