The grind of the shift finally comes to an end after surprisingly only seven hours today, so we get to go free at four o'clock today. Myself & the other three amigos ride back to the hotel together on the train, and we agree to contact each other in the chat room for the venture and the time. I decided to grab another coffee before heading back to my room, in hopes of gaining some energy so I could attend the after-work, festivities with my boys. As I have a seat at a table waiting for my coffee to be finished I glance up at the news on the television screen. Couldn't exactly understand everything they were saying on the screen; as I am not fluent in Japanese, but it looked as if they were showing some cases for missing people found dead. Three young men to be exact. Quite conflicted and disturbed my thoughts were interrupted when the coffee shop employee came & handed me my coffee.
" They say two of the boys had their heads completely severed, and the other's face was completely missing. Got a mass murder walking around here somewhere," she states.
" That sounds awful" I responded very disgustedly.
" Lots of people think it's the work of some serial killer, but then you got the older folks like my grandmother who say it's the work of yokai."
" Yokai?" I ask confusingly.
" Yes, yokai are basically different urban legends, mythological-like creatures in Japanese mythology, but I don't do the paranormal stuff for real, really just the older folk believe that crap," she says.
" Interesting", I responded ...." If you don't mind me asking, how are you able to speak English fluently," I questioned.
" Well, I was a student in America for a while, lived there for about 3 years also. I just recently moved back here to Japan to finish my studies and be close to my family again. My name's Giulia by the way" she states.
" Nice to meet you, my name is Alex. I am here on a business trip for four weeks. I work at the MedTech company about 15 minutes from here," I responded.
" Great, try and enjoy Tokyo while you're here. A lot to see and great clubs, and if you're into anime plenty of that here too if you like that.", Giulia says.
" Well, some coworkers and I are supposed to be going out tonight. Not sure what's in store dealing with those three, but I'll make the best of it whatever it is." I responded as we both giggle calmly,
" Great, well I should get back to work but hope to see you around. Maybe we can go out some time while you're here." She then proceeds to write her phone number on a napkin and hands it to me.
" And don't throw it away either," she states.
" I will not, and I am sure I will be back soon," I responded with a smirk on my face.
Giulia smiles, then proceeds to walk away back to work, as I exit my way to the hotel.
When I get back to my room; I instantly dress down, & jump into the shower. After getting all cleaned up, I open my messaging chat room with my coworkers and I agree to go with them. After talking with Giulia at the coffee shop, I felt really confident, and made me realize that I need to get back out there. What happened with Ayesha was years ago after all and I can't let her define all females. I met Giulia and that beautiful girl on the train. My friends get all excited that I agree to go with them, and we all agree to call the taxi and leave at around six in the evening. I go through my wardrobe to find a nice, but relaxing outfit for whatever tonight's festivities might hold, and decide to go with a green floral tracksuit. Before I know it, six hits, and I go downstairs to the lobby to meet with my friends before our taxi comes.
" Alright boys, so tonight's festivities we are going to a club," Dann explains.
" Oh, so we're getting lit tonight," Pete responds.
" Well of course we are having drinks, but this is actually a different type of club," Dann explains.
" So what type of clubbing are we talking about, like a strip club ?" asks Johnny.
" Sort of, but on a lighter note. More like a club, for men to interact with women without sex...but it can be if you choose." Dann explains.
" Yeah, definitely confused," I state.
" It's a common thing here in Japan; they have clubs for men to basically pour their hearts out to a woman, and vice versa without going on a dating app. A lounge for potential relationships & hookups," says Dann.
After hearing this from Dann, I almost wanted to suggest new plans or back out but before I could do anything, the taxi pulled up. Can't deny I was weary, I don't really care for hookups, and if I wanted a relationship I would rather find it on my own terms rather than on a business trip in Japan, but it was too late to turn back regardless. I think Johnny could tell I wasn't sure about this; when we got in the truck he sat next to me and quietly spoke while Dann and Pete were being loud and getting " pre-drunk".
" Don't stress man, don't go in feeling like you have to spark a relationship, you don't even have to have a fling if you don't want," he reassured me.
I thanked him, but I knew it was a lie. We are pretty much four single guys going to a lounge to interact with females, I just know when we get in there we are going to part ways for the majority, if not the whole night. The ride wasn't very long, we got there in about twenty-five minutes. The guys are all excited and hype, ready to meet some beautiful chicks while I just sit there trying to think about how it shouldn't be that terrible of an experience. Turns out that was probably the biggest lie of my life, because now entering this club, if only I had foresight would I have known that I was getting ready to meet, " The Girl Of My Nightmares."