Chapter-6:The taken memories

[The boy in a red t-shirt was sitting on the gallery of the stadium while tying his belt of his shoe.

"Oye Shin. " Shin looked at Isamu instantly.

"What? " instantly.

"If you aren't busy let's go to my dad's restaurant"

"I am not busy at all. So I can go. "

"Okie"

They reached their restaurant by walking without making a single chat. They silently walk while holding their football.

"Hey Shin. You go sit by that window side on the back. I will go and bring something to eat. "

"Wait I wanted to ask something... About this.... Why didn't you invite the others. "

"Well you looked a bit upset back then. And my dad is already tired. So I didn't want to bother him by inviting them. Since you were also looking upset a bit. I thought it will be too noisy for you as well. Why?.. Don't you like it? "

"I do.. "

He smiled at Shin softly and said "Okay then I will be going now to bring the foods.. Wait here a bit.. Okay? I hope I didn't upset you more by not inviting them as well.. Haha"

"What.. No of course you didn't. I feel really great instead. I wanted to be alone for a while... No actually I will be lying if I say fully alone... I wanted to have someone by my side.. So it's great. Then you can go.. And bring the foods okay? "

"Okie"

Suddenly the light turned off and the restaurants became empty. Shin was shocked. He could barely see someone lighting a candle. It was Isamu. He lit a candle. The candle wasn't on the top of a cake. But it was on the top of a pizza. A small pizza.

"Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to my dumbest teammate Shin, Happy birthday to you. "

Shin was crying inside. His voice was shaking as he was holding his tears. The city lights lightened up the places by the window in the restaurant. So it wasn't completely dark. It's 10 September.

On September 10th, Japan is transitioning from summer to autumn, with the weather still warm but with cooler temperatures and the potential for typhoons, while the countryside starts to show hints of fall foliage.

"Are you being real now? "

"Weren't you upset because you thought no one remembered your birthday? Haha to be honest it was a fun side to see. Did you know Shin? You are my first friend in the football team. "

"I thought Satoru was your first friend"

"Not really . He only introduced me to the group that's it. He wasn't my friend back then. That time... I wasn't very talkative to my classmates either. I didn't had the courage to be friends with the other teammates. And that's when I met you. You were still sitting at the gallery and writing some scripts or stories. "

"I was doing my homework .. Stupidd... I got an punishment for failing at the test so my sister started to tutor me that time. Lol."

"Oh... Is that so?? (He was a bit-- awkward) well then never mind.. But at that time.. You were the first person I approached and you were the first person whom I could share my thoughts. You would always silently join me. You never really talked too much nor did you ever complained about that as well. Even though I have always thought of you as a great friend. "

"Why are you talking such a nonsense tonight? Hey heyyy... You know we are really close friends and nothing more right? I already have someone I love... Soooo.... And... Sooo I am actually straight duhh... "

He laughed loudly and said " I know that much dude.. And don't you dare to call me gay! I am straight as well! It's just we never had any opportunity to talk like these. To be honest, at first I thought you were introvert and that's why you don't talk too much while playing. But later on I figured its not because you were introvert you were just not interested in noisy things that's all.

I made so many friends the half thanks to you and the other is to me, myself. Dude what are you so upset about? "

"I know right... I shouldn't be upset at all.. I know everyone practicing football so hard for the tournament. We are playing football almost everyday for the semi -final. It's easy to forget ny birthday but I don't know why... Even though how could they just..... This is what my mind is bubbling all day.. Tell me how can I stop? "

"Let me tell you.. Shin that they have never once forgot your birthday. Satoru really never considered anyone as his best friend but you , Enji and Kei.. You guys are his true best friends. So mark my words.. Even at the end of the night.. He will never forget to surprise you. Don't be upset you fool.. Never let your hopes down at your true friends."

"You are so chessy tonight Isamu.. Come on.. Be the normal one .. The Isamu I know would always joke around and make things lighter around him. "

"Yeah.. Yeah..whatever.." In a joking voice.

"And thanks.... Although I have never celebrated your birthday or invited you in mine... But..... Really..... Thanks.. I don't know cheesy lines for dudes you know. " smiled mockingly at the end.

After that they enjoyed their pizza with a great chat while smiling, both of them. After Isamu parting with Shin, Shin walked down the street alone, smiling .

𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺... 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺.. 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺? 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘐 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘮 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦. 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦... 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺?

After Shin got back to his home, he saw Enji, Satoru, Kei and Sota were waiting for him in his garden.

Satoru came forward with a cake in his hand the candle '14' was melting on the top of the cake " Happy birthday Shin. "

Shin smiled even brighter as his eyes were shining with tears.

"Thought you wouldn't come.. Bro.. " Enji babbled.

"And I thought you guys forgot about my birthday.. "

"How can we forgot about our bro's birthday.. What nonsense is that... Omgggg.... Enji look at him our baby Shin is crying.. " Sota started to mock him.

"Shut up! " Shin shouted.

"We were just about to cut the cake and eat by ourself.. What a waste.. Why did you even bother to ruin our happy moment??? "

Kei said it with her grumpy voice.

"Thank you guys.... All of you---.."

And at the end of the night they enjoyed it all. ]

𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙂 ....

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘭. 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘺.

When I woke up I saw everyone was already out. Am I the only one who is late? I can't even see properly my eyes are shallown

And my body is sore.

"That's right you are the only one who is late. It's already night. How long do you plan to sleep? Wake up already. " Celestina said it with a soft voice while relying by the door.

"You mean I slept for an whole day?!?! " I shouted.

"No I mean you slept for some hours. "

"We played the game today right? "

"Yeah yeah.. Now let's go to the dining hall for dinner. "

After I changed my clothes, Celestina and I started to walk for the dining hall.

"You guys weren't cool at all " Celestina spoke up

"What do you mean by that? "

"Think about it, all the works were done by Hana and Inaya. Specially Inaya, She was soo greatt!! I literally like her already. But then look at you, you were just following the orders and doing nothing at all just like a puppet in the show"

"Puppets in the show you say? How would you know what we felt back then? We don't even know the games nor have we ever played them. This is way too hard.. No way to survive.. There is just no way to escape.. How do we survive after all? And all you are thinking about is being cool? How would a Informer know about our situation at all? "

"When the night ends, there is daylight, when the sun sets, there is darkness. What do you think of this? "

"A poem? "

"When I asked Inaya how could she be so calm, when the others were already broke.. This is what she answered.. She said as long as you can remember this.. You can survive.. I myself couldn't understand that time... But now.. Maybe I got this.. So shin.. Even if you are in trouble now, remember that it won't last long. "

"Ehhh.... This is just an old saying lady.. Look lady.. I am not saying the sentence is wrong nor the meaning is wrong.. What I am saying is.... Advicing people ,saying them not to worry and be calm.. Is easy.. But not the action.. This is just my thoughts after surving this long that some people were just born exceptional that is. Not everyone can do whatever they are capable of. "

"Woahhh.. Never thought that our Shin could talk so high"

sulking.

"Our? "

"Mmm.. What's wrong with that? It's just a friendly saying"

"Nothing is wrong at all.. It's just we were never that close "

"Why does it matter if we were ever close or not?. Since you will be staying here from now on.. We had to be close anyway.. Or else it will become awkward.. Is that what you want? "

"That's not... That's just not what I mean my lady. "

"Ohkie.. Ohkie.. Here we are go .. And take a seat.. Zeno will cook you something.. In the meanwhile I will call the others. . "

"Brother Cheng Hao and the other three as well? "

"Mmmm.. Of course.. They will be with you from now on. Then if there is nothing else to ask.. I will be going. "

After Celestina left Zeno came from the kichen with foods.

"How is it going Shin? "

"I don't know... I am having a bit headache. "

"That's because you are starving. "

"𝘠𝘶𝘮𝘠𝘶𝘮.. Yeah maybe.. "

We made a small chat as I was eating. In the meantime the others came. They didn't look traumatized like before. Well it's good then but I remember Celestina said that we would forget 'the losers' but how come I still remember everyone.

"I called all of you here to know if you guys have any questions?"

"I do"

"Ah.. Shin.. Go on"

"How come I still remember what happened in the game? "

"Well... Why wouldn't you remember what happened in the game? Are you not supposed to? "

"Didn't you say no one will remember'the losers' anymore? "

"Aahh ..about that I never said you will forget the incident I only said you won't remember the person.. For example even if you won't remember the person you will still remember what happened that time.. But the person he won't appear in your imagination.. You won't able to capture his name nor his memories nor his appearance. "

"How does that work? " Satoru asked with curiosity.

"Right now your 30% brain cells are controlled by the system. What the system do is very simple it erase your painful memories from your brain. It controls your fear as well. So that you can fight without having any weakness. You won't able to remember them by tomorrow since it have only 30% control from your brain it will take some time to do its works. "

"Well .Isn't it great? We won't have to suffer for the painful memories nor we have to be depressed about it.it won't affect us at all. The system will automatically erase it anyway. "Sota chuckled .

"No . I don't think it's great at all. Although what you said does make sense but even if your memories get erased by the system, whenever someone call that dead person's name you will feel pain severely. There is a great chance that if you like that person or if you were really close with that person the pain that will cause in your head can lead you to death. "Celestina explained calmly.

"Why is that? If our memories get erased by the system already why would we have feelings for that person anymore? " Hana asked with worrying face.

"That's because our braincells always want to work for the Owner of the body , even if your memories get erase by the system, the brain never forgotten or erased it. Instead it was forcefully taken from you. So if I put it simply, your brain will fight with the system to get back what was taken from you. And if your brain fight too much with the system , your head will explode , you will bleed till you die and there is no antidote for that. "

"What if we erase the system instead? " Inaya asked.

"It won't work even though it only took 30% of your brain cells, it is still powerful. Look at me I am totally controlled by the system. The 100% of my braincells are made by the system. As for the other dimensions they have their systems too. If you want to ask, What about earth? Earth is naturally powerful dimension than the others so no dimension can ever reach earth. It have the most powerful divine and aura around it so we can never take over the 100% brain cells from earth's creatures. "

"Then what's the solution? Since the peoples were really close to us. We can't just left the topic as it is. "I said with a calm voice.

"It's better if you let go of your memories by yourself before the system does. By letting them go on by yourself you can remember the person forever. Like when someone ask you about them you can remember every single details without feeling pain and without your heart aches.

If you can move on yourself what the system can simply do is not mentioning their memories in your daily life. Instead the memories will only appear when you will need them. "

"Do you think we can just move on in some hours..it won't be easy to do that! " Sota shouted.

"Of course it won't. It was never easy for anyone nor it will ever easy for anyone in the world. But if you started to take over your things from the system and if you can take control on yourself on your own the system will be weakened and you will able to push the system by the hills. And if you continue meddling in the system and your braincells you can even get 100% of your brain cells back. And if that happen you will be powerful from the system as well. "

"Well that's crazy. But if that works then we can at least try. " Satoru said with a smile.

"Then if that's all I will be giving you the notice.. About the notice since you are already tired we will start our training for the next game from the morning. We will train for two days and then you guys will play the next game. And another one, it's my personal suggestions.. Do not try to escape this place cause there is no way you can escape.. You guys should take rest instead of wasting your time doing something stupid. It will only affect your sleep you see. Then if that's all I will be going. Good bye and have a good night dears. "

"Seem like she already knows about what we have done last night" Satoru spoke up.

"If what she said is true then it's best not make things worst. I will be going to sleep then.. Guys good night. Hey Inaya let's go. " Hana said with an sleepy voice.

"Yeah I am also tired but.. We don't have enough beds for these four. " Satoru said it weirdly.

"Haha that's right. But think about it, the beds are so big. You guys can share it among yourself.. All of you are boys anyway. " Zeno said with smiling brightly.

"Ehhh.!!!... No no that's not gonna happen.Where is the cleaner! " Sota shouted.

"Hey kiddo! Even if he is just a cleaner you shouldn't disrespect him you know. He is still older than you and even enough mature than you. So be Respectful. " Zeno said it calmly.

"Haha... Oh uncle Zeno look I didn't disrespect him at all.. I just forgot his name that's all.. You know.... " Sota smiled as he said that.

"It's okay. I don't think we should disturb him now. We will take the floor tonight and you guys can take the bed. Since two beds are empty Ten and Ryu can take the bed I and Riku will take the floor. " Brother Cheng Hao said it softly.

"If everything is settled then let's go. " Satoru smiled as he said that.