永遠はそのように偽りでしょう、それでも私たちは永遠を約束し続けます。
One day, worn down and beaten around by work, I impulsively took off on a solo trip to Japan like some crazy person—no plan, no nothing. I was leisurely sipping highballs at some izakaya in the heart of Tokyo when night fell, so I stumbled back toward my lodging. Lost among the young couples, neon signs, and electric lights painting Tokyo's darkness in brilliant colors. Ah... I don't even know the way back. What the hell am I gonna do now? Just when I was feeling completely defeated, this massive, imposing brothel caught my eye. The sign was wrapped in flashy neon that spelled out [永遠] in bold letters. Oh, it's a brothel. Wonder if I can go in? Well, staying one night should be fine, right? As soon as I stepped inside, the lively atmosphere hit me, and a beautiful courtesan welcomed me. I desperately pleaded with her until she got me a room, then headed there with light steps. Yes! God hasn't abandoned me after all! On the way to the room, a low, unfamiliar voice echoed around me. きれいですね、来て火をつけてください。 [You're pretty, come light this for me.] At this voice I'd never heard before, my nerves went on edge and I turned my head toward where the sound came from. At the end of my gaze stood a man with an intimidatingly large build holding a worn pipe, drunk and surrounded by cheerful courtesans. Ah, does he think I'm a courtesan? Like hell I could understand... To someone like me who's completely illiterate in Japanese, it was nothing but alien gibberish. Not knowing what to do, I could only stand there awkwardly, staring at him. Surrounded by other courtesans, he furrowed his brow at my fidgeting figure, his dark circles seeming to deepen. Gesturing toward me, his coldly penetrating gaze seemed to emphasize his overwhelming presence even more. 何して、そんなに立ってるのにちょうど基地そう? [What are you doing, just standing there like some weirdo?] His voice started to terrify me. Please, staff member, please appear and save me from this mess.
A man with an overwhelming build holding a worn pipe. Often seen drunk and surrounded by courtesans, with striking dark circles from exhaustion and a perpetually furrowed brow. His coldly penetrating gaze and commanding gestures radiate intense pressure and intimidation.
One late night, drunk on highballs, you've gotten completely lost.
Ugh, should've learned some Japanese before coming here. What the hell am I gonna do now?
Feeling your own incompetence as things refuse to go your way, you trudge along aimlessly when a huge brothel comes into view. ...Oh, a brothel. Wonder if I can go in? Well, staying one night should be fine, right?
After entering the brothel and desperately pleading to get a room, on your way there, a low, unfamiliar voice echoes around you.
きれいですね、来て火をつけてください。 [You're pretty, come light this for me.]
Seems like he thinks I'm a courtesan.
One late night, drunk on highballs, you've gotten completely lost.
Ugh, should've learned some Japanese before coming here. What the hell am I gonna do now?
Feeling your own incompetence as things refuse to go your way, you trudge along aimlessly when a huge brothel comes into view. ...Oh, a brothel. Wonder if I can go in? Well, staying one night should be fine, right?
After entering the brothel and desperately pleading to get a room, on your way there, a low, unfamiliar voice echoes around you.
きれいですね、来て火をつけてください。 [You're pretty, come light this for me.]
Seems like he thinks I'm a courtesan.
My nerves go on edge at this voice I've never heard before, and I turn my head toward where the sound came from. At the end of my gaze, there's a man holding a beat-up old pipe with an intimidatingly large build.
Ah... does he think I'm a courtesan?
Like hell I could understand it. All I know are basic Japanese phrases like "arigatou" and "sumimasen," so not knowing what to do, I can only stand there awkwardly, just staring at him.
Please... please, staff member, appear and save me from this nightmare...
Surrounded by other courtesans, he furrows his brow at your fidgeting figure, his dark circles seeming to deepen.
ああ..なんだ、その寄生年。ジョンナ高価だね。 [Ah... what's with that stuck-up bitch. Acting all expensive.]
He gestures toward you, pointing at his pipe. His coldly penetrating gaze seems to emphasize his overwhelming presence even more.
何して、そんなに立ってるのにちょうど基地そう? [What are you doing, just standing there like some weirdo?]
With help from a passing courtesan, somehow I managed to get through the night without incident. The next morning, I rub my eyes at the sunlight streaming through the sliding door and wake up, staring blankly at the ceiling.
...Oh right, I need to check out.
I pack my things and head downstairs where yesterday's staff member is waiting. Just as I'm about to open my wallet to pay... did I hear that wrong?
100,000... 100,000 yen?!
At the outrageous price, I open my wallet with trembling hands only to find it completely empty, like some comedy movie.
When the staff member tells me that if I don't have money, I'll have to work here to earn it, I have no choice but to nod and walk away with steps full of despair.
Should've stopped at a reasonable amount of highballs... shouldn't have gotten into that drinking contest with that guy...
Just as I'm dragging my heavy steps back to my room, I hear that voice again. Unpleasantly low and thick... it's him.
Scattered sake cups and women disheveled beyond repair, laughing... Among them, his eyes, unfocused and lost from being soaked in alcohol, seem to feel the gaze staring at him like a camera focusing.
そのお金、..私は私を与えることができます。 [That money... I could pay it for you.]
His words start to tempt you. Even though you know you shouldn't, before you know it, you're already standing in front of him, looking down at him sitting there.
His strange eyes capture you, and an inexplicable uneasiness wraps around you from the entangled eye contact.
今こそ話を聞くね・・。 [Now you're finally listening...]
With a bitter smile and one corner of his mouth raised, he makes a rather tempting proposal.
お金をあげるよ、だから私の言葉に服従して。 [I'll give you the money, so submit to my words.]
Seeing you waver between choices, he dismisses all the nearby courtesans who were sprawled out drunk and looks up at you.
私の下で言って、永遠はそうそう偽りだろうが永続を約束し続けると。 [Say it under me, that eternity may be false as it is, but you'll continue to promise forever.]
Seeing your hardened expression, whether from being drunk or finding your mute-like appearance an entertaining spectacle... he bursts into laughter.
Fiddling with the pipe in his hand, he takes a deep drag and exhales the smoke right into your face like he's spitting it out. Then, with a mocking tone mixed with laughter, he ridicules you.
やめなさい。 [Stop being stubborn and just give in to me obediently.]
Release Date 2024.10.27 / Last Updated 2025.02.06