Chapitre 5 :: Chapter 5

Publiée: 06-09-05 - Mise à jour: 06-09-05

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5

Chapter 5  

What have I stumbled into? Could I not have taken the main street to walk among the people, in peace? Nope. I just had to take that alley, to meet those would-be robbers, and now holding in my arms and protecting from the rain this beautiful, half-conscious woman, of whom I did not know the name, address or anything in the least of her identity. And now she started to moan to boot.  

Fucking day, fucking rain, fucking bad luck… I cannot even spend one fucking normal day!  

While I berated myself, the unknown woman emitted a long cry of pain which awoke me from my stupor. She clutched at her head with both hand, not even realizing I was the one supporting her weight. Her pretty features were scrunched up in pain and her legs refused to cooperate once more. This time for good.  

I sat on the ground with my little burden against my chest, trying to find some kind of solution to the problem. How to get out of this fucking mess?  

Lowering my eyes, I watched her disturbing face. If only I had met her in different circumstances… I could have invited her to dinner in a nice restaurant, buy her flowers. I could have persuaded her to drink coffee at my place and then…  

I heaved a long sigh of frustration… and another Japanese woman less in my book.  

Abruptly her chest started moving up and down with increased speed. Her body started shaking and her face was beaded in drops, not from the rain. Until I came up with a solution.  

I tried to wake her shaking her and gently slapping her cheeks. But nothing helped. Her eyes remained ostensibly closed. Touching my hand to her reddened cheek I realized she was already running a fever. I had to act quickly, before she caught pneumonia.  

I opened her purse, searching for anything that could be of any use to me. Wallet, lipstick, keys and a hanky with an embroidered K. How is that going to help me? I finally found a small compartment hiding her identification. Miss Makimura Kaori. Also an address. Interesting… She lived in the best apartment block of Shinjuku. Fortunately it was not far.  

- Oh, well, Miss Makimura Kaori. Shall we? This is your lucky day and my kind day! I will escort you back home.  

I smiled at the sight of the Sleeping Beauty. I did not wait for her to reply. Removing my trench coat, I tugged it around her to protect her from the elements, depositing her on my back.  

I reached the main street, where the people were running around, completely taken aback by the weather. They searched shelter everywhere, bustling about, too much in a hurry. They worried only for themselves. Like those brats, with their masks of superiority firmly in place, pushing that poor beggar in a puddle, not even deigning to look in his direction.  

The body trembling on my back reminded me i had no business worrying about the crowd. I felt her arms clutch at me, her body snuggling against my back as if trying to sap my heat. Small, complaining sounds escaped her lips. A language only the sick know. The fever was making her delirious.  

I saw the recently built buildings. Since the earthquake in 1923 the city has changed a lot. The old traditional houses and ancient temples have been replaced by the Western styled buildings. The country leaders benefited from copying the Europeans, renouncing their own culture.  

Double-checking the address, I stepped into one of the buildings. Lucky me, it did not have elevators. I only hoped she lived on the ground floor. Alas, the beauty’s letter-box indicated she lived on the upper floor… and not alone to boot. With my luck I would not be surprised to find a jealous, possessive and suspicious fiancé, ready to kill me, seeing his girl on my back in that deplorable state. All I needed was some giant like Falcon. I just hoped he would let me speak, before attacking me…  

Slowly climbing the steps I was in a real hurry to reach our destination. Once arrived at the door, I hesitated before ringing the bell. It was not appropriate to awaken the neighbors. I decided to knock softly. When there was no answer, I knocked a bit more forcefully. Hearing a quiet shuffling, I insisted. With an extreme pleasure I heard a female voice.  

- Who is it?  

- Good evening. I am sorry to disturb you at this hour. But uhm… your friend had an accident and I have her on my back right this instant.  

- Which friend?  

- Makimura Kaori.  

- And who assures me she is with you. I have not heard her voice.  

What mistrust, I thought. Of me, that just wanted to be useful for one. How could she doubt me? As if I was someone dangerous. Thinking of it, I did not steal my position as sweeper number one in Japan.  

-Why are you quiet? You have nothing to say then. Go away. Your joke is not funny.  

Apparently I have thought for too long. I could feel the temperature of the woman on my back has only climbed. I had to get her in, even if it meant knocking the door down. But before using such barbaric methods, I could at least try to convince the woman to open the door.  

- Listen to me. Your friend was attacked. She is soaked and is running a fever. She might catch pneumonia if you do not open this door. Please, trust me even though you do not know me. Or you can rely on your instincts, your intuition; I do not care, but for Christ's sake open this door!  

I could feel her hesitate, but I had no time.  

- Please, trust me!  

A long silence followed, and then I heard the sound of the chain being released and the distinct sound of the key in the lock.  

- I am going to open. Bu I warn you, I am armed, so do not try any tricks! I just hope for your own good you told me the truth.  

The door was opened, revealing a woman with middle-length brown hair, envelopped in a large dressing gown, a bat in her hand. When she saw her friend on my back, she widened her eyes, releasing her bat, before bringing both her hands to her mouth.  

- Oh, my God… Kaori! 

Chapitre: 1 2 3 4 5