001. Happy birthday Keijo !

Japan-Tokyo; Nakano district; 03 October 2020; 08 hours 12 minutes.

Lying on his back, his hands crossed supporting his neck, Keijo stared at the ceiling of his messy and filthy room, which let tiny rays of the blazing star penetrate through the window like every morning before getting up. He performs a movement of the head, watching for his switched off phone near him, on his right!

Keijo: Pffft! Another third of October and still nothing and no one. It's official, everyone is kidding me. Anyway, it's not the first birthday that I spend without anyone remembering it; so no frills and high hearts for the job!

Keijo gets up from his bed and rushes into the shower to get ready; then he wears his white pullover with multicolored stripes, his black adidas sweatpants and his pair of gray vans with white soles. Then he bends over his bed, takes his laptop and leaves, closing his apartment behind him. He finds himself face to face with the swarming traffic of inhabitants and vehicles of Nakano!

Keijo: (Sighs!) Well, let's face life again today. Let's just hope that this day, which is still my birthday, is more favorable to me than the previous ones.

Right after he got out of his house, Keijo immediately cycled to his place of service, a restaurant where he works as a waiter located in Kappabayashi, Tokyo's quintessential cooking district.

Japan-Tokyo; Kappabayashi district; 09 hours 28 minutes.

Keijo Serve a plate of noodles on one of the tables in the restaurant

Keijo : One more is needed for the Ringo* table, Iwa !

Iwa: Okay, I'll take care of it right away! A plate of noodles for the Ringo table and let it jump!

The cooks present in the premises hidden from the public by a large white curtain hurry following the order made by the joint manager of the establishment: Saruza Iwa! Keijo continues to serve at other tables with energy and joy which can be read on his face, then he comes to a table where an old man he seemed to know was alone and very pensive!

Keijo: Huh? Mr Sato? What a pleasure to see you again around here, it's been a while huh!? So, to celebrate your return, what can I serve you? A beef donburi the way you like it? Or have you changed your taste during your absence?

Sato: (pause!)…!

Keijo: Huh!? Are you all right Mr. Sato? I find you really pale and strange today! But you don't worry, I would understand if...

Sato: (Out loud!) THEY EXIST!

Old Sato raised his voice to the point where all the customers and restaurant employees turned to look at him, to understand what he was talking about.

Keijo: (Looking confused!) What are you talking about? Who exist ?

Sato: (Who stands up and ties Keijo!) The Emomonsters! They exist ! They're out there, everywhere, where you think you're safe! All our families, our friends, they will end up like this! Man cannot live without experiencing negative emotions and yet if he is a victim of them, he will change into an Emomonster and his human life will be over!

Keijo: But, calm down Mr. Sato, you're not in your normal state, pull yourself together! Everyone knows that Emomonsters exist, it's nothing new!

Sato was already in a worrying state and was firmly tying Keijo under the troubled gazes of the employees and customers who arrived to separate; but before they arrived, Sato had a brain game and directly released Keijo's collar by stepping back and going towards the exit!

Sato: You…!

Keijo: Huh? What, me ?

Sato: You reek of their smell! You're like them, you're probably one of them, don't come near me, I don't want to end up like my daughter, I don't want, I don't want yaaaaaas!

Following these last words, old Sato runs out of the culinary establishment in the middle of the road with his arms in the air, running in all directions as if going mad. The murmurs were already at the appointment in all establishment right after the strange scandal that had just happened!

Iwa: Poor Sato, old age doesn't do him any favors apparently.

Iwa turns her back and goes back to her business.

Keijo: No, it's neither old age nor madness...the poor guy is just troubled; any man would be too with the rise in mortality in Japan. This phenomenon of birth of monsters is a great blow for the country; not that it does not happen elsewhere, but there is no other country that recorded more than 700 deaths from 2011 to 2013. And the most strange, the origin of this phenomenon remains unknown. Science has fought to explain to us that it is a frantic rise of negative emotions in the human subject which awakens his precarious instincts and sends him back to a monstrous physical state. It happened to a lot of people in front of me, I saw people die without knowing what to do; basically, I'm a bit like an accomplice in these things that become men devoured by their emotions.

While talking to himself, Keijo saw in a memory an Emmonster crying in front of him and pulling himself together, shaking his head.

Iwa: Hey Keijo are you coming? We're not done here.

Keijo: Ah uh yes I'm coming!

Keijo goes back to his job too and continues to serve customers until it's time for the business to close and it's also time for them to get their day's pay. from the restaurant manager, Mrs. Tamayo Nanakaze.

Tamayo: It was a good job today, I will make a transfer to you all for the account of this day.

The employees are all happy!

Employee 8: I think I'm going to party tonight!

Employee 3: I'm not telling you, my guy!

Keijo: (Happy) Thank you very much boss!

Tamayo: Kendo, I have to talk to you, the others you can leave.

All the other employees leave and Keijo stays in Tamayo's office!

Keijo: You wanted to talk to me Mrs. Nanakaze?

Tamayo: Indeed. Today's scandal, you know it's not the first time that a client has had a client take it out on you and vice versa, right?

Kaijo: Oh! No, I swear this time it wasn't like the other shoe polish dealer; Mister Sato threw himself on me all by himself, I didn't do anything to him, I assure you.

Tamayo: The last time you told me that I had a lot of trouble with the law because you hit a client!

Keijo: But he was...

Tamayo: I don't want to hear anything Keijo! Whether he was a polish dealer or not, I don't give a damn! What I expect from my employees is unparalleled seriousness and not that they indulge in small provocations from customers! We are all here to make money yes or no?

Keijo: (Pause!)…!

Tamayo: I'm talking Kendo to you! When you are the hand that asks, then you have to put yourself in the shoes of the one who needs it. I know it's not the same story as with old Sato today, but I had to tell you. I got quite a few anonymous calls today that only discredited you with my inbox. Put your ambitions before your pride. Those who do not obey this order do not deserve to work with me.

Keijo: (Head down!)…!

Tamayo: That was the last warning for you, next time you get out. I wonder why I agreed to offer you a job when you do not have sufficient skills and with your somewhat broken past. Anyway, you can thank your mother, it's in her memory that I did it. Come on, you can go.

Keijo comes out of his stern boss's office, takes off his waiter's apron, and walks out of the restaurant. He heads for his bicycle to leave but finds a child on it who has started pedaling at full speed when he sees Keijo coming.

Keijo: (Warming desperately towards the boy who stole his bicycle!) Hey! That's my bicycle. You do not have the right. Please give it back... give it back... give it back to me...!

The young boy disappears with Keijo's bike and the latter remained planted upright in the middle of the sidewalk.

Keijo: Awesome! How do I get home now? Nakano is not nearby and I don't even have 0 yen on me. Pfff you talk about a day like no other. Birthday or not, my life will always be a succession of failures and misfortunes.

Keijo starts walking and after more than two hours of walking, he arrives in front of the Mandarake complex, a store selling Otaku products: figurines, manga and others...Keijo stops and takes a look at the window through which he saw a manga on display!

Keijo: (Puts his hands on the glass!) Wow! Is this the manga that came out today? It looks so damn cool! What is the title…Sorcery fight? Sounds good, I have to buy it!

Keijo thrusts his right hand into the pocket of his adidas joggers, but quickly realizes he doesn't have a single yen on him, his face returns to depression and he continues on his way until he go back to Nakano!

Keijo: (Sigh!) Finally home, but it's already 8 p.m. and I'm on the rocks! What am I going to eat today? No money, no food at home, just drinking water that the whole neighborhood draws from Matsuyama! I bet that within two days the access will become paying knowing Matsu and it is at this time that even water I will have more. Shit life! I'm sure some people are wondering why I haven't committed suicide since. In truth, I don't know either, maybe the very laziness of dying.

Keijo arrives at his bedroom door, takes out the keys and starts to open it!

Keijo: My father, I never knew him, he must be hanging out in one of the streets of Japan, that's what all rapists do...my mother, that's all I had in the world and that I found beautiful. Since his death, my life has completely changed, I was first a shoemaker, then a shoe polish dealer, a dice player, a serial thief. I spent a year and six months in jail... the longer I was alone, the deeper I sank, I seemed totally in derision and total darkness when...

Keijo managed to open the door to his bedroom and strangely enough, everything was tidy, the kitchen smelled good, his mangas sorted by volume. The young teenager was bewildered by what he was witnessing that he had no reaction than to stay with his mouth open. His gaze scanned the whole room from left to right, from top to bottom and he ended up freezing when he came across the manga he had seen a few hours earlier at the Mandarake complex!

Keijo: (Amazed!) So…Sorcery fight? How it is possible ?

??? : Do you like it?

Keijo: Huh?

??? : (Smiling!) I didn't force too much to find you a gift worthy of the name; I still know your tastes. Anyway, I think I made a lot of effort, it took me a lot of money…Welcome Keijo and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Keijo: Chi…Chigau!?…When at that moment a sun appeared that despite all our differences still spread out towards me like those same rays of sunshine that come to touch my face every morning, he was my best friend.

Keijo still couldn't believe the order Chigau had put in his house.

Keijo: You...you did this on your own?

Chigau: Actually, no! I just spent to buy things to clean and cook well; the rest is Nanao who took care of it.

Keijo: Nanao your girl?

Chigau: Well yeah, you're supposed to know her better than me, I'll let you know...!

Keijo: Just imagining his girlfriend touching my underwear makes me want to shout. The shame wesh!

Chigau: Anyway, we're going to dinner!

Keijo: She didn't stay Nanao?

Chigau: No, she had to do askip.

Keijo: Oh okay!

Chigau and Keijo set the table for dinner and start eating!

Keijo: (mouth full!) It's very good!

Chigau: (Smiling!) Nanao is a real blue cord!

Keijo: (Who swallows what he had in his mouth!) As usual, you saved me Chigau again! I don't know if one day I will be able to repay you for everything you have done for me.

Chigau: Don't say anything Keijo, you and I are like brothers, our two moms got along wonderfully and we grew up together. Do you think that even if I didn't respect you more than some common boy I grew up with, I wouldn't have done this for you? You are precious to me Keijo, the only positive childhood memory I have is you and vice versa. We must always stay together, that's what we promised our moms.

Keijo: Yeah I remember. By the way, when are the results of the competition you took?

Chigau: Even today. Now let's talk about school, don't you think the best solution would be to continue your studies?

Keijo: You're kidding I hope!? School these days is for geniuses only, someone like me doesn't belong there.

Chigau: Don't say that, I will always be...

Keijo: What will you always be Chigau? Do you think it makes me happy to always have to rely on you? To be stubborn if you're not there? Do you think I like this situation?

Chigau:…!?

Keijo: Since we've been in middle school together, it's only thanks to you that I've always had my exams! Whether it's the undergraduate certificate or even the Baccalaureate, it's all thanks to you. And you want me to continue to be a weight on your shoulders? I refuse ! It wouldn't be fair to add me to your life as a couple to Nanao and you. You may be my friend, even my brother, but I will never go that far, I too have a honor, Chigau.

After Keijo's slightly heated speech, the atmosphere turns to perfect silence until it is broken by Chigau who bursts into laughter!

Chigau: (Who laughs with a few tears in his eyes!) Above all, don't think I'm making fun of you, huh; it's just that I think I finally understood you Kei! And I won't insist I promise you.

Keijo: (Smiling!) Chigau, you really are the best of friends!

The alarm on Chigau's watch began to ring, spoiling this emotional moment and marking the start of 9:25 p.m.

Keijo: Huh? What is this ?

Chigau: Oh! It's time !

Keijo: What time?

Chigau: The results, they just came out!

Keijo: That's great then!

Chigau: They should probably be displayed in the public square, it's not far from here, come on, let's go!

Chigau cascades up and pulls Keijo by his left hand. They get out and start running with Chigau a little further in front to reach the main square.

Keijo: You said it wasn't far, right? But I feel my feet compote there! Couldn't you wait for them to message your results?

Chigau: No, I want to be in the front row. I want to scream with joy so that Nakano and the rest of Japan know! And then the race, it's your fault first; how could you lose your bike?

Keijo: Didn't I tell you that it was stolen from me?

Chigau: In short, we are further away, I see a certain world, it is surely those who entered the competition!

Keijo and Chigau finally arrive and find the people moving further and further away from the results board with relieved facial expressions, not that they were sad, but they were hardly expressing anything, they looked like of a I don't care.

Keijo: (Whispering to Chigau!) Why are they all leaving like this? Did they fail or what?

Chigau: I don't know, but it's likely, because I only see seven names displayed and three starting with the letter K!

Keijo: One is surely you then.

Chigau moves a little closer to the displayed list and points to the names beginning with K present not hoping it's his, but knowing it. Unfortunately, the K's don't turn out to mean Kirishima, but Kuma, Kotsubaki and Kosui!

Keijo: So, is that okay?

Chigau: (Surprised!) No…no, that's not it! It's not an I after K.

Keijo: Are you telling me they jumped an I in your name? Really schools these days, we can no longer trust them!

Chigau: (Who is shaking!) No! No ! No ! It's not a mistake, the name is someone else's.

Keijo: (Surprised!) Wh…what?

Chigau: I failed!

Keijo: Chigau had just seen his dream of figuring out how to save Japan from its current fate shattered into a thousand pieces; it was he who wanted it ardently, but it was my throat that constricted, as if it were my dream that had just been shattered!

Chigau takes a few steps straight back, disappointed, angry and unable to think normally like a human, he fell to his knees and holding his head between both hands, his breathing kept getting heavier, his eyes becoming more more red and tears kept flowing!

Keijo: (Who is trying to approach Chigau!) Listen Chigau I...

Chigau: (Loudly!) STAY AWAY KEI! Stay where you are. I feel that my body will soon let go!

Keijo: Huh? No ! Hold on, take over Chigau, you can still stop everything! Take a deep breath!

Chigau: No! No ! It's the end, I feel it's over! My brain is going to give out, I'm going to lose control Kei!

Kaijo: No! You can't tell me that, you have to hold on Chigau, don't be fooled! Master your emotions Chigau! I know you can do it!

Chigau: (Still holding his head in his hands!) I can't do it, I mixed too many negative emotions that they ended up consuming me. I'm going to die too Kei like our moms died.

Keijo: (Horrified!)…!?

Chigau: (Slight pale smile!) But first, I should do one last thing for you...

Keijo: (Horrified!)…!?

Chigau drops his hands and gives Keijo a big smile and then…

Chigau: Happy Birthday Keijo!

After saying this, Chigau's original body explodes creating a rain of blood to give way to a giant, monstrous body with four arms, the front two of which were a little smaller than the others, four eyes, long toes and fingernails , vampiric teeth and two big horns on the head!

Keijo: (Horrified!) My God! Chi…Chi…Chigau!

Chigau (Emomonster): Keiiiiijoooo! I wanted to juuust…I wanted to juuuust succeed and save you!

Keijo: (Scared!) Happiness... how could I forget it? It does not exist for me. Birthday or not, my life will always be a succession of failures and misfortunes...!

TO BE CONTINUED !