Train 3 to Otaru Main Station [Ren]

Ren had a lot on his mind. The last month or so had been interesting to say the least: after the sports festival and the run in with Matthias, he'd been taken on a trip back to Germany for an 'internship' with the rank 9 hero. He'd learned quite a lot during his time back at that cabin in the mountains, but... well, what was supposed to be two weeks of the internship had actually turned into three, because of adoption proceedings of all things. He honestly still wasn't sure how to feel about it. After all, how do you react to being adopted under a false name by your Uncle? He was grateful, sure; the man was basically his childhood hero and the arrangement did solve a number of his problems, but that didn't make it any less... strange. That last day in Germany had been particularly eventful, with the hearing and the signing and everything, but out of everything that happened, it was the letter that he'd found in his things after he got back to Japan that had stuck with him for the last few weeks, even through the first semester finals.

"What I want, huh?" He murmured as he turned away from the scenery outside the cab window, looking down at the unfolded piece of paper in his hands one more time.

***

Well pup, that's it. One less distraction to get in the way. You're a Wolff for real now, and there isn't much those Yamaki idiots can do about it now even if they do get wise. But with that out of the way, that just means you have to focus more on the hard part. That road is a long one, and before you reach the end you're going to have to figure out what you want out of all this. You've got talent, but while just doing the right thing is a nice sentiment, it isn't enough to drive a person, not the heights you need. If you want to be able to do 'whatever it takes', then you've gotta figure out what that drive is for you. Figure out what you want as a hero, the desire that's going to make you push your limits and 'Go beyond', or whatever the hell that school of yours says. No one can find it out but you.

And now that I've written that cliched nonsense, you know why I didn't say this to you in person, not that that makes it any less true. Oh, and remember what I said about your training. I don't care if you insist on keeping what you can do secret, but you damn well better not slack on practice anymore, or you'll regret it when you need that strength the most.

I'll be watching, pup.
-Siegfried

***

As Ren finished reading the letter for what must have been the hundredth time, he felt the taxi slow to a stop outside of the train station, as if right on queue. He folded up the paper and stowed it away before paying the driver and going to collect his luggage from the back. A quick text to Fu told her that he was almost there, and soon enough he was making his way through the train station toward the ticket counter where they were supposed to meet. With a bass guitar case slung over one shoulder and a well-packed duffel bag over the other, the boy was dressed just as casually as usual; his bright yellow scarf contrasting a dark blue parka jacket that was left open to reveal a t-shirt depicting a classic western rock band, and a pair of frayed jeans. Apart from the heavier than average clothing for the time of year, he didn't look too out of place though. And given that part of the reason behind this method of travel was to avoid any potential recognition, hopefully that would remain the case.

Luckily it didn't take too long to track down the specific counter for their train, and despite his slightly tardy departure from the school it seemed he still arrived more or less on time for their check in. Greeting Fu with a grin and a wave, Ren hurried up to the desk and flashed his documents for the clerk to scan before turning to address his friend more properly. "Sorry for the wait Fu, are we all good to go?" All things considered he'd actually been looking forward to this trip a lot since Fu first suggested it, and after everything that had happened lately, he was sure both of them could use the vacation.

As he approached Fu, Ren was greeted by a brief hug from his classmate, a gesture that he found difficult to return with his luggage still strapped to him, but he gave it his best shot anyway. After that he went about unloading his baggage onto the counter as the attendant requested, and then took up a post beside his friend while they waited for their guide to arrive. He offered Fu a sympathetic smile at the mention of the Sports Festival aftermath and shook his head in response. "No, I get it, it's fine. They haven't exactly been leaving me alone either..." Before the festival he'd done a pretty decent job of laying low, with more or less only those directly involved the school knowing about his familial connections, but with his performance at the event the whole country basically knew who he was now. And that wasn't necessarily a good thing. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as what Fu was dealing with, but he'd gotten a bit of bad press out of the tournament as well. As far the public was concerned, the son of the rank 9 hero got to the final round just to choke at the very last second when he should have won easily. They didn't know or care about what really happened there, they just decided that he'd let down some arbitrary expectation that came with his name. A familiar experience for the boy, though this the first time it'd happened with this name. "It'll be nice having things quiet again for a little while, I think we both need it."

With the arrival of their attendant, Ren gave the woman a polite bow of his own and then proceeded to follow her onto the train, while someone else came to collect their luggage. On the way to their cabin, they were first led through a fairly spacious dinning car and then through a lounge, both of which were well furnished and buzzing with various staff that were finishing their departure preparations. It was certainly one of the nicer trains he'd ever been on, hell, the lounge had a full bar and even a small piano tucked away in one of the corners. Their own room proved to be even more impressive though, with hardwood paneling and expensive furniture that wouldn't be out of place in a higher-end hotel. With the service, the atmosphere, and the aesthetic of the whole affair, it was almost like being back with the Yamaki family again, back before he fled that life and came to the school... The memories left him staring off into space for a second or two, but luckily he was able to catch himself and shake it off before the moment dragged on too long.

"Not bad. Might be a little more comfortable than the bullet." Ren replied with a smirk as he gave another quick scan of the room. Pulling off his jacket, he made for a small compartment in the corner of the room and hung it up before turning and dropping onto the bottom bunk of the bed with a contented sigh. As he lay there for a moment, the reality of the situation finally clicked in Ren's head; summer break had begun and they had a whole month to relax and recover before they'd have to dive right back into their studies. Better make the most of it, he figured. "So, got anything you're looking forward to back home?" The boy asked as he pushed himself back into a sitting position and looked up at Fu.