Disclaimer: I do not Own SNK (by Isayama Hajime). I do not own Paper Towns (by John Green).
The plot of the story is from Paper Towns by John Green.
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"She's a wonderful mystery.
And detective? I'll try to be."
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It was a bright, sunny day in the Province of Stohess, where you can feel the nice, warm temperature of air caressing your skin. Plants started growing and flowers were blooming as you walk through the wide and open street of Sina Subdivision.
I was playing basketball alone in the front yard of our house, wearing a number 30 (that was my birthday), white jersey shirt and dark-blue basketball shorts. My top clothing was already drenched in sweat, due to hot weather and hard work in practicing the sport. It was not really my thing. The truth is I prefer playing volleyball than this. But my dad insisted me to play the sport by reason of sounding it much cooler (for him) and perfect for my height (I told him that volleyball is also perfect for my height, but he said that he already bought me a ball for basketball, so better not to argue). So there you go, I got tired playing a sport that I don't really like and decided to take a break when a mid-size pick-up truck stopped in front of the newly constructed house just in front of ours. Using the back of my hand, I wipe the beads of sweat that are covering my forehead, simultaneously, looking at those people inside that car, as they got down one after another.
At the age of ten, I didn't expect that something that everyone calls a 'miracle' would ever happen to me. I mean, in a universe consisting of 2 trillion galaxies, including the spectacular, glowing milky way that contains our solar system with an average stars; sun and the nine planets, especially mentioning the Earth composing of seven continents and a total number of 195 countries all around the world resided by over 7 billion people, Oh, wait—I'm exaggerating things.
Let just put this simply into this: out of all subdivisions in the province and out of all houses in Sina Subdivision, they ended up living in a house across the street of ours. They. Mr. and Mrs. Leonhart. Our front-door-neighbor. With their lovely daughter, who made me fall in love at first sight, Annie Leonhart.
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All of the people in the neighborhood were invited by the Leonhart Family for the house blessing of their newly constructed Colonial Architecture House (but unfortunately, not all of them attended). They are very nice, approachable and trustworthy, some of the characteristics that made them a good neighbor. They easily adjusted because of the friendly people around the area, but if there is something they can call as their close friends, it was the Hoover Family, who only lives just a few steps in front of their house.
There are times that they invite each other for a dinner and talk about their lives before and after they got into Sina Subdivision, their careers, some of their annoying neighbors (gossips), and even teased their son and daughter to each other. Their fathers will joke about how they will grow up together and became lovers, while their mothers will just laugh about that. It will later on result for Bertholdt to bow his head and hide the blush on his face, and for Annie to tell that, "Oh? I don't know you're talking about us. I'm sorry, I haven't been paying attention." or "Seems that we have interesting lives." and will just continue eating.
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It had become a usual weekend habit for Bertholdt and Annie to ride their bicycles to the park or playground. Same time. Same place. Same level of fun. But for Bertholdt, this is not something 'usual', due to the fact that this is always the most special day of the week for him and what he is always looking forward. It is when and where he and Annie can play together, talk about schools how's going on with their weekdays, and especially what Annie likes the most is telling stories about mysteries. Most of the time, it was her who always have something to say, and he will just listen to her voice like it is some kind of sweet and relaxing music to his ears, then he will just find himself smiling and keeps on nodding even though she's not saying anything anymore.
So, Saturday had come. The clear, blue sky resembling the ocean's deep and cool breeze of air made it a perfect day for two buddies' little big adventure in the playground. He was standing in front of their house, holding the handle of his bike, and waiting for Annie to come out. He always felt these mixed up emotions of nervousness and excitement every time she will appear in the gateway. For him, she was an angel sent from above, and only the absence of her wings will make him realize that she was a human. Not just an ordinary human-being, but the most beautiful masterpiece that God had ever made. That day, she looks pretty neat in her pink sleeveless hoodie and white denim shorts with a pair of purple sneakers.
"Have you been waiting too long?" she asked.
"Not really. I have been waiting since the Age of Dinosaurs." He answered sarcastically.
"Ha-ha. Well, funny Mr. Hoover, Jr. Better late than never." She said.
He smirked as response.
"Sorry 'bout being late. I looked for my notebook where I wrote my recent investigation about..." She leaned forward to his ears and whispered as if it was a confidential matter, "...the secret club in Trohess Elementary." Her cheeks are close enough to touch his. It made him blush. She withdrew from leaning and gave him a wink and a small smile.
"Th-that was nice. I can't wait to hear about that." He said stuttering and sweating, while scratching the back of his head. He thought his heart will jump out of his chest anytime.
"Good! Then let's go!" She rode her bicycle and so as he. They started their little bicycle race wherein the loser will be eating a spoonful of hot sauce/pepper, socks (unwashed. Yes. He already did), or anything disgusting that came in Annie's mind. If you're lucky enough, you can just have a conversation with a broom for a day.
He had been in that playground since he was four and he can even draw all the single details about it. But in some unknown circumstances, he just felt that there is something different about the place as soon as they set their foot on it. He examined the whole playing area, putting his right hand under his chin, thumb and index finger rubbing it gently.
The swings? He thought. No, I know it was originally yellow, but recently they painted it with red to cover the rusts. He concluded. Maybe the seesaw? He turned his eyes on the seesaw and inspected it. Nopes, still the same. He wonders about this strange feeling that's building up on him. He knows there is really something wrong about the playground.
"Hey, Annie, did you feel something strange?" He asked as he looked at his side where she is standing. He was surprised to see her eyes were shining in excitement? He thought. She seems frozen, eyes glued on one direction, and lips are bit parted. "Annie?" His about to snap her back to reality because she was like daydreaming, until she raised her left arm forward, index finger pointing on the direction she was facing. The big tree in the corner of the playground, a place where no one cares to visit and enjoy its shades. He was confused and slowly turned his head on his right. Then, there he realized what is different.
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