Transcending Limits

第27話 My Spy Suspicions

During my organic farming training, I took a week off and visited San Diego, California, where Watson, a former narcotics bureau employee, and his girlfriend had moved. As I mentioned before, there was a previous incident where he suspected me of being a spy after I got overly excited at a blues jam session and responded "yes" when he asked if I was a spy.

Since I had already booked my ticket, I called to let them know I wanted to visit. However, Watson said he had work in Fort Worth, Texas, for that week. This further fueled their suspicions about me being a spy. They wondered what I would do when Watson wasn't around. His girlfriend, who managed an amusement facility, invited me to a party she was hosting.

When I went, she was flanked by a former Air Force pilot and another former U.S. Navy member, who was also a former special forces operative. The pilot was glaring at me. A man sat next to me on the chair I took. I'm usually quite reserved, so I ignored the man sitting next to me. But then he loudly exclaimed, "Talk!" He asked what I was doing in Japan. I explained that I was undergoing training in organic farming and planning to grow blueberries in Nagano Prefecture. He must have been a former military interrogator.

The next day, I joined a winery tour arranged by his girlfriend. The ex-Navy member came to pick me up at the hotel, and when I was waiting on a bench outside the hotel's entrance, he rushed over in a panic. He told the front desk that I had already checked out and said he searched the lobby but couldn't find me. He seemed flustered because he thought I had gone on a spy mission. He had parked his car away from the entrance and came to the hotel, causing confusion about my whereabouts.

The winery tour was enjoyable, but I didn't drink because I had quit alcohol at the time. This also aroused suspicions of me being a spy. Apparently, military personnel are strictly prohibited from drinking during operations. At the shop on the tour, I bought flower seeds and juice. On the way back in the van, I had a beer. The Navy member happily exclaimed, "Oh, he's drinking!"

The following day, I was taken to a church for brunch. The pastor instructed anyone who had been to war to raise their hand. A few raised their hands, including the former pilot, who looked quite proud. The pastor praised them.

During brunch, a band composed entirely of African Americans in white suits started playing. What fascinated me was the guitarist playing a solo, gently strumming each note, which seemed to rain down on the believers' heads. I was impressed that such solos existed.

After brunch, I sat on a chair to the left of the souvenir shop's entrance. Behind me was a guy, young, wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, exuding an indescribable aura. The former pilot sitting to my right asked me how I liked California. I answered, "It's friendly, the climate is great, it's fantastic!" But what was up with that guy? It was eerie.

Watson returned from Texas and offered to drive me to the airport. However, I mentioned I was a bit sleep-deprived and wanted to rest for a while. When he woke up, he began to question what I had been doing for the past week. "What do you mean, what have I been doing? I was sightseeing. Give me a break."