Welcome To Tokyo
NIGHT TIME, 6TH of April
Surprinsigly the train is packed. I usually use public transports but I never left my town to go somewhere else. The only cases where I did that were because I had some school trip. I had many things to do so I couldn't think about leaving my hometown. I had to study hard, I had to work and sometimes all the work in the house were up to me. I couldn't neglect these responsibilities because I didn't want to be a burden for my family.
Tokyo is like a whole new world to me, a place where I can change the way I am. All these people are going to the capital for a reason or another, but most of them seem gloomy and sad. The only ones who somehow manage to smile in this depressing atmosphere are some teenagers who are laughing in a low voice.
I've always thought Tokyo would be an important destination for anyone who lives in Japan after all it's a great place to visit. I expected that on this train people would have been more cheerful and enthusiastic. Evidently I'm the only one feeling this way.
From my seat, with the bag on my legs and the suitcase on the luggage rack, I can see a poster. There, some news was written about bullying, severe car accidents, falsified evidence, tax increase and people going on rampages.
I read everyday about all these things, but I can't get used to it. Why do people act like that? I think it over looking away from the ads and staring at my hand with a worried expression on my face.
The chatter of two girls not too far from me distracts me. They are talking near the doors and when I turn to them, I notice there chatting about something that is appearing on their cell phone. Maybe my mind is wandering too much. Even if I think about it that won't be enough to actually solve these problems.
All of a sudden the train slows down and confused, I say in a whisper, "I've never seen this place." Getting to Tokyo will be really difficult, especially for me. I know nothing about other places. I read what this train's destination will be and I notice that before arriving in Shizuoka there are five more stops. I ask the person who sits beside me how much time will I have to wait to get in there and he answers I'll have to wait more or less four hours. At this moment I really feel like dying. It's 11:00 PM and now I know I'll be in Shizuoka at 3:00 AM and after that three more hours of travel are waiting for me!
Totally hopeless I get out my telephone from my jacket and I play one of my favorite games until the train will get to my destination.
MORNING, 7th of April.
I finally arrived in Tokyo! It's 6:00 AM and I'm extremely tired. I ignore my weariness and I look around to try to find the man who should take me home. Nobody pays me attention so I'm quite worried right now. I explore some more this zone hoping to see someone I know without success. When I'm getting desperate to find someone my telephone rings, attracting my attention.
"It's a message" I murmur noticing the notification.
I'M SHINJI TERUMA, THE ONE WHO'LL HOUSE YOU DURING YOUR STAY IN HERE. I'M REALLY SORRY BUT TODAY I'M FULL WITH WORK AND I HAVE NO TIME TO PICK YOU UP. COULD YOU PLEASE REACH THE 'RED ART'? YOU CAN FIND IT AFTER THE STATION, THE SECOND BUILDING AT YOU LEFT. I'M REALLY SORRY IF I COULDN'T MEET YOU THERE, I'LL MAKE UP FOR IT SOMEHOW.
Somehow this message is reassuring me, at least I know he didn't forget me. I gathered up my courage and I try to get to that man's restaurant following his instructions. I walk straight ahead and when I lift my head I see a great crossroad full of people. It's incredible how different Tokyo is from my hometown city!
*DRING*
I suddenly hear a ring. I put my look on those people, who just some seconds ago were so dynamic. They are staying still as if time stopped and a frightening figure appears in front of me.
What's this? Why did they stop? Is it all a dream?
You can't even imagine what I'm seeing now. After some time the creepy creature, totally black, indistinguishable and covered by a blue fire, comes closer to me.
In my place people knew me for my composure, in fact in this fearful situation I manage to stay calm and focused.
"DO YOU WANT TO BE FREE?" I hear strange and deep voice after some moments of silence.
Does this thing know about my thoughts? I don't trust it, of course, but I nod to him revealing my true feelings.
"IF YOU WANT TO BE FREE LISTEN TO ME. LET US MAKE A DEAL. I WILL GIVE YOUR FREEDOM TO YOU AND I FROM YOU I WANT YOUR BODY. DO YOU ACCEPT MY OFFER? WHEN WE WILL MEET AGAIN GIVE ME AN ANSWER."
That thing disappear before I had the chance to refuse its offer. Luckily people get back walking as if nothing had happened.
'Was I the only one who saw that monster? How can it be?'
I'm clearly puzzled so I try to find a meaning for what happened. What explanation can I possibly have for this?! Maybe It was a dream. I'm just tired because of the travel.
I shake my head, I put my cellphone in my pocket and I keep following the instruction for the restaurant where Mr. Teruma is working. I go straight ahead focusing on the city.
This place is huge! There are many shops, people and things that in my hometown I've never seen, maybe just in movies.
I turn to the right as the direction said and I see big signboard that says "Red Art".
Here it is! That's the place!
I smile because I finally arrived at destination then I run toward the building taking my things with me. As soon as I find myself in front of the place I knock and open the door to find some tables already occupied, two workers serving the tables and a cashier who sits behind the red counter.
The green-eyed boy with messy and brown hair comes to me. He seems to have the same age as me…
"Good morning, do you want anything to eat?" He has a shiny smile on his face while in his right hand he has a dish that maybe is going to serve. When I see his uniform I smile because as the name says this place is really red.
"No, thank you. I'd like to speak with Mr. Teruma. Do you know where can I find him?" I ask some information about that man and I'm happy because that guy is helpful.
"Of course, he's the man you see behind the counter. The one with black hair right there." His index finger points right at the cashier then I nod. He has the same red clothes and he seems a kind man. I thank the boy and I leave him to go talk with the owner.
I like this place. It's cozy and nice. The walls are red scarlet while at my feet I see a checkerboard floor. There are some big windows on my left that let the sunshine light up the restaurant. In the ceiling I can see some red lanterns that have the same color of the chairs. The tables are black and over them some crimson flowers contrast with the flat surface.
I stop in front of Mr. Teruma but he doesn't recognize my face so I introduce myself.
"Good morning, I'm Kaito Akai, my father Kanji Akai asked you to house me for a while. I'm sorry If I'm late but I've been sightseeing Tokyo for a while." That man's eyes seem enthusiastic while I talk and he hold my hands welcoming me in here.
"Kaito! You're more handsome than your father have described me! Welcome to Tokyo! As you know this place is called 'Red Art' and it's my dear restaurant. Those two who are serving the tables are Akari, the blue haired girl down there, the other one is Shota. He's my son."
I'm so tired I don't want to talk anymore so I nod, hoping that the older man won't get mad at me.
"You surely are tired. I'll ask Shota to accompany you home." He shouts his son's name and ask him to get me home. He's a bit hesitant but he accepts this task.
The browned-haired boy takes off the uniform and I follow him leaving my belongings beside the counter where Mr. Teruma could watch them. We both say goodbye to the owner before we leave.
"You're Kaito then. My father says you are as smart as a computer." I didn't expect a compliment from Shota but at least now I can say he know something about me.
"That's what people say. Computers don't have a brain though…" This is just a remark but it is enough to make that guy laugh.
"You're right. I was actually hoping I didn't have to live with a boring nerd and you don't seem one of them."
"...wanna try and be my friend?" He asked, I felt a little taken aback at the sudden proposal but smile and nod anyway. A new friend was always good in a new city.
"Alright then." I replied, feeling like I've actually accomplished something.
It's just I want to sleep for at least 5 hours before seeing someone again.
After chatting fro a while we reach Shota's house which is bigger and more spacious than mine. The furnishing is modern and stylish, while in my house everything is more traditional. I like it. Just like this place, it's different from what I've seen before. Finally something is changing in my life.
"Well, I'm going back to work. You can go to sleep. Your room is upstairs at your right. Bye bye!" He leaves in a hurry while I run in my room to get some sleep. I was looking forward to this moment! The floor has a dark grey color but a red carpet makes it more colorful. There's a white desk, overwhelmed with boxes which contain my books, that has the same color of the snow-like walls. Near the desk there's a little white library too but for now it's still empty. At last there's a red single bed covered in a blue blanket. Tired as I am I directly go to sleep in my comfortable bed.
—-
'Where am I?'
I remember I fell asleep in Mr. Teruma's house then somehow I arrived here.
'What's this place?'
This room is different from by bedroom. It's totally blue and smaller than Mr. Teruma's living room. All my confusion fades away leaving room for other negative feelings when I look at my hands. I wince in fear when I notice I'm handcuffed.
'What's the meaning of this? Who did this to me and why?'
The iron handcuffs are limiting my movements so the only thing I can do is to walk up the cold bars. I end up gripping them, like I was unsure of if they wee real or not.
"W-What's going on?! What's the meaning of this?! let me out!" Rage and fear are getting over me while a man with gray hair, a big nose and deep eyes chuckles from afar.
Why is he laughing? I don't understand the situation but I feel like I was being teased. Even if I scream and shout he doesn't seem to care. All of a sudden a pair of twins appear out of nowhere. They wear the same clothes and an eyepatch but one of them has a braid on the other hand the other one has a bun.
What do they want from me?
I can't trust them, even if they're children. The girls shake their head maybe disappointed by my actions. What am I supposed to do then?
"Well well, it seems we have a guest with an intriguing destiny. My name is Igor…I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those who are bound by a contract may enter. It may be that such a fate awaits you in the near future. Now then, why don't you introduce yourself?"
Is he serious? How can he ask my name in this situation? Wait a second. A contract?
A flashback strikes in my mind, when that mysterious creature appeared in that crossroad. Is that the contract this man is talking about? I didn't accept the offer yet! Is it my destiny to accept it then?
"My name is Kaito Akai, why do you care? Why have you locked me down in this cell?" Igor's laughter increases as my anger. Why can't he just answer to my questions?
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I did not lock you in that cell. The Velvet Room reflects what dwell in your heart. It seems you feel like a prisoner, chained by the rules of society. This is just a visit, the next time we see each other again you will have already begun your journey. Until then."
The elder man finished his speech like this and I was lost for words. Everything slowly fades away while my sudden headache is killing me. I pass out and I wake up again on the futon where I've slept some time ago.
'What is happening to me?'