Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 37: Culinary Courage: A Trial by Tentacle

The boys had finally arrived in Japan, and the excitement was palpable. The neon lights of Tokyo buzzed around them as they stepped out into the vibrant streets. Judah and Alex wasted no time, eagerly approaching groups of girls dressed in colorful kimonos and elaborate costumes.

"Hey, can we take a picture with you?" Judah asked, flashing his best smile.

"Sure!" one of the girls replied, giggling as they struck a pose.

Alex, feeling confident, chimed in with a few phrases he had picked up from hanging out with Aiko and Mei. "Sugoi! Anata no fuku wa totemo kirei desu!" (Wow! Your outfit is very beautiful!)

The girls lit up, impressed by his effort. "Arigatou!" they responded, clearly enjoying the interaction.

Judah, noticing the impact of Alex's words, decided to show off his own skills. "Anata wa totemo kawaii desu!" (You are very cute!) he added, his pronunciation clear and confident.

Alex raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Nice one! You've been practicing!"

"Just trying to keep up," Judah said with a grin. "I didn't want to be outdone by the expert over here."

They continued to take photos, laughter filling the air as the girls posed playfully with them. The camaraderie between Judah and Alex was infectious, and Jamie couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm, even if he felt a bit left out of the language exchange.

Meanwhile, Jackson was off to the side, eyeing a food stall that promised fresh octopus. "I'm gonna try that," he declared, already moving toward the vendor.

"Dude, you're brave," Jamie said, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "Live octopus? You know how I feel about that kind of thing."

"Come on, it's part of the experience!" Jackson shot back, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

As Jackson settled in to eat, the others moved on, enjoying the bustling atmosphere of Tokyo. They eventually found a quieter spot in the mountains for an onsen experience. The steam rising from the natural hot springs was inviting, and the boys were ready to unwind.

However, the tranquility was shattered when they realized Ryan was missing. A quick search led them through the trees, where they stumbled upon a hilarious sight: Ryan was locked in a playful struggle with a monkey over a towel.

"Ryan, what the hell are you doing?" Judah yelled, trying to contain his laughter.

"This is MY towel!" Ryan shouted, tugging on the fabric as the monkey screeched defiantly, clearly unimpressed with Ryan's claim.

"Dude, there are plenty more towels!" Alex joked, shaking his head in disbelief.

But Ryan, determined, wouldn't back down. "Not this one! It's mine!"

The sight of Ryan wrestling with a monkey in a battle over a towel was too much for the boys, and they erupted into laughter, capturing the moment on their phones while Ryan continued his ridiculous fight. The day was full of surprises, and Japan had quickly become an unforgettable adventure for all of them.

As they wandered through the vibrant streets of Tokyo, Jackson's eyes lit up at the sight of a food stall advertising live octopus. "I've got to try that," he declared, excitement bubbling over. Jamie, who was trailing behind, felt his stomach churn at the thought.

"Come on, man, do you really want to eat that?" Jamie asked, wrinkling his nose.

Jackson just smirked. "You can't visit Japan and not try live octopus! It's an experience!" He ordered a portion, the vendor expertly preparing the dish as Jamie stood back, increasingly uneasy.

As the dish was presented, Jackson turned to Jamie with a wicked grin. "You know, I think I'll just eat this right here in front of you. Let's see how long it takes before you look away."

"Please don't," Jamie groaned, trying to avert his gaze. But Jackson was relentless. He made a show of lifting the squirming octopus tentacle, waving it dramatically in front of Jamie's face.

"Look! It's still moving! It wants to live!" Jackson teased, laughter in his voice.

"Dude, seriously! Just eat it!" Jamie begged, fighting the urge to look.

"Okay, okay, but only if you promise to look!" Jackson joked, preparing to take a bite.

Jamie squeezed his eyes shut, but his curiosity got the better of him. Slowly, he turned back, only to find Jackson in the middle of chewing a piece of the live octopus, its tentacles still wriggling.

"Ugh! No! I can't watch this!" Jamie exclaimed, his face going pale as he instinctively turned away again.

"Too late!" Jackson laughed, his mouth full. "You're already in it now! Just embrace the culture!"

Jamie's stomach flipped, and he fought the nausea rising within him. "This is the worst!" he groaned, trying to breathe through the queasiness. Jackson, reveling in Jamie's discomfort, took another exaggerated bite, making slurping sounds.

"Come on, Jamie, it's delicious! Just look at my face—it's pure ecstasy!"

Jamie's resolve crumbled, and he couldn't help but laugh despite himself, even as he felt queasy. "You're going to give me nightmares!"

With Jackson's antics pushing the boundaries of his tolerance, Jamie knew this trip would be one for the books, whether he liked it or not. The rest of the boys gathered around, amused by the spectacle, their laughter mingling with the sounds of Tokyo, turning the moment into a hilarious memory they would cherish long after their adventure ended.