Soon, it was nightfall.
The four of us had our dinner in the hotel's restaurant. As usual, Yuno's foster parents were cheerful. It's been a while since the four of us ate dinner like this. Was it 3 months ago since we bonded like this? Anyhow, I really missed this. After eating our dinner, we retired into our rooms. After changing, I sat down on my bed. I better update Shizuka quick. Oddly, she didn't mail me while I was at the beach with Yuno. Maybe she was busy or something.
"You're going to sleep this early, Toshii?" Yuno asked me as she sits down on top of her bed. Wait a minute. She's wearing that black long sleeve that I gave her back then. She looks, rather, cute with that since the sleeves are bit longer than her arms. "Nah. So you're still wearing that?" I asked her as I leaned my back onto a pillow. "Of course! I cherish this black long-sleeve of yours. After all, this is your first gift to me." Yuno replied as she adjusts her light blue boxers. After hearing that, I can't help but to smile at her. "Heh. I see. Your birthday is next month, right?" I asked her as I continued typing down my mail for Shizuka. "Yep! November 16! I'll be turning 15!" Yuno replied cheerfully as she examines our pictures in her digital camera.
Hm. I better get her a gift then. What should I buy for her? Yuno loves cute things. Maybe a stuff toy will do? Come to think of it, she was really happy when we saw that pink bunny mascot back then. Also, I could buy her a shirt or a bracelet or something. Ugh. I want to ask her, but I can't let her know that I'm buying something for her.
"Aren't you excited? Hm. It's still early. Do you want to play cards or something?" I asked Yuno as I sent my mail to Shizuka. At least she's well updated by now. "Sure thing! I think I brought some playing cards with me. I'll check my bag!" Yuno cheerfully replied as she quickly grabbed onto her duffle bag. As she was busy checking out her bag, I can't help but to stare at her. She's really that pretty. Not to mention, she's really into me. If I wasn't courting Shizuka now, I'm probably courting her. If she didn't rejected me back then, we're probably a couple by now. "Got it! Hm? What's wrong, Toshii?" Yuno asked me as she pulls out a deck of playing cards from her bag. Crud. She caught me. "N-Nothing. Anyway, shall we? We could play blackjack or something." I stated as I stood up and sat down beside her. "Alright, Toshii!" Yuno happily stated as we start playing.
After some rounds of winning and losing against Yuno, we decided to call it a night. It's already late and we'll be leaving early tomorrow. "Hm? You're not going to sleep beside me, Toshii?" Yuno asked as she gazed at me with a smile on her face. "N-No. Tsh. Go to sleep." I stated as I quickly turned my back from her. Shit. Don't think indecent things, Toshiro. "Aww. Alright. Goodnight, Toshii." Yuno stated as she lets out a yawn. "Goodnight, Yuno. Sweet dreams." I stated as I looked back at her. Hm? She's already sleeping? That was fast. Tsh. Just like old times. I slowly closed my eyes. Soon, my consciousness drifted away.
3 weeks quickly passed.
Christmas break is just around the corner. Right now, we're focused on our exams. While my friends are busy studying, I'm busy lounging around in my usual spot. Akise is tutoring Kousaka, Hinata and Mao, Shizuka is with me, while Yuno is with her other friends. I'm pretty sure Yuno wanted to study with me, but Shizuka asked me first. Not to mention, Yuno's a genius of sorts. She's actually smarter than me. Her grades are higher than mine. It's like she's my rival in terms of academic grading. Shizuka, in the other hand, is just your average student.
Speaking of Shizuka, somehow, there isn't any progress between us. Well, she's happy with what she has right now, but I feel a bit, dissatisfied with what's happening between us. I don't know what's happening inside my head though. My emotions are quite jumbled up. In the past 3 weeks, I've became decisive. I don't know what to do. I have Yuno and Shizuka chasing after me. I don't know who I should pick.
I tilted my head backwards. Behind me was Shizuka, who was busy reading her notes in math. I can't help but to admire her simplicity as the cold, gentle wind passed through us. "Hm? What's up, Toshiro-kun? Aren't you going to study?" Shizuka asked as I caught her attention. "Later. I'm still in the mood to lounge around." I replied as I smiled at her. Eh. She's too cute for me. Come to think of it, there are times that I tend to think negatively on my relationship with Shizuka. We're both into the same things. Wouldn't she get bored of me sooner? I mean, I know that talking about anime and other random things are quite tedious, but do I still entertain Shizuka with my silly words? I don't know, but I'm just afraid.
I'm just afraid that I might be thrown away.
Earth to Toshiro-kun. Hello? Are you done with your monologue?
"Hm?" I muttered as I looked curiously at Shizuka. Wait. Was I staring to oblivion earlier? "You're spacing out, aren't you? Seriously. I know you're smart and all, but don't get too cocky. You still have to study." Shizuka said as she scooted beside me. "Oh? Sorry. I got lost in my thoughts." I replied as Shizuka opens her notes. "Is there anything bothering you?" She asked me as she curiously looks at me. Her brown eyes sparkled as I looked at her. "Uh. Nothing at all. Don't worry. Shall we study now?" I asked her as I faintly smiled at her. "Sure thing, Toshiro-kun! Could you teach me Alegbra?" She cheerfully asked me with a smile on her face. Ugh. Alegbra. That's my bane. "Um. I'll do my best." I replied as I let out a chuckle.
After some minutes of studying Alegbra, we decided to take a break. "Phew. I think my brain overheated." I said as I let out a sigh. "Hm. Toshiro-kun. Isn't it Gasai-san's birthday next week?" Shizuka asked as she grabs her bottled iced tea. Hm? Wait. How did she found out? "How did you know that?" I curiously asked her while she takes a chug on her drink. "Hm. I asked her. Wait. Didn't she tell you? We're actually in good terms now!" She replied. Wait. What? "Huh? Really? I thought she hated you?" I asked her once again. "It was so sudden! After your beach trip with her, Gasai-san became friendly with me! I was expecting her to be rude, but she was so gentle with her words suddenly! She's actually a great person!" She happily replied.
Ugh. Am I that unaware of what's happening around me? To think that Yuno was the one who approached Shizuka in the first place. I think she finally sees her as her rival. "Are you friends with her or something?" I asked her as I grabbed my notes. "Well, I think so? I really hope so!" Shizuka replied as she smiles at me. "Heh. Well, that's good to hear. At least she's no longer rude with you. Yuno's a great girl." I stated as I smiled back at her.
"Yep, and she's your polar opposite." Shizuka muttered as she looked down. Huh? "Where did that come from?" I asked her as she starts to play with her fingers. "I mean, other than academics, you guys are opposites. Gasai-san is lively and outgoing, while you're a bit of a loner and rarely talks to anyone. She's into cute things, while you're into those geek things. Somehow, I feel jealous of her. You two have a unique chemistry between each other. Well, you know what they say. Opposites attract each other." Shizuka stated with a sad tone. Huh? What? I didn't expect Shizuka to open up like this.
"Uh. You see, me and Yuno, experienced a painful past. Well, hers wasn't that bad as mine. I can't go to details, but she really had it rough too. I think that's why we understand each other quite well. Don't worry. I know someday, we'll have that special connection too." I stated as I gently placed my hand over Shizuka's hand. "I sure hope so, Toshiro-kun." Shizuka replied as she held onto my hand. "But first, I'm not a loner, alright? I'm still transitioning to this normal life of mine." I said as Shizuka gently caressed my hand. "Transitioning?" She curiously asked. "Yeah. I'm still transitioning from my painful past. 2 years isn't enough, you know? There are some nights that I would feel the pain from my Uncle's so-called training." I replied as I looked at the distant cityscape.
"I'm sorry, Toshiro-kun. I don't really know what to say.." Shizuka muttered as she lets go of my hand. "Ugh. Sorry about that. Don't worry! I'm really trying! Soon, I'll get over it. I'll finally move on from my past." I said as I nuzzled her black hair with my hand. "And I'll be right here to watch you grow, Toshiro-kun." She stated as she smiled at me. "You sound like a mom. Heh. Watch me, alright? Wait. We still have a few minutes before the break ends. You want to get something eat? I'm pretty hungry." I said as I smiled back at her. "Alright! Let's hope if there's still some Yakisoba bread in the canteen!" She happily stated as she stands up, with her notes in her hands. Ah. Shizuka's back to her cheerful self. "Alright. Come on then, mommy Shizuka." I playfully said as I grinned at her. "H-huh? Wait! What was that?" Shizuka frantically asked as I playfully went down the stairs.
Two days later, it was the dreadful day of exams. Oddly enough, I didn't have a hard time with it, though Algebra was really nerve wrecking. Overall, I could say that I did well in the exams. 5 days quickly passed. Soon, it was a day before Yuno's Birthday.
After school, I met up with Akise and Kousaka in the mall. I told Yuno and Shizuka that I have some plans with the boys so that they wouldn't tail me. Anyway, I asked these two to accompany me while I buy Yuno a gift. Akise is pretty reliable and he pretty much knows everything, but Kousaka, well, let's say I don't want him to feel left out. Also, it's been a while since the three of us hang out like this. It's probably because I'm too busy dealing with this love triangle of mine.
"So, what are you planning to get for Gasai-san?" Akise asked as we strolled in the ladies clothing stores. "I'm not sure. She likes cute things, right? I'm planning to buy her a hoodie or something since it's going to get cold. If I can't find anything, I might as well buy her a stuff toy." I replied as I looked around the shops. "A hoodie, huh? How about this store?" Kousaka asked as he points to a nearby store, which was pretty high-end. "Eh. I'm not that rich, Ouji. Besides, I don't want something too flamboyant for Yuno. She likes to keep it simple." I replied as I let out a sigh.
"I see. So that's your problem. I'm pretty sure we could buy her something here. What's your budget anyway?" Akise asked me as he looks around. "Uh. I managed to save 15,000 yen within a week." I replied as I checked my wallet. "15,000 yen? Where the heck did you get that?!" Kousaka asked me in disbelief. "I'm pretty resourceful, you know? Heh. Actuallly, I tutored some batchmate of ours. I think per head was like 1500 yen?" I replied. "Oh. That's why you looked so tired before the exams. It was a study group I presume?" Akise asked. "Yep. They were from the science club and the basketball team, I think? Fortunately, they were fast learners, so I didn't had a hard time teaching them. We had to stay up late though." I replied with a chuckle.
After some minutes of looking around, I finally decided to buy Yuno a necklace and a little bunny stuffed toy. While me and Akise paid for my gifts, Kousaka was playing around in the arcade. "Toshiro-kun. Now that we're alone, can I ask you something?" Akise asked as he smiles at me. "Hm? What is it?" I asked him with a curious look on my face. "Who will you choose? Gasai-san, or Miyamoto-san?" He asked as he kept smiling at me. Hm? "About that, I need your advice, Aru. I'm not that good in deciding. You understand, right? I just don't want to hurt them." I replied with a mellow tone in my voice. "I do understand. You don't want to take their feelings for granted, yes?" He asked as we walked towards the arcade. I silently nodded. "Are your feelings for Gasai-san back?" He asked once again. I hesitated for a bit, but I silently nodded once more.
I can't lie to myself anymore. I like Yuno, and I like Shizuka in the same time. What a mess am I in. "That's the problem. I like both of them. They share quite similar personalities. They're both cheerful, and optimistic. Maybe…" "Are you really that sure that you're that interested in Shizuka, Toshiro-kun?" Akise asked as he looks at me closely. "What do you mean? Of course, I do." I replied without hesitation. "I don't know. You became interested in her after Gasai-san rejected you, right? Are you sure that you liked her for who she is, and not to replace something that Gasai-san could give you? Perhaps, a sense of comfort?" He asked once again as he examines me with his sharp eyes.
Does it really look like that? Is Shizuka a replacement for Yuno? No. I can genuinely say that I'm really interested in her. I'm not using her or something to fill a void in my chest. I'm not that vile. Besides, I was just rejected. Tsh. Akise is really that sharp with his questions.
"Be honest with me, Aru. Where is this conversation going?" I asked Akise as we arrived in front of the arcade. We could see Kousaka busy playing some fighter game. "Hm. Who is more important to you? Gasai-san, or Miyamoto-san?" Akise asked as we watched Kousaka go all out in his match. "I can't answer that right now. Both of them are important to me." I replied. "Heh. Stop being so indecisive, Toshiro-kun. Don't keep the girls waiting, alright? Can I be honest with one thing?" He asked once again. "Sheesh. You're full of questions, but go ahead. I'm not stopping you." I replied as we see Kousaka celebrating after he beats his opponent. "From what I've observed, Gasai-san is really attached to you." Akise stated. "Attached? Maybe you're overthinking things. There's no w-"
She's really that in to you, you know? She distances herself from other guys. Whenever you're around, she's all cheerful and happy. When you're not looking, she stares at you with a smile on her face. Whenever the girls in the class talk about you, she always eavesdrops on them. Face it, Toshiro-kun. That girl badly needs you more than Miyamoto-san.
Ugh. Akise really had to mention that. "Are you really sure? Are you really sure that Yuno needs me that much?" I asked him with a solemn look on my face. Akise simply nods at me with a smile. "It wouldn't be bad to keep Miyamoto-san as a close friend of yours. Also, I really feel like you and Gasai-san are connected with the red string of fate. It's like you're a couple in your past lives." Akise stated with a playful chuckle. "Tsh. Come on. It's not like that, but I really can't explain this unique chemistry of ours." I said with a sigh. After a brief silence, we started laughing. "Geez. Thanks for the advice, Aru." I stated as I smiled at him. "Anytime, Toshiro-kun." He stated as he smiled back at me. As we continued laughing, we didn't notice that Kousaka had already approached us. "The heck you guys laughing about? You guys look crazy." Kousaka curiously asked. "Nothing, Ouji. You done? Let's go home." I replied as my laughing fit slowly stopped. After calming down, the three of us went home.
Odd.
It's been 15 minutes since Yuno left the room. I know it's our lunch break, but what's taking her? Hinata even bought a cake for her. Where is she? Tsh. Is she angry? I tried to act that I forgot that it's her birthday today. I was planning that I'll give her gift after school, which I carefully hid in my locker earlier. Somehow, I have a bad feeling about this.
"Geez. Where's Yuno-chan? This cookies and cream cake is making me drool!" Hinata annoyingly said as she stares at the cake's box. "She's taking her time in the comfort room. Anyway, should we look for her? The cake will melt." Mao suggested as she tries to calm our hungry friend. "Ha! Maybe she's too amazed because of my brilliant gift!" Kousaka proudly stated as he sat down beside me. "Gift? Dude. You bought her an eraser." I said as I stared at his gift with an unamused look on my face. "It's symbolic! So that she can erase her mistakes, one at a time! It's that brilliant!" He proudly stated once more. "Heh. That might be the case, Kousaka-kun." Akise sarcastically commented as I let out a sigh.
"Seriously, she's taking too long. Her special meal will get cold." Hinata remarked as she stares at the bento box in front of me. Oh yeah. I also cooked Yuno's favourite meal, which was beef curry, earlier. "You really went all out didn't you, Toshiro?" Mao asked as she smiles at me. "Eh. Um… I think I overdid it." I replied as I scratched my head. "Nonsense. Gasai-san will love it. Anyway, should I call Miyamoto-san now? I invited her earlier, but she's n-"
Toshiro-kun!
Hm? That was Shizuka's voice. I quickly turned my head towards her voice. Shizuka enters the room panting like crazy. "Shizuka? What happene-" "Toshiro-kun! Gasai-san! She's… she's being assaulted by some male students!" Shizuka frantically shouted as she tries to catch her breath. Wait. What?! I quickly stood up and ran towards her. I can feel my hands shaking as I grabbed onto her shoulders. "Where?! Where is she?!" I frantically asked her. "Sh…She's being kept in the gym's storage room! I saw them dragging her towards there 5 minutes ago!" Shizuka frantically replied. Without hesitation, I quickly ran outside. I could hear my friends calling my name as I sprinted towards the staircase.
Shit. Shit. What the hell Yuno?! Why did you let yourself to be in this scenario?! Tsh! With my speed, I could reach the gym within 2 minutes! I heard the hall monitor shouting at me as I bolted through the hallway of the first floor. Pft. I don't have time to stop and be lectured by the likes of you! Yuno's in danger! I have to save her!
As I entered the gym, I quickly ran towards the storage room's door. I could hear a muffled female voice and the snickering laughter of some male students. As expected, the sliding door was locked. Fuck! I have to deal with this! I quickly ran outside and circled the gym. I arrived in front of the storage room's windows, which were covered by some curtains. I distanced myself from the casement windows. Without hesitating, I dashed towards the windows and jumped through it. The force from my jump smashed through one of the windows. I could feel the shards of glass grazing my arms as I landed on the concrete floor of the storage room.
What the hell?! Who the hell are you?!
I slowly stood up. I could see two guys trying to pin down Yuno while the other three of them are trying to remove her clothes. Luckily, I crashed their fun in time. From the looks of things, they didn't manage to have their way with Yuno. As I glanced at Yuno who looked at me with tears falling from her eyes, I quickly noticed the bruise on her face. Suddenly, a demonic fury clouded my mind. I could feel my hands shaking in anger. They're even trying to record this, huh? Fuckers. I'll fucking kill them. I'll fucking show them!
My eyes burned in fury as I slowly walked towards them. "You fuckers…" I muttered as I clenched my fist in anger. "You! Hiriyama! It's Hiriyama!" One of them shouted as he continues to record the situation with his smart phone. "Toshii.." Yuno tearfully muttered. "Wait! It's not what you think! We-" "Shut up! Who the fuck do you think you are?!" I furiously shouted as I landed a swift right hook on his right jaw. "You! Bring him down! Quick!" One of them shouted as all of them prepared to attack me.
Surprisingly, the guy withstood my attack. He managed to land a left straight on my left cheek. Tsh! It doesn't hurt a single bit! I quickly shrugged off his attack and kicked him on his chest, which made his body crash on top of his two buddies. After that, one of them tried to swing an uppercut at me, but I quickly evaded it. I quickly countered his missed punch with an uppercut of my own. "Take him down!" One of them shouted as he managed to grab onto me. Is he trying for a takedown?! Pft! I got you where-
Toshii! Look out!
Hu-
CLANG!
My ears were ringing. My glasses were shattered into fragments as its frame flew downwards. I could feel my left temple becoming numb. Huh? One of them got me. He snuck in and managed to swing a steel baseball bat at me. "Got him!" My attacker shouted as his attack managed to stun me. Before I could even recover, a flurry punches landed on my body. Shit! They have the upper hand! I crashed onto the concrete floor as they flocked around me. I groaned in pain as Yuno's assaulters furiously stomped and kicked my body. "You trying to act like a hero, huh? Ha! You couldn't even protect yourself!" One of them shouted as his kick managed to land on my face. I felt that kick broke my nose as my entire body pulsated in pain. As my attackers continued their assault on me, I caught a glimpse of Yuno, who was literally shaking in fear. Her tears were freely falling from her eyes as she was immobilized by fear.
Damn it… Their blows are pretty heavy… or am I that soft now…? Don't watch… Yuno…
You need help, Toshiro?
That voice… No… it's too late… I'm losing consciousness…
Yare yare. I'm pretty sure that you're not that soft. Are you going to let these wannabe punks get you?
I can't do anything… I'm too… weak to pr..
Don't give me that crap. Stop this inner monologue of yours and answer my question. You want me to help you or not? I'm just going to remove your limiter.
You… Please. Help… me… Help me… save her…
Pft. You got it, landlord.
In an instant, my aching body was filled by a tremendous feeling of strength. The pain from their blows slowly numbed away. Damn it! Snap out of it Toshiro! I have to get out of this! I quickly grabbed onto a shard of glass and blindly slashed around me. One of them shouted in pain as I managed to cut his leg. As he toppled down, the baseball bat smashed his smartphone. "What?! This fucker!" One of them shouted as they tried to attack me once more. In an instant, I quickly stood up and landed a devastating elbow on his face, which knocked him out cold. I quickly followed that up with a left straight to the nearest guy. What the hell? Where am I getting this strength?! The voice… it wasn't a hallucination, right?
"What are you doing?! Beat him down! Use th-" Before the guy could even finish shouting his orders, I landed a swift uppercut on his chin. His body flopped down on the concrete floor, unconscious. "Two more…" I muttered as my blood trickled from my head wound. "Fuck! Fuck you!" One of them frantically shouted as he tries to stab me with a shard of glass. I tried to evade it, but my left knee suddenly limped. Shit! This isn't the time for me to limp! Fuck! I have to block it somehow!
I felt the glass pierced through my skin and flesh as I used my left arm to shield myself from his attack. I painfully groaned as I tried my best to shrug off the pain. Luckily, my attacker didn't follow it up with another attack. He's wide open! In a split second, I grabbed onto his collar with right hand and landed a devastating headbutt on his nose. His body crashed downwards, unconscious. Fuck. Why did I do that? My vision is getting blurry. My sudden surge of adrenaline is fading away. The immense pain is slowly coming back. Fuck. I have to endure it. I have to endure till I get Yuno out of this. Huh? My body… My body isn't respondi-
Toshii!
Yuno managed to catch me as I toppled backwards. "Y-Yuno… Look at you… your clothes is all folded now…" I muttered as I looked at her teary pink eyes. "Toshii… I'm sorry! I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have listened to them! I… I shouldn't have! They tricked me! They told me that you we're waiting for me here!" Yuno tearfully cried out as her tears landed on my bloody face. Tsh. Are you that gullible, Yuno? Fuck. I'm losing my consciousness… There's still one… I have…to… Huh? The last guy is too scared to move. He's shaking in fear as I gaze at him. Heh. I think I did it. I saved… Yuno…
"Toshii…? Toshii! No… Stay with me!" Yuno tearfully shouted as she tries to keep me awake. I could see my blood staining her deep blue shirt. Those fuckers got me good. They managed to bring me down to this state. I really need to start training again. Serious training… I have a gaping wound on my crown, a broken nose, a shit-ton of bruises, and a stab wound on my left arm. "I'm tired… Yuno… get Akise…" I sluggishly muttered as my eyes slowly closed. "Toshii…?! Toshii… No… Help us! Somebody! Help us!" Yuno tearfully shouted as my consciousness slowly drifts away.
…
I slowly opened my eyes. Huh? I quickly looked around. Nothing. I couldn't see nothing. No object, person or anything. There's nothing but the white background surrounding me. Where am I? No… Did I die?
Nah. You didn't. There's no way for you to die like that.
Huh? I quickly turned around. Behind me, was a guy with black, brushed-up hair. I quickly recognized his facial scars. Huh? Wait a minute. Where's his right arm? Did he lost it or something? "You…" I muttered as he smiled at me. "Yo, landlord. Pft. I really wanted to say that. I didn't know that it sounded cool." He said with a chuckle. "You… You were the one who saved me, right? You saved once again!" I stated. "Geez. No I didn't. I just gave you the push. It was all you who took down those wannabe punks." He replied with a sigh. "Me? No… I was…" "Believe me. You don't go down that easily. Heck, even if you lose an eye or an arm, you'll still come back and fight. You're a fighter, Toshiro." He stated with a reassuring smile on his face.
"Wait. Who are you?! Why do you look like me?! Are you a hallucination?!" I frantically asked him. After hearing my question, he suddenly started laughing. "Seriously, does that even matter anymore? You don't need to know, Toshiro. You don't need to know someone like me who's already fading away. Besides, I'm dead. The girl that I fell in love with is also dead. I might as well reunite with her in the afterlife, if there's one. I bet Yuno's waiting for me there..." He replied as he tries to stop himself from laughing. "Huh? Fading away? Yuno's waiting for you?! What are you talking about?!" I asked him once again. "Not this world's Yuno. It's... right. Murmur erased my entity before, so that means I don't exist outside this world... Tsh. Anyway, I already decided, Toshiro. I'll erase myself and my memories from your head. With that, you could finally live out my dream without anything holding you back." He replied. Huh? What the hell is he talking about? I couldn't understand anything!
"Your dream? What dream?" I asked him. "It's simple; a normal life for Hiriyama, Toshiro and Gasai, Yuno. Heh. I'm not used saying Hiriyama. Heck, it doesn't sound good. I think Nohiru is far better." He replied with a chuckle. Nohiru? "What the hell? What are you talking about?" I frantically asked him once again. "Come on, Toshiro. If you're really that curious, go answer this on your own. I already gave you enough clues, right? I told you, it doesn't matter. Once I finally erased myself, you wouldn't remember me and my memories anymore." He replied with a sad tone in his voice.
"Just answer me. Please. I just want to properly-"
Nohiru. Nohiru, Toshiro.
Huh? Toshiro? We share the same first name? "I… remember now. I'm you, in another world. From a second world to be precise. A world where I had to take the path to ruin. A world where I killed my own friends and brother to achieve my selfish dream. A world where me and Yuno can't be together." He stated as he faintly smiled at me. The heck? Am I hearing this correctly? "I'm pretty sure you're stunned and confused, but what I'm saying is the truth. I don't have much time left. This is the last we'll ever talk to each other." He stated with a sad smile on his face.
"I… I… Thank you… Thank you for giving me this chance…" I muttered as my tears started to fall from my eyes. Huh? Why am I crying? "Pft. You're such a crybaby, you know that? Heh. You're a good kid. Wait. Why did I call you a kid? By now, we're both 16. Well, I died when I was 16 years old, but never mind that. Cherish every moment, ri-"
Toshii!
Yuno? That was Yuno's voice! "Tsh. That's it then. She's calling you back. Take care of her, alright? Don't be too hasty. Leave her happy end for the wedding." He stated with a sigh. "Wait! Please! I still have man-" "I told you earlier, right? It doesn't matter. Besides, it's better for you not to know any details. Heh. Don't worry. If this is my purpose, my role, and my fate, then I'll accept it. I'm okay with this…" He stated as his body slowly starts to vanish into the white background.
See ya around, Hiriyama, Toshiro. Take care.
…
Toshii! Wake up!
Huh? Yuno? I slowly opened my eyes. Everything's so blurry… Hm? We're still in the storage room…? Tsh. I can't move my body. I could only slightly open my eyes too…
Gasai-san! Toshiro-kun!
Akise? What took you… I need… to say something…
No! Get away! Don't touch Toshii!
Huh? Yuno…? The heck… are you talking about…? That's Akise…
Gasai-san?! What are you saying?! We have to bring Toshiro-kun to the hospital! We-
No! No one touches him but me! I won't let anyone hurt him again!
Yuno…
I'll protect Toshii! I won't cower in fear anymore! I'll protect him with my own life! Toshii… Toshii is mine! He's all mine!
Huh…? Should I be… happy or what…? Tsh. Yuno… I see… Akise is right. I mean the world… for her…
Hm… Too tired. I'll rest for… a bit…