Chapter 691

End Game

Next morning, I woke up early,

from a dreamless, soundless sleep,

just as the sun peeked into our tents,

lighting the canvas into brilliant luminous colors.

To our dismay, clothes, sleeping bag and all were soaked.

Head to toe, I felt like I had come out of a swimming pool.

Spring dew was not to be trifled with.

Even the inside of the tent was dripping with condensation.

Fortunately, it was not too cold.

The temperature was rather forgiving for this time of the year.

This March, it felt almost like summer.

Chapter 692

End Game

As quick as my fatigued body could,

I clambered out of the tent,

to discover Airu and Akira outside already.

"Good morning." Airu smiled at me.

"Morning." I yawned, glancing from Akira to her.

She gave me a reassuring look to say everything was fine.

As always, she had read my mind.

"Here, thanks for the jacket."

My jacket was neatly folded in half,

as good as new.

"Are you warm enough?"

I questioned her thin sweatshirt.

She nodded.

Chapter 693

End Game

Akira was busying himself

with his tent now,

his back to us.

Tonight, we would be staying at a hotel in Osaka.

Of course, travellers must move on.

Nothing was permanent.

Not places,

not people,

not time.

Things were changing faster than they ever meant to be.

To accept the change is the only right path.

Chapter 694

End Game

Surprisingly, the remnant of the fire was still smouldering.

Under the spring dampness, struggling to stay alive.

Did it have the strength to become a fire again?

The possibility of that was close to zero.

Yet, a little disregarded cinder might be the cause of a wild forest fire.

Without much choice, I made sure to give it a firm stamping.

"What are you doing?" Takashi yawned behind me.

"It was still smouldering."

"Oh." He shrugged.

Behind me, I heard Airu cry out.

"Looks like someone needs help."

Takashi laughed.

Chapter 695

End Game

She was clutching her hand,

eyes narrowed in pain,

when I approached.

"I'll do it." I offered.

I saw a flicker of stubborn hope cross over her face.

Instead, I knelt down and took the tent poles from her.

"Gotta watch out for this piece."

She nodded.

I smiled. She was definitely different from anyone I've met.

In her eyes, I could see the undying determination,

a headstrong will to win all her fights.

Even if it was only a tent pole.

Chapter 696

End Game

Soon, with everyone's help,

we managed to get the tents cleaned off and packed.

Soshi had to be the last one to wake up no doubt,

stumbling out when we started taking his tent apart.

It was nearly ten by the time we finished.

Miraculously, large tents and bulky sleeping bags

became trivial with a little effort.

Mobility was once again child's play.

"What's the plan for today?"

Chapter 697

End Game

We were settling against our luggage now,

having found a new way to use them -- seats.

"Tonight we'll be in Osaka."

Miko grinned. "Can't wait. Shopping galore!"

"What time is our train?"

I glanced at the time.

"We could head out after lunch or now, if we eat lunch there."

"I definitely want to try Osaka okonomiyaki."

There was no way Juria would give up on Osaka cuisine.

How she maintained her physique despite her love for food, was a mystery to us all.

Takashi seconded her implied suggestion.

"Well, let's head out as soon as possible then!"

Chapter 698

End Game

Osaka was an old city,

home to famous cuisine,

staples of practical flavoured fast food

and extravagant nightlife scenes.

Rather than Kyoto's artistic finesse and delicate elegance,

Osaka was its opposite, all about getting down to business.

There was no time for slow meandering,

but instead was fast paced, without room to breathe.

To wrap up the vacation with Osaka was like throwing a last farewell party.

The epitome of fun.

The final stretch.

"Here we go!"

Chapter 699

End Game

The closer we got, the rowdier we became.

It seemed like the spirit of Osaka

was already lingering over our seats.

The rhythmic bumps of the train was not a lullaby this time.

Instead, it was a steady dance beat,

each sending a spark along our spines.

We were finally leaving the recesses of serenity.

The trees, the gentle wilderness, all behind us.

The big stages were now just a kick in the back,

sending us along towards more.

Chapter 700

End Game

"Oh, I'm starving." Juria rubbed her stomach.

We laughed, gathering our luggage.

According to the guide maps, we could get off at the next stop.

Right in the middle of the busiest, liveliest districts in Osaka -- Namba.

It was crammed with the best dining options, karaoke bars, salons and stores.

"Here we are."

Chapter 701

End Game

It took us a while to find our bearings amidst the unceasing distractions.

Sights and sounds, people everywhere, our concentration in disarray,

was not a good combination.

It was just like downtown Tokyo, except even worse.

Within minutes we were lost, due to our low attention span.

"Look at that!" Miko was holding on to Juria's arm tightly.

Next to Soshi, Akira was staring down a group of street performers.

Takashi sighed. "This is totally not working."

Chapter 702

End Game

"What were we originally supposed to do?"

"Find food?"

"Oh yeah, I'm starving."

Juria looked disappointed in herself.

"How could you forget that?" Takashi joked.

"I don't know." But her eyes looked pointedly at Miko,

who was already staring through the windows of the next shop.

I was starting to realize the danger of the Osakan streets.

They were potent with distractions and temptations.

A mysterious power gripped every soul

steering them towards hungry mouths,

competing for the next customer.

Soon, minds became clouded, judgement irrational.

We would lose track of our true intent.

And this was only the beginning.

"Well, let's find food. Okonomiyaki here we go!"

Chapter 703

End Game

The burning of the hotplate seared our faces,

smoke rising in front of our eyes,

as if we had returned to the campfire.

I was already sweating from the heat alone.

What would happen if I were to swallow a piece?

Yet, we could only be mesmerized by

the okonomiyaki batters sizzling violently

on the grill in front of us.

Each became a thick mouthwatering pancake,

a staple of Osakan cuisine, famous all throughout Japan.

We had been warmly welcomed by a balding heavyset man

just minutes ago, directing us through a packed interior

towards the far corner where we claimed a teppan to ourselves.

Younger waiters brought us our orders,

almost at the snap of our fingers.

Despite it's strong irresistible flavours,

I never enjoyed the cooking process.

*Okonomiyaki - Mixed batter of flour, grated yam, eggs, cheese, shredded cabbage, various vegetables and selections of other ingredients such as meats, octopus, squid, shrimp, etc. Okonomiyaki is sometimes compared to an omelette or a pancake and may be referred to as "a Japanese pancake" or even "Osaka soul food."

*Teppan - hotplate grill

Chapter 704

End Game

"Now, this is life." Soshi chuckled, his mouth stuffed full.

We divided the okonomiyaki into bite sized slices, like pizza.

Each bite was scorching, heat rising into my head,

but all the same, there would be no stopping.

Caution no longer applied in Osaka.

"Don't talk while you're eating!"

Miko slapped his hand away from the plate, before she forked his share.

"Hey!"

Beside me, Takashi was busy sharing his portion with Juria.

I smiled at their newfound affection, a hint of jealousy tickling my heart.

Chapter 705

End Game

"Ne, do you mind getting me a piece of that?"

Airu who had managed to claim the seat on my right raised her plate.

At the other end of the table,

the okonomiyaki with a layer of fried noodles beckoned.

"Of course. Get it yourself." I teased.

She pouted and stuck out her tongue,

before grinning when I did as she asked.

I couldn't tell whether it was out of courtesy

or if I had been hoping for such a chance.

"Thanks." Her eyes smiled at me.

In the end, I decided it didn't matter.

Chapter 706

End Game

"So you really didn't hear what I said before?"

We were walking now, full til we could barely move.

Okonomiyaki was a glutton's heaven,

a merciless dish of such heavy portions.

We made a resolution to walk it off.

Which was perfect for the ravenous shops.

Each step was accompanied by pleasures.

The pleasure of the eye. The ear.

Only our noses fended off the smell of food,

inviting a feeling of rising half-digested

okonomiyaki in our throats.

We ignored the restaurants and turned our attention to other spectacles.

My attention couldn't be taken away from Airu though.

I had made sure to walk beside her.

I had a nagging feeling that she knew,

and was playing her cards all along.

Chapter 707

End Game

"When?"

"On the hill."

"Oh..." She tilted her head, as if she was thinking.

Suddenly her eyes widened. "I'm so sorry. I fell asleep on you!"

I laughed. "I'm not saying it again."

"No!" She gave me a pleading look. "Tell me!"

"You were the one who fell asleep on me!"

"Shush."

"Don't worry. It's nothing important."

I plastered a smile on my face.

Did I want her to know?

Would it be nothing important soon?

Everything fading away as it usually does.

There was nothing I could seem to hold on to.

What would these last two days in Osaka amount to?

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End Game

"Hey, Airu, come with us!"

Miko was dragging Juria into a store by now,

her helpless eyes calling to Airu for help.

She shook her head.

Then, she looked apologetically at me,

before disappearing into the murky depths.

The small shop was one of many crowding the pedestrian-only side street.

There was no room for the guys, because all we could see were women's fashion.

That was fine though because street performers had just started their work.

I decided I would tell her later.

Chapter 709

End Game

A gathering was slowly forming around the performers.

We pushed our way closer, peering amongst the many heads.

It was a dance crew, dressed in baggy sweatpants and t-shirts,

imitating American hip hop.

I snorted at their pretentious actions.

Their flailing arms as they spoke betrayed their insecurities.

Why did they have to imitate someone else's style?

Could they not find their own identity?

"Oh, they're good." Soshi's voice was full of admiration.

The music started.

Chapter 710

End Game

I shuffled sideways so I could see them.

The beats pounding from their small makeshift speakers was shattering static.

Good? At what?

What could they be possibly good at?

If they couldn't sing or play instruments, how is that music?

I heard the crowd cheering. What did they see?

The man in front of me was tall; he blocked out most of my vision.

Then, he finally moved.

At last I could see.

The first thing I saw was their smile.

Chapter 711

End Game

Five of them, grinning from ear to ear,

like they had no care in the world

about what others thought.

One was in center stage now,

spinning like a top just on his arms alone.

Was this the peak of human finesse?

It wasn't finesse because of their skill.

No, rather, there was something else.

Something that made them shine.

As bright as a star.

Why were they grinning so much?

What did they find in doing this?

Chapter 712

End Game

Every moment, they were putting forth their best.

I could feel it. Their strongest determination to give everything their all.

And they looked like they were enjoying every moment of it.

Every moment they were holding on to it and savouring it.

Straight from their hearts, their motions became faster and faster,

a moving blur, driven with energy that fed from the exhilaration in the air.

They became in tune with their music.

Instead of pretense, there was nothing but authenticity.

It was all of a sudden confusing to me.

Their movement was painful to watch.

Because I was once again on the side lines, watching.

Why did I not have this kind of feeling raging through me?

What was I missing?

Even music hadn't spoken to me.

Why was everything disappearing from my hands?

Chapter 713

End Game

"Seiji!" I felt someone jump on my back.

"What was that for?"

Airu laughed. "I don't know."

I turned away from the dancers,

beats still ringing in my ear.

"Did you buy anything?"

"Not my style." She shrugged.

"But obviously someone did."

I followed her gaze and stared, amused, at a laden Miko.

"She bought that much already?"

"I tried to stop her." Airu tried put on an innocent look.

"Coming from the girl with a limitless credit card."

I grinned. She grabbed my arm and pulled me away.

Chapter 714

End Game

I didn't look back,

but in my mind,

I could see the images

of their dancing

replay, over and over.

I had to find that same fire that kept them going.

Complete abandonment of everything.

"Seiji?" She peered at me curiously.

"Hmm?"

With our hands in our pockets,

we were walking towards our hotel now.

"What are you thinking about?"

I shook my head. "Nothing."

She raised an eyebrow but decided to buy it.

"I was saying, do you wanna go sing karaoke tonight?"

Chapter 715

End Game

Singing. She said.

If I sang this time, would everything come back to me?

Or would it be pointless?

Would singing remain forever far from me?

If I sang, it had to mean something to me.

A long time ago it seemed was the only time when it did.

I could barely hum a song now.

She stared at me thoughtfully.

"You don't have to sing if you don't want to."

I smiled. I told her it would be alright.

Chapter 716

End Game

"So you'll go right?"

She looked so eager and full of expectation.

I couldn't say no.

So I told her I would.

I watched her beam at me and rush over to the others.

Miko gave a loud hoot of approval when she heard of Airu's idea.

Apparently, I had been the first to know.

If I had said no, what would she have done?

I pushed the thought away. It didn't matter.

Chapter 717

End Game

Our hotel was just around the block now,

stationed right in the middle of upper scale shopping districts,

that ran underground all throughout the streets.

Here, there were many large, fancy hotels,

rising out of the sparkling city lights.

To stay in one, was a fortune every night.

Yet, it was worth it.

So we thought.

Chapter 718

End Game

We checked in with a slim upbeat young woman,

light orange hair just licking her shoulders,

most likely fresh out of college.

She gave us a polite smile as she handed us the key cards.

A smile flawless and practiced, she could've mastered it in front of a mirror every morning.

"Rooms 521 to 523. Enjoy your stay."

We bowed and luggage in tow, headed for the elevators.

Past the polished white marble surfaces and bamboo plants,

under the overhanging oriental style chandeliers,

through the hushed echoing interiors,

into our new paradise of comfort.

I pressed the button that gleamed with a red number 5.

Were we to call this home?

Chapter 719

End Game