I don't know how much time I've been standing still, looking

at the gentle waves breaking against the few rocks that were in

Osaka's port, but I doubt it was a short amount. One year ago I

promised myself never to cross this bridge, but it had to be on

the anniversary (if it could be called like that) of his death the

same day in which destiny decided to screw with me. The other

bridge is under maintenance right now and I have been forced to

cross this one, where I am unable to ignore the echoes of the

screams resonating in my head. The sea's rumbling only reminds me

of the sound of the rain and I am getting scared of suddenly

starting to hear gunshots. For the better or worse, my line of

thought was interrupted by a familiar voice.

-Feminine voice: Kuroioki-Senpaaaaai!

The loud voice resonated in my eardrums for a while before

realizing someone was screaming my name, and I only know one

person who refers to me like that. I turned around to find Hikari

Miyamizu, a young lady who last year studied in first year

preparatory while I was finishing third year.

-Kuroioki: Hikari, I already graduated and we are no longer

studying in the same school, calling me "senpai" is inadequate.

Hikari: Senpai for a year, senpai forever, and I assure you

there exist no arguments that could make me think otherwise!

Proclaimed my former kohai with pride and a characteristic

smile. Her honey coloured eyes looked at me with expectation, but

they quickly started to reflect pity and, maybe, guilt.

-Hikari: Co...Coming back from the psychologist?

I just nodded with the less dry tone I could offer, but in my

state it was hard to give my friend what she was looking for: A

human expression. It's been a year since I have been unable to

express any kind of emotion that isn't indifference towards my

surroundings. The problem isn't that I don't feel anything, I am

completely capable of feeling euphoria, sadness and empathizing

with others, but to make my face reflect those feelings is

impossible to me, and I know that Hikari blames herself for it.

Both of us spent a short, but tense moment observing the horizon,

until Hikari broke the silence, as she always does.

-Hikari: Y'know? A short while ago I got some movie tickets

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

which we can use once to watch any movie we like in the cinema

during this week, so maybe if you want to... you know...

The enthusiasm with which my friend started the sentence

disappeared word for word, until she couldn't finish it. I laid my

hand on her long, black mane and gently petted her head while I

looked at her with the same posthumous look I am incapable of

changing.

-Kuroioki: Today I desire to be left alone, Hikari, but if you

want to go watch a movie in a few days, I would be glad to

accompany you.

Hikari closed her eyes and her little hands hanged on mine

with sadness, probably craving for the little amount of heat my

body is capable of transmitting. I always had heard from my

brother, rest in piece, that Hikari could never be seen without

her smile and that there was nobody who wouldn't feel happiness

just by watching her do so, but both she and I suffer from the

same incident that ended my brother's life, which we also feel

responsible for, although for different reasons. Her soft 

breathing helped me distance myself from the voices that wouldn't

stop echoing in my head. Finally, Hikari smiled again while

looking at me in the eyes.

-Hikari: Then don't dare to make any plans for this weekend,

understood?

She took my hand and moved it between us and, while playing

with my long fingers, I could notice a slight blush on her cheeks.

-Kuroioki: I would never let you go alone to the cinema.

I bid farewell to my friend and headed to my house while I

felt how her intense look lost sight of me. I know that what

happened with my brother left her very distressed, possibly even

more than it could have affected me, but she is the kind of person

who wouldn't tell you that someone stabbed her in the guts so she

wouldn't bother anyone. A comforting smile and some sweet words

were the only things a normal person could offer, but I was

incapable of even doing that. Incapable of showing any proof that

I was alive and that I wasn't an empty shell, that I am alright

and that it's not her fault that my brother and I ended up like we

did, but it was impossible, just like it's impossible for me to

show my frustration. Anyone would think that, after a year of

psychological torture, one would get used to it, but I am afraid

that despair and impotence are feelings no one will ever get

acquainted with. Suddenly, I heard an incredibly loud noise above

me. When I woke from my trance that I myself went into, I realized

that, without even noticing, I entered an area under construction.

I heard the screams of terror around me: "boy", "watch out", "up"

were a few of the many words I heard, and how right were they.

Once y looked up, I could see firsthand how a metal beam crushed

me. It was only in that minuscule amount of time in which I could 

notice the corners of my lips lift up slightly.