The Furukawa Diaries

To whosoever finds this diary I just want to first say that I, Furukawa Shiki, am not a stalker. What follows is my diary as well as some observations of an individual I chanced upon as I was looking out my window. Being sickly as I am that is one of the few things I am able to do here in Koiwa. Even more so as I learned over the years that Koiwa is more a place to “live” and not a place to “stay.”

Anyway, the following are my diary entries and observations…

Friday, July 16th, 8:01PM, Cloudy

After finishing my online class I found myself looking out my window. Again, I’d love to go outside but I knew my condition would get in the way… I didn’t want to cause trouble for my parents. I was

enjoying looking down at the street in front of my house again to see who was passing by. Three kids running down. One in a tank top while the rest were in red and white T-shirts and shorts. A salary man, hopefully, on his way home. Even I could feel the weight of his steps. Hopefully his job gets easier. Beyond this, I saw crows flying off. Heard the ramen peddler calling out as he pulled his cart. Living at home it’s certainly one of my favorites… but I would love to eat in a “restaurant” one day. There were, also, the sounds of cars going to and fro… Not too may staying in Koiwa… it was mostly a place to

pass through. Just as I was planning on looking to the right and going back to some reading… I saw something strange in one of the apartment buildings.

On the fifth floor was a man smoking but, as he exhaled, it almost looked like the smoke hit something… and a figure was revealed. The shock of the man, so great, that I could hear him fall back

into his apartment… and possibly breaking a table and some dishes. Had my excitement not gotten the better of me I would have tried to watch or listen for longer… but my condition only gets worse when I’m excited. Worsened as it was I did my calming and breathing exercises and went to bed.

Monday, July 19h, 6:54PM, Partly Cloudy

Weekend was peaceful and uneventful. As usual my parents went out of their way to bring me an order of food. This time it was gyoza from Kameido Gyoza. As expected, the gyoza were delicious. I know

my parents love me, and I certainly love them back, but guilt always snuck up on me. A long time ago my parents told me that, “we do it because we love you,” and, “if it was a bother we wouldn’t do it at

all,” and I know they weren’t lying… but still… I can’t help but feel like I’m a burden to them sometimes. If only I got better… maybe then I’d truly feel less like a burden…

As for today I found, or more heard, the man again I saw on Friday right across from my window. At the vending machine which also had a chance of giving a free drink… but I’ve never seen anyone or

heard anyone win. That is, until today.

I heard a melody from outside as well as the man’s joy. Rushing to the window, I saw the man seemingly jump ecstatically… perhaps even crying… Just how long had he been trying for that free drink? Is it even worth crying over? Well, either way, I was able to get a better look at the man thanks to this.

He was a man of about average height. Wearing glasses and a fairly sharp gray suit. Were it not for his bushy mess of a head of hair one could probably see him working in finance or law… I guess his work

allows him to have hair that unkempt. Whatever it may be. It was just as I was wondering what kind of work that would be that he calmed down. Reaching in for his free drink.

However, whatever came out seemed to not just require one but two hands.

“Eeeeeeeh?!” I could hear him reply even as cars were passing by. The next thing I knew he was carrying something in both arms… but I could not see it. What’s more, it seemed to be heavy as he

seemed to almost walk bowlegged to his apartment. Swinging one foot forward one after the other. After maybe four steps he stopped to catch his breath. Seems like wherever he worked doesn’t require

much stamina(?) Could he be an office worker? Salary man? In any case, the man seemed to lift whatever he was carrying up a little… and then over his shoulder… causing him to buckle for a whole

minute. Although I could tell his breathing was labored he finally righted himself… or at least as best he could… and headed for his apartment with a slight lean to the left. Hopefully the elevator is working at his place.

Sunday, July 25th, 4:34PM, Foggy

With the weather being what it was I felt like reading something on the sea. Looking through my bookshelves I pulled out “Moby Dick” and read it as I munched on the “Tokyo Rusk” my parents got me. Flavors being original, raspberry, matcha, and chocolate. I think I’ll have to ask for more raspberry. It was at this time when I was nearly halfway through the book that I saw the light come on in the man’s apartment. Certain that I was going to see the man again I pulled out a pair of binoculars I had gotten out of the closet a few days after first seeing the man.

Looking up, I saw the man go out on his balcony. Seemingly talking with someone just beyond it. Even though I could not hear what the man was saying he was so animated I could pretty much tell. Even

occasionally making out his lips:

“Huh? WHERE?!”

“But that’s”

What followed next were some dramatic arm movements. Mostly aimed at his apartment. He then seemed to be listing stuff out on his hand that took up all five fingers. However, even though he

seemed serious, a look of shock came over his face. Which shortly lead to his hanging his head in resignation. With a deep breath, he disappeared back into his apartment for a moment and back onto

the balcony. His face renewed with resolve… almost looking cool. However, before long, that resolve melted away as if he heard something he did not like. That said, indents that looked like clasped fist appeared on the scruff of his shirt. Pulling him off the balcony with such force his feet left the ground. What happened next, though, I still question myself even as I write this. For what happened next was not his falling off the balcony… but disappearing behind what looked like an invisible wall. For a minute all I could do was stare stupidly into my binoculars. Both because of how shocked I was and another for trying to calm myself down. Gotta always keep my health in mind… I just have to. Once I had calmed down I backed away from the window and wrote this entry. I’m going to attempt to get some sleep… but this episode will probably keep me awake for a bit.

Saturday, August 1st, 6:32PM, Golden(?) Fog(?)

Although my parents wanted to continue the usual tradition of having a “summer festival” at home I convinced them I would be fine and they should go to an actual one instead. Admittedly it took about 15 minutes of convincing but eventually they got dressed and headed out. Mom in a nice pink yukata with blue hydrangeas. Dad’s, as expected, a fairly plain, black yukata with grey stripes here and there. Although reluctant, they eventually left and told me they would bring back souvenirs. This time around I sent them off not because of guilt but because I wanted them to take a break from me. True, I felt unlucky to have a body like this… but I also felt lucky to have parents as great as them. Thus, I wanted them to let loose and not worry about me. What’s more, I was content with staying at home. The outside world as close as my laptop.

It was as I was looking up the various festivals online that I noticed the outside seemed strange. So much so that I opened the window without even thinking about it. For what I saw was not a white or

gray… but golden fog. At first I thought it was smoke from someone in the neighborhood lighting off fireworks… but this fog seemed to “shimmer” with gold flecks. Occasionally acting just like normal

fog… but also moving like a golden river had flooded the neighborhood and was rushing past. It was right as I was watching this fog that I saw the man… and noticed I was feeling better. Energy I did not know I had was welling up inside me… my breathing had gotten clearer and easier… For the first time in my life I felt as if I could move beyond the confines of my room and house… and I did… my excitement could not be contained… I rushed out of my room, down the stairs, though the hallway and

out the front door.

“Hey!” I said before tumbling over something.

“Whoa, are you okay?” I heard an old man ask me. His arm outstretched to me. Taken aback by the sudden exercise my vision was a little blurry. However, once I stood back up, it got clearer and I found that the old man was as tall as my waist… and we were not alone.

Besides myself, the old man, and the other man walking off in the distance I found creatures that looked as if they could only come out of fever dreams. Chubby raccoon dogs with straw hats and jugs

of sake… cranes with jizo statues on their backs… A woman with a long arching neck in a yukata… walking blocks of stone… headless horses carrying headless samurai… blue balls of flame appearing in

the air here and there… all this and more passed me by… and the old man could tell I could see this…

“Oh, you can see us, hm?” he asked me, cheerily. His grin reminding me of a foo dog.

“Wha-What is going on?” I couldn’t help but ask him.

“Oh, nothing, we’re just going to war,” he answered nonchalantly.

“To w-” I was about to exclaim but he just simply held out his hand. His grin unchanged.

“Listen. I wish we could talk for longer but, war and all, I am afraid I have to go. Meetings such as these are exceedingly rare. As such, I am going to give you my card,” he said as he pulled out a

business card from his black and gray kimono.

“In two years time, when you are considered an adult, feel free to seek me out… if you remember, of course,” he added, his grin getting a little wider.

“I will,” I answered, as a smile of my own crept up on my face.

“Wonderful. I’ll be waiting,” the old man said as he walked off. His cane knocking the ground as he did so. Waving a little before increasing his pace. As the procession continued on, I looked at the card in my hand and found the words:

Nagamatsu Danjo

Yokai Hotel

Flipping it over, I did not find an address or anything. Only the words:

When the time is right, find this card and it will guide you