Fade - A Lifetime Misplaced
Phase one: Curve
The sun was overbearingly warm, and, seeing as there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was also highly unavoidable. Light bounced off of shop windows giving the world an odd sort of shininess that seemed to make everyone happy, even despite all the sweat. People crowded the walkways as they took their afternoon breaks outside and munched on scrumptious snacks in the various cafés and restaurants that lined the street. Everyone was smiling, chatting amongst friends, enjoying what the world brought them. Trees were nearly motionless without a proper breeze, and the birds didn't exactly come in large numbers around such a busy place, but the feeling of this day was most certainly one of summer.
A beautiful day or not, Shuichi Shindou walked along the city streets with a look of utter boredom stretched across his face. A school bag was slung across his body, bouncing upon his hip as he walked. An orange tank top hung carelessly over a pair of khaki coloured shorts, and his sneakers were worn out and probably should have been thrown out as garbage - if only they weren't so comfortable.
For the slender boy another long school day had passed, the same as all the rest. Pointless. During class he had created songs to pass the time, hoping that one day he would have a better chance at something, but nothing ever came. Certainly none of his classmates ever gave his writing a chance, and they ignored him as if he was nothing more than a door mat to be walked on. Life was a pain, the world was dreadful, and if it weren't for the dream of a better life Shuichi would have destroyed himself years ago.
It was that attitude which had possessed Shuichi to take a detour home today. Normally he would watch as his classmates drove away in their fancy cars, gossiping on cell phones and eating fast food at the same time - the world's new definition of multitasking - but he couldn't handle it today. He sighed. There was just something odd about everything lately - even more so than usual.
Thinking that some time at his favourite arcade would do his mind some good (although some people would argue the 'good' part), Shuichi trudged on. "Stupid feet don't want to move fast enough," he muttered with frustration.
He walked by shops decorated with clothing and trinkets, and shops with baked goods and candies. There were large skyscrapers filled with tiny little offices for boring little business people, and dozens of restaurants with which to feed them. Of course for Shuichi, nothing of this was interesting at all. Except for maybe the candy. He walked along with his eyes lowered until a flashing light in the shop window beside him forced him to look up.
A television.
Taking a closer look Shuichi peered in the window, more engrossed by the sparkling colours and sultry images than the television itself. The black box was locked onto a music station which itself was showing some video from a relatively unknown band.
Shuichi frowned as he read the words in the corner of the screen. "Nittle Grasper? Never heard of 'em."
Still, he eyed the lead singer with envy and smiled as he imagined himself in the man's place, singing his heart out to adoring fans. He had fantasized about such things hundreds of times, singing in front of his mirror, playing with poses, and dancing in front of a pack of stuffed animals. Maybe he looked like a moron, but it was always worth it. If only things were different. If only he could do what he really wanted. Shuichi broke his thoughts and came back into reality, rather disappointed. Looking back to the TV, Shuichi found the singer being interviewed by some punky-looking teenage girl with pigtails.
Blink.
Shuichi stepped closer to the window glass. "Why does he look so...familiar?"
The pink haired boy rubbed his eyes and thought for a moment. "I've never seen him in my life." Confused, Shuichi painstakingly shuffled through every memory his mind held.
Nothing.
"I must be imagining things," he mumbled. "He probably just reminds me of someone I know."
Ignoring the thoughts, he continued to fantasize. With his face nearly pressed to the glass Shuichi hardly noticed the world around him, not to mention the figure approaching him from behind. He was so encompassed by the singer that he was already imagining duets. Until, that is, something snapped his fantasy in two.
The boy looked up, not fully realizing what was happening. However, when he had finally figured things out, his jaw dropped and his eyes widened with shock.
"MY BAG!"
Peering through the crowd, Shuichi could see a dark clothed man running away with a tote bag dangling in his right hand. "THAT BASTARD STOLE MY BAG!"
It seemed as if the whole city stopped moving. Even knowing what happened, not one person lifted a finger, and certainly none made any attempt to stop the thief. Instead everyone just watched in awe. Words hit the pink haired boy from every direction. "Robbed"..."thief"..."police", but none of them did any good. As a result of the lacking inspirational heroism from the mob of people who clustered around him, Shuichi decided to take matters into his own hands. And, seeing only two viable options, Shuichi ran.
"Give me back my bag, you asshole!"
Why did there have to be so many people around? Shuichi's legs were working very hard in an attempt to catch up with the assailant.
Right. Left. Right. The man slid into an alleyway.
A pink haired whirl whipped through the streets dodging people all the while and trying to keep close track of where his target went.
Left. Jump. WALL!
He curved and twisted in order to keep up, and thankfully he was inching closer and closer. Still, closing the gap wasn't quite what Shuichi wanted. He'd really rather have his bag!
His mind was racing just as quickly as his body, but this was all something he couldn't quite figure out. Why would anyone want his bag? Not only is it dirty and worn out, but it's got nothing in it other than text books and notes - and Shuichi's notes weren't anything to rave about. There was no money in his bag, he had all of that in his pocket. I.D.? There's none of that in there either. Shuichi cursed under his breath. Stupid criminals. They really should choose better targets.
The bandit, fully knowing that Shuichi was right behind him, ran back to the city streets in an attempt to ditch the cat in the cat and mouse chase, but without luck. There were pedestrians at every turn unwittingly slowing him down. Pressing harder, fully knowing that his legs would give out any minute, Shuichi took a deep breath, leapt, and...
...CRASH!
Finally everything had stopped. Once again all eyes were on Shuichi as an audience stood in amazement, theorizing about the event that had just taken place.
"What do you think you're doing? You're going to kill someone!" A man called out.
"That kid just jumped on that man!"
"What the hell is going on!? MY SIGN! I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THAT!!"
The voices stirred around his head but few registered with him, because Shuichi Shindou had just successfully tackled a man over twice his own size. Not without injury, though. His ankle had made contact with something hard, and his elbow and arms had greeted the pavement much too readily. Still, he was thoroughly impressed with himself. Much less could be said for everyone else, though.
Unaware of what had been happening, bystanders continued to vent their frustrations.
"What do you think you're doing kid?"
"Are you nuts?
"Are you okay sir?"
Shuichi looked up with astonishment. Didn't anyone give a damn about him? He was the one to be concerned about! Annoyed, he ripped his bag from the man's hand. "I think this is mine."
Without a second thought, the assailant quickly pushed through the surrounding mob before anyone could really figure things out, leaving an angry, confused, and very exhausted Shuichi on the sidewalk.
"Coward," Shuichi muttered, cradling his right arm.
The crowd around him offered no help and went back to their normal business of slacking off and eating. Typical. Shuichi slumped down on the ground in front of the café and held his head in his palms. What a bad day. Now he was sure that no one cared about him. Not even a...
"Are you okay, kid?"
The sound of the voice made Shuichi lift his head with a start. He quickly turned around to find the source. "Huh?"
The boy was tall and thin, wearing an ordinary pair of jeans, a white t- shirt, and a black jacket. Long reddish-brown hair hung down over his shoulders and there was an honest look of concern across his face. Without a response from Shuichi the boy asked once more.
"Are you okay?"
The pink haired one nodded. "Uh, I guess."
A hand reached down, offering assistance, and Shuichi gladly took it. It was, after all, the first time anyone had been kind to him all day. "Thanks."
A smile. "No problem. The name's Hiro, by the way."
Shuichi returned the smile. "I'm Shuichi."
Feeling a bit better, the smaller boy hoped that his day would improve, until the meeting was interrupted. A rather large man wearing a casual suit popped up beside the pair. With an infuriated glare in his eyes, the man spoke in a harsh tone. "Hey kid, you owe me some cash for the sign you broke."
Looking at the ground Shuichi noticed the bits and pieces of a classy looking chalkboard-style sign. Damn. That must have been what he smashed his ankle into.
First came the sigh, then came the growl. "Well, this day isn't going to get better." He paused. "How much do I owe you?"
The chubby man wobbled into the darkened café, much like a penguin, and Shuichi (with a little help from Hiro) immediately followed. Soon enough, a calculator was out and the manager poked at the numbers before raising his head and stating his price. "Eighty dollars."
Shuichi's face went pale at the sound of it as he asked very calmly. "You want how much?"
"Eighty."
Still, nothing more than a blank look crossed over the boy's face. Until... "ICANTAFFORDTHATIVEJUSTGONETHROUGHADRAMATICANDHORRIFYINGTIMEANDYOU'REASKINGM ETOSPENDALLMYMONEYONSOMESTUPIDSIGN!?!?"
The manager said nothing.
Shuichi continued. "THAT'SGOINGTOTAKEMEFOREVERTOPAYOFF!!ACKGRARG..." And other such random gibberish.
The manager looked up at the nonsensical boy and shrugged. "That's the way it is. You broke my sign and I want money for it. It was brand new."
Hoping to look innocent the small boy widened his eyes. "But I can't afford it..." He let out another sigh. This would cost him every penny he had. Probably more.
"If it will make the kid shut up, I'll pay for the damn sign."
Shuichi hadn't given any attention to the people who occupied the café. It hadn't yet occurred to him that they might be staring at him and laughing amongst themselves. He turned, fully prepared to give the rude jerk a piece of his mind. "I'm not a kid, I'm nineteen! And I don't need..."
He paused.
"I don't need...."
With a quiet gasp Shuichi muttered. "...Yuki?"
A puff of smoke rose and two golden eyes narrowed upon hearing the word. "How do you know my name, brat?"
-------
tbc
Phase one: Curve
The sun was overbearingly warm, and, seeing as there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was also highly unavoidable. Light bounced off of shop windows giving the world an odd sort of shininess that seemed to make everyone happy, even despite all the sweat. People crowded the walkways as they took their afternoon breaks outside and munched on scrumptious snacks in the various cafés and restaurants that lined the street. Everyone was smiling, chatting amongst friends, enjoying what the world brought them. Trees were nearly motionless without a proper breeze, and the birds didn't exactly come in large numbers around such a busy place, but the feeling of this day was most certainly one of summer.
A beautiful day or not, Shuichi Shindou walked along the city streets with a look of utter boredom stretched across his face. A school bag was slung across his body, bouncing upon his hip as he walked. An orange tank top hung carelessly over a pair of khaki coloured shorts, and his sneakers were worn out and probably should have been thrown out as garbage - if only they weren't so comfortable.
For the slender boy another long school day had passed, the same as all the rest. Pointless. During class he had created songs to pass the time, hoping that one day he would have a better chance at something, but nothing ever came. Certainly none of his classmates ever gave his writing a chance, and they ignored him as if he was nothing more than a door mat to be walked on. Life was a pain, the world was dreadful, and if it weren't for the dream of a better life Shuichi would have destroyed himself years ago.
It was that attitude which had possessed Shuichi to take a detour home today. Normally he would watch as his classmates drove away in their fancy cars, gossiping on cell phones and eating fast food at the same time - the world's new definition of multitasking - but he couldn't handle it today. He sighed. There was just something odd about everything lately - even more so than usual.
Thinking that some time at his favourite arcade would do his mind some good (although some people would argue the 'good' part), Shuichi trudged on. "Stupid feet don't want to move fast enough," he muttered with frustration.
He walked by shops decorated with clothing and trinkets, and shops with baked goods and candies. There were large skyscrapers filled with tiny little offices for boring little business people, and dozens of restaurants with which to feed them. Of course for Shuichi, nothing of this was interesting at all. Except for maybe the candy. He walked along with his eyes lowered until a flashing light in the shop window beside him forced him to look up.
A television.
Taking a closer look Shuichi peered in the window, more engrossed by the sparkling colours and sultry images than the television itself. The black box was locked onto a music station which itself was showing some video from a relatively unknown band.
Shuichi frowned as he read the words in the corner of the screen. "Nittle Grasper? Never heard of 'em."
Still, he eyed the lead singer with envy and smiled as he imagined himself in the man's place, singing his heart out to adoring fans. He had fantasized about such things hundreds of times, singing in front of his mirror, playing with poses, and dancing in front of a pack of stuffed animals. Maybe he looked like a moron, but it was always worth it. If only things were different. If only he could do what he really wanted. Shuichi broke his thoughts and came back into reality, rather disappointed. Looking back to the TV, Shuichi found the singer being interviewed by some punky-looking teenage girl with pigtails.
Blink.
Shuichi stepped closer to the window glass. "Why does he look so...familiar?"
The pink haired boy rubbed his eyes and thought for a moment. "I've never seen him in my life." Confused, Shuichi painstakingly shuffled through every memory his mind held.
Nothing.
"I must be imagining things," he mumbled. "He probably just reminds me of someone I know."
Ignoring the thoughts, he continued to fantasize. With his face nearly pressed to the glass Shuichi hardly noticed the world around him, not to mention the figure approaching him from behind. He was so encompassed by the singer that he was already imagining duets. Until, that is, something snapped his fantasy in two.
The boy looked up, not fully realizing what was happening. However, when he had finally figured things out, his jaw dropped and his eyes widened with shock.
"MY BAG!"
Peering through the crowd, Shuichi could see a dark clothed man running away with a tote bag dangling in his right hand. "THAT BASTARD STOLE MY BAG!"
It seemed as if the whole city stopped moving. Even knowing what happened, not one person lifted a finger, and certainly none made any attempt to stop the thief. Instead everyone just watched in awe. Words hit the pink haired boy from every direction. "Robbed"..."thief"..."police", but none of them did any good. As a result of the lacking inspirational heroism from the mob of people who clustered around him, Shuichi decided to take matters into his own hands. And, seeing only two viable options, Shuichi ran.
"Give me back my bag, you asshole!"
Why did there have to be so many people around? Shuichi's legs were working very hard in an attempt to catch up with the assailant.
Right. Left. Right. The man slid into an alleyway.
A pink haired whirl whipped through the streets dodging people all the while and trying to keep close track of where his target went.
Left. Jump. WALL!
He curved and twisted in order to keep up, and thankfully he was inching closer and closer. Still, closing the gap wasn't quite what Shuichi wanted. He'd really rather have his bag!
His mind was racing just as quickly as his body, but this was all something he couldn't quite figure out. Why would anyone want his bag? Not only is it dirty and worn out, but it's got nothing in it other than text books and notes - and Shuichi's notes weren't anything to rave about. There was no money in his bag, he had all of that in his pocket. I.D.? There's none of that in there either. Shuichi cursed under his breath. Stupid criminals. They really should choose better targets.
The bandit, fully knowing that Shuichi was right behind him, ran back to the city streets in an attempt to ditch the cat in the cat and mouse chase, but without luck. There were pedestrians at every turn unwittingly slowing him down. Pressing harder, fully knowing that his legs would give out any minute, Shuichi took a deep breath, leapt, and...
...CRASH!
Finally everything had stopped. Once again all eyes were on Shuichi as an audience stood in amazement, theorizing about the event that had just taken place.
"What do you think you're doing? You're going to kill someone!" A man called out.
"That kid just jumped on that man!"
"What the hell is going on!? MY SIGN! I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR THAT!!"
The voices stirred around his head but few registered with him, because Shuichi Shindou had just successfully tackled a man over twice his own size. Not without injury, though. His ankle had made contact with something hard, and his elbow and arms had greeted the pavement much too readily. Still, he was thoroughly impressed with himself. Much less could be said for everyone else, though.
Unaware of what had been happening, bystanders continued to vent their frustrations.
"What do you think you're doing kid?"
"Are you nuts?
"Are you okay sir?"
Shuichi looked up with astonishment. Didn't anyone give a damn about him? He was the one to be concerned about! Annoyed, he ripped his bag from the man's hand. "I think this is mine."
Without a second thought, the assailant quickly pushed through the surrounding mob before anyone could really figure things out, leaving an angry, confused, and very exhausted Shuichi on the sidewalk.
"Coward," Shuichi muttered, cradling his right arm.
The crowd around him offered no help and went back to their normal business of slacking off and eating. Typical. Shuichi slumped down on the ground in front of the café and held his head in his palms. What a bad day. Now he was sure that no one cared about him. Not even a...
"Are you okay, kid?"
The sound of the voice made Shuichi lift his head with a start. He quickly turned around to find the source. "Huh?"
The boy was tall and thin, wearing an ordinary pair of jeans, a white t- shirt, and a black jacket. Long reddish-brown hair hung down over his shoulders and there was an honest look of concern across his face. Without a response from Shuichi the boy asked once more.
"Are you okay?"
The pink haired one nodded. "Uh, I guess."
A hand reached down, offering assistance, and Shuichi gladly took it. It was, after all, the first time anyone had been kind to him all day. "Thanks."
A smile. "No problem. The name's Hiro, by the way."
Shuichi returned the smile. "I'm Shuichi."
Feeling a bit better, the smaller boy hoped that his day would improve, until the meeting was interrupted. A rather large man wearing a casual suit popped up beside the pair. With an infuriated glare in his eyes, the man spoke in a harsh tone. "Hey kid, you owe me some cash for the sign you broke."
Looking at the ground Shuichi noticed the bits and pieces of a classy looking chalkboard-style sign. Damn. That must have been what he smashed his ankle into.
First came the sigh, then came the growl. "Well, this day isn't going to get better." He paused. "How much do I owe you?"
The chubby man wobbled into the darkened café, much like a penguin, and Shuichi (with a little help from Hiro) immediately followed. Soon enough, a calculator was out and the manager poked at the numbers before raising his head and stating his price. "Eighty dollars."
Shuichi's face went pale at the sound of it as he asked very calmly. "You want how much?"
"Eighty."
Still, nothing more than a blank look crossed over the boy's face. Until... "ICANTAFFORDTHATIVEJUSTGONETHROUGHADRAMATICANDHORRIFYINGTIMEANDYOU'REASKINGM ETOSPENDALLMYMONEYONSOMESTUPIDSIGN!?!?"
The manager said nothing.
Shuichi continued. "THAT'SGOINGTOTAKEMEFOREVERTOPAYOFF!!ACKGRARG..." And other such random gibberish.
The manager looked up at the nonsensical boy and shrugged. "That's the way it is. You broke my sign and I want money for it. It was brand new."
Hoping to look innocent the small boy widened his eyes. "But I can't afford it..." He let out another sigh. This would cost him every penny he had. Probably more.
"If it will make the kid shut up, I'll pay for the damn sign."
Shuichi hadn't given any attention to the people who occupied the café. It hadn't yet occurred to him that they might be staring at him and laughing amongst themselves. He turned, fully prepared to give the rude jerk a piece of his mind. "I'm not a kid, I'm nineteen! And I don't need..."
He paused.
"I don't need...."
With a quiet gasp Shuichi muttered. "...Yuki?"
A puff of smoke rose and two golden eyes narrowed upon hearing the word. "How do you know my name, brat?"
-------
tbc