Nowhere to go but up

Part 1

There’s nowhere to go but up.

In a tight corridor, there were only so many options available for maneuverability. You could go either the front or back, and that was it. If, in a hypothetical situation, you were to be chased by a 6 ft giant in these tight corridors, you could only go one way. Such linear paths were dangerous.

This was why when Arisu suggested we should climb up the maze and initiate our plan there, we felt like he was actually on to something.

“Asahi-chan!!! You better not be snooping around here!”

The target was approaching and we were all set. I pray in my heart to whatever god there is that this trap would be successful. I’m especially worried about the bait we’re using.

Right as the mysterious man ran through the last corner and was now facing in the direction we were before, he saw one of Asahi’s friends. Sitting in the middle of the room.

“Hey, you! If you’re here then that means Asahi is also here right?!”

“...eek…!”

It was Holmes.

Unfortunately, her legs don't work and she couldn’t climb up the walls like the rest of us. But, she could be used for bait which was what Arisu suggested. I was against this idea at first, but what could I do about it? There was no time for argument and it’s not like anyone could carry her up the tall walls.

The man who had been running along all this time was starting to walk slowly and approach Holmes more carefully as he was about to enter the wide space.

His intimidating aura radiates everywhere around him. That face you can’t see in the darkness and that slow approach where your doom was likely to be coming any second.

You can’t tell when he’ll charge at you if he will charge at you, or will he spare you. All these questions are popping into Holmes’ mind as she thought about her escape, but with all of that fear inside of her, she can’t think of anything.

“...I-I don’t know where she is…!”

Her mind was now empty.

Another advantage of her being the bait is that she can’t complain or protest against the idea. What is she gonna do? Run away?

However, just as he was about to approach her,

“Heyho! You’re looking for me?”

*click*

Asahi, who came out of nowhere, suddenly dropped down and took a picture way too close to the man. The flash of the camera then stunned him and he ended up faltering backward with unsteady steps.

That was our queue.

“Senpai, now!”

Without wasting any time me and Arisu then dropped the banner that was used as a fake wall Asahi had gathered. It was long and wide, and our idea was to trap him inside the thing.

I’ve always wondered in movies and television how the enemy would always end up stuck in a net trap and end up becoming immobile. To me, they just look like they’re flailing mindlessly over something as simple as a net. But then I also remembered how I always have trouble adjusting my blanket at night so I’m keeping my mouth shut.

The darkness must’ve played a role in the confusion.

And with the man that was chasing us now no longer moving and is fighting for his life against a fallen banner, Asahi used this chance to grab a rope she found along with the banner and used her athletic skills to maneuver around him and tied up his hands on his back as well as his legs.

And with that, the man was made to lay down not being able to get back up.

Mission complete.

“Hahahahaha! And that’s why you always wear sunglasses!”

The man behind the plan itself was celebrating on his own. I can’t blame him really, if any of my plans would’ve worked that smoothly I’d also go nuts and burst out with laughter.

“Heeey! Good job you two! I knew you guys could do it! And you too, Sora-chan.”

From down below Asahi was congratulating us, as well as Holmes.

The tense atmosphere of the chase sequence was no longer present and we all got in a cheery mood.

“...awawawawawawawa…I-I th-ought my heart-t was gonna stop…”

Except for Holmes.

I climbed back down to where Holmes was to pick her up, and what I found was a trembling midget. Hugging her knees out of comfort and her focus shifted to the great beyond.

“...W-w-w-Watson…Y-your back p-p-p-please…”

The large appearance of that man must’ve really scared her out of her mind.

May god bless thou poor soul. I truly feel sorry for you.

I lowered myself to carry her on my back like always before heading to where the others are and meeting up with them.

“...I am never doing that ever again…”

“I know how you feel. I know exactly how you feel.”

Holmes and I had a little bonding experience as we both came to a mutual understanding of each other.

“...A-arisu…! What’s the big idea…!”

“Oh my, my deepest apologies, Kiyama-senpai. Fret not, because I had laid down some countermeasures for yours truly’s safety. Ah, watch your steps.”

Arisu quickly pointed out the sharp pieces of glass scattered just at the front of the entrance.

“If in a possible scenario, he were to approach you and he got a bit too close, those glasses will most certainly keep him at bay.”

The glasses were, of course, from the bottles Holmes had brought herself for her traps. So you could say there were a variety of ways to apply those things, even though they are literally harmful towards anyone who steps on them.

You do know that’s very harmful, right? Not bad, not bad…

Ignoring the obvious death trap, we all walked toward the person who had been chasing us through the hallways.

“L-let me go you brat!”

“No can do. Not until we uncover what it is you’re hiding.”

And behind the man was Asahi who was restraining him against the wall. Her natural athleticism allowed her to completely overpower even a 6-foot-tall male. Impressive.

“Oh, hey guys. Come on, let’s see what was behind that corner. So long, Takashi-san.”

“Don’t you dare go there! Hey—! ow!”

She dropped the guy to his knees and left him completely alone to struggle by himself in the dark. I was a bit cautious on whether or not that was a good decision or not, however, I have faith in Asahi’s decision. Surely she knew the consequences of leaving him like that.

We were now in a line again with the same formation as before and walking through the same path as before. And then, we came to the one corner we didn’t get to go to.

“And there it is!”

The first to enter was Asahi, and she immediately ran off into the wide space of the well-lit corridor.

It was then my turn to go around that corner, and what I saw first was something I couldn’t understand at first.

They were multiple boxes.

Boxes with labels which I couldn’t fully understand.

“...Wait, don’t tell me these are…”

“Oh my, quite the secret indeed.”

“Yup, that’s what I thought too.”

All 3 of them perfectly knew the situation and meaning behind these shipping crates while I was left in the dark with nothing to go off of with.

“...Oh, sorry Watson, let me explain...”

Short version, These were crates from the next-door town filled with bottles of sake and the guy who was chasing us was Takahashi-san the well-known bar owner whose alcoholic beverages were really popular amongst the adult population.

However, there was a major problem with his business.

“... He labels his sake as locally made sake…”

And the worst offender was the fact that he was using the next-door village's sake.

“... In terms of sake… our villages generally don’t get along very well…”

Turns out there was a good history of alcohol banter between the 2 villages. It seems like the 2 had been competing in the sake industry and seeing which one of the other makes the better sake.

“...If this news were to spread… then surely it would attract the attention of the entire village…”

“Well, would you look at that. Good for you Asahi, you’ve got yourself a new hit story.”

Rivalries can bring one’s spirit and make them do the best they ever could to compete with their rival. It brings out your best, makes you do harder than you already have, and it’s a really entertaining thing to watch if you’re an outsider.

It’s clear as day how many people are going to be attracted to it, yet the person in charge of such a decision wasn’t reacting the way I thought she would.

“Hm…”

Instead, she was pondering something.

Her head hung low deep in thought. She was considering every option there was, but what was there to consider?

“I don’t think we should publish this.”

From her idle pondering, she finally reached her conclusion that shocked me, and only me. Holmes and Arisu nodded in response, they understood the consequences of what would happen if she were to write it.

But so did I.

I knew very well how rivalries could impact a group of people. I knew that a lot of people take pride in their sake and enjoyed it with their buddies, and I knew full well just how betrayed it feels when they’ve been enjoying their enemies’ goods.

I knew how much it could impact his business and reputation.

I knew it.

I knew it all.

Yet, for some reason in the back of my mind, I had thought it was the right thing to do.

…What is wrong with me…

It’s the same feeling I had on Tuesday as well when we were capturing stalker images. That time when I had thought of pushing someone off a tiny cliff into a flowing river with giant rocks…

“Hm? Izumi are you alright? Your face is a bit pale there.”

“Ah— oh, oh yeah. I’m fine…”

“Hm…”

The person who I didn't want to confront the most was now the one who was worried about me. God damnit Asahi…

“Well anyway, I need to talk to Takahashi-san about this whole thing. You guys should stay put and examine more in this room. I’ll be back shortly!”

Asahi left the scene to the 3 of us who were now idly standing by. Without orders, we didn’t exactly have any idea what to do.

“Well, I have to say again for your excellent cooperation with my plan, Satori-senpai. You too, Kiyama-senpai, your acting was marvelous.”

“Yeah, no problem.”

“...”

I had replied to him positively while Holmes remained quiet and only hid more from him on my back.

“Oh dear, did I do something wrong perhaps?”

“...That wasn’t acting…”

Her voice was furious but also quiet at the same time. In fact, only I could hear it as Arisu only looked confused and moved his ear closer.

“Anyway, we should take a look around this area. We still have to be cautious because I was certain there were two voices when we heard it the first time.”

Then, we all spent the next few moments walking and searching around the area. Other than boxes we couldn’t find anything else that was particularly of interest.

Asahi shortly returned declaring she had gained another victim to blackmail with, she insisted she wasn’t really going to publish it and spread the news around to poor Takashi-san, and it was only a threat to make him agree on something.

And so, without much of anything else happening, the night went on.

However, that night, I couldn’t stop thinking about the day I nearly killed someone and ruined someone else’s business.

Stop thinking about it and just sleep, dammit… It’s all Asahi’s fault…

Part 2

“And that’s basically what I did last night.”

I was having a casual conversation in the kitchen with Aunt over breakfast. Dad was still asleep as usual, and we were just doing some idle chatter to pass the time.

“Whoa…That sounds so dangerous and if I was your mom I would’ve grounded you right now. But it also sounds super fun.”

“Aha ha… I suppose it is…”

I took a sip of tea to cope with my newfound fear.

Aunt finally finished making her breakfast and began cleaning up the kitchen. She then later distributed her cooking evenly between the two of us and as usual, her cooking does not disappoint in the slightest.

“And so… Then what happened?”

“What happened? We just went home, that’s it.”

“Eehh?! Really?! What about those Maze Masters you spoke of, or that other guy who was with Takashi-san.”

“Well, Maze Masters was just a title Asahi made based on rumors she gets from her crows after many weird man-made occurrences like those fake wal— Peaking preventers. They never really showed themselves and Takashi-san never said a word about it. Oh, crows are what Asahi calls her informants, by the way.”

“Aaaw, I would’ve sure loved to hear some more of it…”

Aunt seemed pretty invested in my story, I was surprised at how much she has been listening so far. Maybe what happened to me that night really was something of a unique memory I should cherish.

“Anyways, getting that out of the way. Izumi, do you have plans for today?”

“Not that I can think of…”

“Really? It’s a Sunday you know? And here I thought you’d be on a date with one of your club friends…”

Excuse me?

I couldn’t really grasp what it was she just said. Dating as in…
“You mean like going out with the opposite gender?”

“What’s with that stiff definition of yours? Come on, don’t play dumb. Everyone knows what dating is. There's only one meaning.”

“I do get what you mean but…”

Whenever it comes to romance, I was never even slightly aware of it. While back in Tokyo even since middle school I’ve heard some of my friends and classmates were ‘going out and ‘dating each other. I didn’t think much of it and just ignored it as if it were a thing that happens every day.

And in their defense, it was indeed happening every day. But seeing other people going out never really made me want to go out with someone myself.

I never had the desire to.

“Argh, it seems I still can’t get through to you with this. Anyway, your dad would be busy today so I would like you to visit mom at the hospital in his stead. You can go there by yourself right?”

“Of course, I can go by myself. I'm not five.”

“Yet you have the same romantic interest as any five-year-old would.”

With breakfast concluded, I decided it would be best to go to the hospital at once to finish it quickly.

I’ve never really had the chance to talk to grandma much at all. I’ve only visited this village so many times and when I do I rarely get the chance to see her. And those periodic trips where I often visited with my family were so long ago.

So long ago, in fact, I have no recollection of any memory at that time.

Part 3

Pacing through the long, white hallway, I made my way toward my desired room. The corridors lamps were lighting up the place really nicely and cleanly, and the floor was deserted of any germs out of consideration of the patients.

The only noise that was present was nearly footsteps as it was rude to be loud inside a hospital.

*knock knock*

However, knocking on the door to reveal yourself was still common courtesy anywhere else.

“Sorry for intruding… Grandma, I’m here…”

I spoke as quietly as I could to not get the staff called on me. Inside the room was a private room with only 2 beds one of them being empty. And the other was currently occupied with my grandma, lying on her back trying to sleep.

“Oh, my dear Izumi. Come in, come in!”

As soon as she spotted me standing in the doorway she welcomed me with open arms. Her tone sounded so pleasant that one could forget she has an illness in the first place.

“Were you trying to sleep? Sorry for disturbing you.”

“It’s okay, I always have time to chat with my grandson.”

Even though we’re family members, I was still somewhat awkward around her as I haven’t really seen her that much. It has only been a week since I moved into this village after all. Yet, for her, she must’ve really cherished the son of her own son which I was happy with.

As I walked into the quiet and nearly vacant room I closed the door behind me quietly and set down some flowers dad had left for me to give them. However, finding a place to put them down was proven to be difficult, every counter and table was already filled to the brim with them. Dad must’ve come here every day with as many flowers as he could carry with him.

“Oh that Hideoshi, he’s such a worrywart.”

But I successfully managed to find an empty spot after doing a little puzzle work of forcing them to squeeze with one another.

“Moving along. Take a seat, boy!”

I promptly accepted her invitation to the chair I later sat on. I sat right next to her left of her, behind me are gigantic windows that showcase the bright sun and looms over the village atop the mountains.

“Such a wonderful view isn’t it?”

“Oh, yes, I suppose it is.”

Grandma quickly noticed me staring a bit too intensely at the outside view. It was also an opportunity for a conversation opener in this very awkward exchange, yet I was so preoccupied with something else that my mind dozed off into nowhere completely.

“It looks like you're having fun here in this town.”

“Well, yes, I suppose I am.”

My pride wouldn’t let me lie that this week had been one of the most annoying, dangerous, and reckless weeks I’ve ever had. Every day since last Sunday I’ve been dragged on by Asahi.

Whether it’s by the collar or by blackmailing she would always come in and forcefully make me follow along in whatever shenanigans she could think of, and I would always regret what I did at the end of the day.

Whether it’s stalking other’s love lives or almost completely ruining someone else’s business entirely, I’ve encountered time and time again this week of something my heart would never have the courage to do. Nor would I ever think of doing them.

I always end up trying my best and just doing those pesky tasks with all I’ve got because I felt if I were to be the only one half-assing this then I would feel sorry for everyone involved.

It’s all because of Asahi’s fault, it always has been.

If I would’ve never met Asahi, I would’ve never had to go doing those painful things in my life.

If I would’ve never met Asahi, I could go on and lived a peaceful life without knowing the infamous girl in sunglasses running around all over. I would just think “Wow that girl sure is hyper,” and never would’ve talked to her ever.

It’s all Asahi’s fault, all of it.

“Is that so? I’m so glad.”

I could be hanging out with other friends I found and take a leisure walk around town without any kind of disturbances… But I ended up spending the night chasing down a cat for money, which I never got in the end.

“I had thought you were lying there but…”

The more I think about it the more I don’t want to think about it. Why did she have to remind me about Asahi, can I go one day without ever remembering her existence… I can’t stop thinking about Asahi.

Everything is her, it’s always her, It’s all about her. It’s all Asahi

“I’m glad you’re genuinely having the time of your life living here in Kawazawa village.”

Hm…?

At that moment, everything stood still. I couldn’t hear the medical tools beeping in the room at the moment, the television that was making noise before was now completely silent. And my gaze was lifted from looking around all over straight through grandma’s eyes.

“Your voice might be implying that you were lying, but eyes cannot tell lies.”

“N—no, wait, I mean uh—”

“Ha ha ha! Seems like I was right.”

Time was frozen except for the both of us, I felt like my heart had dropped.

“Izumi dear, be honest with me. You were thinking of negative memories, no?”

Still frozen in place and having no idea of what course of action I should take next, I managed to mutter the next few lines while mumbling.

“...Y-yes…”

“Hmph”

Grandma only scoffs at my answer.

“Life has more colors than black and white. Nothing in this world is clear, there are so many mysteries and so many wonderful things that are unique to themselves, and the possibilities are endless. But the most unclear thing in this world is ourselves.”

I couldn’t exactly follow along with what Grandma said, yet I have still engrossed in it anyway.

“Most people nowadays don’t even know themselves. They can spout out labels or words of who they think they are, but somewhere deep inside their hearts are contradictions to their actions. Humans are the most confusing creatures out there.”

The more she went on the more I got closer.

“Like you, Izumi. It was obvious how you were trying to keep your pride and not bad mouth the town I live in, and it was obvious that you were trying to hide your discerning face at the beginning.”

And then, she said.

“But you were smiling at the end.”

My 5 senses have long left my body and I could not feel anything around me. My mouth could not get an answer out, I was speechless.

“hehe... I always know what others are thinking deep inside their hearts. I’m a Satori too, after all.”

The Satori is a part of Japanese folklore that has been dated back hundreds of years. They are mind-reading yokai who take the form of monkeys who reside within the mountains of Hida and Mino. And they just so happen to be my family name.

“What is it? Ah! I know this face! My dear, Izumi, you’re having doubts aren’t you?”

And just like before, she saw right through me.

“Alright then, that’s fine. Strap in, boy. This will be a long lecture.”

She probably intends to give me this lecture to confirm my worries, but I don’t know how effective they will be.

And just like she said, it was indeed a long lecture. At some point, I began explaining my situation with Asahi, but for the most part, I was already tired from the day before and couldn’t keep up with what she was saying and only nodded to seem like I was following along.

But she immediately sees right through my facade and would point out the time when I was dozing off or having my attention elsewhere.

I’d like to have mind-reading powers too…

Part 4

“Life’s a balloon that tumbles or rises depending on what is inside. Fill it with hope, and playful surprises, and —oh, deary ducks— then you’re in for a ride.”

At this point, I had no idea how long it has been now since she started lecturing me about life. I noticed at some point she started to use random and odd words. Like who says “Oh deary ducks,”?

What is this, Britain?

“Look inside the balloon, and if you hear a tune, there’s nowhere to go but up.”

She must be testing me to see if my brain still works as now she’s speaking in riddles.

“So, Izumi, did you get all that?”

“Ha—! Oh, not… Not really no…”

“Hahaha! Of course, you didn’t, I was just singing a song after all.”

Shockingly, it turns out her rhymes can actually be put into a rhythm and sung as a song. No wonder why I haven’t heard some of those words used in my life before.

“But I think it fits into your situation does it not?”

“In what way?”

She then places her index finger under her chin.

“Let’s see… You said your friend Asahi was dragging you along, does she not? But what if that role is reversed and you were the one in control, then you would be able to fill your own balloon.”

She confidently said.

“I get what you mean, but how am I supposed to do that in the first place? She keeps blackmailing me.”

When I tried to think of a way to avoid her, I couldn't. She’s always one step ahead of me. There’s nothing I could do, she might as well be a god at this point.

“Then, how about challenging her in your own territory?”

My head quickly retracted from looking to the ground below.

“Okay? Like what?”

“From what you said, it sounds like she keeps you on a leash by the neck. But what if you have your own specialty that will forcefully drag her down to the ground?”

“Okay… Like what?”

“Sigh… Izumi boy, I can read emotions, not what’s in your actual mind. There is still so much I don’t know about you. Besides, it’s not fun when I just tell you the answer right?”

“Then what’s the point in this lectu—”

At that instant, the door swung open and my entire body recoiled at the sound

“Sorry for making you wait, mom! I’m here no—”

“Oh Hideoshi, pipe it down would you?”

“I’m also here too…”

2 figures entered the now lively hospital room. So lively in fact that I think we could be kicked any second because of how loud this room has gotten.

Which is why you need to shut up, dad!

Also, Aunt was here as a bonus.

“Oh hey Izumi, so you’re actually here.”

“See? I told you he’d come here and you don’t need to worry about anything.”

“Hush, Kagura, you can never be too sure.”

That reminds me, this is my first time hearing Aunt’s name.

“Hm? Ah, it seems like our dear boy Izumi has made a revolution.”
“Stop reading my mind, grandma!”

“Oh, what’s this what’s this? You two seemed close all of a sudden.”

Aunt got closer to us as she heard our tiny exchange of conversation. Her curiosity seemed to peak whenever there was someone talking about me.

“If I were to guess based on when you had your reaction… Izumi dear, you’ve never known Kagura’s name, have you?”

“Eeeeh?!? Really? Hahahaha! That’s hilarious!.”

I couldn’t deny what Grandma said for the reason being that if I were to challenge her my lie would’ve been spotted as soon as possible. She reminds me of Asahi in a way.

“The name’s Kagura Satori! It’s a bit late introducing this but nice to meet you!”

“Ah, yeah, likewise… Wait, Satori?”

“She’s not married.”

“Hideoshi shut up! You don’t need to explicitly tell him that! And don’t say it that quickly either!”

“Still can’t get over your high school crush?”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaa stop! No more!”

Seeing the siblings bicker even as full-grown adults made me chuckle. There’s something calming and soothing with family bonds. It’s also hilarious seeing someone panic and wailing over something they regretted doing.

I love seeing people suffer… Wait no!

“It’s been about 20 years already, can't you just move on?”
“Easy for you to say!”

“Will the two of you be quiet now?”

I tried to suppress my happiness while seeing the misery of others. In other words, no Schadenfreude.

And so, during that entire day, we all spent it inside that single hospital room. Thank the lords that there wasn’t anyone else in that room or else we might’ve actually been kicked out for real.

That day was an experience for me to remember.

I will not forget those pieces of advice my Grandma left for me, and I will treasure them to heart.

If only, she could cure my urge that day.

That day when I almost pushed someone off a cliff.

Sure, it wasn’t a steep cliff, and there was some water below. But trying to justify something like that was futile.

I had no excuses.

There were no excuses.

Then later, when the day became dark and we all had to go home, I had a slightly different expression than when I was here earlier today.

Grandma of course knew, but she kept it to herself.

She can only read emotions, she can’t read minds.

She doesn’t know your circumstances, you have to tell her yourself.

Life is a balloon that tumbles or rises depending on what is inside. Fill it with hope and playful surprises, then you’re in for a ride.

For now, let’s keep going with that advice.

Let’s see what happens when I try to do just that.

~~To be continued~~