Circumstances Unknown
Case 5: Chained Memories
That building...silhouetted against the blood red sky. The angels are crying for me... shedding frozen tears that burn against my skin. I sit alone in darkness...without a single person to touch me.
No! They're coming for me! Don't come any closer, stay back! Who are you...? You work for my father don't you!? No... I-it can't be... Y-you... you're me...
Arima bolted up, panting and sweating, finding himself back in his cold room. He covered his face with his sweaty hands and felt his heart beating heavily against his chest. He dragged to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on himself. With his face dripping in water, Arima looked up at the mirror and the person staring back at him. Burning anger rises inside him, as he glares at this person and his fists clenched tightly. The reflection fixed its gaze on him the exact same way that angered Arima even more.
The maddening and insanity just all of a sudden exploded in him like a bomb, as Arima blew up at the mirror. "Why are you so worthless?!!" His fist slammed against the mirror, shattering the glass and ripping apart his soft skin, splattering blood on the broken mirror. He hadn't acknowledged the bloody hand covered in blisters of glass at all, but just continued glaring at his distorted reflection.
"Souichirou, what happened?!" The voice of a worried step mother burst into the door and ran to her son's bloody fist. "How did this happen?"
Arima just smiled like nothing happened and calmed her down. "I didn't mean to scare you like that, I accidentally fell and I shattered the mirror, trying to catch myself."
Arima's mom just looked at her son's beaming smile and then to the broken mirror. It was clear to her that this was no accident, but she didn't want to make a big deal out of it. "Oh, I'm just glad you're alright."
She bandaged up Arima's hand and brought him warm tea to make him feel better. Arima drank up and thanked her, and then she left him... just like everyone else. Arima lay in the darkness of his isolated room, and stared at the ceiling all night.
Morning light crept into his room and signaled it was time to get up. It was Sunday, which meant it was the only day of rest, away from the hectic finals that were coming up.
Ding Dong! The doorbell rang as Arima dragged his foot on the carpet towards the entrance. He slowly opened the door and to his surprise, standing there was Miyazawa, wearing a yellow sunflower dress with a beaming smile on her face.
"Miyazawa!" Arima immediately snapped back into consciousness. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come to see you!" Miyazawa cheerfully smiled and took two movie tickets out from her pocket. "I just thought that you and I haven't been on a date for such a long time, with me being busy and all. And with the finals next week, we need a break before..."
"Miyazawa," Arima interrupted, with a serious expression. "I'm not feeling very well today, so maybe another time. Okay?"
"Why? Are you sick or something, I can care for you!" She worriedly asked, reaching to feel the temperature of his forehead.
A little annoyed, he grabbed her wrist and crinkled his eyebrows angrily. "I said, another time, okay?" With that spoken, he closed the door in Miyazawa's face, leaving her speechless and disappointed.
She marched home, with her head hung and feeling her heart throbbing painfully. "What's wrong with him today? Is he mad at me or something...?"
*****
Takoshi Kanna leaned against a Sakura tree in the park, reading a romance novel. Footsteps rummaged towards her, shielding her eyes from the sun, she looked up to see a tall figure looming over her.
When she recognized who this entity was, Kanna went back to reading and ignored Asaba completely. She managed to mutter a few words to the beaming guy standing in front of her. "You're blocking the light."
Not taking a hint that his presence was unwanted, Asaba advanced to the side and sat down next to her. This lady killer seemed to have no effect on this transfer student at all. But he was not about to give up this merry lamb just yet, as he tried starting a conversation. "So, how do you like Hokuei High so far?"
Kanna waited a while before answering him, choosing her words carefully. "The teachers are fine...But most of the boys are pretty stupid." With that said, she stood up, taking her stuff and walking away with her head held high.
Asaba gawked after her with his mouth wide open in shock, this was rejection number two. All of a sudden, he started snickering loudly. He beamed a happy and hopeful smile while gaining much more confidence. "I'll win your heart sooner or later, wait and see!" He then walked away, laughing the whole time and planning his next move.
Meanwhile, Kanna finally stopped under a Sakura tree, out of breath from walking so fast. She placed her hands on her mouth and giggled, no longer with the confidence and apathy she had shown. Her knees were shaking and she leaned back against the tree. "That baka... When will he give up? He sure is persistent; I don't know why all the girls like him so much. Sorry baka, I belong to only one person and him only! After his mom remarried and had to move away, I transferred here just to be closer to him..."
Petals fluttered in the wind and faraway noises of the busy streets echoed. "Kazuma, I only belong to you..."
*****
"Kazuma!"
The beastly girl with emerald green eyes ran around the room, tackling her new punk rocker brother, Kazuma. With him laughing hysterically and Tsubasa screaming like an untamed wild animal, Mr. Shibahime had to finally pry her off Kazuma's half bitten leg.
Tsubasa eventually calmed down, and looked up at her father and new step mother. "Daddy! How can you leave me home alone with this pervert for two weeks, while you and Hiromi-san go on your trip?!"
Toshiharu just smiled and patted his daughter on the head. "Don't worry Tsubasa," He looked over at his wife, and grinned. "I'm sure Kazuma and you will get along, it won't be too long."
"Yeah! Don't worry, I'll take care of you, little sis!" Kazuma bellowed from the floor, still in pain.
Tsubasa gritted her teeth and pouted, knowing that there's nothing she can do. "Well...Have fun without us then."
The two parental figures just smiled at their children, grabbed the bags and headed out the door towards the taxi. Both Kazuma and Tsubasa watched them drive off, and looked around at this big empty house they would have to live in for a week.
"Well, I guess it's just you and me!" Kazuma gleefully reminded, that made Tsubasa hiss.
After the sun had set, and after two boxes of Häagen-Diaz ice cream for dinner, the siblings sat on the couch completely silent. The window stood wide open, and wind rushing in, fraying Kazuma's bleached blonde hair.
Tsubasa slightly tilted her head to look at him, and noticed that he had fallen asleep. Tiny sounds of snoring were heard through his nostrils. Hauntingly beautiful silence shrouded around the empty house, as Tsubasa examined her brother.
He had dyed blonde hair, but some of the brown was starting to show through. His facial features were lit from the remaining rays of the setting sun, long eyelashes and a square jaw cast shadows on his face. He wore a black leather choker with a skull around his muscular neck, which gave him his reputation as a punk. No one really bothered to know him, but just judged him by the way he looked and dressed, often times creating misunderstandings. No one understood him...No one understood Tsubasa either...
Tsubasa looked at him with admiration and understanding, and then pondered what was in his mind and heart. Her eyes grew heavy, as she nudged closer and leaned her head on his shoulder. The girl fell into a deep sleep along with her brother, in her new home, and her new family...
*****
The next day was overshadowed by black, storm clouds and rumbling thunder. The sky started pouring right after school started, so that none of the students got rained on. Just another boring day of school, the teacher rambled on about studying and the upcoming finals that started Wednesday.
Miyazawa glanced at Arima, who was staring intently out the window, knowing that rainy days make his unwanted memories haunt him again.
During lunch, Miyazawa walked up to him and smiled a lonely smile. "Hi..."
Awkward silence surrounded them at their table, as Asaba broke the ice. "Hey, what's wrong with you two lovebirds today?"
Miyazawa shot a look at Maho, and she stood up, immediately understanding. "Let's go Asaba, let these two talk it over." Maho dragged Asaba away by his ear, with him kicking and pleading to listen.
Silence subsided again, both Arima and Miyazawa glancing up at one another periodically. Miyazawa played with her skirt, tugging at it and wrinkling it nervously. Arima clenched his fist and decided he was going to break the ice.
"Miyazawa," "Arima,"
Both of them started laughing as they let the other person speak first. Arima hesitated and finally shouted, "I'm sorry!"
Miyazawa looked at him surprised, as she was going to say the same thing. "Arima-kun..."
"I'm so sorry, I was in a bad mood yesterday, and I'm sorry I snapped at you, please forgive me, I'm such an idiot!" He blurted all this in one breath, and started batting his head with his fists.
Miyazawa looked at this scene in amusement, Arima Souichirou, the smartest guy in class, beating himself up. She giggled and stopped him from giving himself a bloody nose. "Arima-kun..." She moved closer to look him in the eyes. "As long as you're feeling like yourself and not like anyone else, I'll be happy."
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. They were in this embrace, until Asaba fell out of the bushes along with Maho from eavesdropping. They were on top of each other in an awkward position. Asaba tried to scramble up, but caused him to grab Maho's chest, ending up in a squeal and a slap across the face. Miyazawa and Arima just laughed happily, and held each other's hand in that unbreakable bond.
*****
Arima lay in bed on his stomach, unable to fall asleep. He turned over on his back, and saw a figure sitting next to him. "Oh, it's you again."
The figure sat on the bed, grinning wryly from ear to ear. He had short, dark hair and he was about fifteen years old. His face was the splitting reflection as Arima, but something was different; this person was happy.
Arima didn't seem to be scared at all to be talking to an exact copy of himself. "What do you want?"
You know what I want.
"I do?"
Yes. Deep inside your heart, you know exactly what I want.
"How do I find out what I want?"
In time...When the time is right, you will automatically know...
"Thank you. You are the only one I can talk to about my problems."
That's what friends are for...
"Souichirou!" Mrs. Arima called from outside his door. "Who are you talking to?" She opened his door to find her son sitting in darkness, all alone.
"I'm not talking to anyone, mother." Arima smiled. "Just myself..."
That answer seemed to satisfy his mother as she left him alone again. Arima chuckled under his breath, smirking. "Yep. That's what friends are for..." [Fin]
To be continued...Case 6: Melodies of my Heart [Next]
[Author's Note:]
Cherry: Wow! I imitated Gainax's style pretty decently! Arima is on the brink of insanity, and it reminds me a lot of Shinji Ikari from Evangelion, also by Gainax. Meanwhile, Asaba is trying to pursue the transfer student Kanna, and she seems to be part of Kazuma's past! Plot is heating up!!
[Parody:] Arima lay in bed on his stomach, unable to fall asleep. He turned over on his back, and saw a figure sitting next to him. "Oh, it's you again."
The figure sat on the bed, grinning wryly from ear to ear. Arima's eyes grew wide, as a haunting shriek came from his mouth. This time, Arima was whacked by a giant mallet, knocked through the ceiling. This culprit was none other than...PEN-PEN!! This warm water penguin from Evangelion held the mallet in one hand with a smug look.
"Quack..."
Case 5: Chained Memories
That building...silhouetted against the blood red sky. The angels are crying for me... shedding frozen tears that burn against my skin. I sit alone in darkness...without a single person to touch me.
No! They're coming for me! Don't come any closer, stay back! Who are you...? You work for my father don't you!? No... I-it can't be... Y-you... you're me...
Arima bolted up, panting and sweating, finding himself back in his cold room. He covered his face with his sweaty hands and felt his heart beating heavily against his chest. He dragged to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on himself. With his face dripping in water, Arima looked up at the mirror and the person staring back at him. Burning anger rises inside him, as he glares at this person and his fists clenched tightly. The reflection fixed its gaze on him the exact same way that angered Arima even more.
The maddening and insanity just all of a sudden exploded in him like a bomb, as Arima blew up at the mirror. "Why are you so worthless?!!" His fist slammed against the mirror, shattering the glass and ripping apart his soft skin, splattering blood on the broken mirror. He hadn't acknowledged the bloody hand covered in blisters of glass at all, but just continued glaring at his distorted reflection.
"Souichirou, what happened?!" The voice of a worried step mother burst into the door and ran to her son's bloody fist. "How did this happen?"
Arima just smiled like nothing happened and calmed her down. "I didn't mean to scare you like that, I accidentally fell and I shattered the mirror, trying to catch myself."
Arima's mom just looked at her son's beaming smile and then to the broken mirror. It was clear to her that this was no accident, but she didn't want to make a big deal out of it. "Oh, I'm just glad you're alright."
She bandaged up Arima's hand and brought him warm tea to make him feel better. Arima drank up and thanked her, and then she left him... just like everyone else. Arima lay in the darkness of his isolated room, and stared at the ceiling all night.
Morning light crept into his room and signaled it was time to get up. It was Sunday, which meant it was the only day of rest, away from the hectic finals that were coming up.
Ding Dong! The doorbell rang as Arima dragged his foot on the carpet towards the entrance. He slowly opened the door and to his surprise, standing there was Miyazawa, wearing a yellow sunflower dress with a beaming smile on her face.
"Miyazawa!" Arima immediately snapped back into consciousness. "What are you doing here?"
"I've come to see you!" Miyazawa cheerfully smiled and took two movie tickets out from her pocket. "I just thought that you and I haven't been on a date for such a long time, with me being busy and all. And with the finals next week, we need a break before..."
"Miyazawa," Arima interrupted, with a serious expression. "I'm not feeling very well today, so maybe another time. Okay?"
"Why? Are you sick or something, I can care for you!" She worriedly asked, reaching to feel the temperature of his forehead.
A little annoyed, he grabbed her wrist and crinkled his eyebrows angrily. "I said, another time, okay?" With that spoken, he closed the door in Miyazawa's face, leaving her speechless and disappointed.
She marched home, with her head hung and feeling her heart throbbing painfully. "What's wrong with him today? Is he mad at me or something...?"
*****
Takoshi Kanna leaned against a Sakura tree in the park, reading a romance novel. Footsteps rummaged towards her, shielding her eyes from the sun, she looked up to see a tall figure looming over her.
When she recognized who this entity was, Kanna went back to reading and ignored Asaba completely. She managed to mutter a few words to the beaming guy standing in front of her. "You're blocking the light."
Not taking a hint that his presence was unwanted, Asaba advanced to the side and sat down next to her. This lady killer seemed to have no effect on this transfer student at all. But he was not about to give up this merry lamb just yet, as he tried starting a conversation. "So, how do you like Hokuei High so far?"
Kanna waited a while before answering him, choosing her words carefully. "The teachers are fine...But most of the boys are pretty stupid." With that said, she stood up, taking her stuff and walking away with her head held high.
Asaba gawked after her with his mouth wide open in shock, this was rejection number two. All of a sudden, he started snickering loudly. He beamed a happy and hopeful smile while gaining much more confidence. "I'll win your heart sooner or later, wait and see!" He then walked away, laughing the whole time and planning his next move.
Meanwhile, Kanna finally stopped under a Sakura tree, out of breath from walking so fast. She placed her hands on her mouth and giggled, no longer with the confidence and apathy she had shown. Her knees were shaking and she leaned back against the tree. "That baka... When will he give up? He sure is persistent; I don't know why all the girls like him so much. Sorry baka, I belong to only one person and him only! After his mom remarried and had to move away, I transferred here just to be closer to him..."
Petals fluttered in the wind and faraway noises of the busy streets echoed. "Kazuma, I only belong to you..."
*****
"Kazuma!"
The beastly girl with emerald green eyes ran around the room, tackling her new punk rocker brother, Kazuma. With him laughing hysterically and Tsubasa screaming like an untamed wild animal, Mr. Shibahime had to finally pry her off Kazuma's half bitten leg.
Tsubasa eventually calmed down, and looked up at her father and new step mother. "Daddy! How can you leave me home alone with this pervert for two weeks, while you and Hiromi-san go on your trip?!"
Toshiharu just smiled and patted his daughter on the head. "Don't worry Tsubasa," He looked over at his wife, and grinned. "I'm sure Kazuma and you will get along, it won't be too long."
"Yeah! Don't worry, I'll take care of you, little sis!" Kazuma bellowed from the floor, still in pain.
Tsubasa gritted her teeth and pouted, knowing that there's nothing she can do. "Well...Have fun without us then."
The two parental figures just smiled at their children, grabbed the bags and headed out the door towards the taxi. Both Kazuma and Tsubasa watched them drive off, and looked around at this big empty house they would have to live in for a week.
"Well, I guess it's just you and me!" Kazuma gleefully reminded, that made Tsubasa hiss.
After the sun had set, and after two boxes of Häagen-Diaz ice cream for dinner, the siblings sat on the couch completely silent. The window stood wide open, and wind rushing in, fraying Kazuma's bleached blonde hair.
Tsubasa slightly tilted her head to look at him, and noticed that he had fallen asleep. Tiny sounds of snoring were heard through his nostrils. Hauntingly beautiful silence shrouded around the empty house, as Tsubasa examined her brother.
He had dyed blonde hair, but some of the brown was starting to show through. His facial features were lit from the remaining rays of the setting sun, long eyelashes and a square jaw cast shadows on his face. He wore a black leather choker with a skull around his muscular neck, which gave him his reputation as a punk. No one really bothered to know him, but just judged him by the way he looked and dressed, often times creating misunderstandings. No one understood him...No one understood Tsubasa either...
Tsubasa looked at him with admiration and understanding, and then pondered what was in his mind and heart. Her eyes grew heavy, as she nudged closer and leaned her head on his shoulder. The girl fell into a deep sleep along with her brother, in her new home, and her new family...
*****
The next day was overshadowed by black, storm clouds and rumbling thunder. The sky started pouring right after school started, so that none of the students got rained on. Just another boring day of school, the teacher rambled on about studying and the upcoming finals that started Wednesday.
Miyazawa glanced at Arima, who was staring intently out the window, knowing that rainy days make his unwanted memories haunt him again.
During lunch, Miyazawa walked up to him and smiled a lonely smile. "Hi..."
Awkward silence surrounded them at their table, as Asaba broke the ice. "Hey, what's wrong with you two lovebirds today?"
Miyazawa shot a look at Maho, and she stood up, immediately understanding. "Let's go Asaba, let these two talk it over." Maho dragged Asaba away by his ear, with him kicking and pleading to listen.
Silence subsided again, both Arima and Miyazawa glancing up at one another periodically. Miyazawa played with her skirt, tugging at it and wrinkling it nervously. Arima clenched his fist and decided he was going to break the ice.
"Miyazawa," "Arima,"
Both of them started laughing as they let the other person speak first. Arima hesitated and finally shouted, "I'm sorry!"
Miyazawa looked at him surprised, as she was going to say the same thing. "Arima-kun..."
"I'm so sorry, I was in a bad mood yesterday, and I'm sorry I snapped at you, please forgive me, I'm such an idiot!" He blurted all this in one breath, and started batting his head with his fists.
Miyazawa looked at this scene in amusement, Arima Souichirou, the smartest guy in class, beating himself up. She giggled and stopped him from giving himself a bloody nose. "Arima-kun..." She moved closer to look him in the eyes. "As long as you're feeling like yourself and not like anyone else, I'll be happy."
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. They were in this embrace, until Asaba fell out of the bushes along with Maho from eavesdropping. They were on top of each other in an awkward position. Asaba tried to scramble up, but caused him to grab Maho's chest, ending up in a squeal and a slap across the face. Miyazawa and Arima just laughed happily, and held each other's hand in that unbreakable bond.
*****
Arima lay in bed on his stomach, unable to fall asleep. He turned over on his back, and saw a figure sitting next to him. "Oh, it's you again."
The figure sat on the bed, grinning wryly from ear to ear. He had short, dark hair and he was about fifteen years old. His face was the splitting reflection as Arima, but something was different; this person was happy.
Arima didn't seem to be scared at all to be talking to an exact copy of himself. "What do you want?"
You know what I want.
"I do?"
Yes. Deep inside your heart, you know exactly what I want.
"How do I find out what I want?"
In time...When the time is right, you will automatically know...
"Thank you. You are the only one I can talk to about my problems."
That's what friends are for...
"Souichirou!" Mrs. Arima called from outside his door. "Who are you talking to?" She opened his door to find her son sitting in darkness, all alone.
"I'm not talking to anyone, mother." Arima smiled. "Just myself..."
That answer seemed to satisfy his mother as she left him alone again. Arima chuckled under his breath, smirking. "Yep. That's what friends are for..." [Fin]
To be continued...Case 6: Melodies of my Heart [Next]
[Author's Note:]
Cherry: Wow! I imitated Gainax's style pretty decently! Arima is on the brink of insanity, and it reminds me a lot of Shinji Ikari from Evangelion, also by Gainax. Meanwhile, Asaba is trying to pursue the transfer student Kanna, and she seems to be part of Kazuma's past! Plot is heating up!!
[Parody:] Arima lay in bed on his stomach, unable to fall asleep. He turned over on his back, and saw a figure sitting next to him. "Oh, it's you again."
The figure sat on the bed, grinning wryly from ear to ear. Arima's eyes grew wide, as a haunting shriek came from his mouth. This time, Arima was whacked by a giant mallet, knocked through the ceiling. This culprit was none other than...PEN-PEN!! This warm water penguin from Evangelion held the mallet in one hand with a smug look.
"Quack..."