The blaring sound of the alarm clock echoed through the room, a certain thin arm reached out and silenced the noise. His red eyes blinked open, taking a moment to adjust to the dim morning light filtering through the curtains. As his consciousness fully returned, a sense of familiarity settled in; a sensation he had come to know all too well.
Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. There was no point in lingerie. But no reason to do anything either. He knew exactly what the day would bring; the same routines, the same activities, and the same fights.
He sat idly on the side of the bed, weak grey lights washed all over him. A shadow cast across his face. There was nothing in his mind. Nothing to think of. Just a silent, blank world.
His delicate bony fingers glided across the crisp white sheets. How frail they seemed. They ran through his long, unkempt white hair as he held his head back and closed his eyes.
"What should I do today?" He mused to himself, as he stood up, stretching the last fragments of his sleep away. He heads straight for the door, stuffing both his hands into his pockets after opening the door.
The sky is bright today, he couldn't see any clouds. The singing birds were loud for once. He hummed and jumped over the railing, landing safely on his foot. A gust of smoke settled like a ripple on water.
He heaved a mouthful of air. "Another day, here it goes." He mumbled under his breath, moving straight towards the alley.
His feets navigate themselves through the shadow of the walls whilst his mind wanders aimlessly. Numerous thoughts filled his head, still wondering what he could do to redeem himself for the clones.
Any acts that instilled positivity is good enough. But it was to make sure that the attempts were genuine and not half-assed recycled bullshit were the real challenge.
Maybe consulting Yomikawa was inevitable after all, he thought with a grimace mixed with a faint smile. His ears picked up the sounds of the cars and chattering masses.
The lights from the end of the alley blinded him for a split second even though he wasn't even halfway from reaching it. Wasn't it usually a bit dimmer? Was he a bit too slow with his pace? Has he gotten here a bit too late?
He frowned. He must've idled a bit too long. Damn his raging feelings to hell. "Whatever, I wasn't supposed to see her until noon anyway." He murmurs to himself.
He grumbled curses before entering the stream of people. Yep, he's already too late. It wasn't supposed to be this crowded until half an hour into the loop.
So no meeting with those three today then. 'Which would mean…' his eyes narrowed. Kuroko's hurt in this timeline then. He sighed again. Somehow he had a feeling that he'll be doing that a whole lot today.
Maybe he'll indulge himself with a bunch of coffees while he wallows in her pain. Yeah, sounds like a plan for sure. He was sure there was a vending machine somewhere around the corner behind him.
The machine stood out, making it very easy to spot. After bribing a certain employee kid who works at a flower stand into giving him one of their baskets, he began digging in whatever changes he has in his pockets.
Surprisingly, he found none. He hummed in confusion. He was sure he had about ¥2000 coins worth in his pocket. He'd also given cash to the kid at the flower stand. So where did his changes go?
Something tugged the back of his shirt. He turned around to see two black hairs, both differ in length. The shorter one is decorated with a crown made of flowers. Ruiko and Uiharu.
"Yo!" Ruiko greets casually. Uiharu just bowed her head. He tilts his head. This never happened before. His spacing causes Ruiko to pout. "Don't tell me you've forgotten us already."
His mind lagged.
Ruiko let out an exasperated sigh, slumping her body in exaggeration. "Jeez, not only are you grumpy in the body, you're also one in the head, huh?" She straightens herself. "It's me! Ruiko! Can't you at least remember my name, Accel-san?"
His eyes widened. His heart skipped a beat, and his mouth opened agape. "What… Did you just...?" He speaks almost in disbelief. Did he hear wrong? Or is he dreaming?
The girl deflates a bit. "Ah, sorry, I guess I crossed the boundary a bit too quickly. My mistakes, Accelerator-san."
Again, he flinched. His breath picked up. He blinked, rubbing his eyes to see if he was seeing wrong. Nothing changed. He slapped himself. Nothing. Pinching his arms. Also nothing.
The two girls stared at each other before looking back at him. "Is… something the matter, Accelerator?" It was Uiharu who said that. That name again.
This isn't funny at all.
"Uiharu," he called her out, perhaps a bit too loud as she flinched. But he didn't care. Not now. He walked closer. Ruiko puts a protective hand around, holding the albino gently by the torso, keeping the distance between her friend and him.
His gaze moves toward Ruiko. She too flinched, this one by his hardened gaze.
"Ruiko."
"Y-yes?"
"Hit me."
There was a pause. "Eh."
"Do it." He bent down towards her reach. This only caused even more confusion to the two girls. "Hit me. If I'm still here then this isn't a dream."
"W-what do you mean? W-why would you be dreaming?" Uiharu hesitantly, her voice shaky, unsure if she should accept his demand.
This has him contemplating their words for a while. There was pain in his eyes, evident. A tormented expression forced itself onto his face. The two girls watched him, noticing the various emotions present.
With a steeled will, Ruiko mustered whatever power she could. She bawled her hand just by her waist, launching it straight towards his jaw. Hitting him square in the face with all the force she had.
The albino fell on his back. Ruiko yelped, her eyes widened in shock. Uiharu released a small gasp. "Holy fuck! What is wrong with you?!" Uiharu yells at her companion.
The world darkens for the albino. The last thing he recalls was Uiharu's worried look and the feeling of being elevated.
…
He woke up to a world of pain. His jaw felt like they'd been crushed with a boulder. He winces in pain as he gets up from the soft spot.
He was blinded by the bright lights up above. He flinched, covering it with his palms. "Finally awake I see." A familiar voice came from his right.
Kuroko stood by the door. "You caused quite the commotion out there." She commented. Walking closer, settling herself on a chair near the couch he lays on. "Ruiko's being chewed by Konori-senpai."
He hummed, he would've liked to speak, but damn, his jaw hurts like hell. "How did you even manage to get her to hit you? Uiharu was swearing too. What exactly did you do?" She crossed her arms.
He readjusted his jaw. He did it a little bit too hard. There was a crack, even Kuroko winced. He could've sworn he saw twinkling lights in his eyes for a second there. He tried moving it. No problem at all.
"What day is today?" The way he said it made sounds as if it was urgent. Kuroko raised an eyebrow. "What day is it. Tell me." He sounds desperate.
The two had a staring contest. It lasted no longer than 3 seconds before she relented, letting out a mouthful of air. "It's Wednesday, jeez."
When the words were registered in his head, his body grew weak. His back collapses onto the soft fabrics again. His eyes were open, yet the lights didn't seem to be blinding anymore.
A let out whatever air was left in his lungs before letting a new one inside. For once his breath doesn't stagnate. He could breathe.
His vision blurred. His breathing is shaky.
"You okay?" Kuroko asked. There was clear concern in her voice. "Did it still hurt? I can get you something to ease the pain."
"No, thanks." His voice is slightly cracked. A smile that reveals his teeths donned his face. "I'm feeling good actually."
For the first time, something bubbles in his chest. A quiet laughter escaped his mouth. A genuinely positive and contagious one, that even Kuroko smiled and giggled.
The shackles had been released, no longer bound him to the eternal prisons of time.
He is at last, free.
P.S. This one took about an hour.
