“Son of mine,” Mom began, her face scrunched up as she looked at her phone. “Is it really that hard for you to smile more?”

  She was browsing the pictures that the overly enthusiastic girl had posted. Apparently, during the time I was questioning myself whether it was a good idea to faint or not, they—and I meant every other passenger—had not only swapped details on social media but had also created a group chat.

  How about that—a whole society in one night. At the rate they’re going, they might have their own congress by now. The girl had posted all of the photos on the chat for everyone to look at. I was not thrilled. I looked like the very definition of sad. I also think the ghost from the hotel followed me here. I feel cold.

  After their photo-op Remy and Yuki had begun to unload the suitcases from the trunk of the bus.

  “Mommy, I am already dying,” I exhaustedly gasped. "I have a final request."

  “Stop being so melodramatic,” she snorted and crossed her arms. “Doesn’t seem like you’re even mildly bothered.”

  “And you are making a scene, hurry and get up,” she added sharply.

  I was currently spread-eagled on the ground with my eyes closed. The sky was spinning even in my mind’s eye. Reality and I aren’t on speaking terms at the moment. It was hard to tell which way was up and which way was right.

  But shouldn’t the ground be cold, you ask? Don’t worry, the cold will help numb the pain.

  Some of the other guests came over and asked my mother if I was going to be alright. She assured them that I was fine or going to be fine with a smile, thanked them, and waved them off with grace. She had done this exact routine more than a couple of times and by now, she was an expert.

  “This is your fault, you know,” I gasped out. “I wanted to sit on the pavement, but nooOOoo—you just had to make me stand.”

  Mom rolled her eyes with enough force to possibly overturn the entire bus. Then without mercy for her precious firstborn, she took the bag she was carrying and unceremoniously placed it on my stomach.

  “Better?” She asked while still holding the shoulder straps.

  “A bit,” I grunted out. “But still! Cut me some slack, woman! This whole trip was your idea!”

  My mother just sighed. We tend to do this little skit every time we have a bus ride longer than an hour. Part tradition, part comedy, full-on coping mechanism. My brother was talking to Remy and Yuki, who, at this point, had finished unloading all the luggage. They were only a few paces away.

  “Alright everyone,” Remy called out when he noticed that I was visibly calming down. “Please gather here for a brief announcement.”

  Mom looked down at me, concern still visible on her face. I shook my head slowly. I did not want to aggravate whatever was left in my stomach. She reluctantly nodded and left me to join the crowd that formed around Remy and Yuki.

  It’s not like I can’t hear them. I am weak, not deaf.

  “Sorry for the late introductions everyone, but this man,” he said then gestured to Yuki. “Is Yukihito Namihara, and he is our, well mostly your designated bus driver for the duration of your stay here.”

  “Hello everyone, nice to meet you,” Yuki said in Japanese. He smiled, then bowed—a formal, courteous greeting.

  He then switched to English, though his Japanese accent was still dominant. “I will, wait for you so, do not worry about, time. I will, get to you, where you, want to go. But not on sea. I cannot swim.”

  That last line was met with chuckles from everyone. Which is quite fair. On account of their vehicle, any driver would draw the line at suddenly becoming an aquatic-based motorist on the fly.

  Remy then nodded to him; Yuki nodded in kind and went to the bus to get something. That better be snacks he’s going to bring back.

  “Once all of you are inside the hotel, everyone will need to sign in with the people at the reception desk first.” he said, beginning his explanation.

  “And, I am sure that all of you still remember our house rules?” he asked the people around him. A chorus of somewhat enthusiastic yeses came from the crowd.

  “Good,” he answered, sounding pleased, then continued. “I will add one more, just the one.”

  He paused a bit. He was waiting for Yuki who had brought out a wooden box. Everyone was focused on the wooden box, everyone gathered, was curious to see what was inside.

  Was it food?

  Drinks?

  My dignity?

  When he opened it, there was a kind of shocked silence as the contents were revealed.

  “This,” he said as he held up one of the contents for everyone to see. “Shall be your badge.”

  He was holding up a small, polished silver shield. It was only as big as half a phone though not as thick. Decorating its edges was intricate filigree and patterns. The polished metal seemed to glow under the lights of the streetlights and the moon.

  “Please carry this with you at all times,” Remy continued. “This will act as your pass to get around the hotel. You can also use it at any establishments that we will visit, to buy souvenirs at a discount. For example, if you want to eat, you just have to present these to either the waiter or the manager and they will understand.”

  “Here at the hotel, there will be a place reserved just for you to eat. It is located on the tenth floor to the left—a function room that will also serve as the location of the event. The lounge on the ground floor, on the west hand side, is open as well, for any of you who want some coffee or a place to relax.”

  “We do have a few more restaurants on the upper floors. However, those are not free and must be paid by yourselves. Of course, if you have the financial capability then please, feel free.”

  With his explanation finished, both he and Yuki started handing out the items.

  I had already stood up and put the bag down. I was eyeing the entirety of the cache of objects Remy and Yuki were distributing. I focused my attention on either of them, but both seemed to magically ignore eye contact.

  “Uh, where’s ours?” Wills asked when Yuki closed the lid of the box.

  Remy didn’t answer immediately, instead he held up one finger, and bade my brother to wait.

  “Alright, with this, everyone is free to enter the hotel.” Remy addressed the crowd, before pointing towards the grand doorway. “Head straight towards the reception so that everyone can get checked into their rooms. You cannot miss it; it is just on the right, opposite the lounge.”

  “And lastly, once again, welcome to Japan and have a pleasant evening.” He finished with a flamboyant bow, and a radiant smile.

  With that, most people grabbed their suitcases, turned, and walked towards the hotel. Remy then turned his attention to my mother and brother.

  “Yours are already with your father,” he explained before he gestured that they should follow him. He walked over to where I was eyeing him and Yuki.

  “Your father had also finished the check-in process for the three of you and has your room keys,” he said, then turned towards me. “So, all of you can go directly to your rooms and rest.”

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  Go to my room and rest? Is it weird that one of the punishments used when I was kid is like a life goal now?

  “Oh, how thoughtful of him,” Mother said with a small smile. “Do you happen to know where we could find him?”

  “Couldn’t you just call him?” I interjected; my tone had some edge to it as I wordlessly handed Remy my bag.

  He looked at me and sighed, but accepted the bag anyway. With how rude I am being, mother could only scowl at me, and I feel a rebuke was fast approaching.

  “No wait,” I called as I motioned back the bag. Then I groaned weakly “Remy, carry me.”

  “Nii-san, how many shades of white can you turn into?” my brother deadpanned.

  Well, I am glad that your eyes can see in low light conditions brother, but you’re not helping! I am still dizzy! Mother could only sigh. Again. Remy and Yuki sent each other a glance and both sighed. People keep sighing nowadays, is this a new trend?

  ========================================================================

  “Your husband was at the lobby when we left to go fetch you at the airport,” Remy answered as we were walking towards the door of the hotel. “Unless he decided to go elsewhere, he should still be there.”

  Remy was handling both my bag and my suitcase while I was supported by Yuki. Since we were close to the same height, the two decided that the best way to get me from point A to point B was to half-carry me like a wounded soldier.

  Well, my pride is wounded at least. Emotionally, I was fine, physically, questionable. Dignity? Haven’t seen that thing since the previous chapter.

  My brother and mother were keeping pace. Both of them were talking with Remy about the hotel’s interior and accommodations. When we entered the hotel, a wall of warm air greeted us. The hotel’s HVAC system was so good that even if it was winter outside, we wouldn’t be able to notice it.

  Shame, I love the cold.

  Before we could enter the lobby, we had to pass through two metal detectors, and were thoroughly searched by two guards, while another paired checked our luggage. Hells the security here could give some airports a run for their money.

  We got a good look around and saw the large chandelier father described. It was definitely there, gaudy as it was. And below that, was the man himself. Mi padre, mi papá, mi tata, mi abba. He was sitting cross-legged and scowling directly at our direction.

  When we were near enough, he stood up and greeted Remy and Yuki. Yuki nodded with a wry smile before allowing me to slide into one of the vacant chairs.

  Both my mother and brother had put down their burdens beside the chair father was sitting on so that it did not block the way for the other guests. Remy did the same for my luggage before he turned to face my father.

  “Thank you for, ha—h, looking after him,” my father said before extending a hand towards Remy.

  The sigh in the middle was rather uncalled for. Remy, smiling ear to ear, took it.

  “Of course, sir, it’s no problem. He’s a good friend who has my back, it’s the least I can do.” Remy said lightly, before excusing himself and Yuki for the night. “I should give all of you some privacy. No doubt your family is tired from the flight and travel.”

  My father nodded to him and Remy turned to me.

  “Remember tomorrow night, around eight,” he said rather strictly. I lazily waved my hand in his direction to say I understood.

  I haven’t forgotten, I have motion sickness not dementia.

  With that Remy and Yuki stood ramrod straight and bowed as one before leaving towards the elevators.

  ========================================================================

  “What was that about?” My father sternly asked me, his gaze as piercing as ever.

  “Games. He’s an old friend,” I replied tiredly. I don’t have enough energy to deal with this amount of shit in one day.

  Before he could press further, mother spread her hands. Father, still a bit reluctant to let the matter go, sighed. Both embraced in a rather long and quiet hug. I don’t think I got off there, the scolding was merely delayed, not cancelled.

  “Are you going to be able to get to your rooms on your own?” He asked after the two of them let go of each other.

  “Depends, where’s my cell at?” I asked as I shakily stood up and began collecting my effects from the pile.

  My father sighed at my antics before he began gathering mom’s luggage.

  “The hotel is fifty-five stories high and both of your rooms are on the fiftieth floor.” Father said after he saw that both me and my brother were ready to go.

  “Our room is on the forty-ninth. It’s on the left, number twenty,” he finished before he wordlessly passed us both the keys and the silver shields. We quickly stuffed them into our pockets.

  I looked at the number on my keys, then glanced at my brother’s. My key had the number 50-014 while my brother had 50-010. That room was at the opposite end of the hallway. Along the way, we passed by the other delegates at the reception desk. The translator was having the time of his life managing the sudden influx of people.

  “There are eight elevators in this hotel,” Father explained as we waited for the elevator. “Four go up to the twenty-fifth floor. The rest are on the twenty-fifth floor and continue up to the top.”

  “So, two rides,” My brother said while looking at me with a teasing grin. “Hope you don’t throw up again.”

  “I keep telling you people, I am going to be fine!” I all but groaned out. “Planes, and yes, even elevators, don’t change direction every five seconds.”

  Before I could let out another word, the lift announced its arrival with a small ‘ding.’

  We hurriedly got inside, and as soon as the door closed behind, father rounded on me. The elevator ride was not silent. Unfortunately, it was not a short ride mainly because my father managed to give me a lecture.

  It’s close to the things Mom said but expressed much more efficiently. Apparently, my old man is psychic and he predicted everything that had happened. That, or my mom conveyed everything that had happened in the amount of time they both hugged. It’s either that or the other.

  I’m… I’m running out of witty things to say at this point.

  “Go to sleep,” were the last words he said to us before the door closed again. The tone in his voice was unmistakable. It wasn’t a request; it was a command.

  When we arrived at the fiftieth floor, we parted ways, my brother went to the right, while I went to the left. The layout of this hotel is that the rooms get progressively wider the higher you go up. Starting from the fortieth floor, there are only twenty rooms per floor.

  Here on the fiftieth up to the fifty-fourth floors, there are fourteen rooms each. Ten on the right and the extra four rooms on the left are for the condominiums/suites, while the top deck is used as a restaurant.

  I was placed in one of the suites—the one I frequently stayed in. It was a long day, now, it was about to get longer.