Chapter 1; Episode 20 and 21

Episode 20

The Invitation

2016 Jun 26

"That place was pretty good, right?"" On weekend afternoons, the streets of the capital are bustling with shoppers. After lunch Jessy and Yuko go for a leisurely stroll.

"Mmm, it was good..."" Yuko notices a troubled look flash across Jessy's face.

"Don't worry, I did some work for them before so I get a special discount. It's only half of the avergae price after the discount,"" Yuko says with a laugh."

The two chat on and off about the fair as they make their way through the crowds. Yuko occasionally stops at a store to look at clothes or kindly pauses to have her photo taken with fans. Some people pass by then quickly turn around to get a better look at her.

"I didn't realize you were so popular."

"Heehee, I started working since junior high. I've been in loads of magazines!" Yuko flashes Jessy a brilliant smile and continues to lead the way to their destination.

They keep walking for a while, passing through a laneway selling jewelry and cute little trinkets to arrive at a main street. The intersection is surrounded by towering buildings covered in humongous advertisements. The trailer for the latest blockbuster loops continuously on one of the screens.

"Where are we?" Their surroundings look familiar, like he's seen it on a website before.

"Didn't you always want to go somewhere?" She tugs on his hand and points to a building up ahead. Bright sunlight illuminates her face, accentuating her sparkling vitality.

As they cross the road, they are suddenly stopped by a man.

"Excuse me guys, I'm a photographer for Fashion Today. Are you two together? Can I take some pictures of you both? It’s for the magazine."

"Us?" Jessy looks at the man like he’s crazy, but Yuko grabs his hand and laughs out loud, saying: "Of course, but you better make us look good!"

Episode 21

Midsummer

2016 Jun 28

Under the blazing sun the smell of sweet fruit wavers throughout the orchard. The fruit pickers are wearing colorful head scarves along with cotton gloves, pushing their carts along as they weave through rays of light. The trees in the orchard are richly covered with ripe dragon fruit.

Nasty thorns cover the fruit trees and cactuses, but the fruit pickers are used to getting pricked all the time.

A petite figure moves back and forth among the skilled orchard workers.

"Ouch...!" Chelsea is wearing gloves but a small thorn still manages to prick her, making her cry out in pain.

"Little girl, you need to be more careful. These thorns aren't poisonous but can still hurt badly.” Next to her an older woman deftly plucks two fruit off a tree without any trouble.

"Aren’t you the baker’s child? What are you doing here, working during your vacation?"

"That's how kids are supposed to be. That boy from the grocery store is always down at the beach, saying it's because he wants to work at the surf shop, but he’s just trying to get out of his duties.” The fruit pickers chat back and forth, but their hands don't miss a beat.

Chelsea follows behind the cart. The wound from the cactus needle is throbbing, but she eventually catches up.

"Good job, everyone. Here are some cold drinks!” The orchard owner brings out a bag of drinks and indicates everyone to go rest in the shade.

Chelsea stretches out her tired body and lets out a cat-like purr.

Today was just another busy day.

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