Ride on Time

Chapter 44

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, 23rd December 2022
Ride on Time by Tatsuro Yamashita melts into the background as a young man walked the streets of Tokyo. He couldn't help but think how much Tokyo would've changed from the 80s, the time the song he was listening to was released.
He pushed his glasses up his nose and stood amongst the crowd of people who waited for the pedestrian light to turn green so that they could safely cross the road.
The hoard of people crossed as soon as the light changed, intersecting in various directions. Mitsuo made his way towards a cafe at his right, Tatsuro's music still playing in his ears.
The Sundeer Cafe appeared within his sight. Mitsuo smiled amidst the snow and made his way towards it, taking his earbuds off as he did.
"It's fine," Mitsuo turned towards the sound. "Please, I can go on my own."
A male voice suddenly came, speaking in bits and pieces of English. Mitsuo instantly knew where this was going.
"Ah, there you are," Mitsuo said in English, going over to the distressed Caucasian woman. He smiled and turned to the other man, speaking in Japanese. "I'm sorry, who are you?"
"Well, who are you?" The man asked Mitsuo.
"I'm her friend. We were going to meet up in the cafe," Mitsuo pointed his thumb behind him.
"Oh okay," the man bowed. "Sorry." He left.
Mitsuo frowned and turned to the girl. "Are you okay?"
The girl nodded. "Yes, yes." She bowed. "Thank you. That guy has been following me around ever since I got off the train station."
Mitsuo nodded understandingly. "I know. You should be careful of creeps like this, especially if you're a tourist."
"I really like Japan, but not this part," the girl sighed, tucking a lock of brown hair behind her ear. "You speak very good English, by the way."
"Thank you," Mitsuo smiled, bowing slightly. "My parents really made sure of it from a very young age."
The girl nodded and bowed again. "Thank you for helping me. I had no idea how to shake him off back there."
"My advice is to either approach an older woman or a guy whom you feel is decent. Or just run to a shop. That works too."
The girl bowed again and left after thanking him.
Mitsuo sighed. He really felt bad for the lone tourists that became targets for creeps.
He suddenly remembered his appointment and turned back to the cafe, pushing the glass door open to go in.

An elderly woman who sat at the back of the cafe matched the description of the person Mitsuo was looking for. He wasted no time going to her.
"Obaasan, is your name Hara Emiko?" Mitsuo's question made the older woman look up from her phone.
The elderly woman looked up at him and nodded. "Yes, are you Tadao Mitsuo?"
Mitsuo bowed and sat down in front of her, taking his large rucksack off and placing it on the chair beside him. "That's me."
"You going somewhere, boy?" Emiko asked, her gaze falling on his bulging backpack.
"Yes, I'm leaving for Kyoto," Mitsuo nodded. "You've got the books?"
"Ah!" Emiko nodded and reached into her tote bag, pulling out three books. "These are the books you asked for, Mitsuo-san."
Mitsuo looked at the titles of the books.
Signs of the Past
Mystical Mist
The Collision of Two Worlds
All three of the books were written by a Malaysian author named Shri Mohan.
"My daughter told me that these books were really good, my second daughter too," Emiko smiled slightly. "She's only around your age, maybe a little older. We adopted her quite late, as you can see." The old woman chuckled. "The books are in very good condition, except this one," she pointed at Mystical Mist.
"It's fine, I really appreciate this, obaasan," Mitsuo bowed slightly and gathered up the books, placing them inside the rucksack beside him. He pulled out his wallet and paid for the three books. "Here's the payment for it."
Emiko frowned at the crisp and creaseless notes in her knobbly hand, her other gripping the warm cup of coffee. "But this is twice the amount I asked."
"Yes, but I didn't think it was fair that you were asking so little for these books. Obaasan, these are possibly the only copies in all of Japan! I don't think these books were even exported, except for The Collision of Two Worlds. But even that is limited, very rare."
Emiko sighed and pocketed the money. "These books belonged to my daughter. The reason she managed to get these books is because the writer, this Shri Mohan boy, was actually her sweetheart. Poor thing... he passed away right after he heard the news of her death. I couldn't bring myself to give these away, but I couldn't bring myself to look at them either. My husband was the one who convinced me to sell them off."
Mitsuo was taken aback. "My condolences to you, Obaasan. It's very heartbreaking, to hear that you lost your daughter. Mind if I asked how she... passed?"
Emiko's wrinkled face contorted in disgust, her hand gripping onto her coffee cup tighter. "People say she committed suicide out of shame, but I don't believe it. Miso-chan wasn't one to give up so quickly and I know this. I spoke to her right before it happened." She took a sip of her coffee before continuing. "Some said it might've been strong winds because of the blizzard, but I don't think so. I still feel like someone did this to her."
Mitsuo nodded understandingly. "If that's the case, I'll pray to god that she will one day be avenged."
Emiko smiled as he stood up, her gaze falling on the manji around his neck. "It's good to see someone who truly has faith in god, especially here."
Mitsuo nodded. "There aren't that many left, and I don't exactly blame them. All I can do is have faith myself. Been raised like that."
"That's good," Emiko smiled. "At least now I know that we aren't the only ones."
Mitsuo smiled and bowed slightly. "Sayonara, Obaasan. Thank you for letting me have these books. I need to catch my flight back to Kyoto, as you see."
Emiko nodded and returned the smile. "Be safe, Mitsuo-san."
Mitsuo nodded back and left the cafe, adjusting his coat as he prepared to step back into the cold winter of Tokyo. He regretted not getting himself a cup of coffee too, but that might cost some of his precious sleep.
Then again, maybe he needed it. After all, he was planning to binge on his newly-obtained books.
Mitsuo smirked to himself and started making his way towards the Shibuya Station to get a taxi. He had a flight to catch at the Haneda Airport.
And Christmas to celebrate in a few days' time in Kyoto.
Mitsuo really looked forward to it.

Hey guys! Odd that there's a new character after the death of the old ones, right? In the future too.
Anyway, stay with me. This story is about to take a big twist and even the characters don't know this.

Love,
ShashaMeow