Takei and Keiko head to her house. Upon stumbling on a warehouse supplies store on the way, they change course. Their current stance is idle, and they choose to help instead.


    “Keiko? What do you think we’ll need? I honestly have no idea what we would.”


    “Um, you’re asking me? Neither do I. I never had to save one of my friends from the brink of death before. Nor do I even know the difference in these wrenches.” She grabs a strange one. It seems to have twelve different settings. “Like, what is this? A Swiss army wrench? I have fewer settings on my phone.”


    Takei scans the wall of tools. It reminds her of a spy movie, ropes, wire. She can’t see a silencer gun being out of place. Of course, they’d never have that.


    “If only they had silencer gun on here, I bet that would make this mission more possible.”


    “Takei, this isn’t an American supply store,” Keiko jokes.


    The girls then go down the aisle to a section of stuffed animals.


    “Oh, I know! Let’s get a stuffed animal for Shoji. That way, when we save him, he has something to make him feel good!” Keiko reasons.


    “Keiko, I’m not so sure that’s 100 percent necessary.” There is a sigh in her voice. Keiko rarely takes anything seriously, even when the situation is worrisome like this.


    “No, no, trust me, it’ll be good. I’ll give him this one.” She picks up a bear in a woodworker apron. She snuggles up with it, the softness making her purr.


    “Yes, this one is it! I’ll buy this one for him. Mr. Bearwrench,” she says.


    “That’s nice of you, Keiko.” Takei changes her tone, seeing how happy it made her. She can’t shake off, though, that this isn’t the best use of their time, but she can’t think of anything that’ll help out. She has a hint of uselessness.


    “I don’t know what to get. Maybe we’ll just wait for them to finish.”


    “Yes, yes, that’s the best course of action for us. Now let’s get this nice bear and purchase it.” She skips down the aisle, a hearty grin on her face as she goes up to the cashier and pays for it.


    The female clerk in her older years hands them their change. “What lovely dears, buying a gift for one of your boyfriends?”


    “Huh? Oh no, this is for my friend, his name is Shoji. He’s in a bad place right now, so I’m getting him this,” Keiko answers.


    “Oh my, a friend in a bad place? Even sweeter, in my day, it was rare to buy gifts for friends without occasion. It warms my heart to see goodness in this evil world still.”


    “Yeah! You have a wonderful day, ma’am.” She bows respectfully and leaves together with Takei.


    “Hey, hey, do you think that he’ll mind that it’s a woodworker?” she asks as they walk along.


    “Why would he mind?” Takei holds tight to her bag.


    “Mmm, I don’t know. I never seen Shoji do anything that comes to wood. He isn’t a lumberjack type at all.”


    “None of us do. We live in a city, Keiko.” Takei chuckles, covering her mouth. Out of her bag, she takes her phone, checking her messages.


    “Fair point! Just want to make sure he’ll love it,” she says sincerely. “Any word from anyone?”


    “No. They must be still planning.” She retires her phone into her bag.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    “Should we go home for now?”


    “Umm, nah, I’d rather do something else while we wait? How about we go get some ice cream? Tasty time?” She grins.


    “I think we should wait for tomorrow. You know, when Shoji comes back and everything?”


    “Eh, but I still don’t feel like going home, so how about we just hang out there then, huh? I promise I’ll get him some tomorrow.”


    “Mmm. Sure. If you really feel like staying in town, I’ll stay with you.”


    Keiko jumps with joy. “Heck yeah! Ice cream land, here we come!” They make their way to the local ice cream shop. It is a humble side shop on the corner of a dead street. It is great for a quiet eating experience but bad for business. You can see it in the lack of maintenance, upkeep, and workers.


    They sit down in a booth. Keiko immediately grabs a menu, glancing it over. “They have so many ice cream choices here. I love this place!”


    Her tone changes. “Takei. Do you think this plan will work?”


    “I don’t truly know. This is a scary and uncertain situation.” Her fear basks in the same light as Keiko.


    The hum of the ice cream machine, then a loud bang and clang as the machine malfunctions, and an employee smacking in it divides their attention.


    “Stupid thing!” he says before the drowning of his voice is replaced by the volume of the TV. A news bulletin flashes on the screen.


    “Breaking news. A message from Mr. Nuke Happy''s organization has been sent to us here at our news station.” A noticeable dip in the anchor man''s bravado is apparent as the screen switches over to a silhouetted man. His outline is indistinguishable from that of a normal person; everyone in the shop has their attention stolen.


    “Is that him?” Keiko asked.


    “Possibly, unless it’s a rouse of sorts? I don’t think they would do that, though.”


    “Hello, everyone. My name is Mr. Nuke Happy. I’ve come to deliver upon the world more of what the future is to hold. A great peril resides in us all. Every country, every nation, and flag held high with the famine that is dissembled nationalism. Every person on this earth resides, in fact, as a person in the mirror, a shameless vanity of the self, and that in itself can’t be seen more than by the chosen we sought. Soon, the world will understand this. Know that we didn’t wish for this. It is simply a byproduct that needs correction. I take no joy.” His voice is alluring, a smooth brick road with no gaps or bumps. Everything he says one would say to be true even if it seems like lies to the girls.


    “I don’t believe him at all, not one bit. I bet he revels in what they’re doing. They can only be cruel people.”


    “I can’t say he’s speaking the truth either. Them kidnapping students is evil.”


    The people in the ice cream shop are of different natures. Some of them are disgusted and hold the faces of being against him. The other are awestruck, feeble, and moldable minds of his. It didn’t used to be this way. The youth and people of thirty to forty years have come to an agreement. The world is spiraling.


    “I leave you with this. Don’t be angry, sad, or worried about what the world is coming to. Just know that there’s a way out, freedom, and a bright horizon beyond the darkest night. Stay happy, everyone.” Even by the silhouette, it’s clear the man is smiling, and the camera cuts.


    “That’s. Well. That’s that,” the news anchor says before continuing on as normal.


    “I don’t like him; he seems like a person who is full of himself and so pretentious! I didn’t even under half the words he said!” Keiko slams her hand on the table, and a man dressed in a pink, white, and blue uniform appears.


    “Please don’t keep up that racket. You might cause an uproar. I don’t need that in my place of business.” He groans.


    “Oh, and who are you, sir? The owner of this ice cream shop, you say? Can we get some ice cream for free?” She grins in excitement, slamming the table once more.


    “Keiko, please don’t be rud—”


    “Fine, fine, I’ll give you some Neapolitan, nothing fancy, just a bowl. Just please don’t be causing any more commotion.” The man leaves to the back.


    “See? Sometimes, you have to be incentive!” She smiles mischievously.


    “I think you mean assertive.”


    “Whatever, the point being you have to learn to tell people what you want sometimes!”


    “I’m not so sure that’ll always work. Besides, it seemed more like a shakedown.”


    He brings back a bowl of ice cream, setting it down on the table for both of them.


    “Oh, sir, I didn’t need an—”


    “Thank you!” the girl scrambles out. Her hot face is now being cooled with the sweet sensation of chocolate, vanilla, and her favorite strawberry flavors.


    “Mmm, I don’t know why people don’t like strawberry. It’s the best flavor by far!”


    The man walks away, tucking in his cap, and he returns to his duties serving patrons.


    “Hey, hey, Takei, you should also take opportunities, y’know? When life hands you ice cream, you make…?”


    “I make? What would I make with ice cream?”


    “The best of it!”


    She grabs her spoon, placing it into her bowl, egging her on to go ahead. Takei is hesitant, staring down at the bowl. It feels wrong to do it, but at the same time, it’ll ease the tension she feels about tonight. As she takes a bite, she can’t help but think maybe that’s what keeps her so sane in hard times. Even in the face of danger, keeping hot nerves cool isn’t an awful idea.