Excited By My Town
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I was excited about the trip to my hometown. I had been away for a year and it felt like forever since I’d seen everyone there, so I couldn’t wait to get back home. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy living in Tokyo; on the contrary, I loved being able to go out every single night and meet new people whenever I wanted.
But when you’re surrounded by friends all day long at work, going home alone is just depressing sometimes. So I always looked forward to coming back here after a busy week of partying with my coworkers.
The train ride from Shinjuku Station took almost two hours each way, but fortunately, I had plenty of time to kill before we arrived. The first thing I did once I got off the train was bought some snacks at Lawson’s convenience store next door.
Then I went into the station building and bought myself an ice cream cone as well. After eating them both, I walked around outside until it was finally time to board our bus. We were heading straight to my parent’s house, which made me happy because they lived right near the station, so this would be easy.
My mother greeted us at the front door with a big smile on her face. She hugged me tight and said “Welcome home!” while she planted kisses all over my cheeks. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, though, so I knew something must have happened.
When I asked what was wrong, she told me that my father had passed away suddenly last night. He died in his sleep without any warning or pain. His heart stopped beating one morning and he never woke up again. They found him lying in bed, still breathing, but unable to move his body.
Apparently, he was dead when they checked on him later that same evening.
“What do you mean ‘dead’? Like…he’s really gone?”
She nodded sadly and replied, “Yes. Your father is no longer with us.”
I couldn’t believe it. How could someone who seemed so healthy just die? And how come nobody noticed anything was wrong beforehand? There wasn’t even a hospital visit or doctor’s appointment where they might’ve caught it early!
“But why?! Why would God take him away?!” I cried out loudly.
My mom didn’t answer me but instead led me inside the house.
We sat down together at the dining room table and ate dinner. My brother, sister-in-law, and their baby daughter were already there, along with my grandparents. Everyone else was staying at my aunt’s place nearby, so only the immediate family members were present.
After dinner, my grandfather started talking about my dad. He talked about how hardworking he was, how much he enjoyed fishing, and how kind he was to others. That reminded me of my own father, so I began to cry again.
Then my grandmother stood up and said, “Your father was very sick these past few years. He suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes, and he also developed cancer in his lungs. It was getting worse and worse, and eventually, it killed him.”
That explained everything. I remembered seeing him coughing a lot lately, and now I understood why.
“Oh,” I sighed. “So that’s why he was feeling bad all the time…”
It was true. I hadn’t realized how serious his condition was until just then. I thought it was normal for older men to cough a little more than usual, so I never bothered asking if he was okay. Now I wished I had.
As we continued to talk about my father, I felt like I was forgetting important details. What else should I know? Did he ever tell me stories about himself growing up? Was there anyone special in his life besides my mom and me? I desperately tried to remember anything I could think of, but nothing came to mind. I guess I’ll just have to ask my mom tomorrow.
When the conversation wound down, my mom gave me a hug and whispered in my ear, “You can stay here tonight, if you want.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You don’t need to worry about a thing. Just relax and spend some time with your family.”
I thanked her profusely and promised to call her tomorrow to check in. Then I excused myself to go to the bathroom, where I washed my hands and splashed cold water on my face.
Once I returned to the dining room, I saw my grandpa standing in the doorway leading to the kitchen. He motioned for me to follow him.
“Come on, let’s sit down somewhere private,” he said.
He led me to the living room, where he sat down on the sofa and gestured for me to join him. Once I was seated beside him, he put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed gently.
“Listen, son,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry about your father passing away so suddenly like that. But maybe it’s not such a bad thing after all. At least he doesn’t have to suffer anymore. He probably feels better now, wherever he may be.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right…”
“And I bet you miss him terribly, huh?”
“Uh-huh. A lot.”
“Well, I understand exactly how you feel. I lost my wife many years ago, and I still sometimes wish things could’ve been different. If only I’d spent more time with her, or done something differently…but that’s all in the past now. All we can do is learn from our mistakes, and try to make sure we don’t repeat them.”
“Okay, Grandpa.”
“Now, I know this isn’t easy for you, but I hope you won’t hesitate to ask me questions if you have any. I promise to answer every single one of them honestly.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.”
“Good boy. Now, I wanted to talk to you about your father’s death. Do you know what happened to him?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Didn’t he say anything to you before he passed away?”
“Not a word. Not even when he was dying. We were both crying, but he didn’t utter a single word.”
“Hmm…”
Grandpa looked deep into my eyes as he spoke. I wondered what he was thinking.
“Do you remember anything strange happening during those last moments?” he asked.
“Strange? Like what?”
“Anything unusual. Anything that might have made him afraid to die. Or anything that seemed out of the ordinary.”
“Like what?”
“Let me give you an example. Have you ever seen a ghost?”
“A ghost…?”
“Yes, a ghost. Ghosts are spirits who linger in the world after they pass away. Sometimes people see them, hear their voices, or experience other supernatural phenomena.”
“What does that have to do with my dad?”
“Nothing at first glance, but bear with me. Your father died of lung cancer. Right?”
“Right.”
“But did you know that most cases of lung cancer occur because of smoking cigarettes?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“That’s interesting. Most people would assume that someone who smokes must have caused their own illness, but that’s not always the case. In fact, it’s quite common for diseases to spread through the air. For instance, tuberculosis spreads by breathing in airborne bacteria. And influenza virus particles can travel long distances in the wind. People often get sick simply by being exposed to these germs.”
“Wow…”
“There are also viruses that can cause pneumonia, which is another type of lung disease. Some people catch pneumonia from inhaling microscopic droplets of fluid from coughing or sneezing. Others contract it from drinking contaminated water or eating food that has been tainted by animal waste. It’s possible that your father caught pneumonia from inhaling a germ while he was working in the factory.”
“Oh, okay.”
“So, do you think there’s a chance your father contracted lung cancer from inhaling a virus?”
“Maybe. I guess it’s possible.”
“It certainly seems plausible. The truth is, we never really know why certain illnesses happen. There are many factors involved, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle choices. That’s just one reason why medical science is such a complicated field.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Anyway, I thought I should mention this since you mentioned seeing a ghost. Just keep in mind that some illnesses can be transmitted through the air.”
“Okay.”
“Also, I want you to take good care of yourself. Don’t smoke, drink too much alcohol, or eat unhealthy foods. You need to stay healthy so you can live a long life.”
“Thanks, Grandpa.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be here to help you whenever you need me.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
“Then I’m glad you came over today.”
“Me, too.”
We smiled at each other warmly. Then Grandpa took his leave.
***
The next day, I went to school early and waited outside the principal’s office. When Mr. Yamada arrived, I told him everything that had happened between me and Grandpa. As soon as I finished explaining the situation, Mr. Yamada got up from his chair and walked toward me.
“I see,” he said softly. “You seem to have a very close relationship with your grandfather.”
“He’s like a second father to me.”
“And yet, he doesn’t know anything about your father’s death?”
“No, he hasn’t even heard of it.”
Mr. Yamada sat down again and folded his hands together. He stared at me intently without saying a word, as though trying to read my thoughts.
After several seconds, he finally broke the silence. “This is going to sound harsh, but I have no choice but to tell you that your father committed suicide.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“How could he possibly commit suicide?!” I cried.
“Your father was a heavy smoker. His lungs were already damaged from years of cigarette use. But then, something else happened. Something that pushed him past the point of no return.”
“Something else? What do you mean?”
“When your father was diagnosed with lung cancer, he refused to admit defeat. Instead, he started taking experimental drugs. Unfortunately, the treatments weren’t successful. They only prolonged his agony.”
“Wait! Are you telling me that he actually tried to cure himself?”
“Yes, that’s right. However, the treatment failed. Your father eventually became too weak to continue fighting. So, he decided to end things on his own terms.”
“But how could he possibly kill himself?! He loved life more than anyone!”
“That’s exactly why he chose to die. Your father knew that if he continued living, he’d suffer endlessly. He wanted to escape the pain before it consumed him completely. That’s what drove him to take his own life.”
“But…but why didn’t he talk to me about it?!”
“Because he couldn’t bear to burden you with his suffering. He felt guilty for burdening you with his problems. After all, he was the one who brought you into this world. If he died, it would’ve left a huge hole in your life.”
“Grandpa wouldn’t let that happen!”
“Unfortunately, your father wasn’t able to save himself. And now, you’re stuck carrying around the weight of his sins.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you hadn’t seen the ghost, your father might still be alive today. In fact, I suspect that he probably would’ve survived. But because of what happened, you saw an apparition. Now, you must deal with the consequences.”
“Consequences?”
“As I explained earlier, ghosts can sometimes appear when someone dies violently or under tragic circumstances. This means that your father’s spirit lingers in this world. It’s not easy being haunted by a dead person. Not only does it cause emotional distress, but it also makes people feel guilty.
People often blame themselves for their loved ones’ deaths. For example, they may start thinking: ‘If I had done this differently, maybe my dad would still be alive.’ Or, ‘If I hadn’t been so stubborn, maybe my mom would still be here.'”
“So, that’s why I saw a ghost?”
“Exactly. Because of your father’s death, you witnessed a terrible tragedy. The sight of the ghost triggered your memories. And now, it’s haunting you.”
“I don’t understand…”
“It’s perfectly normal to experience anxiety after seeing a ghost. Sometimes, it takes time to get used to the idea that your loved one has passed away. However, once you accept the truth, you’ll be able to move forward. Eventually, you’ll forget about the incident entirely.”
“Is there any way to make sure I never see another ghost?”
“There are many ways to prevent them from appearing. One method is to visit the place where the event occurred. Another is to pray to God. You should also try to stay positive. By doing these things, you can keep the bad memories at bay.”
“Thanks, Mr. Yamada. I really appreciate your help.”
“Don’t mention it. Just remember: you need to focus on moving forward. Don’t dwell on the past.”
“Okay.”
“By the way, did you ever find out what caused the accident?”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure I know.”
“Really? How?”
“The police told me that the driver of the other car was drunk.”
“Oh, that explains everything.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“In that case, you shouldn’t worry anymore. As long as you avoid getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, you won’t run into any trouble.”
“Right.”
“Now, I think it’s time for us to part ways. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Mr. Yamada.”
***
A few days later, I went back home and packed up my things. Then, I took a taxi to the airport.
I boarded a plane bound for Tokyo. Once I arrived, I checked into a hotel near the station. There, I waited until nightfall. Next, I headed toward the city center.
Once I reached Shinjuku Station, I walked straight down Takeshita Street. When I got to Harajuku, I turned south onto Meiji Avenue. Finally, I made my way to the intersection of Yoyogi-dori and Shibuya Boulevard.
At last, I found myself standing in front of the famous Hachiko statue.
I stared at the bronze canine for a moment. Then, I looked up at the sky. A light rain was falling.
This was the first time I’d visited Japan since my grandfather’s funeral. Even though it had been almost two years, I still felt anxious about returning to Tokyo.
After a brief pause, I stepped off the sidewalk and approached the dog.
“Hachiko,” I whispered. “Can you hear me?”
For several seconds, no response came.
Then, suddenly, the dog lifted its head. Its ears perked up. And then, it began wagging its tail.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yes, thank you very much.”
The dog tilted its head slightly as if confused by my question.
“You said ‘thank you,’ right?”
“Of course. Thank you for bringing me back to life.”
“But how…?”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that.”
“How did you bring me back to life?”
“Didn’t you say something like that before?”
“No, I—”
“Well, I suppose you could call it a miracle. I just happened to come across you lying on the ground. So, I brought you inside the restaurant and gave you some water. Afterward, I called the police.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Indeed. But I must warn you: the next time you see a ghost, please don’t panic. Instead, try talking to him or her. If that doesn’t work, you can always seek professional counseling.”
“Thank you again, Hachiko.”
“My pleasure.”
With those words, the dog lowered its head.
“Wait! Are you leaving already?” I cried out.
However, the dog ignored my plea and continued walking down the street without looking back.
“Hey, wait!”
As the dog disappeared around the corner, I let out a sigh.
“What am I going to do?” I muttered. “If only I knew more about ghosts…”
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I turned around to see who it was.
To my surprise, it was Mr. Yamada. He was carrying an umbrella over his head.
“Mr. Yamada, what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to check up on you. It seems like you’re having a hard time dealing with your recent experiences.”
“It’s true. Ever since my grandfather died, I’ve been plagued by nightmares.”
“I see. In that case, I have good news for you. The day after tomorrow, there will be a seminar held at the local community center. They’ll teach you all sorts of techniques for overcoming your phobias.”
“Really?!”
“Yes, I attended one of their seminars a few months ago. It was quite helpful.”
“Wow, thanks for telling me. That sounds great!”
“Don’t mention it. Now, why don’t we go somewhere else? We can talk more once we get away from this noisy street.”
“Okay, but where should we go?”
“Why not visit the shrine located at the end of Takeshita Street?”
“Sounds good to me.”
We headed toward the entrance of Takeshita Street. Once we passed through the gate, I saw a large crowd gathered outside the building.
“Looks like they’re holding another fashion show,” Mr. Yamada remarked.
The End