Snakes and Earrings Page #3

Don't have a bath for a while.

It'll scab for about a week.

You mustn't scratch it.

When the swelling's gone

we do the next session.

In any case, call me

when the scabs come off.

Shiba-san, want to go eat?

Not at this time of day.

Come over here.

Why are you in a dress?

You were just wearing your panties.

I figured something loose

would be easier afterwards.

Am I being pathetic?

Kind of.

You hate pathetic guys?

Kind of.

I'm so sorry.

I guess you know already but,

I do love you.

Let's go.

Then I went and got leglessly drunk.

Ama was so happy to take care of me.

It's a month after that "incident"

and Ama's still by my side.

Each time I make it bigger

it hurts so bad, I don't want to go on.

I vent my frustrations on Ama.

On these days, I just feel

like I want everyone to die.

Thoughts, values, all forgotten.

No better than a beast.

When the irezumi

and the split tongue are done

how am I going to feel, I wonder?

I've lived life not owning much,

worrying little, caring less.

No meaning anywhere. Not in

the future, the tattoo or this tongue.

Maybe I'll quit being a tattooist.

Like Ama, try sticking with one woman.

What's that got to do with quitting?

The "making a new start" thing.

I created my best ever kylin.

So I'd have no regrets.

The beasts dancing on my back

will never leave me.

We are locked together,

unable to betray or be betrayed.

And without eyes, they can't escape.

Maybe because the tattoo is done,

I'm sapped of all energy.

I spend each day wishing time faster.

- You mustn't drink.

- Get lost.

Ama worries about me

and my constant drinking

and I want to respond to him

but defeated by self-loathing

I just turn back to the booze.

Anyway, my life is devoid of light.

Inside my head, my life, my future

nothing but total darkness.

The only time I really feel alive

is when I'm in pain.

Ever feel like you want to die?

All the time.

I won't stand for anyone taking

your life. Not even you yourself.

If you're going to kill yourself,

let me be the one to do it.

I couldn't bear it...

the thought of anyone but me

having control over your life.

When the need to die possesses me

who will I ask to kill me?

Who would make the best job of it?

It's me. Can you talk?

Yeah. Is something up?

Well, it's about Ama.

What?

Back in September, did he get

into some kind of trouble?

I have no idea.

Why?

The police just came, had me

show my client list.

Wanted to know about

a dragon tattoo.

I don't think it's Ama but...

It can't be him. He was

always with me.

That's what I thought.

They mentioned red hair.

Remember, it used to be red?

So I was a bit worried.

I just thought I'd call to check.

Coming over, today?

Oh... thanks.

Not today. But next time.

Won't you please come?

I need to talk to you.

Okay... if I get in the mood.

Good afternoon.

You're being formal.

Are you tired?

I'm not joking... something's wrong.

What is?

When did we last meet?

Maybe 2 weeks ago?

How much weight did you lose?

No idea. Ama doesn't have scales.

It's creepy how skinny you got.

You're really pale.

You stink of booze.

Isn't Ama feeding you properly?

He's always nagging me to eat.

All I need is alcohol though.

You'll starve before you get

to commit suicide.

I won't commit suicide.

I'm going to buy something.

What do you want?

A beer, then.

Beer's in the fridge. Anything else?

Shiba-san, ever killed someone?

Yeah, I have...

How did you feel?

I felt great.

Yeah?

Take off your clothes.

Not going shopping?

Seeing you cry made me hard.

Will you marry me?

That's why you wanted to talk?

I guess.

Ama's too much for you to handle.

And you're too much for him.

You're not a good match

for each other.

So I have to marry you?

That's nothing to do with it.

I just felt like getting married.

In any case I made a ring.

You made this?

It's a hobby of mine.

Probably not your style at all...

It's amazing.

But kind of grim-looking.

Thank you.

I'm going shopping.

The number you called

may not be in the service area

or may be turned off.

Your call cannot be completed.

Excuse me.

Can a non-relative report

a missing person?

Yeah, they can.

Want to?

I do.

Their name?

I don't know his real name.

Not knowing his name, I can't even

file a missing person report.

What's Ama's real name?

Why, all of a sudden?

He didn't come home.

I want to report him missing.

What? You don't know his name?

No, I don't.

You're living together, right?

Yes, of course...

Stop crying.

Look at his mailbox

or at his letters.

He didn't put his name on it.

And it's stuffed full of flyers.

We never even opened it.

He went to work

as usual yesterday, right?

So he didn't come back last night?

Right. He didn't come home

since leaving for work.

Why lose your head over 1 day?

Nothing to worry about.

Don't get in a panic

about a single day. He's not a child.

Since living together, he's never once

stayed away from home.

He's the kind of guy who calls

if he's 30 minutes late.

So what...

He might've killed someone.

That gangster the police mentioned?

It was my fault.

If I'd ignored that guy

he wouldn't have punched him.

I never thought anyone would die.

Even on the news, I never thought

it was the same guy.

I figured it was someone else for sure.

Nothing to do with Ama...

If you file a report, he might be arrested.

If he's on the run 'cause of the fight

and we just play dumb,

he might be able to make it.

But I'm worried about him.

It kills me not to know where he is.

He wouldn't try to run away by himself.

He'd talk to me, for sure.

I'm sure he'd ask me to go with him.

I understand.

Let's go.

So you had a picture of him?

We got carried away when I did the tattoo.

Mr. Kazunori Amada, right?

Not Amadeus, at all...

Are you okay?

Where the hell are you?

Why did you leave me?

How come you disappeared?

You said you cared for me.

Then why'd you leave me behind?

Why... why?

What are you doing?

Show me your tongue.

That's a 0 gauge, right?

Yesterday you only had a 4...

Stop it.

Take it out.

I said don't overdo it, right?

When I'm at 00, I'm cutting it.

Okay, I get it. Calm down.

Ama...

What would he say if he saw it?

"Wow, that's amazing"

and he'd laugh...

"Nearly there"...

That's what he'd say...

I know it...

He'd be happy for me.

The number you called

may not be in the service area

or may be turned off.

Your call cannot be completed.

You know where Ama works?

Don't you know?

No, I don't.

We don't know much about each other.

A vintage clothing store.

You really don't know anything.

So you didn't call them yet?

It's me. I'm calling about Ama.

Skipped work? What about yesterday?

I'll call if I find out anything.

They say he turned up for work

as usual, yesterday.

Today, he skipped work.

They were angry he hadn't called.

He works at my friend's store.

I had to beg them to employ him.

Has Ama got any family?

I don't know.

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