Unwanted Self Commentary
Steins;Gate
Chapter One
2010.06.29 - 5:30 PM JST
Tuesday
After enduring that long ten hour flight across the Pacific Ocean, I had once again touched down at Narita Airport with my father. He was scheduled to do a couple of lectures during our stay here and I had my own public presentation to worry about the next month. We got through customs without much difficulty and before I knew it we were standing in the main lobby with all our bags in hand. Papa began to lead me to towards the train station, but I stopped right in my tracks out of indefiniteness. Papa turned around to face me. His expression was that of anger and impatience.
"What's wrong now, Kurisu?"
I was in a bit of a small predicament at the moment. This was something quite embarrassing I had to ask him. Especially considering I was turning 18 soon. I took a deep breath and tried make this as painless as possible.
"I-I need to go to the washroom."
Papa released a sigh that could be heard for miles. Clearly he was even more irritated than before.
"Can't that wait until we get to the hotel?"
"No. It can't." I told him sternly.
"I seriously need to go. Like right now."
Papa finally gave up fighting me. He pointed to a small door about fifteen feet behind us.
"Fine. I see a washroom over there." He said with his arm stretched out.
"I'll watch your suitcase so you don't have to bring it in with you."
"Just go and be quick about it, okay?"
I nod back at my father and proceeded to enter the washroom. Strangely, I began feeling quite sick as the door closed behind me. Nauseous in the stomach. I took a few more steps and a headache developed too. I had no time to process what was going on before my legs gave up from under me and I hit the floor. The world suddenly started spinning and everything slowly faded to black.
I eventually woke up to the loud chatter of the crowd over in the airport lobby. Once I fully regained consciousness, I finally had the time to review exactly what happened right before I passed out. It was surprisingly simple. I got a bit nauseated, then I got a headache and then I fainted. At least that's what seemed anyway. I had no idea what caused any of those things, but I figured that's what most likely happened. I was very careful when trying to stand back up, just in case this was more serious then I thought. After successfully getting back on feet, I checked my wallet to make sure I wasn't robbed while I was out.
I did my business and left the washroom to meet up with my father. When I got back out, I didn't find him waiting like he said he would. Both my suitcase and my father had disappeared. How long was I passed out? What time was it? I instantly reach for my cell phone when I had a horrible realization. I had placed my phone in my carry on when we went through customs. I didn't have it with me. With that wonderful thought in my head, I decided to go looking for him myself and after about twenty minutes of searching I eventually gave up. I knew I needed to contact him right now as I could look outside and it was already pitch black. I ran over to one of the surprisingly plentiful payphones at the airport and threw in some change. I tried calling Papa several times and I kept getting a notice telling me the number was out of service. This didn't make any sense. I had just called him using this same number right before we got on the plane. How could it be out of service? Did Papa not pay his phone bill this month or something? After a bit of thinking, I got the idea to give my phone a try and see if he picks up. As I do that and the weirdest things start happening. First off, the call was picked up almost immediately. I wasn't expecting this since I thought my father would have to rummage through all my stuff to retrieve it. However, who answered the phone was a whole other shock entirely.
"Hello?" Spoke a female voice.
The voice sounded like my own. Exactly like my own. I really didn't know how to respond to something like that. I quickly checked the number I dialed on the payphone's LCD screen before replying.
"Hi. This… this is Makise Kurisu. Who… who am I speaking with?"
There was a brief moment of silence followed by a sigh. It seemed like this woman was not happy with me right now.
"Listen. I know it's April 1st so the bar is already set pretty low, but this is just insulting."
"Do you have any idea what I have been through the last three years? This kind of prank is not funny."
"Do not call me again and smack whoever put you up to this. Goodbye."
I didn't get in another word before she hung up. I had no idea what just happened. Who was that? Why did she sound like me? Why did she think it was April Fools Day? It was the end of June for goodness sake.
As I stood there, a realization came upon me. Did I travel to a parallel dimension? Was that another version of me? This required investigation and I knew just how to do it. I grabbed my wallet once more and pulled out my main bank card. I turned to the back of the card and without hesitation I dialed customer service. I was determined to get to the bottom of this.
******
(Chapter Two: Out Now!)
