Tokyo Hearts: A Japanese Love Story (18 page)

‘I think the stress of your exams and this business with Haruka is getting to you – you even have a couple of pimples on your forehead. I know you must be really stressed if your skin’s bad,’ said Masaya.

Takashi nodded. He hadn’t wanted this conversation to crop up. He cut it short by taking out his packet of Mild Seven cigarettes and offering Masaya one. They smoked in silence for about five minutes before beckoning Kenji to come over and join them.

‘Thanks Kenji, that was delicious,’ Masaya and Takashi said in unison.

Kenji sat down at the table with them. All of the customers had now finished their meals and had left to return to their workplaces, except for one stylish lady at the back of the restaurant. She was wearing a sexy Junko Shimada navy peplum jacket and matching skirt.

‘You certainly get to meet a lot of beautiful girls working here, don’t you, Kenji?’ said Masaya.

‘Yes I certainly do,’ replied Kenji. ‘But I tell you what, boys – they wear me out, and not in a good way. I’ve dated eight customers in the past month.’

‘Eight girls!’Takashi exclaimed.

‘Yes, eight girls, Takashi, but they’re mostly shallow and insincere. I’ve yet to meet a girl that doesn’t expect everything done for her and who doesn’t gets irritable and frustrated if I ask her to do something for me. I’d like to meet a kind and sincere girl, but I don’t think Ginza is the right area if you want to meet someone like that.’

‘I feel so sorry for you,’ Takashi said, mocking his misfortune. His sarcasm earned him a playful punch in the arm from Kenji.

‘Tell me, Kenji, what’s the recipe for that noodle dish?’ Masaya asked, changing the subject. ‘I could use that on my menu at the tavern.’

Kenji winked at Masaya. ‘Family secret – can’t tell you that Masaya – but you’re welcome to eat here anytime.’ Kenji smiled to himself and left them to wander over and charm the attractive woman sitting by herself at the back of the restaurant.

‘He’s a cheeky fellow, isn’t he?’ Masaya said to Takashi, not one bit bothered about the recipe.

Before they left, Masaya paid Kenji’s mother ¥5,000 to reserve his own bottle of Miyazaki shochu rice wine and promised to revisit one evening over the next few months with a group of people to drink it and enjoy the food again. In return, Kenji wouldn’t let them pay for their lunches at the register, even though they tried to insist on paying several times over. They gratefully left the restaurant, both of them having fully enjoyed a great afternoon.

Umi Gohan was conveniently situated near the corner of Mihara and Azuma Street, behind Mitsukoshi department store, so they decided to do a little window shopping before they went on their separate ways to head home.

‘Let’s go and have a look at the Apple store,’ suggested Masaya.

‘You don’t need a computer, do you?’ asked Takashi.

‘No,’ he answered. ‘But I’d like to take a look at the new models.’

‘Okay, but then I’d like to go home. It’s freezing outside,’ Takashi said through chattering teeth.

A true friend is a great treasure

It was nine p.m. when Takashi returned to his apartment. The room was cold, and he changed into an old grey sweater and turned on the kotatsu under the coffee table. He placed his hands under the thick cover that spread over the table and held his hands close to the warmth of the kotatsu’s heater to heat up his fingers and toes that were a little numb from his brisk walk home. Takashi decided to watch TV, as he was too tired to study and he kept telling himself that it was too late anyway to start any serious work.

He started watching the repeat of a soccer game, but he knew what the result was, and it wasn’t long before his mind began to wander. He lay back and now that his hands had lost their frosty tingle, he stretched out. His legs were crossed and the lower part of his body was covered under the table. His upper body rested on the floor against his pillow. His hands were under his head as he looked up at the ceiling.

Against the bleating tone of the umpire’s voice coming from the television, his thoughts drifted. He smiled as he remembered Kenji’s face when he first saw them at the restaurant and Masaya’s friendly conversation throughout the meal. Takashi really enjoyed Masaya’s company and he thought of him as a great friend. It wasn’t long before his thoughts turned back to the conversation that he’d shared with him about Haruka. He would have given anything to tell Masaya that his relationship with Haruka was going well and he was really happy – but he’d been honest and ended up looking to him for support instead – and now his good friend was left feeling sorry for him.

Over the last couple of weeks, he’d found himself thinking about Haruka more often than usual, and he couldn’t put her out of his mind. The day before, Takashi had even thrown his textbook at the wall in frustration after thinking about her for a full half hour. He often had to force himself to think about something else, because daydreaming about Haruka left him feeling like there was a big gap in his life that couldn’t be filled unless she was part of it. Takashi deliberately forced his thoughts back to his friend Masaya.

Masaya and Takashi had been through a lot together, and Takashi had always respected him for being himself. He’d never been really good looking or even average-looking. Masaya was a bit dumpy in the face and he had scars left over from early acne problems, so he always maintained a five o’clock shadow to hide this. He wore his hair quite long at the neck and coloured it brown. His hair suited him a lot better when it was really short, but Masaya always wore it just how he liked it. He liked to be trendy, never listening to how other people would prefer him to appear.

Takashi thought that Masaya’s most admirable and most redeeming quality was his personality. His big face framed a wide grin that made him look like a loveable cartoon character. He had a twinkle in his eyes and a robust voice that would sometimes turn into a wheezy chuckle from too many cigarettes. He always made everyone smile. It was for these reasons that people were instantly drawn to him. He convulsed with glee over the simplest things and he often dramatised the most mundane situations so that you were captivated by his stories. As well as this, Masaya had a keen sense of style, and Kenji and Takashi always liked having him around when they went shopping.

Masaya had met his girlfriend Momo-chan in high school. They’d been dating for about two years and Momo-chan was also a character in her own right. You instantly recognised her when she was in the room, because her voice had a high-pitched nasal twang. Momo-chan was eighteen years old and reminded Takashi of the type of girl you saw hosting music programmes on TV. Her original sense of style was kind of Lolita-cum-rock-cum-punk-cum kewpie doll. The last time he saw her, she had her hair in braids that were wound around the side of her head in the style of Princess Leia from
Star Wars
. Her make-up had consisted of blue glitter around the eyes and bright red lipstick just covering the middle of her lips, like a geisha.

That day, now long gone by, she’d been wearing a denim jacket covered in studs, a T-shirt that had an image of Led Zeppelin printed on the back, a very short denim skirt edged in black lace, pink stockings that stretched up just over her knees and ridiculously high platform shoes. Takashi’s mouth had fallen open when he saw her, but that happened every time he saw her in a different outfit and Momo-chan obviously adored everyone’s reactions to what she wore.

Masaya and Momo-chan were very close, but since he’d bought the bar, he’d been extremely busy and hadn’t wanted her to distract him at work. However, he often encouraged Kenji and Takashi to drop in for a drink and something to eat. Momo-chan respected his wishes and they mostly just met during the day or on Sunday and Monday night when the tavern was closed. Now that they were living together, Takashi thought he’d probably see her most days but when he wasn’t working.

Just before he fell asleep, Takashi decided that he would get in touch with Kenji and arrange to return the favour and visit Masaya at his tavern in Shimokitazawa. He dialled his number. The phone rang several times before he picked it up.

‘Kenji, it’s me, Takashi.’

Kenji yawned. ‘Oh hi, good to see you today,’ he drawled in a sleepy voice.

‘Sorry did I wake you?’ Takashi asked.

‘Yes, but that’s cool.’

‘Masaya and I had such a good time today. What do you think of us all going to drink at his tavern in Shimokitazawa next weekend?’

‘Let’s surprise him,’ said Kenji.

‘Yes, that would be fun,’ Takashi replied.

‘Okay, let’s make it next Saturday,’ Kenji said.

‘Great, I’ll ring around and get a few people to come,’ Takashi replied.

‘Nice one, I’ll meet you outside Shimokitazawa station at six.’

‘Sounds good. Are you going back to sleep?’ Takashi asked.

‘Of course,’ Kenji replied.

He that can have patience can have what he will

On the first Saturday in December, the whole gang, except for Momo-chan, who had declined the invitation, decided to meet and surprise Masaya at his tavern, named Enya.

Haruka, Yuriko and Takashi were waiting outside the south exit at Shimokitazawa station for Kenji. It was six p.m. and they were all wearing gloves, hats and scarves. They knew that Masaya’s tavern was pretty laid back; so all three of them were in jeans and casual sweaters underneath warm coats. It was less than 5° Celsius outside and the frosty air made their eyes glossy and their cheeks rosy. They rubbed their hands together to try and keep warm, blowing into their cupped palms every couple of minutes and stamping their feet to keep the circulation going.

‘Is Kenji coming by train?’ asked Yuriko. She was dressed in a suede jacket and tight blue jeans that evening. Takashi was surprised to see that she didn’t have one label showing that night, and her makeup looked much nicer and more natural than usual. He thought to himself that she looked quite pretty for a change.

‘No, he’s driving his car here,’ Takashi replied. ‘He said he’d park near the station and meet us at the south exit. He’s probably looking for somewhere to park.’

Yuriko turned to face Haruka. ‘Have you met him, Haruka? Do you know what he looks like?’ she asked her.

‘Yes, I met him a few years ago,’ said Haruka. ‘He’s very nice. He looks like a model. Has he done any modelling, Takashi?’ Haruka asked.

‘No, he doesn’t have the patience or the vanity for that,’ Takashi replied.

‘Will he bring someone? He has a lot of girlfriends, doesn’t he?’ asked Haruka.

‘I think so,’ Takashi said.

‘So he’s a bit of a player?’ Yuriko asked, seemingly annoyed.

‘No, I wouldn’t say that … there’s Kenji,’ said Takashi, pointing in the direction of the train station. The others turned around and saw him coming quickly towards them. He was easy to recognise because of his height: he towered above all the other commuters and shoppers bursting from the various platforms and heading out of the station.

It was immediately obvious that Kenji was not alone, and their eyes bulged. Kenji, dressed in a brown leather jacket and black jeans, had his arm casually slung around a woman. The closer they got, the more obvious it became that this woman was quite a lot older and very sophisticated. Kenji reached the three of them and introduced the woman as Akiko. He gave Takashi a friendly punch, because his eyes were travelling slowly up from her stilettos to her face.

‘Have you been waiting long?’ Kenji asked them.

‘Only about ten minutes,’ said Takashi. ‘Kenji, you know Haruka, and this is her friend Yuriko.’

‘Nice to meet you, Yuriko,’ said Kenji.

Akiko lifted her leg like a deer and removed a pebble from her stiletto. Takashi marvelled at the way that she could balance on one foot with so much ease.

‘Is Masaya’s tavern far from here?’ Haruka asked him.

‘No. Follow me, everyone. We’ll be there in five minutes,’ Takashi said.

‘Good – I’m freezing,’ said Yuriko.

‘Yes, it is cold isn’t it?’ Takashi said, ‘but I’d stand for hours in this weather to wait to eat at Masaya’s tavern. The food and the atmosphere are fantastic there.’

They headed down the street. Takashi walked slightly ahead, like a tour guide, and the other four followed. They had to wind their way past the shops that were still open. There was a buzz of people everywhere.

Haruka, Yuriko and Takashi couldn’t help stealing glances at Akiko on the way to the bar. She was obviously expensively dressed and extremely stylish, but she looked a little out of place for Shimokitazawa. This town was full of students and jeans were without doubt the uniform of choice around here. Akiko was wearing a tight, fitted navy leather jacket and matching micro mini skirt with bare legs that managed her high heels with unbelievable ease. Takashi thought that she could easily have been mistaken for a high-class hostess from Roppongi who entertained in bars.

They walked past a McDonald’s and a Las Vegas Pachinko parlour before they reached Masaya’s tavern. His izakaya was situated in a side street off the main strip. A huge neon light announced the tavern’s name – ‘Enya’. This was easy to see from the main road. A glowing lantern with the same name hung proudly by the entrance.

A waitress greeted them at the counter, which was decorated with artificial flames and a fish tank bursting with bright silver fish. The tavern had a very relaxed feel about it, and that was perfect for an izakaya. They knew that it would be a fun evening, and they would soon be enjoying tasty appetisers and plenty to drink. They were led to one of the booths lined with leather lounges and a solid wooden table, just right for five people at a squeeze. Above them, a huge round paper lantern glowed, a buzzer was conveniently fixed to the wall for them to call the waitress at any time and the menus were laid out waiting for them to order throughout the evening.

Haruka removed her heavy wool coat. Underneath, she was wearing a black cardigan and a silky, white blouse over faded bootleg jeans. She looked relaxed and happy.