“Ohayou gozaimasu, minasan!” The site supervisor cheered, and everyone echoed back to him.
“Thank you all for volunteering. I know we have a few new faces today so I will go through our safety tips again.” He continued.
Are we going to stand around listening to this all day?
The remains of the skyscraper loomed over the construction site. The early morning sun partially eclipsed by the buildings corpse.
Large backhoes had cleared a space already around the building. And long tracks lead off in each direction through the rubble. Some piles were 5 meters high and twice as wide.
Naota adjusted his reflective safety vest.
How long do they expect this clean up to take? Summer break will be over before we even make a dent in all this!
“Anzen daiichi wo kokorogake mashou. Safety first everyone. If you see something that looks dangerous, if your feet feel unsteady, if something seems too heavy, then ask for help.”
Obviously.
Several elderly people gave the site supervisor polite bows with their heads.
“Those of you using wire cutters, do not cut towards yourself. Those of you using sledge hammers, proper form is: lift to hips, lift above head, and swing down. Let the hammer’s weight do the work. And lunch is at 11, make sure to take frequent water breaks.”
The volunteers in the crowd mumbled excitedly in agreement.
“And if you see something strange… well you will know when you see something. Call for agent Jones. He’s standing right over there.”
The site supervisor gestured to a man in his typical black suit and black sunglasses. The agent stood at attention not looking at anyone.
“And the agency has asked me to remind you to not cross the caution tape.” The site leader said. “It is there for your protection.”
People started to shuffle their feet. One person cracked their knuckles.
“Alright everyone last thing before we start. Rajio Taisō, raise your arms and breathe deeply with me!” The site leader cheered.
-
“Stupid Adults.” Naota huffed.
He was making his second trip back to the big flatbed trailer. His basket was full of fist size chunks of rubble. He had been assigned one of the areas behind the building. It had been a mess and twice he had stopped to break apart large chunks of rubble before he could move in deeper.
Naota stubbed his toe but kept his feet under him, the weight of the basket of rocks on his back nearly pulled him over.
“Stupid volunteer work.”
Naota wiped his brow on his arm and took off his hard hat. It was a lot of work breaking rocks and he had not yet gotten the timing correctly so he often missed his swings.
“Stupid hammer!” He said to him self. “Why does it have to be so heavy!”
A guitar would work much better!
Naota entered the central area of the construction site and made a beeline for the flat bed.
“That’s your second basket. Better pick up the pace.” Kawaii Senpai said.
“I don’t see you moving any rocks, senpai.” Naota said. “So who cares if I’m slow, I’ve moved more rocks than you.”
He stepped past her. He tripped. His basket finally threw him off balance and he banged his shoulder and head on the ground.
“Hehehe.” One of the girl’s lackeys laughed as he dusted off his shoe.
“Watch where you are going brat.” She said and laughed loudly behind her hand at him.
Naota’s hackles rose and he could hear his heart pumping. The iron shaped facility on the hill did not react.
Naota felt his head and it was bleeding. One of his eyebrows had come off. It was sitting in the dust staring at him.
No! Wait, no lump. I’m okay. Stay calm idiot, don’t get into a stupid fight.
“Whatever.” Naota said and picked the eyebrow back up and stuck it to his head.
He brought his basket back to the flatbed and started tossing the stones into the pile one at a time.
The site supervisor came over with a clip board and watched Naota work for a minute before walking away.
Two baskets in an hour isn’t bad. It’s my first day and my arms are too skinny for this.
A Jiisan strode past confidently. He had his shirt off and draped over his neck and shoulders. He was carrying a large chainsaw with a stone cutting blade as if it weighed nothing. His tan chiseled physique was on full display.
“Stupid adults.” Naota spat and picked up his empty basket.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
-
Raise to the waist. Up to your shoulder. Plant your feet. Lift the sledge hammer up and let it fall down. The weight of the hammer will do the work.
Naota swung the sledge hammer down on the large piece of rubble beside him. It nicked the concrete. Another glancing blow.
“Dammit!” He shouted and let the sledge hammer fall to the ground.
Naota sat down on the chunck of building. He squeezed his eyes shut and rested his head on his hands.
What am I doing out here? This is crazy. How is anyone supposed to do this all day? Can I really do this all summer?
“Good idea, taking a break.” The Site supervisor called over.
He was walking carefully through the rubble to where Naota was sitting.
“Mind if I join you?” He asked.
Naota dusted off his hands and pants quickly and gave the supervisor a polite bow.
“Of course, sir.” Naota eeked out. “I mean, yes please do. Sir?”
The supervisor sat down on another chunk of concrete and produced a couple cups for water and a plastic water bottle with crisp clear liquid inside.
“Have some water while you rest.” He said. “Then we can try the hammer again.”
Why are you being so nice?
Naota accepted the water and thanked the supervisor.
“Do you want some advice?” The supervisor said as he looked back over the top of his glass at the center of the construction site. “Don’t swing so hard.”
Kawaii Senpai leaned back against the flat bed and lit a cigarette.
“Don’t swing so hard.” The supervisor said again. “You are swinging it like a bat. Just let the hammer’s weight fall down, it will break the rubble. We are just lifting and aiming the hammer.”
Kawaii Senpai turned towards Naota and they locked eyes. She shrugged with her cigarette and Naota stuck out his tongue.
“Now show me what you can do.” The site supervisor said. “There’s a nice sized chunk, give it another try.”
Don’t over do it? Let the stupid hammer do the work? Could there be any more basic advice?
Naota stood over the chunk of rubble and gave it another try. He missed again.
“Turn your body and plant your feet so you are facing the chunk squarely.” The supervisor sang brightly.
Naota squared up strait on to the rubble, rather than sideways.
It’s not like swinging a bat. I have to hit it strait on.
He hefted the hammer into the first position, parallel to the ground at hip level.
Gonna smash this rock.
He brought the hammer up to his shoulders and quickly raised it above his head.
I made this mess, Haruko and I and Atamsk. I’ll clean it up myself.
His swing felt right. The hammer fell straight and true. Something clicked and the chunk of rubble broke with a flash of light. Three fist sized pieces sat neatly on the ground ready to be picked up.
“Alright!” Naota cheered.
“That’s the trick. Keep at it.” The site supervisor smiled. “The joys of being young.”
He got up to check on something else.
“Keep up the good work my boy.” He said with a thumbs up.
Something between Naota’s feet caught his eye. It was red and jagged, half buried under one of the remains of the rubble.
What’s this?
Naota reached down to pick it up.
It was about the size of a Kimura marble, flat and warm to the touch. His head buzzed.
What is this?
The little red piece felt ceramic or plastic in his hand.
This is a piece of red Canti… Atamsk! Could this fix Canti?
Naota stuffed the little red mystery into his pocket and stood up.
“You need to report that!” A voice wheezed.
“What?” Naota asked automatically.
One of the portly nerds that hung around with that bossy senpai was pointing at Naota.
“You found something weird. Give it to me.” He said.
“No I didn’t.” Naota said. “It was a bottle cap.”
“Liar!” The nerd shouted and hefted his sledge hammer into the ready position at his hip.
Is he going to attack me? Can that loser even swing that hammer?
The nerd charged, stumbling awkwardly on the loose rocks and debris. He kept his footing and Naota had to jump out of the way to avoid the boy’s hammer attack.
“Oh shit!” Naota said and raised his hammer.
“Hah! Not so tough brat!” The nerd shouted as he stood over Naota.
Naw, this guy has it coming.
Naota kicked the nerd in the knee causing him to stagger back.
Naota hopped to his feet and brought his own hammer to his shoulder.
“Try it again.” Naota said. “I’m already having a bad day.”
“You talk tough for a scrawny brat!”
“All I see is a fat nerdy loser. Should have swung a baguette at me!” Naota said trying to look big and tough.
The high-schooler growled and charged at Naota with his hammer held high ready for a vertical chop.
Too easy! Haruko was much faster!
Naota switched his grip on his hammer, holding the end with the heavy head below his hands like a baseball bat.
He swung and hit the nerd squarely in the ribs. The boy was winded and dropped his hammer.
Nice hit!
The boy’s momentum carried him forwards. Naota tried to scramble out of the way but the larger kid fell on top of him.
“Get off me!” Naota grunted. He tried to roll the nerd off of his legs.
The larger boy grabbed onto Naota’s hammer, wrestling with him while he tried to catch his breath. His thick glasses fell off in the scuffle.
Naota bucked his legs and back but couldn’t shake the nerd off him.
Naota’s basket of rocks was on the ground to the right, just out of reach. His hammer was to the left, also out of reach.
Dammit this big idiot is heavy! He’s grinding me into the dirt.
Naota strained against his attacker, but he was at his limit. The little red piece throbbed rapidly in Naota’s pocket. His head responded to its staccato rhythm.
Not now! I don’t need any crazy robots coming through!
“Give up!” The need wheezed. The boy was trying to hold Naota down and pick up his glasses.
Naota reached into his pocket and grasped the little red shard of Canti in his fist. A jolt ran up his arm directly into his brain. His eyebrows blew off as he raised his fist.
A raw powerchord riff thrummed in his bones.
“What are you-“
Naota’s punch connected with the teen’s jaw. It sent the bigger kid toppling back. The boy ended up with his face in the ground and his butt in the air.
Oh yeah! That’s how you do it!
Naota’s head thrummed and his heart rate quickened. His vision went red around the edges. The sun seemed to glint off of every reflective surface in a prismatic light show.
The glint of a sour soda can fascinated Naota for a long moment. Fractured and bent rebar stuck out from some concrete in abstract loops forming repeating fractals.
What is going on? This feels amazing!
The nerd groaned but stayed down. The boy’s wallet was splayed out on the ground and a few coins were scattered nearby.
I won that fight! On my own! That’s right! I’m the hero of Mabase! Don’t mess around!
Naota’s vision blurred further and a jarring guitar chord reverberated in the back of his mind.
Ugh, that’s not good. Am I going to overflow? I need to find those eyebrows. Where are those eyebrows?
Naota stashed the small red piece back in his pocket.
He looked around and finally spotted the eyebrows.
Miraculously, they did not have even a speck of dust on them and they stuck to his head easily.
“Okay, okay. Just take it easy.” Naota said to himself.
Naota’s mind cleared a few seconds later and his perception of the world returned to normal around him.
Now what to do with this jerk.
Naota collected up the coins and took the cash from the boy’s wallet too.
Serves him right.
The teenager groaned again and started to drool.
Can I just leave him here like this?
“Everything alright over there?” The site supervisor called.
“Sir! A boy tripped and fell over here! He needs help!” Naota called out.
“Help is on the way!”
Naota snuck away farther into the construction site before anyone saw him.