Ainako: This part should have been longer than it is, but I have second thoughts and cut it down.
From the bus, we were to board a plane towards our final destination – Osaka. Arrived, we were given transport in a disguise of a taxi. At the back seat next to where I was sitting sits a file with documents and the orders I am to obey. There was a wallet full of money and a debit card with a generous amount. The paper describing the orders explained it shall be the only monetary help I will receive. The rest I would have to manage myself. The other was an identification card describing my stature and the level of stability when I was relocated. I am to produce the card if there is any sort of emergency regarding my Gate power to the nearest video phone booth. In addition to the card, it explained also that I am given a room to live in, but the rent is free for only a month. What will I do with the room afterwards will be all my decision. I glanced at the last line of orders regarding my rights as a relocated Gate user – I am forbidden to use my Gate for any reason at all, especially against another normal citizen. If caught, the punishment will be severe and permanent. In my head, I can only picture execution.
The room I was given to was decent, and homely. I decided to pretend there is nothing out of ordinary when I meet my new neighbors and created some lies regarding why I moved there and such. For a few weeks, life has not bare its cruel fangs at me. I managed to work as a part time cashier at the nearest convenience mart, and when I'm not working, I decided to enslave myself to studying as I was expecting to enroll into a private college. Everything was going on just fine, until one day I was forced to show them of who I am.
Some men and women approached me when I was coming back from work. They told me the story of at another place, there will be one day that a person would appear out of nowhere and live among them. They were always alone – never with a partner. Rumors told that they are relocated Invalids, and another rumors stated many of them turned to monsters. I assure them there is nothing to be worried of, but they wouldn't listen. They would not be at ease if I can prove them that I am not an Invalid. At that point, I can no longer lie my way out of it. There is only one mean of proof that differentiates me and them. I hesitated to pull my right hand from my pockets, but the kind old man who used to greet me good morning each time I went out for work grabbed hold of it and held it upright to show to the others. The ugly code as if to be shining to send their eyes wide like that.
They scream afterward, yelling what a monster I will be. The smiling middle aged woman with two children hides them behind her skirts, as if I can kill anyone just by looking. It was all that I can do but run towards my rented room – the only sanctuary I can reach. I decided not to show my face until tomorrow. But the next morning brought me more bad news. The landlord made an angry visit and said I can no longer stay there anymore, and I am to leave immediately. I begged for his mercy that I was proven not to be dangerous, but he want none of it. He even offered to return the remaining rent I paid in advance because of my bonus.
I cried for it seems to be like forever since I was this disappointed. All I can think of is Masato. I wonder where he is, or is he healthy. He always seems to be getting himself into trouble even when he's trying so hard not to, like that time in quarantine, he wanted to meet me at the women's dormitory to return a book he borrowed from me. He said he was trying to be nice with the guards and asked very nicely to have his permission, but the bored guards decided to pick on him. In the end, it was a mess of profanity, curses and fist fight. Masato ended up with a large lump on his cheek, but not before hitting three guards unconscious. I laughed at the memory of him trying to impress me with his crawling reading. He said he can read particular words properly, and we ended up having our arms around each other and our lips locked. 'I love you' was the only word he can read without me guiding him. I almost wailed. I missed him so much, my heart aches whenever I remembered him. I dreamed of him every night, of us in a small house way up on a hill overlooking a vast flower field. I dreamed of him waiting for me at the end of the aisle very charmingly in his tuxedo, and me walking nearer and nearer towards him with a bouquet in hand. The dream always ended abruptly before our hands can ever joined. There was also one nightmare of him clutching his head in pain then later he bursts into flame and the terrible bear-monster that appeared before me during graduation. That sent me to a complete horror; I never dared to sleep again that night. I prayed to the god I was brought to worship to never let any of my nightmare came true.
Come morning, I packed my things – the small possession that I can manage to pack – and leave. The door to my room was badly vandalized with curses, telling me that I deserve to die; I should not be here to harm their quiet lives. With heavy feet, I walked away from the temporal peace I've enjoyed for three months. From there, I have no idea of heading. I've thought about it last night for many hours for each possibility. Since money is not yet a problem, the only thing holding me back is where. I rode a bus to the very last stop and decided to start from there. A week of looking around, I can only manage simple errands like cleaning up the shop after closing hours, washing cars, delivering newspapers and such. But they are never more than a day or two – I was expected to leave as soon as I had my pay. Seeking mercy from another Invalids had proven to be a waste. None of those I've met want anything to do with me, or any other for that matter. In the end, I just walked around aimlessly, hoping that I have some idea of what to do next.
It was then when I was helping an aged man with his storeroom cleaning that I finally found kindness from a stranger for it seems to be like a lifetime since the last. He explained he has no hate towards people like me but that's not saying much. He still think of us wondering around, meekly being pushed around as pathetic and expect us to have more backbone than that. When I asked why he thinks so, he said his own grandson was an Invalid too. He managed to return home after being relocated, but he hanged himself when he can't take it no more. The grandson was his only living relative since his parents and his wife died in a car accident. The old man surprised me yet again when he said he was once a NRA officer, obtaining the title Captain before he retired. And then I finally has my lead.
He explained someone like me has two apparent choices – one is to carry on life like this and hoped that one day I will not turn into one of those monsters; Invaders he called them. Though many had chosen this path, many too ended up to be forced to put down as their control over their alien power failed. Many of them never made it to more than five years after relocation. I shuddered in fear remembering the nightmare of Masato. The other choice gained my absolute interest however. AEGIS. I remembered seeing some youth in plain clothes planted themselves far at the front of an Invader containment operation in the news, but I never gave them more than a thought. The old man told me they are a Gate user who served as the main offense and defense against the monsters' outbreak. Their existence was kept on minimal exposure outside of Tokyo, since other regions agreed to not have a direct connection with them. Joining AEGIS ensured your rights to live like any other civilian, and you are protected by their law. The only thing you lose, however, is your right on your own life. Joining AEGIS meant that you are dedicating you life as a disposable weapon.
I don't know why I was so engrossed with the idea of reaching Tokyo, reaching AEGIS's headquarter as soon as possible. Probably hearing that I would have my right as Gate user, or maybe to find some meaning in my empty life. I thought of the fear of succumbing to fate as I was sent to the battlefield just so I will be dispose of first, but not a sliver can change my plan. This might be my only chance on redeeming my dream.
End note: and so I will get on the actual plot. Be prepared.