Line came to us, as if from another world. The room we were in might have been some sort of restaurant, once upon a time; rusted stools and tables and dishes and cookware were scattered among the weeds. After we’d spent a little while getting our breathing and our heart rates back to normal, the girl broke the silence. “…What kind of stunt was that?! Were you trying to thank me for the hamburger?” Her voice echoed in the gloom, tinged with fear and anger. She was glaring at me. I couldn’t find the words to answer, and she pressed me harder. “What was that gun? Who are you?!” “That was… I found it. I thought it was a toy—” Unbelievable, her expression seemed to say. I tried again, desperately. “I was just carrying it around to, like, help me feel safer. I was only trying to scare him; I never thought it would actually—” “What are you talking about?! Pointing one of those at somebody and firing— You could have killed him!” I gulped. “I don’t believe this. You’re disgusting. You’re horrible!” she fumed, striding toward the exit. Her wet footsteps echoed roughly off the walls and ceiling, and then she was gone. I just stared after her, stunned. Every receding footfall was a reminder of the reality of what I’d done. She was right. Carrying this thing around as a protective charm, I’d started to feel tough; I’d made a misguided attempt at playing hero, had pointed it at someone and pulled the trigger—and I could have killed him. Almost on reflex, I threw the gun away. I didn’t want to have it another second. It struck the wall with a clatter, and I sank to my knees, unable to stand any longer. I squeezed my eyes shut. This escape to Tokyo, and the few thoughtless weeks I’d spent just having fun, were all starting to feel like a ridiculous mistake. The pain in my cheek returned as if it had just remembered to, throbbing stronger and stronger with each heartbeat. I couldn’t think about anything anymore, and I just stayed huddled where I was. After a little while, I heard footsteps again. When I lifted my head, the girl was standing in front of me. Both of her hands were shoved into the pockets of her parka, and her eyes were lowered Page 42 Goldenagato | mp4directs.com