Chapter 11: Ayase’s Day Off And New Friends

It's dark.

This world that is devoid of any color endlessly expands with no conclusion in sight.

It's cold.

Not the temperature of the room, but the feeling I'm engulfed by whenever I find myself here.

It's quiet.

I can hear my thoughts clearly and every step I take echoes throughout this desolate room.

Why am I here again?

I recognize this place.

"Ah," I thought as the realization finally kicked in.

It's the same dream as always.

But this time… something's different.

There's no one present.

"Where are you?" I mutter those words, noticing that it's not here.

I can't find it.

I can't find the bright figure.

The singular existence that emanates light in this world of darkness.

The sole source, amidst this cold world that exudes a tender warmth.

"Where is it?"

I frantically look around, turning my head in all directions trying to futilely locate the figure in this unending space.

(Tap Tap)

Suddenly, I'm lightly tapped on the shoulder by something.

"…"

I turn around, and there it stands before me.

"You…"

The other figure residing in this world.

Completely contrasting the bright and warm figure, this one perfectly encapsulates everything about this place.

Cold and dark.

Regret and remorse.

Anger and sorrow.

There is nothing but dreadful and forbidding disposition being emitted from this figure. Just being in close proximity to it is enough to make me nauseous.

"What do you want…" I ask the figure in an antagonistic tone, making no attempt to mask my hostility.

"…"

The figure silently points toward something.

I hesitantly look in the direction it's pointing.

"A table? And a hourgla—"

(Blaargh)

Upon laying eyes on it, I violently vomit gastric juices as I recall the excruciating experience I had the last time I touched that hourglass.

My stomach is churning, trying to force out substances that aren't present in my stomach.

(Huff Huff)

I wipe off my mouth, trying my best to force down the feeling of nausea arising from my throat.

"I better not touch that thing again…"

I wipe the sweat off my brow, and vigorously shake my head in hopes that I can swiftly erase that horrifying memory from my mind.

"…"

"So, what exactly do you want me to do, 'cause I sure as hell won't be touching that thing again. I'll tell you that much for free," I turn toward the figure and inquire about its intentions.

"…"

No response.

The figure just continues to silently point at the hourglass, without so much as a singular movement.

"Hm? Is it just me or is something a bit different?"

I cautiously approach the table, making absolutely sure not to get close enough to potentially touch it.

"Ah, it's the sand."

It looks like a bit of it has started to fall to the bottom. It's only a few grains, but the sand has definitely started falling. There's no doubt about that.

"…"

The figure slowly lowers its hand and walks up to me.

"W-What is it? What the hell do you want huh?!" I hastily back away, falling onto my behind in the process.

"…"

The figure is saying something, but it's barely audible and I can't quite make out what it's saying.

"Huh? What was that?" I cuff my hand to my ear whilst remaining on the ground.

"…"

(RUMBLE)

The world begins to crumble and fall apart.

If I'm to take the last time as an indication, then that means I must be waking up soon.

"Hey speak up, will you!"

"…"

It's no use, I can't hear what the figure is saying.

"Forget it, it's probably some nonsense anyway…"

I walk away from the figure in frustration, not wanting to be near it any longer.

"…Kyoko."

I quickly turn around startled as the figure voices a name that I'm very familiar with.

"You… what did you just say?!"

"…"

The figure is motionlessly standing there with a single tear coming from its eye.

I try to quickly walk back to the figure to interrogate it further but…

(Flash)

The world is engulfed by a blinding light.

"WAI—"

****

"GOOD MORNING MY FAVORITE SON!"

"Mmmmm…"

I am abruptly woken up by an overly familiar loud voice.

"Five more minutes…"

I grab the cover and pull it over my head.

(Yank)

"What are you saying, Aki? It's Sunday you know?"

The cover is yanked off me and I'm exposed to the scorching morning sunlight.

"Ah… right it's Sunday," I grumble, still half asleep.

"That's right and you know what that means Aki?"

"It means that you'll let me sleep in today," I say, pulling the cover back over my head.

(Yank)

"Nope! It means it's my day off and we can spend the whole day together!" My mom once again yanks the cover off of me, but this time also fully opens the blinds.

"Wow, I'm so thrilled…" I sarcastically remark as I curl into a ball trying to grasp onto the last bit of sleep in my body.

"So am I! Now get your butt up and come downstairs, it's been so long since we've had breakfast together!"

My mom walks out of the room in high spirits humming "Every Little Thing".

"It hasn't even been a week since she started…"

I get up and begin my typical morning routine which consists of stretching, brushing my teeth, washing my face, half-assed doing my hair, and getting dressed.

Although, since it's not a school day I don't have to bother with the last two.

"Ah, I almost forgot about that."

I take notice of the shopping bag on the floor behind my door with the shirt I bought for my mom yesterday.

"I guess I'll give it to her after breakfast."

I head downstairs and the two of us eat breakfast together.

"Ahhh, I'm stuffed," I rub my stomach in satisfaction.

"Fufu, I'm glad you enjoyed it~"

Mom is in an oddly merry mood. She's typically always cheerful, but today in particular she seems extra happy. Does she really care that much about us eating breakfast together?

"So what do you wanna do today Aki? Tv? Board games? Shopping?"

"Don't just slip shopping in there so casually…"

"Oopsie, you noticed that huh?"

I will never understand what women find so enjoyable about shopping…

"We can do anything you want except for shopping," I say whilst sipping some green tea.

"Really? Yay! Aki and I get to spend the whole day together!" My mom happily cheers, putting up a peace sign as if she's bragging to someone.

Just how old is she again?

"Oh, I have something to give you. I picked it up when I went out yesterday."

"A date with Kyoko-chan?"

"No comment…" I avert my gaze, completely giving away the answer to her question.

"Wow, look at you~" My mom teases.

Ugh…Why does she have to be so perceptive when it comes to things I don't want her to know?

"Anyway, I'm gonna go get it, so just wait a second.

"Roger that!"

She salutes me with a bright smile and heads over to the sink to wash our plates.

I swiftly retrieve the shopping bag from my room and head back downstairs.

(Thump)

As I'm coming back down with the gift I'd gotten for her, I hear a loud thump.

I rush to the kitchen, where I find my mom has fallen to the ground.

"Whoops, silly me ahaha," she quickly gets up and dusts herself off.

"What happened?"

"I just tripped a bit, teehee," she playfully thumps her head.

I've thought this for a while now, but I get the feeling my mom and Kyoko would get along very well for all the wrong reasons…

"Soooooo whatcha got in the bag, Aki?"

"Ah right. Here this is for you," I hand her the shopping bag.

"Let's see, let's see!"

She hastily takes out the contents from the bag.

"Aki…"

"I saw that when I was in a clothing store and I thought you might like it. If you don't want it then you don't have to wear it though."

"…"

She doesn't say anything, but instead immediately puts on the shirt over the black tank top she's wearing.

(Sniff)

"…"

"Wha… Hey, what're you crying for mom?!" Flustered by her sudden waterworks, I find myself panicking.

"This is *sniff* such a nice gift *sniff* aki. Thank you *sniff*, I'll treasure this forever…"

She walks over to me and hugs me whilst crying.

"Cut it out, mom…This is embarrassing," I try to resist.

"With this on, I feel like I can get through anything."

"Jeez you're just exaggerating, it's not that big a deal…" Upon hearing that I stop trying to resist and half-assed hug her back with one arm.

"Aki…"

"Hm?"

"I love you, Aki."

"Mmm… I know mom, you don't have to say it," I say, patting her back.

"Fufu, even now you won't tell your mom you love her back? You're breaking your mom's heart here."

"Ugh…"

"Fufu, I'm only teasing. Even if you don't say it, I know how you feel Aki," she says, reaching up and gently stroking my head.

"Mm…"

Feeling embarrassed, I avert my gaze.

"Hey, Aki?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's have tons of fun together today, alright?"

"Yeah."

We spent the rest of the day goofing around and talking together. Just doing a bunch of seemingly trivial things that I wouldn't even think twice about normally. Despite that, she seemed like she was having the time of her life. Smiling and laughing so happily as if just being together with me with her sole joy in life.

I never knew how much those moments meant to her.

And at the time…

I didn't know how much those moments actually meant to me as well.

****

The Next Morning.

It's already the second week of school and I still cannot overcome this lethargic feeling I get from waking up so early.

I didn't see that homeless guy by the riverbank today as I crossed the stone bridge.

"I wonder where he could've gone?"

I contemplate on the possibilities for a few moments before deciding it's a pointless train of thought.

"Well, I'm sure I'll see him sooner or later. It's not like he has anywhere else to go since he's homeless and all."

"Heyyyy Fuyuki!"

I turn around to the annoyingly high-pitched voice that's calling out to me.

"Yo!"

It's Fujibayashi.

"Morning Fujibayashi… Wait, what happened to your face?"

Fujibayashi has a huge bandage on his right cheek.

I think I can see a handmark peeking out of it…

"Yeah morning, so listen to this Fuyuki!"

"What's up?"

"So the other day I saw this video right? This guy was saying how it doesn't matter what you say as much as how you say it when talking to a girl."

"Uh-huh," I give a Fujibayashi questioning sidelong glance.

For some reason, I feel like I can already see the direction this is going….

"Ok so, he was basically saying how you can say anything you want to a girl as long as you're confident and don't come off as creepy. So I decided to try it and I went up to the first girl I saw. I told her "Hey you! Be my woman!" Then I took her by the hand and gazed into her eyes."

"Um… Fujibayashi I'm pretty sure that's sexual harassment."

"No no no, remember as long as you're confident and not creepy then you can do anything. That's what the Top G said at least," Fujibayashi nods assuredly.

I'm pretty sure any girl would find that creepy though…

"Wait, I thought it was saying anything?"

"Same difference man," He shrugs and quickly dismisses my rebuttal.

"Right… So what happened afterward?"

"Oh yeah, so after that, she must've seen a bug on my face because she slapped me real hard, called me a weirdo, and ran away. Such a shame, I really thought she was the one too. You know Fuyuki, I always knew girls would be charmed by my quirkiness. If you really think about it, being called a "weirdo" is actually a compliment."

"Fujibayashi…"

"Yeah?"

"One day men in blue will show up at your door. And when they do, you and I do not know each other, ok?"

"Ahahaha, what are you on about Fuyuki? Are you feeling jealous that your good pal finally knows the secret to get the ladies?" Fujibayashi repeatedly slaps my back while spouting nonsense.

"… Fujibayashi, do yourself a favor and stop watching that person's videos."

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"Nothing at all Fujibayashi. Nothing at all."

This guy might seriously need professional help…

As Fujibayashi and I continue to talk on our way to school, I spot another familiar face.

It's the playboy.

"Heyyyy c'mon please won't you just go out with her? She's totally in love with you or whatever."

A curvaceous girl with long blonde hair, turquoise eyes, and a very provocatively altered uniform is clinging to the playboy.

"I've already told you a bunch of times, if she wants to ask me out then she should ask me herself, not send her friends to do it for her."

Seems like he's having quite a dilemma early in the morning. I almost pity him.

"Awww, Manabe-kun don't be like that, you know she's shy!"

"Like I said…Ah, Fuyuki! Sorry, but I'll talk to you later."

"Heyyyy wait up…"

The playboy quickly jogs over to us to escape the girl that was "troubling" him.

"Yo Manabe. Having lady troubles this early in the morning huh?"

"Man, it's pretty troublesome, honestly," The playboy deeply sighs and slumps his shoulders dejectedly.

"You have my condolences man," I offer him my condolences monotonously.

"Hey Fuyuki, who the hell's this pretty boy?"

Fujibayashi asks, glaring at Manabe with envy practically exuding from his entire body.

"This is Manabe, he sits right by us in class," I introduce the two of them.

"Yo, I'm Manabe Nozomi. Nice to meetcha."

"Fujibayashi Satoru. Nice to meet you…"

Fujibayashi disinterestedly returns the greeting.

"But yeah like I was saying Fuyuki, I don't know a single person that would want to have so many females constantly asking them out. I feel like it's such a nuisance sometimes ya know?"

"Well… I'm sure there's someone that wouldn't mind," I glance over at Fujibayashi who now looks like he's about to blow a fuse.

"Oh! Do you also have a lot of girls asking you out Fujibayashi?"

"Not a single goddamn one…."

"Is that so? Man, that must be nice not having girls constantly pestering you. I'm envious of you man," Manabe scratches his cheek completely oblivious to the bomb he's about to set off.

"ARGH! THAT'S IT, I'M GONNA KILL THIS GUY!"

Fujibayashi launches at Manabe in a fit of rage like a rabid animal.

"Woah, calm down Fujibayashi, he's not saying that to try and offend you!"

I restrain Fujibayashi as he thrashes around trying to attack Manabe.

"LET ME AT HIM, THIS GUY HAS NO IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE ZERO GIRLS EVEN LOOK IN HIS DIRECTION AND HE HAS THE NERVE TO SAY SUCH A THING! I'M GONNA KILL THIS ASSHOLE!"

"Hey look at that guy over there…"

"He's lashing out at Manabe-kun…"

"Eww, that guy's the worst…"

Students are passing by in bewilderment at the display Fujibayashi is putting up.

And he wonders why he can't get a girlfriend…

"H-Hey did I say something wrong Fuyuki?"

"No, this guy just has a few screws loose, that's all," I try to assure Manabe who looks genuinely concerned.

"Is that so?"

"Yep, just try not to mention girls around him too much though."

"Alright, I got it…"

After Fujibayashi calms down the three of us continue onward to school. Fujibayashi continues to bicker with Manabe the whole time. It's actually kind of funny to watch.

We finally arrive at school where we part ways.

Manabe goes off to talk with someone from the basketball team. While Fujibayashi goes off god knows where grumbling about how "it isn't fair".

I'm actually starting to pity him a bit.

I decide to head to the classroom assuming Kyoko and Yamaguchi would already be there.

As I'm walking up the stairs I hear two people arguing. I don't want to have to deal with the awkward atmosphere of walking in between a fight so I decide to hang back for a bit until they're finished.

"What the hell do you mean you want to break up?!"

"It's exactly like I said, I'm breaking up with you Ryuji-senpai!"

"Tch, you're the one that asked me out and now you wanna break up?!"

It's the jock from the other day. It sounds like Kotori is breaking up with him.

"I don't want to date someone that puts his hands on a girl."

"You're the one that told me to teach her a lesson you, stupid bitch!"

"I never told you to try to fight her! I don't want to have anything to do with you so get out of my sight right now!"

"Tch, fine then have it your way!"

"…"

Seems like that's the end of it.

I walk up the stairs and see Kotori sitting against the wall sobbing with her knees tucked into her chest.

"Um, are you alright?" I hesitantly call out to her.

"I'm fine, go away!"

"But you're…"

"I said I'm fine!"

What a pain in the ass.

I really should just mind my business and walk away…

"Did you really like him that much?"

"Shut up and go away!"

I don't think anything I say to her will get her to tell me what's wrong and honestly, I don't really care to hear it either way.

(Sigh)

"Here use this and wipe your face," I let out a small sigh and place my handkerchief beside her.

" I don't know what kind of relationship you guys had, but you're better off without a guy like that."

"…" she says nothing and continues to sob.

"Well…see ya. You can keep the handkerchief.

I awkwardly wave goodbye to her and head to class.

****

(Sniff Sniff)

(You're better off without a guy like that)

"…I know that already. But I don't have any other choice."

"After all…"

"I'm not like her."