Max Moonman

Hey Everyone! This book, heavily edited, is available on Amazon as an exclusive. Here is the link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDSW3N47/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2CC6ZXF6MDYQP&keywords=max+moonman&qid=1691281804&sprefix=max+moonman%2Caps%2C324&sr=8-1

Thanks, and enjoy!

Wataru here. The Japanese people are fascinated with the Moon. One of their beloved folk tales is about Kaguya, a Princess who comes from the moon and lives briefly with humans. Anyway, what do you think people would be like if they lived on the Moon? Would they be super strong? Would they have powers that go beyond what a mere mortal had? I thought about it a bit, and this is what I came up with. Hope you enjoy it to the end!

Okay, so I saved someone’s life. Well, he was in a pickle, so I helped him out. I was minding my own business, walking down the main thoroughfare and watching all of the people walking on the other side of the road. What can I say, I am a people watcher, alright? Don’t be hating me for it. Anyway, as I continued down the street, I saw a rather tall and burly man trying to cross the street. However, he wasn’t paying attention to the traffic, and when he went to step out, I grabbed him right before a big semi came along. He would have been a pancake if I hadn’t grabbed him.

“Are you okay? I’m sorry I grabbed you like that, but you would have been hit by that truck...”

“Oh, well, thank you so much! I owe you a debt of gratitude. Come along with me.”

Suddenly, I was in a white room. No, I don’t know how I got here. I looked around, but all I saw was white. Suddenly, a voice echoed in my head.

“So, since you helped me out, I will grant you a wish. Anything you want, just name it.”

“Uh... I really have no need for anything. As long as I can read my books, I am fine.”

“Nonsense! Everyone wants something. Listen, I could make you rich, or famous, or both.”

“Nah, that would be a hassle. I am just fine being in my house, reading.”

“Hmm. Certainly you would want to do something about your appearance, right?”

Now, granted, I was a little overweight. Well, let’s be honest, a lot overweight. At least a hundred pounds. Maybe a hundred and fifty? Anyway, I wasn’t the slim type. And, my acne was something awful, too. But, hey, I am okay. I don’t need to impress anyone. I am just fine by myself, and can ignore anyone that tries to make jokes about my appearance. No, it doesn’t put a crack in my glass heart, really. Just a chip once in a while, honest.

“I really don’t care anyway. As long as I can read...”

“Yes, yes, I understand. You drive a hard bargain. So, you want, wealth, fame, AND good looks too. Well, I am a generous being, so I can do at least that much.”

“Uh, well, who are you, anyway?”

“Me? I am what you would call a extraterrestrial. Some people call me an alien. But really, I am just a humble being from the moon.”

“Really? Is that why you were able to bring me to this room?”

“Certainly. You seem pretty calm about it, by the way.”

“Well, I read a lot of speculative fiction, so things like this are pretty common there. I figured something like that would eventually happen.”

“I see. Well, I tell you what. You have a cell phone, right?”

“Yeah. I use it for gaming when I am on the bus.”

“Alright. Pull it out.”

I did as he asked, and the phone started to glow.

“Alright, I have made your phone have a direct link to me. In your people’s terms, I have put myself on speed dial.”

“Why did you do that?”

“So I can give you advice. Besides, I am lonely, you see.”

I could certainly relate. While I was perfectly fine with my books, I still wanted to talk to someone once in a while. That’s why I went to the diner, so I could at least have an interaction with the waitress. She would smile, ask me about my day, and give me my meal with a grin. It was more than enough for a simple guy like me. But, I don’t know. He sounds like he doesn’t pay attention to what I have to say at all...

“So, although I can give you a lot, it requires something from you. First, I want you to do a little exercise. Start with a jumping jack.”

“Huh? I don’t want to.”

“Come on, humor me.”

I did as he asked.

“That make you happy?”

“Alright. Do a push up next.”

“What is this? P.E. Class?”

“Just do it!”

“Alright, alright.”

I got down on the floor and did a push up. It was pretty hard, actually.

“Alright, now do a sit up.”

I turned myself around and did a sit up. I was almost out of breath by now.

“Hmm. Looks like you are in worse shape than I thought. Alright, you gave me an idea of how to proceed. As far as the money goes, I will give you more info on that later. Wait for me to call you, and I will help you out.”

I huffed and puffed as I got off the ground. That wore me out.

“By the way, you said something about books...”

“Yeah, I love to read. Anything from Japan is the best, actually.”

“Hmm. Can you read Japanese?”

“A little. I mainly read translated works. But the stuff from America... I don’t know. It just doesn’t appeal to me.”

“I see. Well, let me do something about that as well. I will grant you that wish as a bonus.”

“And, what exactly is that wish?”

“You’ll see soon enough. Next time you have a chance, try reading something from Japan. In Japanese, of course.”

“I guess I can do that.”

“Alright. I am sending you back now. Thank you for your assistance. I shall remember what you have done for me.”

“No worries. However, I really am not interested in riches or fame.”

“Sure. Whatever you say.”

Next thing I knew, I was on the corner again. However, he was nowhere in sight. I shrugged, and headed home. When I got there, I was suddenly exhausted. I immediately decided to take a nap. When I did, I immediately fell asleep. I had strange dreams that night. Mainly about my body changing. I felt a little bit of pain, at least I dreamed that, but also I dreamed about a famous model. I didn’t really know too much about her, because she wasn’t really my type, but I dreamed she was my girlfriend. It was really bizarre.

When I woke up, something didn’t seem right. My pajamas didn’t fit. They slipped right off my body. And, I had abs. No, really. I had a six pack. I decided to find a mirror. That was a chore in itself, because I hid most of them. After all, who wants to look at flab? When I got the mirror, I looked at my face, and dropped it immediately. I touched my face over and over. No acne, no blemishes. I picked up the mirror again, and took a good look.

Now, I want you to know, I certainly wasn’t a hunk. However, when I was a bit younger, I did have pretty good looks. Not great, like a model or anything, but pretty good. And, I certainly didn’t have a problem talking to the ladies. However, an event happened, and well, things turned out this way. I guess you could say that I lost my self esteem.

I won’t go into details right now, but suffice it to say that a woman tried to get close to me. That in itself was fine, but she had a boyfriend. Actually, three of them. And, when we all found out, she decided to tell me I was inferior, among other things. And, the other guys proceeded to tell me the same thing as well. It was rough. It turned me off from the world in general, and here we are.

Anyway, after the great shock of my transformation, I decided to get to making breakfast, however, the fridge was bare. So, off to the restaurant. But, none of my clothes fit. So, I got the smallest clothes I could find, put on a belt, which I had to take a knife to to put a hole to make it fit, and headed out.

When I got outside, and caught the bus, I found that people were staring. No, really. All eyes were on me. It was extremely creepy. I managed to make it to the restaurant, and when I got there, the usual waitress showed me to my seat. However, she seemed to be out of it. She forgot the menu, and dropped the silverware.

“You alright? You seem to be having some issues.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m fine. You look familiar. Do I know you?”

“I come in practically every day, so I would say so.”

She looked me over again, but couldn’t place me.

“Are you sure? I probably wouldn’t forget someone like you.”

“Well, I have changed a bit. My name is Rob, by the way.”

She continued to stare at me. Finally, she decided that she had stared long enough, because she looked away.

“My name is April. Let me give you a minute to look at the menu.”

“No, I don’t need it. Bring me the deluxe breakfast, with sunny side up eggs and rye toast. And, grape jelly. A lot of it.”

“Wait a minute. I remember you now. Wow, you have changed. A lot.”

“That’s probably true.”

“No, really. A lot.”

I guess she wanted to emphasize that. Well, not that I blame her. I handed her the menu back, and she scampered off to the back. After my meal was done, she started to pick up my plates.

“Um, can I get you anything else?”

“No, I am full.”

“Oh, alright.”

She lingered a bit, hovering over the table. I cleared my throat.

“Thank you for serving me, but I would like to leave now.”

Her eyes shot wide, and she backed off. I got up and headed for the cash register. She followed me there and rang me up. I handed her some bills as a tip. She smiled and put them in her apron.

“Thank you for coming in. Um, can I...”

I smiled and tilted my head. She scribbled something on a ticket and handed it to me. Her hand was shaking as she did it. I looked at the ticket, and it had her name and a phone number on it.

“Um... call me some time, alright?”

She turned beet red and immediately ran off toward the kitchen. I stood there, mouth agape for several minutes. Finally, I put the ticket in my pocket, and headed out.

I decided that since none of my clothes fit, I should probably do something about it. I headed to the local box store. It carried clothing, as well as groceries and home goods. It was the place I normally went to to get clothing. When I went to the area that had men’s items, I again noticed that all eyes were on me. A clerk came up and smiled.

“Can I help you find something?”

“Well, I need several items, however, I don’t know my sizes.”

“Well, let’s get you some things, then. You look like you are about a 34 waist. I imagine 32 length. Let’s try these pants first. Now about tops, I would say you were a medium to a large. Take these shirts with you. I will open the changing room for you.”

She led me to the stall, and unlocked it. I headed in, and proceeded to try on the things. They all fit pretty well, although the tops the large size fit me the best. I changed back into my things and came out. She was waiting there, a big smile on her face.

“How did it go?”

“The pants were fine, but the tops need to be large.”

“Alright. Let’s see what we can find for you. It seems like you need a belt as well. That one looks a bit big.”

I chuckled, and looked away. She led me back to the clothes, and picked out a few things. I was clueless about clothing, and she probably figured that. After she got out about five outfits, she put them all in a basket and put the belt on top.

“Anything else I can do for you?”

“No, it seems like you have taken care of me. Thank you so much.”

I smiled, and she figited a bit.

“Um... are you free this afternoon?”

“I don’t have anything in particular going on.”

“Then, can you hang out with me?”

Hey.. what? My head is starting to hurt.

“Um, I am sorry, I just remembered, I have an appointment. Thanks anyway.”