Chapter 1 (Too many long islands)
Zack
slammed the door behind him and stomped away from his apartment. I hate her so much.
When
the tears rolled over his lips, they left a salty residue. The pounding sounds
of construction beat in tune with his racing
heart. Around the
twelve-story mansion — a large
Japanese apartment building — only three parking spaces had cars in them.
If I could actually find another
girl for more than a one-night stand, I would definitely never find myself
crawling back to Sena … or accepting her apology.
Zack sniffled.
Click.
Thud!
From
behind, a door opened and slammed against the wall.
“Get
your lazy ass back here right this instant!” Sena’s shrill voice ground the
English language like coffee beans.
After
freezing in place, Zack swallowed. “No.” You
can do this, Zack. His hands
trembled. Just stand up to her.
“I’ve —” Stop thinking and do it! “— had
enough of you for one day.”
Sena
harrumphed. “You’ve had enough of me? Me?”
Smack!
Something
hit him between the shoulder blades.
Zack’s
knees buckled. He glanced down to stare at a high-heeled shoe. “Sena —” Without
turning, he ducked.
A
second high-heeled shoe whizzed
overhead.
Zack
spun to glare at Sena. His jaw tightened,
and he clenched his fists. “Stop throwing things at me!”
“Then
stop leaving the toilet seat up!”
“You
cut holes in my favorite suit for that?”
Everything seemed to gain a crimson
tint.
Sena
spat before marching forward. She grabbed him by his pink tie. “I swear that if you ever do it again —”
By inhaling in through and nose and
exhaling out through his mouth, Zack forced himself to relax.
Using her free hand, she
grabbed him by his blond hair and jerked his head back.
Zack
yelped.
“— I will stab you with a knife and make you clean up the blood.” Sena
stared into his hazel eyes.
While
fighting down the urge to strike a woman, Zack gulped.
With a
snarl causing wrinkles to appear on her forehead, Sena pulled at his hair
again. “Are we clear?”
“Whatever.”
“That’s
not the correct answer.” Sena tugged on his hair again.
Zack
gritted his teeth. “Fine! I understand! Now let me go before I do something
that we both regret.”
Sena
released his hair. “As long as you —”
“Short-tempered
bitch.” Zack straightened his pin-striped jacket.
With incredible speed, Sena’s hand
shot forward.
Zack slapped her hand away. “I’ll
come back when you calm the fuck down.”
Sena
growled.
After retreating to the sidewalk, Zack walked down the road. Why is she always like this?
Caw,
caw.
The
raven-sized, Japanese crows flapped their
wings.
Zack pulled out a tissue and then blew his nose with it.
Zoom!
Zoom-zoom-zoom!
Zoom!
Cars
zipped by, going in both directions. The stink of gas and rotting meat hung in
the air so thick that he could taste it.
Zack
gagged.
Acidic
bile climbed up his throat. It burned.
His
esophagus dried.
After
a long moment, Zack worked up enough spit to choke the vomit down. Why does this place always smell so bad?
The
construction sites to his right
and the Love Hotel — a high class hotel with an hourly rate for private getaways — to his left answered his question. Even worse, a bit further down the road,
a trash separating facility had set-up
shop.
At the
red-light, Zack took a left and
held his breath.
A few
garbage trucks rumbled past.
Zack
hurried to the dreaded overpass. I wish
we at least lived on the other side of this monster, even if we had
to live beside a graveyard.
Each
step felt like a small mountain. Who thought making such steep steps was a good
idea? An asshole, that’s who.
Halfway
over the beast, Zack was huffing. I
seriously want to kill someone. He shuddered. Well … not seriously but damn.
On the
other side, the walkway forked. A small
road to the left. A graveyard on
the right. The air on this side of the super-highway was fresh with a hint of
incense.
Zack
glanced in the direction of his apartment and sighed. I should go back and tell her I’m sorry. Maybe — He shook his head.
No! I won’t go running back to her this
time! He walked into the graveyard and continued moving towards the station.
Around
the station, people milled about in
an undulating mess. They pushed back and forth, going in every direction. Several independent conversations filled
the air more than the heavenly scent of yakitori — Japanese chicken on a stick.
With a
pharmacy to his left and the train tracks ahead of him, Zack stepped up to
Yaki-NJ’s yakitori stand.
Yaki-NJ
looked at Zack and arched an
eyebrow. “Have another fight with Sena?” he asked in Japanese.
Zack
nodded. “Today,” he said in his best Japanese accent, “she cut up one of my
suits, and we started yelling at each
other.”
After
shaking his head, Yaki-NJ pulled out a pair of basic yakitori, dipped them in sauce and then slapped them onto the grill. “I’ve met her a few
times, and she seemed nice enough. But if the two of you keep fighting like
this, I don’t think you should stay together.”
“I
know … .”
“Then
why haven’t you broken up with her?”
“I
have before, but we just end up getting back together.”
Yaki-NJ
laughed. “That sounds about right. How long has it been now?”
“About
seven years.”
Through
pursed lips, Yaki-NJ whistled. “Wow. Was she always like this?”
Zack picked up the yakitori and took a bite.
“After the second year.”
“And
now you’re in too deep, to really
move on?”
While
nodding, Zack took another bite. His neck began to tingle, so he glanced about.
What’s going on?
Between Zack and the train tracks, a
large man strode up to a woman. He carried a small white-knife.
Zack’s
eyes bulged.
Yaki-NJ
peered in the same direction. “What is it?”
For a brief moment, Zack pointed at the man.
“He looks like he’s about to stab her.”
“With
what? His fist?”
“No, the knife.”
Yaki-NJ
narrowed his eyes. “I can’t see a knife from here. Is it in his pocket or
something?”
How can you not see it? While he chewed on his lower-lip, Zack
shook his head. “Never mind. I
guess I’m just —”
After slashing through the straps of the
woman’s Louis Vuitton purse, the large
man snatched it.
The
woman screamed.
The man sprinted towards Zack.
Should I take my frustration out on him?
Zack hesitated before stepping aside. What could I do against a knife?
When
he ran past, the man met Zack’s eyes. A snarl crossed the man’s lips, but he didn’t stop.
Zack blinked. “Huh?”
Yaki-NJ
glared at Zack. “Why didn’t you stop him?”
“My
mind was elsewhere.”
“Understandable.”
Once
Zack finished his yakitori, he placed two-hundred yen — about two US dollars —
onto the counter. “Thanks for the chat. Now,
I think I need to drink.”
Yaki-NJ
laughed. “Try not to pick up too many
girls.”
Zack’s
heart sank. “What good would it do? Anytime I pick a girl up, she only wants to fuck and never speak to me again.”
“I’m
sure you’ll find someone to spend
the rest of your life with.”
“I
have … and I’m miserable.” Zack trudged
towards the Daily Yamazaki — a connivance store.
“You
know what I mean,” Yaki-NJ said from behind. “One day, a good woman will come along and not treat you like shit!”
I wish. After stumbling into the Daily Yamazaki, Zack grabbed a couple of Chu-Hais.
He wasn’t in a beer mood, and the lemon-flavored Shochu Highball packed quite
the punch.
Outside
the Daily Yamazaki, police spoke with the woman who had her purse stolen as
well as Yaki-NJ.
I can’t get involved. Zack cracked open
one of the Chu-Hais and downed it on the way into the station.
Beep-ding.
Zack
touched his Suica — a train card —
to the electronic receiver at the
ticket gate and walked through it. After
working his way down to the Sobu-line platform, he stretched.
Farther down the platform, a large man
stared at Zack.
Zack
swallowed. Shit, shit, shit! I
shouldn’t have pointed at him.
The
large thief — Thiefsy — grinned.
“A
train bound for Chiba is arriving,” the automated male voice said over the
intercom. “Please stand behind the yellow line.”
Maybe … . Zack dashed across the
platform and hopped on the train heading towards Chiba.
Thiefsy followed.
Thump-thump.
Thump-thump!
Thump-thump!
Zack’s
chest pounded. As if someone were trying to tickle him, his neck tingled. Wait for it … . He pretended to sit
down.
Thiefsy sauntered towards the train-car
Zack was in.
Beep-ding,
beep-ding, beep-ding.
The
doors began to close.
While holding his breath, Zack bolted out of the train.
The
doors shut.
Thiefsy slammed his fist against the door. That strange white-dagger glowed in his grip.
Zack
sighed before stumbling onto the
train bound for Tokyo.
Only
one place could take his mind off of Sena and that psychotic thief.
Twenty-seven minutes later, Zack walked out of
Akihabara station. A few Long-Islands
from the Hub will make the world
right.
Buzz!
Buzz-buzz!
In his pocket, his cellphone
vibrated. Someone was calling him.
Zack
ignored it and stepped onto the sidewalk where the late afternoon sun blazed brightly overhead.
With flashing lights attached to every building, bargains were easy to find. Despite that, screaming
solicitors covered the streets of Akihabara — or Electric City as most in the
Kanto region called it. Loud music blasted from every storefront. Week-old
socks drifted on the wind.
Bile
rolled up Zack’s throat, and he gagged. After swallowing, he took a deep breath
through his mouth. At least it’s not as
bad as it usually is.
A cute
contact solicitor approached him with
a coupon.
Zack
leaned in close, almost nose to nose with her and winked. “Sorry, I have
perfect eyes.”
The solicitor stared into his deep, hazel
eyes and blushed. “I … agree.”
Oh god. While smiling, Zack cracked open
his once forgotten Chu-Hai. I better get
out of here before —
Buzz!
Buzz-buzz!
Who the fuck is calling me? Zack reached
into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. “Sorry, little lady, I have to
take this.” I guess that’s as good an
excuse as any not to do something with her that I’d regret.
Sena’s
name flashed across the display.
Is she calling to bitch at me again? Zack took a big gulp of his Chu-Hai and
strolled over to a random
storefront’s loudspeaker. I hope this works.
A long
moment passed.
Making sure the receiver faced the
speaker, Zack flipped open his cellphone and placed it to his ear.
“Hello?” he asked, switching back to English.
“Why
is it so loud?” Sena’s words snapped like a whip.
“Just
a loud area.”
“Fine!”
“Fine,
what?”
Sena
sniffled.
Fuck, I can already feel the guilt washing
over me. With an iron grip, Zack squeezed
the can of Chu-Hai. “What is it, now?”
“I-I …
I never want to see you again.”
Zack’s
heart stopped for a long moment.
Thump!
The
heartbeat took him in the chest like a sledgehammer.
He
gasped.
His
stomach clenched.
To keep his lower-lip from quivering,
Zack bit into it. Then, he
swallowed. I must have misheard. He
stumbled away from the loudspeaker.
“Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“It’s
over.” Sena’s voice cracked. “For real
this time. I’m going to stay with my parents until you get your stuff
out of here.”
This is new. Tears rolled down Zack’s
cheeks. “Fine … but I’m not moving out until I can find a place I like.” He pressed his toes against the ground.
“Fine,
but you better start looking!”
Crack!
The
call ended with Sena slamming her cellphone
shut.
The
can of Chu-Hai slipped from his grasp.
Thwap!
It hit
the ground.
Chu-Hai
fountained out onto his leg.
Despite
the fact that this suit was dry-clean only, Zack trudged through the carbonated beverage.
His
vision blurred.
Zack
shuffled towards the Hub — a British pub. This
must be a dream.
His
breaths came in ragged bursts while he climbed the stairs into the Hub.
Before
wiping his eyes, Zack forced himself to smile. I … need more than a few drinks. He
stumbled into the Hub.
With a
soccer game playing on the TVs, the few patrons at this hour didn’t seem to
notice him. Several strands of tobacco battled against the mouthwatering scents
of fried fish. To top it off, eighty’s rock played through the loudspeakers.
Zack’s
shoulders relaxed. Journey always calms my nerves. He
approached the register.
The
three female bartenders looked him up and down.
The
shortest of the three smiled and said, “Welcome to the Hub,” in broken English.
“What can we serve you?”
Zack
licked his lips and tried to remove Sena from his thoughts. “A Long Island Ice
Tea,” he said in Japanese, “jumbo, please.”
As if
one person, all three bartenders said, “Huh?” while their eyes bulged.
For a brief moment, his lips trembled. Keep your mind off of Sena! He pulled out his gold-members card and
paid the short one. Focus! Happy Hour prices are wonderful.
The
one with a nose-ring made his drink.
Zack
took it and retreated to a booth in the back room. What a lovely soccer game.
The
smooth Long Island burned on the way down.
I wonder if I should — He sniffled. Be a man, Zack. Stop acting like a baby!
He pulled the straw out of the Long Island and placed it onto the table. Then,
bottoms up.
A
tingling buzz crawled across his
skin. His body heated up. A fire blazed inside his cheeks.
Zack
closed his eyes. Fuck Sena! He hiccupped.
In his
mind, Sena screamed at him. She
picked up his favorite coffee cup and hurled it across the room.
The
cup shattered beside Zack’s head.
Sena
stormed across the room, a ruler in hand. “You are a worthless piece of trash!”
Zack
swallowed.
“The
world would be better off if you were dead!” Sena slapped him across the face
with the ruler.
As his
memories changed locations, a tear
rolled down Zack’s cheek. A rapid
heartbeat later, more followed.
Sena
smiled while they walked through Tokyo Disney Sea. She clutched onto his arm
and nuzzled against his shoulder. “I love —”
Zack
killed the memory and climbed to his feet. No!
He wiped his eyes before buying another Long Island along with some fried
chicken.
With narrowed eyes and a frown decorating her face, the short bartender
stared at him. She reached across the bar and grabbed onto his wrist. “What’s
wrong?”
Zack
shook his head. “Nothing … .”
A lump
filled his throat.
Her
frown deepened, but she released his
wrist. “Okay?”
After
taking his drink, Zack returned to his seat. He drank until the short bartender
brought his food, and then he ate.
His
mind went blank. A good thing.
People
began piling into the Hub by the dozen, and every seat filled. Groups even
packed around the standing areas. Of all the new patrons, Zack
was the only foreigner. Unlike Sena, it made him feel special.
Before
Happy Hour ended, Zack grabbed another Long Island. I feel wonderful! His eyes wrinkled with a smile. Now, I just need to find —
Two
beautiful girls walked into the Hub, blocking his path. They both wore a
strange, crystal-orbed necklace like one of Zack’s co-workers.
He
blinked. I guess Yuuki isn’t as
unfashionable as I had thought.
While
staring at him, the black-haired one who wore purple lipstick sniffed the air.
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips thinned.
The
one with red-dyed hair and glasses first felt at the back of her neck, then her
lower back. She shook her head.
Are they mocking me? Zack sipped on his
drink. “How are you two doing tonight?”
They
both started. Probably because they had never heard a foreigner speaking
Japanese before. Their mouths worked, but no words came out.
Zack
swayed back and forth. “How about the two of you come and sit with me?”
Purple
looked at Red. Red nodded, and Purple became bouncy.
What’s going on? Zack took another swig
of his drink. “It’s the booth right —” He pointed towards the back-room. “—
over there.”
Purple
beamed. “Sounds great.” Her voice was high pitched and squeaky as if she had
been swallowing helium. “We’ll head over there once we get our drinks.”
Zack
smirked then returned to his seat. Things
are looking up!
Sena’s
face popped into his head.
Zack
took a heavy drag on his straw and killed the image. I’m over Sena … I just … I have to be. I have to move on.
His
stomach turned.
While
grinding his teeth, Zack tapped his foot. I’m
better off this way. Now — He rubbed at his eyes. — there’s no chance that I can go crawling back to her.
His
vision blurred once again.
“What’s
wrong?” Purple asked as she took the seat directly across from him.
Zack
dried his eyes. “Nothing.”
Red
sat down beside her. “So … what are you doing here?” Her voice was flat.
Zack’s
brow furrowed. “Huh?”
Purple
nudged Red in the side. “What she meant
to ask, was what is your name?”
“Oh.
I’m Zack.”
Purple
licked her lips. “I’m Yuna and —” She elbowed
Red in the arm. “— this is Moe.”
“So,”
Zack said, “do you stay around here?”
Yuna
said, “Yes,” while Moe said, “No.”
Zack’s
right eye narrowed. “Okay?”
“We
live down in Chiba.” Yuna turned to glare at Moe. “Some of us don’t consider that near
here.”
Moe
rolled her eyes.
Zack
chuckled. “I live down that way myself.”
“Oh?”
Yuna licked her lips. “What part?”
“Nishi-Funabashi.”
“That’s
close.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
Yuna twirled her hair. “We stay down in Inage.”
After taking a big gulp, Zack found his drink empty. “I’ll be right back.”
The
girls began to whisper among themselves.
Zack
stumbled towards the bar.
By the
time he returned, the girls had finished their drinks.
“Can I
get the two of you anything?” Zack sat his Long Island on the table.
“Not
tonight.” Yuna handed Zack a business card with her phone number on it. “But
you can call me tomorrow for dinner.”
A jolt
shot down to his toes. “That sounds perfect.”
The
girls stood.
Zack
glanced between them.
Yuna
brushed her fingers past Zack’s cheek. “Sorry, but work called. We have to go.”
“Oh.”
Zack pouted his lips.
“I’ll
see you tomorrow.”
Zack
nodded.
Both
Yuna and Moe strode out of the bar. For some reason, their crystal-orbed
necklaces glowed.
A
transparent tiger walked beside Yuna’s legs.
And over Moe’s shoulder, a transparent hawk flew.
I’ve had too much to drink. Zack
scrubbed at his eyes before picking up his Long Island. Or not enough.
A few
more Long Islands had Zack in good spirits. He randomly talked with the other
patrons, but always returned to his own seat. The plaques on the far wall were
nothing more than blurry splotches of brown and gold.
Beep,
beep, beep.
The
alarm on his cellphone rang. Ten minutes
until his last train.
Zack
stood and held his glass high. “This is goodbye for tonight!” Zack chugged the
Long Island.
The
other patrons clapped.
His
head spun.
“Leaving?”
a deep, rumbling voice asked. “But we just got here.”
Zack
turned and locked eyes with the oversized Japanese man that approached his
table. Impossible. He gulped.
Thiefsy smirked. “Me and —” He gestured
towards the five blurry shapes behind him. “— my friends were hoping to share a
drink with you.”
“Then
I need another —” Zack slipped around Thiefsy
and bolted out the door.
Shouts
echoed from behind.
With every stride, Zack’s stomach twisted
into a tighter knot.
Beep-ding.
Zack
smacked his Suica against the
train gate and slipped his wallet back into his pocket.
Smack!
He ran
face first into a padded pillar.
Thud.
He
landed flat on his ass.
“Get
him!” Thiefsy’s voice sent shivers
down Zack’s spine.
After climbing to his feet, Zack scrambled up the escalator.
“The
doors are closing,” an automated male voice said over the loudspeakers. “Please
stand back.”
Fuck! Zack dashed for the closest door.
Thiefsy and his gang topped the stairs and
pointed at Zack.
The
stink of burned potatoes filled the air on the platform.
Bile
rose into the back of Zack’s mouth. He pushed passed a blurry, gray-haired old
man.
“Fucking shit,” the old man said in a youthful voice.
Zack
turned to apologize to the old man.
Vomit spewed
out of his mouth and covered the old man from head, to toe.
The
old man stumbled backwards.
Thiefsy’s gang closed in on the train.
The
doors shut.
While
sliding away from the door, Zack swallowed. There
goes my dinner.
His
head did somersaults.
Zack
wobbled into the next train-car and plopped down into a seat.
By the
time he reached Nishi-Funabashi, he couldn’t even see his own outstretched hands.
His
stomach grumbled.
“I …
food then.” Zack pulled out his wallet and pressed his Suica to the vending machine’s card reader.
First
a pork cutlet sandwich popped out, then a sports drink.
Zack
devoured the sandwich and sipped on the sports drink while he crawled upstairs.
“I … bathroom.”
The
handicapped bathroom sat beside the ladies’ bathroom, but the men’s bathroom
was on the other end of the station.
“Fuck
it.” Zack stumbled into the handicapped bathroom.
“I
intend to,” a husky voice said.
Click.
The
door shut behind him.
Zack
spun and lost his balance. He crashed into the wall beside the toilet.
A
dark-skinned Japanese girl locked the door and sauntered up to Zack. She ran
her fingers down his chest. “I knew I’d find you again.”
“Who …
you?” Zack struggled to stay the darkness creeping in from the sides.
“You
were really drunk last time, too.” She undid his belt and pressed her soft lips
against his neck. Her blond-dyed hair batted against his chest.
When
she bit into Zack’s neck, a moan
slipped through his lips. He
curled his toes.
She
dropped his pants and ran her fingers through his hair.
Goose
bumps prickled down his arms. A shiver darted from head, to toe.
Using
his hair, she pulled Zack into a kiss and
reached into his silky boxers.
A
moment later, everything went black.
Patter,
patter-patter, patter.
While wobbling back and forth, Zack
glanced around then down. “How did
I end up here? Pissing on this grave.”
“I do not know,” a male voice said in a
slurred Japanese accent. “You tell me,
foreigner.”
“Huh?”
After lurching forward, only the gravestone kept Zack upright. “What … were
we talking about?”
Crickets chirped, but
nothing else moved.
Huh? Zack’s vision fogged in an out.
“How
did you come to this particular grave and decide to piss on it?” The voice sounded angry for
some reason.
“Are
you a cop?”
“No … .”
“Good … then I’d say … one too many Long —” Zack threw-up onto the gravestone. “— Islands.” While pulling bits of pork from his mouth, he stumbled backwards.
“What
are Long-Islands?”
“You
know … .” Zack blinked. “The
cheap and awesome drink?”
“Drink?
… You mean alcohol?”
“Of
course. What else would I be
talking about?”
From behind, a Love Hotel’s flashing neon signs illuminated the graveyard. Gravel
shifted under his feet. The traces of incense mingled with his vomit.
Zack choked. With both
hands, he covered his mouth and inhaled through his nose. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
After making a smacking noise, the voice
groaned. “Perfect …
just perfect.”
“Who
are you?” Or where are you? I
wonder if he’ll help me get home.
“Who
are you?”
“I
asked you first.” Zack pinched his own
arm. He didn’t wake up. I understand now. I’m broken. Sena won.
“While
living, I was known as Shinji … .”
Living?
“Shinji it is.”
“Yes … I am a ghost.” While Shinji made booing noises, his anger seemed to
wane. “Though, having a body again could be useful.”
“Having
a body?” After squeezing the bridge of his nose, Zack gave up. He didn’t care anymore.
Sena was gone. A gang with
invisible knives chased him. And now a
ghost had possessed him. He had reached rock bottom. There was nothing else to be said but fuck it.
Shinji cackled. “Your body will be
mine!”
I don’t
give a shit. After taking
a deep breath, Zack looked into
the star-lit sky. How did everything turn out like this?
“That is what I keep asking you.”
Zack
staggered back onto the pathway. One foot
in front of another. Can ghosts read
thoughts?
“I
am in your head … .”
Oh. So, I am just talking to myself again.
“No.”
Really?
Then who are you?
“I
am Shinji, remember?”
A grumbling echo made Zack’s
eyes water.
“Are all foreigners as stupid as you are?”
No, I like to think I’m unique.
Shinji
snickered.
Before
massaging his temples, Zack exited the graveyard and trudged up the overpass. So,
how exactly
did you get into my head?
“You
pissed on my grave.”
Is
that some type of code?
“I
should kill you.”
As
a voice … I don’t think
you’re capable of that.
Shinji growled.
“That’s it! I’m done! Tell me how
you ended up pissing on my grave, now!”
Well … . While he shuffled back
to his apartment, Zack recounted
the story of his day.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
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