Chapter Text
Late at night, Mariko sits at a desk under a bright light and draws a picture of a young woman silently. She was dressed only in a thin, white blouse that she left open to stay cool during the late spring night. She was a voluptuous young woman with long, brown hair that fell to her shoulder that framed her soft face and bright, blue cat eyes.
Mariko’s brown tail swayed behind her energetically as she applies a few strokes to her drawing. Mariko’s cat ears perk up as she hears the sound of someone approaching the door. The wooden door opens, and a woman with similar features to Mariko enters. The woman was dressed in a revealing, red, wrap dress.
“Mariko, your up late. Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your trip?” the woman asked.
“I know mom, but I’m almost done.” Mariko said.
Mariko’s mom laughed and made her way to Mariko’s side.
“You can take it with you, you know. Besides, you have to get on the train early. It’ll be a long trip.” Mariko’s mom advised.
“Alright, I’ll get to bed.” Mariko said.
Mariko’s mom hugs Mariko.
“Good. It’ll be nice to travel. You’ll have your friends with you.” Mariko’s mom said.
“The city is pretty big. There’s so much to do there.” Mariko said.
“That’s why you should head for bed. You don’t want to miss it.” Mariko’s mom said.
“Okay, I’m going.” Mariko chuckled.
The next day, Mariko arrives at a train station with her mom. Mariko sported a form-fitting, blue crop-top and a pair of black short shorts. Her perky nipples stuck out from under her top. Mariko gets out of the car and retrieves a large, leather luggage from the trunk. Two other girls wave to Mariko.
“Hey Mariko, glad you made it!” one of them called.
“Hey Jessica. Hey Daisy.” Mariko said.
Jessica, a buxom redhead with freckles decorating her cheeks, carries a luggage behind her, as she makes her way to Mariko’s side.
“You have everything, right? We aren’t going to be able to come back so quickly.” Jessica asked.
“Of course. The train itself sounds exciting.” Mariko said.
“It’s nothing you’ve ever seen before.” Daisy, a blond woman said.
The three make their way to the platform and take a seat at a concrete bench.
“Mariko, before you go, let me take a picture.” Mariko’s mom said.
“Oh, sure. Is it okay if Daisy and Jessica are in it?” Mariko asked.
“Of course, it’s for memories.” Mariko’s mom said.
The three young women stand together and smile as Mariko’s mom aims her phone towards them. The sound of the train whistle echoes as it quickly rides down the tracks.
“that’s the train. Gotta go.” Mariko said.
Down the tracks, a sleek, silver train with blue, horizontal stripes on it’s side zoomed towards the station. In seconds, it reaches Mariko and the others and hauls to a stop. Mariko and the others marvel at the five-cart train.
“Come on, let’s see what’s inside.” Daisy said excitedly.
“I’ll see you later mom.” Mariko said.
“Okay. Tell me if you run into any guys along the way.” Mariko’s mom teased.
Mariko covered her mouth and cracks a smile. “I’ll see.” Mariko said.
Mariko boards the train with Jessica and Daisy. A train attendant takes the ladies’ luggage.
The interior had a red carpet floor with a smooth, velvety texture, the inner walls were covered in a tightly-woven wool to dampen the sound from outside. Mariko and her friends were guided to one of the carts; a wide cart, with individual rooms for passengers to relax. The train attendant handed Mariko and the others a card key for their rooms.
Mariko finds her cart room and enters using the card key. Inside was a single, rectangular bed with a green blanket and two pillows. The frame was connected to the floor, made of a similar, red fabric to the floor outside. A desk and dresser were adjacent to the bed. Mariko unpacks her things as the conductor spoke over a speaker.
“We’ll be leaving in 5 minutes.” the conductor said.
Mariko peels off her clothes and gets on top of the bed; laying on top of the blanket. She plugs in her cell phone to a wall socket, then rests her head on the pillow. Soon, the train begins to leave the station. Mariko watches as her town slowly shrinks past the horizon.