This is how I ended up sitting here, next to a free seat.
I was praying I wouldn’t miss the last bus of the night.
I missed two or three times out of ten. When it happened, I had to walk back to the Izakaya — the little bar, work until 2 am in the morning, sleep on the table for a couple of hours, and take the early bus to the school directly. Then the rest of the day was pretty guaranteed, groggy, slow, oblivious.
Life in a little town. The buses are rare and unpunctual, the waiting in darkness excruciating and scary.
Half an hour had passed. I always gave up, prepared to turn back. Suddenly a beam of headlights showed up. It always shows up at the last moment. I waved my hands, almost jumped to the middle of the road. It stopped.
Weird.
The bus was fully packed — it should be empty at this time. I scanned again, and again, saw a free seat in the middle. I hobbled over. I noticed everyone had a stiff neck and a poker face. It gave me another chill. Can this night get more bizarre?
Yes. No one is on a phone!
A pretty girl sat next to the seat. She nodded and smiled at me. Finally, I am still living on earth. “こんにちは, hello,” I nodded back.
As soon as I sat down, she tilted toward me, whispered, “You shouldn’t get on.”
What?!
“It’s not a bus for the living people,” before I replied, she continued. “Some people are dying. Their spirits come out to hunt for the replacement. One of them will kill you so he will come back to life.”
My hair stood on end. At least it explains some puzzles.
“But don’t worry. I will help you.”
“You are…….the one?”
“No. My name is Kuniko. My dad died last year. One day I dreamed of him. He told me that he was killed by the ghosts on this bus. He told me to help people when they get on the bus. I’m playing a ghost now to help people get off the bus.”
“Oh……Please help me.”
“You will be okay…….you have to move fast.”
The bus slowed down on an uphill slope. Suddenly Kuniko pulled open the window and jumped out. She grabbed me by the shoulder, gave an oppressed shout, “Jump!” I bounced up without thinking.
When my hands loosened off from the window, I felt a chilly touch on them. Then a wail flew out, “しまった, damn! We lost him.”
The bus didn’t stop at all. All she says is true!
My legs couldn’t carry me in the beginning. Kuniko’s unwavering, pretty face helped me get my energy back. Together we walked back to the town. I told her my name was Tanaka.
We got to my Izakaya. She refused to get in with me. “My mission requests me to stay alone. I will leave you here, Tanaka-san.”
I insisted on meeting her again. “Please, you’ve saved my life.” And, you are so beautiful.
She hesitated for a second, “Okay, let’s meet tomorrow at 12 pm. 最後の枚, The Last Leaf ramen restaurant.”
I almost didn’t sleep for the night and the morning. I came to the Last Leaf at 11:30 am or so, walked around. Time was so slow. In the last few minutes, I saw the ice cream cart across the street. I realized that I didn’t bring any gifts for Kuniko.
I hit myself in the head, ran across the street, bought two ice creams. We don’t really follow the traffic rules in the small town.
I suddenly felt the time was pressing. I darted across the street, staring at the ice creams in my hands. A siren was wailing somewhere, I didn’t hear it. The racing van hit me before screeched to a halt.
Lying in blood, I vaguely saw the van was an ambulance, two paramedics running toward me. I always get help in the most hopeless moment.
I was stretchered into the ambulance. One patient was already in there, but it’s got two beds. My luck is not running out yet! Lifted up to the empty bed, I squinted at the other one.
I saw Kuniko’s unwavering, pretty face. Then I knew I was dying.
The bus stops. A middle-aged woman comes up. She looks like a staff working in one of the 7-Eleven or FamilyMart stores. She scans around, gives a surprising face, before her eyes land at the free seat next to me. I fought my guts out to get it before the bus started.
It’s my last luck on earth.
