Live like We're Dying
A/N: So, I know that this story has a very, very bizarre premise, but I hope if you're reading this chapter, then I hope you really enjoy this story, as I extremely enjoy writing this story and thinking about it. Don't worry if you feel the chapters may be going a little slow, as the first 3 or four chapters are mainly for beginning the story, and after that, the story will pick up so to speak.
Ulrich362: I thank you for my first review for my first 'big' story on this site, I'm really glad it piqued your interest, and I hope this chapter continues to do so!
Humbleware: Thanks for the tip for splitting scenes up, I changed it to -_-_-_- hopefully that is less distracting then {line-break}.
Chapter 2: What would you wish for?
He startled awake, sweat dripping down his face, he held himself with his good arm, allowing his body to calm down, he was here, he was here.
He was alive.
His breathing began to slow, it begging to realise it was all dream that scared him. No…
It was a nightmare, through and through, just a pointless nightmare, but what was the nightmare? He couldn't recall, how could something that frightened him so much, be forgotten the second he woke? He shook his head, dreams were weird like that he accepted. He grabbed his phone, unplugging it from its charger, what was the time?
06:24am
358
He pointedly ignored the lower number and groaned at the time, he could've have at least another thirty minutes! But he wasn't getting back to sleep anytime soon, that nightmare had scared his mind fully awake. He looked himself over, his eyes tracing the vicious looking surgical scars that practically enveloped his right side, some of them were quick and short incisions, some travelled the entire length of his arm and right leg, bile rose in his throat, he looked and felt like Frankenstein's monster, he hated it, he hated how his arm had so many surgical scars on it, that it had begun to atrophy from all of the damage, it was slightly smaller and thinner than his usable are, and it wouldn't get any better, he hated how his leg was almost no better, with multiple leg-length surgical scars littering it, he hated the right side of his chest and waist looked like someone had gone hog-wild with a machete on it, he hated how the right side of his stomach and chest was sunken in deeper than his left side, the constant surgery permanently altering his body's proportions. He HATED it.
Hated it all.
He could only be thankful surgery wasn't needed for his neck or head.
He didn't want to think about what'd he would have done to himself if that'd happened. He also noticed that the bruising from being pushed yesterday hadn't settled at all, in-fact it looked worse than yesterday, but he couldn't tell if it was serious or not, his nerve endings damaged beyond repair preventing him from knowing. He needed to apply his cream today, he had to make sure his body worked. But first, his nostrils were assaulted with an unpleasant smell. It was him, he hadn't washed for an almost three days at this point. You couldn't really blame him though, he did have bigger things to worry about.
He pushed himself to his feet and carefully crept to his door, placing his school uniform over his shoulder and clutched his medical ointment, making sure to tighten the strap of his boxers around his waist, he was NOT going to have an encounter like THAT anytime soon. He also had to make sure Nanako didn't see him like this, she'd be scarred for life, the poor girl had enough issues, her older cousins broken body didn't need to be added to it. He cracked open the door and peeked through, no lights were on, the coast was clear it seemed. He made sure to keep one eye on his numb leg, he would not be tripping up right now.
He made it to the bathroom with no incident, he opened it up and locked the door behind him, even with one hand, he had managed all of this, he felt rather full of himself at that, it was the small victories that mattered.
He had already lost the biggest fight, all he could do now was pile up the small ones.
He stripped off his boxers and stepped into the bath/shower combination, he then realised the biggest issue.
He wouldn't be able to have a shower, there were no stabiliser handles, nothing to hold onto as he let the water fall upon him. He couldn't trust his numb leg to stay rooted to the slippery surface as e showered. A bath it was then.
Turning the required taps, he waited for enough water to rise before he carefully submerged himself into it. His bathing process changed massively after his accident, he had to extra careful when tending to his right side, some of the most recent surgeries still held stitches and he couldn't risk pulling them out, he recalled that he had to go to the local medical facility next week to have the last stitches pulled out, and for the doctors to give him anymore corrective surgery options. He wasn't sure he'd accept a new surgery attempt, his last one had made 72 if he remembered correctly and whilst they had made some improvement to his breathing and walking, they left him feeling less human, they made him feel like a freak.
After finishing his bath, he drained the tub and made his way out of it, almost slipping on his bad leg. Once he dried off, he sat down and grabbed his medical ointment, it was a muscle soother, as he couldn't feel if his body was in pain, he had to constantly rub the ointment into his skin and subsequently his muscles, it was essentially the same as keeping a car up to stuff, making sure everyone worked as best as it could. If he could summarise it, he'd say it turned him from broken at worst to simply damaged at best. After applying the cream, he dressed himself, muttering curses as his arm got caught in the sleeve, but he managed as always.
He returned to his room, taking note of the lights downstairs being switched on, must've been Dojima, Nanako should still be asleep, at least he hoped, kids her age needed as much sleep as possible.
The thought of Nanako brought an unintentional smile to his face, they had made Ramen, specifically egg ramen, as they had no meats to mix in. She had said it was the best thing ever, and thanked him with a hug for the great meal he cooked, he reminded her that without his sous-chef he wouldn't have been able to make it, she blushed at that and tried to hide her face. They had made one for Dojima and wrapped it up in cling-film to keep any flies anyway, he hoped he got it, both he and Nanako went to bed before he came home.
If he came home at all, it wasn't unheard of for people to sleep at work if it was urgent enough.
A murder in such a small town would probably be considered 'urgent' now that he thought about it. He shrugged, none of his business what his uncle does, he's a capable adult.
He re-entered his room and checked the time on his phone.
06:58AM
358
He was making good time, he enough time to have a breakfast and then walk with Nanako to their schools. He pocketed his phone, and grabbed his pills off his desk and pocketed them, not before shaking them to assess how many he had. A fair amount it sounded like, should last him for a couple of months if he was lucky and didn't have any bad episodes. He'd have to ask about his next shipment when he went to the hospital.
He grabbed his satchel, slinging over his good shoulder and exited his room and descended the stairs.
"Good morning Nanako!" so it was Nanako who was up, just how mature was she? If he wasn't seeing it for himself, he wouldn't believe it. But here the adolescent was, standing on top of a kitchen stool, placing bread into a toaster, she had to step on her tip toes just to reach the toaster slots. Nanako jumped at his voice, and the stool began to tilt worryingly, a cry escaped her mouth as she began to fall. He moved as fast as he could, ignoring his bad leg when it crashed into the counter, he simply kept moving, his good arm shooting out and grasping the small girl within his arm, pulling her back as the stool hit the ground with a loud smack. Then, silence.
Whimpers filled the quiet room, as the small girl within his arm began to shake slightly, obviously realising what she had just avoided. He felt guilty, he had startled her unintentionally, he was just thankful he had managed to grab her in time, a second too late and who knows…
He gently lowered the whimpering girl to the floor, he kneeled next to her, turning her to face him, her eyes had a few stray tears dripping from her wide eyes.
"Hey, hey, it's okay! You're okay see?" His voice was gentle and caring, something he hadn't done for months now. Nanako nodded slowly, her whimpers transforming into quiet sniffles.
"Shh. Shh… it's okay Nanako, you're a brave girl, I've only known you for two days at most! And I can already tell you're a brave girl okay? So, c'mon, give me a smile, give me a brave smile!" He gently patted her head, and rubbed it in what he hoped was a comforting motion. It seemed lady luck was on his side as Nanako, shortly after his patting gave him a small, shy smile. He smiled back at her.
"There we are! There's brave little Nanako, now c'mon, take a seat at the counter, I'll get the toast!" She nodded as she smiled, heading to the other stool and climb upon it.
He picked up the fallen stool, placing it next to Nanako's, and retrieved the toast which had popped from the toaster a few moments ago.
The rest of the morning was thankfully uneventful, just how he liked them to be, they ate their toasts, he noticed that the bowl of ramen left for Dojima last night was gone, hopefully he liked it.
He'd have to ask the next time he saw him.
The pair of cousins walked together again, Nanako splitting down a different road as he continued. His walk was slow and calming after the rather hectic toaster issue. Just what he needed. Peace and quiet as he walked.
"LOOK OUT!"
And the world just wants to bend him over and fu… he's flying again, manoeuvring his body again, he is crashing into the ground again.
He's really, angry again.
"Aww… dude, I'm so sorry, it's my bike, someone smashed the pedal yesterday and I fixed it, or at least tried to fix it… I'm so sorry!"
This was karma, plain and simple.
He broke his bike; the bike breaks him.
Life was a cycle like that, that's why it sucked!
He pushed himself up, this was fine, everything was fine.
He debated just walking onwards like yesterday, but he assumed everything would just happen the same-way tomorrow.
Cause he was definitely breaking that damn bike again.
He turned to his unintentional attacker, unsure if he wanted to punch him or accept his honest apology.
Maybe both.
"Dude, I am SO, SO sorry, are you okay!?" He was right, it was the same boy from yesterday, he recovered from Chie's critical ball strike apparently.
"I'm fine, nothing's broken…" He dusted himself off, ignoring the look of recognition the boy was having.
"You're the new kid, Narukami-san right?"
Go away.
"That's right, also bike nemesis according to my track record."
"Wait…"
There it is.
"You're that guy from yesterday!"
He got it! Cue grovelling.
"Oh dude, I am so sorry for yesterday, I had a rough morning and I wasn't paying attention and I…"
The teen began to ramble, his words becoming incomprehensible. He would've called it funny, I he wasn't going to be late.
"Buy me dinner."
"Wha…"
"To make up for both hits, buy me dinner after school."
The teen looks unsure for a moment before sighing, a defeated smile crawling onto his face.
"Yeah sure, that sounds fair, I'm Yosuke by the way, Yosuke Hanamura!" He outstretched his right hand out for a shake, Yu just gave him a 'are you serious' look, as he motioned to his useless limp arm. Yosuke for his part had the decency to scratch the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Sorry 'bout that hehe… I'm a bit of an idiot ain't I?"
You are.
Yosuke checks his digital watch.
"Oh crap! We're gonna be late! C'mon hop on the back of my bike and we'll make it if we hurry!"
Hell no! He already had a date of death, he didn't want to push that forward!
"I'm good, I'll continue to walk."
Yosuke jumped on his poor excuse of a bike and looked at his curiously.
"You sure man? You'll be late for sure!"
He nodded, a sent a reassuring smile towards the bike riding individual.
"I was already late for my first day yesterday, what's my second day?"
Yosuke, still looking quite unsure about what to do nods, then slowly begins to pedal away. He looks back over his shoulder and waves.
"I'll try to make something up for 'King Moron'! Just try not to be too late!" And with that his feet peddled faster, trying to make it to school before first bell, Yu for his part simply nodded back, kind of unsure on how to feel about Yosuke, he had run him over twice now, but he honestly seemed like a nice guy, a nice guy who was a bit of an idiot, but nice all the same, and sometimes being nice was a rare trait to find in someone. He glances down at his right side, hopefully the bruises from yesterday wouldn't be worse from his second fall, but knowing his luck, they'd probably be even worse than yesterdays. He'd have to check them in the bathroom again, thankfully he put the ointment on, that would hopefully soak up some of the stress and damage his body just went through.
He began the rest of his trek to school, if he was lucky he'd be able to make it before the end of his first class.
Who knows, the morning may have sucked but perhaps the rest of the day would be smooth sailing.
He was wrong, it still sucked.
He had checked over his body again and found that yes, the bruises were still there, and they were even worse, and one of his stitches had come lose even. Thankfully he had managed to re-tighten it, which involved teeth and his good hand. He had to crane his neck like a contortionist, but he had somehow managed. Thank the lord for small miracles. Sadly, that was the last miracle to happen that morning.
It turned out that Yosuke's excuse had something to do with a cat stuck in a tree or something? He only sighed as he looked at Yosuke and just shook his head, Yosuke for his part managed to mouth out a remorseful sorry as King Moron laid into him, screeching about young punks who thought they could do whatever he wanted. Or at least he assumed it was something like that, he had honestly stopped listening shortly after he began his tirade. He knew that the poor excuse of a teacher couldn't punish him for being late, as the school had his medical records, he was allowed a certain amount of leeway when it came to getting to school. It was literally one of the very small few benefits his condition gave him.
They weren't worth the cost.
After that he had gone to his seat, sending Chie and Yukiko polite nods, as he sat he heard Yosuke whisper his apology, it wasn't that big of a problem, it just showed that the fellow teen was awful at telling lies, something to keep in mind in the future. Class went on as expected, boring, slow and irritating from Moron's constant abusive tangents.
Lunch break couldn't come any-quicker.
"Late again Narukami-san! It's almost like you live for King-Moron's abuse." When break arrived, Chie pulled a seat up to the other side of his desk, laying her lunch out onto it, Yukiko had joined as well, although she seemed to only be there because Chie was there. Yu unpacked his own lunch he bought from the cafeteria, it was supposedly a sandwich, although it looked crap, smelt crap and tasted like crap.
Guess he was making his own lunches from now on.
"Yeah, I just love having an adult screech at me like a four-year-old not getting enough attention, it starts my day of great." His sarcastic reply brought a laugh from Chie's mouth and a stifled giggle from Yukiko's.
"Good to know! I'll make sure to try it sometime." He smiled at Chie's reply, she genuinely seemed to want to know him, not just ask about his disabilities, she hadn't even taken a quick glance at his arm that hung loosely on the desk. Yukiko on the other hand, she was doing everything in her power to not look at him, but he didn't think it was because she thought he was disgusting or anything like that, he believed that he simply made her uncomfortable to be around. He could understand that, he could! It didn't mean he had to like it or accept it, he wasn't some freak that deserved to be avoided at all costs. Well that was what the optimist in him said and that side of him had been effectively curb-stomped into oblivion, leaving nothing but optimist brain goo all over the pessimistic curb.
…
…
…
That metaphor got away from him there. He decided to continue the conversation, it was the polite thing to do.
"By the way, what do we have next?"
"What, did you not get a timetable?"
"I did, I just haven't been bothered to check it yet."
Chie snorted, "it seems like not being bothered is a running theme for you!"
She had no idea.
He hoped next lesson was something interesting, perhaps English? Or Maths? Maybe even History?
"Let's see here… it's P.E, awesome!"
You had to be kidding, was the world purposely messing with him now? He could barely walk to school without being winded, any kind of sport would kick the hell out of him, wait, wait, positive thinking, it could be sports he'd be able to compete in right?
"FOOTBALL IS THIS LINE, BASKET-BALL IS THE OTHER".
Well shit.
After the obvious conversation with the P.E teacher, he was excused from the class and free to simply wait until the class was over, he asked whether the school had a gym, to which the teacher said they did and that he was free to use it for P.E periods from now on, so he found himself within the dingy school gym walking slowly on a treadmill, a huge amount of sweat building up on his forehead, he had only been walking at a slow pace for about ten minutes and he was already feeling his energy leaving him, between making sure his right leg stayed on course, his right lung being practically useless, and keeping the slow pace the treadmill demanded, he'd exhausted after another 10 minutes, 15 tops. It was so frustrating, before the accident, he'd take walks that could last for hours, just to think and have some peace and quiet. Now he couldn't walk farther then the school in Inaba otherwise he'd be too tired to make it back. He clenched his fist, his eyes staring holes into the treadmills difficulty buttons.
It was torture, it left him utterly defeated.
His eyes continued to stare at the buttons.
Without warning, his finger slammed against the increase speed button, watching as the levels ticked by, until it went from 2 to 8, he stopped then and prepared for the treadmill beneath to speed up, he could do this. He'd show them! The treads sped up, his legs kept up, the treads continued to speed up, his legs kept up still, the treads sped even faster, his bad leg hit the treads at an awkward angle, he slipped, his right side smacked against the running treads and he was thrown off, smashing into the small padded barrier behind, his breath escaping his lung at the impact. He curled up into a ball as he tried to regain his breath, shaking as he stayed there, he felt something wet hit his cheeks, he wasn't crying.
He didn't have time to cry.
His breathing returned to him, his shaking stopped and he pushed himself up into a sitting position, his back leaning against the padded barrier behind him. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, pointedly ignoring the tear stains on his sleeve. His eyes checked the wall-clock, P.E was wrapping up soon, good, he wanted to leave this place, he picked himself up, turning off the running treadmill, glaring at it. He walked out to change in the bathrooms privately. As he made it to the door, his chanced a glance back at the treadmill, he scoffed and passed through the doorway.
He was foolish to think he could do it.
He was foolish to think he wasn't useless.
As he changed in private, he found more bruises, this time on his left side as well, but even more on his right side, he looked like an abuse victim, his body practically covered in new bruises, the doctor was not going to be happy when he went for his check-up next week, these kinds of bruises were not going to heal before then.
God, he was a mess. What was it, day 3? And this was what he looked like? God forbid what he'd look like in a few months.
Now dressed and sufficiently calm, he returned to the class, as everyone else began to filter in. He nodded at Chie, Yukiko and Yosuke before returning to his notes, trying to translate what he had written this morning, it looked like a spider had crawled across his page, his writing was barely legible. He sighed, he'd just carry on and figure out a solution later, the next teacher entered and began their lesson, he just sat back and listened, ultimately forgoing writing now. He just wanted the day to end at this point.
The last lesson ended and he breathed a sigh of relief, why did he even agree to go to school anymore? He was packing up his belongings when he felt a hand pat him on his good shoulder, he winched as one of his bruises were touched and turned around to see Yosuke, a goofy smile on his face.
"Hey, you wanna get that food now?"
Wait, Yosuke was being serious when he agreed, Yu just made the off-handed comment as a joke, but the blond-haired teen was willing to buy him lunch. He must have really been feeling guilty for knocking him over twice, his opinion of Yosuke grew slightly at this.
"Yeah, sounds good, got any ideas?"
"I know just the place, it's got these amazing steaks, like the best in the world!"
His interest was piqued.
"That sounds pretty good, whereabouts is it?"
Yosuke was about to answer when suddenly, a certain bowl-shaped haired girl barged into the conversation.
"Hey! Why are you buying him food? You should be buying me steak after breaking my DVD!"
Trust something to interrupt when he was just gonna catch a break today.
"It's because I hit with my bike twice! I wanna apologise and make sure he's okay!"
Chie gasps as she looks to Yu and back to Yosuke.
"How the hell did you hit him TWICE?"
Yosuke then proceeded to try and explain how he had managed to hit the same person twice in the span of two days, suffice to say his reasoning wasn't that great.
He inwardly groaned, as he watched the pair bicker back and forth like a married couple, he just wanted to get the damn food, he didn't care how or why! And watching the pair skirt around the fact that they were obviously interested in each other was draining what precious will to live he had left.
This wasn't steak.
"Ugh! I can't believe you brought us to your place to eat! This isn't steak!"
Indeed, it was not Chie.
"Well, I was gonna, but them some moron butted into the deal and I was forced to downgrade the food!"
What even was this? Meat on a stick? It didn't look like it.
"Hey! Don't blame me for the mistake you make Yosuke! You're the idiot who broke my DVD and ran over Yu!"
It tasted bland.
"I didn't 'run him over'! I just hit him with my bike on accident! Get off your high horse, you deprived him of his steak!"
It was shit.
"Don't try pinning this on me now! It's all your fault!"
"I wanted steak…"
The pair of teens stopped arguing to see Yu, staring dejectedly at his meat on a stick, a single bite being taken from it. An awkward silence befell the table they were sat at, until Chie coughed into her hand.
"Oh yea, you're probably wondering why I said this was his place right?"
Not really, but go on.
Chie ignored his uninterested look and continued.
"Well, Yosuke's dad is this Junes's branch director, and Yosuke works here part-time".
It just occurred to him that he was in Junes, Nanako was going to be so jealous, he inwardly smirked at the thought of teasing her about the fact he went without her.
"It's not 'my place' Chie, my dad just happens to be very high up here, it doesn't mean I'm loaded or anything!"
He could tell that, because if he was, they'd be having steak right now.
He was interrupted from his musings when Chie spoke.
"Hey, you guys heard of the Midnight channel?"
No, it sounds like a rumour passed by superstitious children.
"Oh, you mean that dumb thing where your TV turns on at midnight or something right? Didn't see you as superstitious."
Yosuke with the logic, something he smarmily presumed he would think often.
Chie bristled "shut-up and listen! Apparently if you unplug your Tv at Midnight and wait, the screen will turn on and show your true love, it's what some of the girls were saying in class today!"
That sounded like absolute rubbish.
"That sounds like absolute rubbish!"
Whoa Yosuke! Was he reading his mind now?
"Shut-up! I just heard about it okay! I just thought it'd be interesting ya know?"
No, I don't know.
"No, I don't…
"Okay! Enough of that!"
Yu butted in before Yosuke could once again unintentionally read his mind.
He was about to suggest another topic, anything to stop the constant bickering when another voice broke through the air.
"Hey Hana-chan! How's it going?"
He turned to see a blond-haired girl stroll towards the group, a tired look in her eyes, Yosuke immediately jumped from his seat and moved towards the teen.
"Sa-Saki-senpai! Good to see you, how're you?" Yosuke words were nervous but caring and Yu's brows raised.
That boy had it bad for this 'Saki', surprising because he would've put money on Yosuke and Chie liking each other, oh well, he had been wrong before, what's one more time?
Saki straight up ignored Yosuke's question and headed towards Yu, a mischievous glint in her eyes, he wasn't a fan of that look.
"Oh hey! You must be the transfer student, right? It's so nice that Hana-chan's making friends now, he's usually on his lonesome."
Oh, he did not like this girl one bit.
"H-hey c'mon Senpai, you don't have to be so mean ya-know?" Yosuke semi-pleaded as his smiled began to drop slightly, the sting from Saki's words hitting deep. However, Saki simply ignored Yosuke once again "he's a bit of an idiot, and can be annoying, so if he is, just let him know okay?" 'Saki' smiled, it was fake though, just like how her apparent 'care' for Yosuke was fake.
"C'mon Senpai, why you gotta wound me so?" Yosuke's voice may have held a jokey tone, but he could easily tell that he was genuinely hurt by what she had said.
He really hated this girl.
One again Saki just ignored Yosuke's pleading, and moved around so that she was facing all three of the group.
"Don't you think so as well new kid?"
Silence hung in the air as 'Saki' directed her question at Yu, Chie sending a smouldering glare towards the other girl, whilst Yosuke's face looked defeated. He looked defeated because he assumed that he'd agree with Saki, the lack of self-confidence Yosuke had in himself annoyed him, no-one should think so badly of themselves.
He felt like a hypocrite for thinking that.
"Hey! You can't just ask a question like that!" Chie argued, not wanting Yu to be placed in such an awkward situation. And whilst the help was appreciated, it was unneeded.
"No, I don't think so."
Everyone stopped at Yu's short answer, Yosuke's face practically lit up when Yu spoke. Saki's eyes' narrowed.
"What're yo…"
"I don't think Hanamura-san is an idiot, I think he's a kind individual" he lied, he did think Yosuke was an idiot, but also kind, but he wanted to show this girl up.
"D-dude!"
He stood up, his eyes baring straight into 'Saki's', he hated this type of person, the type of person who manipulated and used other, more naïve individuals for their own gain, he hated these types of people.
Because they reminded him of himself.
"I'll tell you what I think about you instead, sound good?"
Chie walked around the table, to his side, a worried look on her face, Yosuke's face was unreadable, Saki's on the other-hand was now glaring back at him.
"I think that you're an awful person to just come over here, and to tell me to my face, that my new friend is a loser… I think I don't want anything to do with you, I think you should get out of my face".
Saki's eyes widened in rage as he finished speaking, her mouth opening in shock, her mind worked to think of a response, but in the end, she simply stormed off, barging past Yosuke on her way out. Yu watched her leave, the returned to his seat, his hand coming up to cover his face as he groaned.
What had he just done? His eyes just saw red and she just set him off. He'd be beating himself up about that later.
He felt a hand on his shoulder, he didn't want to look, he really didn't, but he had to. Looking up, he saw Yosuke's smiling face.
"Thanks dude… really, I mean… you didn't have to be so harsh to Saki-Senpai, but thanks for standing up for me!" Yu looked from Yosuke to Chie, who also was giving him a smile. He was confused, why were the smiling at him? He could perhaps understand Chie smiling but Yosuke? He said he stood up for him, but that was only secondary to his aims, he wanted to insult that girl.
He lowered his hand and nodded at the pair, he then took a curious glance at a nearby by clock for the time.
"It's getting pretty late, how about we call it?" Yu's question was innocent enough, they wouldn't know he just wanted to be rid of these two for the moment, he needed to be alone and think.
Both Chie and Yosuke agreed and parted ways, Yosuke promising Yu steak sometime in the future, to which he smiled appreciatively.
As he walked back to Dojima's he regretted cutting their gathering short, but after 'Saki' he needed to be alone and think, he didn't want to be so rude to the girl, she probably had her own issues, he had no right to be like that. Why had he done that? He'd never usually be so quick to anger, his eyes glanced at his limp arm, then it clicked together. He just wanted to let of some steam he built up from that damned treadmill. Saki was just the unfortunate soul who suffered his wrath. It was stupid of him, he knew that.
He just didn't care.
He was bothered about the words he said to the girl, but he didn't care why he said them.
And that worried him to be honest.
He passed by the gas station, on the last stretch to his residence, but he needed a break, needed to catch his breath, he found the same bench from last night and lowered himself onto it, the sky was beginning to darken now, he had to get back soon, Nanako was most likely by herself if Dojima's track-record for being home would continue.
"Hey there Senpai!"
His eyes found the source of the voice and a smile found its way onto his face.
"Hello Kanji-san! Senpai is it now?"
The punkish looking teen flushed at the question, sitting down next to him, "yeah it is, you go to the same school as me, you're a year older, so you're my senpai, simple as that… n-no reason to talk 'bout it!" Yu chuckled at Kanji's nervousness, "if you say so Kanji-san, if you say so…".
"I looked for you in school today Kanji-san, couldn't find you, did you not come in today?"
Kanji didn't say anything for a moment and he thought for a second that he had overstepped the line.
"I was gonna, I was I swear, but well…"
"You don't have to say anything Kanji-san, I was just curious, I wanted to talk to my new friend." Kanji's head turned to him, "wh-what?" Yu turned to him, he liked Kanji, he was simple to talk to, no fuss.
"We are friends, right?"
"Y-yeah! Of-course senpai!"
He smiled, "good to know Kanji-san, sorry, but I have to get home, Nanako is probably wondering where I am" he stood up and began to head home, he stopped after a few feet, "I'll talk to you later right?" Kanji's voice broke for a second, obviously trying to hide his true feelings of Yu being his friend.
"Ye-Yeah, damn right Yu-senpai, talk to ya later!"
They bid each-other a good-night and headed their ways home.
"Welcome home!" Nanako greeted him as he entered the house, a smile on her adorable face, he smiled back, but his smile was mischievous as he sat on the couch.
"Hello Nanako, guess where I've been today!"
Nanako pondered for a moment, her finger on her chin, most likely imitating what she thought her dad would do when pondering a case.
"School?"
"That's right, but I went somewhere after school, somewhere pretty cool!"
Nanako pondered again, her eyes scrunching up in thought, he almost laughed at just how expressive she was.
"I- I don't know…"
"I'll give you a hint, you could say that every day starts at this place", he couldn't hide his smirk anymore as Nanako's eyes revealed her thoughts, she pouted as her big eyes glared cutely at him.
"You went to Junes without me!"
He couldn't help it, he began to laugh, her face was just far too cute to take seriously. She hmphed at him and turned her back to him, crossing her arms. It was just too much!
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry Nanako, I didn't plan on going, but some people I met wanted to get something to eat and they took me there, I'm really sorry, will you ever forgive me?" he jokingly pleaded with the young girl, trying to see her face, but she turned away from him every-time, but he managed to catch a small smile trying to force its way onto her face.
"Hmm… I guess if you won't forgive me, I can't take you to Junes this weekend, can I? What a shame, guess I'll just go by myself then…"
Immediately Nanako jumped at him, grabbing his good arm.
"No, no, I forgive you, can I please still come, please, please, please!"
He looked away, hiding his massive smile.
"Hmm… I don't know…"
Nanako shook his arm harder.
"That's not fair! Please!"
He turned back to her.
"Hmm… okay then!"
Nanako threw her arms into the air, a happy squeal escaping her mouth, then she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him.
He stalled in shock at the sudden hug.
He hadn't been hugged since he just got out of the hospital, his parents always afraid he might break if he was touched even a little. And yet here was this tiny child, hugging him just after knowing him for at most three days, he didn't know how to react, so he just stood there stock-still. Nanako let go and sent him another smile before returning to the Tv. He simply continued to sit on the couch as he watched the ecstatic girl bob her head back and forth, presumably to the tune of a certain commercial song. He felt uncomfortable, not necessarily in aa bad way, but just… uncomfortable, he needed sometime to himself, but first…
"What should we make for tea tonight Nanako?"
He laid himself onto his bed, a relaxing sigh escaping his mouth, they had finished making tea a while ago, they had eaten together and then he had ushered the young girl to bed, it was getting late and he didn't want himself or Nanako to get shouted at by Dojima for her staying up past her bed-time, although he still wasn't sure when her bedtime even was, he hadn't asked, and to be fair he hadn't seen Dojima in almost 2 whole days, work must've been bearing down on him. He checked the time on his phone.
11:55
358
… Midnight hour…
His eyes widened, he glanced at his small box Tv, it was unplugged when he got here and he hadn't bothered to plug it in yet, so at least that part was complete.
Wait, was he going to test this stupid ghost story?
11:58
358
He guessed he was. He got out of his bed sat down in-front of his tv, this was so dumb, he couldn't actually believe he was doing this!
11:59
358
He glanced at his window, he had closed the curtains when he entered, it was a small chance but he didn't want anyone to be able to see him stare at a blank tv like a moron.
12:00
357
Well, looked like the story was rubbish, just like he knew it would be.
Suddenly the tv sparked on, static filling the screen, he jumped back in shock, what the hell? He could see the plug of the tv on the ground, not connected, how was his Tv on?
… If you look at it, you're supposed to see your true love…
Damn Chie, he was actually doing this!
He leaned closer and could make out a figure, he couldn't tell who it was besides it was female, she looked… she looked in pain, she was writhing about, he didn't like it, not one bit, this was supposed to be his true love? It looked like she was barely hanging on right now. He needed to take a closer look. He reached forward and paced his hand against the screen to move closer, how surprised was he when his hand slipped through the screen itself. Immediately he yanked it back, his breathing ragged and scared, was he high? He didn't fee high. He stared at his hand and back at the Tv, if his hand could slip through, maybe other parts could? He moved back to the tv and gently placed his head against it, his body shook as he felt his head slip through the screen, he brought his good arm through and looked around, he couldn't make anything out, it was too foggy, he was about to pull out when he felt something grab his arm. He looked and couldn't see anything, but his arm was definitely being pulled on, he was being dragged into the TV! He pulled against the invisible force, but his good arm was already grabbed, he couldn't grab onto to anything to stop himself, his good leg slammed against the ground in his room, in a futile attempt to root himself, he hoped his right leg was doing the same but he couldn't tell! He was being pulled in! He couldn't stop it! He thrashed about wildly, almost half his body was pulled in at this point.
He was going to die, he was going to die!
The force gave one final pull and he found himself falling through the foggy air. He couldn't even scream, his absolute terror overwhelming him. All he could manage was to close his panicking eyes and wait for the end, who knows, it may be quick and painless?
He waited for a few seconds, and then waited some-more, he chanced a quick glance, the fact he did so meant he was still alive. Wasn't he falling? He wasn't, he felt ground underneath his prone form. Was it just that foggy that he couldn't even see the ground? He tentatively pushed himself up onto his feet, his eyes scanning his surroundings, he couldn't make out a damn thing!
He stalled.
His eyes may have been useless, but his ears worked perfectly, and he definitely heard something growl just then. His eyes moved towards the sound, they could barely make out something round coming towards him, he waited with baited breath, should he run? There was no point, he still wasn't any good at running, he'd trip and fall instantly. Hide? Where? He couldn't SEE anything to hide behind!
He heard another growl, and another, and another, he couldn't tell how many threatening growls he had heard now.
He was so dead.
His body swivelled, the round forms were all around him now, he still couldn't make anything out about them, but they seemed so close, the growling was overbearing now, he was going to die! He crouched down and curled into a ball, his good arm placed over his head as he struggled to breath. Tears fell from his eyes as he began to accept his incoming doom, the growling growing ever closer now, he wanted to close his eyes, he wanted to close his eyes and wish it all away, but he couldn't! All he could do was stare at the ground, fear gripping his damaged heart.
He didn't want to die right now!
It seems fate has thrown yet another wildcard into your journey.
His eyes widened, he had heard that voice before.
However, we cannot have our fools journey end before it even began, can we?
Fool? Journey? What the hell was this voice on about!?
Tell me, do you wish for your journey to end here? For it to end before it began?
Of-course not! He had no idea what the voice was talking about, but obviously he didn't want to die here!
Then you know what you must do.
Wha… Suddenly a blue glowing butterfly floated in-front of his vision, it was beautiful, ephemeral almost. He watched it float away, past some of the round shadowy figures, until a blue glowing light appeared behind them.
An exit!
Stand up our fool.
He began to stand, he wasn't sure what was happening, but he felt confidence rush through his very soul.
Stand up and prove that fate does not hold you to its whim!
He stood, facing the glowing light that he just knew was an exit. He needed to make it there, and these shadowy things were not going to stop him.
"I am thou".
He found himself raising his arm, unsure why, however, he doesn't stop it, his confidence pushed him forwards.
"Thou art I".
If these things were in his way.
"You have found within yourself the courage to fight".
Then his only option was simple in the end.
"You have found the ability to seek the truth".
He opened his hand wide.
"If you have found it within yourself to truly fight".
The fog began to disperse around him, almost like some invisible force was pushing it away from him.
"Then call me forth and prove your will to seek the truth".
He smirked.
"PERSONA!"
A resounding crack broke through the very fabric of the world and all hell broke loose.
He walked forward, his gait confident, almost arrogant, he didn't know what was going, all he knew was as he walked, the shadowy figures were split in half as he passed them, he drew closer to the blue light, when one of the shadowy things sprang towards him.
It never made it close to him.
He knew something was behind him, he knew that he had brought forth something…
But he didn't even need to see it to know what it was strangely enough.
Izanagi.
This was the name of the power that defended him.
He continued onward, undeterred by the growing mass of attacking shadowy figures, there were more now.
They irritated him.
He pointed towards the mass directly between himself and the blue light, a thought appearing in his mind.
Zio.
Lightning crashed down from the heavens and smashed into the mass of shadows, obliterating them completely.
And thus, he continued onwards.
He felt good, he felt damn good, perhaps even better then he felt before the accident. He finally reached the blue light, it turned out to be an ethereal blue door, the butterfly from before fluttering around its form. He debated trying to open the door when he heard a vortex swirling behind him, it seemed those shadowy things were congesting themselves into an even bigger mass. He felt confident, not suicidal as he grabbed the handle to the door, and was annoyed to find it locked.
This key will allow you to return here when you wish to.
Key? What ke… He felt something in his hand, a small blue ethereal key, he should've questioned this heavily, but instead simply shrugged and unlocked the door, before he stepped into the blinding blueish light, he glanced over his shoulder, and he finally saw it.
Izanagi.
It was a very tall humanoid clad in armour and a long black coat, its deep yellow eyes were visible through a pair of slits, it wielded a large naginata in its left hand, and it stood, imposing over everything around it, one thing struck him however. Where it's right arm should've been was nothing but a billowing coat sleeve, he felt he should've been insulted but found that he didn't care now.
His eyes widened momentarily as one of the shadowy things snuck up on him, and he finally saw what it was, it was a ball with big red lips and a disgustingly large red tongue, with large teeth aligning its mouth. It rushed towards him, its lips smacking in anticipation, he wanted to scream wen suddenly he saw the figure known as Izanagi appear in-front of his and cover him.
He felt his left shoulder erupt in pain as the creature's teeth crunched down onto Izanagi's left shoulder.
It seemed himself and Izanagi were connected. Yu shouted as Izanagi shook off the creature, but before he could assess the situation, the creature was upon Izanagi once more, its teeth clamping down onto Izanagi's right shoulder at the stump. He waited for the incoming pain, and was surprised when he felt absolutely nothing. He glanced at his right side, and then back to Izanagi.
I am thou… Thou art I. The words came back to him, his mind connecting the pieces.
His smirk returned, as he threw out his left arm in aggression, Izanagi responded in turn and grabbed the ball creature with its left arm, yanking it off itself, it squirmed and thrashed about in its grasp, its long tongue swinging wildly. Yu, held his hand open, and then quickly clenched it, Izanagi did the same, the creature being crushed mercilessly, black ichor splattering everywhere.
That… was… awesome.
Izanagi turned back to him, he nodded at the massive figure he knew as Izanagi, the figure nodded back and dispersed into blue particles. He turned back to the blue light.
Persona eh?
He stepped into the blue light, ready for anything.
"Welcome to the velvet room…"
To be honest, he expected a lot of things…
But this was not one of them.
Chapter 2: What would you wish for?
Finished
Soooo… what did everyone think? Was it any-good? Did it entertain? Did it perhaps pique your interest? I hope so, as I enjoyed writing this chapter very much. Please let me know what you all think.