FALLEN
CHAPTER 2 – HELLO
Anime the Fallen Angel
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What happened... How did I end up back home? And what happened to Tanaka...?
Omi clamped his motorcycle, submerged in his thoughts. That morning when he woke, he first thought he was dreaming the whole thing; the debt, Tanaka and the attempted rape on him. After all, he was in his own bed, in his own bedclothes. However, Omi noticed too many things out of place for the whole event to be a dream. The cut on his head, although now clean with only a thin bandage covering the tiny wound; his blue shirt and leather pants neatly hanging on the back of his door; the bedroom window which was always shut at night now letting the free wind in...
"Tsukiyono! Hurry up; the last bell is going to go soon!"
Omi turned and nodded at his classmate, putting on a smile. Grabbing his book bag, Omi walked into the school building. Just before he entered the threshold, a raindrop fell on his nose. Looking up, Omi watched as the rain clouds gathered overhead. A slow shudder crept up Omi's back. Turning, Omi ran all the way to his class room before the first bell.
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Playground school bell rings again
Rain clouds come to play again
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******
"Finally!"
"That isn't like you, Omi. You usually like school."
"Hai, I know. It's just I had a lot on my mind. That's all."
"That cut for one. Maybe walking into that door knocked a few brain cells out, ne? More chance for the rest of us to look smart then!"
Omi laughed along with the rest of his classmates as he clipped his helmet on his head. Mounting the vehicle, Omi kick started the engine, looking up and smiling at the group.
"Ja, minna."
"Ja, Tsukiyono. See you after the weekend!"
His engine roaring, Omi sped away from the school. His mind whirred. Walking into a door... not very original but at least everyone else bought it... What in Hell happened last night, anyway? Who was that guy? Was he the one to get me home? But how? How did he know where I live? Stopping at the deserted traffic lights, Omi took the opportunity to take a deep breath and calm himself. Get a grip, Tsukiyono... He saved your life. No need to be so suspicious...
The traffic lights switched to amber.
He did save me from Tanaka, after all. I wonder who he was...
"Omi..."
Huh?
"Omi...kun!"
Omi managed to stop his motorcycle, straining his hearing. He glanced around, searching for the faint voice.
"Omi...!"
Snapping his head to the sideway, the honey-haired teen spotted something move in the alleyway opposite him. Switching off the engine and wheeling his motorcycle to the sidewalk, Omi glanced around, a little wary. Last time he was in an alley...
"H..help..."
"OAKA!?"
Oh my God... What happened!?
Getting to his knees, Omi held the girl in his arms, shocked. Oaka was dressed in what looked to be party clothes. However, slashes and blood was scattered all over her attire. More crimson liquid was present on her face, arms and legs. Wounds, some small, others gaping, were the source of such blood loss. Omi was at loss for words but managed to squeeze out a question.
"Who did this to you!? Oaka, who!?"
"A...a man..... he had... red hair... Omi..." Oaka whispered, eyes brimming. "Make the pain stop... please..."
A man with red hair? But who... no...Omi held the girl tighter and looked up.
"HELP! Someone, help us!" Omi shouted at the top of his lungs, hoping for someone to hear. Thankfully, a passer-by spotted the duo in the alley and started calling for help themselves. Feeling a tug on his shirt, Omi looked down at Oaka's blood-stained hand gripping his school shirt.
"Omi... I want to tell you..."
"Save your strength, Oaka. It won't be long now. It won't be. An ambulance should be here soon; I know it." Please stay alive...
"Omi... I..."
"...Oaka..?" Omi whispered, his own eyes tearing up. No... no, Oaka. Please don't... You'll be okay!
"I... I... Aishiteru... Omi-kun... I'm glad that I known you..."
Slowly, Oaka's eyes slid shut. Disbelievingly, Omi gently shook the girl in his arms. "Oaka? Wake up Oaka... Oaka!?"
The girl remained still in his arms, the red from her wounds now staining Omi's hands and more of his clothes. People were milling around now, watching Omi vainly trying to wake the lifeless girl.
"OAKA!!!!!"
Why...?
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Has no one told you she's not breathing?
Hello I am your mind giving you
Someone to talk to
Hello
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******
"A sixteen year old teenage girl was found yesterday afternoon in an alleyway off Ichiban Road, wounded. She soon died after discovery due to extensive blood loss from several wounds on her body. Police are investigating..."
Yohji flipped the channel and turned sympathetically to the youngest florist, who looked so lost now the police had left. Omi lifted his knees closer to his chin, staring at the closed flower shop door. Ken reached across the table and placed a tentative hand on Omi's shoulder.
"Hey, Omi. Will you be alright?"
Omi seemed to think about it for a minute before looking up at Yohji and Ken, a slight smile on his lips.
"H...hai. I'll be fine. I think the initial shock.... I think I'm fine now."
"You sure? You still look pale."
"I'm sure."
Taking a deep breath, Omi placed his feet on the floor and stood. He turned towards the stairs that will take him to the apartment upstairs.
"I think... I think I'll go out tonight. You know, to get it out of my system?"
"Good idea." Yohji said, stubbing out his cigarette. "We haven't been out in a long time, especially you, Omi. A man's night out is exactly what we..."
Omi shook his head, still smiling faintly. "Iie. I want to go by myself."
With that, Omi went to his room, mechanically moving through his clothes for something to go to the club in.
An hour after sunset, Omi was tapping his foot to the beat at the local nightclub. His arms were crossed casually against his chest, the red silk shirt folding lightly on itself. His single chain that hung across one side of his black trousers swung to Omi's tapping; the spikes around his collar and wristbands shining in the flashing light. Omi smiled at the crowd, keeping out of dancing for a bit.
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If I smile and don't believe
Soon I know I'll wake from this dream
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"How are you feeling?"
Omi jumped suddenly at the voice. Turning his head, he was shocked to see the tall lean figure of the redheaded man who saved him only two nights ago. His crushed black velvet shirt was unbuttoned at the top, showing off the pale, smooth chest. Silk black tailored trousers hugged the man's legs possessively, the black leather shoes doing the same for his feet. Omi gulped and turned his head away, feeling a slow creeping blush across his cheeks.
"Why...why do you ask?"
"You took a nasty fall."
Just a fall? You forgot that I was also nearly raped.... Omi shook that thought away and shrugged.
"I've been better. No big deal."
"Here."
Omi stared at the glass that was put under his nose. A dark liquid surrounded the crystal-like ice. He took the glass and couldn't help but throw the man a suspicious glance. The man drank from a bottle, seemingly unaware of the look. Omi stared at the slender throat as it swallowed gracefully. Finally, the man removed the bottle from his lips.
"I haven't drugged it or anything." He said quietly.
Embarrassed, Omi took a tentative sip from the glass. The cola was cool and slid down his own throat easily. Omi stared at the glass, using it as a distraction from staring at the man.
"Who... who are you?"
"No one you know."
"I realise that. Why did you save me?"
A new song started playing. The people on the dance floor changed their dance moves to the Latin sounding tunes. Omi felt the man shrug.
"No reason."
Silence maintained between the two. Omi glanced around the room. A free table caught his eyes and Omi decided he needed to sit. Walking to the table, he half hoped the man would follow. Somehow, Omi felt as if this man was someone he could talk to without fear. Omi sat without looking up. It was a while before the man sat down opposite, not meeting Omi's blue eyes. Omi could tell under this new light that the man's eyes were a more violet colour than that of his own eyes.
"My...I'm Omi. What's your name?"
The man took another swig from his bottle before pausing.
"...Aya."
Omi diverted his gaze to the dance floor, feeling like an intruder all of a sudden. What am I doing!? Flirting? With this GUY? I must be screwed in the head.
"You're in shock." Aya said in a tone that was more of a statement than a question. "Why are you here, after what happened?"
The question caught Omi off guard. He thought for a while before answering.
"Well...er.... Tanaka isn't here anymore..."
"Not him. Your friend. She died yesterday, didn't she."
Omi snapped his head up, surprised. How does he know about Oaka?!
"I... I don't know what you're talking about."
Aya shrugged, finishing off his bottle. "Might be none of my business."
"How did you know....?"
"A...a man..... he had... red hair... Omi..."
"Rumours."
Omi shifted uncomfortably, unsure around the redhead Aya's company now.
"I didn't kill her, if that's what you're thinking."
Omi stood up, a little angry.
"I have no idea what you're talking about! Why are you assuming all this of me!?"
"Because it's the truth. You're simply lying to yourself. You're hiding."
Omi seethed at the blasé approach Aya was assuming. But for some reason, Omi's eyes stung with tears that had suddenly sprung up. As much as he hated it, there was truth in Aya's bluntness.
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Don't try to fix me I'm not broken
Hello I am the lie living for you so you can hide
Don't cry
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Aya stood now and turned away. Omi watched as Aya headed to the exit, not giving Omi any farewell or apology. Gulping down the rest of his Coke, Omi rushed after Aya, grabbing his own leather jacket from the cloakroom on the way. Bursting into the cool night air, Omi shrugged his jacket on, looking frantically for Aya. He spotted the taller man turning the corner and followed.
"Aya! Wait!"
Omi caught up with the man, panting. Looking up, Omi suppressed a gasp. Aya looked more inhuman in the night. His paleness accented by the moonlight, his body seeming more guarded. His eyes were harsh too, as they stared down at the younger teen. Omi found it hard to find his voice.
"You... I ... you.. owe."
"An apology? For what?"
Omi practically bit his tongue, nervous, afraid and embarrassed. "For... for..."
"For showing you the truth? Can't you take it?"
Omi shrunk under Aya's glare and his change from unbothered a minute ago to the disdain of now. Aya continued.
"Stop lying to yourself, kid. She's gone. Tanaka's gone. Get over it. Things happen. If you have any sense, you'd take the opportunity to find a way to survive."
With that, Aya left Omi to stare at his feet, shivering. A tear finally broke through Omi's defence as he realised the truth...
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Suddenly I know I'm not sleeping
Hello I'm still here
All that's left of yesterday
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