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  The agent stamped Ben’s passport with a smile.

  ***

  Andrew approached the baggage conveyor belts. The bags came around on time, one after the other, hauled off by the other passengers from the London Heathrow flight.

  “God my head,” Ben said

  “That’s air pressure” Andrew replied

  “Owwwee look at your smart arse” Ben joked

  “It’s called science” He replied

  Ben looked over at Kiera and Sarah as they purchased some Japanese Yens from the bureau de change counter.

  “Guys come on,” Ben asked over

  “God he is so impatient,” Kiera said

  “Tell me about it” Sarah replied, “Remember the India trip?”

  “What on the Agra trip to the Taj Mahal.”

  “Yes,” Sarah then said, “Oh God that was so embarrassing.”

  “Yes Ben puking over the platform in Agra” Chelsea intervened

  Andrew walked through into the arrivals area. A lovely water fountain is in the middle. A slight sound of relaxing music can be heard in the background. Andrew looked up; he looked to see a Japanese girl. Short red skirt and a white vest top. Short black hair and a lovely smile. The white board reads “Andrew Porter.”

  Andrew looked at Suki holding the board.

  “Meet Suki,” Andrew said

  Ben stares at Suki. Gentle swaying from left to right. Legs were crossing.

  "Oh my god" He gasped "She is hot."

  Kiera looked at Ben as he gawked at Suki

  "I think Bens in love," Said Kiera

  "Tell me about it" He replied

  Ben continued to stare at Suki as she stood holding onto the board.

  "I feel the urge to masturbate" Ben gasped

  Andrew didn't know what to say as Sarah rolled her eyes looking at Chelsea, in shock after hearing what Ben has just said out loud.

  "Hello" Suki welcomed

  "Hello," Ben said in one

  Ben was the first one over to Suki.

  "Nice to meet the woman of my dreams" He stated

  Suki tried not to blush.

  "Why thank you" She replied

  Suki started to blush; she can’t hold it back as Andrew walked over hauling his back pack over his back.

  "Suki Susami," Andrew said

  "Yes" Suki replied

  "Nice to finally meet you," Andrew said, “Excuse the idiot of the group.”

  Ben stood staring at her.

  "Welcome to Japan," Suki said again "You must be very tired."

  "Oh yes," Ben replied, "Lead the way."

  Suki leads the group to the outside. There awaiting is a people carrier vehicle in the driver's seat middle-aged man.

  "Hello" He struggled to say

  "Who's this" Ben asked

  Suki looked into the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

  "This" Suki said "This is my dad, he has come down from Osaka to see me. He is going to drive you guys to the hotel and then head home."

  "So you’re from Osaka," Kiera asked

  "Yes" Suki replied "Come on let’s go see Tokyo, and maybe grab something to eat"

  "I'm right behind you" Ben replied with a smile on his face

  The group bundle into the people carrier. The engine is started.

  “let’s go,” Her dad said

  “I see he has been practicing English,” Chelsea asked

  “Yes,” Suki replied, “I gave him a few lessons last night.”

  Ben looked at Suki as she sat down into the passenger seat of the people carrier.

  ***

  Andrew tried to keep his eyes open, as they sped along the main highway away from the airport. The huge terminal fading in the distance seemed to hypnotize him as he looked into the side mirror.

  "Where from" The dad asked?

  "London" Sarah said, "So is Kiera and Chelsea."

  "You" The dad questioned Ben

  Ben can't keep his eye of Suki

  "What," Ben asked looking up

  "Where from."

  "Oh, Lincoln" Ben replied looking back at Suki

  Suki's dad looked confused for a few seconds.

  “It’s a town in the North of England,” Suki said to her dad in Japanese

  “Oh I see” He nodded

  Andrew looked ahead; he looked to see one of the city ambulances. Red and blue lights flashing. Suki’s dad slowed down and pulled passed it. Andrew looked out of the window; a body is covered in a white blanket. Has been killed. The medics slowly wheeled the trolley bed into the back of the ambulance.

  Chapter 3

  Andrew looked as they pulled into the city from the highway. The sidewalks are jammed with people.

  “Tokyo” Suki’s dad said

  Andrew stared at the flashing advertisement boards.

  “Here we are,” Suki said

  Suki’s dad pulled into the hotel entrance. He pulled up outside the five-star hotel. The Japanese Flag swaying in the gentle breeze. Andrew stepped out of the people carrier.

  “Thank you,” Kiera said to Suki’s dad

  “Welcome” He struggled to say

  “Selfie” Sarah yelped.

  Sarah reached into her pocket hauling out the selfie stick; she slid it out placing her phone into the slot. The picture is taken.

  “Lovely meeting you,” Sarah said to her dad

  Ben suddenly walks over placing his arms around Suki’s dad.

  “I’d like to say,” He said, “That you have the loveliest daughter I have ever met, and I am proud to call you my future father in law.”

  Suki’s dad frowned. He looked at her.

  “He said thank you very much,” She said in Japanese to him

  He smiled.

  “Welcome,” He replied, “Have a nice stay here in Tokyo, and enjoy Japan.”

  Andrew watched as Suki wished her dad goodbye. She wiped a small tear from her eye as the car vanished.

  “Hey” Ben intervened quickly

  Suki looked at Ben.

  “You’ll get your degree” He praised her “Then you will be back with him soon.”

  Suki nodded after the brief emotional spout.

  “How far is Osaka” Chelsea asked

  “About five hours” She replied, “To drive, and about three on the Shinkansen.”

  Chelsea looked at Kiera.

  “Were going Osaka in a few days?” She said, “On that bullet train, then it’s up to Hiroshima.”

  Ben stood up straight looking into the hotel. He felt his stomach starting to rumble.

  “Come on I’m hungry” Ben intervened “Need some sushi.”

  Andrew pulled the plastic handle out of his suitcase looking into the hotel. The doors were pulled open by the porters. The floor is shiny; a fan is spinning above their head to keep the air cool. Ben strolled along next to Suki as they arrived at the desk.

  “Hello,” The check-in man said, “Checking in today are we guys.”

  “We are,” Sarah said smiling “Ten days to short.”

  “We will make sure your trip to Tokyo is a trip to remember,” He said, “Can I have your passports please?”

  Andrew handed his passport over to the reception worker.

  “I need one more,” He asked

  “Who,” Chelsea asked

  “Ben Johnson” He replied looking down at the name list

  Chelsea looked up at the ceiling closing her eyes. She looked back. Ben stood talking to Suki.

  “Ben,” She asked

  Ben continues to talk to Suki.

  “Ben,” Andrew asked

  Sarah took a deep breath

  “Oi” She yelped

  Ben looked over at Sarah.

  “Yes,” He innocently said rearing away from the conversation with Suki.

  “Passport,” She asked

  “What,” He asked “Oh ok.”

  Ben handed his passport over.

  “I need a signature,” The check-in Clarke asked

  Ben signed the form.

  “Rooms are on the top floor,” The agent said

  “Perfect” Ben replied “A nice romantic view of Tokyo.”

  Suki smiled gentle weaving back and forth on the spot.

  “What are we doing then,” Kiera asked looking at Sarah

  “I agree with Ben for once,” Chelsea said, “I’m hungry.”

  Suki walked over as the group prepared to venture to the top floor of the hotel.

  “There is a sushi bar across the street,” She said, “I and my university friends eat in there, I can text them and arrange to meet them there, I think they have finished now.”

  “I’m up for that” Kiera said

  “And me” Chelsea intervened as well

  “Well here are the keys,” Andrew said, “Let’s get our stuff to our rooms and go get something to eat.”

  Andrew walked up to the elevator. The doors opened one after the other. He pushed the golden button in selecting the top floor. They felt the lift climb very quickly. There is a small screen on the wall of the lift. It is broadcasting the Tokyo news. Ben looked at the female news broadcaster. Similar to Suki. Short black hair.

  “She is hot,” Ben said

  Andrew shook his head slowly.

  “Do you say that to everyone?” Sarah asked?

  “Course he does” Andrew replied

  “Yes, all the time” Chelsea then said, “All around university he says that sentence.”

  The elevator came to the top floor of the hotel. There is a light smell coming from the other rooms as they are being cleaned ready for the next guests.

  “Room six one six,” Andrew said, “That is mine and ours.”

  Andrew looked to see room six one six.

  “And we are six one eight,” Sarah sai
d

  “Right across the hall” Ben joked “What time shall I be in than”

  Kiera shook her head as Sarah opened the door looking into the huge room. Andrew watched Sarah walk off into the room.

  “Just talk to her bro,” Ben said “I’ve seen you looking at her”

  Andrew continued to look at Sarah as she put her bag down. Kiera catches him looking at her.

  “I’ll just shut the door,” She said

  Kiera slowly shuts the door. The only that can be heard is the electronic lock clicking inti place. Ben entered the hotel room. He stormed over to the window.

  “Oh my god” He gasped

  “What is it,” Andrew asked

  “Look at this view” He stated, “It is like so romantic.”

  Andrew walked over to the huge clean window; he looked out across Tokyo.

  “This city is awesome” Ben gasped

  Andrew looked at Ben as he stared out of the window.

  “Well were here now” Replies Andrew “I’m glad it’s almost over now.”

  “What is” Questioned, Ben

  “University” He replied, “Three years and full of debt up to our eyeballs.”

  “You doing a master’s degree?”

  “I want to” He replied, “Or I may just do a year of work.”

  “Or part-time” Advised Ben

  “I’ll see what happens.”

  Andrew looked at the Yen Notes. He taped them together and slid them into his wallet.

  “Right,” Ben said, “I’m starved.”

  “Yes come on then,” Andrew said, “So am I.”

  Andrew opened the door, there outside awaiting them is Sarah, Kiera, and Chelsea.

  “Come on” Joked Kiera “Let’s eat.”

  “Yes, yes” Ben replied, “I’m just as hungry as you are.”

  ***

  The elevator doors opened. There sitting in the reception area awaiting is Suki. She slowly stands up looking at Ben and Andrew as they walk over to her.

  “So what do you want to eat then?” She asks

  “Sushi” Ben replied, “And lots more sushi.”

  “Then follow me then,” She asked, “My friends are in the sushi bar across the road.”

  Ben grasped to his bag; he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He opened up the game app on it.

  “Do you always play on that” Kiera asked

  “I’m a computer game programming student,” He said, “Of course I do.”

  Suki over hears the conversation going on.

  “Say that again,” Suki said

  Ben stormed forward towards Suki. He immediately stops playing the game on his phone.

  “I do game programming,” He said in one “It is my life this Japanese stuff.”

  Suki looked at Ben with a slight bit of shock.

  “My boyfriend is doing the same thing,” She said, “You will meet him in a minute.”

  Ben stood shocked. He tried not to blush as his heart sank in his chest. His mouth is open in shock as they continued walking towards the front entrance of the hotel. Sarah looked at Ben as he is still in deep shock after what he has just heard from Suki.

  “Chill out,” She said, “It’s been a long day for all of us.”

  Ben shook his head catching up with the group. He looked across the streets seeing the sun is starting to go down in the distance. The eleven-hour flight took its toll on them.

  “This way,” Asked Suki

  The group turned the corner on the busy street trying not to bump into any body.

  “Here we are,” She said, “One of the best in Tokyo.”

  The door swung open. It is like the ones you see at the airport; the small little dishes are going around on the small conveyor belt.

  “Suki” A voice yelled over

  Suki looked over at the table in the far corner. There is a small group of Suki’s friends.

  “Suki” She shouted again

  “There we are,” She said

  The group walked over towards the window seat. The room is gleaming white from where it has been kept clean by the staff.

  “Hi guys,” Suki said, “These are the people from the UK I was telling you about.”

  “Hi,” Andrew said shaking hands with one of the students

  “Names Andrew,” He said

  “This is Enomoto,” Suki said

  “Hello” Enomoto replied to Andrew shaking hands

  Suki stood next to Ben. He watched as she spoke in her language. One of the students turned around pointing towards the toilet. Ben looked seeing someone come out of the toilet. Short spiked black hair, leather jacket, and jeans. Bit of an attitude walk to him, a typical Japanese street kid.

  “Oh this is my boyfriend,” Suki said to the group

  Sarah and Kiera gawked at Kimoto. He nodded at the group.

  “So here we are,” She said

  “Sit down” Kimoto snapped

  Ben looked at the group after he watched Kimoto order Suki to sit down. Even though it wasn’t in English, he knows exactly what was said to her. He watched as her facial expressions changed.

  “So you are all English students,” Sarah asked trying to detour.

  She looked out the corner of her eye at Ben. He has his hands in the inside of his trouser pockets. She can see the fabric moving. He is getting angry at the way he is treating her. Ben looks to see Sarah looking at him. He releases his fist trying to curve the anger. Ben sits down next to Andrew looking down at his phone.

  “Ok,” Sarah said, “Let’s eat.”

  Sarah looked up seeing the tiny dishes slowly run passed on the conveyor belt.

  “So,” Kiera said trying to break conversation “What are we studying.”

  “Electrical engineering,” Ekinomo said

  “Architecture” Nimanono then said

  “Quite a mixture then,” Sarah said

  “Yeah” Kiera replied, “I am impressed, very better than me.”

  Ben took a look at Kimoto as he sat next to Suki playing on his mobile phone. He is showing no interest in her what so ever.

  “What do you do,” Sarah asked him “Are you a student yourself.”

  Kimoto looked down onto his phone. Suki nudged him slowly. He looked up.

  “What” Snapping in Japanese

  Sarah looked at Ben; she heard his fists clench up under the table.

  “Ben,” Sarah said, “Come and get a drink with me.”

  Ben looked at Sarah; she knows what she is going to say to him. Ben strolled over to the rinks counter with Sarah. He peered over his shoulder. Sarah can see in Andrew’s eyes he knows what she is going to say to him. Ben stood next to the drinks machine in the corner of the restaurant.

  “What are you doing” She demanded

  Sarah looked forward into the bar.

  “He is such a jerk towards her”

  “We have been here five minutes, and you are ready for a fight with someone” She snapped trying to keep a straight face

  Ben looked down.

  “Sorry,” He said

  Sarah looked at Ben as he lowered his head

  “Come on let’s get a drink,” She asked

  Ben pulled the paper cup down watching the orange fizzy drink plunge until the cup.

  “What drink you got” Andrew asked

  “Fizzy orange” He replied “One of my favourite.”

  Ben sat down looking at Suki. She has lowered her head down. She knows what Sarah has just spoken to him about. Ben reached over picking the blue plastic plate of the conveyor belt.

  “Right,” He said, “I’m starved.”

  “Is he always like this” Enomoto?

  “Yes,” Kiera and Sarah said together

  Suki smiled still looking down and the floor.

  The night rolled in. The sky is clear. The moon gleamed down onto the busy city. Andrew walked out of the sushi bar.

  “So what are you doing tomorrow,” Suki asked

  “Oh” Andrew replied

  Andrew looked up into the sky. The flashing advertisement boards hypnotized him for a few seconds.

  “The Imperial gardens,” He said

  Suki smiled.

  “That is a lovely place,” She said, “You will enjoy it there.”

  Ben watched as Suki and Kimoto slowly walk out of the sushi bar.

  “I’m off,” She said, “I may pop by the Imperial gardens tomorrow and make sure you are ok.”

  Ben looked at Suki; she is trying to hold her head up. Ben knows that he is very controlling. They slowly turned and walked off. Sarah watched as well.

  “She is so unhappy with him,” Kiera said

  “Tell me about it,” Enomoto said