Distance

"RUN! You'll be safe in your house!"

I told Bella, signing her to run towards her house. I myself would somehow deal with the incoming hoard of Noppera-bo. Even though I didn't have the slightest idea of what to do with them, I couldn't let her get hurt.

Seemed like Bella was too confused and stunned that she couldn't move a single muscle. There were only incoherent groans coming from her throat.

With no other choice, I turned around, picked her up on her feet, held her wrist, and ran towards the house. She was still a bit wobbly, but she managed to keep up with my pace.

Lucky for us, her house was right on the other side of the small road surrounding this park. 

As we came to the doorstep, I rushed her inside and closed the door. 

"MR. KUROGANE! NO...! YOU NEED TO GO INSIDE TOO!"

Despite her effort to push the door open, I leaned my whole body on it. I heard the intense knocking echoing from the other side. 

Sweat poured out like a fountain. My two trembling arms clung tightly to both sides of the door. At all costs, I can't let them hurt her.

The Noppera-bos were only a few inches away from where I was standing. Right! I can try taking over their minds! The last time was nearly pure luck, but who knows!

I closed my eyes, shutting down all the chaos swirling around.

Concentrate!

I could hear the hissing adjacent to my cheeks. The chill from the spirits seized my body and sent shivers down my spine. I felt goosebumps running all over from my neck down to my limbs.

Damn it, I cannot do it!

Then a thought sprung to mind. Now as I think of it, what they were after wasn't me and Bella. They only wanted me. This means, that if I kept my distance from her, they would follow me and leave her in peace.

Without a second thought, I put all my strength into running far away from the house. As I ran past the window, I caught a glimpse of Bella's terrified face. I smiled, gave her a thumbs up, signaling that I would be okay. She paused for a moment, placing her hand on her chest in worry. Then she nodded, watching my figure fade into the distance.

There was no time to think any longer. If I didn't make a quick decision and distance myself from everything I loved, not just I, but even those I cherished would be harmed. By the hands of the Entity of Chaos.

A wave of anxiety surged in my stomach. Then that feeling quickly transformed into uncontrollable anger. Why was he doing this? I don't want to lose anyone else.

Shinjuku Station was right near the park. I ran straight there, occasionally glancing back to check if the monsters were still behind me. Luckily for me, despite their tall, lanky figures and faces that could haunt nightmares, they moved quite slowly compared to the speed of an adult running.

The station was packed with people. I wondered if they could see the Noppera-bos.

Standing on the crowded escalator leading into the station, I couldn't help but glance back anxiously. The monsters had vanished at some point. According to what I had read in books about Japanese folklore, Noppera-bo often dwell near wooded areas. Perhaps they didn't want to enter such a crowded place.

I can go home now, right?

No, Takehito. You have to go to Sensoji Temple. You're no longer safe.

Thinking that, I jumped onto the Chuo Line train. Exhausted after 15 minutes of continuous running, I dozed off until I reached Kanda Station, and then transferred there to go to Asakusa Station.

As I exited the station, I spotted a phone booth. With a few coins left in my wallet, I dialed Ray's number.

The other end of the line picked up. A crackling sound came through.

"Raynor Smith from the Japanese Ministry of Defense speaking."

I had never felt so relieved hearing that deep voice.

"Ray... It's me."

"Takehito? ARE YOU OKAY?" I could hear his serious tone soften when he realized I was the one on the line.

"Yeah, for now I am."

"What the hell happened? Bella called me in a panic, saying you were in danger and begging me to save you."

I sighed, scratching my head, unsure how to explain it to him.

"I was being chased by a group of Noppera-bo. But I'm okay now."

"A group of... what?"

"Ray, listen. I've made my decision. I'm going with Yang. The teenager you mentioned."

"...We already talked about this. It's too dangerous. You could lose your life, do you understand?! Stay away from this. You're getting involved in something beyond your control, Takehito. I'm serious. I know you're mad at me about Kyou; I'm sorry. But trust me on this."

"Ray. My whole life, I rarely got the chance to make my own decisions. And I always regret hesitating. I always miss opportunities."

Ray fell silent.

"Even though you don't say it, I know you've always tried to keep me safe. Because you promised Kyou, right?"

"How... how do you know that?"

"So it's true, huh?" I chuckled lightly.

"Raynor. Thank you for always protecting me all this time. But you can't protect me forever. You have your own life too, right? After all, this is my life. I can't keep being a coward and depending on you like this. I can't always be a burden to you."

"...But I don't see you as a burden."

"I know you don't see it that way," I smiled, a strange sense of peace washing over me. "But I do. And that's enough to make me think of myself as useless."

"...I don't want to lose another friend."

I heard Ray's voice grow softer on the other end. Mixed in were the sounds of quiet sobs. He must have been holding it together for a long time.

"I'll be okay, I promise you. You won't have to lose anyone else. You won't be alone anymore either. I will become stronger, and together, we will protect everything. I just want one thing from you. Please trust me."

I heard Ray crying on the other end.

"I'm sorry, Take boy..."

"It's okay, you haven't done anything wrong. I should be apologizing to you. I will do this."

"Alright..."