A/N: I'm alive! WOOHOO! LOL XD As usual, I am very busy with school, so I can't update much. =.= I had to meet a certain status, or I'll be damned. However, I do write small things here and there. ^^
For the rewritten Reminiscence chapters, I am still about 3/4 done with chapter 3; others not yet. As a heads up, though, after I finish rewriting Reminiscence, I'll be making a one-shot that fills in the gap of lost time/un-narrated time before the start of Dollmaker's events. I'd seen the lacking development when I was rewriting the first 2 chapters of Reminiscence, so I'll be fixing the chronology and order of things soon! ^^
As for Dreams, I will be rewriting it too in some parts, and do some serious editing and proofreading. For Cloud, I just have some details to fill in for the 4th chap, and some serious description to put. Avenue will be on hiatus for a moment, although I have my thoughts on it, but I'm somehow lazy for now. Naru's Moving Castle ch 3 is like...3.5/4 done, but again, there are serious description and other things to fill in.
I am sorry if I'm not updating regularly as all those amazing authors out there. I'm sort of a slow writer...because I think too much, and there are a lot of things I'm so busy about lol.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this chap! ^^
XDXDXDXD~nya~
S-so embarrassing!
I tried to hide from my [stalker's] professor's sight as soon as I sat on the back of the lecture room. Other students had streamed in, and I was glad there was a distraction...
But still...I could feel eyes on me even when I'm on the very back...
What's up with that?!
When the last student slipped in before the class time started, my [stalker] professor went to shut the doors before coming back to his desk. The whiteboard was such a contrast to his dark hair and similarly, slightly, bleak ensemble.
With a click of some tiny remote, the projector screen rolled down, and he showed us a slide show of pictures.
No introductions. No tell-me-your-name-and-course-and-expectations-for- this-class activity.
No sense of building a rapport with us...
But that didn't stop most of the girls from giggling at him before he first spoke.
Somehow, unlike me, they weren't clueless about how young their professor is, and perhaps, with the somewhat 5 by 1 ratio of women to men in the class...knowing he was the professor might have been the drive to enroll in the course itself...
"Who can tell me what those pictures depict?" his voice echoed in the room when he hit the black screen, and there was silence before hands shot up.
He nodded at a curly-haired girl in a red polka-dotted white dress.
"They're ghosts!" she said in a sprightly manner.
My [stalker] professor nodded.
"Specter, spirit, or, yes, ghosts as they are often called," he began, "but from this moment, I want to make it clear to everyone; ghosts don't exist in this world."
The silence was so crisp, so breakable, yet nobody wanted to end it. I guess, everyone could tell the seriousness in his voice.
They didn't exist...?
And yet he'd be teaching stuff about the paranormal?!
I bravely raised my hand, and he elevated an eyebrow at me.
No more hiding for now.
And I didn't come here to be forgotten, anyway.
Without waiting for his nod, I stood up and asked, "Sensei, if ghosts don't exist, why can some people see them?"
Some of my classmates jounced their heads and eagerly awaited his response―which was quick and unperturbed.
"Some people claim they see ghosts, but their testimonies couldn't be accounted as pieces of factual evidence."
"But that doesn't mean they're not real." I frowned.
"It does not conclude they're real either." He was as calm as a wave-less sea.
"But what if those who see them are telling the truth?"
His gaze was penetrating, and I almost swallowed.
"How can you know they are telling the truth and are not under the influence of psychedelic drugs, diagnosed with schizophrenia, or simply just faking it?" he responded.
Well, yeah...
I scowled. "They do exist."
His face remained emotionless. "Unless ghosts become observable and measurable beings like the humans they're thought to be once, they do not exist in this world."
Measurable?!
"You mean guinea pigs." Venom laced my tone, and I didn't care.
He just shrugged and smirked. "Perhaps."
What a mad scientist!
I thinned my lips, and he raised an eyebrow at me again.
In my mind, my dissent was overpowering, merciless.
They did exist. Ghosts did exist.
...
...
...
Because I could see them.
Because I could talk to them.
XDXDXDXDXD~nya~
For the first time, Kazuya Shibuya remained in the lecture room after class. Usually, he would leave the whiteboard un-cleaned, but uncommonly, he feigned to erase his marks on that pale board...
And kept glancing her way as she returned her notebook and pen to her messenger bag.
As peculiar as it sounded, he'd expected her to stop by his desk and debate about the existence of ghosts. Earlier, she seemed very passionate about proving the existence of ghosts to him that his mind itched to tell her he believes they exist too.
Just not in this world.
To his odd disappointment, she didn't even once glance at him when she exited the room, and when his feet involuntarily stepped forward to tail her, his other students (all girls) halted him in his tracks with their shallow questions that have answers he could've written on their slam books.
Since she was then entirely out of earshot, he faked a smile to his hormone-driven students and said, "I apologize, but can you send me your questions through e-mail instead? I still have a meeting to attend to."
Dumbfounded at his sparkling beam, the girls nodded, and he strode off without looking back.
What he planned next would be like this: he'd come back to his office, try to get out irrelevant thoughts off his nervous system through re-reading his thesis, and then...
Relenting, Kazuya Shibuya decided to call his twin.
XDXDXDXDXDXD~nya~
His brother picked up his cellphone on the third ring.
"Hello, I'm sorry I can't answer you right now, so if you can kindly leave a message after I sing the Narcissus's song―"
"Gene—"
"Round and round the garden like Narciss-us~Yeah~"
Kazuya loured. "I met her."
"Beeeeeeeep. Your message was invalid. Please try again la―"
"I met the girl in my dreams, idiot," he grunted, keeping anger in check.
There was silence and then a shuffle. "No kidding."
"I don't kid like you," he growled.
"No, seriously? 'The girl in your dreams?' What happened to you that you're using cliché mushy lines? Did the rain hit you so hard?" His twin sounded like on the edge of howling with laughter.
So Kazuya just sighed. "Yes. Whatever."
There was a gasp. "Holy mole-y."
"Who infected you with that?"
"Mum."
"Again?"
"Yup. The housewife network is brilliant."
Once more, he sighed. "Last time, you said it was the homeless network."
"Well, the housewife network is what she's recently interested in."
Kazuya scowled. "We're digressing."
"Oh, no! I was merely distracting you to see how obsessed enough you are to remember coming back to the topic."
"It's normal to come back to the topic. I'm always focused, unlike you."
"Ahh we shall settle our differences soon. So anyway, how was she like in front of you?" There was a rustle, and Kazuya surmised that his twin was skimming something…
"Undeniably girly." Kazuya shrugged. He was back in his office, and the sun was starting to set. The room was then illuminated by an orange hue.
The rustling stopped. "Of course she is, you prick! Girls are―"
"I meant her clothes."
There was a dramatic gasp. "Oh my! I'd never thought you're knowledgeable about women's fashion―"
"Enough. For once, stop that nonsense, and listen to me."
"Whoa, you're getting riled up." Gene soughed. "I guess you're really serious huh."
"I'm always serious," Kazuya admitted.
"So lame..."
"Just listen, idiot." Kazuya leaned slightly on his desk and peered at the sinking sun.
"Hai, hai, dear narcissist, what else are you willing to tell me?" Gene blew out.
"Her history is different."
"You mean her life?"
"Yes."
"Well, that's expected. You of all people know very well how to distinguish a dream from reality, so―"
"It's not that easy. Why did I dream about her in the first place? You know I don't have that kind of ability."
"Well, you'll never know."
"And the dream isn't accurate, so if it's merely make-believe, why was it so vivid? And it's only her name that I can remember all the time―"
"You can remember the faces though?"
"No. They're always blank. Except hers."
Another gasp.
And then Gene was applauding from the other end that Kazuya might have as well rolled his eyes.
"Oh my, you're finally love-struck, Oliver. Congratulations~ Mother will be pleased to hear of your puppy lo―"
"Stop that," Kazuya growled.
Gene giggled. "Heehee~~"
Kazuya withdrew an exhausted breath. "Just as I thought, you're not helping."
"But you still called me, so I'm at least the most reliable?"
"Hardly."
His twin snorted. "Well, I'm used to playing your therapist."
"You're nothing of the sort." Kazuya's eyes straitened.
Gene just chuckled. "Alright, alright! So, what are you going to do?"
"Observe, of course..."
"Ahh so typical of a love-struck scientist, observing the object of his desire like she's a lab rat―"
"You and your analogy are always ridiculous."
"I'm still loved though."
Kazuya sighed in defeat. "Just...do some research for me there. Of the same ability."
"Of dreams like memories?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, I need an incentive."
"That is very charitable of you," Kazuya returned with a smirk.
"Okay, I'll tell mother you're having an affair with your student―"
Kazuya suspired. "What do you want?"
"Whoa. That's really something. It's that serious, Noll? You never wavered before."
"I'm not wavering. I'm just not fond of the idea of you coming with our parents to visit me after you dropped your mind bomb."
"Mind bomb? Whoa, what a term! You've never been this descriptive! Oh my, are you shy about her?" Gene giggled again, to Kazuya's annoyance.
"What are you talking about? We're not close, and we'll never be."
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
It was Gene's turn to smirk. "But she's your student, so you'll be tempted."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow. "How do you know she's my student?"
"Because you reacted before. You're so naughty, little brother!"
"..."
"So, what was it? Love at first sight?"
"..."
"Ah! You dreamt of her first, so I guess that means it's love before sight?"
...
"Goodbye, Gene."
"Hey!"
Kazuya pressed the switch hook, heard the beeping sound of the ended call, stared at the receiver on his hands, and pondered about what his brother just said.
Indeed she was his student, and he'd be meeting her MWF every week from 1:45 pm until 2:45 pm.
He had a lot of time for obser―teaching! (He's a professor!)
Kazuya soughed.
He'd thought she was nothing but an eidolon in his sleep. That she didn't exist in reality…How could he compare the often unladylike image in his unconscious to a refined young woman? Her reaction was natural too. He'd concluded his madness when he ruminated about what he just did.
How could he be...so direct like that?
But then, he'd always been direct, and for him to worry about being his usual self around her...was perplexing.
Kazuya ran a hand through his hair. He definitely needed to set his priorities straight.
XDXDXDXD~nya~
"I'm hoome~" My voice reverberated the deserted threshold.
I softly shut the door and sat on the platform before it to take off my shoes and wear my light blue slippers.
"Welcome back," my mother shouted from the kitchen.
I sniffed around as I straightened and smiled at the recognized scent. Feeling brighter as I passed by the yellow and white striped walls of the hallway, I proceeded to where she is and kissed her cheek.
"How was Todai?" she queried while holding a ladle in midair. She was wearing a blue-green apron over a lavender tee and brown skirt. Her long reddish tresses were held up into a ponytail.
High cheekbones, brown eyes, and bee-stung lips…My mother was hot despite her simplicity.
Well…I may be biased, but…
"It was nice."
"Met any hot guys?"
Gah.
I normally rolled my eyes, but now, instinctively, my cheeks warmed. "Shouldn't you ask about my professors first?"
"Ara, so you met a hot one~"
"No! All my professors are older than you!"
"Except one," my mother persisted with a malicious glint in her eyes. "There's always an exception."
Gah!
I pouted and sighed. "Mohh. Fine! Yes, there is one."
"What's his name?" she asked and stirred the contents of the silver pot on the stove.
"Octagon." I slumped on a chair before an amber counter.
She blinked at me. "His name is Octagon?"
I smiled. "Nope. It's my nickname for him~"
She put a hand to her cheek. "Ara, you're that close already? How youthful!"
I felt my flush and shook my head. "No we're not! Well, he did hit on me—"
She stopped stirring and gushed, "Oh my, thank heavens! Didn't I tell you so? Men will notice you! And you say it's your prof?! My, you're really my daughter! Tomorrow, you'll have to wear something more stunning than today!"
I frowned. "You really get excited with these things."
She beamed. "I can only be your mother for a short time."
I blew out my fringe. "Don't speak gloomy things like that."
"You'll leave me someday and build your own family—"
I covered my ears. "Aaaaaah. Stop it. I don't want to hear about the future. Now is now! I won't leave you."
She smiled sadly, and I sighed once more.
"Let's eat." Mother turned off the stove and began to top chicken curry on two plates with already-spread-out rice.
I took some stainless spoon and fork from a canister and chopsticks from another.
"Have you met him?" asked mother as she sat across me on the counter and lodged our plates on the surface along with a platter of gyoza.
"Who?" My eyes twinkled.
"You know who." Mother furrowed her brow.
I shrugged as I picked on my carrot pieces. "I forgot...Who was you-know-who again?"
"Oliver Davis."
"Oh...No, I haven't. We don't have any foreign profs." I gulped a sliced carrot and drank some water.
"His Japanese name is Kazuya Shibuya. Remember that."
"How does he look like?"
Mother shrugged her immaculate shoulders. "I have no idea because there isn't any picture taken of him. Just remember that he's one of the professors there."
"He's probably a very old man, right? So far, I don't have past middle age as professors."
"It's not only the professors you have that you need to note about. The others too."
"Yeah..." I crossed my legs. "After I know who this Oriberu is, what should I do? Get you an autograph, Mum? He's got a lot of awards, right?"
"Yes, but..."
"But?" I tilted my head.
She narrowed her eyes and said solemnly, "No. If you know who he is, be sure to stay away from him. He's an enemy."
XDXDXDXD~nya~
"Here."
He tossed the 500 yen coin upwards, and I held up my hands to catch it, but nothing fell or clinked on the ground.
So I pouted and knobbed my hands and told him he feigned to throw the small thing, and then he said I scared the coin because of my loud voice. Next, he pulled out the coin from his left shoulder, and I praised him for his magic tricks. But he didn't confirm he could do magic.
Then his coin talked and said it wasn't magic.
And he assured it that I wasn't scary as I appeared to be…
Before long that scene crumbled, and surrounded in white, I was running, and someone was holding my hand. He was wearing white too…He was in front of me as we ran, but I soon stalled due to out of breath.
"Le─Let's take a rest!" I pleaded.
He halted with me and finally faced me…
Black hair and blue or black eyes…
They were so familiar yet distant…
"We have to get away, so endure it for a while. No more than a minute, Mai." The space between his brows creased, but his eyes were brimming with worry…and fear?
Why?
"Can't we just hide…for now until…we…reach the entrance?" I suggested.
"No. We can't stay so long. They can still find us."
"That's─"
"Mai." He squeezed my hand. "It'll be alright."
His determination won me over, and I mustered up what little strength remained from my strained muscles to run another few meters ahead with him.
But then something hit him from behind, and he fell forward.
Everything remained white and immobile…
Until blood splattered on the white floor, and I screamed.
"NARUUUUU!"
XDXDXDXDXDXD~nya~
I jolted upright as sweaty and panting.
Dreadful…
I shivered at the vivid replays in my merciless head.
Erase! Erase!
Still there was something else more important to address…
Why did I dream of him?
Why did I…act so close to him?
It was just a dream…It could have just been a dream…
But why was I so convinced it was real?
Why…couldn't I think it's not real?
I ran both of my hands through my hair, and bowed.
"Why did I call Octagon as Naru…?"
XDXDXDXDXD~nya~
A/N: Why, indeed? ^^ Rapture will be on hiatus until I finished rewriting Reminiscence. I will re-edit later.
