Chapter One

I sigh as I step back out into the cold autumn air, a dramatic shift from the warmth of the izakaya behind me. I welcome the cool air as it wraps around me. I couldn’t stay in that stuffy place any longer. When I say stuffy, I don’t mean the smoke, or how closely everyone was packed. I mean the fact that every single person in there was a couple and they were practically in heat on top of each other. I shake my head. Dumb, besotted youngsters need to bring their PDA home instead of my sacred drinking hole. 

This bar is only an eight-minute walk from my apartment. Usually it’s just me and an old divorced man who occasionally talks to me. I don’t remember his name. That’s how I like it. It was a place made for the introvert. Today, though, it is being swarmed by couples thanks to a stupid promotion. My phone buzzes.

Kenji 10:15pm: ‘Nii-san, don’t forget to call Mom and Dad, their anniversary is tomorrow. They would love to hear from you’

“Tch...”

I quickly text my brother back, promising to call them. I still don’t like that he calls Yuka-san mom, but that’s none of my business. If he wants to forget Mom- No.. No.. Yuka-san is a kind woman and Kenji is being a good filial son. I can’t let myself feel bitter about people who care. I light a cigarette and take a long drag. My phone buzzes again.

Sachiko 10:17pm: ‘Isao-nii! Your brother told me you haven’t called him lately. He misses you and I do too. Come over some time’

I look down at the text from my brother's fiancée. They’re probably directly next to each other talking about me if they are texting me back to back like this. I exhale a puff of smoke and don’t reply to Sachiko, at least not right now. I take another drag. It’s been so annoying. My father’s remarriage. My brother's engagement. Hell, even my closest friend has dropped off the face of the earth since he started dating his cute coworker. I am just so tired of couples. I drop the bud and stomp it out.

I walk down the street toward my apartment. Whatever, I can drink at home. I spot a convenience store on my left. It’s just a small store, lit with fluorescent lighting and a neon ‘Open’ sign. I walk inside, head down. I’ll just buy some beer quickly and head home.

“Welcome in,” the attendant says, his voice is smooth and low. “There’s a special promotion going on. Eternal Bloom Brew. It’s 50% off and comes with a keychain” The white-haired attendant waves to a display stand, showing the potential prizes. It’s obnoxiously bright, all pink and yellow and covered in cherry blossoms. ‘Let the Author Write Your Story’ is written next to the product name, with a chibi character donning white hair and cat ears. Beneath it, ‘Luck ♧ Wealth ◇ Love ♡ Health ☆’ is written in a font that makes my head hurt, little keychains made of plastic dangle under each category. They’re cheap-looking and brightly colored, and shaped according to the associated topic, a clover for luck, a diamond for wealth, a heart for love and a star for health, each with what looks like a device that lights up if you shake it. I barely register any of it because I’m not actually interested. I just want to get my usual brand.

I walk to the back, heading straight for the coolers. I reach for my usual brand before I notice its spot is empty. I grumble to myself before noticing another giant ‘50% OFF - BEST DEAL!’ sign to my right. It’s advertising a four-pack of Eternal Bloom Brew. I bite my inner cheek and grab it because it’s cheap and I just want to get drunk anyway. I bring my purchase to the register where the attendant gives me a pleased smile that accentuates his sharp angular features. “Good choice,” he says, scanning the pack. He tells me my total and I hand him cash. He passes me my change and with it, a little capsule from under the counter. He looks up at 

me and wiggles his fingers playfully in the air. “May the Author write you well,” he says, a playful lilt in his voice. I mumble a thank you, pocketing the capsule and leaving with my probably too-sweet beer.

-

I crush the last can and toss it toward the trash bin a few feet away. It collides with the lid and bounces to the floor in front of it. I don’t bother to pick it up, this is a problem for tomorrow. I have finally entered the light buzz I had been chasing since the izakaya, and I tilt my head backwards against the couch cushion and let it wash over me. Shifting slightly, I notice a light in my pocket. I fish it out, holding the capsule given to me by the convenience store attendant earlier. Something inside flashes pink through the capsule. I pop it open, pressing against the seam. The light bobbles into my palm and a tiny sheet of paper unfolds, revealing the words: ‘Love ♡ Good Fortune! (This is the Author’s favorite!)’. The cheap-looking plastic keychain is bright pink and shaped like a heart, its light flickering inside as I roll it over my palm. “...Whatever,” I say and toss it toward the trash bin with the same effort as the can. This time it sinks into the bin, and I’m a little proud.

I slowly push myself off the couch. My center of gravity isn’t quite where I left it when I sat down. The room tilts slightly to the left before righting itself and I stumble to the bedroom. Tomorrow, I’ll probably answer around three emails and occasionally move my mouse so the remote-work monitoring system thinks I’m still working. The sweetest gig in the world. They pay me way too much money. I fall into blissful sleep. I do not notice a glowing keychain on my nightstand.