Kitty Kat and the Japanese Boy
Picture credit: Lovepik.com
A story I wrote in 2016 when I met a young friend with a Japanese obsession that bordered on pedestal fantasy.
(9-minute read)
Kitty Kat waited anxiously and tugged uncomfortably at her new blue skort. The stiff polyester material wrapped tightly against her ample hips and constricted her when she bent. She stood by the Pasar Seni LRT station watching the milling crowd of Indonesian vagrants and harried looking workers. Any minute now, Tomohiro would appear. Tomohiro whom she had met online 1 week ago; Tomohiro from Japan who had, in an unrelatable way looked cute in his profile picture.
Kitty Kat never paid any attention to fashion but 2 days ago, she had with great enthusiasm marched into a boutique and pushed through aisles and aisles of clothes. She had stared aghast into the mirror as buttons refused to button and material refused to wrap around her rotund body. She had bought the blue skort for RM35 after several frustrated rounds in the fitting room. Swensen her blonde and pouty-lipped colleague had nodded in approval. "You look pretty Kitty Kat."
At 23, Kitty Kat had the innocence of a 15 year old. She had almond shaped eyes and a smooth complexion that added to her child-like guise. Her petite body was a different story. Curvy and clearly post-puberty, Kitty Kat attracted unwanted remarks on the public bus she took daily. Kitty Kat wore a cardigan to work each day, alternating from grey and eggshell. She was uncomfortable with the feeling of walking with bare arms and naked shoulders.
With no experience in a relationship, Kitty Kat had been overjoyed when she received a message from Tomohiro on a Japanese social forum. He had stated that he was looking for friends to hang out with during his short holiday in KL.
"He studied in the University of Washington and speaks good English," she gushed to her colleagues enthusiastically.
They had stared at her in mild irritation, most of them too warped in their feelings of distrust towards men and some plain envious that she had landed a Japanese cutie.
"He could be a pervert!" said Anis her colleague.
"Is it safe?" asked another.
"What if conversation runs dry after 40 minutes. You'll be bored stiff for the rest of the 4 hours you're stuck with him," yet another chimed in.
"Ohmigod, you mean you're going?" another one guffawed.
They were all so annoying. Despite the united discouragement, Kitty Kat messaged Tomohiro and made plans to meet. Little Kitty Kat had a wily and determined mind that bedevilled many who thought her submissive. Kitty Kat was the restless Gen Y who enjoyed anime, Marvel movies and Japanese culture. Entertaining the thought of a boyfriend took up her time occasionally, and therefore, Tomohiro's arrival was a matter of great importance to her life reel. Tomohiro the Japanese cutie was coming down and preparation had to commence.
Kitty Kat had started the process by googling fashion images. She had keyed in - "How to wear shorts and blazer," and Google had offered her hundreds of ideas, although all predictably for skinny girls. She sent whatsapp pictures to her friends on her planned outfit. Did she look fat? Did she look lame? "Can I pair my spaghetti with my blue blazer?" she texted Swensen. "Forget the blazer and show off your cleavage hahaha," Swensen had joked. "Stop joking Swen."
Kitty Kat was on a mission. All night, rather than lose herself in another fantasy novel, she experimented with her small wardrobe that consisted of the same modest clothes. She found herself sweating from getting in and out of clothes. Who would have thought that choosing an outfit could be so tiring? Finally at the chime of 12 midnight, her bed strewn with too many things she wouldn't wear, Kitty Kat flopped on bed exhausted from all the clothes-heaving and fell into a satisfied slumber.
And now on a hot Saturday, Kitty Kat stood awkward in a diffident blue denim shirt and her tight skort. She had seen this chic combination on the page of a skinny fashion blogger. Kitty Kat's version was a watered down version of the Leighton Meester look she originally wanted, but oh well. She had survived on beans and sugarless tea for the past 3 days and her body had reacted better to the confined spaces in the skort today. Kitty Kat began to feel nervous. How should she position herself while she waited? Should she pretend to look into the distance? Should she put her hands in her pockets?
"Kitty Kat?" called a handsome voice in a thick Japanese accent.
"Tomohiro?"
A curly haired boy with a bright smile appeared from the left. Tomohiro's unrelatable profile picture was not deceiving. He was the veritable Japanese boy with his happy eyes, slim frame and Superdry V-neck. He smelled of something nice and Kitty Kat felt a wave of self consciousness come over her.
"Nice to meet you Kitty Kat," Tomohiro said formally. He held out his hand and Kitty Kat accepted his handshake blushing.
This was the closest she had come to a date. She was overcome with shyness and ran a hand through her hair. She hoped she looked pretty.
"I.... I'm very happy to meet you too," replied Kitty Kat. She was grateful that Tomohiro was Japanese. He wouldn't be able to tell how awkward she was through her slightly affected accent.
They fell into a conversation of formalities - how had the trip been, did he get lost, did he stay nearby. Tomohiro was talkative and curious, giving respite to Kitty Kat's sudden slowdown in brain function.
Amid questions about Japan and the weather, they made their way to Petaling Street , KL's touristy stretch that hawked the Southeast Asian fare of Grade A knock-off handbags, Burma jade and fragrant beef ball soup. Bangladeshi and Myanmar workers stood by the stall edges in their stone washed jeans and fake Gucci singlets, calling out to everyone who passed. Today was no exception, and KItty Kat's body drew stares from the Bangladeshi workers.
"They like you," laughed Tomohiro. "They are staring at you. I must be so lucky."
Kitty Kat laughed and brushed it off, although secretly she glowed with a little pride. Did Tomohiro really mean what he said?
They spend a long time in Petaling Street as Tomohiro fascinated in lighters and painted craft. Kitty Kat spent a lot of time looking awkward and lost. In her awe of being around an above-average looking male, her sense of humour floundered and she became reticent and pandering. She wasn't much help in bargaining simply because she lacked the worldly know-how of being in situations. Tomohiro seemed to sense it and left her aside while he bargained. He was an affable boy who smiled a lot.
She did however suggest they stop by a stall for Assam Laksa. When the steaming bowl of fishy goodness arrived, Tomohiro creased his forehead. He forged ahead with a spoon and swallowed, doing his polite best to show he found it palatable.
"I'm so sorry," said Kitty Kat. "I can eat it for you and you can order something else."
"Really? You eat a lot ya," laughed Tomohiro. "Sure, I order something."
Kitty Kat felt her face go red with embarrassment but waved it off by laughing extra hard.
After their meal, Kitty Kat suggested they take a walk to Bukit Bintang. By then, conversation had slowed down. The factual questions had been asked and what was left were comments and questions on the insignificant surroundings. Kitty Kat saw Tomohiro glancing at his watch. Despair began to wash over her. She wracked her brain but nothing came to her.
"Kitty Kat, you want to take a rest in my hostel?" asked Tomohiro matter-of-factly. "I'm so tired. I woke up at 6am this morning. We can continue after taking a nap."
"Errrrr sure. If you're tired, you should take a rest."
Tomohiro smiled and grabbed her hand. “I stay in backpackers lodge. Is nice place."
Kitty Kat's expression registered nothing. She was uncomfortable but she liked him holding her hand. Suddenly the essence of her girlness reared its head.
The lodge wasn't far away from where they were. Sabaran was a comfy inn without the frills of a holiday lodge. White walls, basic furniture and a bespectacled Caucasian adorned the guest area. Tomohiro led her into his room and excused himself to the bathroom.
Kitty Kat sat on the only chair in the room. She saw his black travel bag, and the hint of a neon sweater inside. An Issey Miyake cologne and cleanser sat on the table. Foreign feelings began to spread in her little body.
Tomohiro returned with water dripping off his curly hair. He had splashed water on his face and a patch of water stained his chest. Innocent Kitty Kat was unsure on how to react to the heavy tension in the room. He sat on his bed and pulled Kitty Kat next to him. She didn't put up any resistance. The next few minutes unfolded strangely for Kitty Kat as she let him lead and timidly kissed him. She submissively allowed him to undress her and dissolved in a flood of clumsy desire.
When it was over, Tomohiro put his arm around her and went to sleep. Kitty Kat was left staring into the wall, lost in her thoughts, and slightly in love.
********************
“Why aren’t you eating?” asked Kitty Kat’s father gruffly.
The family was sitting around a table for dinner. Today mom had cooked lotus root soup, and braised chicken with potato cubes.
“Eat, eat Kat,” urged mom.
Jason, Kitty Kat’s brother looked up slightly before returning to looking at his iPhone screen.
It had been 2 days since that incident. 2 days since Kitty Kat heard from Tomohiro. He had kissed her on her cheek and told her she was pretty when they parted. She had left his lodge and taken a bus back.
Since then, Kitty Kat had replayed their sexual tryst over and over again. She couldn’t help checking him on Whatsapp and Facebook. No messages. Tomohiro had posted 26 new pictures on FB with a Japanese caption that Google translated badly into "amazing people and buildings. I walk with happy."
There was no mention of her. No picture.
“I’m not very hungry,” she replied. “I had a kuih just now.”
“Haiyoh, why you eat before dinner? You know mummy is cooking.”
Kitty Kat’s father shook his head and proceeded to tell the family about Uncle Lee who lived two doors down. His daughter had had her handbag snatched yesterday.
“I tell you ah, nowadays, it’s not safe. His daughter also not alert. Always on the phone. Oi Jason, you listening or not?”
“Hmmmmmm,” replied Jason, eyes still glued to his phone.
“And then ah, now she is dating a Middle Eastern man. Uncle Lee headache now. You know how they met ah? Online ah. Aiyoh, young people nowadays ah, nothing better to do and trust so easily. Kitty Kat, you please don’t layan any strange boy ah. You’re so naïve, any man will con you properly.”
Kitty Kat felt a lump form in her throat. Since their outing, she couldn’t stop thinking about Tomohiro. She had been stalking his Facebook, looking at his old pictures, all happy and crazy. Her Facebook in contrast was a dull and inactive. She was tagged in wedding and outing pictures with girlfriends, but they seemed a pale contrast to Tomohiro’s colourful life.
She had told no one except Swenson. Her other friends would crucify her. She would be judged and called things she didn’t need to hear. Swenson, her normally-bubbly colleague had listened intently. Her eyes had widened a little when Kitty Kat confessed to sleeping with Tomohiro.
“Am I stupid Swen?”
There was a five-second pause as Swenson looked at her expressionless.
“No Kitty Kat, you’re not stupid. You did what you felt you wanted. I wouldn’t say it’s the wisest thing to do, but its okay Kitty Kat. You can chalk it down to another life experience.”
“He hasn’t called me.”
“Yeah, that’s kinda sucky.”
“I feel a bit used.”
“It’s alright Kitty Kat, we can learn from our mistakes. That’s how we grow.”
“So he is just using me?”
“It’s easy to say he used you. But maybe the way he sees it, the both of you were consensual. After all Kitty Kat, did you want him to be your boyfriend?”
“No.”
Silence.
“Nevermind Kitty Kat, we learn. We really learn. You deserve someone way better.”
Kitty Kat had felt slightly better after talking to Swenson. Swensen had a way about her that was so sensitive. But she couldn’t help thinking about Tomohiro. She couldn't help liking him.
The night before, she had starred into the mirror and attempted a few sexy selfies. Maybe she could send it to Tomohiro. But she felt stupid. She ended up changing her profile picture and then texting him “Hi……”
There was no reply. He had seen it. He had been online and offline. But no reply.
Kitty Kat had drowned in depression after that.
She listlessly picked at her plate of chicken while her father rambled on.
********************
It was a slow Wednesday afternoon and the office was quiet. Kitty Kat was busy chatting with 2 Japanese boys online. Her boss, whom she secretly called the General Motherfucker had gone for a meeting and Kitty Kat was basking in the few hours of liberation. How she wondered did these decrepit and moronic people climb the corporate ladder? Brisk steps were heard. Swenson sauntered over and peeked at Kitty Kat's computer screen. She rolled her eyes.
“I know you want a boyfriend Kitty Kat,” Swenson had said to her. “But maybe you can start looking in your own country rather than adulate Japan all the time.”
“I’m just looking for friends. I’m not expecting anything.”
“Mmmmmm yeah right," answered Swenson, her lips pursed and head shaking. Her iPhone rang and Swensen was dragged away in a noise of happy hellos and how are you.
Kitty Kat turned back to her screen. J-Man had not yet replied. She minimised the page. Tomohiro was back in Japan . His Facebook pictures continued to be a splash of fun and colour. He had also replied her message when he was in the KL airport.
“Thank you Kitty Kat for spending time with me. If you come Japan , call me. I take you around.” It had ended with a row of smileys and food emojis.
Kitty Kat had replied with a smiley and the obligatory “Take care, safe flight.”
She couldn’t help feeling happy. Plans of going to Japan immediately played in her mind. She would start saving RM500 every month and skip Starbucks. Feelings of having a long distance boyfriend resurrected and Kitty Kat allowed herself to entertain these delicious thoughts. This time she told no one.
Kitty Kat reread Tomohiro's message. She smiled thinking of his long legs and wide chest. She turned back to her screen and refreshed her Facebook. Shock hit her like a bomb. A picture of Tomohiro appeared on screen. He was making a stupid expression. His arm was around a pretty Japanese girl with rainbow-coloured hair. They were both holding a bottle of beer. She had his hand around his waist. She was slim and trendy in all the ways Kitty Kat was not.
Sickening jealousy filled Kitty Kat. The translation to his caption read “Party time starts in 3,2,1.”
Tears immediately stung her eyes. She starred angrily at the photo before throwing her phone down and bursting into tears.
How stupid she had been. Clearly their sexual encounter had meant nothing to him. She had been stupid enough to think it meant something to him.
“Kitty Kat, let's go buy chocolate milk,” called Swenson gliding by again.
Kitty Kat shook her head. She lied she had a weak stomach.
********************
Don’t stop Kitty Kat. Keep going,” roared Kyle the Zumba instructor.
Kitty Kat felt her legs ache. Her heart was pounding so loudly, she thought she would faint. These absurd swinging movements made her feel ridiculous.
Kitty had been attending Zumba 3 times a week. She was a dress size smaller and had bought 3 new skorts in yellow, orange and polka dot. This time, all the skirts zipped easily. All these in less than a month.
She had unfriended Tomohiro on Facebook.
"Then he’ll know you like him,” Anis said knowingly.
“Just unfriend the idiot," Swenson assured her, rolling her eyes at Anis.
And unfriend him she had.
She had made a mistake by sleeping with the wrong boy, but she was determined to push on. After crying to Swensen, they had driven to Yellow Brick Road cafe 3 days later where Swensen bought her happy-inducing pandan pancakes and cappuccino. They had talked for hours and Kitty Kat had felt a semblance of her old happy self coming back. Screw Tomohiro.
She proceeded to inform Swensen that she would be seeing Yoshiro in a month's time. Yoshiro was from Osaka , an engineer and a part-time musician. She showed Swensen his picture and said he would be visiting KL. They had made plans to meet up.
Swensen had looked slightly disappointed as she poured maple syrup over her pancakes.
The End
