On the Map

Ha! I finally got my hands on my very own map of Japan! I got it from a vending machine near the park entrance. Now I no longer have to hunt for metro stations just to check a map; I can keep this in my own pocket because it’s mine, mine, mine!

Strange things, those vending machines, which seem to offer practically anything. Hot food, cold and hot drinks, trading cards, clothes… I’ll make a note for myself: once you eventually return to your manor, get a vending machine that provides whatever your heart desires. One must have goals in one’s lifelessness!

I’ll settle myself comfortably here on this park slope to read the map. Usually, I avoid maps like the plague, as I cannot stand traveling. It’s enough for me to know roughly what lies in the vicinity of my home manor. I’d rather just stroll in my own garden, looking at my roses and dahlias, pondering ways to fight the squirrels that steal my strawberries. Everything except gardening is pointless, and if one can afford a gardener, then even gardening is pointless.

 



Let’s see; I am right here on the map, in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, and the distance to my destination, Tokyo, is about 1,100 kilometers on foot… Well, luckily I have pocket money and there are plenty of vending machines along the way. Not that I need to eat or drink; it’s more of a choice that makes all of this a bit more bearable.

It’s a near-perfect day. It would be nice to just stay here lying on the grass, letting the cherry blossoms fall over me like raindrops… But there is no time for that. The sooner I get moving, the sooner I reach the capital and find work, earn money, and return back home. 

Wait, what is this? A group of men dressed in black is surrounding me. Excuse me, could you move a bit? There is plenty of room in the park; there’s no need to crowd me. So rude! No manners whatsoever. 

Yes? Is there something wrong? Oh, I have to come with you? Says who? The Tax Office? I am not going anywhere, I am a free artist and no one shall take my freedom. Oh, I see, I’m going with you whether I want to or not. 

What are you going to do, ghostnap me?


...

Next Chapter: Coming soon...

Previous Chapter: Ghostmemoirs of a Geisha

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