I hear it all

The loud engines of the car, the news broadcasting on the radio, and the cicadas outside, even though the windows were closed, it was still audible in my ears, loud and clear.

I feel it

This car was going at a steady pace, the air-conditioning was pleasuring, against the burning summer, in here, I'm safe and sound, this truly was a satisfying ride, indeed, good job, taxi driver-san.

As I take a peek at the window, I see my beautiful hometown, Chiba, passing through me as the car continues moving.

(Ahhhh, I wanna get out right now and explore Chiba for a bit, then again, I'd rather stay here than go outside just to get burnt by the scorching sun)

Yup, let's stay here, this is the safe zone after all, it's nice and cozy here after all, it's so comfy that I'm on the brink of sleep after all, wait, why don't I just take a nap right now, hurray! Bonus sleep, let's do it.

(I can always take a stroll around Chiba later right?)

Yes, sleep is a priority!

The only problem is, I'm not sleepy, just a little tired, I already took a 5 hour nap on the plane, and I already have more than enough stamina to keep me going for the day.

Really, because of "that", at times, I have more energy than I need; it's starting to get annoying. I can't get some shut-eye even if I wanted to, and sometimes, I get sleepy all of a sudden even when it's not the time to sleep.

What a real mess of a sleeping schedule.

I'll have to fix that.

I don't wanna lose my sleep after all.

I wanna sleep lots after all.

Sleep is important after all.

After vowing to protect my sleep I continue to peruse my surroundings, I continue to look outside, and at that moment, the biggest flood of nostalgia came rushing to me.

(Oh I remember that)

From across the road I see a playground, but not just any playground; it was the playground I frequented to, the place where Komachi and I often went to when we were young.

(That takes me back)

Even if Komachi wasn't with me, I still played there.

(I remember now, I used to play at the swings there, alone, and the seesaw, alone, I even played baseball there...alone)

(Sigh)

(What am I talking about; of course I did it all alone)

I was the loner after all, besides my little sister, I had no one to play with, I didn't play catch with my old man, and I didn't play catch with anyone, even when I was the only kid at the playground, even when I was all alone in the seesaw, even when parents or the other kids saw me alone.

No one came up to me.

Even when the parents saw me, they only gave me a look of pity.

There were even times when the other kids did the classic:

"Mama, look"

"Oh, don't look"

But instead of calling it a bad memory, I consider it as a learning experience; I now understood that none would be willing to come to me.

No one approached me, so I didn't care.

I didn't wait for anyone to befriend me; I just entertained myself by my lonesome.

And at least that lead me to being proficient in all positions in baseball, I even learned tennis, good job, young me, why didn't I just become a baseball player?

Oh yeah

If I became a baseball player

I needed to "get along" with my teammates

(Yup, definitely not my thing)

After continuous deliberations about my loneliness

Something immediately caught my attention.

My eyes were ludicrously glued onto that direction.

No! Onto that object.

A beautiful rectangle, clothed in the colors of black and yellow, a perfect harmony indeed, and whilst the flaming hot sun proved to be an annoyance to me, that was before, now, it had purpose, and that very purpose was to shine light on that magnificent object.

It was majestic.

It was breathtaking.

It was heavenly.

Before a second passed, every visible part of that object was analyzed, those big, beautiful, letters, created a set of patterns that formed a word.

M

A

X

YES! MAX COFFEE! What's more, it was a Max Coffee vending machine! Filled only with Max Coffee!

And while its figure alone was already beautiful, the light shining down on it increased its beauty tenfold.

(Come to think of it, I am a little thirsty)

Yes, that was just how powerful the Max vending machine was.

With the glittering light shining down upon it, it seemed like a heaven-sent blessing.

Even now, as I continue glaring, it felt as if angels were appearing near my ears, whispering sweet words of temptation on me.

(C'mon, you know you want it)

(Your blissful reunion has come)

(No, I don't want it)

*Licks*(This taste...is the taste of a Liar! Hikigaya Hachiman!)

Were there any angels that were this sadistic? No, there weren't, right? They sounded more like devils tempting me rather than angels.

Should I just get out? It's worth it right?

5 Seconds have passed.

While my mind was being torn apart, the fabulous Max vending machine finally left my field of vision.

(Oh, I see. we've driven past it now)

I survived, but at what cost? Not being able to drink some Max? I'll just buy lots tomorrow.

Now that my mind is no longer in a state of pandemonium, I can relax again.

(It's been a while since I've lost my cool huh)

Closing my eyes, I decided to just listen to the radio.

"Chiba!"

"Chiba!"

"Chiba!"

"Chiba!"

"Chiba Machi yo Radio!"

(Gets me every time)

"Good morning! Greetings, all. This is Chiba Radio, and your host once again is me, Kai Harada"

(I remember this guy)

"Though it seems like today is a rather hot day"

(Right?)

"It's still a good day nonetheless"

"And what better day it is for you to enjoy summer to the fullest than today!"

"So go on and take a trip to your local pool, grab a sunscreen, put on some sunglasses, and enjoy some shaved ice! Cause I know I will!"

(Definitely not going to a pool)

As I continue to listen to the radio host, a sudden voice appears.

"So, is this your first time sir?"

Looking ahead, I see that it was the taxi driver who popped the question, well; he is the only one here after all.

His voice was smooth and gentle.

And upon further inspection, he was a man in his 50's, with sleek black hair with some grey here and there, he was wearing his uniform properly.

And looking at his face, there were a few wrinkles, but he still looked fairly young, this is Japan after all.

And the gentle smile he sported changed into a melancholic one.

"Oh, I'm sorry, maybe that was a bit too personal?"

Maybe he took my silence as an answer, an answer that meant I didn't want to answer.

No matter what, this man was just being nice, time to comply.

"No, this place is actually my hometown"

No immediate reply, but I could see his gentle smile taking shape once again.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Chiba is my hometown as well"

He's now in a jollier mood.

"No matter how good the outside is, nothing beats home, huh"

Indeed, many countries have their perks.

But even then, Japan is still special.

"Yes...you're right"

I wanna get some authentic ramen.

"Can I ask you a question sir?"

Go ahead, I'll try answering.

"Sure, please go ahead"

"Well then, if you won't mind, here I go"

3 seconds of waiting.

"What made you want to go overseas?"

Ah, that question.

Inevitably, I would have to answer that question one day, maybe that day has come? I've been thinking about it lately, why did I choose to go? What made me think that going would do something for me, would it have been better if I never left?

"I don't know, maybe I just wanted to explore for a bit, I can't make a concrete answer yet, but maybe someday, I'll figure it out"

The man's face showed a hint of surprise, but then, it was replaced with yet another gentle smile.

"Well...for me, I think you'll find your answer someday, but for now, I think you should enjoy the rest of your youth"

This man.

I could tell, he was true to himself.

He was nice, from the bottom of his sincere heart, he enjoyed his job very much, and he just wanted to put a smile on his clients face.

"Thanks"

I replied.

A pleasant atmosphere filled inside.

With a discussion that left us with content.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Sir, we've arrived"

Taking a peek outside, indeed, we're here.

My neighbors' houses.

I see them.

Even Tanaka's house.

"Yeah, looks like this is my stop"

As I take my wallet out, I ask:

"How much is it?"

The driver though, immediately stopped me in my tracks.

"Oh no-no-no-no-no-no, please, you don't need to pay"

"Why is that?"

"How could I? Towards such a hero?"

"Oh please, I'm no hero, besides I'm just doing my job, same as you, I get paid and so should you"

"Even so, your service protects simple people like me"

"So please accept it as a token of my appreciation"

This man, going out of his way to do this, I'm touched.

"Fine...thanks"

"No problem sir, keep on fighting the good fight, and this old man is gonna support you from the back"

A moment of silence filled with understanding, filled with respect.

And the still world broke, as his arm got higher and higher, until a salute formed from the man, another sign of respect, displayed.

To return the compliment, I did the same.

5 seconds of zero motion.

5 seconds of respect and admiration.

And by the end of that, the man said nothing, but a content smile stayed in his face.

Seeing the vehicle shrinking in sight, I bathe in the nostalgia that is my neighborhood, and finally, I look ahead, I see it, my former abode, my house, from the outside perspective; it looked the same as always.

It was my fortress.

It was my sanctuary.

It was a place where all the unreasonableness of the world, once I entered, never touched me.

Now, I was about to re-enter in that same place.

Now, after 12 years, I can finally say:

"I'm back"


Welp, I'm finally here, huh...

Kiryu