...
Apparently, I've been knocked out unconciously. My mind is still conscious, but my body is not. In short, I'm actually paralyzed basing from what I'm experiencing right now. How long have I been passed out? And... how dare that guy punching me out of nowhere?! People like him are the reason why I like to stay away from people as much as possible! He's literally the second worse person I've met in my lifetime! Just... above that girl who I recently fought with.
Speaking of which, what are their relationship with each other anyways? Why do I have a feeling I've stepped on a wrong territory that should never be visited at all costs? Ah well, it doesn't matter anymore now, does it? All people are the same, no matter the gender. Only difference is, they're both in the same levels of delinquency! The worse kind!
Not only that, but I also hold a grudge against my two sisters! I would've been able to avoid getting into this crappy scenario if only they weren't such a bunch of lazy bums!
Wait... Actually, it's my fault to begin with. I'm the one who came approaching the enemy's territory, pretending like the white knight I am, which I never wanted to be to begin with! Nonetheless, I am also thankful my sister's weren't involved in this incident. Otherwise, who knows what kinda scenario they would've been in?! Perhaps... the other guy would've violated my sisters if they were in my place! Well, there's my gender to thank for aswell. Guys can punch guys, but can't do the same for the opposite gender.
Alright, I'm analyzing too much. This time, I need to figure out how I should wake up from my sleep. I can't move my fingers, nor anything in my body. This is what people call a sleep paralysis. Maybe I've been too stressed that this happened? Again, it's those two culprits that's to be blamed!
Fortunately, I can open my eyes with ease. My vision is blurry, and I try to look past the background, it is currently sunny. And--
Huh? I feel.. a slight warm to my hand. I can't make any too much movements with my head, but I can look around "unconsciously". As I do, I just realized... That girl who I argued with is... sleeping, seated in a vertical position, while also grasping firmly to my hand. I feel... safe. This makes me feel nostalgic all of the sudden, and I have no idea why. I've never come across such any beautiful figure who's willing to take her time in my slumber. It's funny I once held a heavy sentimentality towards her, but now, I suppose you can say that I'm glad I met her. This is the most unfortunate event and yet, mysterious and satisfying time I've had.
「If I have to be wise in life, you can say I have already done it, and this is part of it.」
If I were the God of time, I wanna move forward to where I am supposed to be in life, and see how much I've progressed. Would the things I do be in vain? Am I indecisive? I don't have the right to answer my life's question. My value in life will be in the hands of the people who encounter me, a lost cause.
Aside that, people said that when experiencing a sleep paralysis, I'm supposed to be in a scary stage, where I hallucinate unknown entities that are actually funny-intimidating and unrealistic. That is certainly true, in my heart. What's scary for me is... someday, I will never be able to talk normally to this girl again, just because of a careless mistake she made. I don't have a fault here, although I will forgive her, just for staying by my side.
...
Now that I take a good look at her, she's actually pretty. She's slim, shoulder-level orange hair, and have intimidating mean eyes. Perhaps its the eyes that's the reason I mistook her for a delinquent. Maybe she's not so bad afterall, but misjudged?
Ahh~, I need to wake up. I don't want to give her anymore trouble waiting beside me, like I'm supposed to be protected. I want... to start over with her if possible. But how do I wake up exactly?
I roll my eyes left and right, hoping to wake my brain up, to free me from getting paralyzed. I try and try, but it only worsens my vision. I give up. I can't risk my vision just for the sake of regaining my ability to wake up.
I'll... I'll go back to slee-
???: Taniguchi-san. Wake up. It's morning! You still have school to attend to in a few days, you might wanna wake up sooner or later so you can enjoy spending your free time!
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
She knows my name... How? Wait, who even let her inside to begin with? Maybe it's one of my sisters.
Akihiko: Uhm... How long have I been out?
???: About two days.
Akihiko: And... what day is it today?
???: March 31st. You're a heavy sleeper, that's a bit of a turn off.
Akihiko: And who is it to blame for that? *sigh*
???: Right, about that. I'm sincerely very sorry about what happened during that day! It is certainly unforgiveable of me to act rude on a stranger for no reason, I realized that I've been in the wrong this whole time. Me, sleeping underneath the snow and getting shoveled by you, I really deserved that.
As she said it, she initiated a **Dogeza (土下座) form with sincere.
Akihiko: ... Uhm, please raise yourself. I forgive you, I get it. You're pitiful in that manner, it's strange looking at you in that state.
???: But the thing is, I'm actually...
Akihiko: Hmm?
She paused mid-conversation. In her face, I notice that she feels uncomfortable for some reason. Was there something in what I said?
???: Uhh, my apologies. I... better get going. I hope we don't meet again.
Akihiko: Wait!
Maybe... there's something I could do to ease her from an uncomfortable state, as thanks for atleast staying by my side for a whole 2 days!
Akihiko: I... I want to thank you for taking care of me! I'm sorry for wasting your two days on taking care of me.
I gaze upon her eyes, it suddenly turned shiny and beautiful. She lets out a cute smile afterwards, with also regret in her actions.
???: No, it is my fault to begin with. I accidentally brought my boyfriend to you, and turned you a punching bag. Fear not, however, everything is resolved! He's been taken to the nearest police station after your sisters arrived in the scene! You're certainly lucky to have people like them.
Akihiko: That's great, and I don't get what's lucky about that. They're not like the sisters you think they are, haha. They're much troublesome than what meets the eye.
???: If you think that way, then that would mean you're the closest to them than whoever they have met. Fighting with people is what made them closer, after a- *gasp*
Right. I also realized that. I get what she is saying and it is certainly understandable that it is actually very awkward to even mention that event again. I'll try to break that silence.
Akihiko: I get what you're saying. And you're actually right. Perhaps, you can say this is our fate.
???: Mmm.
...
The atmosphere then instantly became awkward. We have nothing else to talk about, but-
Akihiko: Right! I forgot to ask, what was your name, by the way?
???: I... uhm. Can I... stop right there?
Akihiko: Wait, why? What's wrong?
???: I don't plan on coming back nor plan to meet you ever again, like what I said earlier.
Does she still hold regrets? Does she think I heavily despise her?
Akihiko: That's... that's very cruel of you. But I understand. I was hoping we can atleast become friends.
The moment I said those words, she's become very redish and surprised with a clenched fist to her chest. She's... very cute. Expression wise.
???: I... I'm sorry! I became rude out of nowhere again. I don't have any friends either mainly for that reason, but I can't really give my name! Otherwise, I'd rather... have disappeared the moment I was born if I were to say it!
Akihiko: ...
I am astonished, but in an intimidated way. What is she saying?! Is she crazily selfless?! There's something very wrong with her.
Akihiko: I won't say anymore. I'll... let you go. I'm sorry for imposing on you.
???: Ah no, no worries.
...
In a heat of the moment, before she leaves, I immediately call out to her.
Akihiko: If it's not bothersome, can I call you Kayo-chan without knowing your name? Because... that is what friends are for, and I wanna be your first friend! Ah wait, you can say we're both the same because I also don't have any.
???: ...
Another silent treatment, but this time, the mood seems different. It's feels like this is the time where the flowers are supposed to bloom. I named her that way, secretly because she is good in terms of behavior and is prettier in her own way.
???: Alright, Taniguchi-kun! *giggles*
Kayo: I'll take my leave here. **Sayounara!
T/N: It is a farewell expression in Japan without the means of meeting one another.**
As I see her leave, as she faces away from my direction, I notice a small droplets of tears flow down in her eyelids. Basing from my experiences on meeting her, I have no idea if she is crying of joy or sadness.
I drop down to my knees in the doorway, and sigh in relief with a bit of disappointment.
Akihiko: ...Kayo-chan, huh? That's really unfair, transitioning honorifics from -san to -kun like it's nothing. I mentioned earlier to you that this might be a fateful meeting, I guess it is too hasty of me to assume that, knowing that we're one-sided about meeting each other, and I have no idea what comes to your mind that makes you wanna hold yourself back. Maybe in school day, there is a chance we're enrolled to the same school, considering the fact that there is only one school in this city. Hopefully, this won't be our last encounter,
...Sayo-san.
[300 DAYS LEFT BEFORE "DUSK"]
//END//