“Bud wants to do one more job if the contents inside the attaché case turn out to be fake. But I don’t feel the thrill or excitement of doing this any longer. I think it’s about time.”
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“You would quit this to go back to the hotel as a concierge?”
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“I’m quitting the hotel at the end of this month, too. I thought I told you that I was going to get a part-time job at a convenience store.”
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Ren almost told Fuwa to come back to him, but he didn’t. Ren knew that Fuwa wouldn’t linger over the past. Ren felt something touching his knee. It was Kazutaka’s left hand, the hand chained to the attaché case. His wrist was red and swollen, probably from rubbing against the handcuffs. Ren thought about putting a protective wristband on Kazutaka once they got on the ferry. Then he realized that a wristband wouldn’t work because of the attaché case. Ren figured he could use a bandage instead. Ren crouched down beside the cot.
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Ren saw Fuwa’s legs move away from him. Todo was standing on the other side of the table with his arms crossed.
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“Is Kazutaka-san still sleeping, Ren?”
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“Yes.”
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“Didn’t he say he tends to get seasick?”
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Ren thought about this with his mouth tightly shut. He only had a vague recollection. Ren was amazed that Todo remembered what Kazutaka had said. Todo approached them with an unusual smile upon his normally gruff face.
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“This guy looks more like a student than a teacher.”
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“Yeah, he is just like a child,” Ren agreed but Todo shook his head.
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“I don’t think he’s like a little kid. He’s actually quite steady and mature. Well, he’s still a cutie all right.”
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Todo grabbed Ren’s elbow and squeezed it really hard just around the nerve. Ren yelped and pushed Todo back. “I have a very strong grip. Do you want to arm wrestle me, Ren?”
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“No, thank you. I'd be unable to continue working if I get hurt now.”
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“Do you really want to let this sensei go home soon? Once we're on board, we’ll have to stay together for a day and a half anyway. Just take it slowly.”
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“Yeah, you’re right.”
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Todo grinned, as if he wanted to say something else but didn’t. Todo wasn't one for idle chatter with people. He didn't usually call anyone a cutie, either. Todo was generally a blunt man. Ren thought it was strange that Todo was speaking to him like this with a smile on his face. Ren wondered what Todo was really trying to say, but the R.V. started moving. Ren didn’t have a chance to ask Todo about his true intentions.
✦ ✦ ✦
At 5:00 p.m. The R.V. embarked on the ferry with Kazutaka still asleep. They had initially reserved two cabins: one for Bud and Fuwa, and the other one for Toshi and Todo. They had to make a change of plans. It was decided that Ren and Kazutaka would take one cabin and Fuwa and Todo the other. Bud and Toshi, who got bumped, would take the Shinkansen bullet train. Around noon in two days’ time, the ferry would arrive in northern Kyushu. Ren and Kazutaka were to fly home afterwards from there.
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It wouldn’t be Kazutaka’s preference but there was no other choice. Fuwa intended to release Kazutaka regardless of the authenticity of the contents of the attaché case. When that happens, Ren thought, I will have to accompany Kazutaka.
✦ ✦ ✦
Fuwa looked a little down because Bud would not be with him during the ferry ride, even though Bud wasn’t used to being in on the jobs or the follow-ups himself. Besides, his Anglo-Saxon appearance would definitely stand out. It wasn't a good idea for him to come along with Kazutaka and the others on the ferry.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Hey, we’re on the ferry now. Wake up.” Ren poked Kazutaka and Kazutaka tossed his head, wanting more sleep.
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“Let me sleep.” Kazutaka wouldn’t let go of the blanket, but they couldn’t stay in the car for too long after they boarded. Doors between the vehicle area and the cabins would be closed one hour after departure.
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“You’ll be stuck here for almost two days without eating or being able to go to the bathroom unless you wake up now.” Ren tugged at Kazutaka, a little harder than before.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Okay, okay. I’ll get up.” Kazutaka sat up reluctantly and immediately flopped back down “Ouch.” He had forgotten about the handcuffs on his wrist connecting him to the attaché case.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Are you awake now? We’re already on the ferry. We’ll be going to northern Kyushu on this, so, let’s move into our cabin.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Kazutaka eyes widened and he stared at Ren for a few seconds before he plaintively said, “No way.”
✦ ✦ ✦
He sounded like a child, who went to buy goodies only to find they were sold out.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I couldn’t unlock the last one. I’ll resume my work inside the cabin. After I am successful in getting the contents out, we’ll fly back. Understood?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Do you mean to say that I’m on the ferry now? Am I really?”
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“Yes.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Oh, no. What am I going to do? I get severely seasick.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“The departure time is seven o’clock. Once the boat starts moving, we’ll be on it all day tomorrow. We get to northern Kyushu around noon the day after tomorrow. You’ll be flying back to Tokyo with me after that. So be prepared.”
✦ ✦ ✦
It soon became obvious that Kazutaka wasn’t exaggerating about his seasickness. Even before the ferry started moving, he began to get nauseous and covered his mouth.
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“Are you going to throw up? Are you okay? Hold on until we get to the cabin.” “Ahh. Ugh. Oh, no. I’m gonna puke.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren quickly covered Kazutaka’s mouth.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Sorry, Todo-san, but can you bring our stuff? Where’s our room, Yuri?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s the deluxe cabin.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren ran up the stairs, taking Kazutaka with him. Once on deck, Ren took him to the railing, let him lean over it, and removed his hand from Kazutaka’s mouth.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ughh!” Kazutaka threw up, sounding like a goat braying. It wasn’t a pleasant sight but Ren felt somewhat responsible for Kazutaka’s current predicament.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Are you okay? It that all of it?” Ren stroked Kazutaka’s back while supporting the attaché case. With watering red eyes, Kazutaka replied, “Ugh. There’s more.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Then it sounded like a screaming goat again.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Sorry. It’s my fault. It took me too long to unlock the third one. Are you okay? Well, obviously you're not. Just take your time and get it all out.”
✦ ✦ ✦
There was another round of unpleasant sounds, but that finally seemed to be the last of it.
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren helped Kazutaka to their cabin only to find Fuwa waiting for them with the key. Fuwa frowned as he saw the miserable state Kazutaka was in.
✦ ✦ ✦
“He gets seasick easily, huh? What should we do? Do you want me to switch rooms with you, Ren? Is it better if I take care of him?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“This is the only time you can rest, Yuri. Don’t worry about us. I’ll take care of him.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Fuwa wore a blank look for a second. There was an awkward silence. Then Fuwa smiled and said, “Thank you. I’ll be in the next room. Give me a call if you need me. I’ll get you some seasickness medicine in a bit, Kazutaka-san.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“That’d be great,” Kazutaka thanked Fuwa with his head bowed down.
✦ ✦ ✦
Kazutaka looked like a drunk, staggering and swaying back and forth. He looked to be in really bad shape. The moment they stepped inside the cabin, Kazutaka collapsed, going to all fours. Ren lifted him and the attaché case and brought him to the bed. He then hurriedly got a wet towel, rushed back, and gently wiped Kazutaka’s face with the towel.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Thank you and sorry for the trouble.” Kazutaka feebly said. Although he still had tears in his eyes, Kazutaka smiled a little, but it was clear that he was having a hard time talking.
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren cocked his head. He felt as if something had physically pierced his heart. He placed his hand upon his chest but he couldn’t find any foreign object stuck there. Wondering what it was, Ren rinsed the towel again and came back to the bed.
✦ ✦ ✦
“So, you don’t do well on boats, huh?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Nope.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Did you feel like this when you were on a ship the last time?”
✦ ✦ ✦
Kazutaka nodded through teary eyes.
✦ ✦ ✦
“There was a time we went on a week-long cruise. But I got doctor’s orders to discontinue the trip. I went home alone in the middle of it.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“You have problems with your inner ear?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“After that incident, I even get seasick just from seeing the ocean on television.”
✦ ✦ ✦
That was really severe, Ren thought. Ren felt bad about not being able to open the case while they were still on land. His first estimate was five hours each and twenty hours total for all four of the locks. Since he finished the first one rather swiftly, contrary to his expectation, Ren might have let his vigilance slip.
✦ ✦ ✦
If he'd had a high speed scanner, Ren could have finished the job sooner. People have to pay a price for being overconfident, Ren spoke to the memory of his father.
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“Do you need to go to the bathroom?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Yes, please.”