A Tanuki's Life (Paused)

Chapter 7

"Shall I take you to the train station?"
"No, thanks..."
"And you're really sure about this?"
"Yeah ..."

Tom was just about to pack his trolley. His mother had been restless and nervous all day. "Don't you want to wait another week?" The tanuki sighed. "Mom! Can you let me pack up my stuff, please?"

"Okay, okay! I'm gone." So she walked out of his room. After Tom had finished packing undisturbed, he looked around his room again to check that he hadn't forgotten anything.

Stressed out, he checked his watch. The train is coming in thirty minutes. He should be on his way. I should have packed everything yesterday ...
"Already finished?" Jason peeked into his room. "I guess so."

His little brother looked around the room. "This is going to be pretty lonely ..." he muttered. "Now you have the room all to yourself. Isn't that great?" Tom nudged him in the side with his elbow as he pushed his trolley out of the room.

Since it was autumn, he put on a thick jacket and a scarf. Then he threw his backpack over his shoulders. "Take good care of yourself, my son," his mother said, blinking sadly. Tom's heart suddenly felt heavy.

He will be so far from his family. "I will," he said and hugged his mother tightly, breathing in her familiar scent for the last time. "I'm serious," she insisted. "In this city there are only dangers lurking. Don't trust everyone. Especially not foxes!"

Her dark blue eyes grew big. "Foxes are cunning animals. Stay away from them, will you?" Tom rolled his eyes in amusement. "Yes, yes."
"She's exaggerating again," Alan said and gave his son a hug too. "You grew up so quickly. We are very proud of you."

"Thanks, Dad." He looked at Jason, who had been standing by in silence until now. "You ... you come to visit us, won't you?" Tom saw how the younger one had to control himself not to cry. The tanuki grinned and pulled his brother over.

"Sure!" He patted Jason's head. He avoided his gaze and stared sadly at the floor. "Well then, I have to go, otherwise I'll miss the train." He broke away from Jason's embrace and looked at his parents, who were looking at him proudly.

Millie kissed Tom on the cheek. "Have a good trip, my boy."

When Tom had reached the station, he only now felt the nervousness that was rising in him. What can he expect in Bellington? Will he even find a good job and earn enough? Will he settle in this unfamiliar city?

He quickly pushed these worries aside and glanced impatiently at the clock. He was here fairly early, as he was just realizing. Tom was about to light a cigarette to make the wait easier when he suddenly heard quick steps behind him.

Before he could turn around, he was caught by a stormy hug. The tanuki blinked perplexed when he saw his brother. "Jay? What are you doing here?"
"I ... had to say goodbye to you again ..." the younger one mumbled.

He buried his face in Tom's shoulder. "I will miss you so much ..." A sob escaped him. The older one smiled and patted the orange tanuki gently on the back. "I'll miss you too, little one."

Though he was definitely no longer little. Jason was significantly taller than his brother. "But you don't have to cry about that," Tom said. "I'll visit you sometime, I promise!" The younger one raised his head, his eyes filled with tears.

"But it will be so terribly lonely without you!"
"You will get used to it."
"No, never."
"Yes, yes, definitely."
"I need you!"

He clung to him tightly again. "Without you I am lost."
"Nonsense!" Tom replied. "You haven't needed me in a long time. You are an adult now, Jay! You can take care of yourself."

The younger one was silent for a few seconds until he mumbled: "You were right."
"Hm?"
"You once said when you grow up all the fun is over," Jason said.

"You were right about that ..." Tom embraced him. Suddenly the farewell was even more difficult than before.
His ears twitched when he heard the train from far away. His throat tightened, he released from the embrace.

"Can you do me a favor?" Tom asked his brother. Jason nodded eagerly. "Anything!"
"Tell Sable, that I'll miss her very much and ... that I didn't mean to hurt her." The orange tanuki looked at him intently and smiled sympathetically.

"I will let her know."
"Thanks." The roar of the train grew louder, and it was about to arrive at the platform. Tom grabbed his trolley. "Take care, bro."
Jason hugged him one last time and then patted him gently on the shoulder. "Take care of yourself too." The train stopped with a squeak and made a snorting sound. Tom nodded to his brother with a smile and stepped through the door that opened.

Jason blinked sadly, lifted his paw, and waved to him. The older one waved back and did not look away from him. Only when the doors closed, the train started and his brother was out of sight, did Tom put his suitcase on the rack above him and sit in an empty seat.

Now it finally started. A new era had begun in his life and he was ready to face it.

The journey took about six hours. Every now and then Tom had dozed off and barely noticed half of the trip. When the train finally stopped, his fur began to tingle with excitement.

The young tanuki jumped up, happy to finally be able to stretch his legs after sitting for a long time. He grabbed his luggage and had to pull himself together so as not to jostle through the passengers.

When Tom stood outside at the train station, he was almost speechless. Bellington was huge. Tall buildings that towered into the sky, endless streets with countless cars and thousands of animals hurrying through the area.

"Wow ...", Tom breathed and barely noticed how some animals had to jostle past him, as he stood rooted to the spot in front of the entrance of the train. The tanuki walked off with large, curious eyes and tried to look at everything at once.

Since he was still very unfamiliar with the noise, he had to put on his ears. Besides, his nose twitched suspiciously, with all the strange smells he could sense. But he would get used to that.

Happily, he wagged his tail, wondering where to go first. There is so much to see here! Where do I start? He would like to see everything in one day, but that was impossible.

My dream came true. I am in Bellington!