I got off the bullet train, boarded a limousine bus, and 90 minutes later, I arrived at a rustic hot spring inn nestled in the mountains of Nagano. God, why did I come here? Well, okay, technically my boss did tell me to go on a trip. If they asked me how I spent my vacation and all I said was “with my parents,” they’d think I was some kind of overgrown man-child.
My nerves were shot, thanks to the double whammy of “taking a private vacation as my news anchor persona” plus “yikes, I’m a stalker.” I had made the reservation online under my real name, so no amount of disguises would help me here.
“Thank you for your patience, Kunieda-sama. You’ll be staying one night with us and leaving tomorrow, on Saturday, correct?”
“Yes, thank you.”
At check-in time, there was another group standing in the lobby, so I smiled and signed in, eager to retire to my private room ASAP.
“All right, I’ll show you to your room: the third-floor suite.”
“Yes, please.”
I had reserved the most expensive room in the inn—not to flaunt my wealth or treat myself, but because it was the only room available. On top of the two train seats I bought to ensure no one would sit next to me, this trip was costing more than I expected. Good thing they just gave me a bonus at work.
The young server led me into my needlessly large suite, then walked around explaining all the amenities and emergency exits and what have you. At the end, I tipped her, as dictated by custom. “Sorry it isn’t much.”
“No, no, I really appreciate it! Enjoy your stay!” But right as she was about to leave, she pressed her hands together at her lips. “Um…I know I really shouldn’t ask you this since you’re on vacation, but…I’m a huge fan of The News! Could I get your autograph?”
Normally I’d decline with a smile, but since I was feeling insecure in unfamiliar territory, I ended up agreeing, on one condition: “As long as you don’t tell anyone.”
“Really? Thank you so much! Gosh, I’ve been a fan of yours for years! My favorite was that late-night variety special where they had you read the periodic table in a sexy voice at a love hotel!”
“Oh, r-right…I nearly forgot about that.”
How did these people manage to remember things I did during my first year at Asabi? My smile stiffened. I was already feeling like crap—I didn’t need her ambushing me with the skeletons in my closet! You know that no one in this industry enjoys talking about their early work, right?
“Are you ever going back to that? When you said ‘most technicians rub Rod’s pale silver Cadillac’ for period 5, I swear, my heart stopped! I’ll never forget it!”
If I give you my damn autograph, will you at least try?
“Anyway, I’ll bring an autograph board when I come by with your dinner. Thanks in advance!”
There was no time to relax and savor the beauty of the mountain streams or brief glimpses of clear sky between rain showers. Drained, I plopped down onto a wicker chair.
According to the inn’s website, there were places nearby for tourists to go fishing or canoeing; since it was the middle of the day, Ushio was probably out there with the rest of his group. Not that I’d have the guts to go talk to him if he was still here. But at the end of the day, it was better for my mental health to waste time and money cooped up in this room for the next twelve hours than it would have been to stay in Tokyo and stew in my feelings. Period.
As I sat there with nothing better to do, I realized what a boring person I was. I’d never be the type of guy who spent time with colleagues outside of work obligations. I’d never gush about a hot spring trip on the air like Kizaki did. I just didn’t have fun with anyone who wasn’t Ushio—I didn’t like any of them. Without him, I could keep working just fine, but I needed him to keep the rest of my world on its axis. To my own ears this sounded overly intense, but knowing Ushio, he would probably accept it.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Back already, eager beaver? Fine, let’s get this over with. The suite was furnished with a luxurious lattice door, no peephole, no chain; I slid it open without really thinking. “Yes?”
“Sup.”
Leaning against the wall outside was none other than Ushio himself.