PROLOGUE
It’s not like I’ve completely forgotten about her. I have this weird feeling when I think about her, like she’s supposed to be someone very important to me. I sometimes dream about her, where I meet her inside a vast empty house. After walking aimlessly for what seems like an eternity, I see a little girl in a white lily dress, with her long black hair curled up with a red ribbon. There’s something unmistakably peculiar about this girl; I’ve seen her red ribbon somewhere else. I know I have met her somewhere, but I just can’t seem to remember, no matter how hard I try. I chase her down the endless hallways, but she quickly disappears out of my sight. Instead, I only hear a voice in my head, presumably coming from the little girl.
“Maerd a evah uoy od?” she says, coming from behind.
I turn around to see the little girl, who seemed like she had been quietly observing me the whole time. At first, what she said sounded like nonsense, but for some reason, I understood it clearly:
“Do you have a dream?”
Strangely enough, I just noticed that the face of the girl who calmly asked me that question was scribbled out, like a rough sketch. It was unrecognizable, but I had a feeling that she was smiling at me. It didn’t matter to me though, since I was more concerned about the meaning of her question. Just what exactly was so important about my dreams?
“You need to make a choice.”
The little girl points towards a white wooden door. It looked completely out of place compared to everything around it. It had an odd energy, which drew me in. Before I realized it, I was already in front of the door. I looked up and down, scanning for any distinguishing details. There were no labels, no scratches, nothing that gave me an idea of what lied behind the other side of the door. My only clue was a golden doorknob. Suddenly, I can feel my stomach churning with discomfort. One thing was for certain – this door hasn’t been opened before.
Clearly this door was meant to stay closed.
“And if I refuse?”
The little girl giggles.
“Then nothing happens! It doesn’t matter to me because I’m fascinated with you! So far, you’re the only person who understands me.” she says with glee. “You’ve been granted a power Kazuki.”
Is that my name?
I feel a sharp pain in my head. Yes, I recognized that name – Kazuki. I didn’t really understand what she was talking about, but I halfheartedly nodded anyways.
“I’m curious to see how it ends!” she says, jumping with excitement.
Without thinking, I place my hand on the golden doorknob. It was surprisingly warm to the touch, despite how tepid the atmosphere was around me. I retract my hand from it after a few seconds.
“Just remember Kazuki, it really doesn’t matter in the end if it’s real or not. I’m just curious if you could even tell the difference. What matters is if you managed to get what you wished for.”
I said something in response, and she forcefully grabs my hand.
“Haha nope!” she laughs. “Even I don’t know what’s real anymore. We’re all just like characters in a story. All I’m here to do is to give you a small push towards making the first step…”
The little girl places my hand back on the golden doorknob. Her dainty fingers align with mine, until she finally steps away.
I slowly turn the doorknob, only to be engulfed in a blinding light. I want to shield my eyes, but my body embraces it. I feel the warmth wrap around my being.
“It was nice to see you again Kazuki-kun.” a voice whispers in my head.
Of course, I wouldn’t remember this dream when I wake up, but the impression of the little girl would still be inside me. It would be the same when I saw her again. It was weird, since all I could feel was disgust.
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CHAPTER 36
My Name is Kazuhira Kaneshiro!
Today is February 2nd. Of course it’s February 2nd.
Why am I confirming the date for today?
I try to rack my head around why that date seemed so important to me, but I give up. I look outside the windows to see it was still cloudy, though I think the weather was supposed to clear up later today. Lately the weather has been making people feel a little down. We haven’t been able to see the blue sky for quite some time now.
I hope it gets sunny soon.
My name is Kazuhira Kaneshiro. Most people call me Kaz for short though. I’m in Class 2-B now. I should be more specific and say I’m in Class 2-B of Kasumigaseki High. Our school is noteworthy for being the most average school ever. We never won any competitions, never scored particularly high on college exams, and most of the students were here because they didn’t have a choice. Of course, I could care less about my school’s reputation. I just wanted to live out my normal everyday life, expending energy only when necessary. Everyone around me was talking to each other, gossiping about so and so, or whatever. I just preferred a life of solitude. I look at the enormous meal I have prepared for lunch today. My lunch box was a bit embarrassing to bring every day. It was shaped like the face of a cat, and to be honest was pretty adorable up close. A few of the girls reluctantly asked me where I got it, but I just couldn’t remember where.
Mom got it for me. I think?
Still, I had way too much food! It easily could have been enough for two people, or maybe someone with an insatiable appetite. Usually my mom would make my lunches, but she was out of town with my dad on a business trip, so I had to cook for myself. But for some reason, I made more than I could eat, almost instinctively. The thought of eating all this was starting to make me nauseous to be honest.
I don’t really have the appetite. So why did I make so much today?
Maybe I was having these odd thoughts since I’m feeling a bit under the weather. Well, I wouldn’t say I was sick, but rather this is how I’m always feeling. I just feel a bit uncomfortable for some reason. I can’t really explain it either. It feels like I’m the only one here without a reflection. It was a strange feeling I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Maybe I was up too late last night…?
Yeah that probably explained it. Alongside having trouble sleeping for the past few days, last night’s Masked Avenger episode made me too excited to sleep! My favorite superhero show had part one of a two-parter, with the Masked Avenger teaming up with his arch-rival, the Phantom Defender. They were to stop the big bad, Mono the Absolute. I can’t believe it ended on a cliffhanger! I was reading up the forums and message boards earlier to see the reactions, and everyone agreed it all depended on the ending. Needless to say, I doubt it was going to somehow satisfy everyone.
This cliffhanger is killing me…
I decide to stop fan-boying and focus back at school. I was looking forward to lunch, since I packed a hamburg steak, my favorite thing to eat in the world. If I was stuck on an island, I wouldn’t mind eating this every day. But, I just had zero appetite today.
“Hamburg steak again?”
“Got a problem with that?”
The person questioning my taste was none other than Mary Kaneko. Although we had the same class together last year, this time she was in Class 2-A. Even though I said Kasumigaseki High had nothing notable, Mary was the sole exception. Mary had a reputation of being known as “the Roadrunner of Kasumigaseki High,” since she was the state track champion. So far, nobody had managed to come close to beating her records. Mary was also half-Caucasian, so her naturally blonde hair, somewhere between long and very long, made her a celebrity amongst the rest of us. She had her hair bound up into a ponytail high up on the back of her head, which was her normal look.
Mary grabs the empty seat in front of me. She claimed it as “her seat” since nobody sat in it during class. She unzips her worn red track suit she was wearing over her school uniform. For some reason, she still kept it on outside of her track activities despite our uniform policies. Nobody would enforce it against her though.
“Oh yeah, did you see last night’s episode?!?” she says, barely able to contain her excitement.
Her tiny frame fit her energetic personality. Mary was never the type to sit still.
“Yeah, it was pretty good.”
It was a little embarrassing to still be watching a show aimed at kids, but I couldn’t help it. It was pretty easy for the two of us to get along with each other based on our love of these superhero shows.
“I thought it was over when the Masked Avenger lost his powers! I nearly got yelled at by my neighbors for being too loud when the Phantom Defender showed up to save him.”
Mary still had that child-like innocence. Of course, someone was going to save the Masked Avenger. The same predictable things happened over and over in these superhero shows.
I still watch them though…
Mary quickly changes the topic, and finally remembers why she came here.
“Kaz…is there something different about me today? C’mon!” she looks at me with her sparkling blue eyes.
“Uh…”
I had no idea. She looked exactly the same.
Think of something Kaz!
“I’ll give you a hint! It’s something around my chest.”
“Really…?”
My eyes turn towards her breasts.
“Y-You pervert!” as Mary quickly zips up her track suit, her cheeks turning bright pink.
“W-What?!? I-I mean…they looked bigger?”
To be honest, it was the first thing that popped into my head. Mary wasn’t flat-chested, but she was a bit “lacking,” based on her tiny frame and athletic physique.
“Just look at my chest…but not at my chest.”
I apologize to her and she lets her guard down. I look to see something reflective and shiny attached on her track suit.
“I-Is that?!?”
“Tee-hee! You betcha!”
She rubs the pin on her track suit. My heart began to pound, and suddenly my hands began to shake profusely. I’ve seen pictures of it; I never actually thought I’d ever lay my eyes on it! It was a limited-edition, super-rare exclusive Masked Avenger pin.
“How did you get it?!?”
“Papa came home overseas and brought me this as a gift! Jealous?” she said with a smug grin.
“N-No! I-It’s just a pin…” I tried to deny my envy.
It’s just like the coolest pin ever.
“What do you think? It makes me look super cute doesn’t it?”
If Mary didn’t point it out, I probably would’ve never noticed, and I’m a huge nerd of the Masked Avenger. I doubt anyone else noticed it either.
“I think you look the same Mary.” I say sarcastically.
“So you’re saying I always looked cute…?” she teases, trying her best not to blush.
How exactly did she come to that conclusion?
I had to admit I thought Mary was actually pretty attractive and cute. Rumors of the Roadrunner’s beauty definitely lived up to expectations. The problem was that after getting to know her, she was a total airhead. Whatever grace she had in my eyes disappeared after I was forced to tutor her.
“Sure. W-Whatever.” I tried my best to maintain my cool.
She hits me lightly on the shoulder.
Ow.
“NGHRNGHRNGHR! You’re a hopeless dummy Kaz!” she said in a frustrated tone.
I think I might have set her off…
“Having a good time with the Roadrunner loverboy?”
I lift my head to see my best friend Daisuke Akatsuka towering over me.
Great timing…
“I-It wasn’t like that!” I try to correct him.
Daisuke laughs and pats me on the back. He was always a bit arrogant when it came to other people’s feelings. Daisuke and I were troublemakers when we were kids, acting like partners-in-crime. When we both entered high school, we agreed to improve our image, and instead chose to live out a normal life. He was in Class 2-A with Mary, where all the other eccentric kids were coincidentally placed. He fit in with his masculine looks and bleach-blonde tips.
“Anyways, I need your help Mary! I still haven’t done the homework at all!” Daisuke groans.
He pulls out his pencil and crumpled paper.
“What did you get-?”
Daisuke suddenly drops his pencil! Luckily Mary catches it in time!
“Here.” she holds it in her hand, and Daisuke takes it back.
“Nice reflexes.” he thanks.
“Hmph.” Mary crosses her arms and sighs. “I can’t keep bailing you out like this Daisuke. Though, maybe I will if you buy me-“
*BINGO!*
Mary stops and pulls out her phone. She had received a text message.
“I gotta talk to my teammates real quick.” said Mary. “We’re not finished here Kaz!”
Mary pouts at me and then runs off to chat with the track team. I slump my head back down onto my desk. Talking to Mary drained me of my energy to continue throughout the rest of the school day. Now it’s just me and Daisuke, alone together.
“Ah screw it.” Daisuke crams the paper into his jacket. “You only need a C to pass right?”
“You better hope so.” I reply.
My knucklehead friend truly was a model student.
“Man did you really not notice the pin? She’s been displaying it out since this morning.” he suddenly brings up.
“Nope.”
Daisuke grabs the empty seat in front of me. This felt oddly familiar.
“Seriously? You’re hopeless dude.” he sighs.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
“You like the Masked Avenger, and she happens to wear a Masked Avenger pin, a limited edition one by the way!” he points out. “It’s a kid’s show that nobody watches except you.”
“But don’t you watch it too?”
He shushes me to keep quiet. Daisuke was as big of a fan as I was! We’re still card-carrying members of the Masked Avenger Official Fan Club!
“Yeah, but I keep that on the down-low. Everyone in school knows it’s like ‘your’ thing.”
I cringed at that revelation. I thought I hid my “power level” really well?!?
“It’ll be social suicide to wear something like that, but she did it anyways.” Daisuke mentions.
“But, she’s the Roadrunner. Nobody would make fun of Mary.” I was still unsure what he was getting at.
Daisuke sighs heavily. “Y’know what, are you into dudes or something?” he said to me with a concerned look.
This knucklehead!
I wanted to punch him in the face, but I was too tired from being with Mary earlier.
“You’re completely uninterested…?” he asks me.
I reluctantly shrug my shoulders.
“Any guy would kill to be in your position Kaz. I can’t believe someone like Mary Kaneko has the hots for you.” as Daisuke slumps into his arms.
Well, I was a little interested in Mary Kaneko. The problem was that it was hard for me to imagine being with her. She was blunt, rude, and a real hot head. Despite all that, she was a really nice and sweet person underneath. A part of me thought greatly about being more than friends, but I’m reluctant about making the next step. What if she says no? Mary could have any of the more popular guys, so what did she find in me anyways? I’m way out of her league. Besides, I just wasn’t sure what I would do if I managed to get with her. I’ve never been in an actual relationship before! Did I even deserve to be her boyfriend?
Oh crap. Am I in love with Mary Kaneko?!?
“Whatever dude, she’s just like the best girl in school. And she’s totally into you for some reason.” he says with disappointment. “You better make your move soon bro.”
“Who’s best girl?”
Daisuke slowly turns his head, only to see Mary Kaneko had suddenly appeared behind him. She must have heard us talking about her!
“N-Nothing Mary! I m-mean you are b-best girl, of course!” Daisuke tries to laugh it off.
“Okay…thanks?” Mary says with a raised brow.
Daisuke quickly changes the subject.
“A-Anyways…did you guys hear? Apparently we have a new transfer student today. Or, we were supposed to. I can’t believe someone would miss their first day at Kasumigaseki High.”
“I don’t blame them. What’s their name?” I asked.
Daisuke scratches the back of his head.
“I’m not sure. All I heard was it’s a girl though.” he grins happily. “I hope she’s super cute!”
Mary pinches his arm.
“You pervert! Always thinking about girls with that meathead brain of yours. Can’t you do something about your friend Kaz?”
“Don’t ask me. He’s always been like that.”
It was a bit strange to have someone transfer at this time, and to Kasumigaseki High of all places. The school year was nearly over anyways.
“All I hope is that new transfer student to be normal, unlike you two.” I joked.
“Hey!” Mary and Daisuke shouted simultaneously.
I couldn’t help but laugh. This was exactly the normal everyday life I enjoyed. I wouldn’t know what to do without these two.
*RING*
It was the school bell, indicating class was about to begin. Mary and Daisuke head back to their class.
“W-Wait Mary!”
She pauses and turns around.
“What’s up?”
“A-Are you busy afterschool…?”
Suddenly I feel a chill down my spine. In an instant, I feel like the scenery is changing, as if I was going down an endless highway at light-speed. I feel something burning hot, piercing through my chest. Blood is pouring out of my body like a river flowing. I hear a sound.
*CLUNK*
Then, a series of images one after another are violently crammed into my mind. I see milk being spilled all over the ground. I see a worn but familiar pin someone is wearing. I see fireworks lighting up the night. I see a red ribbon. I see two people dancing by a bonfire. Over and over, I hear another sound that nearly bursts my eardrums.
*BANG*
I feel like my brain is about to explode from the sudden sensory overload, but then it finally calms down and is fixed back into its cramped space. I realize that my thoughts were becoming erratic and disoriented. It forces a shut-down, and I finally snap back to reality.
Déjà vu.
Déjà vu.
I can’t remember you.
“I’m good after our study session together Kaz. Are you okay…? You look kinda pale all of a sudden.”
Oh yes, I remember now. I was just asking Mary if she was busy afterschool. I think I’m going to finally confess to her.
“N-Nothing. I-I’ll see you at the place.”
Mary smiles at me gracefully. It felt different than the kind she would usually give. It was special, only for me. She finally exits my classroom, and heads back to hers.
Don’t be nervous Kazuhira! You’re day-dreaming too much again.
What was that about? Why did I suddenly feel nauseous when I thought about confessing to Mary? I’m thinking way too much about this. It’ll be fine!
“All rise!” says class president.
Class was just about to begin, and our teacher walks in.
“Alright class, let’s begin.”
I lightly slap my face.
You can do this Kaz.
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I’m really tired now.
After sitting most of P.E. out due to a bloody nose, it was finally lunch time. I had my big lunch box out, ready to devour the hamburg steak. I’m sitting with Daisuke, who only brought a small sandwich. Usually Mary would be with us, but today she was busy with the track team. They had a big meet coming up, so she was busy preparing.
“Let’s eat!” Daisuke chants.
I poke my fork into the steak. For some reason, it just didn’t feel appealing to me. It’s strange, since this was my favorite thing to eat in the entire world.
“What’s wrong?” Daisuke asked. "i thought you loved that stuff?"
“N-Nothing!” I keep poking at my food.
Daisuke stops chewing his sandwich.
“Is it lady problems Kaz…?”
A smug grin appears across his face.
“N-No, of course not.”
“It is isn’t it!” he laughs.
“Well your buddy Daisuke is an expert in the conquest of love. I usually charge people for my advice, but for you I’ll make an exception.”
My best friend definitely had the looks, but he never could hold a conversation with a girl without making it seriously awkward. He got along with Mary really well, but that was probably due to her tomboyish nature.
“Really?” I scoffed. “Remember what happened the last time you asked out a girl?”
“T-That didn’t count! I-I wasn’t really trying.”
“Didn’t you stay up all night to write poetry for her?” I quickly reminded him.
“Shut up dude.” he sighs.
Maybe in some other world Daisuke was a real lady killer.
“Anyways, what’s your deal today Kaz? You’re acting really weird, like more than usual.”
I hesitate to respond. Knowing my knucklehead friend, he’d probably think I was crazy or I’ve been watching too much of the Masked Avenger.
“I don’t know what I should do about Mary.”
Daisuke spits out his food, flinging bits of his bologna into my face.
“W-Wait are you s-serious?!?” he breathes a sigh of relief.
“Finally. I knew you two would make a good pair the moment I saw you guys together. What’s the big deal Kaz?”
“I think…I think I like her. Things have started to become really awkward between us, like there’s a big elephant in the room, but neither of us wants to address it.”
Mary and I have gotten closer to each other due to mandatory study sessions together. Our school counselor and doctor, Dr. Mugi Mori forced me to be her tutor. We used to butt heads all the time in the beginning, but we soon got along with each other really well. Now there’s this uncomfortable tension in the air. It’s not like we dislike each other, but things that we used to talk about like our feelings disappeared, and now it’s just awkward small talk.
“I feel afraid. It doesn’t help that it feels like I’m forgetting something really important, but I just can’t seem to remember for some reason.”
“Dude, I think you’re overthinking things. It’s clear she likes you man. Just ask her out on a date or something and see how it goes.”
Was it really that simple? Neither I nor Daisuke had any success regarding girls. This wasn’t just any girl either – this was the Roadrunner of Kasumigaseki High. Mary probably got confessed to on like a daily basis. Even if Daisuke was supporting me, I still had my uneasy doubts. What if she was just being friendly with me?
“What if she says no Daisuke? It’ll be super awkward if she rejects me.”
Daisuke stays silent. He places his hands on my shoulders.
“Then she rejects you. You’ll never know unless you try.”
I nod.
He’s right. I’ll never know the truth unless I try.
“Besides, if she says no to you, maybe I have a shot!” he jokes.
I couldn’t help but laugh at that thought. Daisuke and Mary? A couple? That’s like what happens when an immovable object meets an unstoppable force.
“I got it. I’ll tell her how I feel later today when I meet her. No matter what happens, I’ll have no regrets.”
Daisuke gives me a thumbs up.
“That’s the spirit loverboy! Good luck dude. Fair warning, if you get with the Roadrunner, every guy in Kasumigaseki will be out to kill you, especially the secret Mary committee.”
“T-The secret what committee?!?”
“Nothing never mind.” Daisuke whistles a random tune.
You got this Kazuhira. Just pour your heart out.
----------------------------------------
Say something Kaz.
“Are you okay Kaz?” Mary asks with concern.
“Y-Yeah, no problem.”
Our study session together went by like a breeze. We have a test next week, and I fully intended on beating Mary’s score this time. We were studying literature and English, and before I knew it, it was already dark outside. I was so focused on studying that I completely forgot about telling Mary how I felt about her. It wasn’t until I got a text from Daisuke cheering me on that it finally hit me.
You’re such an idiot Kaz.
We’re walking home together, even though my house was in the other direction. I just didn’t feel comfortable letting Mary walk home alone, even though she’d probably be fine anyways.
Mary suddenly stops in front of me.
“Kaz, you’ve been acting kinda different today. Is there something you wanna talk about? I’m here for you.”
If it was any other issue I would’ve been talking non-stop, but there was no way I could confess to her so casually.
“Say Mary…are you busy tomorrow?”
“Just some track stuff and another study session with you.”
“We don’t have school tomorrow dummy.” I playfully corrected her.
“Oh yeah. Whoops! I guess I’m really tired from studying and stuff with the track team. I just had to change out of my sweaty clothes.” Mary laughs. She pats down her skirt. “Then nope, no plans. What did you have in mind?”
I hope Mary isn’t pushing herself too much.
Being the Roadrunner of Kasumigaseki High meant that she had a lot of expectations from everyone. She a rising star, and was starting to make a name out of our school. Mary deserved something to take her mind off her responsibility.
“W-Wanna go out? T-Together...? I know the new remake of the Masked Avenger is out in theaters. Would you like to see it with me?”
I wanted to see it today, the premier, but obviously I was stuck in school. I can feel my palms sweating, my heart was racing.
“Sure! I’ve been looking forward to seeing it too. Was that what’s bothering you the whole day? I’m your friend, of course I’d say yes.” she laughs. “Kaz?”
I stay silent. Even though I got a yes from her, I was still tip-toeing around my feelings for her.
She said yes, just do it Kaz.
I take a deep breath.
“I love-“
Argh!
I feel another sharp pain race through my head that I almost faint in front of her. Like from earlier, more images began to flash by in my head. I see a box of burnt chocolates. I see a sad boy holding an old teddy bear in his hands. I see an unfamiliar ceiling. My head feels like it was a nail being hammered on.
Before I can even finish my confession, Mary interrupts me.
“P-Please wait until tomorrow.” she bows her head towards the ground.
I quickly compose myself.
“H-Huh?”
“Please wait until tomorrow.” Mary says with a solemn expression.
I couldn’t tell if she was sad or happy that I was about to confess to her. She definitely knew what I was about to do, and shut me down quickly. Did I mess up everything? Mary quickly turns around, and starts to slowly walk away from me.
“I’m sorry, but please wait until tomorrow. I’ll meet up with you okay?” she smiles sincerely. “It’s a date.”
Before I could say a word, she had already left me behind.
It’s a date? It’s a date!
I raised my hands towards the sky in excitement. Even if I wasn’t able to confess to her, I had a date with her tomorrow. I’ll be able to tell her my feelings tomorrow. Her house was only a few blocks away from here, so I think she’d probably be fine. I head in the other direction, going towards the train station.
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I’m beat.
The morning rush was jam-packed with people. Now this section of the train was practically empty. I was the only one of two people sitting down.
I’m not sure where exactly Mary and I are at, but at least I made some signs to her that I liked her. A date seemed like a good step in the right direction.
Aw crap, I don’t even know where we’re gonna meet up.
Apparently there was a new café that opened that my dad recommended. We could grab a bite to eat or something then head to the movie.
That’s it Kazuhira! Perfect idea.
I’m sure Mary would love this new place. I couldn’t remember off the top of my head what it was called. I think it was called the “Meow Café” or something like that? Dad said that the sign for the café was a cat logo, and that we’d have to be blind to miss it. I quickly shoot Mary a text message, but she doesn’t respond instantly like usual.
Maybe she just stepped away for a second?
I look outside through the windows to see the nightlife, and feel at peace. My normal everyday life continued onwards like I hoped it would. I close my eyes for a second, until I hear the intercom indicating we had reached my stop. My house was only a few blocks away. I stand up and lightly stretch, making sure I don’t leave any of my belongings. Suddenly, the other passenger walks past me towards the exit.
Who is she?
My heart nearly stopped as I watched this girl pass by. She had long black hair draped over her shoulders. This girl had a red ribbon tied up on her hair. She was wearing our school’s uniform I think, but I’ve never seen her at school before. Her skin was white like snow, and I can see that she had hazel eyes. This girl – no – this woman, was elegant, exuding class, like I just had the privilege to even just look at her. She kept her head low, and yet I could feel a strange icy glare coming from her. It was weird, because I felt this tingling sensation in my chest, which was a different feeling from when I was around Mary.
Have I met her somewhere?
I snap myself back to reality and quickly gather my stuff. I exit the train car only to see that she had vanished! I couldn’t quite put it into logic, but I felt a connection with this stranger. She looked awfully familiar, like we had met somewhere before. I just couldn’t remember where exactly. This was bothering me more than it should.
Ah forget it. Maybe I should call Mary since she isn’t picking up…
That’s totally fine right? I’m just calling her to tell her where we’re going tomorrow. I don’t think it’s weird to do that. I call Mary, but she still doesn’t pick up.
Did her battery die?
Suddenly, I feel a sharp pain in my head again.
“Someone call an ambulance!”
What’s going on?
I’ve barely managed to get off the train and notice there was a commotion going on at the end of the intersection. As I walk closer, I can see a small crowd gathered around the street. Past them was my house.
“It’s horrible!” I hear shouting and screaming.
Upon closer inspection, I see that there was a large truck in the middle of the street, with presumably the driver lying down on the ground, probably unconscious. His face was covered in blood; his head had a large bump on it.
As I wave through the crowd, my body begins to tingle. Oh the smell! The air was filled with the stench of blood and burnt rubber. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, as I feel my stomach turning inside and out. I hear people talking around me, saying that the truck had hit someone, causing an accident. It was trying to get out of the way, but it was too late.
I think I’m going to throw up.
I finally reached the center of the commotion, and I see another body on the ground, or what resembled one. It was smashed, their legs broken with the bones visible. It was like a bag of flesh, barely recognizable as a body. A pool of blood soaked the person’s clothing, and although I tried to look away, I recognized it as a Kasumigaseki High uniform. It was hidden underneath a worn red track suit, though I wasn’t sure if it was naturally its color, or the blood stains. My hands instinctively begin to shake, as horrible thoughts start to flood my head.
Please no…!
I dial Mary’s phone number.
*BINGO!*
That was Mary’s tone. Even with all this noise my excellent hearing heard it.
No. It can’t be!!!
I run towards the mangled body. My heart rate accelerating faster than ever, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to pass out instantly.
“Mary…?”
It was her. I don’t want to believe it but it was Mary Kaneko lying on the ground. Her blonde hair was almost completely dyed in red. I run towards her, seeing her corpse in front of me.
It can’t be.
It can’t be.
It can’t be.
It can’t be.
It can’t be.
It can’t be.
“Mary!” I screamed out, tears flowing out of my eyes instinctively.
“Ka…Kaz…? I-I’m sorry…”
“Mary?!?”
She was still alive! I kneel down by her side, holding her cold hand. I clutch her close to my chest, trying my best to comfort her. Her breathing sounded like wheezes, like she was breathing through a straw.
“H-Hang in there Mary! Help is coming! Help is-“
Before I knew it, I just noticed I was the one holding up her hand. I don’t feel a pulse. I can’t hear her breathing. As I look through her bloodshot eyes, they were empty. I wasn’t holding on to Mary – I was holding onto her corpse.
“Mary…? Mary!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I clutched her body, her still-warm blood stained all over my hands.
It can’t be. Not like this!
More streams of tears come out of my eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever cried as hard before. How could this happen?!? Why is she here?!? I never should have left her alone!
It’s my fault.
Everyone around us was still watching me, quietly observing me. For some reason, I felt a strange presence, like someone was out of place in the crowd.
You…?
My eyes locked onto a girl wearing a red ribbon. It was the same girl I had just seen at the train station.
What is she doing here?
There was no expression on her face. Unlike everyone in the crowd who was either sad from the tragedy or disgusted by the gore, there was nothing from her. It was simply blank, like she was void of any emotion.
I turn back my attention to Mary’s corpse, as I can hear the sirens wailing towards me.
Mary Kaneko was struck and killed by a truck.
----------------------------------------
Today is February 2nd. Of course it’s February 2nd.
Why am I confirming the date for today?
I’m back in Class 2-B, looking out through the window. Weirdly enough, it was a bright and sunny day. It was strange, since the weather clearly said it was going to rain all week. I couldn’t complain, since I much appreciated the change of scenery.
“Are you okay Kaz?”
Mary was staring intently at me.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” she laughs.
“He must be daydreaming again.” Daisuke interjects. “Anyways, about this homework-“
Daisuke suddenly drops his pencil! Mary and I both try to catch it, but I manage to grab it first.”
“Here.” I hold out his pencil.
“Woah! Nice reflexes Kaz.” Mary congratulates me with a thumbs up.
“Yeah thanks, hopefully you won’t weird out the new transfer student.” Daisuke says sarcastically.
Transfer student?
I feel the need to stare back at Mary.
“S-Stop it Kaz…you’re embarrassing me.” she blushes, rubbing her limited-edition, super-rare exclusive Masked Avenger pin.
What just happened?
Suddenly a series of images flash through my mind. A series of sounds deafen my eardrums. I see a truck. I see a corpse. I smell blood and burnt rubber.
“Mary!” I shoot up from my seat.
What did I just see? Was that some sort of nightmare?!? I-I was holding Mary in my arms. I didn’t notice the school bell had rung, indicating class was about to begin.
“All rise!” says class president.
Class was just about to begin, and our teacher walks in.
“Alright everyone! I have an announcement to make. Starting today, we have a new student.”
Was that a nightmare?
I couldn’t recall what I dreamt about, but I definitely remember seeing Mary Kaneko’s corpse. She died in my arms. I remember the blood so vividly. I begin to sweat a little, but quickly found the need to calm myself back down.
Yeah, it’s probably a dream. You just saw Mary. She’s completely fine.
I take a sigh of relief as everyone in the class begins to turn their heads and chatter about. It is strange to have someone transfer into our class this late in the semester. Also, why would anyone ever want to go to this dead-end school of all places?
I just hope this person is normal…
“You can come in now.” my teacher says through our sliding door.
As the sliding door opens, everyone in Class 2-B holds their breath, eagerly anticipating this mysterious new transfer student.
N-No way…
I sit up, anxiously holding my breath. Are my eyes deceiving me?!? It was her! It was the same girl on the train that I saw in my dream. As Mary was dying in my arms, I noticed her in the crowd. She was wearing the exact same uniform from my dream! She slowly walks into our classroom, and stands still at the front, next to my teacher. My hand grasps my chest, as I suddenly feel this nervous chill that quickly spreads.
“My name is Akane Yuki, nice to meet you.” she quickly says, seemingly uninterested and bored out of her mind.
Akane…Yuki?
I clutch my head as I suddenly feel this sharp racing pain course through my brain. I try to compose myself, as the last thing I wanted was for her to think I was weird.
“Also, to Kazuki Kaneshiro.” as the transfer student points to my direction.
W-Wait what? M-Me? Who’s Kazuki?
The whole class gasps in unison, and turn their heads towards me.
“I will destroy you this time.” she proclaims.
What is going on?!?
“This is precisely the 10501st time I’ve introduced myself. So maybe if I acted a little bolder you’d actually remember me.”
With that single phrase, the class erupts into pandemonium. Akane Yuki walks towards my desk, ignoring all the leering eyes of the class. She gazes deep into my eyes, as I notice her eyes were hazel-colored. The transfer student shows me her unsettling smile.
“Kazuki-kun, I will make you remember.”