Stories From Tokyo-To

Chapter 9: Rock It On!

I've been the opposite of alone for about a week now. Since letting Benisu stay, he's been accommodating around the house and keeps Pots company in my absence. I was always a little worried my buddy would develop some sort of separation anxiety, but now that fear can be laid to rest. 

Living with someone is strange. It's not like I'm unfamiliar with the feeling. However, excluding Pots, the last time I was with someone was when I was twelve, and Ojiisan was still around.

Benisu crashes on the garage couch until we can find him some room to stay in the house. He doesn't complain. I like that. Anyway, seeing as the guy will be living with me, I try to answer all the questions and participate in conversations I like. If it's "small talk" or anything personal, count me out of it. Recently he asked me for my name...

"Tab."

"Tab? Is that a nickname or something?"

"Nah. It's my street name, and tha only one ya need to know."

"Hmm..." He wondered what I meant but just chose to accept it.

I don't see the issue with "Tab". I like it. If I gave him my real name, he probably would've looked at me sideways and thought I was hungry. Arguably, my folks could've picked a better name. Like they had the time to do that. Those shitasses...

"Oh! Tab, while I have you here, I shuffled through some of the things in storage to find a spring for the pinball machine since it's a lil rusted, and came across this."

He crouched and pulled out a cardboard box marked "JUNK" with my messy handwriting. I completely forgot I made that. How could I have forgotten to throw that away?

"Ya didn't poke ya nose where it didn't belong, right?"

Benisu looked up and shook his head. "No! It was the first thing I saw in the shed. I figured I could salvage a spring from one of the things here."

He seemed honest. I don't need anyone, let alone this new guy, looking through my and Ojiisan's stuff. I think the kid surely knew better, especially with that look I gave him. I bet he's scared shitless of me. Probably thinks if he misses a spot while mopping, I'd come around the corner and pulverize his skull with my bat. Heh, even I'm not that brutal.

"Anyway, I found these and was wondering if you still use them?" He pulled out my old pair of "AGES Rollerblades." The bright green and gray paint was scuffed and chipped to all hell. The wheels, or at least the ones that remained, were scraped. I gave out a lil chuckle, something that stunned Benisu since my face was either resting or frowning at him.

"Daaaaammmnnnn! I ain't seen those in, well, 'AGES.' Also, nah, I don' use 'em. Upgraded a cup-ola' years ago. Same model, betta specs."

"Do you think... I could have them?" He inspected them, and I could notice the gears turning in his head.

"Nah."

"What?! But they're just dusting away in this box! C'mon, man!"

"I said, nah. Besides, tha lina' smells of crusty ass feet n' sweat, tha frame n' wheel bearin's are all rusted ta hell. Tha ony' reason I can think of is watta' comin' in from nasty storms n' tha cold winta temperature. If that wasn't bad, tha Netrium battery insert is corroded, prolly' battery acid. Ta top it all off, tha shell is bent, so even if ya were to try 'em on, yo foot would be fucked."

"So...?"

"So? They no good. Utterly useless. Literal junk. There's a reason I put 'em in the box named 'JUNK'."

He looked a little bummed after giving him my diagnosis. I mean, what did he expect? They look like shit! What kind of friend would I be if he got himself hurt? Hold on...

"Friend?" Nah. Nah, I don't do "friends." Tōmorokoshi Rengō doesn't have "friends"! I snatched the skates from him and kicked the box away.

"SO WHEN I SAY 'NAH, ' I MEAN IT!"

He looked at me and backed away quickly. Eyes like the moon fixated on me. Calmly and with a smoothness to his voice, he said. "O-Okay, I'm sorry, Tab..."

Wait. What am I doing? This kid, so far, hasn't done me wrong. I hate to admit it, but he's been... good company. Sure, his quips and jokes are annoying sometimes, but ever since he's been around, the house has been so "lively." I missed that. It's just... the last thing I need is him getting hurt on my watch.

"M-My bad, man." I haven't apologized in years.

He loosened up and nonchalantly gave an "It's alright."

"Nah, it isn't, I shouldn' have-"

"It's okay, man, I get it. Sorry for pushing a button. Hell, I was the one who should've been rummaging through your stuff." Benisu leaned over to pick up the things that fell out of the box from my outburst.

Did he mean that? Was he so willing to forgive? After I punched him, threatened his life with a bat, and now just lashed out at the poor kid for asking questions?

"I know we all have our issues..." He placed each item back into the box. "And you're more than fine not telling me yours. I'm not gonna pry my way into the ins and outs of your life, Tab. Besides, you made it clear you're not one to share details if it's not necessary. I can respect that." He stood in front of me, face-to-face, holding the box. "So if I can't have the skates, that's fine! Just thought I'd ask."

I couldn't speak. I bet even through my beanie, he could tell my eyebrows were raised. This guy "got me" without needing to "get me". I didn't show him a single thing or tell him a single word, but he knew. He just knew.

"Nah..."

"Hm?"

"Nah. Ya can't have tha skates..."

"Right, I know that." He presented the box.

"Ya can't have tha skates... until they fixed. I knowa guy, it's finna be a bit of a lengthy bus ride, but he can fix these fo ya."

His face brightened up, and he dropped the box, going in for a hug. It was extremely brief. But Benisu held me and exclaimed his thanks. A cold sweat swarmed my body, but in that second, it was warm. Comforting. I haven't felt this way in so long. I shoved him off and composed myself.

"Yea yea, don't thank me just yet. That guy I know is extremely particula with how he does business and especially with who it's with. If you miss tha designated rendezvous time, consida him dead. So we ony' have one shot at this, okay?"

"Oh shit... okay!"

"I'll make a call ta him. Fo now, be sure ta sleep early tonight. We hava two hour journey on bus in tha morning and three on foot wen we get there." I gently sat the skates on the couch.

"You got it, thanks again, Tab!"

"Whateva." I left, smirking at his reaction. It was like Christmas to that kid. Although it's not a guarantee my contact will even look at that heap of garbage, it was worth a shot for him. So, I called off work for that weekend and got my things ready to make the trip. 

I make it a point never to head back there under any circumstances, but I already told the kid. Call me anything you want, but I ain't no liar. I'm a man of my word. So, Kogane-Cho, I'm comin' back! You best hope you got your "monsters" at the ready...