𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚘, Hyunjin

23.

October 2023

Airports are distressing. Have you ever had to go through Tokyo International Airport? All the signs in every different language, the blinding lights which make me overexert my energy because I'm too aware. The sounds - they are always too loud, even over my blasting music, it was hard to concentrate on my breathing. The people - there were just too many of them.

People were rushing past me, bumping into me, involuntarily touching me. I wanted to turn, shout at them, tell them to slow down, and have some consideration for others. They bumped into me and I had this urge to start biting people - It was an urge I had to severely put to the back of my mind so I could avoid getting arrested. I just needed to wait here for my mother's young boyfriend who probably didn't know a word of English.

I had my little whale plushie in my hand, my suitcase in the other. Tokyo was a heaving city as it was. There are about 30 million more people in Tokyo than in Seoul making Tokyo the largest megacity in the world. The change was a grand one and many were returning home or coming for a holiday. Coming to the largest megacity was a chore; I never thought it would be worth it and then it never turned out to be worth it.

The car I was waiting for was supposedly black and slick. My mother was hopeless in telling me anything else, no brand, no type, and no license plate. Not anything about the man that was picking me up. I had known about her younger partner for a while, but never did she mention a word about him or anything really. Not only did it make me suspicious but it made me feel like my whole family was falling apart. I remembered before leaving for Korea how I would at least talk to my parents when I could.

"Oliver!" I looked out for the clear distinct voice from the large car park in front of me.

My eyes travelled around each black car I could see, for the person who might've belonged to the voice. I was expecting a male voice, something a lot deeper than the voice that reached out. I knew deep down it might've been my mother who was forced to come along, or perhaps she had a change of heart.

Finally, her heels were clicking off the pavement and her long pink fluffy coat was swaying behind in the wind with each sway of her hips. For a woman well into her 50s, she looked like she could be my older sister. Despite her older age, she exuded a youthful charm and graceful elegance that left a lasting impression. She was practically jogging in her heels - I met her halfway knowing I'd never hear the end of it if she tripped.

"Mum, nice to see you," I said to her and she nodded before grabbing my suitcase and pulling it to the car.

She didn't mutter a hello or any type of greeting. She simply pulled my suitcase with the whole of her strength to a regal black Mercedes. It was so strange to witness my mother's glam life considering she left England with near to nothing. She had simply caught the eye of a rich man and now she lived her life worrisome free. I couldn't quite believe her luck when I was struggling in Seoul, barely able to get through most days because of the thought of just leaving my apartment scared me.

I got into the Mercedes, sitting back seat with a random man in the front seat. He was in some type of uniform, black silky gloves handling the wheel. My mother hopped into the front seat, put her seatbelt on and the car started the journey back to wherever she was living now. I wouldn't be surprised if we turned up at a mansion or a 40-arce land with the most traditional Japanese house in the middle. Perhaps my mother was living in the most expensive penthouse in Tokyo.

"Honey, you don't mind if we make a stop somewhere before arriving at my home do you?" She turned around in her seat to ask me.

"No, I don't mind," I tell her and she nods and turns back to the front of the car.