Kenji jiggled the doorknob. A faint click and the door swung open. There he was, my best friend from childhood. His goofy smile was still there, but everything else about him had changed. He was taller and broader, and his once-skinny frame now had the definition of someone who’d grown into himself.
“Kenji!” I threw my arms open and walked straight into him, hugging him tightly. My cheek pressed against his chest. “Mmm, you smell good. Do I detect cologne on you?”
He laughed, pulling back to look at me. “You like?”
I buried my nose into him and took a dramatic sniff. “I like.”
“You look exactly the same,” he said as I pulled him into my room and shut the door. “Well, an older version of yourself.” He stepped back to give me a once-over. “Sheesh, Akiko. You’re hot now. Who would’ve thought?”
I laughed, feeling the warmth rise to my cheeks. When we were kids, Kenji had never seen me as anything more than his buddy. It was always me pretending we were married and him humorously playing along just to demand imaginary dinners after his fake workday.
“Well, you’re not so bad yourself,” I teased, poking at his abdomen. It was solid. “You’ve been working out.”
“Gym every day,” he said, grinning.
“So, any girlfriends?”
“Nah, I’m too busy. What about you? Bet you have a ton of guys chasing after you.”
“I wish. I’m like a cat lady, just without the cat.”
“I don’t believe that for a second. You’re too cute to be single.”
I gave him a playful smile, kicking a leg up behind me. “What can I say? Right now, I’m focused on myself. I finally feel like I’m in a place where I can chase my dreams. Becoming a sushi chef is all I care about.”
“Same here. Guess we’re on the same path.”
A sound in the hallway froze us both. I pressed a finger to my lips. “Is your door closed?” I whispered.
Kenji nodded. “Yeah, why?”
We stood still, listening. Footsteps and the low murmur of Kanshisha-san’s voice floated through the hall, followed by the soft click of another door closing.
“Did you hear him lock that door?” I asked.
Kenji shrugged. “I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Why is my door the only one locked?” I muttered, frustration bubbling. “Do they think I’ll run off or something?”
“Maybe it’s random?”
“Or maybe it’s because I’m a woman,” I said bitterly.
Kenji frowned. “You really think so?”
“I don’t know. I just can’t figure out why.”
We sat on my bed, talking about everything: our childhood, the program, and the strange rules we’d already encountered. It felt like no time had passed between us. All the years apart melted away as we slipped back into the easy rhythm of our friendship.
“I’m still living in Tokyo,” Kenji said. “I sell earthquake insurance.”
“What? You’re an insurance salesman?” I muffled my laugh with my hand.
“I know, I know. Possibly the last thing I ever thought I would be doing, but it pays the bills. What about you? Still here in Kyoto?”
“Yup, never left. I’m working in a restaurant. Nothing to brag about.”
“At least you’re in the restaurant industry. A step closer than me.”
