All is packed, and we're ready to head to the bus stop, heavily laden (why, oh why couldn't someone bring a car? They managed it on those rare occasions when they visited me, but never for my own coming and going).
Oe "generously" offers to accompany us to the bus-stop. This is starting to get on my nerves. Isn't it shameful that he's away from work at 6pm? We go, I try to block out his presence while we wait there and then, finally, the bus arrives. Oe shakes my hand, says goodbye, and then, just before the doors close, "See, Nick-san, za baassu izu ontaimu. Japanizu baassu wa ooruweez ontaimu!".
My suitcases are actually too big to move down the aisles of the bus (Why couldn't they bring a car? I know at least some of the AIESECers borrow their parents' cars?!). The bus is crowded too, so we can only sit separately, which is something of a relief. I close my eyes and try to imagine myself in a place where personal space and privacy are respected, where independence and non-conformity can be good things, where young people and foreigners aren't just a nuisance...
Oh. That's why it was "Muri" for me to stay at the dorm overnight. Kanaflex had arranged with the AIESECers beforehand to have me out of there literally the moment that I had finished "working" at the factory. Like when I asked big Naoki why the traineeship was in a backwater Youkaichi factory instead of one of the Head Offices in Osaka, where a finance undergrad would have more to offer. "Oh," he said casually, "because you'll cause less trouble in Youkaichi".
We arrive in Kyoto and my bags (couldn't be moved from the aisle) prevents anyone from getting off. I slide them down to the end of the bus, lug them over the hand rail at the front and head for the Kyoto Station Ticket booths, trying not to lose momentum so we can get back to Kobe as fast as possible. I am hungry, exhausted, and the day's irritations are starting to take their toll. A 20 kilo pack on my back and a 20 kilo suitacase in one hand (assistance anyone?) prevents me changing direction in a hurry, but I see Sakata heading off somewhere else with the bus driver.
Nick: What happened?
Nishi: (loudly) Huh?
My god, that grunt annoys me. In Japanese they have a polite phrase for "Sorry, I didn't catch that", but Japanese young people have picked up this habit from American movies, I think. Stay calm, Nick, he doesn't know how rude it is.
Nick: Sakata-wa doko-e ikuno?
Nishi:Ah, heee peeey chicketto
Nick: Nan-de basu de haraenakatta no?
Nishi: (loudly) Huh?!
Nick: Nan-de ....
Nishi: Ah, noooo cheenji.
Nick: (to self) Why didn't he just ask me for change? Surely it's not that shameful?
Nishi: (loudly) Huh?!
Nick loses control
Angry Nick: Oh for God's sake, learn fucking English, will you? You've fucking studied it for 15 years, why can't you understand a word that I say?
Nishi: (Louder) Huh?!!