The Exit

It is currently 1:02 a.m. in Tokyo city. The sky is crowded with luminous stars taking over this dark and gloomy night. I can feel my heart palpitating through my flesh trying to break out of its fear. Were the cameras on? How will I ever be sure? 

I struggle to bring myself at ease as my legs penetrate through the cement grounds of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. I examine my right and then my left, human lives are passing next to me by the second. Standing in the center of the crossing I drain every thought I have, trying to cherish the wonderful moments spent in this city. 

This place has been my home for the past 24 years. Who could ever forget the delicious Taiyaki, the candied fruits, and the mouth-melting Yakitori? I attempt to stable myself back to reality wishing I had the opportunity to infinitely travel through my memories. I hear the sound of the police patrol. My breaths start to shorten and I begin to run, with the hope that one day I will be able to step foot inside this world once more.  

I am running to save myself. Aiko Rubis. My name which I already lost. The name that is drowning down the deep oceans after I reprocess the crime I have just committed. I was well aware of the consequences of my actions. Convinced it would have ended in the manner in which the ultimate crimes I had committed: were safe and sound. I stop and stand still. Infiltrating myself by Yeasu Street, trying to reaccumulate all the breaths I have just lost trying to reach the bus station. 

I glaze at the immense skyscrapers up above me making me feel like a useless life running in this city. A city filled with people who arrive here to encounter all the different adventures to take here in Tokyo. 

The difference between them and me is evident. They will get to experience the alluring imperial Tokyo, the breathtaking gardens, and the Sensoji temple with its flashing red color and impeccable designs. All of these sites I have to erase from my mind. Hide them deep into my heart and vanish them forever.

I study the times of the bus and read 5:40 a.m. I choose to position myself on the bench right behind me. My body still shaking, maybe from the shock or even my own thoughts. I begin to take deep breaths, setting my alarm clock at 5:40 a.m. so I don’t miss the opportunity to leave. Breathe in and out. Breathe in and out. And there I am. Back into my mind, traveling through the incidents I have come across here in Japan.

I am on my way out of the  Sushi Masuda restaurant underground in Tokyo City. Making my way up the infinite stairs. Every stair creaks and echos in the ominous meeting room. Each step of the plan repeats in my head a thousand times. Number one: walk from the restaurant to the jewelry store, Piaget. Number two: put on a mask and gloves. Number three: do not panic. Number four: get in the store, distract, and steal. Number five: do not look back. I feel ready. Ready to do what I’m best at doing. Stealing. I get to the front entrance of the store, its pitch black walls surrounding the millions of diamonds acting as a lock for them to be protected from any vicious hands. A lock which I was about to break. I was the key. The key that will get this task done. My legs take up all the dread I’m feeling, my mind goes blank so I begin to act. My right foot steps into the store to grab the only treasure I came here for. The ruby diamond. 

One moment I was in the store about to take action, the next I heard the blaring sound of the alarm. As quickly as the wind I’m out of the store. Whilst running I lift my hand and check the time. It is currently 10:02 p.m. on a Saturday night. Tokyo’s most exhausting day. My hands shake in my pockets trying to keep hold of the ruby. All at once, I stop in front of the Ohsimaya-Onda store, one of the most known lantern shops. Trying to gasp for air, I stare at my reflection hidden behind the lanterns. Perplexed at my own figure, I notice blood streaming down my nose and staining the grey floors. I move my hand to apply pressure on my nose. 

I quickly lose track of myself, noticing the red vibrant colors of the Japanese lanterns matching my own blood. It comforts me in a way. Japanese people say that blood acts as a symbol of communication and comfort toward other people. 

Once again I hear the sounding noise of the patrols. Everything happened briskly. One moment I was scanning the ruby, the next I was running from my own end. 

Beep…Beep…Beep. My body shakes and is instantly awake. I struggle to open my eyes as the flashing lights of the Tokyo walls are burning my skin. I grasp my phone and check the time: 5:40 a.m. Struggling to re-energize myself, I stand up and admire the typical days here in Tokyo. People wander around the streets, viewing the architecture and the cultural view that this city has to offer. I squeeze my eyes trying to spot the bus from the far end. There it is. I take a grip of my bag and enter the bus. Struggling to get to the backseats, I make it through the crowd and find a seat. All of a sudden I notice a woman staring deep into my eyes. She approaches me and says “あなたが見るだろうすべてがうまくいくでしょう” I remain speechless. I could not figure out the words she spelled out to me, so I mutter “Thank you.” She turns around and retires back to her seat. 

All countries in the world are positioned in this moving box. The culture, the food, and the monuments. Every spectacular memory past in this city is flashing through my eyes. This chapter will come to an end. Will there be another chapter?

Life is like a trap. It grabs you and positions you where you need to be. It keeps on going whether you like it or not. I close my eyes and rest my hand on my silk kimono. Still, after so many years when I see my hand gripping my kimono, the vision of my younger self flares. Memories here will always be positive, I was the only one who took them and turned them into unfortunate ones. In this life, I have no other choice but to follow where it leads me.

  

The End