[Center][b][u][h2]Itaki Masuo ~ Yokohama, Japan.
(Day Of Departure)[/h2][/u][/b][/center]

Hands forcefully pushed a pile of folded clothes into a suitcase, before slamming it closed and zipping it up to ensure everything would stay inside. "That ought to be everything." Itaki spoke to himself, sighing as he sat down on his bed next to his suitcase. This would be the last time he'd be sitting here for a long time, he was going to miss it. Kind of. 

His eyes lingered down to his smartphone; old tech, certainly outdated and in need of an upgrade. Weather: Cloudy, heavy chance of rain. Great. That's just what he needed: To be soaked before his trip. Maybe heading over to the station now would be a good idea? He was just enjoying these last moments at home anyhow; Might as well give them up in exchange for not getting caught in the rain, right? He'd be back... Eventually. He'd just have to get over it and think about the future, for now. That being said, he was still in disbelief: Casper Academy was looking like quite the place. He still couldn't believe he managed to get to such a place, but if he ever wanted to run his own business, getting an education at a place like that seemed necessary.

Now if only he had some money to start a business! He'd be good to go.

Slipping his phone into his pocket and standing, Itaki grabbed the handle of his suitcase, tugging it off the bed. He made his way towards his door, passing through the open doorway and making his way down the hall, spotting his mother in the living room, on the couch. A small smile crossed his face. She might not have been able to provide for him all the time, but she always loved him. Itaki cared for her deeply, and couldn't wait to come back home and show her how much he could improve. 

"Mother." Itaki spoke up, approaching her. He stopped near the arm of the couch, looking down at her. 

"O-Oh," His mother responded, looking up at him. "Is it really that time already?"

"Mhm. I'm going to head to the station before the storm starts. Don't want to be sick when I get to Seattle." Itaki explained plainly. 

His mother stood, looking at her boy. While he always didn't do things the right way, and tended to be somewhat rude, she knew her baby boy was a good person. She just hoped he managed to make some friends and enjoy himself in Seattle, he needed to stop being alone so much. He always had her, but she knew he needed people outside of a protective mother. 

"... We've known you were going for months, but I'm still not ready!" She spoke loudly, wrapping her arms around Itaki and squeezing him, causing him to cough from the air being forced out of him. 

"M-Mother, we'll be in contact at all times. It'll be fine--"

"That's not like having my baby here!"

Eyes darkening as he stood there, Itaki shook his head slowly. Good grief, he knew this was going to be rough, but he didn't expect this. He wrapped his free arm around his mother, hugging her back. Honestly, if he could find the same opportunity here, he wouldn't leave. But this was a great opportunity for him, and it was in his blood to not pass up a good opportunity. 

Even if the person who made it that way was long gone. 

"Alright, alright. Let me go." Itaki demanded calmly, bringing his arm to his side. His mother pulled away, but not before giving him a kiss on the cheek, causing Itaki to roll his eyes. 

"You promise everything will be fine? That you'll be safe?" His mother questioned, observing him.

Itaki nodded in response, glancing at the door. "Yeah," He answered. "I don't plan for things to go wrong." He added, his tone getting a tad snappy. But that hint of aggression was cute, in his mother's eyes. 

"That's a promise, Tanooki~ You aren't allowed to break it~!" His mother sang.

Itaki gritted his teeth at the nickname, but shrugged it off. It was just her way of showing affection. "Yeah, I know." He said, walking into the kitchen. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a half-empty blue bag, gripping it tightly. He turned and eyed his mother for a moment, as it was awkward to find last words before heading off. He had to think of something. Something nice, polite--

[i]"Can you get the door?"[/i]

[i][sub]"Goddamn it, brain."[/sub][/i]

"O-Oh, of course!" His mother dashed over to the door, opening it and letting cold air flow through. Itaki approached and walked through the doorway, before turning and looking at his mother one last time. 

"Thanks for everything..." He said, kind of awkwardly, as he wasn't sure if he was choosing good words or not. 

"You're welcome, Tanooki~" His mother sang, happily. He still couldn't get mad about the name. "You don't forget the promise you made! If you break it, I'll be upset!"

"I know." Itaki replied.

"Good! And don't forget:" She smiled warmly at him, despite the cold breeze. "I love you!"

Itaki's face turned a bit red, causing him to look away. Out of embarrassment, he decided to turn and start walking. "Love you too." He said back, raising a hand and waving as he began to make his trip to the station.

He bit his lip, holding back how he felt about leaving. He simply kept his head down and started walking. His trip had gone on for about fifteen minutes, and as he looked up in the sky, he could swear rain would pour down any minute. He picked up his pace to get to the station quickly, but knew he had to make one stop first. 

Seeing the station ahead, he instead ducked into a nearby alley. He walked over to a small collection of boxes, and sat his suitcase down. He crouched down, and opened the blue bag in his other hand; then started pouring its contents into a bowl near the boxes. 

It was only about ten seconds seconds before the mewing started; Cats gathering around, hurrying to the bowl to be fed. Itaki smiled at the sight, taking a moment to pet one of them, which purred happily. 

"Sadly it'll be up to you guys from here." Itaki said, standing up. He watched on for a moment, but only until he heard something: A drop of water, smacking onto his coat. 

"Shit!" Itaki cursed, grabbing his suitcase and dashing off. Hell no, he wasn't getting rained on! He booked it out of the alley and ran straight towards the station, hearing a boom in the sky above, as water started pouring down. He pulled the hood of his jacket up, and kept going.

He was careful going up the stairs, but thankfully after that he was free from the rain. Pulling the hood of his jacket down, he shook his head in disbelief that he made it without getting si-

[i]"Aah-CHOO!"[/i]

Itaki sniffled, teeth probably ready to shatter with how irritated he was now. He groaned for a moment, before realizing if he kept sitting around complaining he'd miss his train. Itaki stood straight and put a somewhat professional appearance back on; Continuing forward to board the train, and to start a new stage of his life.

[Center][i][u][h2]To Be Continued[/h2][/u][/i][/center]