Free Summertime of the Dead by Gregory Hughes Page A

the backstreet and wait outside the club. My biggest problem would be if the Tanaka girls were there with their bodyguards, because I wouldn’t like to take on too many at once. But if they were, so be it.
    It was around midnight as I rode through the Shibuya Crossing. It was a Saturday night and as hot as hell and the crossing was really busy. I turned away from the bright lights and took a quick tour of the backstreets. Then I parked the bike in a side road just behind the Tokyu Department Store. It would only be a short run from the club, and the road was fairly dark. But as I locked my helmet to the bike the butterflies came. I couldn’t help but worry about being caught, or killed, and the thought of prison was never far off. But quite often a samurai had to choose between breaking the law and the bushido code. I knew that what I was about to do was criminal, but it was also justice.
    I held the bag with the sword to my side, and pushing the handle up into my armpit I headed up to the main road. I pulled my hood up when I saw two security guards at the back entrance of theTokyu building, but they were only concerned with their conversation. But when I got to the corner there were punk rockers hanging around outside the FamilyMart. I even noticed a leather-clad girl glaring at me, as though wondering what I was concealing. Or maybe she was wondering why I had my hood up in the heat. I must have looked so shady. I kept the sword close to my side and crossing the road I headed up to Paradise. The backstreet was more brightly lit than I remembered and it was just as busy as the main road. The music was blasting from the clubs and the reggae bars and there were partygoers parading up and down. I passed the couples waiting to enter Club Asia and the younger crowd outside Club Atom. And as I passed them I could feel them watching me. It was as if everyone knew what I was about to do. The butterflies turned septic in my stomach then, and the street, which stank of pizza and perfume, made me feel sick.
    But then, as I neared Paradise I saw a man outside. He had his back to me but it looked like Kako! My legs began to quiver and my hands shook as the adrenalin pumped through my body. I looked back down the street to see how far I’d have to run. It wasn’t too far but it was packed with people. I wasdying to kill him, but I was just as desperate to get away. Then, in my mind, I saw Miko smiling up at me. I saw Kako ogling her. Then I saw her hanging by her neck. ‘Do it, Yukio!’ I took the sword by the handle and headed towards him. I was so close I could hear him speaking on his cell. I got ready to draw the sword, but suddenly he turned and came towards me. It wasn’t Kako. It didn’t even look like him!
    I waited for the guy to pass and then I moved towards the entrance of the club. If Kako’s in the doorway, I’ll kill him where he stands! But the door was closed and there was a padlock on it. I couldn’t understand it. It was Saturday night. A girl in long boots came by.
    â€˜What happened to the club?’ I asked.
    â€˜I think the cops closed it,’ she said without stopping.
    I pulled the hood from my head. He wasn’t here and he wasn’t going to be here. And I didn’t know where to find him. I felt so drained when I thought about it. But for now there was nothing I could do. And so putting the sword under my arm I headed back down the street.

6
    I ran on the road that went around the inside of Yoyogi Park. It was a nice morning with a fresh breeze and the sun was flickering through the trees. But inside my head there was rage and pain. I kept seeing Kako with Miko, and Louise laughing, and Riko dancing like a demon. And then I started to run faster, and as I ran I killed them in my mind. I kept going until my lungs were screaming, and they were dead, and sweat was pouring from my head. I put my hands on my hips and sucked up deep breaths. I couldn’t