Chaptered: Week (2)
Tuesday
Yuichi Nakamaru straightened his tie one last time before leaving his house and rushing for the bus. When he saw it turn the corner in the distance he quickened his pace speeding down the pavement and jumping onto the bus before it pulled off.
Out of breath, he paid, took his ticket and stumbled to find a seat as the bus started moving. He sat in the first vacant seat. After catching his breath he looked at the person beside him and almost physically jumped realising it was the same guy as the previous day who in turn met his gaze blinking slowly. His headphones were around his neck. He wore the same jacket and what appeared to be the same jeans. He turned away to look out the window. Yuichi breathed a sigh of relief which turned back to surprise as the youth snapped his head back around.
“I think you’re stalking me.” He stated.
“I’m... I’m not...” Yuichi stuttered somewhat stunned that any conversation at all was taking place.
“Relax. I don’t think you’re stalking me.” The youth smiled. It softened his face giving him a much friendlier demeanour. It caused Yuichi to smile in return.
“I’m sorry.” Yuichi wasn’t quite sure what he was apologising for but felt it was the only thing he could say.
The man’s smile grew. “I’m Koki.” He announced thrusting his hand out.
“Just Koki?”
“Just Koki.” The man clarified giving no other explanation. Accepting it as it was, Yuichi took his hand with less vigour, “Nakamaru Yuichi.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Yuichi returned the sentiment.
Yuichi felt odd talking to the man. Not only did he appear completely different to himself but to everyone else on the bus. He looked around at the sea of suits and then back toward the man beside him oozing a coolness no one else on the bus possessed.
“Where are you headed?” he asked, genuinely curious.
“College.” Yuichi noted the offhandedness of the reply. He paused in case Koki elaborated on his own.
“What do you study?” He asked after a long pause.
“Just English and western literature.” If anyone else had said it Yuichi would have been impressed but it was stalled by Koki’s lack of enthusiasm. Before Yuichi could inquire any further, Koki repeated Yuichi’s initial question, “Where are you headed?”
“Work.” After he said it he realised how much his own answer paralleled that of Koki’s, the same offhanded reply. Could it be they were both headed somewhere they didn’t want to?
“Let me guess,” Koki said, “you work in an office with people you don’t actually like and you’re sick of doing the same thing every day and not having any new challenges.”
Yuichi nodded slowly, not sure what else to do.
Koki looked at him for a moment. Their eyes locked and they stared at each other, Yuichi felt like the man was searching for something in his soul. Yuichi was trying to find some clue in his gaze as to what Koki’s deal was. His initial thoughts of him had dissipated upon talking with him.
Koki was the first to break their little trance, “I think everyone here probably feels the same as you. Maybe you should try and get heard once in a while? No one’s going to seek you out.”
Yuichi kept his eyes transfixed on him. He couldn’t form a reply. The guy puzzled him completely.
“Isn’t this your stop?”
Yuichi’s eyes shifted pass Koki to the scenery outside the window and he realised it was in fact his stop. He stood excusing himself and exited the bus. He watched as it pulled off not quite knowing what to make of the conversation.
He was pulled out of his thoughts as Kamenashi passed him giving him an offhanded greeting. It was then he realised he had work to do but Koki’s words lodged themselves in the back of Yuichi’s mind.
He trudged into the building in a daze. He took the familiar route absentmindedly. The last thing he’d said to him had stuck in his head. Make himself heard? It was very difficult to put yourself out there when you were as shy and as invisible as Yuichi felt but something in Koki’s voice had made it sound like the simplest thing ever.
As he was sat at his desk staring at a blank screen his thoughts were broken by his supervisor repeating his name. He snapped his head up to see his supervisor looking uncharacteristically smiley with a young man beside him. The man had a lazy smile on his face and was staring down at Yuichi expectantly.
“Nakamaru, this is Taguchi.” They bowed their heads towards each other adding a quick “nice to meet you” before the supervisor continued. “He’s one of our new employees, just starting here today. I would like you to show him the ropes for the rest of the week. “
Yuichi nodded knowing it was a demand, not a request.
The supervisor turned back towards Taguchi explaining to him where his desk would be, which turned out to be next to Yuichi, and to ask Nakamaru if he needed any assistance.
Yuichi watched as the man walked towards his designated desk, pulling the chair out and tentatively sat down. He tested it a couple of times swinging side to side before spinning the whole way around. He stopped and grinned broadly at Yuichi.
Yuichi ignored him and turned back to his computer inwardly annoyed that he’d have to share his space. He booted up his computer and noticed in the corner of his eye Taguchi copying his movements.
He got to the log in screen and entered his details. He turned his head slightly and watched as Taguchi paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard. He quickly moved to rifle through is bag and took out the standard company planner, flicking through the pages. Looking at the page for a few seconds he began to type in his details. When his log in was accepted he clapped his hands together turning to Yuichi and once again grinning broadly.
Yuichi opened his mouth to say something but instead decided on returning the smile. The corners of his mouth lifted and he felt somewhat amused by the whole situation suddenly.
He had to admit that already he could see something endearing about the man. There was a large degree of enthusiasm the man exuded that he’d not seen in any new employee before. He hoped the place wouldn’t break it down. It was refreshing.
Taguchi scooted his chair over towards Yuichi’s desk and began picking up objects and inspecting them.
“You’re a bit forward, aren’t you Taguchi?” Yuichi spoke to him for the first time.
Taguchi carried on stapling two pieces of blank paper together with Yuichi’s stapler.
“You can call me Junno.” He finally said not stopping what he was doing. “Last names are so impersonal don’t you think?” He turned his head towards Yuichi and grinned. Yuichi was beginning to realise that smiling was something Junno did a lot.
“I’d still prefer you to call me Nakamaru,” He replied. “I am your senior after all.”
Junno nodded swinging back to his own desk and the rest of the morning was spent typing up figures and photocopying.
At 12.30 Yuichi went for lunch with Junno trailing behind him. He was disappointed when he couldn’t find his other colleague in the cafeteria. He had hoped he wouldn’t have to each lunch with the new kid by himself.
Yuichi opted for a sandwich and a soft drink and sat alone before Junno finally joined him carrying a tray.
“You’re only having a sandwich?” Junno puzzled as he noticed what Yuichi had bought.
Yuichi only nodded as he unwrapped the packaging.
They fell into a silence, Yuichi chewing on his food and Junno prodding at his rice as he studied Yuichi. Eventually, he broke the silence. “You don’t say much do you?”
Yuichi shook his head.
Junno made an audible sigh and they fell into silence again.
Yuichi felt for him. He seemed the kind of guy who loved to interact with people but the truth was Yuichi had nothing to say. There was nothing he wanted to say.
The afternoon was spent similar to the morning. Junno tried to speak to him a couple of times but Yuichi gave him nothing in return.
At the end of the day he watched as Kamenashi invited Junno to the work meal on Saturday. He gratefully accepted.
“Are you sure you can’t come?” Kamenashi asked turning his attention to Yuichi.
Yuichi declined once again.
“Well, if you change your mind...”
Yuichi left the office with Junno at his side who started stretching; talking about how glad he was that the day was over as soon as they stepped into open air.
“Did I do okay today?” He asked as they were about to part ways.
Yuichi smiled, “yeah, you did great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that he walked towards the bus stop leaving Junno behind him beaming.
He sat at the bus stop waiting for the bus. He had been anticipating the bus ride home all day wondering if Koki would be there. He could feel his stomach begin to do summersaults unsure where the sudden anxiety had come from. He guessed now he didn’t have Junno talking at him his thoughts could roam the way they wanted to.
The words and the way Koki had looked at him had been stuck in the back of his mind throughout the day. They would surface at random moments and he’d push them back making an attempt to distract himself with his work. But right at that moment he had no distraction and soon there was a possibility of meeting the said person once again who was making him feel that way.
He boarded the bus eagerly thrusting his change at the driver and snatching away his ticket. There was an odd excitement in his gut. He moved further into the bus and his eyes settled on the now familiar form of Koki, music on and vision settled somewhere outside the window. His happiness turned to disappointment as his gaze settled on the old woman sitting beside him.
He tried to get his attention as he passed but he wasn’t looking. He sat down on a vacant seat beside a man reading a novel. His gaze kept falling on the young man only a few seats in front of his own. He wondered if he even wanted to talk to him again. He had been stuck on his own plans he hadn’t even considered whether Koki had actually wanted him to sit beside it. The more he thought about it the more it seemed likely. He began to figure that he probably came across as boring this morning. He groaned inwardly before scolding himself for letting his thoughts get so deep. Why was he even thinking this way about a stranger?
He pressed the button at his stop getting up to leave the bus. He took one last look at Koki who still wasn’t paying any attention to his surroundings.
He felt heavy as he walked the short distance to his home. He unlocked the door to the darkened house and entered flicking on the light switch. He felt no comfort in the soft light that night or within the TV. His dinner was a pitiful affair of soup not feeling up to making anything. He scrambled to bed at 10.00 sleeping uneasily.
Wednesday
Yuichi Nakamaru straightened his tie one last time before leaving his house and rushing for the bus. When he saw it turn the corner in the distance he quickened his pace speeding down the pavement and jumping onto the bus before it pulled off.
Out of breath, he paid, took his ticket and stumbled to find a seat as the bus started moving. He sat in the first vacant seat. After catching his breath he looked at the person beside him and almost physically jumped realising it was the same guy as the previous day who in turn met his gaze blinking slowly. His headphones were around his neck. He wore the same jacket and what appeared to be the same jeans. He turned away to look out the window. Yuichi breathed a sigh of relief which turned back to surprise as the youth snapped his head back around.
“I think you’re stalking me.” He stated.
“I’m... I’m not...” Yuichi stuttered somewhat stunned that any conversation at all was taking place.
“Relax. I don’t think you’re stalking me.” The youth smiled. It softened his face giving him a much friendlier demeanour. It caused Yuichi to smile in return.
“I’m sorry.” Yuichi wasn’t quite sure what he was apologising for but felt it was the only thing he could say.
The man’s smile grew. “I’m Koki.” He announced thrusting his hand out.
“Just Koki?”
“Just Koki.” The man clarified giving no other explanation. Accepting it as it was, Yuichi took his hand with less vigour, “Nakamaru Yuichi.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Yuichi returned the sentiment.
Yuichi felt odd talking to the man. Not only did he appear completely different to himself but to everyone else on the bus. He looked around at the sea of suits and then back toward the man beside him oozing a coolness no one else on the bus possessed.
“Where are you headed?” he asked, genuinely curious.
“College.” Yuichi noted the offhandedness of the reply. He paused in case Koki elaborated on his own.
“What do you study?” He asked after a long pause.
“Just English and western literature.” If anyone else had said it Yuichi would have been impressed but it was stalled by Koki’s lack of enthusiasm. Before Yuichi could inquire any further, Koki repeated Yuichi’s initial question, “Where are you headed?”
“Work.” After he said it he realised how much his own answer paralleled that of Koki’s, the same offhanded reply. Could it be they were both headed somewhere they didn’t want to?
“Let me guess,” Koki said, “you work in an office with people you don’t actually like and you’re sick of doing the same thing every day and not having any new challenges.”
Yuichi nodded slowly, not sure what else to do.
Koki looked at him for a moment. Their eyes locked and they stared at each other, Yuichi felt like the man was searching for something in his soul. Yuichi was trying to find some clue in his gaze as to what Koki’s deal was. His initial thoughts of him had dissipated upon talking with him.
Koki was the first to break their little trance, “I think everyone here probably feels the same as you. Maybe you should try and get heard once in a while? No one’s going to seek you out.”
Yuichi kept his eyes transfixed on him. He couldn’t form a reply. The guy puzzled him completely.
“Isn’t this your stop?”
Yuichi’s eyes shifted pass Koki to the scenery outside the window and he realised it was in fact his stop. He stood excusing himself and exited the bus. He watched as it pulled off not quite knowing what to make of the conversation.
He was pulled out of his thoughts as Kamenashi passed him giving him an offhanded greeting. It was then he realised he had work to do but Koki’s words lodged themselves in the back of Yuichi’s mind.
He trudged into the building in a daze. He took the familiar route absentmindedly. The last thing he’d said to him had stuck in his head. Make himself heard? It was very difficult to put yourself out there when you were as shy and as invisible as Yuichi felt but something in Koki’s voice had made it sound like the simplest thing ever.
As he was sat at his desk staring at a blank screen his thoughts were broken by his supervisor repeating his name. He snapped his head up to see his supervisor looking uncharacteristically smiley with a young man beside him. The man had a lazy smile on his face and was staring down at Yuichi expectantly.
“Nakamaru, this is Taguchi.” They bowed their heads towards each other adding a quick “nice to meet you” before the supervisor continued. “He’s one of our new employees, just starting here today. I would like you to show him the ropes for the rest of the week. “
Yuichi nodded knowing it was a demand, not a request.
The supervisor turned back towards Taguchi explaining to him where his desk would be, which turned out to be next to Yuichi, and to ask Nakamaru if he needed any assistance.
Yuichi watched as the man walked towards his designated desk, pulling the chair out and tentatively sat down. He tested it a couple of times swinging side to side before spinning the whole way around. He stopped and grinned broadly at Yuichi.
Yuichi ignored him and turned back to his computer inwardly annoyed that he’d have to share his space. He booted up his computer and noticed in the corner of his eye Taguchi copying his movements.
He got to the log in screen and entered his details. He turned his head slightly and watched as Taguchi paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard. He quickly moved to rifle through is bag and took out the standard company planner, flicking through the pages. Looking at the page for a few seconds he began to type in his details. When his log in was accepted he clapped his hands together turning to Yuichi and once again grinning broadly.
Yuichi opened his mouth to say something but instead decided on returning the smile. The corners of his mouth lifted and he felt somewhat amused by the whole situation suddenly.
He had to admit that already he could see something endearing about the man. There was a large degree of enthusiasm the man exuded that he’d not seen in any new employee before. He hoped the place wouldn’t break it down. It was refreshing.
Taguchi scooted his chair over towards Yuichi’s desk and began picking up objects and inspecting them.
“You’re a bit forward, aren’t you Taguchi?” Yuichi spoke to him for the first time.
Taguchi carried on stapling two pieces of blank paper together with Yuichi’s stapler.
“You can call me Junno.” He finally said not stopping what he was doing. “Last names are so impersonal don’t you think?” He turned his head towards Yuichi and grinned. Yuichi was beginning to realise that smiling was something Junno did a lot.
“I’d still prefer you to call me Nakamaru,” He replied. “I am your senior after all.”
Junno nodded swinging back to his own desk and the rest of the morning was spent typing up figures and photocopying.
At 12.30 Yuichi went for lunch with Junno trailing behind him. He was disappointed when he couldn’t find his other colleague in the cafeteria. He had hoped he wouldn’t have to each lunch with the new kid by himself.
Yuichi opted for a sandwich and a soft drink and sat alone before Junno finally joined him carrying a tray.
“You’re only having a sandwich?” Junno puzzled as he noticed what Yuichi had bought.
Yuichi only nodded as he unwrapped the packaging.
They fell into a silence, Yuichi chewing on his food and Junno prodding at his rice as he studied Yuichi. Eventually, he broke the silence. “You don’t say much do you?”
Yuichi shook his head.
Junno made an audible sigh and they fell into silence again.
Yuichi felt for him. He seemed the kind of guy who loved to interact with people but the truth was Yuichi had nothing to say. There was nothing he wanted to say.
The afternoon was spent similar to the morning. Junno tried to speak to him a couple of times but Yuichi gave him nothing in return.
At the end of the day he watched as Kamenashi invited Junno to the work meal on Saturday. He gratefully accepted.
“Are you sure you can’t come?” Kamenashi asked turning his attention to Yuichi.
Yuichi declined once again.
“Well, if you change your mind...”
Yuichi left the office with Junno at his side who started stretching; talking about how glad he was that the day was over as soon as they stepped into open air.
“Did I do okay today?” He asked as they were about to part ways.
Yuichi smiled, “yeah, you did great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With that he walked towards the bus stop leaving Junno behind him beaming.
He sat at the bus stop waiting for the bus. He had been anticipating the bus ride home all day wondering if Koki would be there. He could feel his stomach begin to do summersaults unsure where the sudden anxiety had come from. He guessed now he didn’t have Junno talking at him his thoughts could roam the way they wanted to.
The words and the way Koki had looked at him had been stuck in the back of his mind throughout the day. They would surface at random moments and he’d push them back making an attempt to distract himself with his work. But right at that moment he had no distraction and soon there was a possibility of meeting the said person once again who was making him feel that way.
He boarded the bus eagerly thrusting his change at the driver and snatching away his ticket. There was an odd excitement in his gut. He moved further into the bus and his eyes settled on the now familiar form of Koki, music on and vision settled somewhere outside the window. His happiness turned to disappointment as his gaze settled on the old woman sitting beside him.
He tried to get his attention as he passed but he wasn’t looking. He sat down on a vacant seat beside a man reading a novel. His gaze kept falling on the young man only a few seats in front of his own. He wondered if he even wanted to talk to him again. He had been stuck on his own plans he hadn’t even considered whether Koki had actually wanted him to sit beside it. The more he thought about it the more it seemed likely. He began to figure that he probably came across as boring this morning. He groaned inwardly before scolding himself for letting his thoughts get so deep. Why was he even thinking this way about a stranger?
He pressed the button at his stop getting up to leave the bus. He took one last look at Koki who still wasn’t paying any attention to his surroundings.
He felt heavy as he walked the short distance to his home. He unlocked the door to the darkened house and entered flicking on the light switch. He felt no comfort in the soft light that night or within the TV. His dinner was a pitiful affair of soup not feeling up to making anything. He scrambled to bed at 10.00 sleeping uneasily.
Wednesday