Tokyo Oasis Page #3

You're quite rare today.

One last thing.

Please tell me the reason for applying.

The reason I applied?

Yes. We ask all the applicants.

Since I was a child, I loved animals,

and I thought it'll be really nice

to work near the animals I love.

Fine, thank you. That's all for today.

We'll contact you with the results

at a later date.

You won't see it now.

Aardvarks are nocturnal animals.

Is that right?

Have you ever seen them?

No.

What do you imagine they look like?

"Aarde" means dirt, so

I imagine they are brown

and look somewhat like dirty pigs.

Or perhaps, they might resemble

wild boars.

Aardvarks are not pigs.

Tubulidentata Orycteropodidae

Orycteropus afer.

Besides not being pigs, they're totally

independent of any other living species.

The face looks like that of kangaroos

more than pigs.

The ears stand up like rabbits.

Round eyes, a long and thin face

with a very long nose similar to anteaters.

I must say, they have peculiar looks.

Also, they are full of mysteries

although they're just there within reach.

Don't you have a desire to see them?

But we can't see them, right?

Just one chance.

Huh?

Once a day, during their feeding time.

That's the only chance to see aardvarks.

But you have to be lucky.

Lucky?

They don't come out

when they don't feel up to eating.

Then, I can't see them for sure.

I've been forlorn of Fortune.

That sounds impressive.

Anyway, you still have some time

before the feeding.

You should see it.

It'll give you a good laugh.

They sure are big.

They're bigger than I think,

every time I see them.

I wonder why.

What are you drawing?

You're pretty good at drawing. What is it?

An ardvark.

I thought they look like this.

They're a little different.

You'd need to see

the actual animal yourself.

But honestly, you're very talented.

I know, but it's being wasted.

Wasted?

Care for one?

No, I'm fine.

Okay, I'll have one.

Do you often come to this zoo?

Yes.

I had an interview today.

An interview?

For a part time job

to sell tickets at the main entrance.

Most likely I failed.

Failed?

You don't know for sure yet, do you?

I've failed university entrance exams

five times.

So, I can pretty much sense it by now.

Is that so?

This is my fifth time to fail it.

Have you ever heard of 5 time failure?

Sounds strange, doesn't it?

Could be.

So I thought about getting

a part time job.

You're giving up?

I'm ridiculously good at

plaster figure drawings.

I can draw even with my eyes closed.

Do you know plaster figures?

The ancient sculptures found in Rome

and other places, they're copies of those.

My favorite is Hermes.

He's a naked young man

with natural curly hair.

Even if I can sketch it perfectly,

it's totally useless.

It's really a boring story.

Are you taking the day off today?

No, I have something later.

Is that okay?

No problem at all.

What is it?

It's difficult.

What's difficult?

Portrait.

Your face is very difficult to sketch.

There's no distinct feature,

which doesn't mean

you leave very little impression.

It's just that

your face is not very distinctive.

Is that so?

I have absolutely no idea

who you really are.

When I was a child, I often got lost here.

Lost?

Yes, on purpose.

On purpose?

I used to run off

'cause my father loved taking photos,

and it was a bother posing for him.

Weren't you afraid of being alone?

I knew I could always get back.

Sounds like a bratty kid.

I've tried it the other day.

The other day?

Yes. I ran away.

Did it make you feel good?

Well...

but it wasn't the same as before.

What do you mean?

When I ran away alone,

I had to come back alone.

No one stops here.

It's not so exciting, these birds.

They can see the sky from here, but...

Do you pity them?

Yes.

They may find it easy.

But they may escape at a full speed

if they had the chance, like you did.

But they may end up coming back here,

like I did.

I wonder.

That's how it goes

because it's safe here.

Then again, when they see the sky,

they may remember

how it felt then.

Would that make them want

to escape again?

They're the largest zebras.

The largest among all zebras.

They are?

Yes, they are.

Is it still too early?

I guess it's about time.

I don't see any feed.

The zoo keeper will bring it.

The aardvark?

We sent him to a zoo in Himeji.

To mate. You know, it's the mating season.

Sorry for forgetting to take this sign off.

I know you.

I recognized you.

Not that it makes any difference.

I think they like you better.

Since many years back,

I've been liked by animals.

I wonder if you have a smell

animals like?

Smell? Should I be happy about that?

By the way, where's Himeji?

Their habitat is Africa.

That's a little too far.

Don't you want to see the real aardvarks?

Aardvarks travel alone in search for food

in the pitch dark savanna.

I can't imagine what it's like

in such a far away place.

The zoo will be closing soon.

Please make your way to the exit.

We look forward to your visit again.

Thank you for coming today.

People say world is big, but

living in this city,

we completely forget that.

I've never been on a plane.

Don't worry, they rarely crash.

I will go.

Where to?

Ouch!

Bye.

Goodbye.

I will too.

We've all come so far alone

As if there is someone

giving you a gentle push

I want to thank you

Let us seize the day

I've found what I am looking for

Over the sky

My heart starts to vibrate

Satomi Kobayashi

The future that i see

Ryo Kase

The future that i see

Haru Kuroki

Wakes up once again

Tomoyo Harada

Let us whistle and walk together

You can meet the man

if you really want to

The green wind tells me

Why don't you look for

oasis of your heart?

The city of kaleidoscope slowly starts

To turn round

Collecting all the lights

I am gazing at

The day to see you again

Someday and

somewhere

Theme Song:

"Tokyo Oasis" by Taeko Onuki

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