Doctor White travels to Tokyo for a trip of a lifetime. After arriving at the airport, he is greeted by Minosuke, who is his hired guide, his translator, his navigator through a mysterious city that he knows nothing about. The adventure begins in the entertainment district known as Kabukichō. An explosion of light and sound surrounds him, attacks him as he wanders past hostess clubs, nightclubs, restaurants, and manga stores. The night cap is a much-anticipated visit to Sushi Sugai to experience Chef Suzuki’s amazing seafood creations.
The next morning, Doctor White informs Minosuke that they will be visiting the Imperial Palace for a private meeting with the Emperor and Empress. The topic of discussion will be artificial human cloning. Unable to bear children of their own, the royal couple will consider all options in order to produce an heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne. After the meeting, while awaiting lunch in the banqueting hall, Doctor White is shocked to see that their food will be prepared by Chef Suzuki. Before anyone can react, there is an assassination attempt.
The Emperor is struck.
The Chef is subsequently killed by guards.
After meeting with police to discuss the events that unfolded at the Imperial Palace, Doctor White ventures back to his hotel suite. Scanning the news, he learns that the Emperor is alive…barely. There is a knock at the door. Hesitant at first to open it, Doctor White is surprised to see the grieving wife of Chef Suzuki. Holding a small red leather journal, she hands it over and explains that it belonged to her late husband. Tears stream down her face as she informs Doctor White that the sushi restaurant has been burnt to the ground. Afterward, she quickly shuffles out of the suite, out of the hotel.
Minosuke begins reading and translating the journal.
Not long thereafter, spirits, spells, and curses appear within the hotel suite.
One of the many shocking details mentioned in the journal is the role of the yakuza, otherwise known as the Japanese crime syndicate that manage various underground--as well as legitimate businesses--in Japan. Minosuke also discovers that Chef Suzuki belonged to the yakuza. Of course, this changes everything since the attempted assassination of the Emperor was not just the work of a chef. After continuing to read the journal, Minouke learns that the yakuza will next target the Prime Minister.
The following morning, Doctor White and Minosuke are at a tea salon in Ginza when a beautiful woman with a dragon tattoo along her neck tells them to not let her out of their sight. They decide to follow and are saved after an attack by a samurai sword-wielding villain. After this incident, she explains that Chef Suzuki’s yakuza family is after the red leather journal and will do everything in their power to get it back. Doctor White learns that the woman who saved his life is named Yoshe and belongs to a rival yakuza family that will keep him safe.
Car chases through the Ginza district, foot races through the Harajuku district, quiet strolls through the forested grounds of the Meiji Shrine, lessons in bonsai tree sculpting, an early morning trip to the famous Toyosu Fish Market, an unexpected meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan…are just a few of the events that take place over the next few days. In the midst of all this action and adventure in Tokyo, it will not stop raining and a love story is beginning to shine brighter than the missing sun.
You Can’t Stop the Rain is a fascinating trip into the heart of a city that is at once charming, intriguing, fascinating, confusing, and mysterious.
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