Summary
Confession of a Drunkard
John, a regular at the dimly lit izakaya "Kanmaki" in a corner of town, was once again drinking alone. He had a habit of rambling off on tangents, and as a result, everyone had started to avoid him. However, the more he drank, the more his conversations became scattered, changing topics as if he were rolling a pipe.
One night, with a beer in hand, John began to passionately speak about the backstage of his life as usual. "At that time, I thought about robbing a bank. Of course, it was a joke, but when I started planning it, I felt strangely excited," he said with a wink and a laugh. Observing him, the other patrons all grimaced at once. Even if it was a joke, an eerie vibe lingered, suggesting that perhaps the drunken John was being serious.
As he boldly made his statements, the surrounding drinkers were perplexed yet gradually drawn into his talk. "And as the plan progressed, the 'evil' within me awakened. The thrill of deceiving people, you know!" His eyes sparkled as if he genuinely possessed the heart of a criminal. At that moment, an elderly gentleman from across the counter asked with a skeptical expression, "Hey, do you still remember how you felt back then?"
In that instant, John's expression shifted. "I'm desperately trying to forget that feeling, but the power of alcohol makes me look back. So, everyone, please be careful. While I'm rambling like this, I might actually end up doing something," he continued in a serious tone, gesturing like a drunken master. The atmosphere around him grew completely awkward, and his joke became no longer funny.
Ultimately, the night at the izakaya "Kanmaki" was enveloped in a chilling silence reminiscent of his undisclosed past. Everyone present felt anxious about the terrifying reality hidden behind the words of the drunken man. And as John poured himself another drink, he began to roll his pipe once more. His words continued, and everyone felt a mix of anticipation and fear in the corner of their hearts, wondering what strange story would emerge next.
