Aniki

There were whispers in the wind.

It was difficult for him to think straight, knowing there had to be something else - something more. For just over seventeen years, Kenji heard the whispers. Each time the gentle wind blew past him, a faint calling stayed behind, saying the same phrase every time: In the locket. In the locket.

At first, he was fearful. Of course, it was natural for anyone at a young age to be cautious of a voice without form. However odd, Kenji knew he was not the only one who heard. He had no proof of someone else with the same experience, but Aniki always hit the nail on the head when explaining the many different taboos, formless voice being one of them. Other taboos included voicing opposing concerns with Aniki approved practices, defying arranged marriage directives, unregulated procreation, and more. Across all of Japan’s seven prefectures, Aniki was the seat of power and respect, commanding nothing but obedience from all.

Of course, the people followed without question. As did Kenji for some time. The prospect of living a life of emptiness and fear without Aniki was an image of disdain in the hearts and minds of all. After all, there was no history before them - no prior roadmap to base alternate decisions on. Thus, the people of Japan could only follow, adhering to the group consciousness, guided by Aniki, that allowed them to survive. Nobody questioned them and everyone played their roles to stunning perfection, for divergence was not tolerated. This, as everyone understood, was for the sake of Japan and its future generations.

Everyone understood this concept of unyielding loyalty perfectly. Everyone except for Kenji. He never had a run in with the law, nor did he divert from the path chosen for him. He blended in seamlessly, carrying out his giri with absolute precision. On his fifteenth birthday, Kenji was blessed with the giri of postage. It was his divine and sacred duty to deliver edicts and messages from the government to the people, ensuring they hear from those who protect and serve them. For just over two years, Kenji performed his duties flawlessly, thinking nothing of it until recent weeks. In those short weeks, Kenji listened more and more to the voices in the wind, replacing his fear and concern with curiosity.

In the locket. In the locket.

“What locket?” Kenji asked quietly. Speaking without being spoken to was another taboo if caught, especially for members of society who had no need to speak in public. He bit his tongue, hoping nobody heard him, knowing there was nobody out to hear. He brushed the sweat from his brow with the aged leather gloves he was given by the state and adjusted his cap, forcing the last of his curled black hair beneath. Clenching the postage bag in his hand, he proceeded slowly towards the next residence. The lack of urgency was reason enough to earn an audience with the enforcers. Uncharacteristically, Kenji’s feelings seemed to override his giri.

As he sauntered down the hill and neared the gate of the next housing unit, he heard it again. This time, a harsher wind greeted him, lifting his hat from atop his head into the sky.

In the locket. In the locket.

His heart began to race, fear attempting to overtake his interest. Kenji squeezed the bag tighter, his breath shortening and becoming more sharp. A high-pitched ring shot through his ears, causing him to jump unintentionally. He reached into the thigh pocket in his black cargo pants and took out a device that resembled a pager. Heart rate elevated 3%. Cease strenuous activity. Kenji sighed deeply, attempting to regain his optimal condition. Again, the wind blew, repeating the same voice. It seemed to originate from the west, as that was the direction of the wind. He took a deep breath, causing the ringing of his monitoring device to cease. He then turned to the direction of the wind, allowing it to press against his face and push his hair backwards. Through teary eyes, he could see a figure approaching him from a short distance, shorter than him and certainly feminine. He wiped his eyes and squinted against the wind, finding himself before a familiar face.

“Yukio,” Kenji said softly. A soft smile crept its way onto his lips. Yukio humbly bowed before him prior to speaking.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Kenji-sama,” she said politely. “It’s almost as if you are almost here at the exact same time.” she grinned lightly, her cheeks warming up after the comment.

“Punctuality is a virtue,” he quoted mockingly. They shared a giggle.

“Don’t let the enforcers hear you speak like that,” she warned. “That would be hell for both of us.”

Yukio and Kenji shared the same housing unit, only living a wall apart from another. Coincidentally, they happened to share the same age as well, allowing them to grow up together. Though it was expected of her to speak more formally to him, they were practically siblings. He could care less about the laws dictating behavior between men and women, even less when it came to Yukio.

“I have your daily announcement, as usual,” she said while reaching into her satchel. She retrieved from it a cream-colored piece of paper with bold black and red words typed across it. Yukio’s giri, which she was ecstatic about, was to distribute the voice of Aniki to the citizens of Japan. Only a few members of society are selected for this role, and chosen because of their exponentially greater love for the governing arm of Japan. It made sense to Kenji, as her mother and grandmother also shared the same profession. Supposedly, that made Yukio perfect for the job.

“Thank you,” he said, receiving the document with both hands. Scanning the document forced him to raise an eyebrow.

THE STATE OF JAPAN REMAINS STRONG.

REFRAIN FROM NEARING THE OUTER WALLS FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION.

REMAIN LOYAL TO THE STATE.

REMEMBER THAT ANIKI IS WATCHING.

“This doesn’t strike you as odd?” Kenji asked. After the words left his mouth, he realized it may have been slightly crude.

Yukio tilted her head to the side slightly. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” he replied, more conserved this time. “It just seems a little… strange.”

“It’s Aniki. There can’t be anything wrong with them. It’s impossible.”

“Well then what’s with the wall comment? Everyone knows not to go there.”

“Well,” she started. Yukio always crossed her arms and relaxed her stance when she was about to tell a story. “Rumor around Saitama is that someone tried to see what was over the wall. Luckily, the enforcers were able to get him down before he got too high. Thankfully he didn’t get all the way up, otherwise, he would’ve hurt himself. I’m not sure what was going through his head.”

“Do you know who it was?”

Yukio leaned in for a whisper. “Old Man Muramoto.”

Kenji stared at her in shock. “Old Man Muramoto tried to climb the wall?”

“Sh! Not so loud!” She took a deep breath and moved back, fixing her long black hair into a ponytail. “Like I said, it’s just a rumor anyways.”

Kenji scratched the back of his head, trying to comprehend everything. “Maybe he heard the voices too,” he muttered.

“What voices?” Yukio asked, concern spreading through her face.

“The voices in the wind.”

The loud ringing returned. Kenji jumped softly before realizing Yukio’s monitor was the one activated. She pulled it out and silenced it immediately. Heart rate elevated 7%. Cease strenuous activity. She sighed and straightened her bag, making preparations to carry on with her day.

“Are you okay?” Kenji inquired.

“Fine,” she said swiftly. “Let’s just not talk about it, alright?”

“You’ve been hearing it too, haven’t you?”

“It’s not that,” she said through labored breathing. Heart rate elevated 12%. Cease strenuous activity.

Kenji squinted at her. “What are you hiding, Yukio?” She held her bag closer to her chest.

“Just leave it alone, Kenji!” Heart rate elevated 20%. Cease strenuous activity.

As she yelled, a glimmer of gold appeared from beneath her collar. Kenji’s eyes snapped directly towards her neck, where a gold chain sat, the bottom of it beneath her shirt. “What is that,” Kenji asked softly. “Isn’t jewelry prohibited outdoors?”

Her hand shot towards her neck, doing a poor job of hiding what was already revealed. “Kenji,” she said deeply. “You are asking too many questions. You need to stop.”

In less than a moment, Kenji’s hands were grasping Yukio’s shoulders, desperation in his eyes. In the locket. In the locket.

She gasped softly, choking on the air as she breathed it in. “I’m going to the wall,” he whispered. “But I won’t if you show me what that is.”

“Kenji…”

“Show me!”

“I can’t!”

Kenji, losing his patience, reached around her neck and pulled at the chain, severing the connection. She pushed herself from his grip, the only thing remaining in his hand being the necklace. At the base of it was a heart-shaped locket, rusted and somewhat charred. “Locket,” Kenji said to himself softly, Yukio’s muffled sobs in the background. Heart rate elevated 26%. Emergency services notified. Remain stationary. Cease strenuous activity. “Did you open it?”

“Don’t,” she said weakly. “Please don’t.”

Against her advice, Kenji popped it open, the sound of scratching metal softly filling the air. Time seemed to stand still as he emptied the contents. Within the locket was nothing but a small picture. It looked oddly aged, and there was no color. In ink, the date August 1, 1984 was written across the picture. 1984? It was the year 305. Was this locket as well as its contents from the future somehow? It was a ridiculous notion, but what else could explain the date? The contents of the photo featured a family unit posing in front of the Shibuya Crossing. They were neatly dressed in what looked to be kimonos and yukatas - attire only suitable for those part of Aniki. Uncharacteristically, there were hundreds, maybe thousands of people in the background, much more than the usual amount of citizens.

An obnoxious siren blared in the distance, tearing at both their ears and alarming them both. Kenji could feel his blood rush through his body as Yukio fell to her knees, throwing her hands up to her ears. The roar of the siren became louder. Gates locked to every housing unit on the street. Someone was coming, and Kenji did not want to wait around to find out who.

He rushed towards Yukio and pulled her up by her arm, her leg almost buckling on the way up. “We have to go,” Kenji shouted. Yukio shook her head violently. “Yukio,” he said softly. “We need to go. Now.” Without asking her permission, he yanked her by her wrist and hoped she followed. There was no resistance from her as they ran west, and he dared not look back.

Dashing through the streets. Whipping left and right at every turn. Kenji let his legs do the thinking for him, his only instinct being to follow the wind westward. Filled with fear and uncertainty, the wall and whatever could be beyond would surely have the answers he sought. Up until then, mostly everything went without question. It was peaceful that way - soaking in ignorance.

“You just had to open up the damn locket, didn’t you?” Kenji cursed to himself, diving deeper into the unknown.