The Adventures That Happen In Any Given Day Of Ken's Life In Kudamatsu, Japan.

As the crucial moment crept closer and closer still, I prepared myself for the encounter. Finally, after much creeping, I was face to face with my adversary. I steeled myself, and her, with a steely look. She couldn't meet my eyes. I knew it was only a matter of time before this fierce battle of wills would be outcomed.

Suddenly, without any warning, she asked me, "Would you like a bag with that?". I testily told her that no, I did not need a bag, I could put the case of Cup Noodles in my backpack, thank you. To which she retorted, "That will be 670 yen, please". I reached slowly and deliberately for my wallet, all the time with my eyes trained on my foe. The man in line behind me told me to hurry the hell up, he was in a hurry. I paid my due and was walking away with dignity when, suddenly, without any warning, again, she called me back. I had forgotten my point card.

The sky outside was clear and sunny, with clouds spread liberally throughout. I smelled trouble in the air - and I was soon proved right. No sooner had I mounted my bicycle when two of my male students materialized in front of me. I eyed them carelessly at first, but then more carefully. I noticed they both were wearing their school uniforms and were smiling. All of this takes time to write down but in reality took half a minute to observe. They burst out, in unison, "oh! Ken! How are you?". I started, then stopped. Why would they want to know how I am? What business is it of theirs? Should I be anything other than fine? Why were they pressing the issue? But then I recalled that they were junior high first graders and as such, this greeting was nearly the extent of their English conversation skills. I relaxed the corners of my eyes a bit.

"I'm fine," I said, "how are you?"
"I'm fine, and you?", they replied cheerfully.

My sixth sense was reactivated immediately -- how very curious that they would ask me how I was when I had just told them I was fine! As I was thinking this aloud, they reached for me, ostensibly to shake my hand, but I saw the danger in their eyes. I moved like lightning - first chopping the first boy on the thumb to stun him, and then judo-flipping him through the window. The second boy proved tougher but I overcame him using my superior height, reach, weight, strength, age, and taser.

Safely back in my apartment with a half-empty bottle of Medium-Amber Canadian 100% Pure Maple Syrup, I reflected on the morning and thanked my lucky stars that I had watched all those Steven Seagal movies. As I took off my Chinese-style tunic and undid my ponytail, I realized that I was winded. Better start running again, I thought. Tomorrow, though. Today is for me.