teketeke cover w shadow_edited_edited.png

Scritch Scratch

The Legend of Teketeke

Inspired by the urban legend of "The Black-Eyed Children"

Saitama, Japan 2020

SCRITCH SCRATCH

“Urgh, this is such a drag…” Officer Kawada groaned, warming his fingers on his hot takeaway cup.
“You’ve been complaining for the last hour.” Officer Honda clicked his teeth. “Orders are orders. Now keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.”
Officer Yuuki Honda was your typical yes-man and had excelled at the academy. He was gunning for top brass one day; Commissioner General, if he had his way.
Needs to pull that stick out of his ass, Kawada thought, the fidgety tapping of his standard-issue shoes hardly making a ripple in the pool of noise. His gaze wandered lazily over the hordes of people coming and going through the main entrance of Ōmiya Station. When he was young, he used to think train stations were like the ‘Anywhere Door’ from Doraemon—a magical portal capable of transporting thousands of people all over Japan. Through his adult eyes, it appeared painfully mundane—normal people on normal commutes. “How can we keep an eye out if we don’t even know what we’re looking for? ‘Anyone suspicious’ doesn’t really narrow it down.”
“Anyone with unreasonably over-sized bags, children travelling alone, lone middle-aged men looking nervous—use your imagination,” Officer Honda replied, arms crossed.
Kawada sighed as he smoothed his hair back; the summer’s humidity was wreaking its usual havoc. “Other prefectures don’t have extra patrols. What’s so special about here?”
“I’ve heard rumours, but none that hold water. It’s what we’ve been told to do, that’s all that matters. You need to know how to follow orders if you want to make a career of this.” Most of their conversations were ten percent speaking and ninety percent awkward silences.
A mother with her young daughter stole a glance at them when they walked past. She must think there’s some kind of criminal on the loose or something, Kawada thought, knowing their presence was probably scaring more people than it was comforting. Especially with Officer Honda looking like a drill sergeant. All he needed was an assault rifle and S.W.A.T vest and the look would be complete.
“We can’t watch out for trouble if we die of boredom first. You’re from Saitama, right?” Kawada asked. He was desperate for anything to take his mind off the residual hum of the swarm. It was like being inside a beehive after someone shook it a few times.
“Yes, why?”
“You must have some stories. What did you do when you were a kid? Anything interesting?” Kawada tried to picture Officer Honda as a normal, easy-going kid.
“Can’t be much different from growing up in… where are you from again? Osaka? Anyway, it’s hard to think of something on the spot like that,” Officer Honda replied, his eyes darting from person to person as he scanned the masses. “Ah, there is one thing—scared me to death when I was in middle school.”
“This sounds promising.”
“Me and a couple of friends were just leaving school, later than usual since we got caught up playing baseball, when I noticed a window on the fourth floor of the main building was open. It was hard to miss with the curtains being pulled out, waving in the wind. That’s when my friend first told me about Teketeke.”
“Never heard of it.” Kawada noticed a group of high school kids heading towards the West Exit. One of them carried a large sports bag, big enough to fit a small child. The boy wore a cap and a baseball glove, so Kawada didn’t bother searching his bag.
“It’s an urban legend, especially around Saitama. A boy leaves school late, after dark, when he sees a girl through an open window on the second floor, leaning with her elbows on the windowsill.”
“A girl scared you shitless?” Kawada said, drinking down the last of his coffee and tossing it into the recycling bin next to them. “I’m not surprised—they’re all pretty fucking scary.”
“Very funny. The fact that she was inside an all-boys’ school after the gates had all been locked didn’t help,” Officer Honda replied, clicking his teeth again. “A real beauty, too, apparently. But after he called out to her, he found out that she was somewhat… lacking.”
“Lacking what?”
“Her lower body.”
Kawada scrunched up his nose. “Sounds like a bad joke.”
“Maybe now that we’re adults, but it was a terrifying story as a kid. The sound she made was even scarier. The boy turned to run, but all he could hear behind him was the sound of her dragging herself along the ground. That’s why they call her Teketeke—scritch scratch.”
“So, what happened to the kid?” Kawada asked. His eyes trailed after a stunning woman in a long white dress and designer sunhat. Her wavy black hair was slightly frizzy in the humidity, but she was beautiful, nonetheless. Maybe I should search her bag.
“He was found the next morning cut in half, his lower body missing.”
“That’s disgusting… You talk about it as if it actually happened.”
“It did, in a way. The story even made the papers. The boy did actually go missing, but they didn’t find his mutilated corpse. They didn’t find him at all. There was a surge of missing children cases back then. But it’s just a silly legend—nothing to lose sleep over.”
“Is that a fact?” Sergeant Sasaki’s deep baritone voice tore them from their conversation. The veteran police officer had not a hair out of place, although the odd wisp of grey affirmed his advancing age. He stared at them, his eyes critical and accusing. Deep, dark circles under his eyes made him look old and haggard. I wonder how ancient the old goat really is, Kawada thought.
“Care to tell me why you’re standing here talking instead of patrolling the rest of the station? There’s more to look at than just this area. The North, South, and East Exits, for example. Did it even cross your minds to check people going on and off the platforms? Not everyone gets off here.”
“No, sir. I’m sorry, sir. We were just—” Officer Honda tried to explain, when Sergeant Sasaki cut him off, his voice sharp as a switchblade.
“Take my advice. Don’t talk about that story or those missing children cases again. Not at our station, not at any station in Saitama, or I will personally oversee your transfers. Understood?”
“Y-yes sir…” In less than a minute, Officer Honda had lost all colour. His forehead glistened with fresh sweat.
“Good. Now come with me. If you look up ‘patrol’ in the dictionary, I think you’ll find that it says, ‘to watch over an area by walking or travelling around it.’” Sergeant Sasaki walked on ahead of them, his head turning left and right.
Jeez, no need to bite our heads off. It’s not like anyone died, Kawada thought, his lips pursed as they headed towards the entrance to the nearest platform. The stairs were crammed with people. Kawada tried not to accidentally jab anyone with his elbow while he made his way down.
A hard jolt to the side made Kawada cry out. “Hey!”
A man in a navy blue cap and black t-shirt quickened his pace and passed Kawada, pulling his cap further over his face.
Asshole. Could’ve at least apologised, Kawada thought bitterly. Sergeant Sasaki was already ahead of them on the platform, his face strained with concentration as he scanned both sides of the platforms. Kawada followed his lead. Most of the crowd was condensed to the right side of the platform, bound for Higashi-Ōmiya. Several women (housewives, judging by their clothes), elementary school kids in bright coloured hats, as well as high schoolers glued to their phones. Nothing odd there. Although Kawada wondered how the hell they could navigate the crowded platform without looking up. He spotted the man in the blue cap crossing from the left platform to the right side; no phone in his hand, but also with his head bowed low. He didn’t look up even once.
Kawada snorted. That explains a lot. No wonder he bumps into people if he doesn’t bother to look where he’s going.
Suddenly, Sergeant Sasaki’s head snapped to the right before hurrying to the platform bound for Higashi-Ōmiya.
“Is something wrong?” Officer Honda whispered to Kawada. Kawada shrugged.
“Beats me.”
The familiar sound of an ascending xylophone scale followed by a pre-recorded female voice announcing the train’s arrival, blasted over the intercom.

まもなく、一番線に東大宮方面行きがまいります。
The train bound for Higashi-Ōmiya will arrive momentarily at Platform One.
危ないですから黄色い線までお下がりください。
Please wait behind the yellow line.

Kawada’s gaze trailed after Sergeant Sasaki, who was making a beeline towards the man in the blue cap.
What am I missing…? His eyes darted from person to person, his heart beating hard and fast the longer he took to find that one missing link. He finally fixed on a little girl, only about six years old, waiting behind the yellow line for the train. She’d taken off her bright yellow school hat, making her almost invisible. Sergeant Sasaki was already beside her, crouching down as he spoke.
The man in the blue cap stopped, turned on his heels, and hurried in the opposite direction. Kawada motioned for Officer Honda to follow the man while he made his way over to Sergeant Sasaki. “You two stay here and keep an eye on things while I see this little one home,” Sergeant Sasaki said, smiling down at the girl. It was the most human expression Kawada had ever seen him make, almost paternal. Looking back, Officer Honda shook his head. The man was long gone.
“How did you notice that guy so quickly, sir? I only thought his behaviour was suspicious after following your lead,” Kawada whispered so the little girl couldn’t overhear.
“You have to notice these things, Kawada. People’s lives depend on it.” Sergeant Sasaki took the girl’s hand and escorted her onto the train. “I’ll be back soon. Kawada, you keep watch here. Honda, you patrol the rest of the station. Don’t trust anybody.” The train doors slid shut, and the train sped off.
“What was that all about?” Officer Honda asked, wiping his forehead with his pocket handkerchief.
“That girl might have been kidnapped if Sergeant Sasaki hadn’t been here,” Kawada said, staring at the ground, full of self-loathing. He’d thought of this as a shit assignment with no real merit.
But Sergeant Sasaki just proved that what they did or didn’t notice could change someone’s life forever.

DING DONG! The sound of the doorbell woke Hisako from a relaxing sleep. “Oh hi, Sayoko,” she heard her mother say. Hisako’s eyes snapped open.
“Hi, Mrs Nakamura. Is Hisako home? We had plans to study today,” she heard Sayoko reply.
Crap! Hisako scrambled out of bed and pulled on a white miniskirt and sweater before shoving all her books and some paper into her shoulder bag and racing down the stairs. “Hey Sayoko,” she said, out of breath; smoothing her chestnut-coloured hair.
“Hi Hisako. Did you forget about our early morning study session?” Sayoko asked, looking Hisako up and down. “Fabulous hair, by the way.”
A fat white Persian cat came waddling over to Sayoko, brushing against her legs and meowing. “Oh, I’m sorry, Mochi, did I forget to say hi to you?” Sayoko said in the baby tone people use when speaking to animals. The heart-shaped tag attached to Mochi’s pale blue collar jingled as she gently scratched under his chin and behind his ears.
“Ha-ha. You’re so lucky you’re a cat person like me, or I’d totally hate you right now.” Hisako giggled, picking up Mochi and scratching him affectionately on the head before passing him to her mother.
“Study hard, girls.”

***

The sun was blindingly bright, the heat stifling and humid, and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom as Hisako and Sayoko set off down the familiar path to the library. They both lived in the same neighbourhood opposite Yono Park, so it was only a short walk to the library and the high school.
They’d just started back a few weeks ago, but it was already hectic with the teachers bombarding them with talks about their futures and preparing for college entrance exams.
“Are you any closer to figuring out which university you want to go to?” Hisako asked, covering her eyes with her hand to block out the sun. The little red man on the crossing display changed to green.

Sayoko sighed, pushing her thick, round glasses up her nose. “The problem isn’t figuring out which one I want to go to—I’ve known that for years: Tokyo U Medical School.”
Hisako faked a melodramatic, exasperated sigh. “Don’t remind me.” She chuckled. “I nearly threw up when we had to dissect frogs last year—you were the only one smiling and having a grand old time. How can you stand all that… grossness?”
“It’s fascinating, that’s how. Besides, my problem isn’t stomaching ‘grossness.’ It’s finding a suitable alternative university in case I don’t pass the entrance exam. It’s strict, especially for women…” Her voice was a potent combination of disappointment and frustration.
“I know… I’ve got it easy. There are a million places to study childcare. I heard that Tokyo U marks down women’s scores on the exams by twenty percent. Did you hear about that?”
“Of course. On top of that, their acceptance rate is only eight percent. Even with the required GPA, I’m already at a disadvantage. Then, if I do get in, I have to be able to keep up with the curriculum.”
“I know you can do it. Want some help looking up some other medical schools while we’re at the library? Just in case? I already know I’m going to Urawa University, so I’ve got the time.”
“Thanks, that would really help.”
Sayoko tucked a long strand of silky black hair behind her ear, a warm smile on her face. Hisako could almost always tell what Sayoko was thinking, even though she had never been much of a talker. But Hisako’s mother always said that you could tell what lay in a person’s heart based on how they treated animals, and Sayoko had loved Mochi since the first day she came over. It was then Hisako knew that they’d be best friends.

“Satoru started elementary school the other day, didn’t he? How did it go? Has he made any friends yet?” Sayoko asked as she pushed open the doors to Yono Library. It was small compared to other libraries in Saitama, but was the most convenient. Its cold, concrete structure stood out; every other house looked like a mini farm with well-kept plots of produce in back gardens. The smell of roses wafted over from the Rose Garden at Yono Park.
“Yeah, he did. He’s loving it so far. He can already write his name in kanji, can you believe that? I’m telling you, he’s going to be as smart as you one day.” Hisako beamed. Sayoko secured a free table (not an easy task, with the first round of entrance exams next January) while Hisako found a free computer.

“Let’s look up some alternative schools for you first, then we can move on to English and math,” Hisako said, opening a browser. “Do you want universities near Saitama or national?”
“Definitely Saitama.”

ten years earlier

Aspirations

“I’m home,” Sayoko called as she removed her shoes and put them neatly on the shoe rack in the entryway.
“In here, honey,” her mother replied. Sayoko threw her bag on the floor and went into the open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area. The room was warm and inviting from the smell of garlic, salt, and frying fish; steam billowed from the rice cooker on the bench as her mother opened the lid and transferred the piping hot rice into a wooden serving bowl.
Sayoko heard the door slam, followed by her father’s voice. “I’m home.”
“Welcome home, dear. Perfect timing. Dinner’s almost ready,” Sayoko’s mother said. They all took a seat at the dining table and said grace.
“You’re home early, Sayoko. How did the studying go?” Sayoko’s father asked, in between mouthfuls. He was still in his navy police uniform but had removed the tailored jacket and loosened his tie.
“Good. Hisako helped me make a list of alternative medical schools. I’ve narrowed it down to a few near here, as well as Kyoto and Osaka.”
“It’s good to have alternatives, but you know what I always say…”
“‘He who chases two hares gets none,’ I know, Dad. I’ve got my eye on the target, don’t you worry.”
Sayoko’s mother filled Sayoko’s rice bowl and passed it to her. “Did any of these universities sound promising? I hope they aren’t too far away.”
“Dokkyo Medical University in Tochigi sounds like the best one. They have an impressive variety of classes and fields depending on what you want to specialise in. Second would be Saitama Medical University, I suppose.” Sayoko ripped the head off her fried fish and sucked out the eyes, savouring the jelly-like texture as they melted in her mouth. “I still want to go into Tokyo-U, Osaka-U, and Kyoto-U to talk to someone about what options they have. I’ll have to study my tail off to even have a hope in hell of getting in.” Sayoko took a long sip of her miso soup. “I’ll pay a visit to all the other universities I found as well. It can’t hurt.” Sayoko gave her parents a small smile.
“Sounds like you’re well prepared.” Her father sipped at his chilled beer.
“I’ve got it all planned out. I can study on the train. So, I might be home late more often than not, between the commuting and the studying. Do you mind?”
“Not at all, dear. Do you need anything for the train fare?” her mother asked.
“Yes, please. That would be great. Although the bullet train to Kyoto and Osaka might be expensive…” Sayoko drank the last of her miso soup, then stacked her bowls before taking them to the kitchen to rinse off.
“Just let me know when you want to go and I’ll loan you my bullet train pass,” her father said, leaning back into his chair. His eyes were puffier than usual, his face pale and haggard.
“Really? Thanks, Dad.” Sayoko put her dishes back in the cupboard and headed towards the stairs. “I’m going to go study some more.”
“Don’t overwork yourself,” her mother said. “Will Hisako be going with you to these universities? I’d feel better about you travelling if you were with someone…”
Sayoko stopped mid-step, already halfway up the stairs. “No. She’s already decided to go to Urawa-U. I’ll be fine by myself. The stations are always well-policed. Just ask Dad.”
Sayoko’s father smirked and nodded.
“That’s a shame. But I’m sure no matter where you end up going, you two will stay close,” her mother continued.
“I hope so,” Sayoko replied.

Sayoko closed her bedroom door and opened her math book. It was a necessary evil if she wanted to study medicine.
She began to lose her concentration after only half an hour. Giving up, she threw her glasses onto her desk and leaned back, in a daze.
Various insects in white picture frames hung from almost every wall, along with anatomy posters and the odd brightly coloured anime poster. A compact, portable ant farm sat on one of the lower levels of her bookshelf, accompanied by an insane number of books. Piles of books were even stacked up next to her bed. She had everything, from non-fiction books on entomology, Grey’s Anatomy, and medical books by Atul Gawande; to Shojo manga and light novels. Hisako had recommended most of the latter. She was the first friend Sayoko had made when she’d moved from Hokkaido.
Eleven years, Sayoko sighed, putting her glasses back on and staring out the window. Can people even stay friends when they live so far apart? It’s not like we’ll have the time to travel back and forwards every other day.

She rested her chin on her hands, leaning forward on her desk as her mind wandered.

***

Little Sayoko sat outside, watching her parents go in and out of their new house, shouting instructions to the movers about where to put all the furniture.
They now lived across the road from a park. Sayoko could see other kids swinging on swings and sliding down slides, screaming with laughter.
“Why don’t you go over and play with them?”
Sayoko hadn’t heard her mother sneak up behind her. Her mouth puckered into a pout as she ran up and hugged her mother’s legs, tugging on her skirt. “Come on, don’t be shy. I’m sure they’re all very nice. Won’t it be nice to make a friend or two before you start school?”
Sayoko squeezed her mother’s legs tighter, her whispers muffled. “What if they don’t like me?”
“They’ll love you. But first you have to actually go over there.” Her mother’s warm smile gave Sayoko the boost of courage she needed.
She looked both ways before crossing the street, her little heart pounding as she went straight over to the playground.
The entire park smelt of wet grass and fresh roses.
Wow, she thought when she passed a water fountain built into the pavement; kids were filling buckets and floating toy boats down the little waterfall. She splashed her hands in the cool water. She wasn’t used to the warm weather yet. It was so much colder in Hokkaido, even in the summer.
Trees covered the jungle-gym and playground, so if anyone fell, it would be onto soft grass and dirt. Sayoko stood in front of the playground, scrunching up her pink skirt in her hands as she swayed from side to side, glancing around as if she was lost.
All the other kids already had playmates and none of them saw her standing there, waiting for an invitation. She was about to climb the first step up the ladder to the slide when something caught her eye in the dirt by a nearby tree. Sayoko crept over, crouching down to get a better look.
It was a monarch butterfly.
Pretty… Sayoko crawled onto her stomach, supporting herself on her elbows. The butterfly was twitching its wings, trying to fly away; both wings were injured, and the usually vibrant orange had faded to a dull orange-brown.
It must have gotten wet in the rain this morning. Sayoko cautiously stroked its velvety wings with her index finger. They felt soft and fragile, like rice paper.
Sayoko kicked her feet as she watched the creature struggle. When an army of ants climbed down the tree trunk and marched towards the struggling butterfly, she squealed and jerked her hand away. She didn’t want them climbing all over her, too. As the ants swarmed around the butterfly, she stared in silence, amazed that something so small could lift something so much heavier. She watched them rip the butterfly apart, devouring it slowly, piece by piece. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
“What’cha looking at?”
Sayoko looked up to find a little girl with short brown hair standing over her. The girl’s face changed from a playful smile to shock when she saw the butterfly lying in the dirt, missing its antennae and several legs.
“Uh-oh! Quick, give me your hand,” she said, grabbing Sayoko’s hand and scooping up the butterfly. “Aaaw. I wonder if we can save it? That’s why I hate the rain…” Her eyes went all shiny, like she was about to cry. Tiny holes covered the butterfly’s wings where the ants had eaten it. “I’m Hisako. What’s your name?”
Sayoko’s cheeks flushed, her shyness flooding back. She stared at the dirt. “Um, I’m Sayoko.”
“Sayoko. That’s a pretty name.” Hisako beamed, putting the injured butterfly into the palm of Sayoko’s hands. “You tried to help it first, so you can have it, if you want. Put it somewhere safe, okay?”
Sayoko’s smile was radiant. “Okay.”
“Race you to the jungle gym—last one there’s a rotten egg!” Hisako called as she tagged Sayoko’s shoulder and ran towards the playground.

Sayoko looked back at the ants scurrying around the dirt patch. She took a fearful glance over to Hisako, who was still running to the playground with her back turned.
Sayoko stared at the helpless creature in her hand. Deep chin dimples formed at the corners of her mouth as she giggled and placed the butterfly back down into the legion of ants. “Wait for me!”

butterfly dreamer

The light jostling of the JR train didn’t usually bother Yoshihiko Sasaki. I think I’m going to be sick…
“You okay? You’re looking a little green there, bud.”
“Shut up, Sato.”

It was standing room only, all carriages full to capacity. The number of people increased the summer’s heat tenfold, making the air thick and unbearable. Sasaki tried to keep his balance as he held the grab handle in one hand and wiped the sweat dripping down his face with the other.
“I can’t believe I’ll have to put up with this every day.”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. At least you made it this far. Do you have any idea how many others got jobs so quick after leaving the academy? It was only us and a few other guys. So bury the nerves. You got this.”

Sato had been Sasaki’s best friend at the Prefectural School for Police. Twenty-one months of gruelling martial arts training, written exams, and a lot of late-night drinking. And, of course, putting up with Sato’s surprises. Between spiking people’s drinks with ketchup or wasabi and pulling faces during sparring matches, Sasaki was surprised the serial practical joker had actually managed to become a policeman.

次は北浦和。北浦和。
Next stop, Kita-Urawa Station. Kita-Urawa Station.

“This you?” Sasaki asked as the train came to a stop and the automatic doors slid open. Floods of people exited, filing onto the platform like a wave parting in different directions.
“Sure is. Kita-Urawa Police Station, here I come.”
“Now there’s a scary thought. Good luck.”
“You too. Don’t screw up on your first day.”
Sasaki stole a seat before a fresh barrage of people came bustling onto the train. The doors slid shut, and the train departed with a resounding whoosh. Sasaki took a deep breath, steeling himself. I can’t wait for today to be over and done with.

A woman struggled to keep a firm hold of the vertical rail along the train seats. It was only after a large jolt nearly toppled her over that Sasaki noticed she was heavily pregnant. Sasaki stood and tapped the woman on the shoulder. “Here, take my seat,” he said and took hold of the nearest grab handle. The woman’s face softened as she bowed her head and thanked him for his kindness.
Not like I had much of a choice. What would people think if a uniformed police officer didn’t offer his seat to a pregnant woman? Even if it wasn’t a priority seat, it would’ve looked bad. At least it’s not much longer until my stop…

次は浦和。浦和。
Next stop, Urawa Station. Urawa Station.

Sasaki checked his wristwatch as he got off the train and power-walked to the exit. Urawa Police Station was a seventeen-minute walk from the train station—no time for detours. By the time Sasaki arrived, he felt as if he was burning from the inside out. I’d kill for an iced coffee…
It looked just like any other building; big, industrial, and professional; the only identifying factor being the floral asahikage police insignia on the entryway.

Sasaki took a deep breath before pushing through the revolving doors and walking up to the receptionist to sign in. She wasn’t much older than him, judging by her appearance. Probably also fresh out of university, but he could see why she’d been hired. She was very easy on the eyes. “Excuse me.”
She didn’t even look up from her computer before interrupting him. “You must be the new recruit. Welcome. We look forward to working with you. Someone has already informed me to direct you to Sergeant Oda. He will be your supervising officer from now on. Take the elevator to the first floor to get to the main office. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.” Her robotic tone made him feel somewhat unwelcome.
Sasaki’s cheeks burned. “Thank you very much. I look forward to working with you,” he said as he bowed at a thirty-degree angle. He had practised the set phrase and correct bow the night before, knowing he always became tongue-tied when he was nervous. He didn’t want to make a bad first impression.

The upstairs office was open plan, with the officers’ desks spread out in increments. Only the inspector had a separate office, and only his was labelled.
God, where do I start…
After several minutes of standing there like an idiot, Sasaki finally worked up the courage to ask someone, anyone, where he could find Sergeant Oda; only to be interrupted before he could get a single word out.
“Sasaki, is it?” Sasaki flinched. He hadn’t noticed anyone behind him. The man’s voice was deep and downright intimidating.
Sasaki spun around, then bowed. “Yes, sir. I’m Yoshihiko Sasaki. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
The man was younger than he sounded, with only a few light wrinkles around his eyes and forehead. He couldn’t have been any older than forty. “I’m Osamu Oda, nice to meet you. Looks like you’ll be with me. Work hard and pay attention, and we’ll get along fine.” Sergeant Oda gestured for Sasaki to follow him to the elevator. “Come on, we’ll start with patrol. You need to know this area better than your own house, so you don’t accidentally wander into another station’s area of responsibility. I take it they still cover that briefly at the academy?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good.”

They took the elevator to the ground floor, Sasaki taking care to follow a few steps behind Sergeant Oda. “Our area of responsibility is limited to Urawa Ward and Minami Ward only; all other areas are someone else’s problem, so don’t go stepping on any toes,” Sergeant Oda explained as they made their way out into the foyer.

An older man, in his late fifties or sixties, came through the door just as they were about the leave. Sergeant Oda sank into a deep bow. “Good morning, Inspector Takeuchi.”
“Good morning, Oda. Ah, taking our new recruit out on patrol? Very good. And how’s your daughter getting along? Sayoko, isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir. She’s studying for her entrance exams—medical school,” Sergeant Oda said, radiating pride. “She’s aspired to be a surgeon since she was in middle school.”
“Is that so? Very impressive. I’m sure she’ll go on to do great things, just like her father.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The inspector nodded before taking his leave, Sasaki’s gaze trailing after him. Sasaki hesitated. “If you don’t mind my asking, sir, but how long have you been a policeman?”
Sergeant Oda chuckled. “Ten years. It sounds like a lot, but you’ll be surprised how fast it goes. There’s a lot to do, though I admit most of it isn’t overly exciting. But it is necessary. We’re incredibly lucky to work in such a low-crime area. It reflects the effort we put into our work. Keep your eyes and mind wide open. Remember: Just because you don’t see something, doesn’t mean it’s not there.”
“I understand, sir.” Sasaki held his hands over his eyes, blocking out the blazing morning sun.
Well, that’s a cheery way to start the morning…

smooth sailing

BEEP-BEEP!
Sayoko’s cell phone vibrated in her skirt pocket. She flipped it open under her desk, trying to be discreet since it was the middle of class. It was from Hisako.

Hey, Sayoko!（*´▽`*) My mom’s stuck at work, so I have to pick up Satoru

from school then start dinner, so I can’t go

to Sakuragi Library with you after school today

(╥﹏╥) Sorry!

Sayoko sighed. Commuting wasn’t as much fun alone. By the time she arrived at the library, her motivation had plummeted. The information in the medical books was confusing and hard to remember, jumbling around in her head and getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle of her mind. Forget passing the entrance exam… If I can’t fix this, I won’t be able to keep up even if I get in, Sayoko thought as she slammed her books shut and returned them to the shelves.
Maybe I need a more practical approach… She headed back to Ōmiya Station.

***

The station was packed with people. Everyone walked with a purpose—quickly and barely taking the time to register each other’s existence as they ran to catch their trains or meandered from shop to shop.
Sayoko moved with the flow of people, following the signs to the platform heading to Yono Station.
It’s like the flow of blood through a body. Even the layout of the station resembled anatomy: If the yellow grooved floor tiles to lead the blind were the veins, then the corridors were the blood vessels, and the platforms, the internal organs. A group of elementary school kids raced past Sayoko, knocking her bag out of her hand when they bumped into her. They didn’t even stop to apologise.
Rotten little shits… They’d kicked her bag along the floor towards the restrooms. They all looked her right in the eye before laughing and running away. Sayoko cursed under her breath and went to get her satchel. It was only after she crouched forwards to pick it up that she noticed a boarded-up area tucked away in an alcove behind the restrooms. It wasn’t visible from any other angle, only from up close. She’d been through Ōmiya Station hundreds of times and had never seen it before. Sheets of old plywood overlapped, haphazardly nailed together as if the person had been drunk when they boarded it up, with “RESTRICTED AREA” spray painted diagonally in large, somewhat faded, characters.
I wonder where this leads to, Sayoko thought, her heart pounding. The sound of an ascending scale of a xylophone blasted over the intercom.

まもなく、一番線に与野駅方面行きがまいります。
The train bound for Yono Station will arrive momentarily at Platform One.

危ないですから黄色い線までお下がりください。
Please wait behind the yellow line.

Damn, that’s my train! Sayoko bolted to Platform One, slipping down the stairs before catching herself on the handrail.
“Hey! Wait for me!”
“No, it’s this way.”
“Hurry up!” Children screamed and shouted as they pushed past her so they could slip onto the train first and steal any available seats.
Sayoko clicked her teeth. She squeezed past people in the over-filled train car and tried to find a grab handle. The train jolted forwards as it left the station. Adults knew to be quiet and to not disturb others on their commute, but the group of kids killed what would have otherwise been a peaceful journey.

They’re like a swarm of locusts. Sayoko found it hard to drown out their chattering, which was only made worse when two boys started climbing the rails framing the seats, seeing who could do the most chin ups, while the others burst into fits of laughter. The other passengers looked just as annoyed as she did. Make that a pack of wild animals. How can their parents just let them loose like this?

She’d never really thought about it before, but there were hardly any children accompanied by their parents, or any adult, going to and from school. They were given so much leeway.

次は与野。与野。
Next stop, Yono Station. Yono Station.

Sayoko got off the train and moved with the flow of people again, towards the West Exit. She got out her cell phone to let her mother know she’d be home soon.
Long shadows stretched over Yono Park as the sun started to set, casting a warm golden-orange light. Sayoko stopped just shy of her front door, unable to tear herself away. It was like the monarch butterfly’s wings.
She set down her satchel, removed her bento box, and crossed the road to the park. It was deserted. She knelt at the base of a nearby tree, scanning the area before finding what she needed and scooping it into her lunch box.

After a quick hello to her mother, Sayoko practically skipped up the stairs to her bedroom, fastening the deadlock firmly in place so she wouldn’t be disturbed. She took out a large tray and put it on her desk.
Her lunch box took centre stage.
When she was younger, Sayoko had aspired to be a manga artist. But it turned out she wasn’t any good at drawing, no matter how much she practised. She still had all her old supplies tucked away in one of her desk drawers, including a precision blade used for cutting screen tones.
The array of insects decorating Sayoko’s walls peered down at her, silent witnesses as she removed the lid to her lunchbox and carefully removed its occupant: a lone praying mantis. Sayoko cupped her hand over it so it couldn’t fly away, cocking her head to the side while she inspected it. Mom always says fresh ingredients are best.

A small tin of silver pins sat at the right side of Sayoko’s desk, for mounting her specimens. She took four pins and stabbed them through each arm and the lower part of the mantis’ torso so she could get to work. The exacto blade made an excellent scalpel. Ever so slowly, she sliced off one of its front legs, talking herself through the process of amputation she had read at the library earlier.
“First, make an incision around the part to be amputated. The intended appendage is to be removed, and the bone smoothed; except in this case, where the patient has no bone.” The leg fell to one side, making a slight crunch under the pressure of the blade. Sayoko set down the blade and lifted the delicate wing on its back.

She gave it a light tug, plucking it excruciatingly slowly from the creature’s body.
It came away easily. She placed the dismembered wing to the side and continued cutting the live mantis apart, piece by piece. “A flap is then constructed of muscle, connective tissue, and skin to cover the raw end of the bone. The flap is closed over with sutures, which will remain for one month. Interesting that despite having no form of anaesthetic, the subject shows no signs of pain or distress.”

By the time she was done, all that remained of the mantis was its head and torso. It twitched occasionally, and the torso wriggled and writhed as it made a slight hissing noise from its abdomen. Perhaps it’s wondering why it can’t feel its legs. Sayoko took out a thick notebook and polaroid camera and snapped the shutter with a click and a whirr.
Can it even feel pain? Its eyes look empty, like little green almonds… She glued the picture onto the first page of her notebook and wrote the date along with the ‘case notes.’ Taking the mantis’ head between her left thumb and forefinger, she lifted it from the tray, inching her hands further apart. The hissing got louder and louder the further she pulled, followed by a tiny crunch as its head separated from its body. Its eyes looked no different from when it was alive.

Sayoko finished her notes, then slid the mantis’ remains into the wastebasket under her desk, along with some papers to hide it. Sayoko sighed, her lips down turned into a bored pout. I couldn’t practise half of what I wanted to on that paper-thin skin…
A scratching at her window tore her from her thoughts, followed by a familiar meow.
A grin crept across Sayoko’s face. She slid the window up and petted the cat’s head.
“What are you doing all the way over here, Mochi?” Sayoko said in her usual baby tone. “Hisako will be worried sick about you.” She tenderly picked him up, bringing him inside, and slid the window shut.

live and learn