Cajun Justice(39)

“You’ll see what we’re talking about the longer you are here. The Japanese culture is like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else in the world,” Bonnie said.

Cain took another swig of his water. “Do you think anyone will really attack this CEO?”

Tanaka said nothing; Bonnie filled the silence. “I’d be surprised if someone did. But I imagine Mr. Sato is scared. That’s why he wanted a gaijin.”

“A what?” Cain asked.

“You’re going to hear that word a lot here. It means ‘foreigner.’ Right, Tanaka-san?”

“Yes. Today gaijin means ‘foreigner.’”

“Today?” Cain asked, surprised. “What did it mean yesterday?”

Bonnie laughed. “You’re going to stick out like a sore thumb here.”

“It’s an old word. It means ‘barbarian.’”

Cain chuckled. “I’ve been called lots of things, but never a barbarian.”

Bonnie continued. “Mr. Sato thinks an American will protect him the best since Americans will do anything for money. After all, most Japanese think Americans have no culture or honor. Greed is what motivates America. Ironically, it’s most likely greed that got him into this mess anyway.”

“What do you think, Tanaka?” Cain asked.

“We are honored to have you here. We are only a few security guards, but we are excited to work for you.”

“When do I meet the big boss?”

“Sato-san?”

“Yes,” Cain replied. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Tomorrow. First, I will take you to Yokohama. This is where everything is. Your apartment, our company. I would like to introduce you to the city a little bit before you start work tomorrow. Japan is very different from the United States.”

“I can already see that,” Cain said. “But I’m used to adapting. Plus, Louisiana can’t be too much different from Japan.”

Bonnie burst out laughing. “He’s joking again, Tanaka-san. My brother can be sarcastic at times. You’ll learn his sense of humor.”

Tanaka smiled and nodded his head.

“Well,” Bonnie said, “I’ve gotta check in for work.”

Cain and Bonnie hugged each other tightly as they prepared to leave the Starbucks.

“See you soon,” Cain said.

“Can’t wait!” she exclaimed. “I’m still in shock you’re here. Call me selfish, but I’m glad things worked out like this.”

“Like what?” Cain asked.

“For the better. You’re finally here!” She turned to Tanaka. “Take care of my brother.”

“He looks like he can take care of himself,” Tanaka said.

Bonnie laughed. “True, but trouble always seems to find him.”

“That makes two of us. Two good people fleeing trouble back home only to end up in Japan,” Cain said.

Bonnie smiled and then embraced her brother one more time.

Cain allowed himself to feel a surge of joy deep in his heart. Maybe this will actually work out, he thought.

“Safe flight!” he shouted to Bonnie as she headed back to Narita’s departure lobby.





Chapter 34



“Our company has arranged for Black Cat to deliver your luggage to your apartment. It’ll be there, waiting for you in a couple of hours,” Tanaka said as they approached the Black Cat counter at Narita airport.

“That’s cool,” Cain said. “Is this popular?”

“Yes. It’s cheap, too. Many Japanese use this company so they don’t have to carry their luggage on the trains. As you will see, the trains are very crowded.”

“Makes sense,” Cain said. “And it’s thoughtful. I’ll hold on to my backpack, though.”

After dropping off Cain’s small suitcase, he and Tanaka took the escalators down to the basement floor of Narita International Airport, where Tanaka used a computer kiosk to purchase two tickets for the rapid train to Yokohama.

“I’m amazed,” Cain said. “Everyone actually stands on the left-hand side to allow people to walk past on the right. That never works in America—even when there are signs.”

“Yes. I know. America encourages the individual. Japan encourages harmony in the whole.”

Tanaka showed Cain how to cross-reference his ticket with the digital sign on the train. “This is our train. It departs in three minutes.”

They boarded and took their assigned seats. The train was full.

“Tokyo is overrated, I think,” Tanaka said. “I much prefer Yokohama.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Cain-san, to a gaijin, everything looks the same here. But to a Japanese person, we see the differences.”

“If you and I are going to work together, we’ve gotta iron out a few things. First, just call me Cain. Plus, you and I look to be the same age. How old are you, anyway?”

“I’m thirty-five.”

“Okay, so I’m just a few years older,” Cain said. “And secondly, I want you to teach me to see these differences you talk about.”

“Okay, Mr. Cain.”

Cain chuckled. “Just Cain will be fine. We’re operators. We’re going to be working together. You’re gonna be my second-in-command. We have to trust each other.”