Chapter 3 - Prologue IV

While I was running, I reached a small home by the edge of the mountain. As I was approaching it, I saw myself...jumping from the roof of the house.

~ Sins ~

Shiro - "Uh, can you just drop the honorific then? It sounds awkward to me a bit."

Nagase - "Then can I call you, Shiro?"

Shiro - "Huh!?"

I was so surprised by that that I yelled out loud unconsciously. Everyone looked at me, but I coughed up and averted my gaze to him and said...

Shiro - "W-Why exactly?"

Nagase - "I mean, Hyotaru is a bit hard to pronounce, so I went for Shiro."

Shiro - "Ugh, fine. Whatever you chose."

Nagase - "In return, you can call me--"

Shiro - "Takeichi."

Nagase - "No, I mean--"

Shiro - "Takeichi."

Nagase - "So persistent..."

Wtf is up with this guy. He looks tall and handsome enough for girls to fall over him. Then what is up with this childish and messed up personality. Well, I guess there are still people like him in this world. I slowly took out a pocky packet and grabbed one to eat.

Nagase - "Can I have one?"

Shiro - "Go ahead."

Takeichi took one out of the packet and took a bite. I never imagined that I would be interacting so well with people even after five months of being a shut-in. I honestly hated socializing. But society nowadays is more interested in people who can socialize with others and handle large-scale work sets in groups. Thus, people like me are increasing, and the number of people doing freelancing is rising as well.

Nagase - "So, what are you excited about for this Hokkaido trip?"

Shiro - "You sure you should be talking casually with me?"

I asked that question as I saw few people glaring at him for casually talking with me as well as eating with me. I indeed was hated in the class for my rude behavior and my looks. Takeichi let out a slight smile and said.

Nagase - "I don't really care about that stuff. Everyone has something they want to hide and not let others know. There are weak people and strong people everywhere. I don't think that's something to be afraid of, you know."

I was taken aback by his straightforwardness. This made me think that he must have a disturbing past due to his parents being from different places or something, but I simply smiled and said...

Shiro - "Nothing special. Just going to eat, sleep, and repeat."

Nagase - "Ugh, that sounds so like you."

I don't know what is this warm feeling I was having right now but it seems like I had forgotten what it was to be with someone you can freely talk to. We were eating pocky and talking about random stuff. Mostly me ignoring him and making him feel pity. Just then someone from in front of me said...

??? - "Hee, I did not know the geek can make such an expression."

Shiro - "Hmm?"

A girl whom I did not know was standing on the seat and peeping behind on us. She was average-looking. Akiyama was prettier than her for sure. She had her hairs braided and was wearing lip gloss, I think? Anyways...

Nagase - "That's a bit rude, don't you think, Kiyoko-ssi?"

??? - "Ahh!! Kiyoko, you will fall. Stop standing on the seat."

Kiyoko - "Wah!!''

Just as her friend told her, she fell. Chiyuka saw that and was about to rush over, but I got up from my seat, bent over, and faced her.

Shiro - "...Uhh, can you tell me your name again?"

Kiyoko - "You really want to know my name in this position..."

Shiro - "..."

I smirked a little and extended my hand, to which she shoved away and got up on her own.

Kiyoko - "I don't want your filthy hands."

Shiro - "Now who's being rude, I wonder."

Chiyuka - "Both of you sit down this instant!"

Listening to her, we both sat down on our respective seats. Just before I was going to sit down, she said in a low voice to which only I could hear...

Kiyoko - "Matsuda Kiyoko. You better remember that."

She looked kinda cute at that moment. No-no no-no-no. Calm down, heart. This is not what we agreed on. I have to keep my shut-in life concrete. Saying that I calmed down and asked Takeichi about her. He told me that Kiyoko was in a group of girls in our class to which most boys referred as the shining stars. Apparently, Akiyama and Tsutsumi were in there as well. She was a rough yet kind girl and told that no matter what she does, she eventually realizes her mistake and apologizes afterward. The person sitting beside her was one of her friends from middle-school, Urumi Matsui. She was an honors student, and that the teachers loved her a lot for her diligence and honesty.

Tsutsumi - "Mii-chan!?"

I snapped back from my thinking and my conversation with Takeichi to hear Tsutsumi's scream. Chiyuka and Yusuke rushed to them as the bus came to a halt too. Everyone one of us was looking at what the situation was, and since I was a member of that group, I went to them as well. Upon reaching, I was shocked at what I saw. My eyes went wide as I saw an infectious bruise appear on Akiyama's neck. It felt like it was burning, and she was growling in pain. Chiyuka tried to use water on it to cool it down somehow, but she writhed.

Shiro - "Let me have a look."

Chiyuka - "O-Okay."

I immediately grabbed her and examined the portion carefully. It looked like a venom's bite. Upon closer inspection, I could tell that she was poisoned through it. It was not deep yet, and it looked like the water helped a bit. I don't know what kind of poison it was, but just then I saw a butterfly in front of my eyes and time stopped. For some reason, it felt like it was telling me to make a decision. I hesitated a little realizing that my decision could either save her or kill her. Suddenly, for some reason, this situation reminded me of the game Sins. And then, I made my decision.