Smile For Me

Case 3 - Trains

West Tokyo, Japan

               Morning in West Tokyo is always mundane. By dawn the elderly would come out to the local park to do their exercise or just jog about the neighborhood. Some would walk their dogs or just sit on the benches having light conversations with their neighbors or friends. The flickering of lights could be seen through the windows of many household as the sun rises. Trains begin to operate and metal screeching from train tracks greeted those who just woke up from bed. A crescendo of growling engines increased as cars and trucks drove along the road.

                This spring morning was no different than any other day. By sunrise many would have already woken up, taken their cold morning shower or hurriedly munching their breakfast in the kitchen. Fathers, mostly in their black suits or overcoat and leather suitcase would be out of the house followed by his children as his wife follows them to the front gate, seeing them off.

                Kimura had just finish taking a hot shower and put on his navy uniform. A month of school to go and he’ll be off. The thought of yesterday’s incident still lingered in his mind. He buttoned his jacket and grabbed his Nike sling bag, rushing down the steps to the kitchen. On the table was a note which wrote:

Your dad and I will be back late today. We will drop by cousin’s place after work for a while. Love mum <3

                Next to the note was a packed bento wrapped in blue geometric patterned cloth. ‘Looks like I’ll be having dinner alone again’ he thought to himself and hurriedly put on his shoes and left his two story house. He followed the narrow road downhill, following the tracks of a group of preschoolers who were talking and laughing among themselves in their bright yellow caps. Two middle school girls walking behind him, whispering quietly. In a distance he could hear the steel clutter of train tracks from Kami-Igusa station. It is a small station with, single tier with Saint Etoile bakery located next it. A bronze Gundam statue with its right arm pointing out towards the never ending space above stood in front of the station entrance. Kimura swiftly took out his train pass and went to the tracks waiting for the next train, scheduled to arrive in 5 minutes time.

                It was quite a chilly morning. The train platform was fairly occupied with people, some on their phones, talking, and sipping their hot coffee. Kimura stood lazily as he waits for the train. He tilted his head back and forth out of boredom, screening the opposite platform. His eyes paused as he caught sight of a girl who stood alone with a book in her hands. Kimura squint his eyes to get a better view and thought he saw a girl he once knew. She was averagely tall, long shiny black hair and an almost distinguishable fringe above her eyes. Kimura shook his head to get a proper look and the image of the girl vanished.  ‘I must still be sleepy’ he thought to himself.

                A horn blew as the train arrived and slowly breaks its steel wheels upon arrival at Kami-Igusa station. The cabins were still quite empty. Kimura hopped on the train and stood next to the door, lazily resting his back on the door side as it closed. The two girls that were behind him previously were on the seat, now however one their cell phones. Unconsciously, Kimura too took his cell phone out from his side pocket and took a quick look.

                ‘Wonder how’s Daigo doing today? Maybe he won’t be in school?’ Kimura thought to himself. ‘Damn… I forgot to finish up my history assignment…’ He clenched his fist momentarily in disappointment. ‘Oh well. Hopefully Mr. Kato forgets.’ Kimura let out a sigh.

                The journey to Meiji University Nakano High School takes around 40 minutes, having to transfer lines at Nakai station and board a different line to East Nakano station with an additional 10 minutes walk. Kimura would often arrive early at the station and stop by a McDonalds there, get himself a quick vanilla ice cream or fries while he waits for Shinichi, Kenji, Natuski and Daigo. Today however Kimura did not feel like having either. As he arrived at the station he lazily wondered about at the entrance of East Nakano station. Cars were driving by the now busy morning streets. He stood under a thin cherry blossom tree by the elevated roadway above the train station and steel tracks.