Monday - Tokyo

Arthit's POV

Tokyo brings back a lot of memories. Terrible memories that is. The last time I was here was three years ago with Chet. The trip was bad from the get go. After we checked-in, and we went to the lounge. I took a nap because we had booked a red-eye flight to save money, and we still had plenty of time. Chet was supposed to keep watch, but he was too busy playing on his phone that we missed our boarding call. We ended up paying for another ticket to get there. So much for saving. On top of that, our luggage had flown without us. So, we spent the whole first day at the airport just trying to track our luggage.

Our intentions were to see true Sakura trees bloom. We thought we had timed it right, but when we got here, it turned out that that winter was too long, and the Sakura hadn't bloomed yet. I was so disappointed. Another thing that we didn't plan for was how cold it was. We had checked the weather before going, but we figured it was spring, and the flowers were blooming. It couldn't possibly be that cold. Being in Bangkok for so long, I didn't know what is truly cold. Apparently, 17 Celsius was freezing to us.

I tried to tough it out wearing as many layers as possible, but Chet ran out, and bought himself a Burberry Blue Label jacket that's only available in Japan. He kept saying that he can wear it all the time, and make good use of it. I have to say, he did look good in it. So, I gave in and agreed that he buy it with our spending money. We ended up eating mostly fast and cheap food for the rest of the trip. So much for having the best sushi. To make it worse, I got sick from the cold, and slept through two days of our one week trip. And that damn jacket never lasted for more than one season because according to Chet, it was out of style. He did sell it, but I never saw that money.

I hope this trip will be better than my last. By the time I reached the hotel, it was already 11pm. I have a 9am meeting tomorrow, so I needed to get some rest. Although my headache is better now, it's mildly drumming away. I looked at the clock on the nightstand, and it's already 1am. I wondered if Kongpob had dinner tonight. Is he asleep yet? Why couldn't I have remembered to bring my other phone or added him on LINE? My current phone can't even make calls since I've switched to a Japanese sim card that's just for data.

Damn it Arthit! Go to sleep. Stop thinking about him. He will be fine without you. Why do I miss him so much? I've only known him for a couple of weeks. You have a meeting tomorrow. Go to sleep. I turned to sleep on my side, and pulled the covers over my head.
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Oh my God! FUCK! That's why I was sleeping on top of him. Oh my God! Oh my God! How did this happen? I even asked him to flirt with me. And I kissed him. I kissed him! How can I kiss him like that? Wait, did he kiss me back? Of course not. Why would he? Maybe he just passed out on me. This is so embarrassing. How can I face him now? I took advantage of him. He will never want to speak to me again. Me and my stupid crush. I've ruined everything now.

I tossed and turned in panic for the rest of the night. Replaying everything that I remembered from that night. I never would have thought that I would regret so much for finally kissing Kongpob. What should I do now?

I know. I should try to make it back on Friday before he gets off of work, and pack all my things and leave. I should leave him a thank-you note and a gift. I don't think he will want to see me anyway. He would either be angry with me, or it would be too awkward for us to see each other. This is probably for the best.

Tuesday - Tokyo

I got to Mitsubishi Estate's way too early for the meeting, but that's mostly because I didn't even go to sleep last night. The first day of the meeting was more of an introduction to the project. Many of our company's competitors were also there. So, I had to be on best behavior, and represent. It was so hard to stay awake the whole time, as it was first presented in Japanese, and then translated in English. Our company hired a Thai translator for me. So, despite only understanding it in one language, I had to sit there to listen to the same presentation three times. The only thing that really kept me awake was the rerunning images of me kissing Kongpob. I still can't recall his reaction, but I guess he didn't punch me. Maybe he was too drunk to punch me. Aish!

I had so many cups of awful coffee. I really missed Kongpob's coffee, but I guess I won't be having it anymore. The meeting pretty much took the whole day. I was so tired by the time it ended that I went back directly to the hotel after the meeting. I ordered room service, and had their katsu curry (Japanese fried chicken curry over rice). I passed out briefly after that.

Wednesday - Tokyo

Today is the day I presented my company's plan to Mitsubishi Estate's project management team. The project is for the tallest building to be built in Japan. It is expected to be completed by 2027. Everything went smoothly, and now I just needed to wait for the clients to discuss, and evaluate our plan. They will tell me what needs to be adjusted by Thursday. So, I managed to get out of the meeting by 3 o'clock. Upon leaving, one of the clients came up to me. We bowed towards each other per Japanese custom.

Sora: Hello, Mr. Ronajpat. My name is Sora Fudosan. Your presentation was very well presented and thorough. If all goes well, we will have more opportunity to work together.

Arthit: Mr. Fudosan, you can speak Thai?

Sora: Haha...yes, but it is very rusty as I have not had much chance to practice in many years. I used to work in Bangkok when I was young, and my roommate taught me to speak. That is also why my Thai is not proper.

Arthit: No, it's quite good. I'm very impressed. How long were you in Bangkok?

Sora: I was there for seven years. I still miss a lot of my favorite food there. I can't get those authentic dishes here, and quite frankly anything Thai here is never spicy enough.

Arthit: You like spicy food too? I love spicy food, but I've cut back lately.

Sora: Why cut back? Spicy makes the meal so much more exciting.

Arthit: I agree, but my roommate doesn't eat for long stretches at a time, and I'm afraid that too much spiciness can upset his stomach. So, I've been cutting back when I cooked.

Sora: You can cook? That's impressive.

Arthit: Haha...just a little, nothing fancy.

Sora: You are fun to talk to. Would you be interested in having dinner with me? It's okay if you have plans already. It's just fun to brush up my Thai.

Arthit: Well, I would love to, but there's a place nearby that I wanted to visit while I'm here.

Sora: Nearby? Let me guess, is it Senso-ji?

Arthit: How did you know? I didn't get a chance to visit Senso-ji last time I was here, so I wanted to do it this time.

Sora: If you don't mind, I can go with you. I haven't been since New Year, so maybe it's time for me to go too.

Arthit: That would be nice. You can be my tour guide. Haha.

Sora: Sure, and you can be my Thai tutor. Just give a few minutes to pack up. How about I meet you downstairs in the lobby in ten minutes?

Arthit: Sure. No rush. Take your time. I will see you downstairs.
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Mr. Fudosan drove us to Senso-ji Temple, a temple for the goddess of Mercy. I missed out on visiting this place last time since I was sick, Chet came alone without me. When I got better, he didn't want to come again, so I ended up missing this famous spot.

Today, I needed all the mercy I can get. This year has been disastrous. My life is so pathetic. I got dumped by my loser ex-boyfriend, and then I fell in love with Mr. Perfect, but he is fucking straight. I made a fool out of myself, and now I can't even face him. I miss him so much, yet I don't think I can look him in the eye again. Heavens, please have mercy on me, let this be just a nightmare. Whoever that is writing my fate, please just give me a break, or just kill me off already so I can start all over.

Sora: Mr. Ronajpat, what are you praying for that's got you looking so serious?

Arthit: Please just call me Arthit. I'm not praying for anything in particular, just for a smoother year.

Sora: Alright, I will call you Arthit, and you can call me Sora then.

Walking around Senso-ji, Sora and I looked around at some of the souvenir shops. I bought a few keychains for my co-workers and friends.

Arthit: So, do you come here often?

Sora: No, mostly only during the major holidays with my family. On regular days, us locals try to avoid this place as much as possible. It's become too commercialized and touristy.

Sora points to my bag of keychains to make a point, and I nodded. I guess it's true. It's very much the same for our famous temples in Bangkok too. My family would rather go to smaller local temples than the big ones like Wat Pho unless it was for a special occasion.

After Sora and I walked around, he took me to a quiet local sushi restaurant. It was the best sushi I've ever had. The freshest of the fresh.

Arthit: Last time I was here, I wanted to go to Sushi Dai in the Tsukiji market, but the wait was too long, and my friend refused to get up early for it. Have you been? Is it all it's cracked up to be?

Sora: I have been there a few times, and yes, it is excellent for the money. However, I don't think it's worth three hours 'wait' good. Also, there's no way I would wake up at 2am to get in line with a bunch of tourists. Sushi here is just as good, but just a few bucks more. A few bucks that I would gladly pay.

Arthit: Hmm, I'm glad to have met you. You've saved me from getting in that three hour line.

Sora chuckles.

Sora: Well, don't get me wrong. You should still try it at least once for the experience. It's not famous for nothing.

I nodded to that.

After dinner, Sora dropped me back at the hotel. I had decided to call it a night, and just relax for a bit. After I showered, I sat on the bed. I took out the keychains I had bought earlier. Looking at the one that I got for Kongpob, I wondered if I should even give it to him. Will he just throw it away? My mind constantly drifted to him all day. I feel like I'm suffering a breakup when we haven't even dated.

I tried not to think too much about anything, and go to sleep. I'll worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes.