Zen Queen

by Kirsty McManus

  “Oh. Maybe you can tell me all about it later. You want to grab a drink tonight?” He’s trying to sound casual, but I sense this is more important to him than he’s letting on.

  “Thanks Nigel, but I think I’m going to have an early one. I’ve had too many big nights lately.”

  “Of course.” His face sags. “Perhaps another time.”

  I slip back out. Nigel is sweet, but not my type. And he seems to be so impressed by everything that I don’t know how flattering it is that he likes me or my work.

  I sit back down in the staff room for a few more minutes to refine some of my designs before the next class.

  Grover, Zac and Alana trail in.

  “Wow!” Grover looks over my shoulder. “You should be a graphic designer!”

  “I was,” I say dryly. “I obviously wasn’t very good at it though, because I got fired.”

  “But it couldn’t have been due to your lack of ability.”

  Zac and Alana agree.

  “Jess, you’re amazing! You should start your own business!” Alana exclaims. “You would rake it in!”

  “Come on. You’re just being nice.”

  “No,” Zac replies. “I think so too.”

  “Stop it,” I smile.

  “You should really think about it,” Alana pushes.

  “Maybe,” I say noncommittally. But inside, I feel a tiny spark of excitement. Maybe I could start my own business. How good would that be? It would take a lot of planning, of course. And I would probably still have to work somewhere else part time until it got off the ground. But it might be possible. I could do whatever hours I wanted…not have to answer to an annoying boss…

  The bell rings. I snap back to reality and look for my students’ files. Plenty of time to dream later.

  ***

  I wake up early the next day feeling energised. I finish off the flyers for the open day and start writing up a business plan. What to call myself…I toss around a few names in my head.

  Should I use my actual name? Jessica is so common though. Maybe I can just use my surname. Harper….How can I use Harper in a business name?

  I chew on my fingernail in contemplation.

  I’ve got it! [S]HARPER DESIGNS!

  I start sketching out some logos. I’m probably going to need a website too. I wonder if anyone I know can build websites.

  Zac has gone out for the morning. He wanted to check out the indoor rock climbing centre in Juso. I kind of wish he was around so I could bounce some ideas off him.

  I hear the key in the lock. Maybe he’s back early.

  I look to the door hopefully and then frown when I see who it is. Miki. I wish Zac hadn’t given her a spare key.

  “Hello?” she calls out in her little girl voice.

  “It’s only me,” I call out in reply. “Zac isn’t here.” I hope she gets the message and decides to leave.

  No such luck.

  “Oh. Well, I might just wait for a bit.” She flounces in and stops to look at what I’m doing on the computer. I try to close my laptop before she sees, but I’m too late.

  “What’s that?’ she asks.

  “Just some stuff I’m working on.”

  “What’s Sharper Designs?”

  “It’s an idea for a business.”

  “What kind of business?”

  “Graphic design.”

  “And who’s it for?”

  “What do you mean? Me!”

  “I didn’t know you were a graphic designer. Show me some of your stuff.”

  “No. I don’t really have anything here anyway. Most of the work I’ve done was for other companies.”

  “What’s this?” She grabs one of my sketches.

  “Please give that back,” I say, exasperated.

  “Wait, I want to see if you’re any good.” She inspects it and then sniffs. “It’s all right. I can draw better than that, though.”

  “Can you really? Why don’t you show me? I have plenty of paper here.”

  “I can’t be bothered right now.”

  “Then I don’t believe you.”

  She stares at me pityingly. “Believe whatever you want. Drawing is easy. I learnt it back when I was ten. All my teachers said I had potential.”

  “So, what did you do?”

  “Nothing. I don’t need to. Why would I waste my time drawing when there are a million other more interesting things to do?”

  I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as infuriating as Miki. I pack up all my stuff and retreat to my room.

  Then I remember something and go back to confront her.

  “Hey, by the way, thanks for telling Luke about that stupid love hotel.”

  She smiles wickedly. “My pleasure. Did you have fun?”

  “Yeah, loads. Thanks. Why would you do that? And why would you tell Luke that you and Zac stay there all the time? Zac said he’s never been there.”

  Miki looks disconcerted for a second. “What have you been saying to Zac?”

  “Nothing! But just please stay away from my guests in future, okay?”

  “I’d be happy to. They’re all losers anyway.”

  That was a bit uncalled for.

  “Miki, I would appreciate it if you acted a little more maturely. And while we’re at it, I don’t think it’s appropriate you hanging out here when Zac isn’t around.”

  “He said I can stay anytime,” she pouts.

  “Well, I live here too, and I would rather you found somewhere else to go while Zac is out.”

  “You just wait till I tell him what you’ve been saying. He’ll love to hear that you’re trying to kick me out.”

  I ignore her. “Why do you want to be here anyway? Shouldn’t you be out shopping or seeing your other friends?”

  “It’s none of your business what I do.”

  I throw my hands up in the air. There’s no getting through to the girl.

  I go back to my room and slide the door closed. If she tries to come in, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.

  ***

  I work until lunchtime. By then, I have almost finalised my logo and branding. Plus, I’m working on some stuff to put in my portfolio. I produced all of my best work while working for Ace, but they had a policy about retaining copyright, so I can’t claim any of it as my own. But I can use some of the concepts I came up with as inspiration for some new ones. Like my summer theme for a popular low-carb beer. And the speckled effect I did for a music festival. I’d forgotten how great it feels to work on a fresh idea and get the creative juices flowing.

  I decide to break for something to eat. I’ve also been thinking I should visit Masahiro and his family. If I don’t do it soon, I never will. After a quick bite at the ramen shop across the street, I hop on my bike and ride the couple of kilometres to his house. I wonder if Japanese people are okay with the drop-in. I stop on the way and buy some chocolate-covered almonds as a gift for the adults, and some Pocky for the girls. I’m finally learning.

  Masahiro is pleased to see me, and only a little surprised. He ushers me through to the living room. Chihiro is already there, smiling shyly. I can hear the girls playing upstairs. I assume the grandmother is up there too somewhere.

  They accept my chocolates graciously.

  “What have you been doing, Jessica? Is your friend okay? The one who got arrested?”

  “He wasn’t really a friend, but I think he’s all right. I told him he should go back to Australia.”

  “Probably a good idea,” Masahiro says gravely. “It is very bad to get arrested in Japan.”

  “I know. You don’t have to tell me. So how have you been? Working hard?”

  “Always working hard. But we will go to Okinawa for Christmas. Do you know Okinawa?”

  “Is that the island south of Kyushu?”

  “Yes! You have been?”

  “No, but a lot of my students have. They always talk about it.”

  “Ah. You should go. It is very beautiful.”

&n
bsp; “Maybe next year.”

  “So you will stay in Japan now?”

  “I think so. For a while, at least.”

  “That is good. You will do language exchange with me?”

  “I would love to. Only, I think you’ll be teaching me a lot more than I’ll be teaching you.”

  “You will learn Japanese fast. You are a smart girl.”

  “Thanks, Masahiro.”

  The girls come running down the stairs. “Jessica! Jessica!”

  I beam at them and give them their gift.

  “Yum! Strawberry! We like strawberry Pocky, don’t we Mai?”

  Mai nods, though I suspect she doesn’t understand what her sister is saying.

  I hear the grandmother shuffling down the stairs. She nods a brief acknowledgement in my direction and then disappears into the kitchen. I wouldn’t expect anything else.

  “Masahiro, I am thinking of going to Nara today, or maybe Kobe? Where do you think I should visit?”

  “Have you seen the monkeys yet?”

  “No. Where are the monkeys?”

  “They are in Minoh City. You should go to the park and see the waterfall and the monkeys. Also, the leaves are nice in autumn. But it’s maybe too early now.”

  “That sounds lovely. I will definitely visit Minoh.”

  I make plans to meet Masahiro next week at a restaurant near the station for our first language exchange. I’m quite looking forward to finally learning how to speak Japanese.

  I thank Masahiro and Chihiro for having me, and then thank Masahiro again for helping out with the Luke situation. I wave goodbye, leaving them to enjoy the rest of their weekend.

  As I pedal home, I marvel at how my life has worked out. Never in a million years could I have imagined I would be in Japan with such a great group of friends, a lovely adopted Japanese family, and a fun job. And soon, maybe also starting my own business. Life just doesn’t get any better than this.

  After a beautiful afternoon spent in Minoh, where I actually do see a bunch of monkeys (who try to steal the pork bun I got from the 7-Eleven) I realise I want to stay in Japan forever.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  Hmm. When I said I wanted to stay in Japan forever, I didn’t count on getting homesick. As awesome as everything is, there are a lot of things I miss. It’s been fifty-one days since I’ve been able to pop down to Coles for a few groceries, knowing exactly what I was buying, and have the cashier understand everything I say.

  It’s been fifty-one days since I’ve been able to order a burrito at Montezumas. Not that I particularly liked Montezumas, but it was the perfect place to get Mexican at short notice.

  And it’s been fifty-one days since I’ve seen Alex. And even longer since I’ve seen my family. I wake up on the third of October and feel crappy.

  Oh, and it’s my birthday.

  I haven’t told anyone, because I don’t want it to be a big deal, but normally my parents come and visit and we go out for lunch. And then I go out for dinner with Alex and the gang, and maybe to a club after. This year I really wanted to try out a new one in the Valley that opened just before I left.

  I lie in the dark, my curtains pulled closed and Japan blocked out. I’m fed up with all the noise, the neon, and the cartoon characters that advertise everything from life insurance to toilet paper.

  I can’t bear the thought of watching another stupid variety show where someone decides to go out and swap shoes with random people on the street.

  I detest the idea of being perky at work. Lucky for me, it’s Sunday, so at least I don’t have to worry about that today.

  All I want is pancakes for breakfast, pizza for lunch and tacos for dinner. No sushi, no noodles, no strange drinks from the vending machine. Maybe I can get something delivered. I really don’t want to get out of bed. I want to watch a rom-com right here without having to move.

  I hear a soft tapping on my door. Zac tiptoes in. “Jess, are you awake? Your mum is on the phone.” He holds out my mobile.

  “Why have you got my phone?” I ask.

  “You left it on the dining table last night.”

  “Oh.” I take the phone and hold it to my ear. My mum and dad are singing me Happy Birthday in chorus. I feel my eyes welling up.

  “Thanks Mum, thanks Dad.”

  “Sweetie, are you looking after yourself? Are you having fun?”

  I tell them how I’m enjoying my time here, but that today I wish I was with them.

  “Cheer up, honey. It will all be over before you know it. And that Zac chap sounds like such a nice boy. I’m sure he’ll look after you.”

  “You know he’s just my roommate, don’t you?”

  “Of course. But he can still take care of you.”

  “I suppose. Anyway, thanks for calling. It’s really nice to hear your voices.”

  “Call anytime, sweetie. We’d love to hear about all your adventures.”

  “Okay. I’ll talk to you again soon.”

  I hang up and try to compose myself.

  “Are you finished on the phone?” Zac calls out.

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “Come out, I’ve made you breakfast.”

  I jump up and open the door.

  “But you never make me breakfast,” I say.

  “Well it wasn’t your birthday before,” he smiles.

  “How did you know it was my birthday?”

  “I have my ways.”

  “And you did all this for me?” I gaze in wonder at the huge mound of pancakes and maple syrup on the table. “How did you know?”

  “Know what?”

  “That I wanted pancakes?”

  “I didn’t. But I wanted them, so I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone.”

  “Zac, you are amazing!”

  “I know,” he shrugs modestly.

  “Where did you get the maple syrup?”

  “From Costco. Remember I told you about it a while back?”

  “Oh, yeah. You’ll have to show me where it is sometime.”

  “I can show you today if you want. Or would you like to go on a magical mystery tour instead?”

  “Ooh, I like the sound of that.”

  “Knock knock!” Alana lets herself in.

  “You’re just in time,” Zac says.

  Alana hands me a flat wrapped parcel.

  “You knew as well?” I ask her.

  “I know everything,” she says mysteriously. Then she laughs. “It’s on your Facebook, silly.”

  “Ah.” I unwrap the gift to find a stack of tabloid and fashion magazines.

  “They’re American,” she apologises. “But that’s all they had at the bookstore. I hope they’re okay.”

  “They’re great,” I say, tears welling up again. “I’m feeling a bit over Japan today, so maybe I’ll just lock myself in my room and read for a few hours.”

  “Not a chance! We have all kinds of things planned for you, don’t we Zac?”

  “Yep. Sarah will be by a bit later too.”

  “And here I was thinking what a crappy day it was going to be.”

  “You have to have fun on your birthday!” Alana points out. Anyway, it’s obviously going to be tricky avoiding all things Japanese but we’ve got a few ideas. Do you trust us?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Good. Go get ready. We’re leaving in half an hour.”

  ***

  I’m feeling much better as the four of us hop on the train. Sarah also bought me a gift—a Hello Kitty mouse for my laptop. I give her a hug in appreciation.

  Our first stop is a place called Tempozan, where they have a huge Ferris wheel and an aquarium. Zac pays for me before I can argue otherwise. He claims there’s some sort of rule that means I’m not allowed to spend any of my own money on my birthday.

  The Ferris wheel is huge. Apparently it was the biggest one in the world from 1997 to 1999. I enjoy looking out over the city. It takes the edge off reality and makes everything seem a bit easier to manage.

 
And the aquarium is amazing. The Japanese don’t do things by halves. There is a massive multi-storey shark tank right down the middle of the building, and a whole floor devoted to jellyfish that glow under UV lights. What is it with jellyfish and/or UV lights in this country? It’s like they want to make everyone’s day-to-day experience as psychedelic as possible.

  Sarah comes up to me while I’m watching a huge ocean sunfish drifting lazily around in circles.

  “So, how’s it going hon? I suppose you don’t want to talk about anything work-related today?”

  “Not unless you can tell me that V has been fired too.”

  “Sorry, but no. You should see her with David and Hiroshi. They’re like this impenetrable trio. Well, Hiroshi not so much. He obviously doesn’t work in the same office. But he seems to be hanging around a lot more these days. It makes me sick.”

  “Thanks, Sarah. You just made my day that much better.”

  “I don’t know why I brought it up,” she apologises. “I guess I was thinking more about your new work. I’m considering leaving Bella to get a job with you guys.”

  “Why? You’re probably getting paid a lot better where you are.”

  “But it’s so boring! And all the nice people left!”

  “What about Yoshi? He was really nice to talk to. Kind of.”

  “Which one is Yoshi? Oh, you mean the guy with the thick glasses? I guess he’s okay, but he’s so shy.”

  “Well, do what you want. I’m sure Alana will put in a good word for you if you want to join us.”

  “What am I going to do?” Alana eavesdrops on the end of the conversation.

  “Sarah is thinking of coming to work with us at Starlight.”

  “You’re crazy, babe! Stay where you are!”

  “But you guys seem to have so much fun! I always feel left out. And I don’t want to work so hard. I did over fifty hours last week.”

  “Well, if you’re serious, there might be an opening after Christmas. Take some time to think about it and get back to me.”

  “I’ve already made my decision. I’m going to do it,” she states firmly.

  “Yay!” I say. “All my friends working together!”

  Zac appears. “Hey, is it time for lunch yet?”

  ***

  Alana informs me we’re spending the rest of the day in Shinsaibashi. At first, I’m not sure why, because as soon as we enter the crowded marketplace, we’re surrounded by an overload of Japanese culture. But the gang quickly whisk me away to a little Middle Eastern restaurant down a small alley. I don’t know why they’ve chosen this particular cuisine, until I see kebabs on the menu.