A One Way Ticket to Japan

With little time left to think about the future, I made a decision on a whim. I took Luffy, my only real family, and decided to leave the country.

I scraped together what little money I had left, sold everything I owned, and booked the next flight to Japan. It felt surreal—airports were still running, businesses were open, and life went on as if the world wasn’t ending. Some people still had hope, believing the government or scientists would find a solution. Maybe they thought it was all a mistake, an overblown prediction.

But I knew better.

Maybe it was my past that made me think this way, but I had always expected the worst. Life had never been kind to me, and I wasn’t going to wait around for a miracle that would never come. If I wasted this last year hesitating, I would die filled with regret. And honestly? I had already been living like the world ended long ago.

I felt broken and beaten down, but for the first time, I took action without overthinking it.

I had always dreamed of visiting Japan—of laying under cherry blossoms with Luffy by my side, reading a book in the park, breathing in a moment of true peace. That was my dream, my own small version of paradise. It wasn’t extravagant, it wasn’t something anyone else would think was grand, but it meant the world to me.

And now, I was going to make it happen.

I didn’t have many people to say goodbye to.

My mother and I were never close. She resented me because of my father, and when I disappeared before, she never even tried to find me. I still remember the last words she said to me:

“You’ll never be anything just  like your father. You’ll always be worthless. I regret ever giving birth to a son like you.”

At the time, those words cut deep. But after years of carrying that weight, I had nothing left to feel for her. She spent her time badmouthing me, turning others against me, using me as a tool in her grudge against my father. But the irony was that my father felt the same way about me—viewing me as worthless because I was raised by her. A cruel, meaningless loop I was stuck in.

So when I sold everything and left, I didn’t hesitate.

I packed a single bag with everything I needed, made sure Luffy was taken care of, and ordered a taxi to the airport. I never looked back. There was nothing left for me to return to.

I once dreamed of having my own family—one filled with love and acceptance. But that dream died long ago. Still, I believed I deserved my little piece of happiness, even if it was just for a moment.

If all I had left was one year, then I was going to make it count.

The airport was busier than I expected. People moved through the terminals like it was any other day. I was paranoid that something would go wrong, that I’d be stopped, but my boarding ticket went through without issue.

At check-in, I met a young man, maybe two years older than me. He was scanning my passport when I asked,

“Hey, how come you’re working today? Didn’t you hear the news? Aren’t you scared?”

He smiled. “No, I believe they’ll find a solution. We can’t all lose our heads. We have to trust in God, and besides, the government will take care of it. That’s why everyone is still going about their day-to-day life.”

His words lingered in my mind as I waited for my flight.

I had stopped believing in God long ago. I begged for help countless times, but it felt like sending messages that were always left on read. After years of silence, I gave up trying. If there really was a God, he abandoned this world long before Mars did.

Still, I respected the man’s optimism.

“Now boarding: Flight 474 to Narita Airport. Passengers in rows 10-15 may now board.”

That was my cue.

With Luffy at my side, I stepped onto the plane. The next 34 hours would be spent in transit with layovers, but none of that mattered. I was finally on my way to Japan.

I looked out the window as I settled into my seat. The bonus of getting a window seat made things even better. I was hoping I’d have the row to myself, but just as that thought crossed my mind, a voice interrupted me.

“I’m sorry, it looks like I have the middle seat in this row. I’ll just scoot in.”

I turned to see her—a stunning Japanese girl. Slender, long slick black hair, and striking green eyes.

“Of course, make yourself comfortable,” I said, my voice slightly nervous.

Why was I nervous?

She smiled. “Oh wow, I love your dog! What’s his name?”

“His name is Luffy.”

Her face lit up. “Oh! Luffy, like the manga? One Piece? That’s my favorite!”

My eyes widened. “Really?! I love One Piece too! It’s so amazing—I’m on chapter 1000 right now! I still have a few more to go, but Luffy’s such an inspiring character, he’s—”

I stopped myself, realizing how nerdy I sounded.

“Sorry, I kind of went off there. That wasn’t my intention.”

She giggled. “Don’t apologize! I’m actually on chapter 1089, so I’m a little ahead of you. I’ve been watching it since I was a kid—it actually inspired me to become a manga artist.”

“Wait, you’re a manga artist?!” I blurted out, my excitement making her laugh.

“Yeah! I’ll show you some of my work once the plane is in the air and the WiFi works.”

Then, almost as if she had just remembered, she smiled again. “Oh! How rude of me—I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Ayumi Takanaka. What’s yours?”

“Yuuto Kasiragi.”

Her head tilted. “Yuuto? You’re Japanese? You don’t really look it.”

“Well, my great-grandfather was Japanese. My grandmother insisted I have a Japanese name, but both my parents were American.”

“Oh wow, that’s pretty cool. You totally look like a foreigner but with a Japanese name!” She laughed lightly.

Our conversation was cut short by the intercom.

“Now that all doors have closed, please prepare for takeoff. We will be departing in five minutes.”

Ayumi turned back to me. “So, Yuuto, who are you visiting in Japan?”

I hesitated. “No one. It’s just me and my dog.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait… so you don’t know anyone in Japan at all?”

“Nope. I left everything behind and decided to move there with my dog… because of the one year we have left.”

Ayumi stared at me for a second—then suddenly burst into laughter.

“Wait, don’t tell me you actually believe that stuff! Wow, you’re an idiot!”

“Hey, what do you mean idiot? You’re the idiot for not taking it seriously!” I shot back.

She smirked. “Well, tell you what—since you don’t know anyone there, how about I show you around? It seems like you have no idea what you’re doing after landing at Narita Airport, do you?”

I scratched my head. “Well… not really. I was just going to wing it.”

“Wow, you really are an idiot.” Ayumi shook her head playfully. “Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you don’t get completely lost.”

I blinked. “Ayumi… you’d really do that for me?”

She grinned. “Of course! Us One Piece fans have to look out for each other!”

And just like that, my first real connection in Japan had begun.