Chapter 2: Lights Turn On

Kamatari walked along the curb of the street, blissfully watching the metal beasts of modern technology pass him by. He hummed a couple of lines from an old nursery rhyme and tried to shake himself awake. He rubbed his eyes and saw a fair, light-skinned child of seventeen, running towards him. Kamatari waved his hand as the child and called out, "Yo Jacob!" Jacob ran checked for any more of those mechanical beasts before he quickly dashed across the black river.

Jacob had wavy brown hair that glistened in the sun that complimented his strong, 180 centimeter tall body. Though every part of him was equal to that of a model, his eyes were the one accessory that could force people away from him. They looked as if they use to be bright green, but now were obscured by a thick glass. It was as if the glass was protecting him from the past.

Never the less, he attended the same school as Kamatari and enjoyed things as any other healthy young boy might. Jacob had a thick British accent whenever he spoke Japanese which exponentially rose his allure with the women even more. Though he seemed to pursue carnal pleasures a little too much, he was, in fact, an Akihabara; a man who believed pictorial versions of women were much better than the physical kind. He considered himself an intellectual, a young renaissance man who chose to go overseas in order to expand his knowledge. As an explanation for being an Akiba-kei, he repeatedly stated that he was more immersed in Japanese culture than other Japanese people.

It was three years ago that Kamatari met Jacob at school. Though initially, they made little contact, Kamatari realized that Jacob came to school from the same direction as himself. Jacob rode the same train and even went to a few of Kamatari's favorite places. After a few days, Jacob introduced himself.

"Wat- Watash-a… e… Jacob. (Watashi-wa Jacob is what he's trying to say)" Because Jacob's Japanese was seriously unpolished, he was unable to say anything intelligently. By chance, Kamatari was taught-, no forced to learn Japanese, German, and English because of Rin, that unlovable wench.

"Yo, you're American aren't you." Kamatari said in perfect English.

Jacob smiled, "Oh, you speak English? That's great. I couldn't find someone I could understand."

"Yeah. Aren't you in the same class as me?"

"Yes, oh and I'm British, not a Yankee."

"A Yankee?"

"Never mind."

Ever since that day, Kamatari and Jacob went everywhere together. The mall, the movies, even a trip to the mecha of otakus, Akihabara. That is to say that it was then Jacob found out he was an Akihabara and it was then that he truly wanted to know Japanese. No matter how impure Jacob's reasons were, Jacob did learn Japanese fluently thanks to Kamatari. They were always together, no matter how different they were.

Jacob ran up to Kamatari placed a firm hand on Kamatari's shoulder. Jacob asked, "Hey, are you going to do that thing before school again?"

Kamatari nodded and pointed to the nearby cemetery. Kamatari traversed over the land of broken bodies and across Styx. The ground smelled of morning dew and death. There was always something creepy about the land of the dead. The numerous bodies strewn about that seem peaceful enough to be sleeping. What a rude awakening that would be if they awoke from their slumber at any time. Kamatari paid a single coin to a incense seller and walked to a stony grave. Across the stone were the words engraved, "Kazu Akira." Kamatari never really got the chance to see his father, but according to Rin, his father was one of the most honorable men around. Kamatari believed that to be a lie because Rin never visited the grave once. Kamatari visited the grave not out of honor, but respect for the man who gave him life. The shadows reflected off the words that gave shade to the bristling plants growing from the borroms of hell. In the center of the grave laid an empty picture frame, a broken window that had been obscured through age. Most likely, it held a picture of Kamatari's family at one point, but that all disappeared. As Kamatari knelt down for the man he only heard of, Jacob knelt down besides Kamatari. Jacob knew even less about this man, but for his friend, he would be the support Kamatari needed.

Kamatari finished up and looked at his watch. There was just enough time for the two of them to get to school. School was something that the two of them looked forward to, but it was just one of the them that looked forward to after school.

The problem with Jacob's allure was that right after school, girls would swarm him. To Kamatari, school was the center of learning. To Jacob, it was the center of hell. Another problem that arose was that Mizuki was part of their class. Her full name? Mizuki "Iron Man" Suzuki. She was the most infatuated by Jacob and most likely the largest girl in all of Japan. She was capable of benching over three hundred pounds and competed in wrestling.

As soon as the bell rung, Jacob made a mad dash for the exit, only to be stopped by Mizuki. The size difference was appalling. 180 centimeters never matched around two meters. Jacob backed up in fear, but he was surrounded by his other fans.

"Kamatari! Help!"

Kamatari was ready to jump in save Jacob like he had done countless times, but Mizuki knew better. She stood in between the two of them and towered over Kamatari. His voice squeaked. Kamatari thought that he would also be an Akiba-kei too if he had to see that face every day. In the wall of banshees Kamatari made out a single arm, crying for help. Kamatari knew he had to pull out his trump card.

"Mizuki, look! An all you can eat buffet."

Mizuki turned to look through the window and Kamatari dashed into action. He jumped on top of Mizuki's shoulders, then somersaulted through the air. He landed right in the center of the circle then he grabbed Jacob's arm. He managed to pull Jacob out, but things were not looking good.

Jacob struggled to say, "Leave me behind. It's too late for me."

Kamatari valiantly responded, "Never! We're comrades! We'll always be together."

"My- My time is up. They've got me."

"Jacob? Jacob! Noooooo! Why?"

Kamatari let go of Jacob's hand and walked away. The mass of girls pulled Jacob's body slowly into the masses. Kamatari used the wall as support and cried for his friend.

"I was too late."

It was hours later that Kamatari saw Jacob once more. He looked like a skeleton.

Jacob muttered out, "They're succubae… all of them! That's why- that's why-," Jacob closed his eyes and pumped his fists into the air, "I'll be an Akiba-kei forever!"