When Life Gives You Apple, Boy You Are Cooked

“God, I’m late for the concert!”

“Sir. If you don’t wanna be late then come three hours early. It’s not my fault that the road is jammed, you literally come 10 minutes before it starts,” the taxi driver grumbles, in the midst of his non-stop honking.

“Grrr. What if I missed them?!”

“I don’t know!”

“Alright, screw it, I’ll just walk,” you burst the door open and leave him alone in that dead traffic.

“Sir? Sir! You haven’t even paid!”

“Sheesh, even if it is my fault, shouldn’t you go and look for an empty road instead of going through the main one? What a prick,” you skim through the slum part of the city. There are still at least 5km of distance that you have to cover in less than 10 minutes. 

“Move! Move!! Coming through! Goddammit watch where you’re going you fuckhead!” you give the cabbage guy a middle finger as you run further away–it was actually your fault for crossing the junction without even a glance to the side.

Then you arrive on a river, full of trash, with no bridge to cross over.

“No fucking way,” you’re panting on the edge of the road, how do you even go through this?

The slow dreading of realization that you might actually miss the concert is setting in. It can’t be. Your country is not amongst the top priority for IVE to come to. You’re not even sure when it will get another opportunity, let alone miss them entirely. You’ve saved three years worth of the remains of your saddening wage. There truly might not be another chance, ever.

Then you remember something. The cabbage guy! He was riding a motorcycle, you can rent that for half the day. You’re prepared to spend as many as you need for a chance to meet Rei, your ultimate bias!

Running back to the junction, fortunate for you that the man is still there. Though, he looks pissed.

“Hi, uhm, sir, hehe. Sorry about earlier…, but can I ask you a favor?”

He doesn’t answer. His thick mustache curves downward, in his attempt to look intimidating he actually looks hilarious instead.

“Sir, please. I need to see the concert that is currently held in the city’s stadium. And I’m-” looking at your wristwatch. “-shit, sorry. Uhm, I’m already 10 minutes late. Sir, please. I will pay however much you want, just half the day! I will return it tonight!”

“600 dollars.”

“WHAT?! I’m sorry. Sir that’s just unreasonable is it not?”

“Take it or leave it.”

His mustache is unwavering. This fucking man, you swear you will get him back somehow. “300 sir, that’s all I-”

“Deal! Here’s the key, enjoy the concert!” the happiness radiating from his face is the exact opposite of what you’re feeling at the moment. You got haggled so hard it’s actually embarrassing.

You hand him the money in exchange for the key. You swear to yourself you’re not even gonna return this sorry piece of machinery. You’re not even sure it can run well enough to reach the venue, but oh well, beggars can’t be choosers.

Leaving the slum area takes another 6 minutes. The traffic jam is still apparent, going around would take you approximately 20 minutes, if you’re speeding. Problem is, the bike you’re riding can’t even go past 60kph without vibrating like a blender that’s about to pop. Shitty ass motorcycle.

You decide to take the quickest possible route. Through the traffic. The bike is at least small enough to fit through cars, so you got that going on. Which is nice.

You speed through the stuck vehicles. Currently you’re on a fly over. Even there the jam is still going. Isn’t it dangerous to have so many vehicles parked on a bridge like this?

“I will meet you Rei, I swear it!”

You’re just about to pass the corner when you see a man in front of you is waving his hands in panic. Is that the taxi driver from before?

“Sir! Stop! There’s an oil spill ahead! It’s dangerous!”

“Shit. He must be demanding payment from earlier. I have no more money in me, gotta go faster I guess. Sorry man!”

You blitz through the man in distress. He looks incredibly distraught over it. Did he really need the money? Oh well, life happens my guy. You apologize to him once again.

“Oh no, Sir!”

An explosion sound is heard throughout the road. A gruesome scene unfolds in front of the many eyes of those stuck in that traffic. Though it’s not as distracting as the loud sound coming from the city stadium not even a kilometer away from there.

“Choose.”

“What?”

“Do you want to take the chance to redeem yourself from all your wrongdoings or live in the perpetual state of misery? Your choice.”

“What?! Wait, who are you? Where am I? Listen, I’ve got a concert to attend. Rei is waiting for me, let me go man! Why can’t I see your stupid face? Why is everything so dark here, and why the fuck are you so bright?!”

“So you’ve made your choice. Good luck.”

“DUDE!”

.

.

.

The bright light is blinding. You somehow have gone through three different places in an instant. Not sure what really happened back there. But! That means the concert must still be going. You gotta hurry up.

Clack clack.

Wait, why is your step super heavy?

Clack clack.

“Heyyy.”

Wait, that voice, is that Rei?! No fucking way.

“Rei-san! Helloo!!!”

Clack clack clack.

“Awww, look at him! He’s so excited!”