Work Text:
5:50 A.M
Despite having adhered to a 5:45 A.M waking schedule for the past eight months, my body remains obstinately unadjusted. I find myself consistently emerging from sleep mid-REM cycle, resulting in grogginess.
When I reach to silence the alarm with haste, I quite often manage to knock over whatever happens to be closest to the nightstand.
PROPOSAL FOR OPTIMIZATION
Relocate alarm clock.
Will eliminate further disturbance of dresser items.
Will become necessary for me to leave my bed to disable alarm, accelerating the waking process.
ACTION ITEM:
See where the best place for the alarm clock would be.
Investigate methods to train the body into adapting more efficiently to early waking hours. Duration alone has not sufficed.
7:55 A.M
Breakfast today consists of leftover rice with a fried egg and grilled fish.
Preparation of exercise clothing the night before has continued to improve my morning efficiency. Today’s attire consisted of my light green quick-dry shirt and black basketball shorts. The new pair of socks I bought at the homegoods store proved to be extremely comfortable during my run. Will likely purchase more and perhaps gift a couple pairs to Atsushi and Kyouka.
Departed at 6:00 A.M and performed warm up stretches. Commenced running at 6:10 A.M According to my regimen, I was scheduled to run for ninety minutes. Ran a total of 14.8 kilometers. I was hoping I’d make it to 15, but doing so would have exceeded the predetermined time block.
ACTION ITEM:
To consistently reach 15 kilometers within 190 minutes, revise pace from 7:40 per k to 7:20 per k.
Begin pace trial next Friday.
Route: Siluva Lake Trail
There were nine deer on the far bank of the river today. An unusually high number. Last time I told Kenji I saw deer, he seemed enthusiastic and wished to see them.
Note: Consider inviting him on a walk sometime this month.
The temperature was pleasant. However, by the final stretch, the river flies came out and became a nuisance.
Returned at 7:40. Concluded with cool down stretching. I started preparing breakfast at 7:50.
Breakfast is unusually good this morning. I’ve been craving eggs recently.
Cost-Benefit analysis: Second Carton of Eggs
Pros:
Nutritional value of eggs aligns with dietary standards
Might help with the hunger I've been feeling at around 10:00 am recently.
Cons:
Eggs are expensive
Decision pending. Will revisit after financial review.
8:15 A.M
Shower taken. Apparently I’m out of conditioner. I’m a little annoyed about this, but I never liked that scent anyways.
Reminder: Purchase original scent conditioner and avoid the rosemary scent.
Yosano should be coming around by 9:00. It’s her turn to drive us to Hilo Mall. Our monthly mall trips are typically on Sundays, but Yosano had requested this morning off for some plans. Those plans fell through, so she offered that we go today.
I anticipate her being ten minutes late.
I am beginning to appreciate my beige polo shirt. I wear it quite often when I’m not at work. It’s breathable and light.
The tomatoes, basil, and lemon grass are growing well now that I’ve relocated them to the left side of the balcony. The shade helps them recover from this intense heat we’ve been getting recently. Today at the mall I’ll purchase a bigger pot for the lemon grass.
Upon closer inspection of the tomato plant, I have discovered small white bugs on them.
Apparently, these are aphids. Pests.
I can only find forums that say to treat it with pesticides.
Pesticides and responses found on online forums conflict with my ideals.
8:47 A.M
Yosano arrived much earlier than expected, well before our agreed-upon meeting time. I am currently seated in her vehicle. She had the audacity to tease me about my supposed tardiness, and when I reminded her of our arrangement, she threw my own maxim back at me: “Early is on time, on time is late.”
Hearing those words, my words, repeated in that tone, was grating. I nearly let it derail my morning. However, I exhaled and let it pass.
My frustration stems primarily from being unable to complete the morning watering. Admittedly, I became preoccupied with the aphid issue. I tried to remove them manually, but to no avail.
Note: Finish watering upon return.
My fingertips remain stained a yellow-green from the leaves. Even after washing, the residue persists.
Yosano is currently detailing a long list of intended purchases. Many of them strike me as frivolous. She says she will purchase a larger cleaver, despite her current one being in good condition. She also wants syringes in colors matching her scalpels. For what purpose, I can’t begin to guess.
She’s asked me to help her adhere to her strict budget of 12,000 yen. I agreed to hold her accountable.
9:05 A.M (approx)
Couldn’t find acceptable cilantro.
I forgot my watch at home. Likely left it on the table outside when I rushed to get ready due to Yosano’s early arrival.
I visited a gardening store and inquired about aphid treatment. I was taken to the pesticide aisle.
Lost Yosano
9:45 A.M (approx)
Found Yosano. She is making no effort to stay within budget. Were I dealing with one of our younger colleagues, I would have enforced stricter boundaries. But Yosano is an adult, and I decided against investing my energy into correcting her choices.
She has promised we will be on the road by 10:00 A.M.
10:02 A.M
As expected, Yosano regrets exceeding her budget. She has redirected the blame toward me, citing my supposed failure to “Keep her in check.” I am unsure how to respond.
We are now in her car, en route to my residence.
10:50 A.M
I’ve returned home.
We had an interesting conversation in the car. She made a comment about her desire to move out of her apartment and into a bigger house. I asked why. She said that, to her, a big house symbolized stability. And that she envied it. I concurred, noting that in many cases, a home of size implies not only stability but status, and more meaningfully, a structure that could support a family.
I asked if she wanted to be a mother. She laughed and said she might accidentally kill her own children. As she said that, the sun glinted off her golden butterfly pin. For a brief moment it looked like she had a halo.
She then posed a question: what kind of woman would I wish to marry?
I have my answer to that inquiry memorized, of course. However, I suspected she would find no joy in a recital of my full criteria. Instead, I condensed my ideals into a simple response: I would like to be with someone responsible, compassionate, and future-oriented.
She grinned and said that I sound unbearably boring.
She then asked if I ever had a girlfriend. When I told her that I had, back in my days when I was a mathematics instructor, she appeared genuinely surprised. I asked why.
Her reply: that I seemed too stoic, too closed-off. That no girl would want someone like me.
I’ve chosen not to take offense. I know, fundamentally, that the right person will appreciate me as I am. I didn’t say that out loud, though.
I asked her the same question. She smirked and said she’d rather not tell me. “If I told you, you’d think of me differently.” I’ve decided not to speculate on what she meant.
She’s on her way to work now.
I want to have lunch by twelve, which means I must leave by 11:30.
The President recommended a ramen shop by the park. He said it was quite good. I’ve decided to try it today.
I was planning on writing a couple thank-you letters, but the plants still need to be watered.
Perhaps I’ll bring my stationery with me to the shop. My messenger bag should be big enough.
12:04 P.M
I am currently waiting for my miso ramen.
The parasol Naomi and Junichiro gifted me has proven to be very helpful. Helped the air around me feel cool.
I encountered a couple young girls who were propping their phone against a stop sign to take a picture of themselves together. I offered to take their photo. They were grateful; utterly carefree. I found myself wondering if any of our younger agency members experience the city in that way. My own adolescence bore no resemblance to theirs.
I never found much appeal in “selfies.”
My budget for lunch was originally 160 yen. The shoyu ramen was 150 yen, but I have to admit, I was incredibly disappointed that it came with no extra toppings. The miso ramen was just 20 yen more, and it came with seaweed, bamboo shoots, and half an egg. I ordered it. I impulsively added two more eggs to my order.
It was 190 yen in total. I went over budget.
However, now that my meal is in front of me, I feel less dissatisfied with my decision. This will prove to have great nutritional value.
I will now use this time to write two letters of appreciation:
One to Chief Information Officer Yuruka for her strategic coordination on our last case.
Another to the security guard who successfully intervened when Dazai attempted to leap off a rooftop again.
Reminders:
Dinner with the President scheduled for July 22 at 8:00 P.M at this ramen establishment.
Ladybugs and wasps are natural predators of aphids.
Visit the President’s home tomorrow at 6:00 A.M to assist with watermelon harvesting.
Shift running exercise to 9:00 P.M accordingly.
2:41 P.M
The President appeared unexpectedly at the ramen shop, startling me. My pen skipped across the page, messing it up. This proved to be a good thing, allowing me an opportunity to communicate my appreciation to Officer Yuruka more eloquently.
He seemed quite relaxed. He said he was pleased to see me and insisted we dine here together sometime soon. I offered to pay for the both of us, but he issued a direct order: his treat. The arrangement is now fixed-- Tuesday, July 22, 8:00 P.M.
He was also pleased to learn I was writing to Officer Yuruka. He appreciates that I do “extra PR work” as he puts it. I told him that expressing gratitude as often as possible is simply one of my ideals.
He ordered tonkotsu ramen.
I asked him about his garden and if he was experiencing any aphids. He told me not for the past five years. It was because the ladybugs and wasps ate them. He offered to capture some for me. I was hesitant. How could I expect them to stay? He insisted they would. I will consider it.
We talked about gardens and the different plants we wished to grow. I told him my desires to grow carrots and cucumbers. He told me about his success in growing the watermelons he’d wanted for the past couple years. But now there were too many for him to eat on his own. He expressed desires to bring his surplus watermelon to the Agency for everyone to enjoy. I offered to help him harvest them all. Typically I don’t like to plan engagements on less than 48 hours’ notice, but in this case, it seemed unnecessary to delay. I’ve committed to meet him at 6:00 A.M tomorrow to bring the watermelon to work. I won’t be able to run in the morning, but I should be able to get it done in the evening.
We conversed longer than I anticipated. I eventually had to excuse myself.
He said that I looked more relaxed outside the office. Peculiar statement; I don’t feel any difference in my disposition.
The post office closes at 3:30, which is absurdly early.
On the way there, however, a peculiar bookstore caught my eye. The store doesn’t have a name.
It looked quite busy, so I intended on visiting it on my way back, but suddenly I was drawn inside. Perhaps the gravitational pull of literature remains my one inescapable weakness.
Initially, I recognized nearly every author and title, many of which are on my personal reading list.
Then Dazai called. My ringer was, regrettably, on full volume. He asked if I was working today, which was a question he could have figured out the answer to if he used his brain for a second. He begged me to bring his video game console to the office. Allegedly, he, Tanizaki, and Ranpo were “bored out of their skulls” and wanted to play games on the big screen in the meeting room. I declined their absurd request.
Strangely, after I hung up, there was no one else in the bookstore, as if everyone had fled. I wasn’t being that much of a nuisance.
Even more strange was that the books had changed. I could no longer recognize a single book that sat on the shelves. I felt apprehensive and left.
One volume caught my eye, though, titled How to Remove Aphids from Tomatoes.
ACTION ITEM: Return to the bookstore with a reliable companion to verify that something anomalous is occurring.
I spent longer there than I intended. Sent out the letters by 2:10. They should receive them this upcoming Wednesday.
I’m home now, sitting in front of the fan, eating cucumber slices. I feel exhausted despite proper sun protection and adequate hydration. I cannot explain the source of the fatigue. Focus is down. Reading seems impossible. The library book I checked out last week is due tomorrow evening.
The aphids remain unresolved.
The news warns of another summer parade. Road closures will impact Daze.
REMINDER: Take Kagerou Street to work tomorrow.
3:24 P.M
Apparently, Channel 21 plays nature documentaries around the clock. I will certainly be visiting this channel often.
Decided against a nap. Ideally, this means I’ll fall asleep faster.
Currently sorting through documents and discarding ones I no longer need. Surprisingly therapeutic.
Drank another glass of water. I feel somewhat restored. I’m grateful I can still be productive even in the slow afternoon hours.
5:36 P.M
There is now a documentary about the evolutionary process of carnivorous plants. Generally I avoid watching television while eating meals, but the subject matter was quite compelling.
Dinner consisted of hiyayakko. It’s been a while since I enjoyed tofu. Garnished with grated ginger, scallions, katsuoboshi, and soy sauce.
Note: Use less soy sauce next time.
Edamame is a delightful side.
Reminder: Restock barley tea. Not urgent.
5:49 P.M
Dazai just called me saying that he, Yosano, and Ranpo are going out to dinner. I told them I have previous arrangements. He said that a celebration was long overdue and that they are actively on their way to my place to pick me up. When I asked what could possibly be the cause of celebration, he hung up.
This evening I’m going to clean the kitchen. I don’t care if they get on their knees and beg. I’m not leaving tonight.
6:27 P.M
I’m in a bar now.
I was effectively coerced out of my apartment. I won’t be able to clean the kitchen for another month.
Yosano was driving recklessly through residential areas, stereo volume at intolerable levels while the three of them shouted along to the music. I thought I might go deaf.
When we arrived at the bar, I expressed that Dazai had told me we’d be eating dinner. He candidly admitted he had lied. I reminded them I would not consume alcohol. They acknowledged this, claiming that I would be their designated driver. Ranpo said I am the best “trusted adult” ever. Not sure what he means by that.
I am now seated apart from them at a table in the corner. They have no restraint tonight. I’m embarrassed to be associated with them.
What Yosano said to me this morning comes to mind. Stoic and closed off.
I am the only person here with a notebook open.
I speculate how others might perceive me, but ultimately, I do not expect to forge important relationships in a bar.
7:12 P.M
They’ve told me they want to stay until midnight.
Yosano’s gotten into four fights within the past ten minutes. I’ve broken them all up.
Dazai keeps trying to embrace me and is asking absurd, deeply inappropriate questions. None of which he will remember in the morning.
Ranpo passed out on the floor beside me.
We’re leaving at 8:00 P.M. They won’t know the difference.
9:47 P.M
It is far past my bedtime, but I have an unexpected visitor in my house.
Fortunately I was able to get all three of them home safely. It was impossible to awaken Ranpo. Much to my annoyance I had to carry him to his room. Finding where he kept his keys on him was fortunately easy because he had several fuzzy keychains attached to them.
I used a page of my notebook to conjure up a couple electrolyte packets for Yosano and Dazai. I practically had to force them to hydrate. Hopefully after a night's rest they will all be ready for work tomorrow.
Left Yosano’s car at her place and walked home. The night air was warm, and I was finally able to get some peace and quiet.
As I approached my apartment, I was surprised to find Kyouka standing across the street. Her hair was down, and she was clutching her flip phone. Her face relaxed upon seeing me and she said she was glad I was here. I asked her what was wrong, but she shrugged and looked away. It’s an evasiveness I’ve come to associate with adolescence.
Despite my extensive collaboration with my younger coworkers, I remain at a loss when it comes to deciphering the unspoken nuances of their moods.
I offered to take a walk with her. Instead, she asked to come inside.
It was almost 9:00 P.M at the time. I expected a brief visit. Yet, as I write this, she remains on my sofa, quietly absorbed in an animated film featuring magical girls that she discovered while flipping through the television channels. I made her red bean buns and barley tea. She accepted both and even shared some of the buns with me.
Note: The buns have been sitting in my freezer for at least two months. Take proper inventory of refrigerated goods.
When I tried initiating conversation with her, she didn’t speak much. She said her day was alright and that work was a little hard. Apparently she didn’t see much of Atsushi today.
None of that explains why she was waiting outside my apartment.
Apparently Atsushi texted me while I was at the bar. He said that Kyouka seemed rather despondent, and it worried him. He suggested that she should come visit me. “I’m not the trusted adult she needs rn” he said, followed by a string of crying emojis.
That was sent at 7:25 P.M. I sincerely hope she wasn’t waiting outside my apartment for that long.
9:57 P.M
Partially ready for bed now. Came out of my room to find that Kyouka had finished her snack and washed the dishes. They are now sitting on the drying rack.
She invited me to sit with her on the sofa. I believe this implies a degree of trust. Or, at the very least, comfort.
I remain unsure what exactly is bothering her. Considering her, it could be a plethora of issues.
She seems enthralled by this movie. Strangely, I think of those two girls from earlier this afternoon. Their carefree adolescence struck me as foreign, and as I watch this movie, it seems even more so.
I feel nostalgic for something I never possessed: the uncomplicated warmth of childhood. Perhaps a sense of security. Or simply the ability to be captivated by a cartoon without the awareness of everything else looming in the world.
Perhaps she’s thinking the same.
She’s smiling a little. I suppose that’s all that matters for now.
I will be tired tomorrow.
The scent of the processed sugar from the red bean buns is hanging in the air. If they didn’t drag me to the bar I would have had time to clean my microwave and this wouldn’t have happened.
Hopefully opening the balcony door will air it out.
11:07 P.M
When the movie ended, she asked to see how my plants were doing. I told her about the aphids on the tomato leaves.
I drove her home. She remarked that it didn’t look like Atsushi was home yet. We were at a loss as to what he could be doing this late at night.
I asked if she’d be alright, and she said yes. She said she enjoyed the time she spent with me.
I wonder if I provided the help she needed. Perhaps she simply wanted company.
Curious, for someone of her disposition. I hope I fulfilled my role as the “trusted adult.”
ACTION ITEMS:
Keep an eye on her behavior for the next couple weeks.
Inquire with Atsushi tomorrow.
Perhaps look into ways of boosting morale.
The watermelon tomorrow should help.
11:11 P.M. Lights out. Remember to move the alarm clock tomorrow.