Meriko pressed against the wall, hiding ever deeper in the shadows. It was important to hide, as one never knew what was lurking in the streets of the city any more. Rumors of murder and worse had filtered down to her, and now she only went out when she had no other choice.
Normally she worked from home, and she had everything delivered to her; food, clothing, everything. Normally she never had to leave the front door for any reason. However, tonight loneliness had driven her out of her flat.
The cool damp air held a musty scent, smelling of mold and garbage, mingled with other less desirable odors but she didn’t notice them. Clearing her mind of any thoughts that might draw attention to her, she quickly crossed the alley and melted into the shadows. After a moment’s indecision, she entered the restaurant through the back door.
Strolling as if she had simply been to the restroom, she sat on the only empty stool at the counter and ordered yaki-soba, with bubble-tea, adding a tip to the money as she paid the bill. Sipping her bubble-tea, she waited for her meal.
“How can you see with those dark glasses, girlie?” the drunk next to her leered. The smell of stale beer made her ill, and reflexively she leaned away from him.
“Oh, you know,” she said noncommittally. “It’s the fashion, so….”
“Hey there! Don’t be bothering the other customers,” the man behind the counter warned the drunk. “If you bother her again you’re out of here.”
“I’m behaving, don’t worry,” the drunk mumbled, and after a few moments he staggered out the front door into the night. With his leaving, fresh air came in, but it was quickly cut off by the slamming of the door.
“I hate drunks,” the man behind the counter said. “They can eat elsewhere. I don’t need their money.” He busied himself with cleaning the counter and the soda machine.
Meriko pushed her food around the plate, and stared through the service-window at the young cook in the back. He was why she came here, despite the danger in doing so.
Tonight she had come in close to closing time, and soon she was the last customer there. It was the cook's quitting time, so she had timed it right.
She’d watched him come and go every night since he had started working there, watching him from the window of her flat. The restaurant was just across the alley from her building, and much of her view was taken up by the alley and the back of this restaurant.
“May I have a box to take my left-overs home in?” The man brought her a box. “Have a nice evening,” she said as she walked out the front door. She was so lonely. Maybe tonight she would find a friend. Other people had companionship in their lives. Maybe this was the night for Meriko.
Ten minutes later the cook, a young man named Kai walked down the dark city street to his bus stop. Usually he was the only one there, but tonight a girl was there and the to-go box sat on the bench beside her. She’d been in the restaurant earlier, and he’d seen her carrying a to-go box as she left. He’d noticed her earlier because she was wearing dark glasses.
“Hello,” he said cheerfully. “Didn’t I see you tonight in my restaurant? Well, it’s not mine, but I work there.” His smile was unforced and honest, elevating his face from handsome to beautiful.
“Yes,” she said, smiling. “I go there often, but tonight I was later than usual. They were almost closed.”
“I only work the late shift, so that’s why I haven’t seen you before,” he said as he sat on the bench and checked his phone to see the time. “My name is Kai. What's yours?”
“Meriko,” she answered, feeling happy for the first time in weeks. He was so handsome!
They sat talking for five or so minutes. Finally he asked, “Why do you wear dark glasses in the night? You wore them inside our restaurant. I heard you tell the drunk that it was the fashion, but…well, maybe I am not up on the current trends or something.”
“Ah…it’s a genetic condition. My eyes are extremely sensitive to the light,” she told him. “Do you have any hobbies?” she asked, trying to distract him.
“Oh, so it is painful to go without dark glasses,” he said, as if he understood. “So are you like, a vampire or something?” he joked. “That would be a hoot, me hanging out with a vampire.”
“No,” she laughed. “I’m not a vampire! I am just a girl, just a regular girl. Hobbies…I like collecting old Pokémon cards. Do you collect anything?”
“So let me see your eyes, then Meriko who is just a regular girl,” he said leaning forward to take her dark glasses off her.
“No! Don’t do it,” she said, but it was too late.
Meriko looked at the statue of the handsome young man sitting on a bus bench, holding a pair of dark sunglasses. The lights of the approaching bus turned the corner as it made its way to her stop, but Meriko fled into the darkness, crying.
“Why do they always want to see my eyes? Why can’t they ever just want to talk?” Still sobbing she crept through the shadows to her home.
Statues. Meriko’s life was full of statues.
