In a dark alley, someone is trying to run from me. The person often stumbles upon some useless things such as trash cans or just trips over shattered pieces of glass.

The sun has gone out and now the full moon rises to greatness.

Midst the dark night, I could feel no anxiety and the pursuit of a higher sensation fully consumed my body as I kept on slowly walking towards my next victim.

There is no one coming from you, so why are you running away from me?

As a matter of fact, why are you running away from me in the first place...?

"Stop! Stop! Stop! I haven't done anything to you, why are you doing this to me?! I want to live, I want to live! Please let me live! Why!? Why did you kill all my family! You monster!"

After tripping yet again, the figure that was running away from me accidentally stood on the cold and dark ground in this deserted alley.

Speaking of which... It's a girl.

A really young one at it.

But her words. They confuse me.

"What are you talking about? I didn't do any of that... Why are you so afraid? Why are you taking a few steps back like that? Is there something wrong with me? I just wanted..."

Hm? What did I want again?

I can't remember...

"You did! You did! I saw them! As soon as I got home you were stabbing my mother in the back!! You can't lie to me! Not only my mother but you killed everyone else too! My brother, father, grandpa, they are all dead! Stay away from me!!"

What is she talking about...? I have no recollection of such events...

And why is this petit little girl speaking to me like that...?

No one will help you, therefore why are you even bothering to scream...?

Nevertheless, the girl was finally against the back of the wall. She brought this upon herself by trying to escape me.

In my right hand, I held a sharp silver knife with trails of blood all over its edge.

Maybe I really did kill...?

"Hey, you don't have to cry. Why are you crying? Hey, answer me. What's wrong? You're not stopping."

"Let me live please..."

Huh...?

Why did she ask me that question...? Her tears that flow straight down her lachrymose face are abnormal. I don't think that I have ever seen so much fear in one person. She's even refusing to look at me.

Why though...?

Mhm.........

I can't remember why I'm here and why I'm chasing down a girl with a knife in my hand in the first place?

For what reason would I chase down a young short black haired girl like this in the middle of the night...?

Isn't this dangerous for me...? Still... No matter how much I think about it, I can't form a good answer regarding this.

....!

"S-Stoooooooooop!!!! It hurts!!! Why are you doing this!!! Take it off, it hurts!"

Why did my body just move and instinctively stabbed her left shoulder like that?

Also, is it just me or can't I speak? I've tried to answer her for quite a while but only my thoughts are alive right now.

Why am I stabbing her though?

"Go to hell! I hope you burn in hell!!"

Ah, no good.

After stabbing her so much all over her body, she just died. It all happened in a rhapsody though.

I know it's not alright, but I can't help but be happy about breaking the habit.

February 23rd. 8 am.

"AHHH!!!"

Unexpectedly, I woke up by falling from my bed... I couldn't help but let out a scream because I just had a terrifying nightmare...

"Not again... I killed someone in my dreams again...."

This has been happening from time to time now.

There are times where I have these weird and terrible nightmares...

Nightmares where I kill people for some reason...

"Why can't I remember anything at all...?!"

It's been consuming my mind how I can't seem to ever grasp any sort of possible recollection of why I am dreaming like this...

"Myaauuu..."

And while I was here panicking about my strange nightmare, my cat just came to meet me. Speaking off which, I just fell from my bed and...

"Shhh. Don't make any noises or else they'll hear you, Oliver."

"Myaaauu!"

"That's a good boy... Mhm... You're so fluffy..! I wish I could stay here and cuddle all day long with you, but..."

When I reached out for my phone that was on my mini-desk, I looked at the time...

"Heavens, I'm gonna be late at this rate! And I haven't eaten anything! Oliver, do you think I can still eat something and be on time for the class!? I know I'm going to get scolded but...! I'm hungry..."

"Myaaauu! Myaauu!"

Oliver got on top of my body which tickled me, but I soon realized that I didn't have much time left, so, after getting ready and giving Oliver some proper food, I quickly ate something and left the dorm.

As I was about to do so, I had a strange thought which immediately turned into something that I would say out loud...

"...Why... am I even here...?"

These thoughts and events were something that I, Akihiko Kagami, frequently had in this month of cold, February.

8:30 am. Main classroom. Block F.

I'm arguably one of the very first people to reach this class but the person next to me is always here first.

Her name is Sana. Sana Nasha, correct?

Every time that I entered this obnoxiously normal classroom, she would meet my gaze, since I was the first person to look at her, yet we would immediately look away after two split seconds.

For no particular reason should we look at each other in the first place, but we still did.

"Why did she look in my way, anyway?"

"Sorry?"

And in the middle of this, I got the attention of one of my male companions, which is...

Damn, I can't remember.

"Hey... K-Kyoren...?"

"It's Ryoken, Akihiko."

"Ah, right..."

Apparently that's the name of the male figure who caught me speaking out loud while I was entering the classroom.

"So, were you speaking to me, or...?"

"Ah, no. I wasn't. Sorry."

After clearing that misunderstanding I went to my seat and stood right next to Sana, who is a person that has a figure of considerable appeal.

Her brunette hair really does go along with her and besides, her almost short hair is nice. I don't really like long hairs that much but a perfect balance is nice.

"And she's writing songs again in hope that I don't notice. Of course, she won't realize this but her way of hiding is really bad. Especially because I can just take a look at it from this angle."

For this to work, I had to tilt my torse to the left just so I could look at what she was writing.

"Oh gosh, when will you ever shut up!? Keep those thoughts to yourself!"

Did I say that out loud?

"I guess I said that out loud."

"Yeah, I know you did! You don't have to say it!"

"She's moody too, how troublesome."

"What the hell did I just tell you!? Keep your thoughts to yourself since I don't want to hear them!"

Did I accidentally speak out loud yet again?

But why is she so mad?

Nevertheless, I kept that thought to myself and took a seat. Sana's aggressive, but way too aggressive.

Why though?

Are my loud thoughts that annoying? I just can't seem to find a problem with them, honestly.

The class had begun and so, Sana packed her sheets in which she was writing her lyrics in her school bag.

"Can I read it?"

"I'll kill you."

Why do you have to be so rude...? I was serious about this.

After that, minutes just kept on flying by. I pay attention to class, but sometimes I do feel bored and prioritize my thoughts instead of paying that much attention to class.

If my loud thoughts are annoying to Sana, then should I try something else? Like, for example, lower the volumes of my thoughts...?

This is fine because our table is right against the right wall and I just so happen to be against it.

Therefore, I awkwardly embraced the wall and started to self monologue about some doubts.

"Why am I here anyway? I can't remember, I can't remember... No, why is everyone here...? Should I ask Sana about this or is she too emotionally unstable to answer my question nicely and in a logical manner? Probably. Mhm... Damn, this sucks... Why can't I remember anything-- Auww."

I got kicked in the middle of this, but she refused to look my direction.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"Sana, why are you here?"

No answer.

"Hey, Sana, don't ignore me... I know you can hear me. Listen, your lyrics really aren't that bad, they just have some major iss- Auwwwww."

This time, it was a barrage of three kicks.

"Stop that... It really hurts."

"It's about to hurt a whole lot more if you don't shut up..."

"Oh. You answered me! That's nice! But don't talk too loud or else he'll notice...!"

By he, I meant the monster that was teaching us.

"You're the one talking loud, you know? What do you want, Akihiko? Can you promise to shut up if I answer your question?"

"Yes, yes. I promise. So, why are we here?"

"Are you dumb? We are here because we have done things that we shouldn't..."

"Ah, very informative, Sana. So, what were those things?"

Realistically, I had no clue what Sana was talking about. I just assumed that she was being vague about it so I pressed the subject.

"Crimes, you moron."

"W-What!? C-Crimes?! But, why? W-What did you do...? I-I knew it...! I always found it strange the fact that such an emotionally unstable person such as you were here in the first place! It appears it was true, you really did--- Auuwwwwwwwwwwwww!!"

I felt that really hard on my knee.

Why is her kick so strong...

"Don't you dare speak like you are in a different position..."

Suddenly, Sana paused her writing and put down her pencil to further emphasize.

"Listen, I have no idea what your game is, but I'm not a fool. You've been acting strange these past days for no reason and I won't accept the 'memory loss' cliche. I know what you are up to and it's not going to work. I would also appreciate if you'd stop calling me emotionally unstable when that's clearly not the case. You are annoying to an absurd extent, it's only normal for someone to show signs of being disturbed in the presence of the likes of you..."

Waah, how harsh.

"I'm serious though. I have no clue about what's going on or why I'm here in the first place. You said that we did crimes right? But I can't remember anything regarding that... Hey, if that's true, then what have you done?"

"Stupid, I'm not telling you. I have no reason to tell you, especially you of all people."

"But why though? Is it something that you just can't tell me or is it because it's me? If so, does that mean that you can tell other people but not me? That's harsh, Sana. Really harsh."

"Stop blabbering, I am not telling it to anyone, regardless of who it is."

Okay, but why though? Why bother keeping it a secret?

"Then, what have I done? According to your reasoning, everyone here has done crimes, right? If so, then I can conclude that I must have done something, correct? What?"

"Hell if I know. You never told me about it, also, can you drop the act already? It's plainly obvious that you are messing with me..."

"What are you talking about? I'm not messing with you. You are so insecure. Trust issues? Oh, you've been betrayed before or something like that? You don't have to worry, I'll never do such a thing."

"...Let's suppose that you are not lying and you are telling me the truth. You have amnesia or something like that, right?"

"I'm not sure, Sana. All I know is that I can't remember anything after the supply exam... It must be connected."

"That is amnesia, you idiot."

"Can you not call me an idiot? It's really infuriating. I am not an idiot. Where have I shown signs of idiocy?"

"The fact that you don't even know that makes you the bigger idiot, Akihiko. Talking to yourself is the reflection of a lunatic. Also, you act like an idiot. It's written all over your face."

"I don't agree with that, Sana... You're the idiot."

"Excuse meee?!"

Oh no, I've pissed her off yet again.

It's not really my fault though...

Is talking alone that bad? It helps me organize my thoughts, it is, therefore, correct to speak alone out loud.

Our distance grew closer physically but for bad reasons. She was holding her pen in a menacing way.

Put that away, please.

"Drop that pen, Sana..."

"Drop that attitude, Akihiko."

"No, you should really drop your pen! What are you thinking right now?! See, this is what I mean when I said that you were emotionally unstable! Who in their right mind just physically threatens someone when things don't go their way!? That's just psychotic and you know it!"

What were we talking about again?

Were we seriously arguing about whether or not I had amnesia?

"Well, that's why you are an idiot, Sana. Because you can't even distinguish the fact that it's obvious that I do have amnesia. Tsk. Dumb bi- AHHHH!!!!"

As soon as I was about to finish that sentence, I felt a staggering pain on my left leg...

"Did you seriously just stab me with your pen on my left leg?!"

This bitch's insane! Who does that openly in the middle of an ongoing classroom!? I'm sure that she will be punished by this---

"Akihiko. Earth to Akihiko."

Hm? Why is this monster suddenly in front of me and grabbing the top of my skull with just his right hand?

How come I'm feeling extremely terrified right now? Why is his face so close? Why is he smiling so diabolically?!

MOM!!!

"Now, I've been calling your name for quite a while but somehow, you have the balls to completely ignore me. You should know something, you self-talking retard. Ignoring me is the worst thing you can possibly do. I don't bother much with human beings in general, but when I do, I make sure that they get my point. However, you were too busy screaming right now. How do you explain this?"

"It's Sana's fault."

"Sensei, it's not... Akihiko was just talking to himself and faked a scream."

"No, sensei, she obviously stabbed me with her pen! It's right there, look!"

"Sensei, he did that to himself. He's a lunatic!"

"Not true, sensei! Sana's lying through her teeth!"

"Akihiko's accusation is false because I was paying attention to class."

"Wrooooong. She wasn't paying attention to class, she was writing her horrible ly- AHHHH! Oi, sensei! You saw that, didn't you? You did, didn't you?!"

She kicked me again!

What the hell is wrong with this girl!?

"Both of you, to the principal's office. Now!"

...........

Without showing much resistance, we marched forward to the principal's office which was all the way to block A. We surely didn't talk to each other as well.

No...

I attempted to but she looked so pissed that I felt that my own life was in pure danger if I attempted something...

Not to mention, we ended up attracting attention along the way...

Principal's office.

"What is it this time? It's the third time this week that someone has been sent here and they are all from the same class. Class F. Mind explaining me what happened?"

In this fairly average office stood in his desk a man of considerable height with a bald head.

His look was more penetrating than anything and just by looking at that tight suit, I got the feeling that he was physically strong.

There were two chairs so we took our respective seats.

"Principal, would you believe me if I told you a tale of a lunatic that wouldn't stop talking to himself?"

"It depends. Is it relevant or not?"

Perhaps his figure was so physically repulsive that I couldn't help but form a silent atmosphere. Not even my lone and loud thoughts came out this time.

However, Sana was taking the lead here, which was something that was bad for me.

And in the end...

Roughly after waiting for 10 minutes and roughly after plenty of arguments between me and Sana, the principal reached his conclusion.

"Let me get this straight. Sana, student from F class, said that Akihiko, the one who you sit right next to, has a bad habit of talking to himself and that even Akihiko himself denied this. On the other hand, Akihiko appealed to his argument by saying that it's natural to talk out loud... Right?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"And furthermore, since he didn't stop bothering you, you kicked him a few times and---"

"Please don't forget the part where I said she stabbed me with her pen out of fury and anger!"

No way was I going to let that point be forgotten.

"Don't interrupt me, Akihiko, student from F class."

Why is he mentioning my class like it's important?

"Sorry..."

"Either way, both sides are at fault. Akihiko, student from F class, in class you are supposed to be silent. Disobeying basic rules such as this will only aggravate the consequences. And Sana, student from F class, you are not allowed to kick nor stab someone just because that someone is annoying. Moderate your temper. With that said, you'll both receive your first warnings."

Oh, just a warning?

How sweet. I thought we would get something way more extreme.

"Can't you reconsider this, principal?!"

For some reason, Sana got up from her seat and made her stand towards the heartless principal sitting on the steeled desk.

"No, I will not reconsider. You two are dismissed. I hope to not see you again."

"Yes..."

Sana and I, after saying that, left the principal's office and made our way back to class.

But, there was something that I didn't understand.

Why was Sana so worried about just a single warning...?

"Hey, Sana, why are you..-"

Suddenly, Sana fastened her pace while leaving block A. Truly, we were being confronted with a lot of students, but her pace didn't decrease, in fact, it only increased.

"Don't talk to me... Ever again... Because of you, I got a warning..."

Her words started to sound lower and lower since the students just kept on talking and talking.

Also, why are they forming so much distance between us...?

To catch up with Sana, I increase my pace.

"Hey, what does it matter? It's just a warning, you know?"

Contrasting her previous actions, she fully stopped walking and looked on the ground for two seconds straight.

"Sana...? What? What's wrong?"

"You... You really don't know anything, do you? Life must be pretty easy for you. You don't have a care in the world, do you? Well, guess what? I do! I care about my own circumstances and I'm pissed off that I even got a warning just because I got involved with the likes of you! I can't believe that I have to suffer because of you!!"

Her emotions once again began storming violently. Furthermore, while shouting at me, she would often raise her index finger just for the purpose of pointing at me, indicating that I am the one at fault.

Truly, I realize that I'm somewhat in the wrong and that talking alone can be pretty disturbing, but I still didn't get it.

"Why are you stressed out about this? Look, I admit, I was wrong here. Talking alone must be something that's pretty disturbing. But why are you being so... worried over a warning? It's just a warning... Nothing bad will happen due to it."

Something to further mention is that everyone from the other classes was looking at us with worried expressions. But it's mainly because Sana is being very aggressive about this for no reason at all.

In the middle of this hall that had plenty of students in it, it wouldn't be a surprise if there was an intervention coming up soon.

It might just be a matter of time before this block's guard comes to us.

Or so I've learned over the past two weeks. My memory only knows this much regarding this.

"Just a warning? Are you serious right now? Well, okay. Since you are sooooooo dumb, let me tell you something useful! Once you have accumulated ten warnings, you are out of this program, you big dumb idiotic simpleton. And being out of this program means that I don't get what I want! And do you know what I want!? Huh? Do you!?"

I wish I knew, but so far, I have no clue what's going on, other than the fact that Sana is pissed off to a whole new level.

I'm not even sure why I'm in this school in the first place.

None of this makes any sense to me.

"I've told you that I don't really know what's going on... You can just tell so I can hopefully comprehend but you haven't done that either, Sana!"

"Oh yeah? Then get this. What I want is freedom. Freedom from what I have done and to hopefully not repeat it again and that's why I can't screw up! I already have to deal with you daily, Kuzan too and everyone else too! Don't you dare project your easy-going methods on someone like me who takes everything she does seriously!"

I see.

It seems that Kuzan is somehow connected to her stress, otherwise, she would not bother to mention it.

Regardless, I had bigger worries right now, because a bulky man just walked into this block.

While it would be really good to understand her problems to get a better gist of the situation, it appears that the situation at hand is far worse.

"Sana, we have to get out of here, fast---"

"No!!"

Once again, for reasons unknown, she did a strange thing, which was to push my whole body back.

"I've had enough of you. You are driving me insane every single day, Akihiko! You, and everyone else! What the hell are you all looking at, huh!? Don't you all have lives as well!? Then stop fucking looking at me already!"

"Eeeeek!"

The majority of them just fleed the scene, but there was seriously something that she needed to understand because Sana was not making this easy for me...

"I get that! I'll listen to your complaints later, but right now we need to-"

"You two. What is this all about?"

Crap...

"What!? Who are you? What do you want? Can't you see that I'm talking to him? Can't you take a clue and realize the situation or are you immensely clueless as well? Is that why you're so bulky? Because your brain is too tiny to fit in!?"

Sana, this isn't the time to be roasting this block's guard, you idiot!

"I see... This behavior... The principal told me about it, how there was a 'disturbance' in this block... But to think that it would be the rumourous criminals that this school is keeping. I've never been a fan of keeping criminals around, but this..."

Is that a baston...?

Why does this man have a baston?

"Will you shut it already? You're annoying. Piss off!"

S-Sana, what are you doing!? Can't you see that he has a baston in his hands?! What if he...?

"The principal told me something in addition. Against criminals and only them, if they break the rules, I am allowed to use the right ways to punish them..."

"Please forgive us! We didn't mean to start anyt-"

"Silence, you pest! You broke the peaceful atmosphere and corrupted it with vicious pollution with your own actions! It's forbidden for you to interact with other students yet you did just that! Not you in specifically, but this lousy girl over here! How are you going to atone for that!?"

My attempt to persuade him by reason completely failed and he kept on ticking with his baston on his right hand's palm...

I get the feeling that we should not be here and I wish that she would take a clue, but...

"I don't care about that rule! It makes no sense why I can't interact with them! They've talked to me, why can't I talk back!?"

"Shut up!!!!! You don't get to talk, you filthy criminal! Right here and now, you will repent for your own actions!"

Just as Sana was about to fire another verbal barrage of comments at him, his right arm which was fully loaded since his baston was in his right hand, did a contradictory swing and it was clear that he was about to hit Sana at full force.

Is this seriously allowed?!

There are people watching even...!

"Ahhh, damn it!!"

Against my initial intentions, I intercepted the strike that was directed at Sana by putting myself in the way, but nonetheless, my whole body got shot to the steel lockers.

Shit... That was so powerful.

"You dare to get in my way!? Preposterous! How can you disobey and attempt to rebel against me when you have broken the rules!? It's unforgivable and I will not concede such an act!"

Ahhhhhh....

Blood....

It's coming out, from my nose. I took that blow with my whole face and it triggered a physical reaction, therefore my whole nose is bleeding right now.

Just by hovering my whole hand onto it, I can feel the surreal amount of blood tripping out.

"W-What are you doing!? Y-You just hit him! Why!? Akihiko didn't do anything wrong to deserve that!"

Hearing those words from you isn't exactly the nicest thing on Earth considering how contradicting they are. A moment ago you were lashing at me with all your might but now you are showing a docile expression while speaking words of care?

What a strange and confusing girl.

"Shut up!!! You got lucky because that strike right now was meant to hit you!! How dare you talk back after what you have done!? You've disturbed the peace of this block just by scaring every other student away!! How will you pay for that?!"

I don't really get what's going on, but what the hell is he saying?

You were the one who scared them all out when you started to swing that baston and now you are accusing her of doing something that's not entirely true?

Ah, sure, she was emotional and whatnot. Even annoying to an obnoxious point, but why are you about to swing that baston at her nonetheless?

You said criminals, but do you even know what we did? You don't, do you?

If so, why are you acting like you are in a superior position?

Also... This intense feeling streaming down my veins... I can't help but find it particularly interesting...

Ever since I've been hit by that baston of his, I started feeling rage and feeling fire in my veins.

But, I'm not entirely sure why...

..................

"W-What!? How dare you get in my way twice!? Fuck off!!"

And yet again, I was sent flying back to my initial position.

I'm not even sure if I understand what just happened. Was that instinct? Was that why I intercepted his attack once again?

My steeming curiosity about the way I'm feeling right now feels like the key to remember certain parts of my memory.

Why...?

Is this stage meant to be?