"The Prodigy" pt.2 The Thieves

In the eleven hours and twenty minutes it took to get from California to Japan, David had memorized almost every word in the Japanese dictionary. Not since he was awarded the title of chess grandmaster at age fifteen, had he been so enthusiastic and optimistic about his life and things to come. He was in a different country, and more importantly a different culture. In America he was becoming a sideshow unable to escape the viral media as "The Prodigy", but now he was just David Andrews. Nobody cared who he was, just as he didn't know them. Away from the spotlight, he was finally able to think clearly.

The reason David chose the Kyoto University was specifically due to the advances in Cerebral research and technology that had taken place there in the last two years. The program was being ran by a man by the name of Dr. Able Crantz. Dr. Crantz was an award winning author and scientist in the field of neurology. He had pioneered new methods for advanced brain surgeries that did not utilize blades or radiation. David was sure that if anyone could figure out what was going on with his brain it would be Crantz.

When his plane had arrived it was almost evening. Using his map he had determined that from the airport to the University would be only a forty-five minute walk, and this way he could find some authentic Japanese food on the way. His father being a structural engineer, David was raised to have great respect and appreciation for architecture. He had trouble walking straight looking up at all of theses magnificent structures, and how they complimented the beautiful mountains in the distance. With the sun falling behind the hills in the distance, he decided to take a picture of his first Japanese sunset. His tripod set up, and the shot lined up perfectly he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned around to find a very attractive girl. "こんにちはあなたは私の青い猫を見たことがある先生", she said looking to him as if she was entitled a response. Puzzled the only two words he could translate were blue and cat. Turning back to his camera he realized it was missing. Scanning the streets in a panic he saw a man running into a nearby alley and instinctively gave chase. 


Wishing he had maybe taken up cross country in high-school, David was making steady progress on catching up to the thief. As he ran his adrenaline was pumping and he began shouting "Tasukete!, Tasukete!". He chased the man into another alley, looking up he noticed that this was a dead end, and the man had now stopped. "What now?" he thought to himself, realizing he has never been in a single fight his whole life.Before he could confront the thief he felt a blunt impact hit him in the back, sending a shock wave of pain from his head to his feet planting him face first onto the concrete. Vision blurred he gathered enough consciousness to identify that he was now surrounded by 3 men, one armed with the baseball bat that had branded his back, one hastily sifting through his wallet, and the other going through his messenger bag. Left with no options, mustering up what strength he had left David again began shouting "Tasukete!". Bat above his head, the thug hovered over David. In anticipation from the pain that he would surly receive, David closed his eyes and winced... to his surprise the blow never came.. instead he heard a quick thump and the sound of the wooden bat being dropped, rattling on the concrete. He opened his eyes and saw the man who once held the bat collapsed on the ground right next to him and the other two thugs in a stand off with this man who seemingly just saved his life. The larger of the two thugs swung wildly with his right hand, the man easily slipped under the hay-maker countering with his own crushing left punch to the liver. As a plea the last remaining thief cautiously put the messenger bag on the ground, along with the wallet and camera. The mysterious man nodded and gestured to the thief's fallen allies. The last thug did his best to gather his friends and they all scurried out of the alley. 


David, using the wall now to get to his feet, was overcome with thanks. "Domo Arigatou.", he said with relief. The man did not respond. "Domo arigatou." he said again this time louder, knowing that the man heard him. The man snickered, "No problem 'Mr. Roboto', you know you really should be more careful in this neighborhood at night." David ,now able to see, realized that the stranger was also american. Embarrassed he replied," Its my first day in Japan... I'm here for school...". As the stranger handed him back his possessions he exclaimed "Hey, I know you... your 'The Prodigy' guy, from Conan! You like sushi?". Even more embarrassed now, still in shock, and starving "Yeah.." he replied".. so you know me, what can I call you?" With a wiley smile the stranger replied," You should be calling me 'Daddy', but since thats gay, you can call me Cory"...

To Be Continued