The boy was really feeling flustered by now as she was almost done wiping off the remaining blood from his nose. Personally, he found it be enjoyable cause of her soft hand touching his skin and her other hand holding his shoulder like to keep him still, even if it felt like forceful. Soon after, she took a hold of his hand as she motioned him to have a walk with her. The boy, who stopped blushing moments after, did not hesitate and complied.
"So, uh…" he stammered, "How are you?"
They stopped walking as she looked at him with bluish emotionless eyes. She went closer to his ear as she whispered.
"Just okay, as long as I am with you."
The boy was blushing again of being this close to her like last time. As he tried to get a little of distance from he, he only moved back once when he felt her hold of his hand being tightened. She tilted her head to the side slightly.
"You know that I'm not a threat to you, so you'll only just waste your time for running," she frowned.
"Sorry," he sighed, "Can we continue walking?"
The girl nodded as she let her hold loosened before they continue venturing forward. From the look in her eyes and from what she said, he felt that maybe he could trust her for the time being… as long as she wouldn't stab him or even shoot off his head with her big cannon. The feeling of being with someone who looked like a serial killer and who was so affectionate really made him feel the chill down in his spine.
"I believe that you have questions ever since you arrived here, so say them all away and I'll answer," she smiled.
"First, what can you tell me about yourself?"
"I'm just another version of my real counterpart. I battle souls for purification."
"What do you mean 'another version'?"
"I'm an 'Other-Self', a being that represents the characteristic of the human from the real world where you live in. I represent for a girl that I wish to protect and carry her burdens."
"Next question, what is this place?"
"This is the 'Otherworld', another alternate universe of the real world. In here, you will find nothing but endless battles of 'Other-Selves', territories of every being, and darkness that shrouds the area."
"So, if everyone has 'Other-Selves, that includes me," he asked.
"Yes," she nodded as they continued walking, "Yours is 'Black Vine Specter'. He's a fierce warrior, restless, and a charmer."
"Sounds like you idolize him much," he mused.
"He and I were partners for a long time, purifying souls and watching each other's backs."
"Does he look like me?"
"Yes, he is exactly like you, but with some differences that I can hardly tell."
"Okay, for the next question, why am I dreaming of this?"
"There are times that the 'Other-Selves' wishes for the presence of their real counterparts, usually in occasions like in need of assistance or striking deals."
"But, from the past few years, I never dreamt of this," he said.
"Just only in this time, Specter calls you."
"For what reason does he have to summon me?"
"A purpose," she simply declared.
"What kind of purpose?" he asked.
"I'm afraid I'm not allowed to answer that," she frowned.
"Because my 'Other-Self' told you not to?" he said in a deadpanned voice.
The girl nodded slowly.
"Figures, he is surely someone like me," he said in a sarcastic voice.
"In time, he will tell you, including those flashbacks," she assured.
"Wait, how did you know that?" he asked.
"I can read your mind like your 'Other-Self' would," she smiled before she gave him a quick pinch at his cheek.
"Uh, what was that for?" he asked in a confused tone.
"For calling me 'soft'," she giggled.
The boy blushed heavily as he mentally face-palmed himself, totally regretting of having that thought. After a few minutes of walking, they reached to a portal that may lead to another dimension. It was the same portal the boy saw from his flashback. The portal then showed an image where he was laid unconscious in a room that looked to be a clinic. He sighed in relief that he was in school and not being left at the street.
"This is where you can go back to your universe," she said as she let go of his hand.
"Okay, is there anything you want to say before I go?" he asked as he walked to the portal.
"If you see my real counterpart, please do be good friends with her," she waved at him for a goodbye.
The boy then found himself awake in the clinic. Getting up from the bed, he told the nurse that he was okay to go. Before he left, the nurse gave him a piece of paper, saying that it was from someone who helped him to get to school. While walking down the hallway, he opened the note to see one word and the name from the sender.
'Hi… from Mato Kuroi'
AN: This is what I can write today. There may be some edits.