A few minutes later.
(Near a park.)
An ample serving of golden sunlight showers down, almost no clouds dare defy its reign over the sunny skies. Feeling it coating my everything, I breathe in the freshness before starting my walk towards the nearby park. All around, there is only the pleasant and stable rhythm of a peaceful world. No hurried steps, plentiful background noise decorating in all variables of the tunes, and a fresh wind that rushes under the sparkling skies of summer.
Unlike the other side, there's no grip of oil in the air. Warmness from the sunlight rebounds off the lightposts and bins, tags along my back as I pick up speed and hit the ground with my heels, from walking to a light jog.
It's frankly giving me a weird vibe, this stroll. On one hand, I recall living like this for… well, forever. This is just 'normal', what it always has been. The usual rush of a few cars that are late for work, the rising voices in scolding of mothers that are taking the little ones somewhere or the other, the eventual chirps of birds ever present. But at the same time, I can vividly remember the oil-stricken scent of the hangars, that also filtered and spread through the hallways. The colder blow of the wind even on summer, the far more frozen expressions of the crew despite a few moments of joking around, the absolute lack of any echoes of life in the background.
Even now as I take in the air as the refreshing cover of wind swirls around me, that odd feel remains poking at my sides. My peripheral vision begins to blur by the stomping of my feet as I begin to properly jog towards the usual route, the park I always rest on.
…Will everything really be alright?
So far Mom and Dad haven't forgotten anything, yet I did not meet with them on the other side. Could that have any effect on a possible leaking of data, if I'm-
No, no, don't start again! Yuuko said you were no longer a conductor, right? So everything should be fine…
"Good morning, Shirogane-kun."
Guh… But the if comes with too many risks. Plus, this sense of foreboding, these cold hands haven't lifted off my shoulders for a single second. Of course, maybe I'm just being paranoid after what happened when I ran away. Completely understandable fear, I say.
But somehow, considering the BETA were in Valgern-On's would-be sequel… I don't know if I can safely say there is no chance nothing will happen.
Slowing down my stride gradually, ending on a fast walk up the steps, the floral scent is quick to reach me. The rows of flowers widen in sight, the benches on the pathway are still empty as always at this hour. Only the wind runs along me, far away from the honks of cars and excited children.
Standing still and looking up, taking in a deep breath and holding it hostage until my heartbeats decelerate, I lose my gaze on the few stretched clouds up above and the gentle chorus of birds. Such a simple yet pleasant quietness. How often do I take the time to stargaze as I used to when I was little?
"This truly is… such a beautiful world."
"Yeah, I can agree to that."
"Yes, it totally- Huh? Ayamine? What- When did you sneak up on me?!" I take a step back, facing the usual deadpan expression.
She extends a hand, nodding once. "Saw you jogging up the steps, was going for a run too so thought to say hi. We usually run into each other here, after all," she says then exhales soft but long, resting a hand on her hip as the other wipes the sweat on her forehead. In her usual running attire of red and black, she simply stands there, staring.
"I see… Didn't notice you at all, huh," I say, nodding and walking off into the park.
"So, how's it going?"
"…Everything's fine. You?"
"All good, too," she takes a few steps forward, tilting her head to gesture me to follow. "Looks like you're finally taking running seriously, though," she says, looking at me top to bottom then smiling and making an OK with a hand.
"What? I've always been serious about it, though?"
"Oh, I meant your form looks more polished and straight than when we bumped other times."
"Well, I guess…" So she still remembers the odd times when we crossed paths here as I went for a run. That's enough proof for now, let's not linger unnecessarily. "I'll take this fork over here, then. Later," I wave back, taking one of the many roads of the park while picking up a bit of speed.
Hitting the ground in earnest, a small tickle of air greets my face as I pick up speed. And yet, mine are not the only footsteps that I can hear.
"…Why are you following me?"
"No reason. Better to run with you than alone. Also," she huffs as she tries to get to my side, her eyes darting up and down for a second, before smiling, "nice."
"W-What?"
"Your running posture looks nice, and I didn't notice you had gotten so buff before. What're you eating?"
"…The usual stuff. Only new thing was egg with oats and honey."
"Oh, you like that too?" she asks, faster than usual, running besides me as we slow down when going up some steps.
"I guess? The idea just kinda popped in my mind, you know," I shrug, shifting my feet to hit my heels on the ground. The impulse humps me forward and gains me speed and a current of air all over me.
And yet I can still hear her trailing my shadow. "That's nice, if I say so myself. But damn," she gasps as she enters my periphery, sweating a fountain over a flushed face in exertion, "when did you get so fast?"
"A few days ago."
"Ha ha, very funny. Guess I had it coming, with how much I mess with you," she chuckles as we take a turn, reaching the inner park filled with rows of flowers.
…No, Kei. I'm being completely serious here. It has literally been only a few days.
"Enough about me, then. How 'bout you? How you doing?" I ask, looping over the circle of flowers back to the park's entrance.
She tracks my every step, never letting my shadow escape her despite the shallow breaths. "Eh, can't complain about anything. Vacation's been nice to me. Can't believe I'm barely keeping up, though," one eye closes as sweat falls onto it, taking in air as she follows. "Seriously, what's the secret?"
Sigh… Guess she ain't gonna let me go, huh. Decelerating a bit and giving my heels a rest, I simply shrug. "There's no secret, only training."
And getting launched into the stratosphere on a daily basis. By you, to be precise.
"Really now?" she asks, low.
"I mean, yeah?"
"…Then, where did the sudden lean physique came from?" she inquires, clashing her stare onto mine, shoulders almost bumping. "Any pills on your diet?"
"Oh, shit. Not this again…"
"Hm? Again?"
"Look, my mom already chewed me out about that too. And no, there's no meds involved."
"I see…" she simply says, staring. Before giving a small smile as the sunlight frames her features from behind. "Nice to see you taking your health seriously."
A tickle raises in my gut, can't help but to look away. "Come on, it's just normal."
"It wasn't before. So, glad my advice took root in that thick skull of yours," she nods solemnly, placing a hand below her neck. "Basically, you owe me a yakisoba sandwich."
"Sigh… How did it come to that?" Not surprised, though. Next thing I know she's asking for a picnic with only those sandwiches.
Hmm… That sounds… nice. Well, it's like what we used to do back at the base, when we got leave to rest on the hill. Simply laying on the grass, against one another, with the stars as our cover as we simply ate and chilled on the night after a good jog. And my daily sendoff to outer space whenever I tried to outdo Kei in our bouts.
Even now, running right besides me, just as we used to. Strangely enough, back then she smiled more, probably due to our closeness. But there is a softness to her features here, despite the usual tilt forward as she runs, unblinking and calm despite the incoming cloak of heat.
"Hm? Is there something on my face?" she asks, noticing I was staring.
"Yeah, your eyes, brows. And a lot of sweat."
"Well, your fault we're running so fast," she complains, brows furrowing as she again wipes her forehead. "You mind taking five?"
"I mean… we can just part ways here and-"
"I insist," she says, holding the sleeve of my shirt, tugging and making the threads constrict around me.
"Sigh… Fine," I shrug, gradually stopping before this shirt meets the same fate of my good old partner.
Taking out a bottle, I shower my face before drinking some. Thankfully Mom is out working, because if she saw how this shirt is mimicking the fortified suit she'd tear my ear and drag me to the shopping right away.
Right besides, Kei is hunched forward as she slowly drinks from a bottle as well. Completely coated in sweat, her own running clothes are… also mimicking the suit. To think a day would come when I'd be able to push Kei to her best, and manage to outdo her too. A small consolation after all the fuckups, but your tutoring was not pointless, squad of my first loops. I can finally beat you in our trainings. Only took me a vault of green mushrooms to meet your expectations, but I did it.
"What? Like what you see?" Kei teases, closing an eye and giving a little hop while returning herself upright.
"…I won't say no and insult you, but also no, that wasn't what I was thinking about. Kinda crazy we can run together without you holding back on me."
"Well, must be due to…" her eyes veer down, lips regress inward, "this lean build of yours," she says, poking my chest. "You trying to showoff, putting on a small shirt?" she asks, winking.
"Sigh… No, just don't have any that fit me well enough anymore, is all."
"Hmm… So this is how you trashed the guards at the salon, huh," she says, low, folding her arms and diving into my gaze like a hawk, talons out to shine. "I didn't believe the maid back then, but seeing you now I guess I can imagine how you'd be able to stand your ground in a fight."
"I, well… It was more anger at the situation than anything, okay? I ain't proud of what I did back then," nodding, I look away, taking a few steps from her.
She quickly follows after, almost breaching my personal space and not letting go of my sight like an angry crab. "Can you explain why you ran away then?"
"…Do I really have to?"
"I'll count to ten so that you can gather your thoughts," she says, eyes closed as she nods to herself.
"Come on, don't-"
"One. Two…"
"Sigh… There really-"
"Ten," she says, eyes closed as she again pokes my chest. "Speak."
"Come on, now," I raise a brow, she leans forward and gives me a silent stare, and remains like that. "…Look, I just think it's for the best that I keep my distance from her, you know? Being close to me will bring problems her way, and I don't know if there's anything I can actually do against those ripples," I affirm, looking back into her eyes and hoping the honesty and half-truth will work.
And for a moment, she says nothing. Basked in the sun, Kei watches me. As a soft gust runs through the park and ruffles her short hair, she smiles and pats my shoulder.
"You could have told us you wanted to shield Mitsurugi, you know?"
"Huh? Ah, no, it's not-"
"We're all in the same boat. You ain't the only one that got into fights thanks to the stupid assholes talking shit about her," she fumes from her nose like a bull, stepping back and running a hand through her hair. "But while I get and agree with how you acted against those security jerks, you could have met with her and told her that face to face."
"…It ain't so easy. There's stuff I," I cannot tell her or anyone. You wouldn't understand, they'd send me into isolation if I start babbling about what happened over there.
"Hey, Shirogane?" she asks, kicking the dirt and looking down.
"Yeah?"
"Remember the lacrosse match, when you started shouting at us?"
"Oh, how could I forget?" I roll my eyes, she chuckles. "Yeah, I only meant to get you guys in shape, is all. You still think of that?" I ask, stealing a look her way.
She nods slow but firm, not looking away nor losing luster in her features. "Of course I remember. What a way to end the year, right?" she chuckles, can't help but to join in.
Well, at least her memories seem safe for the time being… "Yeah, it was quite the crazy sendoff. Didn't think that'd spiral into-"
Wait… How did the lacrosse match end again? We won it… Right?
Rubbing my forehead as I take a deep breath, looking up into the sun, none of the warmth reaches me. Two images overlay in a colorless reflection, shouts of victory and joy or those of worry and scorn. Spinning and melting, the ball raises through the air, in the direction of a pair of players. Both in slow and fast motion, one playback has the net assaulted by our strike, the other ends up with a group of people surrounding a wounded player.
What the hell is- Am I daydreaming again? But this is- my world wasn't-
"Hey, what's wrong?" Kei asks, patting my back.
The sinking feeling fades, exhaling the shout I'd swallowed. Blinking fast, color returns to my sight. The veil of sweat over me, the choking hold of the shirt, and Kei's narrow and firm stare planted on me.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just… was hard, recalling that."
"Oh, yeah… It did end nicely, but the way there wasn't pleasant. We do owe it to Suzumiya, for clearing things up."
…Right. In this life, our lacrosse match ended in our victory. Just like I always remembered it being. But, for some reason, near the end of the match, Akane collapsed. While at first people thought it was exhaustion, it turns out she had smacked herself when trying to block the combo between Kei and Chizuru that won us the match but kept playing despite the pain.
…And according to these swirling tides on my head, that ain't normal.
So, we either win fair and square or Akane gets injured. So there are other roads of my home world? But then, what happened on each outcome? No, wait, if the injury was a mirrored outcome-
"Honestly, I never thanked you for that, did I?" she says, shrugging with a smile. "You kept looking after Sakaki, kept chasing after me to make sure we weren't getting any weird ideas. Even took the blame in front of Zoe-san and the other teachers."
"…Well, placing you on the team was my idea and I chased after Chi- Sakaki on my own accord."
Sharp yet slow pain below my ears. The slow rocking of rain, the melody of a storm plays out close by. Under that sound, a low snoring comes through from the one resting on my- Wait, this isn't-
A small, rundown house. A finger doing circles, aiming at my nose. Not in a uniform, but on casual clothes.
Did I… was there such a future available to me here?
Kei chuckles, bringing me back to reality as she paces to sit on a bench. "Honestly, I can't believe you still took my word and kept up with my bullshit back then. I… never truly apologized, for almost getting you into an accident. Sorry," she gives me a short nod, messing with her hair.
And that same face, the slow and sincere bow, the curl of her lips, a perfect mirror to the other world. But thinking about that only…
Running, not on the hill, but on a park. A park that looks exactly like this one, a back I cannot reach under taunts and one liners. A bottle that's offered along a smile cloaked in sunlight, as a small set of barks run circles around us both.
A small dog running off. Weightless pain, eternal darkness, numbness in my legs as they burn to climb a set of stairs. And two people await above, two people arguing about their future as I intrude to say my piece before fainting into the floor.
"I-Gulp…Well, I only did what… I felt was right. It was my formation that caused Akane to get injured, and I insisted on having you on the team. So it's cool, for real. You don't gotta apologize, Kei."
"…Kei?" she asks, staring straight ahead into my eyes.
"Hm? Ah… I mean, I, uh, sorry, bad habit," I quickly wave my hands as Chief Yoroi does, taking a step back. "So, uh, right, by the way, how's the little dog?"
"Oh, Valor is just fine. Today was too hot so I left him home," she tells with a small smile, giggling. "If I don't, he'd follow me here like always."
"Good for him… But I still can't believe you named that little dog after the guy from Furiae."
"Well, not all of us praise our overlord and savior, the Chuchi," she smirks, faking a bow. "But don't dodge the issue, Shirogane," she asserts, pointing a finger my way. "We all learned to truly work together back then, right? To not assume stuff without talking things out, to have the patience to not snap when others can't find the words. Me and Sakaki are on good terms now because of your meddling, but just 'cause you had to do that alone doesn't mean you gotta try this alone too."
"…What are we talking about again?"
"Mitsurugi was waiting, you know," she sighs, shoulders slumping. "We were all shocked when the maid came back, yeah, but seeing her expression at the news you fought the guards and left was like… I dunno, it gave me the creeps," running her hands over her forearms in slow motion, both eyes close for a second. "And I think we both know that we didn't get immediately expelled for the stunts we pulled back then in no small measure thanks to her support. So," nodding again, she gives a thumbs up, "whenever it is you gather the balls to reach out again, don't leave us out of it. We're all on her side."
I sigh, sitting besides her on the bench and looking up. "…You say that, despite the issues it would bring to connect herself with me? You do remember what was of my neighborhood back then, do you?"
"I still think your choice to support both me and Sakaki despite everything was correct," she says, patting my shoulder. "And if you're thinking you're a source of problems for her then, why did she come to the meetup?"
"It's not like I don't see what you're getting at, it's just… There's more to it than that, I guess."
"And this too," again poking my shoulder, she gives me a sideglance. "With this down mood you're in it's obvious there's something eating at you."
"Really?"
She nods, raising a hand and curling a finger. "I mean, you haven't done any of your stupid puns," she curls another, furrowing her brows, "nor made any rhymes, nor joked at all, or boasted about how you're faster than me, and didn't even react to the teasing," she says, finishing her finger count and again bouncing 'em a bit for effect. "See? You ain't even flinching. You're being weird, Shirogane. Sure you ain't sick?" she smiles, tapping her forehead.
"I try being serious and this is what I get? Come on, you don't really want me to start acting like a brat again, do you?"
"Well, no, but it is weird. But you are Weirdogane, so maybe this is just another Wednesday for you," she nods upwards, still smiling.
"For real? To hell with you, Kei. Fine, if that's what you want I'll just revert to my old self from two years ago and make you all suffer again."
"Please don't, I was kidding," she pleads with another exaggerated and large bow, swaying a hand too.
"Make up your mind, will you? Don't call me Weirdogane when I'm trying to speak my mind here."
"You're always Weirdogane, though. Today more than usual."
"…Say that again, you punk."
"Weirdogane," she almost yells it, puffing her chest even.
"Gah… Forgot who I was talking with for a sec there… Sigh. Heh… Hehe, guess from your point of view I am being odd, yeah," I look up, chuckling a bit.
Can't exactly blame Kei, I am not making much sense and have no excuses to offer on why I ran away from the tournament. Couple that with my soldier build and my attitude, and it is fair to be labeled as Weirdogane again. Though, it is kinda odd to get the nickname here for acting seriously when on the other side she gave it to me for being a jester and never ending my puns.
She laughs too, curling some hair behind her ear as she looks up. "I ain't demanding explanations. But when you sort out your stuff, make sure you tell Mitsurugi she can count on us, too. And the same goes to you," she says, lightly punching my shoulder.
"…Thanks, really. But it ain't so simple as just going up and talking things out."
"I could tell, going by the glances she stole at the doorway all the time."
"What? Was she-"
"Waiting for you, yes. So don't keep her waiting, and get your mind made up. Anything we could help with?" she asks, standing from the bench.
"Nah, you already did enough."
Now I know she too isn't suffering from any leaks. Though I'll have to wait and see if she doesn't forget this talk, I know Kei will try and poke me for an answer later. And, albeit odd, she also let me see the tree in the forest. I hadn't noticed I remembered two outcomes of the lacrosse match.
…Much less those brief flashes of what I assume were me and Kei or Chizuru being together in this world. Just on how on Earth did I get through Kei's skull in this world? Up until that car almost sent me into the ICU she was flipping me in the air like a ball. Maybe that had something to do with it, if I hadn't backed out like I did in this world? Just what was I doing, climbing those stairs? Ugh, can't recall… Dammit.
Standing and brushing my knees, a deep breath clears me again and I return her stare. "For now, this talk was enough. I'll try and stay on the lookout for… an answer to my doubts, but I think it'll take me a while."
"Got it. Just don't let wariness turn to stillness. Thinking things through is nice and all, but don't let that turn into an escape route for you."
"Personal experience?"
"Yeah," she shrugs, smiling again as she kicks the air. "It was what you helped me with back then."
"Back then? You mean-"
Ah, right. Sagiri.
"I also had some… unfinished business with someone back then," she whispers, again folding her arms, facing away from the sun, burying her sight on the flowers. "So I guess I can kinda see why you're looking so hesitant, it's never easy to deal with this kinda thing when, well, there's a troublesome mix in between the feels."
"…Well, yeah. Thanks, Kei."
"Again, it's nothing. Just returning the favor, sir," she tells in unneeded solemnity, with another slow and overblown bow. "So, wanna keep running?" she asks, pointing her thumb to the road of the park.
…Will it be fine? To linger near her, wouldn't this affect her memories down the line? Can I simply handwave it away? I mean, Tsukuyomi-san didn't forget me when I ran away. But If I stay close, the one who pays the price if something goes wrong is her. In a horrible fashion at that. So far there hasn't been any indication leaks are in effect, so maybe Sensei was right and everything is fine but…
"Feeling tired?" she asks while wiping her forehead again.
"No, it's… I mean, can we?"
"We've been running together whenever we meet here so, why not? Wanna see if you running like that was a fluke or not. I mean, you were almost stumbling over your own feet just a few months ago," she cheers, lightly hitting her wrist on her forehead in imitation of the times when I smacked myself and ate dirt when trying to keep up, both here and there.
If she still remembers and ain't forgetting… then there is no risk, right Sensei? Just this one time will be fine, right?
"Gulp… Well, if you don't mind."
"Come on, where's your usual spunk?" she ask, again punching my shoulder. "Tell you what, if you outrun me again I'll let you see 'em," she smirks, giving another little bounce.
"…You ain't just a pair, Kei. There's more about you than just your rack," I scold, shaking my head slowly.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Like all of your different recipes of yakisoba, your attention to details, how attentive but harsh you tend to be. And those one-liners I just keep ramming headfirst into all the time. I don't hang out with you just because you look good," sighing, I run a hand on my hair and push my fringe backwards for a while. "I get the joke to try and get me to react, but you just had to taunt me with being slow or something. Also," looking up and away, I scratch my head, "I'm only human, so please don't tempt me," much less with the same words she used over there, even after trying to cheer me up too.
Kei looks down, silent for a few seconds, lightly scratching a cheek. "Well, if you can keep yourself in check in front of the offer then you'll be fine, I guess," she says, shrugging despite the downwards tilt of her smile. "So, up for another run?"
"Yeah… Yeah, I guess."
With a shared nod, we again run through the daylight and rows of flowers with the melody of chirps as our sole company. Despite that, she's still trying to match my pace to the point I gotta consciously not stomp my heels.
With a slow sigh and a long burst of air from her nose, Kei fires a small glare my way. "Damn… What did you do to get this stamina?"
"I went to the military."
"Heh, you won't catch me with that. Tamase almost believed it, though," she chuckles, finally catching up. "But…"
"Yeah?"
"…You look nice with your hair long like that."
"Wh- Damn you, stop it with the teasing." And stop using her words on me, too. Don't tempt me, Kei, please.
"Heh, funny how that makes you get red and not the running!" smirking my way, in a blur she speeds past me like a dragster. Short of slowing down, her shape remains ahead as the rhythm grows into a pattern instead of a sudden rush.
Like a gazelle, never faltering in her way forward even if it is to smack herself into a wall. And never wanting to be second to anyone, even on the silliest things like on the food competition here and the lunch they won after our mock battle. Always willing to pull me to my feet, without actually shoving my back or anything. Never outright saying it, yet always with an eye on me.
"…Sigh. Business as usual with you, honey."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"That I hope you don't regret challenging me!"
Mirroring the smirk, I return to my old pace that's forged into my bones by the scolding of Marimo-chan, letting the fire surface once more. And while for a second she gapes again, the sun would grow jelly of the blaze in her eyes as she raises instead of folding, storming after my faint shadow.
Hehe, it truly is business as usual with you. Thanks, Kei.