Tokyo Days Part I: If You Lived Here, You'd be Home

“When you think about it, there’s a decent statistical probability that some poor soul is going to be pooping when The End comes…” Arata stated out of nowhere.

Kai’s drink immediately ejected itself from his nose as he burst out laughing.

The van was near Tokyo now. Three pleasant days of temples, waterfalls, quiet mountains, and delicious soba had been spent in Nikko. Now, the capital awaited.

“Oh nooooo. Don’t say that! You’re going to make me afraid to poop!” laughed Kureha.

“Oh god, you’re right. What an unfortunate way to go,” agreed Shiona.

“I don’t know. A good poop can feel amazing,” said Kai from the back seat.

“Agreed. A full cleanse is so nice,” laughed Rin.

“True,” agreed Shiona.

“You are right about that,” said Riku.

“Yeah, actually, I guess a good flushing does feel amazing during and after,” admitted Kureha.

“Okay, so going to oblivion while pooping COULD be good. Just not an upset stomach or anything like that,” summarized Arata.

“Oh gods, yeah, can you imagine facing oblivion while dealing with stomach flu?!” sighed Kai.

“Nightmare,” said Shiona.

“Well, what do we want to be doing then?” Rin asked.

Kureha had been wondering the same thing. The friends looked at one another.

“I just want to be with all of you,” said Kureha.

“Agreed. I don’t mind what it is. Just hopefully something peaceful. Somewhere quiet,” added Shiona.

The rest of the group thought about the proposal.

“Well, we’ve got time to decide, but let’s all brainstorm. We’ll need something to look towards,” said Kai.

Everyone agreed. Kureha was surprised to realize she hadn’t actually thought of what her final moments, or the group as a whole’s final moments would look like. Her mind wandered with dozens of ideas for how she would like to feel The End of All Things with those she was sharing these last precious days with. Those thoughts were quickly banished when Rin’s hand tapped on the van seat with excitement.

The Edo River was ahead. Just on its West bank, dozens of towering buildings had appeared in the rainy visibility. Tokyo was before them.

“Weeeeeeee’reeeeeee heeeeeeeerrrrrrrrreeeeeee!!!!!” Rin squealed in joy as the friends all let out howls of anticipation.

At first glance, it was an incredible sight. Density, unlike anything they’d ever seen, expanded around them at all sides. Streets disappeared in curves behind towering skyscrapers. Trains still ran on tracks beside them. Seas of people walked along sidewalks with umbrellas turned to the rain. Then reality appeared and adjusted the joy ever so slightly.

Windows of office buildings were dark and abandoned. Trash piles laid tucked away in corners just out of view. There were no old people. Kureha had been once in middle school, and she couldn’t help but feel that it was more populated even back then. Still, the wonder of the megacity could not help but brighten all of their spirits.

They had decided to stay in different districts as they made their way across the city over the next two weeks. First up, they were staying in Asakusa. Laura’s list had included a luxury hotel with suites that featured views of the Skytree, and Kureha had always wanted that specific sort of stay. That was her pick, so as she watched the massive neon beams rise above the shops and hotels, another small hint of peace made its way into her heart along with melancholy grief at the circumstances in which she had finally made it back to the glittering world she’d longed to move to after school.

“I always wanted to end up here,” she said.

Rin, Arata, and Shiona agreed.

“I would have liked that, but I was open to wherever,” said Riku as his finger traced a drop of rain that was sliding along the window.

“Same,” said Kai.

“Maybe in another life, we all wound up here in college, or after, and got to finally be together again that way,” said Shiona as she took Kureha’s hand.

“That would have been a nice life,” Arata said softly.

Soon they were parking the van on a massive platform conveyor system and checking in to the first stop. Their suite was indeed huge, with four queen beds across two rooms, with a living space and kitchen. Every room had windows that faced the Skytree, which loomed bright and bold only a short distance away.

Rin and Arata noticed that even the bathrooms had large glass dividers that allowed the bathers to still see the amazing cityscape and tower. They shared an understanding head nod at the plan to share an intimate moment with that view and grinned without a word as the others continued cheering excitedly as they toured their space.

First on the agenda was to eat as much as humanly possible. Kai had created a list of the best Yokocho backstreet alleys where food stalls lined the narrow spaces as far as the eye could see. After a quick shower and change, the group set out with a new zeal.

Veinlike alleys snaked through the heart of the city, taking the friends from the bustle of the main streets into muted narrow paths where soft conversation hung in the air with the scents of cigarette smoke and cooked meats. Laughs of tired men beckoned them further into the secret worlds. Shabby metal overhangs were adorned with lanterns and hand-painted signs. Yakitori and okazu were consumed with unfiltered joy. Beers were ordered without concern for proof of age. Okonomiyaki griddles sizzled and echoed against the sheet metal dividers. Taiyaki and deep-fried mochi finished their culinary excursion.

After hours of consuming every piece of food that was put before them, the group made their way to Azuma Bridge to marvel at the city’s vast beauty. Kureha found herself crying without warning and Kai stopped to take her hand.

“Happy tears,” she said.

He nodded in understanding, and they continued to walk along the bridge.

By the time they returned from the bridge, Sensoji Temple’s enormous grounds greeted them with and only them. The entire temple was empty, save for the six of them. Offerings were made. Prayers were spoken in low voices. Rain returned and the group huddled close under their umbrellas as they returned to their suite.

It was a wonderful night.

The next day, the group scoured Ueno and its massive park. The nearby zoo had been closed, and all animals were either put down or released. The empty gates were now covered with warning signs. The group left the area and returned to their hotel. Rin mentioned she was missing home-cooked meals, and since they had a kitchenette, she wanted to cook for them that night. So they set off for Kappabashi Kitchen Street to gather supplies and tools before finding a quiet farmer’s market that was selling sporadic offerings of locally grown vegetables. As they walked back to the hotel, bags in hand, a sign caught Arata’s eye and he rushed to it with a level of excitement slightly unusual for him.

The sign was an advertisement for a local service.

“This is exactly what I’ve been looking for,” he whispered to himself.

“Soap house? I think I’d be okay with it, just give me a day to wrap my head around it,” said Rin in a serious tone.

“Not that! Really?!” Arata groaned while he laughed.

He pointed to the sign. It was a service that orchestrated fake jobs. At first, the group didn’t follow.

“I have a new request,” said Arata in a tone of honest vulnerability.

The group listened.

“I… I have mourned for weeks that we’ll never know what it’s like to be a true adult. To have a job. To have a commute. A career. I had all of these dreams in school, like you all did too. I was praying that somehow we could experience that even once. I looked into it on the road a few days ago, and these services are legit. They only exist here in Tokyo, but they let you pretend to have a job.”

The explanation was partially landing already.

“Basically, this service has fully kitted out office buildings, hospitals with actors, courts where lawyers still argue, all of it. It’s a bunch of volunteers who are either trying to keep their profession alive to the very end, are addicted to work, or just want to help keep a sense of normalcy. Regular people can pay a fee to partake in the offering for days or even weeks. I want us to do that,” Arata said.

He took Rin’s hand.

“I’m sorry you’ll never get to actually see me in a suit leaving for meetings, and I’ll never get to see you do everything your heart wants. Riku, I’m sorry you won’t get to become the best researcher in your field. Kureha, I’m sorry you won’t get to work for a big paper or blog. But with this, we can make believe, for even a few days. We can imagine that good life you spoke of, Shiona.”

“Aaaaaaand I’m crying yet again,” laughed Kai.

“This is the most Tokyo thing possible,” sighed Shiona.

“They literally have hundreds of professions and sites around the city. We can pick whatever we want, and do that for a few days. Just make-believe. It could be nice,” he said.

Rin’s hand found his face. Her hand was trembling. He turned to her.

“I love you. So very much,” she whispered.

“Well, what do you all think?” Arata asked.

“I think we need to drop these supplies off, then go buy some work attire,” grinned Kai as he held up a thumbs up.

“Hell yeah, this sounds fun,” smiled Riku.

Kureha looked to the girls.

“What would you three like to do?” Arata asked.

“Boss lady in a big office in a skyscraper,” said Shiona.

“Hell yeah,” said Kureha and Rin as they gave her a high five.

“I never really knew what I wanted, but I think I’d like to just be the group’s stay-at-home wife for a day or two while I figure it out. I can cook for everyone, bring you your lunches, all of that stuff while I think about it,” said Rin.

“Home-cooked meals from Rin! I’m thrilled already!” grinned Kai.

Everyone looked to Kureha, who was looking at her camera that was still in her purse, ready to be used.

“I think I’m going to be a street reporter. Like those influencers used to do. I don’t know exactly what or where, but I’ll figure that out tomorrow,” she said.

Arata was beaming with excitement. The group rushed back to the hotel to drop off their bags before heading to Ginza for some shopping. Suits and pencil skirts were purchased. Heels were selected. Ties were tied. Then they were all back at the suite, letting Rin cook Yosenabe for them all as the glow of the Skytree shined through the darkening window. All of them found themselves excited for another day, which at that point was a welcome feeling, even if it was based on pretending.