Chapter 2: "Shadows of the Past"

Itsuki Masaki found himself entangled in the cold embrace of a nightmare. Vivid scenes from the beginning of the school year played out in his mind—the sensation of free-fall, the deafening rush of wind, and the impending collision with the unforgiving ground. In the chaotic ballet of dreams, he looked up, catching a glimpse of a girl with an unsettling resemblance to Saki.

As the dream reached its crescendo, Itsuki's eyes shot open, and he gasped for breath. The room around him was veiled in darkness, the remnants of the nightmare clinging to his consciousness. A bead of cold sweat traced a path down his forehead as he struggled to shake off the haunting images.

Itsuki: (muttering) What was that... and who was she?

The details of the incident eluded him, lost in the labyrinth of forgotten memories. The girl in the dream shared features with Saki, but the connection remained elusive.

Gathering his thoughts, Itsuki sat up, the weight of the dream dissipating in the awakening reality of his room. The clock on the bedside table ticked methodically, a reminder that the past and present were separate entities, yet intertwined in the corridors of his mind.

Itsuki: (whispering) Just a dream... but why does it feel so real?

With an uncertain sigh, he pushed aside the unsettling thoughts, preparing to face the challenges of a new day. Little did he know, the echoes of that fateful dream would linger, weaving into the fabric of the school year, where mysteries awaited their unraveling.

Itsuki's footsteps echoed in the corridors of uncertainty as he made his way to school. The morning air carried a chill that mirrored the lingering unease from his unsettling dream. His thoughts, like elusive specters, danced around the enigma of the first two weeks of the school year—weeks veiled in a fog of forgotten memories.

Itsuki: (muttering to himself) What happened during those weeks? Why is it all a blank?

A subtle tremor of apprehension tinged his contemplations. The threads of his dream, now woven into the fabric of his consciousness, seemed to suggest a connection. Could the forgotten weeks and the mysterious girl in the dream be intertwined?

His musings, however, were abruptly interrupted as he entered the classroom and saw Saki Konami, the enigmatic girl from his dream, engaged in conversation with the popular kids. A disquieting realization washed over him, raising more questions than answers.

Itsuki: (thinking) Saki... she was in my dream, and now she's in my class?

The unsettling connection fueled a quiet storm within him as he settled into his seat, the murmurs of the popular kids blending into the backdrop of the unknown. Itsuki couldn't shake the feeling that the missing pieces of his memory were connected to Saki, a puzzle waiting to be solved in the corridors of his forgotten past.

As Itsuki took his seat, the distant chatter of Saki Konami and her friends, a quintet of vibrant personalities, gradually became audible. Their animated conversation wove through the air, adding layers of complexity to the classroom backdrop.

Saki: (smirking) Shinjiro, you won't believe the adventure I had over the weekend. It was like something out of a movie.

Shinjiro: (grinning) Come on, spill the details! You can't leave us hanging.

Saki: (playfully mysterious) Let's just say there was a mysterious artifact, a hidden passage, and a narrow escape. The usual.

Mai (Miyuki): (laughing) Seriously, Saki, you have the most exciting life.

Saki: (teasing) Well, someone has to keep things interesting.

As Saki shared her weekend escapades, the two boys in the group, Shinjiro (Shin) and Ryota (Ryo), exchanged amused glances. Meanwhile, the girls, Miyuki (Mai), Hana, and Sakura, leaned in with genuine interest.

Ryota: (smirking) I still think you're making half of this up.

Saki: (defiant) You'll believe me when I show you the photos.

Hana: (curious) Did you discover any hidden treasures this time?

Saki: (mock-serious) If by treasures you mean a great sale at the mall, then yes.

Amidst the banter and laughter, Itsuki found himself caught in the orbit of Saki's magnetic presence. The fragments of his forgotten past seemed to be entwined with this group, leaving him on the periphery, searching for a way to bridge the gap between his lost memories and the vibrant interactions that unfolded before him.

As Itsuki sat alone during lunch, the cafeteria buzzed with activity around him. The rhythmic clatter of trays and the murmur of conversations formed a familiar symphony. However, his solitary moment was interrupted when Ayame and Saki approached, choosing to share the table with him.

Itsuki: (confused) Why are you two sitting here?

Ayame: (smiling) Well, we thought you could use some company. Plus, it's more fun together!

Saki: (grinning) Hope you don't mind the intrusion.

Itsuki, taken aback by the unexpected companionship, hesitated for a moment but decided to go along with it.

Itsuki: (nonchalant) Suit yourself.

As they settled in, Ayame, with her usual enthusiasm, initiated a conversation about the beginning of the school year.

Ayame: (excitedly) Remember the first few weeks of school? It feels like it was just yesterday.

Itsuki, with a faint sense of unease, struggled to recall those initial weeks that remained shrouded in the fog of forgotten memories.

Saki: (leaning in) Itsuki, you were quite the mystery back then. Always alone, lost in thought.

Ayame: (nodding) Yeah! We were all curious about you. But then you joined the Request Club, and everything changed.

Itsuki, still grappling with the fragments of his past, listened as Ayame and Saki reminisced about moments that seemed elusive to him. The conversation, like a puzzle missing crucial pieces, hinted at a connection he couldn't fully grasp.

Itsuki, when prompted to share his recollections of the school year's beginning, furrows his brows, a hint of frustration coloring his expression.

Itsuki: I can't remember anything about the start of the school year. It's all just a blur.

Ayame's cheerful expression falters, replaced by concern as she glances at Itsuki. Saki, on the other hand, averts her gaze, a shadow of regret and sorrow clouding her eyes. Sensing the shift in emotions, Itsuki attempts to redirect the conversation.

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Itsuki: How about you, Saki? How was the beginning of the year for you?

Saki, with a pained expression, shakes her head.

Saki: I don't want to talk about it.

The weight of unspoken stories lingers, weaving a tapestry of mystery around the forgotten past.

As the day progresses, they attend their respective classes until it's time to reconvene in the club room. Upon Itsuki's arrival, Saki teases him about taking his time, while Ayame greets him with a cheerful smile. Settling down at the table, they reveal a new request from Saki's friend, Hana.

Saki: You sure took your sweet time getting here.

Ayame: (ignoring Saki's comment) It's good to see you, Itsuki!

Saki: (smirking) Now, what's our next adventure?

They explain that Hana needs help baking cookies for her crush, Arata Higurashi. Itsuki, assuming baking is a simple task, expects Ayame and Saki to be adept in the kitchen. However, as they visit Hana to discuss the cookie details, it becomes apparent that Itsuki is the only one with baking skills.

Itsuki: (thinking to himself) This should be a piece of cake. They do know how to bake, right?

But reality sets in, revealing a different story as Hana outlines her vision for the cookies. Itsuki realizes he's the one who will have to lead the baking process.

As Hana excitedly shares her vision for the cookies, Ayame and Saki look at each other with uncertain expressions. Itsuki, sensing the brewing dilemma, decides to take charge.

Hana: I was thinking heart-shaped cookies with a sweet glaze. Arata really likes those.

Ayame: (nervously) Hearts, huh? That sounds cute!

Saki: (whispering to Ayame) Do you know how to make heart-shaped cookies?

Ayame: (whispering back) Not really, but it can't be that hard, can it?

Itsuki: (interjecting) Alright, let's keep it simple. We'll go with a basic cookie recipe and add a glaze. I'll take care of the baking.

Hana: (grateful) Thank you so much, Itsuki! I knew I could count on the Request Club.

As they leave Hana to prepare for the baking session, Ayame looks at Itsuki with a mix of admiration and curiosity.

Ayame: (whispering) You really know your way around the kitchen, Itsuki.

Itsuki: (nonchalant) It's not that complicated. Baking is just following instructions.

Saki, however, seems to be silently observing the dynamics between Ayame and Itsuki, her expression revealing a hint of something more profound. The trio heads to the club room, ready to tackle the baking request and, unbeknownst to Itsuki, unravel a bit more about themselves in the process.

As the trio gathered around the kitchen counter, Ayame eagerly sifted flour into a mixing bowl, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.

Ayame: (grinning) Baking is like magic! You mix things together, and poof, you get deliciousness!

Itsuki observed Saki cautiously measuring sugar, her expression a mix of concentration and uncertainty.

Saki: (muttering to herself) It's just following the recipe, right?

Itsuki, familiar with the baking process, took charge of coordinating tasks.

Itsuki: Ayame, make sure to cream the butter and sugar properly. Saki, you can help by preheating the oven and preparing the baking sheets.

Ayame: (nodding) Got it!

Saki: (nervously) Oven, baking sheets... right.

As the kitchen filled with the rhythmic sounds of measuring and mixing, Ayame couldn't resist engaging in cheerful banter.

Ayame: Itsuki, do you bake often? You seem like a pro!

Itsuki: (casually) Sometimes. It's just following a recipe.

Ayame: (excitedly) Well, you're our baking hero today!

Meanwhile, Saki navigated the unfamiliar territory of the oven's temperature settings.

Saki: (muttering) How hot should it be? I hope I don't burn them.

Itsuki, glancing over, reassured her.

Itsuki: 350°F should do it. Keep an eye on them, and you'll be fine.

As they progressed, Ayame's cookies went into the oven first, filling the room with a tempting aroma. Saki hesitated as she slid her baking sheet inside.

Saki: (worried) I hope they won't turn out like my usual attempts.

Itsuki: (smirking) No worries. We're here to guide you.

The timer ticked away, and anticipation filled the air. When the first batch emerged, Ayame's cookies had a golden glow, though slightly underdone.

Ayame: (pouting) Oops, maybe a bit less time next round?

Itsuki: (nodding) Adjusting the time will help.

Saki's batch, however, bore the marks of a slightly prolonged encounter with heat.

Saki: (apologetic) They got a bit crispy. Sorry, Hana.

Itsuki, assessing the situation, maintained his calm demeanor.

Itsuki: (encouraging) It's a learning process. Let's get the next batch right.

As they continued, Itsuki worked on his batch, meticulously cutting heart shapes and placing them on the baking sheet.

Ayame: (impressed) You're even making them heart-shaped! That's so sweet!

Itsuki: (dismissively) Just a little detail.

When the time came to check the final batch, Ayame and Saki were in for a surprise. Itsuki, true to his words, had managed to create perfectly shaped and golden-brown heart cookies.

Ayame: (astonished) How did you do that?

Itsuki: (smirking) Paying attention to the details, remember?

The trio gathered the cookies, ready to present their efforts to Hana. As they left the kitchen, the shared experience left them with a newfound camaraderie, setting the stage for more adventures in the Request Club.

As the trio walked down the hallway, the sweet scent of freshly baked cookies filling the air, Saki's demeanor shifted. She seemed burdened by a weight only she could feel.

Saki: (apologetic) Itsuki, I'm sorry. I feel like I'm always messing things up. I can't do anything on my own.

Itsuki, slightly taken aback, reassured her.

Itsuki: (calmly) Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. It's okay.

Saki, however, persisted in her self-blame.

Saki: (frustrated) No, it's not okay. I don't contribute anything. And I'm sorry for what happened at the beginning of the school year.

Itsuki, genuinely puzzled, tried to ease her distress.

Itsuki: (confused) I don't remember anything from the beginning of the school year. It's fine.

Saki's apologies continued, and her agitation heightened. Ayame, sensing the tension, joined in to comfort their friend.

Ayame: (supportive) Saki, you're not useless. We're a team, and we all bring something valuable.

Saki: (teary-eyed) I'm sorry, Ayame. I just feel like I'm holding everyone back.

Itsuki, growing concerned, attempted to calm the situation.

Itsuki: (gentle) Saki, it's fine. We're here to help each other. Don't carry it all on your own.

Despite his words, Saki's anxiety lingered. She apologized once more before finally, with Ayame's support, managing to calm down as they reached Hana.

Ayame: (smiling) Hana, we've brought you some delicious cookies!

Hana, delighted by the surprise, welcomed them into her world, unaware of the emotional turmoil that had accompanied the journey to her doorstep.

I apologize for the oversight. Let me provide a more detailed and vivid account of the moment when Itsuki tried to save Saki.

As Hana expressed her gratitude for the cookies, the trio bid her farewell and headed home. Itsuki and Saki soon realized they were walking in the same direction and decided to share the journey. The quiet streets provided a contemplative atmosphere, prompting Itsuki to finally broach the subject that had long intrigued him.

Itsuki: (curious) Saki, what happened in the first week of school?

Saki hesitated, the weight of untold emotions evident in her eyes. Reluctantly, she began to reveal a painful chapter of her life.

Saki: (softly) Before school started, I was dealing with depression. My parents and friends felt distant, and I felt utterly alone.

Itsuki, sensing a familiar echo in her words, listened attentively.

Saki: (continuing) I planned to jump off the school roof after the first day. But that evening, thinking no one was around, I started climbing over the railing.

As Saki recounted the desperate moments leading up to her decision, Itsuki, who had been up there alone, realized the depth of the connection between them.

Saki: (voice breaking) I jumped, but you were there. You grabbed my arm, trying to save me. I thought I could finally escape the loneliness, but you sacrificed yourself.

In that pivotal moment, Itsuki vividly recalled the scene. The school roof, a desolate stage for a silent struggle, the chill of the evening air, and the distant city lights casting an eerie glow. Saki, teetering on the edge, and him, racing to prevent a tragedy.

Itsuki: (introspective) The desperation was palpable. I reached out, fingers grasping for a lifeline. Your weight pulling against me, the ground seeming both impossibly distant and horrifyingly close.

As Saki spoke of the events, she couldn't help but choke back tears, and Itsuki, revisiting the memory, felt a surge of conflicting emotions.

Itsuki: (calmly) Saki, it wasn't your fault. It was my choice to make that sacrifice. You don't have to be my friend just because of that.

However, Saki, angered by the notion that her friendship was built on gratitude, ran away.

Saki: (upset) I'm not your friend because you saved my life!

As Itsuki stood alone, he contemplated the complexities of kindness and the walls he had built around himself.

Itsuki: (reflecting) I've grown wary of kind-hearted individuals. Their gestures, from simple hellos to deep conversations, can trap you in a cycle of fleeting happiness. But beneath their kindness lies a cruel reality—I've learned that their goodness is often a facade. Every time I've hoped, misunderstandings and disappointments followed, leaving me hesitant to trust again. As someone accustomed to life's battles and accustomed to losing, I've developed a reluctance toward those who appear 'nice'.

The next day in the club room, Ayame, with her usual cheerful demeanor, noticed the lingering tension between Itsuki and Saki. Determined to bring back a positive atmosphere, she declared with enthusiasm:

Ayame: (brightly) I sense a bit of gloom in the air! How about our next Request Club mission is something fun and uplifting? What do you think?

Itsuki, still grappling with the recent revelations, and Saki, with a hint of reluctance, exchanged glances.

Ayame: (declaring) I've got the perfect idea! Our next request is to go to the amusement park!

Ayame's eyes sparkled with excitement, hoping that the promise of a day filled with laughter and joy would help dispel the shadows that lingered within the club.