《The Runaways in Tokyo》


 Xius Academy

    Chapter 1


    Xius Academy


    ¡°Mutter, Mutter, Mutter."


    The people on this train are so loud! Kyo thought to himself. Why didn¡¯t I bring my headphones? Kyo ¡°sighs¡± aloud while looking at himself in the reflection with his black hair and green highlights going around the sides and back with his bangs up. He was about 5 ''8, 16 years of age, and on his way to one of the most prestigious schools, Xius Academy in Tokyo.


    ¡°Look out coming through!¡± A middle-aged man yells while holding a cup of coffee with his right hand.


    ¡°Aaayyy, watch it!¡± Kyo screams angrily at the middle-aged man as he bumps into Kyo, almost spilling all his coffee on him.


    ¡°...Sorry¡­¡± The middle-aged man says to Kyo.


    ¡°You have to be more careful. You almost spilled coffee all over my new school uniform.¡±  The middle-aged man examines the uniform more closely and realizes it''s from Xius Academy.


    ¡°Oh my god¡­I''m so sorry. I really didn''t mean to,¡± the middle-aged man says in a frightened tone.


    ¡°Ah¡­ it¡¯s fine; at least it didn¡¯t get on my uniform.¡± Kyo says to the frightened middle-aged man.


    ¡°Ah¡­ well, I''ll be on my way now, super sorry! To have become an inconvenience to you.¡± the middle-aged man starts to rush off to the back of the train.


    God, what was he in such a hurry for? There''s no reason for him to rush like that with a cup of coffee through many people. Ah, why did I care so much about my uniform? It''s not like it''s anything special. It¡¯s an all-white uniform with a black tie and stars going around the collar.


    Hmm¡­ hey, that''s a girl from Xius Academy to my left. How did I not realize she was there? I was so distracted by that guy that I overlooked her. Whoa, she¡¯s beautiful. She has long blue hair with a long strip braid to the right side of her head, long eyelashes, and perfect blue eyes; she looks about the same height as me, if not a couple of inches shorter, and no nail polish looks like a perfect girl. Maybe I should introduce myself¡­


    Ding! Ding!  ¡°This train has arrived at Xius Academy,¡± the announcer says.


    Ah, we''re already here! Terrible timing. I was just about to introduce myself. -Swoosh- the doors swing open.


    ¡°All students of Xius Academy, please exit the train.¡± The announcer says in a happy voice.


    Ah¡ª- dammit, I missed my chance to introduce myself. I''m sure I''ll see her again, he thinks to himself in disappointment. Alright, well, I''m here, so I''ll worry about that stuff later. Kyo steps off the train and looks at his new school, Xius Academy.


    Kyo steps off the train, and as soon as he does, he feels the calm wind against his ears, the sounds of birds chirping, all the kids talking, and the sun just hot enough that it doesn¡¯t feel like you''re going to die of heatstroke. It was a perfect day.


    ¡°Whoah!¡± Kyo looks up and sees that the school is enormous. Maybe three stories high easily, with tons of windows. But other than that, it was nothing special, to be honest.


    Now that I''m looking around, the girls'' uniforms aren¡¯t different from ours except for the fact that they have to wear a skirt and a black bow tie.


    Ah, I can hear all the other kids excited to start. Just hearing that makes me want to start. Kyo blushes with excitement as he''s about to begin his first year at Xius Academy.


    Alright, let¡¯s go inside. Kyo walks up to the front doors and opens them. As soon as he does, he feels a breeze of cool air surrounding him. Woah, he thinks to himself as he enters the school. It really is enormous! He thinks again to himself.


    Now, I need to figure out which way.to go. Kyo looks around and needs help figuring out which way to go. Maybe I should just ask someone. Over there, I''ll ask him. He is genuinely going in the same direction as me.


    ¡°Hay¡­Umm¡­Hello? Do you, by chance, know where class 1-a is?¡± Kyo asks in a kind voice.


    ¡°Hmm, me¡­ oh yeah, I don''t. I was just asking this kid right here.¡±


    ¡°Oh, really well, does he know the way?¡±


    ¡°UmMmM, YES! I''ll show you guys the way if you''d like to follow me,¡± the kid says nervously.


    If this kid isn''t nervous enough, Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Kyo Ito. It''s very nice to meet you!¡± Kyo bows his head.


    ¡°Hey, Hey, raise your head, man, we''re all cool here. Also, I didn''t know we were starting on first-name bases.¡±


    Kyo blushes.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Also, my name is Inoue,¡± Inoue says, laughing.


    ¡° First or last?¡± asks Kyo


    ¡°Last, like I would give you my first name just upon meeting each other,¡± Inoue says while smiling.


    Aww¡­dang it, I¡¯m already messing up. God, today just has not been in my favor. Well, Inoue seems cool. I would say he¡¯s about the same height as me. His hair is parted down the middle, and he wears glasses. He looks pretty stylish. The other kid is definitely shorter, maybe 5 ¡®6. He has brown hair, and he is super nervous. Oh yeah, I never got the other kid''s name, so let me ask.


    ¡°He¡ª¡± Kyo gets interrupted.


    ¡°So hey, what''s your name?¡± Inoue asks, beating Kyo to the punch


    Huh!  Kyo thinks to himself. That bastard beat me to it. Ah, that''s so unfair, Kyo thinks to himself in defeat.


    ¡°UHhHhH¡ªmy name is¡­ Tadashi Matsuda..¡± He says all nervously.


    This guy is seriously nervous, Kyo thought to himself.


    ¡°AH¡­uM were here,¡± Matsuda says again, although in an even more nervous voice.


    Ah, is he really stuttering now? I guess he''s really nervous. Well, now we''re about to enter the classroom. God, just thinking about it makes my skin go so cold, but I have to push my nerves away and be ready to start my first year at Xius Academy.


    -swoosh- Inoue pushes the door open, and they walk in, ready to start.


    Dang, this class has a lot of kids in it. Kyo turns to the right and sees a class seating chart on the chalkboard.


    Oh, I¡¯m in the back, just two desks away from the door. Uhh, that''s got to be one of the worst seats, Kyo thinks to himself in such sadness. Hm, oh, Inoue sits in the front row far left, right next to the window, and Matsuda sits right behind¡­ him. Ah, that''s so unfair, Kyo thinks, his face squinting, trying to cover his tears of sadness.


    ¡°Dang Kyo, you got a bad seat, man; I pity you,¡± Inoue starts laughing hysterically.


    ¡°It¡¯s not funny. Inoue this is terrible what am I SUPPOSED TO DO!¡± Kyo screams


    -class goes silent-


    ¡°Uhh¡ª I don''t know, man, but that¡¯s your problem,¡± Inoue tells Kyo.


    ¡°Umm, sorry for the disturbance, everyone¡ª¡± Inoue says apologetically to everyone in the classroom.


    ¡°So¡ª we''re going to take our seats now, talk later, Kyo,¡± Inoue says.


    ¡°YeA TaLK LaTEr Kyo,¡± Matsuda says as nervously as ever.


    Ahh, where did that guy get off to? He laughed at me first. God, he¡¯s honestly annoying.


    ¡°YO¡ª you there?¡± someone says to Kyo.


    ¡°WhO Me?¡± Kyo says, shocked and flustered


    I was so zoned out that I didn¡¯t even realize he was there. Kyo thinks embarrassingly to himself.


    ¡°Yes, you obviously¡­ who else would I be talking to.¡±


    AH, this guy doesn¡¯t seem to beat around the bush, but he gets right to it.


    Now that I¡¯m looking at him, he¡¯s definitely taller, maybe 6 ¡®0 tall; he has blonde hair, although it seems dyed, he has a fade going from sides to back, and he puts his bangs up; he also has earrings. Dang, this guy looks really cool and probably already popular with the girls, Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°Um, so my¡­name is Daichi Tanaka. What about you?¡± Tanaka says in a curious tone.


    ¡°OH YEA! My name is Um-Mm-UM Kyo Ito, and it¡¯s okay just to call me by my first name. I would prefer it if you did.¡± Kyo says while blushing.


    ¡°Oh hey, that''s a pretty cool name,¡± Tanaka says with a big smile.


    ¡°Well, I hope we can be friends,¡± Tanaka says in a kind and sweet voice.


    -DOOR OPENS-


    ¡°Alright, class, take your seats.¡± the teacher says


    ¡° Oh shoot, well, I guess I will talk to you later, Kyo. Oh, and I sit in the third row, far left. So if you need anything, just ask.¡±


    ¡°Ok.¡± Thanks says Kyo, who is still mad that he has a bad seat.


    Ah, I guess I should sit down now, Kyo thinks. Huh, it¡¯s that girl I saw on the train earlier. WAIT, WHAT! Kyo starts to go into panic mode. She sits right next to me. Oh, jeez, I didn¡¯t even notice that she was sitting right next to me. Wow, she is just as beautiful as the last time I saw her. Now that I''m sitting near her, she smells really good, almost like flowers.


    BANG!


    Huh, oh, the teacher just dropped a bunch of books on her desk.


    ¡°Alright¡ªclass, let''s start; firstly, my name is Ms. Midorikawa.¡± She says in an exhausted voice.


    Oh, right. I was zoned again, huh? Jeez. I need to focus; after all, I¡¯m at Xius Academy. Oh, she is pretty tall, maybe 6 ¡®1. She has long black hair that she has tied up, and she¡¯s wearing a white coat. She looks kind of cool, Kyo thought.


    ¡°Ok¡­ shall we start with an icebreaker?¡± the teacher says.


    ¡°NoOOOOOOOOOOoo,¡± The class says in Unison.


    ¡°Thought you guys would say that, but we''re still doing it. Anyway, it¡¯s simple: all I''m asking is that you introduce yourself. So who would like to start?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I would!¡± a student stands up.


    ¡°My name is Daichi Tanaka, and I''m pleased to be here! My favorite thing is railguns. I find them very cool, mainly because they shoot with such power.


    ¡°I''ll go next. My name is Inoue.¡± I don¡¯t have anything I like to do,¡± Inoue says calmly but subtly, as if his mind is entirely focused on something else.


    Inoue signals Matsuda to go next.


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    ¡°YeS! My NaMe Is Tadashi Matsuda!¡± Matsuda says very nervously. ¡°My favorite things to do are read manga and play video games,¡± Matsuda says, very panicky.


    Inoue Singles an excellent job with a thumbs-up smiling.


    ¡°Ok, I¡¯ll go next; my name is Hayate Hayashi.¡±


    Ohhh, he seems relaxed, Kyo thinks. He has brown hair, his bangs are up, and he¡¯s also relatively tall, maybe 5 ¡®11.


    ¡°Ok, I''m next. My name is Kiyoshi Ryuko, and it¡¯s very nice to meet you. My favorite thing to do is dress up and look cute.¡± Ryuko says with a sassy voice


    Right to the point, huh? She has blonde hair that is tied back. Oh, and it looks like she has pink highlights at the bottom strands of her hair. She has nail polish on, which looks like they are all in different colors.


    ¡°Ok, me next, my name is Nanako Momo. I also have nothing I particularly do.¡± Says Momo with a calm expression.


    She has brown hair that is cut to about shoulder length, and it kind of resembles the wolf cut in a way. I would say she is about 5 ¡®9".


    ¡°Next, oh wait for me next, please!¡± a girl shouts, standing up.


    ¡°My¡­na¡ªname is Aiko! And I love reading! And uh yeah, very nice to meet you.!¡± Aiko says, all panicky.


    Hmm, her name is Aiko, and that¡¯s not a bad name. Of course, I''m assuming it¡¯s her last name, but I don''t want a repeat of what happened earlier. She also has brown hair and two ponytails, one on her left and one on her right. I would say they are shoulder-length. Oh, she also wears glasses, the same as Inoue. She also talks just nervously, like Matsuda.


    ¡°Ok, I''m next¡­¡± a student says.


    ¡°Ok, I''ll go next¡­¡± another student says.


    ¡°Ok, let me introduce myself¡­¡± another student says.


    -This process repeats until-


    ¡°Hey!... you back there, introduce yourself.¡± Ms. Midorikawa says


    Oh¡­Shit, it¡¯s me; I definitely wasn¡¯t paying attention, Kyo thinks to himself nervously.


    ¡°Oh uH, YEaaas, I¡¯m here!¡± Kyo stands up, blushing in embarrassment.


    ¡°Introduce YOURSELF ALREADY!¡± The teacher screams, obviously annoyed.


    ¡°HahAHAhAhAhHAHAh!¡± The class laughs.


    ¡°O¨COh right, sOrRY!¡± Kyo says, blushing in embarrassment again.


    ¡°My name is Kyo Ito, and it¡¯s very nice to meet you!¡± Kyo bows his head and sits.


    ¡°All¡ªalright next?¡± the teacher says, ready for this to be over.


    Oh, finally, I¡¯ll get to know her name, the girl that I saw this morning.


    ¡°Umm, my name is Mei,¡± she says softly, calmingly.


    Oooooh, she has a charming voice. It''s so soft and welcoming. But it feels too soft like something is wrong. Uhhh, I shouldn¡¯t jump to conclusions. I haven¡¯t even really met her; I just got to know her name, that¡¯s all.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s talk about history.¡± Ms. Midorikawa gets the class started.


    ¡°As you are hopefully aware, Japan has been in isolation for 12 years, and we are not the only one. almost every country is due to the aftermath of the brutal war.¡± Ms. Midorikawa says in a deepened tone.


    That¡¯s right, Kyo thinks to himself, I was born during the war. Everyone here is.


    ¡°Let¡¯s deep dive a little into the war now, shall we.¡± Ms. Midorikawa gets more serious after she says that.


    ¡°First of all, this war started in the year 2044, and as you know, it went on for about ten years.¡±


    ¡°All of you were born during the war, specifically during the year 2051.¡± Ms. Midorikawa says.


    ¡°Now, this war supposedly ended in the year 2055, right? Or so you have been told, but the truth is we''re still kind of at war,¡± Ms. Midorikawa says hesitantly.


    Wait, what? Kyo thinks to himself, "We''re still at war." Jesus, that caught me so off guard. It looks like I wasn¡¯t the only one, though. Just about everyone here was caught off guard. God, I thought my eyes would burst outside of my head from what she just said.


    ¡°I know that probably caught many of you off guard, but that¡¯s the truth. We are still technically at war.¡± Ms. Midorikawa says.


    ¡°Now let''s get to the facts; this war could be described as a blood bath. I mean, billions of people died, about 4.45 billion to be exact. A lot of people died out of the 9 billion population, which is the biggest reason for the global isolation of all countries.¡± Ms.Midorikawa says in a very hardened tone.


    ¡°The countries used a Lot of weaponry in this war spanning from bombs, guns, drones, NUKES, and even railguns.¡± Ms. Midorikawa says with a frown.


    ¡°This war al¡ªalmost ended the world as you know it.¡± Ms.Midorikawa¡¯s face looks in pain as she says this.


    Oh, right, my mom used to tell me stories of how the war was going before I was born. She said the war caused her to lose a lot of loved ones, including her husband and my father.


    I still remember her describing the war to me, her telling me the number of bullets she saw tear right through people, then them falling to the ground dying out, how blood was coming out of them, and how their eyes went lifeless.


    God, I don''t even want to imagine it.


    -DING! DING!-


    ¡°Oh¡­ shoot, I guess I lost track of time. Well, that''s the bell. We will cover more of this history in the next class.¡± Ms. Midorikawa says.


    ¡°Ok, have a good day, Ms. Midorikawa!¡± Tanaka says


    ¡°Yea, have a good day, teacher!¡± Inoue says


    -More of the class says this-


    ¡°Hey man, ready for our next class!¡± Tanaka says as he sneaks up on Kyo.


    ¡°Oh yeah, actually, what is the next class?¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Oh man, it''s AWESOME! We''re going to be using railguns.¡± Tanaka says, very excited


    ¡°Railguns?¡± Kyo asks confused


    ¡°Yea, Railguns!¡± Tanaka says


    ¡°They''re not official railguns, of course, but they''re pretty damn close to the real thing. OMG, I''m so excited just thinking about it.¡± Tanaka says with a massive smile on his face.


    Railguns, that sounds fun, Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°Oop, we¡¯re here,¡± Tanaka says.


    ¡°WHY HELLO THERE!¡± the instructor says with a lot of enthusiasm.


    ¡°Please take your seats if you would.¡± The instructor says.


    ¡°Okay, to get started, my name is Raiden Fujikawa. I¡¯m your instructor for this class,¡± Fujikawa says excitedly.


    Hmm, our instructor is HUGE! Kyo thinks, "I mean, seriously, he is huge, but other than that, he has nothing going on for him." He has normal brown hair that is semi-long. Uhh, is this guy boring?


    ¡°Let¡¯s get started!¡± Fujikawa says.


    ¡°Also, we are not doing introductions here. I already have a roster with your faces, so there''s no need.¡± Fujikawa says.


    Does that mean our other teacher had a roster with our names and pictures as well? What was the point of an icebreaker if you already knew our names?


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get started. First, I will teach you how to use a railgun.¡±


    ¡°To start, the railgun should go to your dominant side, then rest the back on your shoulder and the front end on your arm; of course, it depends on which railgun you use,¡± Fujikawa says seriously.


    ¡°Just think of it like a gun; you have seen how people hold them; it''s pretty much the same,¡± Fujikawa says.


    ¡°Alright, now who wants a demonstration of how to use one!¡±


    ¡°ME!¡±


    ¡°ME!¡±


    ¡°ME!¡¯


    -EVERYONE SAYS ME-


    ¡°Alright, alright, I get it now. Watch and learn, kids! I¡¯m aiming for that target right there with the big red X.¡±


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    ¡°Whoah!¡± The class says in excitement!


    ¡°Dude¡­ he didn¡¯t miss a single shot!¡± Tanaka says in excitement.


    I wish Tanaka could see his face right now. Jeez, he sure is in awe of what just happened. I mean, his mouth is wide open, and I catch myself giggling and smiling. I have to admit, though, that was impressive.


    I guess he isn¡¯t just some boring guy after all.


    ¡°Alright, class, now that you just saw what I did, does anyone have any questions?¡± Fujikawa asks the class.


    -raises hand-


    ¡°Me.¡± a student says.


    Hmm, who is he? Wait, I think I recognize him¡­ Umm, oh yeah, he was in our homeroom class. Ah shoot, I totally don''t know his name, so I zoned out. I guess I¡¯ll ask Tanaka.


    ¡°Hey, Tanaka,¡± Kyo whispers into Tanaka¡¯s ears.


    ¡°What?¡± Tanaka whispers back, confused.


    ¡°What''s that guy''s name?¡± Kyo whispers


    ¡° Oh¡­his name is Shin Aozora,¡± Tadaka says


    ¡°Wait, don''t tell me you seriously weren¡¯t paying attention when they were introducing themselves, jeez man,¡± Tanaka says, teasing Kyo.


    ¡°Mphh.¡± Kyo makes a weird sound as he turns back to the instructor.


    ¡°WhA¡ªWhatever¡­ Thanks, jerk.¡± Kyo says, embarrassed.


    Hmm, so that¡¯s his name, huh? Shin Aozora. I would say he is about my height has blonde hair, and has red eyes. That¡¯s interesting.


    ¡°Yes, I have a question. What railgun model is it?¡± Aozora asks.


    ¡°Oh, the model, huh? The model is X-GHOST. It was made to have a somewhat quick charge speed and mediocre power,¡± Fujikawa says, answering the question.


    ¡°Are there any more questions?¡± Fujikawa says.


    ¡°Umm¡­YeS me I HaVe One.¡± Aiko says quietly, too quietly.


    ¡°Alright, well, if there are no more questions, let¡¯s get started,¡± Fujikawa says, trying to hurry things along.


    ¡°Alright, I want everyone to pair up to start today''s training,¡± Fujikawa says.


    ¡°Hey, bro, do you want to be partners with me?¡± Tanaka says to Kyo.


    ¡°Umm¡­ sure.¡± Says Kyo with a smirk on his face.


    ¡°HEY Matsuda, do you want to partner with me?¡± Inoue asks Matsuda.


    ¡°YeS¡­ iF yOu WoUlDn¡¯T MiNd mE bEIng Your PaRTnEr,¡± Matsuda says, acting shy and very nervous.


    ¡°Hey, wo¡ªwould you like to be my partner, please!¡± Aiko''s cheeks are getting red like apples.


    ¡°Huh, me? Umm, sure, if you wouldn¡¯t mind me as your partner, then sure.¡± Ryuko says with a smile on her face.


    ¡°Um, thanks, Ryuko!¡± Aiko says, sounding very pleased.


    ¡°No problem. Also, could you call me Kiyoshi if you wouldn¡¯t mind?¡± Ryuko says.


    ¡°UuM¡­ I mean, I can if that¡¯s what you want, but are you sure?¡± Aiko says with concern and a little bit of blushing.


    ¡°Yes, that''s what I would like,¡± Kiyoshi says with a very pleased face.


    ¡°So¡­ um, hey, would you like to be partners with me, Mei?¡± Momo asks.


    ¡°Sure,¡± says Mei with a very unserious look.


    ¡°Uh¡­ ok, thank you.¡± Momo grabs both of Mei''s hands and smiles.


    Mei looks away, displeased.


    ¡°OK! Class, let¡¯s get started with today¡¯s lesson.¡± Says Fujikawa.


    ¡°Ok, I want you guys to go get one pistol for the both of you. I don''t care who just do it and make it snappy.¡±


    ¡°Alright, now that you have your pistols, I want you guys to take turns shooting at the target before you. You may now begin,¡± Fujikawa says.


    ¡°Hey, Bro, let me go first, please!¡± Tanaka says, pleading with his hands and showing off his puppy-dog eyes.


    Oh god, he¡¯s pleading and showing his puppy dog eyes. Their sparkling so bright I guess I can¡¯t say no.


    ¡°Sure¡­ go ahead.¡± Says Kyo.


    ¡°THANKS!¡± Tanaka shouts in excitement.


    Tanaka picks up the railgun and adjusts it as the teacher instructs, ready to shoot.


    BANG! BANG!


    He hit the bullseye all three times.


    ¡°Dang man, that¡¯s impressive.¡± Says Kyo in shock.


    ¡°Can I go for another round? Pleaseeee, Kyo?¡± Tanaka asks begging


    ¡°Sure¡­go for it.¡± Says Kyo


    Now that I look around this huge classroom, it¡¯s more like an arena than a classroom. As soon as you enter, you get the seats to your left, kind of like something you would see in a university. Then, to your right, there is a massive space with many targets to practice shooting.


    ¡°Hey, Bro, It¡¯s your turn,¡± Tanaka says.


    Kyo thinks this place is enormous. Man, this school is incredible!


    ¡°HEY¡ª BRO! IT¡¯S YOUR TURN!¡± Tanaka shouts at Kyo.


    ¡°Huh¡­ oops, sorry, man,¡± Kyo says apologetically.


    Jeez, I was zoned out, huh, Kyo thinks to himself.


    Alright, it¡¯s my turn. Let¡¯s see how good I am!


    Kyo takes the pistol from Tanaka and gets ready to shoot.


    Geez, this feels just like the real thing, Kyo thinks to himself as his heart races.


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    ¡°Ahh, I missed the bullseye and by a whole lot, dammit,¡± Kyo says in frustration.


    ¡°Hey man, it¡¯s alright; you just gotta keep working on it, so let¡¯s keep practicing.¡± Says Tanaka, roaring to keep going.


    That gives Kyo the motivation to get better.


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    ¡°Whoa," says Matsuda, "that is impressive. You hit the bullseye every time,¡± says Matsuda with a shocked face.


    ¡°It¡¯s not big of a deal.¡± Says Inoue.


    ¡°Yes, it is dude, that¡¯s super cool.¡± Says Matsuda with a pouting face.


    ¡°It¡¯s not, I just grew up this way.¡± Says Inoue with a sorrowful look on his face.


    ¡°Nice shot!¡± Says Aiko with a proud face.


    ¡°You really think so? I mean, I only hit one bullseye while you hit all three of yours.¡± Says Kiyoshi


    ¡°No, I mean it, you did a good job!¡± Aiko says with a pouting face.


    ¡°Whatever you say. But you better not be saying that to pity me, understand.¡± Says Kiyoshi, slightly blushing to herself.


    Kyo glances at Mei to see how she is doing.


    Huh? What¡¯s happening over there? They seem like they are arguing.


    ¡°AHhh, come on, Mei, you have to give it a shot, please. For Momo?¡±


    ¡°Nope, I won¡¯t,¡± says Mei with no hesitation.


    ¡°COME ON! Let¡¯s get that gloomy look off your face already and try!¡± Says Momo with frustration in her voice.


    Momo tries forcing her to shoot by trying to put the gun in her hand, and Mei fights back.


    ¡°Hey, Stop!¡± Says Mei


    ¡°No, come on, just give it a try.¡± Says Momo


    ¡°HEY! You two knock it off!¡± Fujikawa screams at them.


    DING! DING!


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯s the bell, so everyone clean up and get going. Also, remember to practice during your free time or something, ok.¡± Fujikawa says


    ¡°That¡¯s the bell, so I¡¯m gonna get going now, ok?¡± Says Mei with a frustrated look on her face.


    Hmm, what happened over there? Maybe I¡¯ll ask, Kyo thinks to himself.


    Kyo walks over to ask.


    ¡°Hey!¡± says Kyo as he shouts.


    Shoot, what was her name again¡­oh right, Momo.


    ¡°Hey! Momo!¡± Kyo shouts.


    ¡°Huh¡­Uh, yes.¡± Momo says, confused.


    Her eyes meet his, her pretty green eyes. Kyo blushes.


    ¡°I want to ask, what happened with you and Mei?¡± Kyo asks, worried that something terrible happened.


    ¡°Oh..nothing, just that she wouldn''t try to shoot the target. So I simply tried to force her and me, and she got into a fight. Honestly, I didn''t think she would be so stubborn.¡± Says Momo


    ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s what that was,¡± says Kyo, satisfied with the answer.


    ¡°Umm, hey, not to be rude, but what was your name again?¡± Momo asks, puzzled.


    ¡°Huh¡­Oh, ok. My name is Kyo Ito.¡± Kyo fixes his posture so he stands straight, arms to his side.


    ¡°Hahahah!¡± Momo laughs gently enough that only Kyo can hear it.


    ¡°No need to act so formal. Anyway, nice to officially meet you.¡± Says Momo


    ¡°Right!¡± Says Kyo.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ll talk to you later, so cya,¡± says Momo as she rushes to her next class.


    ¡°I guess I¡¯ll get going!¡± Says Kyo with a big smile on his face on the way to his next class.


    DING! DING!


    ¡°YES! That¡¯s the final bell man. I have been seriously waiting for it.¡± Says Tanaka out loud to Kyo, sitting right next to him.


    ¡°Yeah, man, finally.¡± Says Kyo with a gloomy face.


    ¡°Hey, Kyo, let¡¯s walk out together, ok?¡± Says Tanaka.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Says Kyo with a small but gloomy smile on his face.


    -Whoosh-


    ¡°Man, it''s freezing compared to earlier. Don¡¯t you think Kyo?¡± Asks Tanaka.


    ¡°Yeah, it has gotten colder.¡± Says Kyo


    ¡°Anyway, man, I go this way. So see you tomorrow, okay? " Tanaka says in a shivering voice.


    God, it really got cold fast, huh? As soon as I walked out, I felt a cold breeze against my face. It kind of hurts, to be honest. But it¡¯s still so nice out. It may not be as sunny, but it¡¯s still a perfect day. The birds are still chirping, and people are still talking, Kyo thinks with a smile.


    [ETA 1 MINUTE UNTIL TRAIN LEAVES, I REPEAT ONE MINUTE]


    Ah, Shit, the trains leaving, I have to hurry and get on. I don¡¯t want to be late to see my mom. Kyo thinks to himself with a sad expression.


    Phew, I made it in time. Hmm¡­oh, it¡¯s Mei.


    They glance at each other.


    Oh shoot, we totally just made eye contact, ah man, and to make it worse, she is standing right next to me. I mean, seriously! Kyo thinks to himself while blushing a little on the outside.


    ¡°Hey¡­¡±


    She speaks thinks Kyo.


    ¡°Hey, why do you have eyebags?¡± Asks Mei


    ¡°Huh, so you noticed, huh? I guess I couldn¡¯t hide them forever.¡± Kyo says silently to himself.


    ¡°What?¡± Asks Mei in confusion about what he just said.


    ¡°Oh, nothing¡­ I just overwork myself, that''s all seriously.¡± Kyo says.


    Mei turns her head forward, not satisfied with the response.


    ¡°So¡­um, hey? Why did you not want to shoot today?¡± Asks Kyo


    ¡°That¡¯s none of your business,¡± says Mei coldly.


    Jeez, that''s cold, man. She has an invisible wall no one can reach, but her Kyo thinks to himself. Kyo¡¯s smile fades away.


    [ARRIVED AT STATION TWO, I REPEAT ARRIVED AT STATION TWO]


    ¡°Well, this is my stop.¡± Says Mei


    ¡°Oh¡­ok?¡± Kyo acting confused


    Dang, she lives not that far from the school, huh? It must be friendly, Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°Where¡¯s your stop?¡± Asks Mei.


    ¡°Oh, mine, um, it¡¯s station 6,¡± says Kyo.


    ¡°The hospital?¡± Mei says with a confused expression


    ¡°Yea,¡± says Kyo with a small smile while he looks up.


    ¡°Well, cya.¡± Says Mei as she stepped off the train.


    ¡°Cya.¡± Says Kyo.


    Wow, she really is beautiful, Kyo thinks to himself. Just like the first time I saw her this morning.


    Some time has passed.


    [ARRIVED AT STATION 6, I REPEAT STATION 6]


    Oh, we''re here; it''s time to see Mom, Kyo thinks.


    God, I just hate walking in hospitals. They always give off a sinister or negative aura. I mean, I¡¯m feeling right now as I¡¯m walking through one, and it makes me almost want to puke. To make it worse, there are plain white walls and long hallways. Hospitals just suck.


    Right, where is the elevator? Oh, there it is.


    DING!


    The doors open, and Kyo steps inside.


    Right, which floor was it? Oh, right, floor 2


    The doors open, and Kyo steps outside into the long hallway.


    Seriously, man, I hate these hallways. The smell and atmosphere make me want to puke. My mom¡¯s is the last room on the far right.


    The door opens to her room.


    ¡°Hey, Mom,¡± Kyo says with a disgusting look on his face like he¡¯s about to puke.


    Chapter 1, END

 Mother and Child

    Chapter 2


    Mother and Child


    ¡°Hey, Mom,¡± Kyo says, his face contorted in disgust as if he¡¯s about to puke.


    He clenches his fist, fighting the urge to flee.


    Jeez, just walking in this room makes my heart ache. Kyo¡¯s hand grabs the part of the shirt where his heartaches and twists it.


    ¡°Now¡­Now. Take a breath, Kyo.¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says as she sees him not liking his surroundings.


    ¡°That look on your face makes it seem like you don¡¯t want to see me.?¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with worry.


    ¡°No! I do!¡± Kyo screams, ¡°I really do. It¡¯s just that I hate everything about hospitals¡ªthe smell, the aura they give, the plain walls¡ªit makes me sick.


    ¡°Ok¡­then let¡¯s make this short.¡± Come on, grab a chair, and sit. Me and you have a bit to talk about,¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with a smile on her face.


    Kyo hesitates before finally deciding to grab the cold metal chair. The chair screeches on the floor as Kyo puts it near his mother.


    ¡°How are you doing now, Mom¡­Feeling any better?¡± Kyo''s hands ball up on his legs saying this.


    ¡°Ye¡ªYeah, I¡¯m doing fine,¡± she says, her voice lacking confidence.


    ¡°Any¡ªanyway, how¡¯s school going¡­ I mean, your first day?¡± Kyo¡¯s mom asks with a smile on her face.


    ¡°O¡ªOh, It¡¯s going great,¡± Kyo says with sweat forming on his face.


    Kyo¡¯s mom leans forward and pinches both of his cheeks.


    ¡°You have to tell me more than that!¡± she says with a pouting face.


    ¡°Uh¡­fine. You win.¡± Kyo says


    ¡°The first thing I did in school today was history. Our teacher talked about the war and how it¡¯s still technically happening. Omg, was the class shocked out of their minds to hear that news? I mean, seriously, who would¡¯ve thought!¡± Kyo says with a slight smile on his face and a little laugh.


    ¡°Oh¡­ then we went to practice using railguns once the class ended,¡± Kyo says with a displeased look.


    ¡°Oh, and how did that go?¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says


    ¡°Ah... I missed pretty much every shot.¡± Kyo says while laughing awkwardly.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s good... I mean, not about the part you missed! Just the part where you sound like you were having fun.¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with a pleased look as if she¡¯s smiling.


    Oh god! It¡¯s getting to me. I feel like I''m seriously about to puke! Kyo¡¯s hand rushes to his mouth as he stands, ready to run out.


    ¡°Huh¡­ you alright Kyo?¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with concern in her voice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­be right back!¡± Kyo says with a shaky voice.¡° Just have to use the bathroom real quick!¡±


    Kyo says as he rushes out, knowing he¡¯s just running away again.


    Kyo¡¯s stomach churned, the urge to escape overwhelming him.


    Kyo¡¯s mom has a worried look on her face.


    Oh god! I¡¯m just running again! God dammit! I¡¯m seriously about to puke! Where is the bathroom fuck!


    Kyo runs through the long, dark hallway with a bit of light guiding him. Near the end of the hallway, Kyo realizes there is a bathroom to his left.


    Jeez, Kyo rushes into the nearest toilet and¡­¡±


    ¡®BLAcCcCK!¡¯


    Kyo leans over the toilet and vomits.


    Omg, I feel disgusting. Kyo thinks as his hands go to his face, and he starts pulling at his skin.


    Alright, I should head back. I don¡¯t want my mom to worry about me too much.


    Ah¡­I should wash my hands first.


    Turns nozzles.


    As Kyo was washing his hands, he looked up at the mirror and saw a disgusting version of himself. Tears run down his face as he keeps looking, his eyes sagging, and red scratch marks on his face from when he was grabbing it after throwing up. It was like he was a zombie.


    Ok, I should head back now, Kyo thought to himself.


    Kyo heads back through the long, dark hallway with the bit of light he has.


    ¡®Swoosh¡¯


    The door swings open, and Kyo enters.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ back¡­sorry for the wait, Mom,¡± Kyo says with a frowning face.


    ¡°Oh¡­god! What happened? What did you do to your face?¡± Her eyes widened in alarm, hands trembling slightly as they reached for his face.


    ¡°Noth¡ªnothing,¡± Kyo says as he heads back to his chair to sit.


    ¡°No! I won¡¯t take that for an answer; tell me!¡± Kyo¡¯s mother says as her hand goes to Kyo¡¯s face.


    ¡°Fine¡­ I puked! Disgusting right? Kyo says as tears form in his eyes.


    ¡°No¡­No¡­No, it¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s disgusting at all.¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with a big smile on her face.


    ¡°Really?¡± Kyo says as he¡¯s fidgeting with his hands.


    ¡°Yes¡­Really.¡±


    ¡°Although I do have one question?¡± his mother says with concern.


    ¡°Why¡­do you hate everything?¡± Kyo¡¯s mother says as she fidgets with her hands on her lap and looks desperate.


    Kyo¡¯s hands go to his face to cover up his tears.


    ¡°Is¡­It is still because of your past.¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with a troubled look on her face.


    The question hit Kyo like a ton of bricks. Memories came back. He saw himself at twelve years old, brimming with excitement for his first day of middle school.


    ¡°Hey, you ready for your first day of middle school?¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says as Kyo is getting his stuff ready.


    ¡°Uhh¡­Yes, I¡¯m ready, Mom!¡± Kyo says in an excited voice.


    ¡°Ok¡­Well, then, you better get going! Wouldn¡¯t want you to be late on your first day!¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says.


    ¡°yea¡­Ok!¡± Kyo shouts. ¡°I¡¯m leaving now, so cya!¡± Kyo says.


    Kyo steps outside into the fresh air, a wind breeze around him, and he begins walking down the concrete path.


    I¡¯m here. Finally, Kyo thinks to himself.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡®Ding! Ding!¡¯


    Oh, that¡¯s the bell. I gotta run to the classroom, Kyo thinks in a hurry, nervously holding onto his backpack and sprinting to his class.


    Phew, I made it time. Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°Alright, class. Please take your seats¡­¡± the teacher says as she walks into the classroom.


    Ah¡­where is my seat? Oh, there it is, ah, but it¡¯s in the last row crap.


    Hmm¡­ oh, it¡¯s about two seats away from the window, right next to that kid with the glasses. I¡¯ll have to introduce myself, Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Hey¡­ Hello there.¡±


    They exchange glances


    ¡°My¡­name is Kyo¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what your name is.¡± The kid says stubbornly as his gaze turns toward the window.


    "What? Mmmph! Kyo puffed his cheeks like a chipmunk storing nuts."


    Whatever¡­ I guess I¡¯ll sit down. Just what is that kid thinking?


    The teacher starts class.


    Fast forward a few classes, and it¡¯s lunchtime.


    Uhh¡­ it¡¯s lunch. I need to find a place to sit. Jeez, I don¡¯t want to sit by myself, so¡­Oh, over there, it¡¯s that kid with glasses. Maybe I¡¯ll sit with him.


    ¡°Hey¡­Ummm, do you mind if I sit with you?¡± Kyo asks while his pointer finger rubs his cheek.


    ¡°What!...No¡­Why would I want to sit you?¡± The kid says


    ¡°Ok¡­Thanks a bunch!¡± Kyo says as he sits down


    Hmm, I just kind of welcomed myself, but there was absolutely no way I was sitting by myself.


    This guy is really mysterious Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°So¡­Umm hey, what¡¯s your name¡­Please tell me!¡± Kyo says, sounding like he¡¯s begging.


    ¡°...What¡­! You really want to know, huh¡­Fine, my name is Akihiro Inoue.¡±


    ¡°Ohhh¡­Cool name, seriously!¡± Kyo says with a smile on his face.


    ¡°Oh yea, my name is Kyo Ito! Very nice to meet you!¡± Kyo says as he bows his head, then sits.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember saying that I don¡¯t care what your name is?¡± Inoue says with such a nonchalant face.


    ¡°Yea¡­ so I don¡¯t care. I told you anyway,¡± Kyo says.


    Jeez, what¡¯s up with the guy? Uhh, whatever. Let¡¯s just finish eating.


    Hmm, let¡¯s see what my mom packed today. Oh, it¡¯s a turkey sandwich! AWESOME! Kyo thinks to himself.


    What does Inoue eat? Oh, a plain old peanut butter and jelly sandwich, huh? Kyo says with a grin on his face.


    ¡®Ring! Ring!¡¯


    Ok, time for the next class!


    [End Of The Day]


    Hmmm, It¡¯s already the end of the day, huh¡­ I never really got the chance to talk to that kid from earlier.


    ¡°I¡¯m home!¡± Kyo shouts.


    ¡°Hey¡­I¡¯m cooking food right now!¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says


    ¡°Also, hey, how was your first day of school?¡± Kyo''s mom asks with a smile.


    ¡°It was great¡­I met this kid today named Inoue.¡± Kyo says with a plain expression


    ¡°Oh¡­yea, what was he like?¡± Kyo¡¯s mom asks.


    ¡°Uhh, he was kinda weird, to be honest, like he always kept to himself or like he was hiding something. I don''t know, but he is strange.¡± Kyo says as he gets ready to eat.


    [Time passes]


    ¡°Ok, Dinner is ready!¡± Kyo¡¯s mom shouts.


    ¡°Ok¡­Coming!¡± Kyo shouts from upstairs.


    ¡°Ok, it¡¯s pasta tonight, so eat up!¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says.


    ¡®MuUmMUMUM¡¯


    ¡°It was delicious, Mom!¡± Kyo says with such a pleased face.


    ¡°I''m glad!¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with a happy face, her hands touching her cheeks, blushing.


    ¡°Ok¡­well, you need to go to bed, mister. Mommy needs to go to work now.¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says with a sad expression.


    ¡°Ok, I''m off to bed!¡¯ Kyo flies upstairs and gets ready for bed.


    Kyo¡¯s mom gets ready for work, and tears start to form.


    [Next morning]


    ¡®Ding! Ding!¡¯


    Phew, I was almost late again. Kyo thinks to himself, sweat running down his face.


    Ah¡­alright, I have to sit down. Kyo thinks.


    Kyo pulls the chair out and sits down.


    ¡°Good Morning!¡± Kyo says to Inoue as he turns his head left to him.


    ¡°Shut up,¡± Inoue says.


    Huh, what! Did he just tell me to shut up seriously? What¡¯s this guy¡¯s problem? Kyo thinks to himself with a puzzled expression.


    ¡°Ok, class, take your seats! I have a special announcement to make! Our class has been chosen to take care of a bunny rabbit.¡±


    ¡°WhaHaHAHahAht!¡± The whole class says in unison.


    Woah, that¡¯s so cool! Kyo thinks, his face lighting up with excitement as he blushes.


    ¡°Ok¡­calm down everyone! First thing first, we need a name. Does anyone have suggestions?


    ¡°Me¡­Pooper!¡± a student says.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Greg!¡± another student says.


    ¡°Sprinkle!¡± the student says.


    God, these are such terrible names, Kyo thinks to himself. Then again, what am I to think? It¡¯s not like I can come up with one.


    Inoue raises his hand¡­


    ¡°I have one¡­ um, how about peanut?¡± Inoue suggests while blushing hard.


    Wow, I didn¡¯t think he had any interest in this. Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°Wow¡­basic name, huh,¡± Kyo says to Inoue.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Inoue says silently while blushing.


    ¡°Ok, then any other suggestions?¡± The teacher says.


    ¡°Ok¡­then let¡¯s take a vote for the best name. Each of you can only vote once, so no cheating! All right, everyone, head down, then raise your hand when I say a name. Let¡¯s begin.¡± the teacher says.


    [VOTES]


    Pooper = 0 vote


    Greg = 3 votes


    Sprinkle = 5 votes


    Superbunny = 7 votes


    Dipper = 1 vote


    Peanut = 9 votes


    ¡°Ok, votes are in¡­ and the winner is Peanut!¡± The teacher says.


    ¡°Yo¡­ Inoue your name won, does that make you happy.¡± Kyo says while teasing.


    ¡°Shut up.¡± Says Inoue.


    ¡°Ok, lastly, we need someone to watch the pet.¡± The teacher says.


    ¡°Okay, I have a hat with all of your names in it. I''m going to mix it up and then draw one, " she says as she starts mixing it up.


    ¡°Ok¡­ and the first that will be watching Peanut is¡­ Ito!¡± Congratulations Kyo Ito!¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ ME!¡± Kyo shouts out loud in shock.


    ¡°Yes... you, Kyo. Don¡¯t worry; you will only have to watch him for a week, and then we will rotate you out, " the teacher says.


    ¡°Uhh¡­Ok Ig.¡± Kyo says Hesitantly.


    ¡°So I will need you to stay a second after class to tell you what to do. Ok, Kyo?¡± The teacher asks.


    Kyo glances over at Inoue.


    What? Inoue looks mad. Kyo thinks


    ¡®Ding! Ding!¡¯


    Oh, that¡¯s the bell.


    ¡°Hey Inoue, wait for me, ok? I have something I want to say to you.¡± Kyo says


    ¡°Why?¡± Inoue asks hesitantly.


    ¡°Just because I want to say something to you, ok?¡± Kyo says with a smile on his face.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll wait, but not long,¡± Inoue says.


    ¡°Ok¡­thx!¡± Kyo says, running to talk to the teacher.


    ¡°Ok¡­ Kyo, I want to keep this brief. Here is a pamphlet of everything you need to know and do during the week: feeding them every day, giving them water, and making sure their cage is clean, OK? " the teacher says in a serious tone.


    ¡°Su¡ªsure, thx!¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Now move along. You have a friend waiting for you, right? " the teacher says with a smile.


    ¡°Yeah, thx again!¡± Kyo screams as he runs out.


    ¡°Kyo, you good? Looks like you''re dying.¡¯ Inoue says to Kyo after seeing him run.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine; I hope you weren''t waiting long,¡± Kyo says out of breath.


    ¡°So what did you have to say?¡± Inoue asks


    ¡°Oh yeah¡­ what was bothering you today? Because you looked upset,¡± Kyo says with concern.


    ¡°You really want to know? Well then, Fine, It¡¯s You!¡± Inoue fixes his poster.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°You piss me off so much, like seriously, isn¡¯t it clear I do not want to talk to you like fuck off,¡± Inoue says as his eyes get bigger with anger.


    Is a middle schooler really saying those things?


    ¡°what¡­What did I do? I mean, seriously?¡± Kyo asks in a panicking voice.


    ¡°Honestly, I don''t know myself¡­ but you seriously disgust me so¡­¡±


    ¡°How about you just Die, ok?¡± Inoue says before he starts running off.


    Kyo¡¯s world seemed to crash down around him.


    What! What the hell did I do? I mean, seriously!


    Oh god, my heart is racing, my breathing is picking up, and I feel like I''m going to cry!


    I just want to go home!


    Kyo runs home sobbing.


    ¡°MOMMY!!¡± Kyo screams as soon as he opens the door.


    ¡°Huh¡­My son, what¡¯s wrong¡­.¡±


    Sees Kyo crying.


    ¡°Ok¡­Ok¡­Ok, come here.¡± Mom says as she comforts Kyo.


    A few days go by.


    Kyo enters the classroom again with a gloomy look.


    ¡°What, the Rabbit is dead!¡± A student says.


    ¡°Nooooo¡ª!¡± another student says.


    The entire class burst into tears.


    What? What''s happening? Is the rabbit dead? Kyo starts to tense up; sweat starts to drip down his cheeks.


    ¡°I Know Who Did IT! Inoue stands up as he shouts and points directly at Kyo.


    ¡°Kyo¡­you wouldn¡¯t, right?¡± A student goes to him crying.


    ¡°NO! I didn¡¯t do it. I would never!¡± Kyo says with a very sad and confused look in his eyes.


    ¡°LIAR!¡± Inoue Screams.


    ¡°You were the one watching him, so obviously, you killed him!¡± Inoue screams again with hatred in his eyes.


    ¡°I¡­I DIDN¡¯T KILL HIM!¡¯ Kyo says, running out of the room crying.


    Why were they all looking at me? It felt like daggers were stabbing into me just now.


    Kyo runs to a nearby bench and waits for the school day to end.


    A few hours pass.


    Inoue walks up to Kyo.


    ¡°Hey, Kyo,¡± Inoue says with a hateful expression.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Kyo turns his head to see four kids surrounding him.


    ¡°Punk¡­ you were the one that killed that rabbit, right?¡± A kid says to Kyo.


    ¡°No! I wasn¡¯t!¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what Inoue says.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, we''re getting payback for that rabbit.¡± says a kid


    What¡¯s happening? Payback? What do they plan on doing to me? Kyo thinks.


    A kid walks up to him, charges to his right, and swings at Kyo. As his fist makes contact with Kyo¡¯s face, kyo ends up falling off the bench in pain.


    Ahhh, What¡¯s happening? Their blood coming from his lips. Nooononono, I¡¯m bleeding this bad, Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Yeah, How did you like that, Kyo!¡± The kid says with a big grin on his face.


    Inoue walks up to Kyo, picks him up from behind, and holds him up so the other kids can punch Kyo in the face.


    5 minutes go by


    ¡°Man, you are bloody. I mean, you are dripping everywhere. Hell, you are even missing a tooth, " the kid says proudly.


    ¡®Drip, Drip¡¯


    Oh crap, I''m dripping blood everywhere. This is bad; I can¡¯t see too well right now. God, it feels like my face is melting. This is bad.


    ¡°I WANT MY MOMMY¡ª-!¡¯ Kyo Shouts in a ton of pain as he is dripping blood.


    ¡°SHUT UP!¡± Inoue shouts.


    ¡°Alright, guys, let''s leave him here and go home,¡± Inoue says with a smile on his face.


    Inoue drops Kyo to the ground.


    Why are they smiling? What¡¯s so funny-help? Please, someone help me¡­.


    ¡°That¡¯s what you get, Kyo; you had it coming after all,¡± Inoue says as he walks away with the other kids.


    I don¡¯t get it, why! Why are they smiling? Why are they leaving me hurt? Why, Why, Why!?


    I have to get up; I need to get home to see my mom, who is probably worried about me. I want to see her. I MUST GET UP! Kyo thinks to himself as he starts raising himself to get up.


    Kyo stands up, blood dripping everywhere. His face is covered, his elbows scraped to the flesh, and his knees messed up badly.


    I must get home, Kyo thinks to himself, crying.


    Kyo runs all the way home.


    ¡°MOMMY!¡± Kyo shouts as he opens the door to his house.


    Kyo doesn¡¯t get a response until he looks down to see her on the floor, hurt badly.


    My mom¡¯s got bruises going all around her. What happened?


    ¡°MOMMY! MOMMY! What happened? Mom, answer me!¡± Kyo shouts while crying so many tears he could fill an ocean.


    ¡­


    Kyo opens his eyes, waking back up to reality.


    Jeez, I can¡¯t believe I''m remembering that now of all times. Kyo thinks to himself.


    I was so helpless back then. But not anymore. I¡¯ve gotten stronger and won''t let the past weigh me down anymore.


    Kyo lifts his head to his mom, crying.


    ¡°Hey¡ªWhat¡¯s wrong, Mom?¡± Kyo says worriedly.


    ¡°Nothing, My son.¡± His mom responds back


    ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day, ok? It¡¯s getting late.¡± His mom says all tiredly.


    ¡°What¡­are you sure I can stay if you want?¡± Kyo says, even though he can''t stand to stay any longer.


    ¡°No¡­go home, rest. You have school tomorrow.¡± Kyo¡¯s mom says.


    ¡°Ok,¡± Kyo says with a sad expression.


    Kyo stands up, getting ready to leave.


    ¡°Oh¡­ one last thing, Mom. I hope you get better quickly!¡± Kyo says this as he leaves.


    Kyo¡¯s mom smiles through the tears that quietly stream down her cheeks as he leaves. Wishing she could have done more for him.


    As Kyo walks down a long hallway, each step echoes in the emptiness. The light blinds him as he walks. He reaches the elevator and presses the button, waiting in silence as he descends to the first floor.


    Elevator doors open, and step off onto the busy first floor of the hospital. He takes a turn to his left and¡­


    ¡®WEE, WOO, WEE, WOO¡¯


    What the? What¡¯s happening? Why is there so much commotion? And man is packed, right? It''s like I can¡¯t move.


    Kyo takes a closer look at what¡¯s happening and realizes something or someone that he recognizes is being carried into the hospital.


    ¡°Is that Mei!¡± Kyo says out loud.


    Chapter 2 End.

 Hate

    Chapter 3


    Hate


    ¡°Is that Mei!¡± Kyo says out loud.


    I think it is. Why is Mei here? Kyo thinks to himself.


    It''s not like it¡¯s my business. Whatever I should be on my way.


    Kyo walks through the giant crowd of people standing in his way to get to the door.


    Hmm, I should get something to eat. But what should I eat¡­Oh, I know ramen. Man, that sounds super tasty.


    It''s time to head to Tokyo to check out my new place and eat.


    Kyo leaves the hospital to go to the train station.


    It¡¯s about a five-minute walk, Kyo thinks as he walks towards the train station.


    Kyo walks down the long concrete path to the train station.


    Even though it''s a short walk, all I can think about is the constant chatter of people at this hour. I can hear people bullying others in alleyways, people talking about how their day went, and weird sounds of people doing strange things in alleyways.


    Kyo arrives at the train station.


    [TRAIN LEAVES FOR TOKYO IN 1 MINUTE, TRAIN LEAVES FOR TOKYO IN 1 MINUTE]


    Oh, shoot, I guess I''d better hurry. I wouldn''t want to miss the train, Kyo thinks to himself.


    Okay, I''m finally here¡ªin Tokyo. As soon as I step off the train, I see many people still at the train station. God, the smell is terrible. It smells like milk if you leave it out for too long.


    Alright, I need to get out of here. Where are the steps¡­Oh, to the right. Okay, let¡¯s walk up.


    Kyo walks to the top. Oh wow, as soon as I walk to the top, I can see many bright lights, and the smell is much better up here, although there are still many people. I mean, seriously, it¡¯s late out. Ok, I¡¯ll get food first before I go to my new apartment.


    Kyo pulls up his phone for directions.


    Ok, I got it. It''s a 15-minute walk. Well, better get at it.


    Ok, finally, here it should be on my right¡­Oh, it¡¯s down this alleyway. Okay, let¡¯s go, Kyo thinks to himself.


    Kyo starts to walk down the alleyway, and a big stir happens to his left on another alleyway.


    What the? What¡¯s happening over there?


    Kyo glances over and sees two people dressed in brown coats with black ski masks; the coats are like the ones detectives would wear. They were holding knives to someone¡¯s throat, begging for money.


    WHAT THE! What the hell are they doing to the poor guy over there? Kyo thinks to himself as his face lights up in fear.


    I should help, right? I don¡¯t think I would be much help in the end, though. Kyo¡¯s face turns to despair.


    Huh¡­?


    ¡°Hey¡­Bitch hand over your fucking money!¡± One of the attackers screams


    ¡°Yeah..hand over your money¡­Old man!¡± Second attackers says


    ¡°We¡¯ll kill you, you know¡­So hand over your money,¡± The second attacker said in a voice that was trembling in fear.


    ¡°Wait¡­ok pls don¡¯t hurt me¡­here, here¡¯s my wallet take it!¡± The older man says as his body is shaking uncontrollably.


    Ah¡­I can¡¯t do a damn thing fuck! I thought I had changed. Kyo thinks to himself with his head in his lap, back to the wall, just listening to what''s happening.


    ¡°Thanks, you stupid old man!¡± The attacker grabs the wallet and runs away with the other attacker.


    The attackers turn the corner to see Kyo sitting there.


    Kyo looks up and sees the attackers by him but is unable to do anything but stare and watch.


    The attackers got away.


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    Ahhh¡­Fuck I couldn¡¯t do anything. I''m useless once again.


    Kyo turns his head to look at the older man lying on the floor, tears coming from his eyes.


    Kyo''s eyes widen, looking at the guy. Did the guy piss himself? Oh man, now I feel horrible. Shit, what should I do¡­


    The older man notices Kyo¡­


    ¡°Hey¡­Is..someone¡­There? The older man says, hoping for a response.


    Shit, He saw me¡­What do I do? Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡°Hey, if you¡¯re there¡­ please help me, " the old man asks, tears running down his face as he slowly starts to crawl over to Kyo.


    Oh¡­Shit, what do I do? He¡¯s crawling over to me! Shit!


    ¡°Sorry, Man!¡± Kyo screams as he runs away, his face looking like a ghost.


    Fuck¡­I just ran away again like I always do. Kyo thinks to himself.


    ¡®Huff, Huff, Huff¡¯


    Kyo gets to the end of the alleyway, trying to catch his breath. Fuck I¡¯m sweating buckets, man¡­ not only that, but I lost my appetite.


    Kyo puts his hands on his head and stares at the sky while trying to catch his breath.


    ¡°Meow¡±


    ¡°Huh¡­?¡± Kyo says in confusion.


    Kyo looks around and notices there is a cat right by his legs¡­


    ¡°Oh!...a black cat,¡± Kyo says with a calm face and tears slowly running down his face.


    ¡°Oh¡­man, don¡¯t look at me like this cat,¡± Kyo says as he uses his arm sleeves to wipe the tears off his face.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    The cat runs away.


    Hey, wait¡­where is it going? I should follow it, right?


    Kyo follows the cat to a high ledge near many houses, where he looks up and sees a beautiful girl sitting at the top.


    Woah¡­ she¡¯s pretty


    I first noticed that she had long silver hair with bangs that went down to her forehead. She was wearing a plain white T-shirt and blue jeans.


    ¡°Hey¡­What do you hate most in this world?¡± The random girl asks Kyo.


    Huh, what the? What type of question is that?


    Even though this girl I had just met asked me such a question, I already knew my answer¡­


    It¡¯s easy¡­


    ¡°I hate¡­Everything.¡± Kyo¡¯s face goes lifeless as he says this.


    ¡°Good¡­answer.¡± The girl replies with a light-toned voice.


    Huh¡­what¡¯s up with this girl? Kyo thinks


    That''s a good answer, huh? I don''t think anybody else would agree.


    Kyo starts to laugh a little.


    ¡°Hey, why are you laughing?¡± the girl asks, confused about what¡¯s so funny.


    ¡°Dummy the question you just asked me. I found that funny.¡± Kyo says as he continues to laugh.


    ¡°Hmm¡­ the question was funny? In what way?.¡± The girl sits there thinking, with another confused look.


    Seriously, this girl is an airhead. Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Hey¡­ now that I am taking a closer look at you, I think I could describe you with one word¡­¡± She says


    ¡°Hate.¡±


    Hate? Kyo thinks about the word she just used to describe him.


    ¡°I guess that¡¯s fair,¡± Kyo said, looking up at her with a smile.


    Even though we had just met, she could already describe me in one word.


    ¡°God, we had just met. You can already describe me in one word!¡± Kyo says, blushing and laughing.


    ¡°I mean, It was kinda obvious just looking at you.¡± The girl says with her finger rubbing her chin.


    ¡°I can tell you hate everything.¡±


    ¡°You especially hate everything about yourself.¡± She says with a stern look.


    ¡°Dang, you hit the nail right on the head,¡± Kyo laughs nervously.


    ¡°Anyway, why were you running?¡± The girl asks.


    ¡°Oh¡­that well I was running from¡­¡±


    ¡°Well, to be completely honest, I don¡¯t really know myself,¡± Kyo says with a small but fake laugh as his hand rubs the top of his head.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to need more than that.¡± She says, all serious.


    ¡°Ermm, fine, I was running from a situation where I probably could have helped but didn''t.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± The girl asks, confused.


    ¡°There was an old guy that was getting robbed by two guys with knives threatening him to give them money, so he did, and the attackers ran away. When I looked to see how he was doing, he had pissed himself while lying on the ground crying..¡± Kyo says as his face starts to turn white again.


    ¡°Then he saw me staring and doing nothing. He asked for help over and over again! Then he started to crawl over to me, and I panicked and ran." Kyo says, tears running down his face in frustration.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, I¡¯m pathetic. I ran away from something I might have been able to resolve.¡±


    ¡° And I feel guilty about it. I do, but in the end, this just gives me another reason to hate myself.¡±


    ¡°I always choose the easy way out, which is to run,¡± Kyo says as he grabs his stomach in disgust, tears forming down his face while smiling.


    ¡°Well¡­if you knew, you would feel pathetic. Why not just help him? Why would you just stand knowing you could have done something?¡± She says.


    ¡°So yeah, you are pathetic.¡± She says with her right hand going up to her face and putting it on her cheek, with a frown.


    Those words didn¡¯t affect Kyo in the slightest. He already knew he was pathetic.


    ¡°So instead of running, how about in the future, face your fears.¡± The girl says.


    Easier said than done, Kyo thought to himself.


    Now that I think about it, I know nothing about this girl, especially her name. I should ask her.


    ¡°Hey¡­ what¡¯s your name?¡± Kyo asks suddenly.


    ¡°Can¡¯t say.¡± The girl says, putting her finger to her lips like she is silencing him.


    ¡°What! Come on, you have to tell me your name!¡± Kyo says while blushing hard.


    ¡°Nope,¡± she says.


    ¡°Fine, well, at least let me tell you my name.¡±


    ¡°My name is Ky¡­.¡±


    BOOM!


    An explosion goes off in the distance.


    What! What just happened? Kyo thinks to himself as the smoke from the explosion is about to hit them.


    ¡°AHH! It burns!¡± Kyo says out loud in pain.


    Ah, my eyes are dying up, and my skin feels like it¡¯s melting off me! It¡¯s hard to stand. I mean, what the hell was that just now?


    ¡°It''s an explosion in the East, up at that new factory.¡± She says while trying to regain her vision.


    ¡°New factory?¡± Kyo says while trying to stand back up.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s where they test all sorts of new things, specifically human experiments.¡± She says, all calm.


    ¡°Human experiments?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She says.


    Kyo thinks about what she had just said while looking up at the black cloud forming in the night.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to take a look. You should go home and get some rest, " she says as she prepares to run towards the explosion.


    Wait, what¡¯s happening? She¡¯s going to go check it out, but why? Isn¡¯t that dangerous? Kyo thought to himself.


    Should I go with her? No, I would just get in the way. Kyo¡¯s heart starts to race.


    Kyo starts to head home with an expression of shock.


    No, I won¡¯t run, not this time! Kyo thinks to himself.


    Kyo turns around


    ¡°Hey, wait! I''m coming with you!¡± Kyo shouts as he starts hurrying towards her.


    ¡°Huh¡­but why?¡± She says, confused.


    ¡°Because I won''t run, not this time, not when I might have a chance to help someone,¡± Kyo says with a frightened look on his face.


    ¡°Alright, fine, you''ll have to keep up!¡± the girl says with a smile.


    ¡°Yeah, ok!¡± Kyo says.


    Kyo starts running behind her, trying to keep up, waiting to see what this event might bring him.


    Chapter 3 End

 The Mysterious girl

    Chapter 4


    The Mysterious Girl


    ¡°We are almost there!¡± The mystery girl says.


    ¡°Yeah, ok!¡± Kyo responds.


    God, the closer we get, the hotter it is. Kyo thinks.


    Many people are running away from the explosion, and I can also hear sirens from police cars, ambulances, and firefighter trucks.


    The whole city is going wild right now. People are bumping into one another, and people are dropping papers everywhere.


    ¡°WhaaaaaAAAaaAAAH!¡±


    ¡°WhEre¡­Are mY pArents!¡± A kid is crying on the ground, asking for his parents.


    Is that a kid crying? Kyo notices as he and the mystery girl are running by.


    ¡°Hey! I think we should help that kid!¡± Kyo says as he is barely able to keep up with her.


    ¡°You can, but I''m going to keep going ahead!¡± She says as she keeps running.


    Oh my god, seriously. A kid is crying on the ground, and she won¡¯t bother to help.


    Fine, I guess I¡¯ll have to help him¡­


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you should help.¡± The girl says suddenly.


    ¡°What¡­why?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°Because you said you would help me remember.¡±


    ¡°Well¡­ yeah, a kid is crying on the ground!¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°So¡­let someone else take care of him. Me and you have something much bigger to deal with," she says as her eyes start to look more serious.


    Kyo hesitates but ultimately ends up deciding to keep following the mysterious girl.


    Hmmm, was it the right choice¡­Kyo keeps asking himself that question as he and the girl get further and further from the crying kid.


    Kyo glances at the crying kid again and realizes that an older woman is helping him. He has a big smile on his face.


    ¡°Kyo! Look out!¡± the mystery girl screams as flying pieces of gravel and car parts head straight their way.


    ¡°Huh, what?¡± Kyo quickly dodges to the side, just barely not getting hit, while also flying into a nearby car''s door.


    ¡°Ahhhh¡­shit that hurts so much!¡± Kyo screams in pain as blood starts to drip from the back of his head.


    Kyo starts blinking repulsively to regain his vision.


    Huh, there is a lot of screaming. I can tell a lot of people are in pain and are trying to get help. I can also smell the fear these people have.


    ¡°Help! Help! Help!¡±  A bunch of people scream while running away.


    Kyo slowly starts to stand up and regain vision.


    Woah! Kyo thinks as he looks around and sees a bunch of people running around, scared and with blood on them.


    Kyo looks around and sees things that make him want to puke.


    Are these people dead? Dead people surround Kyo. How many, maybe five, no seven, perhaps even ten dead bodies?


    Kyo¡¯s hands go to his mouth. He starts panting hard, and his heart begins to beat loudly.


    These dead people. Their lifeless bodies and the blood pouring out of them from their stomachs, their head, everywhere!


    ¡°NoOooOOOOo!¡± A person screams in the distance.


    Kyo looks over and sees an old lady on her knees, crying with blood dripping down the right side of her body.


    Kyo takes a closer look, squinting, and notices that the lady is missing a part of her shoulder if not her whole shoulder.


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    What happened to her? She is missing her shoulder! There is also a ton of blood dripping down the right side of her forehead.


    Huh? Who is she looking at while crying?


    Kyo¡¯s face goes white; his arms drop to his sides, and his face turns to a devastating look of despair.


    ¡°It¡¯s ThAt Kid¡­¡± Kyo says out loud


    The kid I wanted to help is lying there, and his body has no head. He was decapitated.


    Kyo sits there, unable to move.


    I¡­I¡­I could''ve helped him. But now he sits there all lifeless.


    ¡°Kyo! Kyo! Snap out of it!¡± The mystery girl screams.


    ¡°Kyo!¡± The mystery girl starts to wave her hand in front of him.


    Huh¡­Is she waving her hand in front of me, but why? Oh, I know. I am probably in shock.


    I know I need to move, but I can''t. My body won¡¯t move for some reason.


    ¡°Listen, Kyo! This is the harsh reality of this world! You can¡¯t save everyone! Of course, I thought you knew that, too. I thought you already knew at least somewhat how this world worked.¡± The girl says as she grabs his shirt from his side, pleading for him to stand back up.


    ¡°I thought¡­I did, too.¡± Kyo answers with a blank expression, and tears start to form as they run down his face.


    The mysterious girl starts to force Kyo onto his feet.


    ¡°You need to snap out of it!¡± The mystery girl says with a kind smile, trying to tell Kyo we still have stuff to do.


    The mystery girl raises her right hand and slaps Kyo across the face.


    ¡°Oww!¡± Kyo says as he finally snaps out of it.


    Kyo rubs the left side of his cheek, which the mysterious girl just slapped.


    ¡°Look, I know you''re grieving right now, but now is not the time!¡± She says with a sad look in her eyes.


    ¡°I know but¡­but I could''ve helped him, but I decided not to.¡± Kyo says as he tries to rub the tears forming on his face.


    ¡°Honestly, I think you should just go home. You can¡¯t handle this.¡± The mystery girl says with such a cold look.


    ¡°Cya¡­kid.¡± The mystery girl says as she starts to run off toward the explosion.


    Am I seriously just going to stand here and do nothing? Seriously, I really am pathetic. Kyo thinks as he crouches down and starts crying.


    ¡°Is that kid just going to stand there and grieve over someone''s death like that?¡± The girl says as she keeps moving forward.


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m kinda jealous. I don¡¯t think I could do that for anyone. I guess just seeing people die on the regular is just normal to me.¡± The mystery girl says.


    The mystery girl continues to run. She runs past many people who are scared, dying, or seriously injured, and it doesn¡¯t bother her in the slightest.


    The mystery girl glances over and sees a kid protecting a younger kid in the middle of a sidewalk.


    The mystery girl hesitates before deciding whether to help them or not. However, she ultimately decides that Kyo would have wanted to save them, so she decides that she will help them.


    ¡°This should only take a second. I don¡¯t want to waste too much time when I have a bigger problem ahead of me.¡± She says as she runs to the boys on the sidewalk.


    ¡°Hey¡­ You kids, you have to get out of here; you will get killed if you stay here any longer!¡± she says to them.


    ¡°We¡­WaNt to but were too afraid to move.¡± The kids say in fear.


    ¡°Ok, well, what¡¯s your guy''s name?¡± The mysterious girl asks.


    ¡°I¡¯m Yuta.¡± The older boy says.


    ¡°This is Yasu.¡± The older boy says, crying.


    ¡°Okay, Yuta, are you guys siblings?¡±


    ¡°Uh Yes! Yes, we are!¡± the older boy says.


    ¡°Okay, well, pick him up and hold on to my hand. I¡¯m going to take you guys to a safer place.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± The kid says, trying to control his tears.


    ¡°Okay, hold onto my hand tightly!¡± the mysterious girl says as she rushes to take them somewhere safe.


    The mysterious girl turns behind her to see a flying piece of a medal on fire coming her way.


    ¡°Look out!¡± The mysterious girl screams as she grabs them and dashes to the side, with the piece of metal just grazing her cheek.


    ¡°Ahh, it stings.¡± The mysterious girl says as the blood starts to drip from the cut on her cheek.


    The mysterious girl stands up, trying to forget her pain.


    ¡°Hey? Are you okay?¡± The little kid says.


    ¡°Huh, oh this, yea, I¡¯m fine. It''s just a scratch, no problem.¡± The mysterious girl says, masking her pain.


    ¡°Okay! We have to get you guys somewhere safe!¡± The mysterious girl says.


    The mysterious girl looks around and sees an alleyway pretty close to them.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to get you guys to that alleyway!¡± The mysterious girl says.


    The Mysterious girl grabs them, runs through the crowd of people and flames, and runs toward the alleyway.


    ¡°Okay, we''re here. Now, you guys, be safe, okay.¡± The mysterious girl says.


    ¡°Yeah, okay. And, um, thank you very much for keeping us safe!¡± The older boy bows his head to show his gratitude.


    ¡°You''re welcome.¡± The mysterious girl says with a smile on her face.


    The mysterious is about to get going when the little kid calls out for her.


    ¡°Hey, thank you very much!¡± The kid says while tears are still coming down.


    ¡°Also, what¡¯s your name?¡± The little kid asks.


    ¡°My name?¡± The mysterious girl responds.


    The mysterious girl walks over to them, bends down, and whispers.


    ¡°Whisper, whisper, whisper,¡±


    ¡°Okay, now I better get going. You guys stay safe, okay.¡± The mysterious girl responds, smiling as she runs back towards the commotion.


    ¡°I need to pick up the pace to make up for time!¡± The mysterious girl says as she continues to run towards the explosion.


    The Mysterious girl arrives at the scene!


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m finally here!¡± The mysterious girl says as she tries to catch her breath.


    ¡®Wee, Woo, Wee Woo¡¯


    ¡°The sirens are loud.¡± The mysterious girl mumbles to herself.


    ¡°Everyone, please clear the area!¡± The police shout.


    ¡°God, they''re loud, but they are just doing their job; now, where is that failed human experiment?


    ¡°Hey, mam, you must clear the area!¡± an officer shouts from a cop car about five feet in front of the mysterious girl.


    ¡°Sorry, but no can do.¡± the mysterious girl says as her hands go to the top of her high heel boots to grab something.


    ¡°Hey, wait, what are you reaching for?!¡± The cop says as he is about to have a nervous breakdown.


    The mysterious girl looks up for a second and sees one of the most terrifying things standing behind him.


    ¡°What¡­WHat!¡± The cop says as he has snot running down his lips and sweat running down his face.


    ¡°BeHiNd YoU!¡± The mysterious girl shouts.


    The mysterious girl shouted, but it was too late. The failed human experiment had already dug its big nail right through the cop¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Shit¡­Cop, are you okay? Are you alive?¡± The girl asks with a scared look.


    The cop looks up at the failed human experiment and takes one last look before he gets thrown into a side of the building with his body exploding.


    ¡°The cop just got thrown into the side of the building!¡± The girl says.


    The scene of the cop is brutal. The organs are outside his body, just everywhere, and there is a lot of blood.


    The beast¡¯s attention is now on the mysterious girl.


    ¡°Man, isn¡¯t that failed experiment ugly? I mean, seriously, it depicts a wolf except for one giant claw on its right arm. It will kind of remind you of a dragon''s tooth. And its other arm has a whole bunch of claws on it, oh and not to mention it¡¯s super tall and big.¡± The mysterious girl says.


    ¡°Oh, and I don¡¯t want to forget it has a bunch of fur and razor-sharp teeth with drool coming from its mouth. It also has the eyes of a beast, which is terrifying!¡± The mysterious girl says as she starts to shiver in fear.


    As the beast is ready to take charge, the mysterious girl grabs two pistol railguns from her high-heeled boots and takes aim.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get this over with now.¡± The mysterious girl says with a grin on her face as she is about to fight this beast.


    Chapter 4 End

 The Mysterious girl vs The Beast

    Chapter 5


    The Mysterious Girl vs the Beast


    The mysterious girl takes aim at the beast as it starts to charge.


    ¡®BANG! BANG! BANG!¡¯


    The Mysterious girl fires at the beast!


    ¡®Swoosh, Swoosh, Swoosh¡¯


    The beast dodges the three shots quickly and continues to charge.


    ¡°Shit¡­I missed all three!¡± The Mysterious girl says, panicking.


    ¡°It¡¯s fast!¡±


    The beast closes the distance and attacks, swinging his right arm with his singular claw at The mysterious girl.


    The mysterious girl Dodges backward and just barely gets hit.


    ¡°Ahh¡­I barely dodged that attack!¡± The Mysterious girl says as she crashes hard to the ground.


    ¡°Ah, I scuffed my shoulder quite a bit. But I have no time to worry about a simple injury like that because the beast is charging at me again!¡±


    The beast does the same attack, swinging at her with his right arm.


    This time, the girl decided to duck downwards and make a break towards the nearest building.


    The beast misses, and the girl makes it to the building.


    ¡°Right, I¡¯m going to have to climb this wall really quickly!¡± The Mysterious girl says as she tries to reload her two pistols rapidly.


    The Mysterious girl runs just about 25 feet up the wall before jumping off, doing a mid-air backflip, and firing.


    ¡®BANG! BANG!¡¯


    The Mysterious girl fires.


    The beast manages to dodge one shot, but the other hits his left upper shoulder.


    ¡°AHHH!¡± The beast screams in pain.


    ¡°Yes! The bullet penetrated him! That means your skin isn''t that hard, which means only a couple more shots before I put you down.¡± The Mysterious girl says.


    ¡°Ahh¡­That hurt, you know!¡± The beast says in agony.


    ¡°Good! It¡¯s meant to hurt!¡± The Mysterious girl says while shouting at him.


    The beast, in pain, looks at the mysterious girl with an angry face and prepares for another charge.


    ¡°Okay, here he comes!¡± The girl prepares her pistols for two shots.


    The beast starts to charge!


    ¡®BANG! BANG!¡¯


    This time, the Mysterious girl fires perfectly, both shots going straight toward the beast''s head; still, the beast dodges both. Not easily, though, as one of the bullets grazes his right cheek.


    ¡°Shit I missed again!¡± The mysterious girl says.


    ¡°I thought I had him there!¡± The Mysterious girl says in desperation as she prepares to dodge his next attack.


    The beast closes in fast and gets ready to attack! However, this time, the beast changes his attack, and instead of using his right arm to attack, he goes for a kick.


    ¡°Right, knowing the beast, he will attack with his right arm again, so I''m just going to dodge dowards again.¡± The Mysterious girl says quietly to herself.


    The Mysterious girl dodges downwards, but the beast predicts this and kicks into her left side hard.


    This kick sends the girl flying to the right and crashing into a nearby cop car.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± The Mysterious girl says as she holds onto her left side in pain.


    ¡°That hurt. Oh, and it seems I¡¯m bleeding from my mouth. If I had to guess, I broke around 2-3 ribs.¡± The Mysterious girl says in pain.


    The mysterious girl panted while trying to stand back up and fight again.


    ¡°Grrr¡­this beast is a pain!¡± He¡¯s relentless, the mysterious girl says as she stands preparing her pistol once more.


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    The beast realizes his attack worked, so he prepares to charge again.


    The beast runs at full speed towards the Mysterious Girl.


    ¡°Okay, here he comes!¡± The Mysterious girl says.


    The Mysterious girl gets ready to shoot, but the beast suddenly appears before her eyes.


    ¡°What! That was fast!¡±


    The Mysterious quickly decides to throw herself to the right, barely dodging the beast.


    The beast missed the Mysterious girl.


    The Mysterious girl looks at the Beast, trying to get herself back up.


    ¡°Are my eyes deceiving me? Is he lifting a cop car with one hand or more like a claw?¡±


    The Mysterious girl sits there in shock at what she is looking at.


    The beast glances over¡­


    ¡°LOOK OUT!¡± A cop says as he grabs the girl just before the beast throws the cop car at them.


    ¡°Whew,¡± the cop says, out of breath.


    ¡°That almost got you just now. I¡¯m glad I got here just in time, though.¡±


    The Mysterious girl looks at the cop with an expression of gratitude.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± The Mysterious girl says as she bows her head towards him.


    ¡°Na, don¡¯t worry about it, but now we still have that problem.¡±


    The cop pulls out his gun from his belt and takes aim.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to try distracting it. You go up behind and shoot it in the back, got it!¡± The cop says.


    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s fine, but I have one question: were the other cops?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you noticed, but the cops around us are currently dead or badly injured, which means you would have to wait for backup, and of course, I¡¯m your first line of backup.¡±


    ¡°Although there is only one of me currently.¡±


    ¡°Okay, and when are the others getting here?¡±


    ¡°Who knows, a lot of the other cops are helping the injured people or helping to stop the fire, I guess.¡±


    ¡°What a pain, but I guess that¡¯s how it is, huh? Anyway, you ready?¡± The Mysterious girl says as she manages to pick herself back up.


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°Okay then, let¡¯s go!


    The Mysterious girl dashes to the right, and the cop starts firing at the beast.


    The beast realizes that the cop''s bullets seem to have little to no effect, so he charges towards the cop.


    The beast creates an opening for the Mysterious girl to jump behind him.


    ¡°Hey! Behind you, beast!¡± The Mysterious shouts do drag his attention away from the cop.


    The beast stops and turns around to see the Mysterious girl pointing guns right at him.


    ¡®BANG! BANG!¡¯


    The Mysterious girl shoots right towards the beast. But unfortunately, both shots miss him.


    ¡°What? I missed both shots again!¡±


    The beast closes the distance, grabs the Mysterious girl''s right leg, twists her in the air, and throws her.


    The Mysterious girl gets thrown down the long road to the beast¡¯s left.


    ¡°Hey¡ª kid? Are you ok?¡± The cop shouts worriedly.


    ¡°Shit! Is she unconscious? Dam, I guess I will have to somehow handle this by myself.¡± The cop says as he retakes fire.


    ¡®BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!¡¯


    ¡°Huh¡ª what¡¯s happening? My head hurts. I want to move, but I can¡¯t. It hurts so much.¡±


    The Mysterious girl tries to get up, but as she just gets to her knees, she vomits blood and ends up falling back down to the ground.


    ¡°God, it hurts so much to move right now.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, cop, but you might be alone for a bit.¡± The Mysterious girl says, but only she can hear the words.


    The Mysterious girl keeps trying to get herself back up. On the other hand, the cop is about to fight a battle he can¡¯t win.


    ¡°Come on¡­Come on! Reload faster!¡± The cop says in a rush.


    The beast closes the distance, and just as the beast is about to attack, a shot is fired off in the distance.


    ¡®BOOOM¡¯


    With his fast reaction time, the Beast realizes where the shot is coming from and makes a big jump to dodge it.


    Instead of the shot hitting, the shot makes contact with the ground, causing a big explosion.


    The cop gets flown backward, and his police hat falls off.


    ¡°Woah¡­What¡ªWhat the hell was that?¡± The cop says with a shocked expression.


    The cop turns around and sees a Giant mech just standing behind him.


    ¡°Alright! Backup is here; there is no need to worry now!¡± The guy in the mech says.


    ¡°Huh¡­what the what just happened?¡± The Mysterious girl says as she slowly regains consciousness


    The Mysterious girl looks up and sees the giant mech standing directly behind the cop.


    ¡°Woah¡­the mech is enormous. It looks like something you would see out of a war movie like it¡¯s camouflaged, or, to put it simply, I would describe it as a walking tank. The only difference is this mech only has one gun and a blaster. The blaster is on his right arm, and the gun is on its left.¡±


    The mysterious girl says this as she slowly picks herself up from the ground and gets ready to fight again.


    ¡°Okay, before we go any further, I want to tell you guys my name so this fight will be much easier.¡±


    ¡°My name is Aota! Now that that¡¯s out of the way, let¡¯s finish this thing, shall we!¡± Aota says, booming with confidence as he gets ready to shoot another heavy shot from his mech.


    ¡°Huh, this guy is here to help? Well, then, I guess I better not leave this guy alone.¡± The Mysterious girl says as she picks her pistols up from the ground.


    ¡°Listen, I know I just got here, but I can tell this beast is fast. So that means we''ll have to predict its movements somehow.¡±


    ¡°Hey, cop guy, that girl over there, can she fight?¡±


    ¡°Huh, oh her, yeah, she can fight, but she¡¯s hurt pretty bad right now.¡±


    ¡°Uhh huh. Hey girl! Can you fight or what?!¡± Aota screams over to the Mysterious girl.


    ¡°Of course I can!¡± The Mysterious girl replies.


    ¡°Okay, I have a plan, although this plan really relies on you. Do you think you can handle that?¡±


    ¡°Yeah! I should be able to hand it.


    ¡°Right, the plan is to shoot my blaster directly at it. It will most likely dodge, but that¡¯s where you come in. I need you to predict where it dodges and shoot at him, ok?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I got it!¡±


    ¡°I should be able to handle just that much, right?¡± The Mysterious girl mumbles to herself.


    ¡°Alright, here we go!¡± Aota shouts as the beast starts to charge toward him and the cop.


    ¡®BOOOM¡¯


    Aota fires the shot directly at the beast. Of course, to no surprise, the beast dodges just by jumping in the air.


    ¡°Right, how will the beast doge¡­oh, I see.¡±


    The mysterious girl manages to predict how the beast will dodge, so she closes the distance and takes fire in the air, where the beast jumps.


    ¡®BANG! BANG!¡¯


    The Mysterious girl fires both shots, but to her surprise, the beast dodges them mid-air.


    ¡°WHAT! Oh shit¡­¡±


    The beast lands on the ground and charges at the Mysterious girl. Using his left arm, he swings at her, sending her flying into a nearby wall.


    ¡°Ahh, I see my body simply hit its limit; that¡¯s why I was unable to dodge. Now, I got flown into a wall and can¡¯t move, and my vision is blurry. Oh, and there is a lot more blood coming out of my head now.¡± The Mysterious girl says as she slowly starts to lose consciousness.


    ¡°Am I going to die?¡± The Mysterious girl slowly starts to pass out.


    The beast gets ready to finish off The Mysterious Girl.


    ¡°Hey! Over here, you beast!¡± Aota starts firing his second gun rapidly, which is similar to a drum gun, trying to get the attention of the beast.


    To his surprise, it works, but not in his favor, as the beast turns around and makes a massive leap onto the mech.


    The beast starts to attack the mech''s window, slowly breaking it.


    ¡°Fuck! Hey, come on, that¡¯s not fair. This mech only has high shooting power, but when it comes to mobility, it¡¯s terrible!¡±


    Aota panics, trying to shrug off the beast.


    ¡°Huh?¡± The Mysterious girl heard noises coming from the distance.


    ¡°It sounds like someone is jumping on a bunch of cars in a row right now.


    ¡®THUMP, THUMP¡¯


    The Mysterious girl opens her eyes and sees someone jumping super high like they are flying.


    The Mysterious girl opens her eyes wider and realizes¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s that kid!¡±


    ¡°I made it!¡± Kyo says as he finally lands on the ground, entering the battlefield.


    Chapter 5 End

 Glimmer Of Hope

    Chapter 6


    Glimmer Of Hope


    Am I going to sit here and do nothing? And the girl I just met¡ªwill I seriously let her fight this by herself?


    I just don¡¯t get what¡¯s happening. I mean, why are so many people dying? I thought I understood this world... but I was wrong.


    Kyo weeps on the ground as he thinks about his current situation.


    Right, what should I do? Should I help people around me? Or do I chase after her? I just don¡¯t know what to do?!


    ¡°Help!..HELP! Anyone!¡± A person screams.


    Huh, someone is asking for help.


    Kyo lifts his head and sees a guy standing on the sidewalk to his right.


    Kyo notices the man wearing a nice black suit, a white shirt underneath, and a black tie. The man also has a comb-over with his black hair.


    Kyo thinks about what to do but doesn¡¯t take long to decide.


    I Want to help people! Kyo thinks as he pulls himself off the ground.


    ¡°Sir!¡± Kyo screams over to the man.


    The man looks over at the kid, screaming over to him.


    ¡°Hey¡­Kid, can you help me?¡± the man asks, tears running down his face.


    ¡°Sure, I¡¯ll do whatever I can!¡±


    ¡°Finally, someone wants to help me!¡± The man says as he grabs Kyo and cries on Kyo¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Okay, sir, I¡¯m going to need you to tell me what you need help with,¡± Kyo says as he gently pushes the guy back.


    This guy doesn¡¯t seem to have any injuries, so what could he ask for help with?


    ¡°I need help with finding my missing daughter¡ª¡± The man says as he falls to the ground crying.


    This guy needs help finding a missing kid, huh¡­then Kyo suddenly thinks about how he just saw a kid die, someone he could¡¯ve saved.


    That¡¯s right, I just saw a kid die. I failed, and I¡¯m now being asked to help with helping another kid. Kyo grabs his shirt and twists it in disgust.


    ¡°So¡­kid, can you help me?¡± The man says, practically begging at this point.


    Ho¡ªhow can I say no?


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll help you,¡± Kyo says with a fake smile.


    God, I can¡¯t get wrapped up in my feelings right now. This guy really needs help, so that¡¯s what I will do.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m going to need you to give me a description of your lost child.¡±


    ¡°Right, um, the kid you will be looking for is a girl roughly 40 inches or 100 cm tall. She has pink pajamas on with like a monster hoodie.¡±


    ¡°Okay, and do you have any idea which direction she might have gone?¡±


    ¡°Uhh no, actually I was taking a work call, then suddenly a building exploded, and then she¡¯s gone.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I guess you and I are just going to have to split up. I will run towards where the explosion came from. You run the other way, okay!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡± The man says, agreeing.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go!¡± Kyo says.


    Okay, she is about 100cm tall or 40 inches tall and wearing pink pajamas. Kyo thinks while running towards the explosion, looking.


    Kyo runs down the road, the smoke burning his lungs, and the smell of blood surrounds him with every step he takes; the distant sirens wail.


    He notices up ahead that there is a wreckage and observes even more closely and notices a young woman trapped under a car.


    Kyo was going to just run by her but saw that there was movement from under the car.


    Huh, is she still alive? Kyo stops himself and runs over to her to check her out.


    ¡°Hey¡­girl, are you still alive?¡± Kyo looks closely at the car and realizes it¡¯s a heavy-duty pickup truck that¡¯s all white except for its black tires with steel rims.


    Oh, the truck has a brand on it. Let¡¯s see, it¡¯s called¡­


    ¡®The failed experiments.¡¯


    What the¡ªwhat a strange name for a company, Kyo thought.


    ¡°Hey¡­someone there?¡± The girl asks, just barely able to say the words as the heavy truck is crushing her chest.


    Oh, she can speak, perfect. Kyo thought.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m here,¡± says Kyo.


    ¡°I know this might be a huge ask, but can you help me get out from under this truck? I highly doubt you can, though.¡±


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°What do you mean highly doubt?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°For one, the truck is hefty, so I don¡¯t think you will be able to flip it, and second, I think if you managed to pull me out, I would die within minutes because of the amount of pressure my chest is under right now.¡±


    ¡°What, seriously! No, there has to be something I can do!¡± Kyo says desperately.


    There¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting someone else die on my watch! Not again!


    ¡°Okay, listen, I will try to lift the truck.¡±


    Kyo crouches puts his hands underneath the truck, and tries to lift it.


    ¡°AaAahhAhHA!¡± Kyo struggles to get the truck even to budge.


    God, it¡¯s so heavy! Just after one attempt, my arms feel like noodles right now. My back is also starting to hurt.


    I couldn¡¯t get it that time, but I swear I will this time! Kyo thinks


    ¡°Hey, kid, it¡¯s pointless. I don¡¯t think you''re going to be able to move it. So, instead, how about we introduce ourselves.¡± The girl says.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start my name is Hana.¡±


    Hana''s voice slowly starts to get weaker.


    ¡°What! We don¡¯t have time for introductions, so what we need to do is get you out from under the truck!¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Kid¡ªjust tell me your name already,¡± Hana says with a weak voice.


    Kyo sighs


    ¡°Fine¡­my name is Kyo Ito.¡± He says with a sad look on his face.


    ¡°Kyo, that¡¯s a nice name,¡± Hana says with a smile, her voice is faint.


    ¡°Tell me something about yourself, Kyo,¡± Hana says.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we don¡¯t have time right now for a stupid chat,¡± Kyo says as he attempts to lift the truck again.


    ¡°AaAaAhHhH!¡± Kyo failed to lift the truck again.


    Kyo huffs hard as he tries to catch his breath.


    ¡°Listen, Kyo! This truck isn¡¯t moving, so can we please just chat?¡±


    Hana¡¯s voice grows even weaker.


    ¡°But¡­But I have to help you. I won¡¯t let somebody die again on my watch¡ª!¡± Kyo starts to cry as he struggles to lift the truck.


    ¡°Kyo, just sit, please.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°Please, Kyo.¡±


    ¡°Fin¡ªfine,¡± Kyo says as he sits down, ready to talk finally.


    ¡° I guess you had a similar scenario already tonight, huh?¡± Hana says.


    ¡°Yeah, I did,¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°I saw a kid die in front of my eyes. But what¡¯s worse is that just before he died, I could''ve helped him, but no, I decided not to. I mean, the kid was asking for help! And I decided not to!¡±


    Kyo breaks down.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s alright, kid shit happens. Don¡¯t put all the blame on you, though.¡±


    ¡°No, I deserve all the blame. I mean, I essentially left the kid to die.¡± Kyo says as he cries.


    Kyo realizes something¡­


    Shit, I''ve been focused on myself and my emotions that I completely forgot about the fact that a person is dying in front of me.


    ¡°Hey, if you don¡¯t mind me asking, aren''t you scared to die?¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­well, of course, I''m super scared right now.¡±


    ¡°I mean, who wants to die, right?¡±


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t you crying? Don¡¯t tell me you''re holding back, for my sake. Please cry.¡± Kyo says with a gloomy expression.


    ¡°You''re right. I¡¯m sorry¡ª¡± Hana starts crying.


    ¡°You''re right, I¡¯m super scared.¡±


    ¡°I DON''T WANT TO DIE!¡± Hanas''s face turns to a complete mess of tears.


    ¡°I know¡­I know.¡±


    ¡°Would you like to keep talking?¡±


    Kyo stutters as he says this.


    ¡°Yes, I would like to keep talking if you don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Okay, what should we talk about? Maybe I¡¯ll ask her about her life. Considering she is the one on death''s doorstep right now.


    ¡°So I have a question then. What do you major in college?¡±


    ¡°Oh, college, huh? Well, to be honest, I majored in law.¡±


    ¡°Law, that¡¯s really cool!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I thought the same thing¡­¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Well, Kyo, you probably thought to yourself by now that you haven¡¯t seen what the world is truly like, right?¡±


    Dam, It''s like she read my mind.


    ¡°Yeah¡±


    Kyo puts on a small smile even though he¡¯s in a ton of pain.


    ¡°Listen, then. There will come a time when you will see the world for what it truly is, and when it comes, I don¡¯t want you to lose hope. For example, like tonight, I can tell there is no hope in you. Your eyes are dark and gloomy. It feels like you''re just dragging yourself around, hoping things will improve.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, you will have your ups and downs. It will feel like the world is against you, and hell, it probably is, but don¡¯t drop your head because as soon as you do, you have lost.¡±


    ¡°So, in short, raise your head, Kyo.¡±


    Kyo starts to cry.


    ¡°Why¡ªwhy did you tell me that, Especially when you''re the one dying? Kyo tries to wipe the tears off his face.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple. I wanted to feel like I at least did one right thing in this world.¡±


    Kyo clears up his waterworks. ¡°Thank you for that. Honestly, I probably really needed that.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad.¡±


    Hana¡¯s voice gets even weaker to the point where you can barely hear her.


    ¡°Hey, Kyo, can I ask you a favor one last time?¡±


    ¡°Huh, uh yeah, what is it?¡¯


    ¡°Could you relay a message for me?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, okay,¡± Kyo says hesitantly.


    ¡°I want you to go to my family house in Yamaguchi.¡±


    ¡°Yamaguchi?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know it¡¯s kinda far, but it would mean a lot if you went up there.¡±


    Kyo thinks for a second.


    ¡°Okay, I guess I can do it.¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much.¡±


    ¡°What message would you like me to deliver?¡±


    ¡°Here, come closer.¡±


    Hana¡¯s voice is so weak she can barely speak.


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Kyo leans closer.


    ¡°Whisper, Whisper, Whisper.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I got it. I will relay this message.¡±


    ¡°Kyo, I wanted to thank you for being here with me right now and, of course, for talking with me.¡±


    ¡°It really means a lot, so thank you¡­¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much, Kyo.¡±


    Hana says that as loudly as she can, but Kyo can barely hear it.


    ¡°What? Hana?¡±


    ¡°Hana?¡±


    ¡°Hana!¡±


    Kyo tries to tap on her and even moves her slightly, but there is no response.


    ¡°Noooooooooo! Hana, wake up¡ªwake up!¡±


    Nothing happens


    No, she can¡¯t be dead. Is she really dead? Kyo¡¯s mind spins in circles. Was It really okay for me to be the last person she saw?


    Kyo starts to cry hard. His face turns into a complete mess.


    Am I just now realizing how bad the smell is, the scent of her blood, or is it other people''s blood from the ton of dead bodies that surround me?


    ¡°Hey! Hey! Kid, where are you?¡± A guy shouts in the distance.


    Huh, oh yeah, I forgot all about the missing kid. I really am a mess. Kyo thought.


    ¡°Yeah, over here!¡± Kyo stands up and waves him down.


    ¡°Oh, there you are; thank goodness I found you.¡± The man runs over.


    Kyo notices that the man is carrying someone.


    ¡°Hey, kid, I wanted to thank you for helping, but there is no need anymore. I found my little girl!¡± The man has a big smile.


    ¡°Oh, okay, I¡¯m glad,¡± Kyo says sadly.


    ¡°Hey, kid, could you tell me your name?¡±


    ¡°Huh¡ªoh yeah, it¡¯s Kyo Ito¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, Kyo, get that gloomy look off you. I found her it¡¯s okay now.¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Hey! Hey! Anyone!¡± A person screams from the distance.


    ¡°Hmm.¡± The man says.


    Kyo turns his head and sees a woman running from the place where the explosion happened.


    ¡°People need help! It''s horrible down there!¡±


    The woman reaches Kyo and the man.


    ¡°There is a big fight near the explosion and the people fighting it are on the losing end.¡±


    What! There was a big fight near the explosion, that¡¯s where the mysterious girl ran to.


    Is she alright? Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Hey, tell me, how bad is it?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°Bad!¡± says the woman


    This woman seems like she has been through a lot. Her clothes are all run-through with holes in them, and her whole body is scuffed. It also looks like she just got off work.


    ¡°One of them is seriously injured, and another is about to be, so can you help?¡±


    ¡°Hey, quick question: is one of them a girl?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, actually, that¡¯s the person who is seriously injured.¡±


    Oh no, this is bad. Kyo thinks.


    ¡°If you can help, you should go now!¡±


    Kyo thinks for a second. He thinks about what Hana said to him just before he died. He thinks about how he has to raise his head and have more hope.


    Kyo also remembers the most important thing Hana said: Even if the world is against you, don¡¯t drop your head because the moment you do, you lose.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll go! I¡¯ll go help!¡± Kyo says as he dashes towards the explosion.


    ¡°Oh boy, that kid sure is raring to run to his death, huh?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, he sure is.¡± The guy responds.


    I will keep my head held high! I won¡¯t let this cruel world make me lose hope!


    Chapter 6 End

 Kyo Enters The Fight!

    Chapter 7


    Kyo Enters The Fight!


    ¡®BA-BUMP, BA-BUMP, BA-BUMP¡¯


    Now that I¡¯m actually here, I feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest!


    Right, I came here to look for that girl. I hope she is alright.


    But before that, what the hell is that thing! It looks like a big-ass werewolf type of monster.


    ¡®Screeeeeeeeeeeech¡¯


    Kyo glances over and trembles in fear as to what he is looking at.


    Ahhh¡ªwhat the hell is happening! The ferocious beast is attacking something¡­


    Wait? Is that a Mech!


    Kyo stumbles in his steps and falls on his butt.


    Kyo¡¯s whole body is trembling in fear as he looks at the beast devouring the mech.


    ¡°Help! Help!¡± A voice comes from the mech.


    Huh? Is there someone in there? Even if there is someone in there, how are they still alive?


    Shit, someone is alive. I can hear them screaming!


    ¡°Help!, Help!¡± The guy shouts again.


    I should go help, right? I mean, I want to, but my body feels paralyzed, like I know if I go help, I might end up dying.


    Kyo just sits there and watches as the beast tears through the mech.


    ¡®BANG!¡¯


    Kyo comes back to his senses.


    Was that a gunshot? Kyo blinks a few times and looks over and sees¡­


    Huh? The beast suddenly stopped? Kyo thought.


    The beast turns his head toward the direction of the gunshot.


    Kyo looks at the beast.


    Blood dripping from the beast''s mouth, along with drool, as the beast gazes his eyes at a girl.


    Huh?


    Kyo hesitantly looks over and sees a person, a seriously injured person at that.


    Wait? Kyo¡¯s eyes widened in fear.


    It¡¯s the girl!


    Kyo notices the beast turn its attention toward the Mysterious girl.


    The beast leaps off the mech onto the ground and prepares for a full attack towards the Mysterious girl.


    But just as the beast is about to attack¡­


    ¡°Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!¡±


    Kyo screams as loud as he can


    Kyo instinctively stands up and screams again, trying to catch the beast¡¯s attention.


    What the fuck am I doing! Kyo thinks. Why am I standing up and screaming at the top of my lungs? Is it because the beast is going to attack her? Did I seriously want to help her just now?


    Fuck I can¡¯t wrap my brain around it, but either way, I¡¯m pretty sure I just fucked myself.


    The beast turns its attention towards Kyo.


    Shit! I can already smell the bloodlust from the beast as it¡¯s about to charge at me. Kyo grins in fear and prepares to run.


    The beast starts to charge toward Kyo.


    Shit! I have to think! Fuck, but how am I supposed to think right now? With the current atmosphere, the smoke clogging my lungs, the smell of blood around me, and, more importantly, the dead people that I¡¯m going to have to run through.


    Come one, come on, think damit! Then suddenly, it clicks for Kyo.


    Ah, now that I¡¯m actually trying to use my senses for once, I¡¯m noticing that the beast is somewhat slow and fast, like he¡¯s slow enough to the point where I can dodge him.


    It seems the beast has tired down a little bit.


    Kyo thinks of a crazy plan¡­


    Right, this should work. Fuck I¡¯m so scared right now! But I must do this even if I am afraid I¡¯m not going to let that girl die.


    Kyo suddenly starts to run slowly in the direction of the beast, and then, as he closes the distance a little bit, he dashes at full speed right at the beast.


    Suddenly, the beast and Kyo are within five meters apart.


    I closed the distance fast, but even so, I could feel the beast towering over me and ready to kill me at one wrong move.


    Okay, now it¡¯s time for me to dodge.


    I¡¯m not exactly good at predicting moves, so this is where the terrible part of my plan comes in, and I have to take a gamble!


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    Right, I can¡¯t figure out how he will attack, so I¡¯m just going to hope he attacks with his right hand so I can dodge under it!


    The beast goes in for an attack, and as soon as the beast does, Kyo ducks and rolls, successfully dodging the attack!


    Oh shit! My gamble paid off. The stupid beast attacked with his right arm.


    The beast quickly repositions towards Kyo and Gets ready to attack him again.


    Okay, now what? Where can I run to now? Huh, right, I heard someone scream from the mech fuck I¡¯ll just run towards there!


    Kyo picks himself back up and runs at a full sprint toward the mech.


    Fuck! What should I do? What can I do once I get to the mech?


    Think Kyo, think! But don¡¯t think for too long because you have a fucking monster chasing you!


    If only I had a weapon.


    Wait! I just came up with another idea! Okay, let¡¯s see¡ª


    ¡°AHHHHHH!¡± Kyo says as he turns around and sees the beast on his back.


    Shit! Did the beast get faster?


    Even so, it doesn¡¯t matter; I can still execute this plan.


    Kyo suddenly shifts his body to the right and runs towards a small cake shop.


    ¡°Yes! That¡¯s right, keep following me, beast!¡±


    This plan will need some seriously accurate timing because as soon as I get to the cake shop, I¡¯m going to have to use the wall, I will need him to attack, and I will need to doge simultaneously so that the hand he attacks with his right hand and it gets stuck in the wall.


    Sorry, cake shop wall in advance! Kyo thinks.


    Okay, here we go! Kyo runs at a full sprint toward the wall.


    That¡¯s it! That¡¯s it! Keep following me, Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Now it''s all or nothing!¡± Kyo says as he reaches the wall, then suddenly turns to see the monster already in his face, about to attack!


    Okay, let¡¯s hope he aims for my head because the smaller the target, the easier it is to dodge.


    Kyo quickly notices the beast is about to use his right arm to attack again. Kyo instinctively tilts his head hard to the right; Kyo closes his eyes in fear, hoping he doesn¡¯t get hit.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Kyo opens his eyes and notices that the beast''s hand barely missed his head.


    Even though the beast missed his head, it still ended up grazing his shoulder and cheek.


    ¡°Ah¡ªshit, did my plan work?¡± Kyo blinks his eyes to double-check.


    ¡°Ahh! Yes, I did it!¡± Kyo shouts in excitement.


    Ahh fuck, the smell is terrible, Kyo thinks.


    Kyo suddenly realized he had forgotten that the beast was still standing before him.


    Oh, right shit, I must have gotten too excited and forgot that the beast can still attack!


    Kyo feels shivers go down his spine as the beast towers over him.


    The beast takes notice of Kyo¡¯s excitement and angrily lifts his left arm for another strike at Kyo¡¯s face.


    Oh shit! He¡¯s going to try attacking again. This time, I¡¯m just going to go under your legs!


    The beast strikes, but to his surprise, he misses, letting Kyo escape under his legs.


    Dumbass beast, if only he could put his two brain cells together!


    Okay, now I bought myself some time. I should go over to the mech and see if I can get the guy out.


    Kyo hurriedly runs toward the mech.


    ¡°Hey, Hey! You still there!¡± Kyo screams up at the guy in the mech.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°You''re still alive, kid?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am. Now, Is there a way I can get you out of the mech?¡±


    ¡®Cough, Cough¡¯


    ¡°Yeah, there is. There should be an emergency button towards the back of this junk. Just press that.¡±


    ¡°Okay!¡±


    Kyo goes towards the back of the mech and sees nothing but a flat surface.


    What? Where is the button? Oh, wait, why would the button be in plain sight? The button would definitely be hidden.


    ¡°Hey, kid, is everything going okay back there?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just give me one more minute!¡± Kyo screams back.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m just asking because the beast is slowly getting his hands free.¡± The guy says nervously.


    Right, I¡¯m going to have to hurry then.


    Kyo puts both hands on the rusty metal and starts feeling around to see if there are any cracks in the metal where he could find a latch to open.


    God, this thing is rusty, Kyo thinks as he keeps moving his hands across the rusty back of the mech.


    It feels so weird doing this. You can tell it¡¯s an older model by touching it alone because it has weird bumps on the metal. I¡¯m pretty sure these models haven¡¯t been used since the war. So why does this guy have one?


    Hmm? Oh, I found it! Kyo¡¯s hands felt a little crevice in the metal.


    Okay, it''s time to force it open now.


    Kyo tries his best to stick his fingers in the crevice and open it, but he ultimately fails to get a good grip.


    ¡°Fuck!¡± Come on, come on! I have to be able to open this! Kyo tries again, and this time, he succeeds.


    ¡°Yes! Finally!¡±


    Okay, I can see the button now, so all I have to do now is press it.


    Kyo uses his pointer finger to click on the dusty blue button, which is emergency only and presses it.


    ¡®BEEP, BEEP¡¯


    A loud beeping sound starts to go off, and the hatch opens so the guy can get out.


    ¡°Ah, thanks, kid.¡±


    Kyo runs to the front of the mech.


    ¡°No problem! But now I need your help in killing that thing over there.¡± Kyo suddenly asks in a serious tone.


    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry. I was already planning on doing that.¡± The man says, acting all cool.


    ¡°Oh, also, kid, my name is Aota.¡±


    ¡°Umm, right, my name is Kyo Ito. Now, let¡¯s kill that thing.¡±


    ¡°Nah, sorry, but the only one doing the killing is me.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Kyo, catch this bag as I throw it out.¡±


    ¡°Sure?¡±


    Aota tosses a big black bag out.


    Ah¡­the bag is heavy, kyo thinks as he loses balance, almost falling backward.


    ¡°Dam, what¡¯s in this bag? I felt like I was just about to pull my back out!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a heavy-duty railgun sniper, one of their newest models,¡± Aota says as he jumps out of the mech to the ground.


    ¡°Okay, toss me the bag,¡± Aota says to Kyo.


    Kyo tosses the bag to Aota, who unzips it and pulls out a big blue and black sniper.


    ¡°Woah! That¡¯s so cool.¡± Kyo says with an amazed look.


    ¡°Yeah, you bet,¡± Aota says.


    ¡°Okay, I don¡¯t have much time to set this up,¡± Aota says as he quickly tries to do so.


    ¡°Umm, Aota, I think you''re out of time,¡± Kyo says, pointing at the beast now free from the wall.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I should be ready now.¡± Aota gets in a crouching position and looks through the scope at the now very angered beast that is charging at them and fires.


    ¡®BANG¡¯


    The bullet tears through the skull of the beast, and blood splatters everywhere.


    The beast falls to the ground, with pieces of his brain flying everywhere.


    ¡°Hot dam!¡± Aota says.


    ¡°We did it; Kyo, the fucker is now dead!¡±


    Kyo glances over to Aota.


    This guy is pretty cool. He has dreads, some cool sunglasses, and brown hair. He also hit a fucking cool shot.


    ¡°Hey kid, now that I¡¯m taking a look at you, don¡¯t you go to Xius Academy?¡±


    ¡°Huh, me? Oh shit, I forgot I got so wrapped up in this tonight, goddammit!¡±


    ¡°You should probably get heading back. I¡¯ll clean this mess up.¡¯


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I have to see if the girl over there is okay.¡±


    ¡®WEE-WOO, WEE-WOO¡¯


    ¡°Look, Kyo, we don¡¯t have time anymore. They''re coming, so I will need you to trust me for now, okay.¡±


    ¡°What? But the girl!¡±


    ¡°Listen, just stop by the hospital at some point tomorrow and see if she is there.¡±


    ¡°Why, though, why are you trying to get me to leave so fast?¡±


    ¡°Just trust me, Kyo, you don¡¯t want to get involved any further, okay?¡±


    ¡°But?¡±


    ¡°GO! KYO!¡± Aota screams.


    ¡°Just trust me!¡±


    Ahh, shit, he seems serious.


    ¡°Fine, but the girl better be alright!¡± Kyo screams as he starts to run away.


    ¡°Thank you, Kyo, Aota says.¡±


    Fuck what¡¯s his problem? What could he possibly be so afraid of? And who those people he referred to as them.


    I can¡¯t seem to wrap my head around it, but I can tell this much: Aota was hitting something even more dangerous was coming.


    2 Black vans pull up to the scene where Aota is currently standing.


    Multiple people exit the vans in black hazmat suits with black gas masks, and the suits have the lettering¡­


    ¡°Failed Experiments¡±


    ¡°Hands up, a person with a hazmat suit says to Aota.¡±


    Aota raises his hand in the air, not attempting to run away.


    A person with a hazmat suit walks up, cuffs Aota, and puts him in a black van while the others clean up the mess of the monster.


    The rest of the emergency response shows up to help the injured.


    The people in hazmat suits notice the Mysterious girl who is badly injured and walks in her direction.


    ¡°Phew.¡± I¡¯m finally at my new apartment, Kyo thinks as he stands in front of a two-story apartment complex.


    Oh, right, do I have my key? Kyo puts his hands in his pockets and feels something cold.


    ¡°Ahh, I do have it.¡±


    Kyo walks towards the rusty stairs attached to this old building, which looks like it could collapse at any given time. Kyo reaches the stairs and climbs up to the second floor.


    Hmm, what¡¯s my apartment number again? Oh, right, room 55.


    Kyo walks down the metal pathway that leads from the stairs to his room. Kyo walks under flickering lights that have moths flying around them. The lights just give barely enough light to see.


    Ahh, okay, finally, I¡¯m here. Kyo puts his key in the lock and turns the doorknob, and as the door opens, it makes a screeching sound.


    Kyo walks into his tiny apartment. The small hallway from the entrance leads to a small living space, the only place to sleep and eat. The small apartment also has a kitchen to Kyo¡¯s left and a bathroom to his right.


    Kyo takes off his shoes and walks across the hard but cold wooden floor. As soon as he reaches the small living room, he falls asleep on the floor.


    Chapter 7 End

 The Dead Space

    Chapter 8


    The Dead Space


    Tuesday 6:00 am


    ¡®BEEP, BEEP, BEEP¡­¡¯


    Kyo¡¯s alarm clock on the kitchen counter starts to go off, telling him to get up. It¡¯s the next day.


    ¡°Yaaaahhh,¡± Kyo starts yawning as he turns over on his side, ¡°one more minute,¡± Kyo says as he rubs his eyes.


    ¡®BEEP, BEEP, BEEP¡­¡¯ the noise continues


    ¡°Fuckkkk,¡± Kyo says as he turns his back to the ceiling to get up. Kyo stands in his small spaced apartment and goes to his kitchen to turn off his alarm clock.


    ¡°Yaaaahhh,¡± Kyo yawns again. ¡°Fuck it¡¯s cold in here. Does this place not have heating?¡±


    ¡°Hmm,¡± Kyo says tiredly, ¡°What time is it?¡± He looks down at his alarm clock, which says it is 6:05 a.m.


    ¡°Oh shit! I have to get going, or I¡¯ll miss the train!¡±


    The train leaves at 6:30 am.


    Kyo hurries to put on his shoes¡­


    ¡°Ah¡­ my shoes are already on me?¡± Kyo says, confused.


    ¡°And what¡¯s that smell?¡± Then Kyo realizes it is himself and suddenly remembers everything that happened last night.


    ¡°Ah¡­fuck,¡± Kyo looks down on his school uniform, which still has blood stains on it.


    ¡°Dammit, why did I have to get involved last night?¡± Kyo puts his hand to his face, frustration.


    ¡°Damit, I don¡¯t have enough time for this!¡± Kyo hurries outside of his apartment and starts running down the long, cold hallway in the morning, then down the steps and starts sprinting towards the laundromat.


    ¡°Damit¡­Damit!¡± If I hurry, I might be able to make it to school in time! Kyo thinks.


    ¡®Honk! Honk!¡¯


    Kyo stops just in time.


    ¡°WATCH WHERE YOU GOING!¡± The person in the car yells to Kyo.


    Kyo, out of breath, says, ¡°Fuck you!¡± as he flips him off.


    Dammit, just what is wrong with this town.


    ¡°The laundromat is less than a mile away.¡± Kyo breathes heavily.


    Kyo starts to run again.


    Kyo starts to run through the dead part of town where the homeless people live, and drugs, Bad smells, dealers who make a profit off the homeless people, then small businesses.


    ¡°Man, this is one of the worst parts about our country since the war ended; the economy started to collapse, leaving thousands homeless and having to rely upon doing things normal people wouldn¡¯t have to do to survive.¡±


    ¡°This is why I call it the dead space.¡±


    ¡°It''s sad because people constantly get used and manipulated down here. The dead space probably has one of the highest death counts now.¡±


    ¡°The dealers take even more advantage of this part of town, and they would pay the homeless people to do awful things, for example, killing someone.¡±


    ¡°Hah, well, isn''t that ironic? " As Kyo is running through the dead part of town, he looks to one of the walls on his left and realizes there is a bounty poster hung up there for 1 million yen.


    The poster has a blond-haired person with a mustache and the name Sam.


    ¡°God, the smell is bad and not to mention, I think the waters might even be a bit toxic as well.¡±


    Kyo continues to run through the damp, cold, bad-smelling, dead space of the town.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s clear that the dealers run this part of town, and I wouldn¡¯t want to mess with them.¡±


    ¡°It''s not like I have run into any down here.¡±


    Kyo looks up ahead.


    ¡°Ah¡­shit, one of the worst parts about the dead space is here¡­¡±


    THE SHOPPING DISTRICTStolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Hey, kid over here! One piece of clothing for 1000 yen!


    ¡°Food! Any food! For 5000 yen!


    ¡°People''s bones for 50000 yen!¡±


    ¡°Get your fortune today for 1,000,000 yen!¡±


    ¡°Buy living space for 5,000,000 yen!¡±


    ¡°Scammers, everything is overpriced, and the living space is one isn''t even real. This is what society has come to.


    This is what desperate people look like, Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Ah, not to mention that the dealers also control the shopping district.¡±


    However, the shopping district is much worse at night, as that involves drugs and prostitution, and people will even bid on fighting to death. And there are a ton of other things, too.


    You could also say that the shopping district has the most scandals. A lot of people fight over stuff, whether they''re stealing it or trying to bid on it from other shops.


    ¡°A paradise for dealers, which is why I think they have monopolized this part of town.¡±


    ¡°Fuck finally here¡­¡± Kyo catches his breath.


    Kyo is standing in front of the laundromat.


    ¡°Fuck, this place is run down. Hell, the sign over the door is barely hanging on, there is a bunch of trash out front, and the alleyways to both sides of the place are terrible.


    Kyo walks up to the door and opens it.


    ¡®Ding¡¯


    The door chimes as Kyo walks in.


    ¡°Aaaaah,¡± Kyo sighs.


    Ok, now to find the first open machine¡­


    ¡°Fuck! What is that smell? Oh, it''s bad.¡±


    ¡°I forgot this place has a bunch of wannabe drug lords and a ton of gamblers.¡±


    There are machines lined up from left to right with lockers in the very back and tables going down the middle, which has, of course, people gambling and doing drugs.


    ¡®Cough, Cough,¡¯ Kyo coughs as he walks over to the first set of machines on the right.


    I shouldn¡¯t forget, but this place also has a downstairs for the elite gamblers and wannabe drug lords.


    ¡°FUCK!¡± a person slams on tables behind Kyo.


    ¡°You stupid bastard, you cheated!¡± The person stands up, reaches into his pocket, and grabs a knife.


    ¡°Woah, woah, just say you can''t win.¡± The person across from the guy with the knife says with a cocky voice and his hands in the air.


    ¡°That¡¯s enough out of both of you!¡± A person enters the room.


    Kyo turns his head over his shoulders and realizes he is the shop owner and protector of the laundry mat. His name was Koji.


    He had big muscles and looked to be in his forties. He wore jeans with holes, boots, and a blue leather jacket, and his black hair went back.


    ¡°You two outside! You can handle this outside!¡± Koji screams at them.


    ¡°Ok¡­Ok,¡± the cocky guy says as he makes his way outside.


    The guy with the knife follows him.


    ¡®Ding¡¯ The door chimes, indicating the two people have walked out.


    ¡°Phew¡­ I thought I was going to have to watch someone die again today.¡±


    ¡°I wonder what''s happening with them?¡±


    Now that Kyo has calmed down, he remembers last night''s events.


    Is the girl alright? I hope she got out okay.


    What about the guy?


    The factory?


    The monster?


    Just what was happening last night?


    There seems to be a lot of fucked up things that happened.


    Kyo reaches into his pocket for his wallet¡­


    ¡°Fuck¡­Fuck!¡±


    ¡°Where is my wallet!¡± Kyo searches his other pocket, but it isn''t there.


    ¡°Oh no, I must''ve dropped it on the way here!¡±


    ¡°Stupid me!¡± Kyo slaps himself repeatedly on the forehead.


    Well, that shit is gone. Kyo thinks.


    I probably dropped it somewhere in the dead space, and if that¡¯s the case, it''s definitely gone.


    ¡°Ahhhh,¡± Kyo groans.


    I need to wash my clothes, but I have no money!


    Someone pokes Kyo on the left shoulder.


    ¡°Hm?¡± Kyo looks over and realizes that it is Mei.


    ¡°What the!¡± Kyo almost falls over in disbelief.


    ¡°Looks like you need money,¡± Mei says to Kyo.


    ¡°Ah,¡± Kyo says.


    Mei grabs a few coins and inserts them into the machine.


    ¡°Oh, thank you!¡± Kyo says as he bows his head and shows gratitude.


    What the hell is Mei doing in the dead space?


    Does she live near here? Or worse, does she live here?


    ¡°You might want to hurry and wash your clothes if you don¡¯t want to be late to school,¡± Mei says in a calming voice that could set anyone at ease.


    ¡°Ah, right¡­ my clothes.¡± Kyo hurriedly takes off his clothes and throws them into the washing machine.


    ¡°Fuck, it''s cold,¡± Kyo says as he is shivering from head to toe, pretty much naked apart from his underwear.


    ¡°Hey mei..?¡± Kyo walks over to Mei, who goes to her machine.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°What time is it?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°Ah, it''s 6:43 am.¡±


    ¡°SHiT!¡±


    ¡°We have to hurry! Come on, dam machine faster!¡±


    ¡°Calm down; it will take at least 40 minutes, so yeah, you will be late.¡±


    ¡°FuuuuuCK!¡± Kyo slumps down on the washing machine.¡±


    ¡°Hey, kid? What are you doing?¡± A tall guy stands over Kyo.


    Kyo looks up and realizes he is staring right at Koji.


    ¡°mY NaME¡­ right, it¡¯s Kyo Ito!¡± Kyo says with a cowardly face.


    ¡°Ah, that''s a good name, but I have one question: why are you pretty much naked in my laundromat?¡±


    ¡°Ah, you see, I was in a hurry, and you know one thing led to another,¡± Kyo says as he rubs his head in panic.


    ¡°Well, whatever the reason, I can¡¯t have you in the laundry mat pretty much naked, so I¡¯m going to ask you to stand outside until your laundry is done.¡±


    ¡°Man, for real? This sucks.¡±


    ¡°Koji, he¡¯s with me.¡± Mei suddenly says.


    ¡°Oh, is that right? Still can''t have him naked in my laundry mat, sorry, kid.¡±


    ¡°Man fuck this.¡± Kyo walks outside.


    ¡®Ding,¡¯ the door chimes again.


    ¡°Phew, it¡¯s cold.¡±


    ¡®Ding¡¯


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Ahh it¡¯s you, Mei.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re just going to stand out here and wait?¡± Mei asks Kyo.


    ¡°Well, yeah¡­¡± Kyo looks ahead and sees a person lying on the ground with a lot of blood.


    ¡°Oh shit¡­ it¡¯s that guy from a few minutes ago, the one that pulled the knife on the other guy.


    Kyo walks up to the person and immediately realizes that he is dead.


    Mei gasps in disgust and immediately runs inside to get Koji.


    ¡°Man, just what has this world come to,¡± Kyo says under his breath.


    ¡°Hey Kyo! You should step away from him.¡± Koji says as he comes outside.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine this isn¡¯t the first dead person I''ve seen.¡±


    ¡°Well, that doesn¡¯t matter you should hurry up with your clothes and get out of here. This place isn¡¯t for someone like you.¡±


    ¡°What about Mei?¡±


    ¡°Her? She should be used to this by now. She comes here almost daily.¡±


    What? She comes here daily? Just what is up with her?


    ¡°Anyhow, just hurry up and leave.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, sure.¡± Kyo gets back up to check on his clothes.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Hey, now that you and I will miss school, what will you do today?¡± Mei says.


    ¡°Fuck, I don¡¯t want to miss school, but I guess and can¡¯t be helped.¡±


    Then Kyo remembers a promise he made to a girl named Hana.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to head over to Yamaguchi prefecture, but first, I have to pay a visit to the hospital.¡±


    ¡°Okay, mind if I tag along?¡± Mei asks.


    ¡°Huh, for real? I mean, sure, only if you want to, though.¡±


    ¡°We just got to wait for my clothes first.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± Mei says.


    Hmm, maybe I will learn more about this girl as the day goes on.


    Chapter 8 End

 The Shadow operation

    Chapter 9


    The Shadow Operation


    Around an hour later¡­


    ¡®Beep, Beep, Beep¡¯


    The laundry is now done.


    ¡°Finally! Now I just have to get dressed.¡±


    ¡°Pants, shirt, socks, tie, and boom!¡±


    ¡°Alright, Mei! I¡¯m ready to go! What about you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let''s get going,¡± Mei responds.


    ¡°Aaaah.¡± Kyo sighs as he is about to open the door.


    ¡®Ding¡¯


    ¡°Okay, let''s go, Mei; how much is a ticket to Yamaguchi?¡±


    ¡°How am I supposed to know? We¡¯ll, we have to look at the board when we get there.¡±


    ¡°Right, also, how much money do you have on you because I have none.¡±


    ¡°I also have like none.¡±


    ¡°Seriously, then we must figure out how to make money.¡±


    ¡°You must be dumb; there is already an easy way to make money.¡±


    ¡°The Shopping District¡±


    ¡°Wait, seriously, does that mean I have to stay in the dead space even longer¡­¡± Kyo lets out a groan.


    ¡°The dead space?¡± Mei asks.


    ¡°Oh yeah, that''s just what I call this part of Tokyo. The dead space.¡±


    ¡°The most gruesome, most poverty, most drugs, and just everything that you would not expect is about here.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Mei responds.


    ¡°Well, we better get going to the shopping district,¡± Mei says.


    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go.¡±


    FUck¡­ we¡¯re here. Kyo thinks.


    Animals'' brains for 15000 yen!


    Medicine! All-natural medicine! For 1,000,000 yen!


    ¡­


    ¡°Fuck, this place sucks, anyway, what should we do to get money here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I guess we will have to look around and see if there is anything easy enough to do.¡±


    ¡°Tchhh,¡± Kyo makes noises with his mouth.


    ¡°Huug! Godam, the smell never gets any better in the dead space and only worsens in the shopping district.¡±


    We¡¯ve been walking for around five minutes through the nasty shopping district; I stepped through waters that I thought could kill me, smelled so bad you could vomit, and, worst of all, we found nothing easy to do. We had only seen people fighting each other over who gets what and the terrible things the shopping district has to offer.


    ¡°It sure is tough to find anything easy to do,¡± Mei says


    ¡°The easiest thing I¡¯ve seen is¡­¡±


    ¡°Try this medicine and get paid 1000 yen today!¡±


    ¡°Which is obviously a scam; the medicine is just a drug that knocks you out or, at worst, kills you, then they rob you of your stuff.¡±


    ¡°Pathetic.¡±


    ¡®Yeah¡­¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Hey you kids! Over there!¡± A strange guy from a booth tries to get Kyo¡¯s and Mei¡¯s attention.


    ¡°Hmm? Us,¡± Kyo points to himself.


    ¡°Yes, you! Come here!¡±


    Kyo and Mei walk up to the booth.


    What does this person want? I mean, hell, the booth looks terrible, and that''s surprising, considering all the booths in the shopping district are in horrible shape. This booth doesn''t even have a name, and it doesn¡¯t tell you what they are selling, either. It¡¯s already giving off bad vibes, and to make it worse, it has a curtain, so you can''t even see the guy''s face.


    ¡°Okay, what do you want with us?¡± Kyo asks.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The person behind the curtain moves the curtain to the side and reveals themselves.


    ¡°Woah, are you on your last legs, you old fart?¡±


    ¡°Who you calling old fart?¡± The man replies.


    ¡°I asked you guys over here because you guys looked like you needed something.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, so what if we do?¡± Kyo responds.


    ¡°Well, depending on what you need, I might be of help.¡±


    ¡°Really now? Well, we need money.¡±


    ¡°Money, huh? l see now, that is something I can help you and your quiet friend over there.¡±


    ¡°I have a job you guys can do if you are willing to do it.¡±


    ¡°Why would we trust you? We don¡¯t even know your name yet,¡± Kyo says in a slightly pitched voice.


    ¡°Fair enough, the old man says. Let''s start with introductions, then. My name is Ralph.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm, like I¡¯ll tell you my name.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Mei.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh,¡± Mei puts her hand to her hand in disappointment.


    ¡°Oh shit, I just said your name my bad.¡±


    ¡°Yes, we need money, and this dumbasses name over here is Kyo,¡± Mei says.


    ¡°Ahhh, Kyo and Mei are fine names.¡± The old man says.


    ¡°Tchhh,¡± why should we trust this old fart? This guy looks to be in his 70s, and he has four strips of hair on his head, a serious balding issue, his clothes are all ripped apart, and he''s missing teeth.


    ¡°Alright, if you guys would come inside.¡± Ralph opens the front of the booth like a gate.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Kyo says under his breath.


    Kyo whispers in Mei¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Hey, are we seriously going to trust this old fart?¡±


    ¡°Yes, for now.¡±


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    Kyo and Mei walk into a tiny space.


    ¡°Take a seat,¡± says Ralph.


    When they enter, they see two wooden chairs sitting in front of Ralph and Ralph sitting in another wooden chair across from them.


    ¡°Did we seriously have to do it in here?¡± Asks Kyo.


    ¡°Just take a seat; we can''t have the competition here on my plan.¡±


    Yep, this old fart is crazy. Kyo thought.


    ¡°Okay, we have taken a seat, so what is this plan of yours,¡± Kyo says sarcastically.


    ¡°If you guys want an easy way to win money, I have it.¡±


    ¡°A fighting ring.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Are you saying that we will have to fight?¡±


    ¡°No, just you, Kyo. I don¡¯t make women fight.¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that sexist?¡± Kyo asks.


    Mei elbows Kyo in the side. ¡°Shut up.¡±


    ¡°Aaahh.¡± Kyo sighs.


    ¡°Okay, so the plan is to have you fight three times.¡±


    ¡°Hmm three times?¡± Kyo questions Ralph.


    ¡°Yes, only three, and you will lose three of three times.¡±


    ¡°What! Lose all three!¡±


    ¡°Yes, all three, and I will tell you why.¡±


    ¡°You see, this fighting ring is much different from others. It has a multiplier. The more you lose, the higher your multiplier will go up.¡±


    ¡°Of course, the winners will also get a multiplier, but it will be much lower; this is how the betting system works.¡±


    ¡°Betting system?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°And of course, if you can guess, people will always bet on the person they think will win, which will be the person with the better win record of the night.¡±


    ¡°So, how does this make us money?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°It''s simple: you lose your first three fights to build up your multiplier, and then we will have you win against your fourth fight, so you will actually be fighting four fights tonight.¡±


    ¡°And if it isn¡¯t obvious already, we will need another faction to help us with this.¡±


    ¡°During your fourth fight, the person you are fighting will be someone we hand-picked, and the second faction will bet a ton of money on the loser, which would be you, and the person you are fighting will simply let themselves get knocked out.¡±


    ¡°That simple, and I would get a cut, which, in return, I would also pay a small sum to you guys.¡±


    ¡°It better be a lot, considering I would be the one fighting.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, you will have plenty.¡±


    ¡°Okay, time for questions.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I have one,¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°How does the fight work? And what are the rules?¡±


    ¡°Great question!¡±


    ¡°Okay, so let me explain: a fight will consist of one round, no timer, and the winner is essentially the first to tap out or get knocked out.¡±


    ¡°And the one rule we have is that if someone taps you three times, no matter what, the fight is over.¡±


    ¡°Mmm, okay. And  we fight however we want?¡±


    ¡°Yes, and I should mention another thing: no weapons. That is another rule.¡±


    ¡°Just martial arts.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh, got it. But what if you don¡¯t know how to fight?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your problem.¡±


    ¡°Anyhow, what we call this operation is the Shadow Operation.¡±


    ¡°Cool.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so when do I fight?¡±


    ¡°Your first fight is at 5:00 pm.¡±


    ¡°Dam, that''s far off.¡± Kyo starts biting his thumb, trying to decide what to do.


    ¡°We¡¯ll do it.¡± Mei steps in.


    ¡°Okay, great, see you at 5:00 then,¡± Ralph says.


    ¡°WaIt wHaT,¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go!¡± Mei says.


    Kyo and Mei leave the booth, and Raplh waves them goodbye as they do.


    ¡°Fuck are you dumb? I can¡¯t fight. I¡¯ll die in there!¡± Kyo says in a panic.


    ¡°Look, let''s look for something else until the time comes, okay? Maybe we find something better; does that sound like a better idea?¡±


    ¡°Aaahh, okay.¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Alright, well, we better get going Mei says if you don''t want to have to step in the ring.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Yeah, Let''s go.¡±


    Hmm fuck, what are we going to do? No matter how I look at it seems I¡¯m fucked either way.


    ¡°Hey, calm down. We will just have to keep looking around; if you hear someone shouting anything interesting, please speak up.¡±


    ¡°Come play with me and my dolls for 5000 yen!


    Man, that one just sounds weird.


    ¡°Come take drugs for 6500 yen!


    It sounds like the scam Mei was talking about.


    ¡°Card game! Play cards! If you win, you get the ultimate Jackpot of 1,500,00 yen!¡±


    ¡°Hey, that one sounds easy!¡± Kyo points at the booth in excitement.


    ¡°So you were thinking the same thing, huh? Well, let''s go check it out.¡±


    ¡°Howdy! How are you guys doing? " the man at the front of the booth greets them.


    What the hell is wrong with this guy? He''s very tall and has a country boy''s accent.


    ¡°This is the booth with the card game, right?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°While, yes, it is!¡±


    ¡°Great, my friend and I would like to have a go at it.¡±


    ¡°Great, but there is an entrance fee!¡±


    ¡°What, seriously!¡±


    ¡°Yepi do!¡±


    ¡°Aaaahhh!¡±


    ¡®Cough, Cough¡¯


    ¡°Hey, just let them in!¡± A person speaks.


    ¡°wHaT! We can''t just let them in!¡±


    ¡°I said what I said, let them in!¡±


    ¡°Tccchh, fine, you can come in.¡± The guy holds the purple cloth guarding the entrance to welcome them in.


    ¡°Hah!¡± Kyo laughs.


    ¡°Why hello there, please take a seat.¡±


    Hmm she''s an old lady? She¡¯s wearing purple clothes all around her and has a purple thing on her head.


    ¡°Hey, if I may ask a question, what¡¯s that on your head? Is it some type of scarf?¡±


    ¡°Ah, this is called a hijab.¡±


    ¡°Woah, where did you get that?¡±


    ¡°I got it before the war while traveling the world.¡±


    ¡°Woah, someone that has actually traveled the world insane!¡±


    ¡°Yes, It was definitely something¡­¡± The old lady says.


    ¡°Okay, before we start this game, we should introduce ourselves. My name is Annabelle.¡±


    ¡°Okay my name is Kyo Ito.¡±


    ¡°My name is Mei.¡±


    ¡°Lovely names.¡±


    ¡°Now, shall we get started with the game?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please, let''s get started,¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Hey, let me play this game,¡± Mei says.


    ¡°Huh, you sure? I mean, if you want that.¡±


    ¡°Yes, these are my type of games.¡±


    Kyo and Mei are seated just across from Annabelle with a wooden table and a piece of golden purple cloth separating them.


    ¡°Okay, here''s the cards.¡± Annebelle throws them down on the table.


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°Cards with clown faces on them?¡± Kyo says.


    Chapter 9 End

 The Card Game

    Chapter 10


    The Card Game


    ¡°Okay, before we get started, how about we get everyone involved.¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡°Oh, you want everyone to participate?¡± Mei asks.


    ¡°Yes, I think this would make the game more fun.¡±


    ¡°So, if you wouldn¡¯t mind playing, Kyo and my son, please.¡±


    ¡°Of course, mom.¡± The country guy responds.


    ¡°Okay, so let me explain the rules of this card game¡­¡±


    ¡°A deck comprises 100 cards; each person playing will be dealt seven cards. The rest will go to the draw pile¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh,¡± Kyo says.


    Annabelle continues explaining the game: ¡°Each card has clown faces on it and numbers ranging from 1 to 100¡­¡±


    ¡°There is only one copy of each card, meaning there will only be one number, not duplicates¡­¡±


    ¡°One number?¡± Ask Kyo.


    ¡°Yes, meaning that if you played a card with the number six, then that¡¯s the only number 6 in the game.¡±


    ¡°Ahhh,¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°The game will start with the first person playing the lowest number they have; then the next person will play the next highest card, and so on.¡±


    ¡°I have a question; you mean if someone were to play number twenty-seven, the next person would have to play their lowest number corresponding to that?¡± Mei asks.


    ¡°Yes, that is how it works.¡±


    ¡°There is a catch though the lie system; you can call a lie if you think the person didn¡¯t play their lowest card and instead made a jump to a bigger number. If you are caught in a lie, you must pick up all the cards from the center¡­¡±


    ¡°But if the person wasn¡¯t lying, you pick up all the cards from the center.¡±


    ¡°So this game is built on trust?¡± Mei says.


    ¡°Yes, exactly.¡±


    ¡°All cards will be played face down, so the person playing the card has to say their number out loud¡­¡±


    ¡°And yes, you could stack all your cards, meaning you play all seven down at once if you wish¡­¡±


    ¡°First, to get rid of their hand wins the game.¡±


    ¡°But that would be a little boring; let''s spice it up a little: if you catch someone in a lie, you can ask that person any question of your choosing and must tell truthfully¡­¡±


    ¡°To make it a little more fair, each person will be granted two passes, meaning they can pass questions twice if they want.¡±


    ¡°Okay, does everyone understand how the game works?¡±


    ¡°I have another question: is there a sort of punishment?¡± Mei asks.


    ¡°yes, there will be a punishment for the remaining three that didn¡¯t win.¡±


    ¡°Any more questions?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s time to win some money,¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°Okay, if we are set, let''s get started.¡±


    Annabelle starts dealing seven cards between the four of them.


    ¡°Okay, we are ready. Let''s start.¡± Annabelle says.


    THE CARD GAME BEGINS


    ¡°I¡¯ll go first,¡± says Annabelle.


    ¡°I play number 11.¡±


    ¡°Then Mei, you go, then Kyo, then my son, then back to me.¡±


    Okay, surely she wouldn¡¯t place a fake card immediately, right? Mei thinks.


    So there is no point in calling it a lie now¡­


    Dam, my lowest card is a six, which means I will have to stack¡­ should I do it now or wait for when we get to the late game? I¡¯ll do it now.


    ¡°I will play two cards, numbers 27 and 30.¡±


    ¡°Lie.¡± Annabelle immediately calls out to Mei.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ¡°What! How did you know?¡± Mei responds.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t I took a gamble; normally, no one would play two cards at the start they would wait, so that¡¯s why I called a lie.¡±


    ¡°So you take the three cards and put them in your hand.¡±


    ¡°Now, I will ask a question.¡±


    ¡°Why are you in this part of Tokyo?¡±


    Woah, what a question from the start, Kyo thinks. Maybe I will actually learn something about her.


    ¡°Why are we here today, you ask?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because we need money.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, fair enough,¡± Annabelle says, unsatisfied with her answer.


    ¡°Okay, then Kyo, you next.¡±


    ¡°Right, I will play number¡­ wait, what do I play? There are no cards in the middle?¡±


    ¡°You play your lowest card,¡± Annabelle says.


    Okay, my lowest card is number 3. I have cards number 3, 57, 71, 98, 26, 34, and 41, so I should obviously play my number 3 card¡­ Man, I can¡¯t wait until I can ask a question.


    ¡°Okay, I play the card number 3.¡±


    ¡°Okay, son, your turn.¡±


    ¡°Right, I play the card number 4.¡± He says in his country accent.


    Fuck that''s a really close number, so obviously, it is a lie, right? Maybe I should call it? But it''s still the early game I don¡¯t want to have to pick up cards if I¡¯m wrong, dam..


    Fuck I¡¯m gonna call it!


    ¡°LIE!¡± Kyo screams.


    ¡°Aah, you got me.¡± Says the son.


    ¡°Hah, now I get to ask a question, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes, you may ask a question now.¡±


    The son takes the cards from the middle of the table and puts them in his hand, waiting for the question.


    ¡°Okay, my question is, what is your name?¡± Kyo asks, standing up, anticipating an answer.


    ¡°Pass.¡± The son says.


    ¡°What! You''re passing the first question given to you!¡± Kyo screams as slams his fist on the table.


    ¡°Yes, I won¡¯t answer that question.¡±


    ¡°Tccchh.¡± Kyo sits back down in disbelief and dissatisfaction.


    ¡°Here, I will make you a deal; if you win, I will answer your question.¡±


    ¡°You''re on, son!¡±


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s my turn,¡± Annabelle plays her next card.


    ¡°I play number 9.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what I thought your lowest number was 11!¡± Kyo snaps at Annabelle.


    ¡°I lied, obviously,¡± Annabelle replies.


    ¡°How do I know you''re not lying right now?¡± Kyo adds.


    ¡°She isn¡¯t.¡± Mei steps in.


    ¡°What? How do you know?¡±


    ¡°Because I know.¡±


    ¡°Hmmm.¡± Kyo leans back in his chair, processing what is happening.


    Hah, she is already trying to have us at the palm of her finger, right? Well, I won¡¯t let that happen. It seems the only way I can win is if I play honestly¡­ at least for now.


    Hmmm, she is starting to figure out how this game works¡­ Annabelle thinks.


    ¡°I play number 11,¡± Mei says.


    ¡°Okay¡­ what should I play?¡±


    Dam, I¡¯m looking through my hand; what should I do, just play one card at a time? No, If I keep doing that, I will lose to Granny¡­


    No, I can still rely on the lying method. I could still catch her lying, Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Okay, I play the number¡­¡±


    ¡°Oh, also, one more thing to add: You can only play two cards at a time,¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Hmm, then I will play 26 and number 41,¡± Kyo says.


    Shit, am I just realizing I have a god hand! Kyo thinks.


    I could win easily with this hand.


    ¡°Hmmm, I believe you are telling the truth,¡± Son says.


    ¡°I will play the number¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait,¡± Annabelle speaks up.


    ¡°I believe Kyo is telling a lie.¡±


    ¡°What, no, I¡¯m not!¡±


    Right, there is no way I am.


    Kyo looks through his hand and realizes¡­


    ¡°Shittttt¡­ your right I had a 36¡­ Fuck!¡±


    ¡°Damit, I made such a dumb mistake; how?¡± Kyo starts slapping his head.


    ¡°You probably think this game can be so simple, right?¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Well, there is a twist to this game: Once two turns go by, you are now able to draw a card if you feel like you''re in a rough spot¡­


    ¡°Also, every time it reaches back to me, the top card of the deck will be put to initiate a new number.¡±


    ¡°What¡­ you''re just adding new rules, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Nope, these have always been the rules.¡±


    ¡°Huh.¡±


    ¡°Okay, well, Annabelle, you have to ask Kyo a question now, so hurry up,¡± Mei says in annoyance.


    ¡°Right, Kyo, my question to you is¡­¡±


    ¡°What is the most important thing in this world?¡±


    ¡°What a typical question; I feel like anyone gets asked that at least once through their lifetime.¡± Says Kyo.


    ¡°Answer.¡± Says Annabelle


    ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s pretty obvious, but it¡¯s money.¡±


    ¡°And no, don¡¯t give me a speech on how money isn¡¯t the most important thing or whatever¡­ happiness is or whatever¡­ I¡¯m not interested in hearing it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay, I wasn¡¯t going to give a speech; I was just curious.¡±


    ¡°Mei dear, it¡¯s your turn now.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    Hmmm, she¡¯s right. This game feels super easy on the surface. Is she trying to pull something? I don¡¯t know anymore¡­


    ¡°Oh, also, let''s make it so you can¡¯t stack anymore.¡±


    ¡°So we really are just making up our own rules now, huh?¡±


    ¡°I guess you could put it like that, but I want this game to last a little longer,¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Okay, I play the number¡­ Oh wait, am I dumb? Granny, it¡¯s your turn to play your number.¡±


    ¡°You also have to put a new card out.¡±


    ¡°Oh geez sorry¡­ Okay, the new card is 81.¡±


    ¡°And the number I play is 94.¡±


    Dang, I can¡¯t tell if she is lying or not¡­ should I just go?


    Annabelle sure is good at this game, Kyo thinks. I can¡¯t even tell if she is lying or not.


    ¡°Okay, I will play¡­¡±


    Ah, shit, I don¡¯t have a number higher than 94 what should I do? Mei starts biting her thumb.


    I have to risk it, Mei thinks


    ¡°I play the number 99.¡±


    ¡°Lie.¡± Blurts granny''s son.


    ¡°Shit.¡±


    Mei takes the cards from the middle and puts them in her hand.


    ¡°Okay, well, take another card from the deck this time and face it up,¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Kyo, would you like to do the honors?¡±


    ¡°Wait, wait, I still have to ask Mei a question.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, go ahead. Geeze, I keep forgetting things.¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°My question to you, Mei, is¡­¡±


    ¡°Are you a foster child?¡±


    ¡°Pass,¡± Mei says.


    ¡°Hmmm,¡± Son grunts in disapproval.


    ¡°Okay, now let¡¯s see what the new card is¡­¡± Kyo chimes in.


    Dang, what the hell was that type of question? Why would you even ask someone that? Well, in any case¡­


    ¡°The new number is 45.¡±


    ¡°Remember, you have to play your lowest number.¡± Annabelle reminds Kyo.


    Fuck, Fuck my lowest number is too low what do I do?


    Kyo¡¯s face breaks into a cold sweat, and he starts to bite his lips, panicking.


    Oh yeah, I draw. That¡¯s right; I will just draw!


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going to draw.¡±


    Kyo reaches for the deck of cards and draws one card.


    The number I got is 22, fuck


    ¡°Okay, son, it¡¯s your turn.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I play the number 49.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right, it¡¯s my turn, but before that, we have to reset and have a new card¡­¡±


    ¡°The new number is 14.¡±


    ¡°And the number I play is 15.¡±


    ¡°You are lying,¡± Kyo suddenly says.


    ¡°No, I was not now pick up your cards¡­¡±


    ¡°Fuuuuck.¡±


    Kyo picks up his cards.


    ¡°Okay, Mei, it is your turn.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I think I will just draw a card.¡±


    Mei goes to draw a card.


    What the? A joker card?


    Total card each player has:


    Annabelle: 3 cards


    Kyo: 12 cards


    Mei: 9 cards


    Son: 7 cards


    Chapter 10 End

 The Joker Card

    Chapter 11


    The Joker Card


    What the? A joker card?


    Annabelle never explained that this card was in the deck. Did she do it on purpose, hoping that she would draw it?


    ¡°Annabelle, I just pulled a Joker card. What does this mean?¡± Mei says in a sassy tone as she holds the card up in her right hand.


    ¡°Ah, the joker card, huh? Let''s just say you can do whatever you want with it.¡±


    ¡°Whatever I want?¡±


    ¡°So you are saying if I played this card Right now, I could win?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    What the hell does she mean no?! She just said I could do anything I wanted with the card.


    ¡°The card does give you insane leverage, but there are conditions on the card like, for instance, you can''t win immediately¡­¡±


    ¡°And you can¡¯t get rid of every card in your hand except one. Those are the only rules the Joker card has.¡±


    So I can¡¯t use the card to win, and I can¡¯t use it to make it, so I only have one card left.


    ¡°Okay, I think I know what I will do with it now.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Kyo, you can go now. It''s your turn.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Kyo says.¡±


    Man fuck, why does she get such a good card, and I get these crappy ass cards? There''s nothing I can do about it now.


    ¡°Oh yeah, so Mei just keeps the joker card?¡±


    ¡°Yes that¡¯s correct.¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡°Then do we just flip another card over?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡± says Annabelle.¡±


    ¡°Okay, guess I will do it,¡± Kyo adds.


    Kyo goes to flip a new card over to get the next number.


    ¡°The new number is 28,¡± Kyo says as he puts the card on the table.


    Okay, now the card I will play is¡­ ah fuck I¡¯m fucked, aren¡¯t I? The number is just too high for me.


    Whatever, I will play this and hope nobody calls a lie.


    ¡°The number I play is 41.¡±


    Please, no one say I¡¯m lying, pleaseee.


    Kyo puts his hands together under the table and performs a prayer.


    ¡°Okay, my turn, is it?¡± Son says.


    ¡°I play number 67.¡±


    Huh, is no one going to call out the fact that I lied? Kyo thinks.


    Ah, fuck is it that no one sees me as a threat anymore? Meaning that they don¡¯t think I can win no matter what¡­ Kyo bites his bottom lip in defeat.


    It seems the boy has finally realized he can no longer win this game. Annabelle thinks.


    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s my turn, right? First, we should flip a new card indicating another round has started.¡±


    ¡°The new number is 56.¡±


    ¡°In that case, I play the number 57,¡± Annabelle says.


    What another number that¡¯s only one-off? Should I call lie?


    I know Kyo thinks he should call lie right now, but he shouldn¡¯t, especially since he has so many cards right now.


    Hmm, dammit, as much as I want to call lie right now, I won¡¯t


    ¡°Okay, Mei, it¡¯s your turn,¡± Annabelle says.


    Ultimately, it doesn¡¯t matter what card I play because I have the Joker card, to which I pretty much set any conditions.


    But for now, I will keep playing and wait for the best opportunity to use this.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    ¡°I play the number 60.¡±


    ¡°Lie.¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡°Tcccch.¡± Mei makes a noise with her lips.


    Mei grabs the small pile of cards from the center table.


    I wonder what question I should ask her. It should be something family-related so we can get some info about her, especially since she is so mysterious.


    Oh, I got it. Annabelle thinks.


    ¡°Okay dear, my question to you is¡­¡±


    ¡°Are your parents dead?¡±


    ¡°Sorry if the question is too much, but I just thought I should try asking,¡± Annabelle says calmly.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Mei responds.


    ¡°And to answer your question¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡±


    ¡°Both my parents are dead.¡±


    Woah, did she really just say something about herself? Kyo thinks.


    The room is quiet.


    ¡°Okay, Kyo, it¡¯s your turn now.¡±


    ¡°Uh,h right.¡±


    Are we really just going to skip over what we just heard? I mean, Mei just dropped a bomb, and no one really seems to be paying attention¡­


    I know you probably are questioning what I said, Kyo, but that is the truth. So now we just have to move on and finish this game.


    Right, I have to flip over a new card. Kyo thinks.


    Kyo¡¯s hand reaches to flip over the new card.


    ¡°Okay, the new number is 63.¡±


    Alright, let¡¯s see what I have here¡­ Ah, I¡¯ll play this number.


    ¡°Okay, the number I play is 71.¡±


    And no one here will call it a lie because they think I can¡¯t win anymore.


    ¡°Okay, I play number 76.¡±


    ¡°Okay, mom, it''s your turn.¡±


    ¡°Right, let¡¯s see what the new card is¡­¡±


    ¡°The new number is 17.¡±


    ¡°Okay, the number I play is 24.¡±


    It seems I am getting close to winning this game; I have only one card left. Of course, I should remember the joker card that Mei pulled.


    ¡°Okay, Mei, it is your turn.¡±


    ¡°Okay I will play¡­¡±


    ¡°My joker card.¡±


    I have been planning on how to use this card for a while now, and I finally know how I want to use it.


    Oooh, she is finally using the Joker card. How will she use it?


    Now, let''s see how you make use of that card, Mei.


    ¡°Okay, firstly, I am going to put two conditions on the card¡­¡±


    ¡°The first one is that I will be swapping hands with you, Annabelle, and second¡­¡±


    ¡°I want to hear your life story or at least some of it.¡±


    My life story, huh? Honestly, it makes sense that someone like her would want to listen to my life story, if not just a little bit of it.


    What! Did she use her Joker card for that? I understand the first condition, but the second? Why would you want to hear Annabelle¡¯s story?


    Ah, I just don¡¯t get it.


    This girl really just used the Joker card like that. This might be the first time a Joker card has been used like that in this game.


    ¡°Okay, so your first condition is to swap hands, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that is my first condition.¡±


    ¡°Very well. Let''s swap.¡±


    Mei and Annabelle swap hands.


    ¡°And your second condition is my life story?¡±


    ¡°Yes, if possible, I would like the story at the end of the game before we do the punishment.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I can do that.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let''s continue then, Kyo. It¡¯s your turn.¡±


    ¡°Ah, okay.¡±


    Dam, that was crazy. Kyo thinks as he tries to digest what just happened.


    Okay, the number is still 24, so I should play¡­


    ¡°Okay, I play the number 26.¡±


    ¡°My turn.¡± Says the son.


    ¡°The number I play is 70.¡±


    ¡°Okay, time to reset the card again.¡±


    Annabelle reaches over to get the new card.


    ¡°The new card number is 65.¡±


    ¡°That being said, I will play the card number 67.¡±


    Well, since I know what Mei has, it¡¯s safe to assume she has won.


    ¡°Okay, Mei, it¡¯s your turn,¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Right,¡± Mei says.


    I have won. Finally, this game is over, and we can take the 1,500,000 yen home with us.


    ¡°Okay, the card I play is the number 68.¡±


    As Mei puts down the card, the room is silent; you can hear the rats running around outside and the people arguing over what¡¯s there from the other shops.


    You can even hear that rain is slowly starting to come down.


    ¡°What!¡± Kyo is the first to break the silence.


    ¡°Yes, Mei, awesome job!¡±


    ¡°Does this mean that we can win the money now?¡± Kyo asks.


    I don¡¯t know how Mei did it, but she did it; I¡¯m so happy we are now able to walk away with 1,500,00 yen.


    ¡°Congratulations, Mei, for winning the game. This does, of course, mean that you don¡¯t have to partake in the punishment.¡±


    ¡°Now that I won, I want to hear your story before we leave.¡±


    The rain starts to come down even harder.


    Kyo glances over at Annabelle¡¯s son and realizes that this guy does not look right. He looks like a ghost right now.


    What¡¯s wrong with him? Why does he look so pale?


    ¡°Hey, son of Annabelle, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    Mei and Annabelle turn their attention toward Kyo and Annabelle''s son.


    Kyo waits patiently for a response, but he doesn¡¯t get one.


    ¡°Hey, did a cat bite your tongue or something? Start talking.¡±


    ¡°Hey, Mom, can we talk in private, please?¡± the son says as he stutters.


    ¡°Hm? Sure, but what could be bothering you? Son.¡±


    ¡°Come on, Mom, let¡¯s go, " the son says as he gets up and walks outside the booth.


    ¡°Excuse us for a moment; my son and I seem to have something to discuss.¡±


    ¡°Sure,¡± says Kyo.


    Annabelle gets up from her chair and heads outside the booth.


    ¡°Hey Kyo.¡± Mei whispers to Kyo.¡±


    ¡°Hmm what''s up?¡± Kyo whispers back.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it weird that they are heading outside to discuss something in the pouring rain?¡±


    ¡°Weird. Well, now that I think about it, you''re right.¡±


    She¡¯s right it is weird that they are going outside to discuss something in the pouring rain. Could it be that they are worried about something?


    ¡°It seems you are already thinking about it Kyo, but yeah, something is definitely off.¡±


    ¡°Could it be that this was their first time losing?¡± Kyo asks.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible, but I doubt that can be the reason,¡± Mei adds.


    ¡°I have an idea; I wonder if it¡¯s about money; what if the son doesn¡¯t want to pay, or what if the 1,500,000 yen is the last of their money, and they gambled all of it away?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not bad,¡± Kyo says.


    Although I wonder if that is what¡¯s really bothering them¡ªor should I say the Son¡ªso much. Maybe it goes much deeper than we expect.


    ¡°What! Did you want to talk about so badly? and make it snappy because it is pouring rain right now?¡±


    ¡°Mom, do you seriously have no idea what I¡¯m talking about?¡± The Son says in disbelief.


    ¡°Well, let me break it down for you: One, we just lost all of our money! And two, you were supposed to get the joker card, not Mei.¡±


    ¡°Like, what were you thinking!¡± Son says as he is starting to get angry.


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s not like we can do much about it now, so let¡¯s just move on okay,¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Oh, and wait one more thing, the punishment could kill you, Mom. OH! And one more thing, you must tell the girl your life story.¡±


    ¡°I say we just make a break for it right now while we still can, yeah?¡± The son says.


    ¡°No, we won¡¯t do them like that.¡±


    ¡°We lost fair and square, so stop pouting, and let¡¯s head back inside.¡±


    ¡°Tccch.¡± The son makes a noise.


    ¡°Okay we are back!¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Hmm? What¡¯s wrong with you two? It looks like you guys are the ones that just saw a ghost.¡±


    Little does Annabelle know that Mei and Kyo just listened to their whole conversation.


    Annabelle and the son head back to their seats, wet from head to toe.


    ¡°Okay, now who¡¯s ready to hear my short version of my life¡¯s story,¡± Annabelle says.


    Chapter 11 End

 Annabelles story

    Chapter 12


    Annabelle¡¯s story


    The rain is coming down hard, and the shopping district¡¯s starting to get quiet.


    ¡®Cough, Cough¡¯


    ¡°Okay, I will tell you a portion of my life story, but I won¡¯t be able to tell you my whole story because if I did, we would never go home today.¡±


    ¡°What? That sucks, man.¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°If you are going to tell us a story, I would at least like the full story.¡± Kyo leans back in his chair and raises his arms behind his head.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine; I already know that even a small part of her story will be very interesting.¡±


    ¡°Shall I get started?¡± Annabelle asks, adjusting her posture and clasping her hands on the table.


    ¡°This story begins when I am 45, and the war has just started.¡±


    ¡°I was in Iceland in 2044, just when the war was starting¡­¡±


    ¡°Wait, why not Japan?¡± Kyo suddenly interrupts.


    ¡°Good question, and that is because I was out getting married for the third time in my life.¡±


    ¡°Third time!¡± Kyo stands up and slams his hand on the table, puzzled by what he has just heard.


    ¡°Yes, I was married three times.¡±


    ¡°May I ask what happened to the first two marriages?¡±


    ¡°Well, one is self-exploratory; we just weren¡¯t a good fit, and the second marriage, I had a miscarriage.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± Kyo slumps down back in his seat, ready to listen again.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Annabelle says with a smirk.


    ¡°Okay, where did I leave off¡­¡±


    ¡°Iceland.¡± Says Mei.


    ¡°Oh, right.¡±


    ¡°Me and my soon-to-be husband were up in Iceland getting ready for our honeymoon¡­¡±


    ¡°I still remember the day everything went to hell¡­¡±


    Day, December 2, 2044.


    ¡°Honey, isn¡¯t Iceland beautiful!¡± Says a younger Annabelle, hugging her fiance.


    ¡°It sure is.¡± Her fiance smiles.


    ¡°I am so glad I saved up everything to be able to afford this trip.¡±


    ¡°It truly is a remarkable place.¡±


    ¡°Even better when we have a child along the way.¡±


    Fiance bends over and rubs Annabell''s belly.


    ¡°Ha, Ha.¡± Annabelle chuckles.


    ¡°It kicked me just now. Did you feel it?¡±


    ¡°I sure did.¡± The fiance replies.


    ¡°Man, the place we are staying at is sure pretty.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, this cabin fits perfectly on a small hill with no cities surrounding us, and we get a perfect view of the Northern Lights.¡±


    ¡°And there isn¡¯t much snow right now.¡±


    ¡°Okay, it''s starting to get cold now, so we should probably head back inside, honey, " the fiance says.


    ¡°Honey, did you forget? There is supposed to be a shooting star appearing any minute now.¡± Annabelle smiles up to the sky.


    ¡°Oh, how could I forget? But you know that was just a rumor.¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t actually know if there will be a shooting star tonight.¡±


    Fiance wraps his arm around Annabell¡¯s shoulder, and they wait patiently for the shooting star¡­


    ¡°Okay, this is where the story starts to get a bit graphic, so tell me to stop now if you don¡¯t want to hear the rest of it.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Oh, now I definitely want to hear the rest of it!.¡± Kyo shouts.


    ¡°Quiet down, Kyo; let¡¯s just let her finish and save the questions for last.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know, but isn¡¯t someone being a little too¨Cquiet?¡± Kyo glares over at the son.


    ¡°Just let him be Kyo,¡± Mei says with frustration in her voice.


    ¡°Uugh, fine,¡± Kyo grumbles and leans back in his chair again.


    ¡°Okay, I warned you guys.¡± Annabelle starts to get serious again.


    Several minutes later¡­


    ¡°Honey!¡± Annabelle points up into the sky.


    ¡°Honey! Do you see that? Is that what I think it is?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you might be right, dear.¡±


    ¡°Look, there it is, the shooting star.¡±


    Annabelle opens her eyes¡­


    ¡°Only at the time, I wished it was actually a shooting star.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Kyo tilts his head to the side.


    ¡°What do you mean you wish.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was a shooting star?¡±


    ¡°Uuuuh, Kyo, connect the dots; if it¡¯s not a shooting star, then what is it.¡±


    ¡°Ummm¡­¡± Kyo thinks for a few seconds¡­


    Then Kyo comes to the profound realization of what it actually is¡­


    ¡°Ah, it was a bomb, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Kyo¡¯s face saddens up.


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Annabelle says.


    The room went back into silence, and Annabelle started her story again.


    Annabelle and her fiance watch as the ¡®shooting star¡¯ falls out of the sky.


    ¡°Hey, shouldn¡¯t we make a wish now?¡± Says Annabelle, overly excited.


    ¡°Of course we should.¡± Says her fiance.


    Annabelle puts her hands together, closes her eyes, and starts to make a wish.


    The ¡®shooting star¡¯ closes in.


    ¡°Hey, what do you think we should name our son¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey, honey, is a shooting star supposed to be getting closer like that?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Annabelle opens her eyes and looks up.


    ¡°Woah.¡±  Annabelle¡¯s eyes widen in shock.


    Annabelle and her fiance stare down the ¡®shooting star¡¯ as it starts fastly close in¡­


    ¡°Honey¡­ Honey, that is no shooting star!¡±


    ¡®BOOOOM!¡¯


    ¡°Honey!¡± Her fiance screams in panic.


    ¡°It was fucking bomb!¡±


    The bomb hit a small mountain, creating a massive explosion and sending vast gusts of wind.


    ¡®Ah, it''s so strong, it feels like I¡¯m going to fall!¡¯


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, honey, I got you!¡±


    ¡®I feel the heat from the explosion from here, making it hard to breathe, and I feel my hair tingling all throughout my body.


    ¡°Why would someone send out a bomb?¡±


    ¡°Honey!...Honey!¡±


    Her fiance is staring at the big cloud of smoke that formed from the bomb.


    ¡°Yeah! Yeah! We must get out of here and fast!¡± says the fiance.


    ¡°Right, we need to find help!¡± Screams Annabelle as she starts to run¡­


    ¡®Huff, huff, huff¡¯


    ¡®Fuck! I just ran like I forgot I was pregnant¡­ goddamit, I¡¯m starting to feel lightheaded.


    ¡°Honey?!...Honey! Are you okay?¡± Shouts her fiance as he puts an arm around her waist and keeps her up.


    ¡®Huff, Huff¡­¡¯


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t think I will be able to continue running,¡± Annabelle says, trying to keep herself from passing out.


    ¡°Okay, just hold on then! I will get us out of here!¡±


    ¡®Huff¡¯


    ¡®Huff¡¯


    ¡®Huff¡¯


    As the two of them try to escape, they feel something move below their feet.


    ¡°Honey?...Honey? Is the ground shaking¡­?¡±


    ¡°Shit, we just can¡¯t catch a break, can we.¡± The fiance says.


    ¡°It¡¯s an earthquake.¡± The fiance says, trying to keep his cool.


    ¡°Earthquake!¡± Annabelle says.


    The fiance starts to look down at his feet¡­


    ¡°Honey, I think the ground is starting to break!¡±


    ¡°What! The ground is splitting.¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡®Rumble, Rumble¡­¡¯


    The ground starts to break even wider apart, making Annabelle fall in.


    ¡°Honey! Honey!¡± The fiance shouts as he starts digging with his bare hands, and tears storm down his face.


    ¡®What the? It¡¯s dark; it feels like I¡¯m being crushed by a thousand pounds¡­¡¯


    ¡®I can¡¯t breathe, it¡¯s so exhausting, my eyes feel heavy¡­¡¯


    ¡®Murmur!


    ¡®Murmur!¡¯


    ¡®It feels like someone is trying to get my attention, but I don¡¯t have the strength to respond.¡¯


    ¡°Honey, don¡¯t worry, I will get you out!¡± The fiance shouts.


    ¡°Dang, that¡¯s terrible.¡± Kyo interrupts.


    ¡°Hmm?¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Uuhhh, Kyo, just shut your mouth! She is trying to finish her story!¡±


    ¡°Tccchh.¡± Kyo closes his eyes and tilts his head back.


    ¡°Okay, can I pick up where I left off?¡± Annabelle asks.


    ¡°Yeah, go ahead,¡± says Kyo.


    I have to admit this story is bizarre. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m hearing it from someone who experienced the start of this war firsthand.


    ¡°Okay, I was at the part where I pretty much passed out, right?¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡°Yeah, you were.¡± Says Mei.


    ¡°Right¡­ then jump right back in then.¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡®Weewoo, Weewoo¡¯


    ¡°Huh?¡± Annabelle''s fiance lifts his head at the sounds of the noise.


    ¡°Is that sirens!¡±


    ¡®Weewoo, Weewoo¡¯


    ¡°Yes¡­ Yes it is!¡± Annabelle¡¯s fiance stands up quickly, trying to flag them down.


    ¡°This is Iceland''s New Military and Medical team! If you are a survivor out there, please start shouting!¡± A military person says through a megaphone.


    Annabelle''s fiance starts running in their direction like a hopeless zombie trying to get their attention.


    ¡°Help! Over here! Over here!¡± The fiance begins waving his hands in the air¡­


    As the military starts to get closer, they realize that a person is waving them down.


    ¡°Hey! Do you see that sergeant? It¡¯s a person I see a person waving us down!¡±


    ¡°What? Let me see!¡± Says the sergeant.


    The lieutenant hands over his binoculars to the sergeant.


    The sergeant takes a look through the binoculars. ¡°Ah, you are right! There is someone over there. Let''s head over there immediately!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± All boarding people shout.


    ¡°We see you out there!¡± The sergeant says as he yells it through the megaphone.


    ¡®Huff¡¯


    ¡®Huff¡¯


    ¡°I think they finally see me now.¡± The fiance catches his breath.


    The fiance notices a car coming over the hill a few minutes later.


    ¡°There they are¡­¡± The fiance sighs in relief.


    The car gets closer. It looks like a camo Land Rover with two doors in the front and a big trunk in the back, and it has an Iceland flag at the top of the car.


    ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± The sergeant yells as he jumps out of the Land Rover along with his other team members.


    ¡°Geeze, what happened to you? It looks like you just rolled through a pile of dirt.¡± The sergeant says.


    ¡°That¡¯s because I did! I need you to save my wife! She is trapped under the dirt! Please get her out!¡± The fiance says as he tries to control his breathing and tears to explain the situation.


    ¡°Okay¡­Okay, I think I get it now.¡± The sergeant says.


    ¡°Alright, you guys hear that! We must save this guy¡¯s wife at all costs!¡± The sergeant screams at his team.


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± They respond.


    ¡°Oh yeah, I don''t think I ever got your name; what was it?¡± asks the sergeant.


    ¡°My name! Worry about saving my wife; then I will tell you my name!¡± Yells Annabell¡¯s fiance.


    ¡°Okay, okay, we have a deal, alright.¡± the sergeant smiles.


    ¡°Okay, status report!¡± Yells the sergeant.


    ¡°I think we got her!¡± Yells a lieutenant.


    ¡°They found her?¡± The fiance asks, worried.


    ¡°I believe they did.¡± Says the sergeant.


    ¡°Yes¡­Yes! Thank you so much!¡± The fiance falls to his knees.


    ¡°Okay we got her out!¡±


    ¡°Great, put her in the Land Rover, and let''s get her some help!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, boss, she doesn¡¯t look like she will make it.¡±


    ¡°Make it? No, she has to!¡± Yells the fiance, his voice breaking.


    ¡°Calm down and just hop in the Land Rover already.¡± The sergeant grabs the fiance and throws him in the Land Rover.


    ¡®Huf¡¯


    ¡®Huf¡¯


    ¡®Why does it feel like I¡¯m moving? Was I passed out? My breathing still feels really heavy; it feels like my body has been crushed by thousands of pounds.¡¯


    ¡°Sergeant, look, her eyes are opening! Don¡¯t worry, honey, we¡¯re getting you help immediately!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s great, honey.¡±


    The Land Rover continues down the road that broke down to the nearest rescue camp.


    Chapter 12 End

 Annabelles story (2)

    Chapter 13


    Annabelle¡¯s story (2)


    ¡°Help! Help!¡± The sergeant yells as they get out of the Land Rover.


    The sergeant and the rest of his team grab Annabelle from the back, put her on a stretcher, and start carrying her to the closest tent while the fiance follows behind.


    ¡°We have a female! Looks to be in her 40s! She got trapped under some dirt during the earthquake.¡± The sergeant tells the doctors as he rushes her to the nearest bed.


    ¡°We have an available bed over here!¡± A female doctor shouts from across the tent.


    ¡°Okay, we¡¯re coming!¡± The sergeant screams.


    The sergeant, his team, and the fiance run through the tent, passing dozens of injured people who were also brought here due to the bombing and earthquake.


    ¡°Place her gently on the bed!¡± The female doctor says.


    ¡°Right!¡± The sergeant and his team slowly place Annabelle on the bed.


    ¡°Wait!¡± The fiance suddenly shouts.


    ¡°Hey, why are you placing my wife on a bloody bed?!¡± The fiance asks while his body shakes, very panicky.


    ¡°Sir, do you think that your wife was the only person injured when the bomb dropped?¡± The female doctor says as she begins to treat Annabelle.


    ¡°Well, don¡¯t you think you should at least clean the bed, maybe?¡± The fiance says.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Says the sergeant, starting to get agitated.


    ¡°Look, I know your wife is badly injured right now! But you are just sitting there and complaining, which isn¡¯t fixing anything! So stop pouting and sit down!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right; just sit down and pray that your wife will live another day.¡± The female doctor puts on gloves and tries to save Annabelle¡¯s life.


    The sergeant looks over at the fiance.


    ¡®Sigh.¡¯ Was I too hard on him? The sergeant thinks.


    The sergeant walks over to the fiance and gets on one knee.


    ¡°Hey man, I might have been a little over the top there, but you have to remember you are not the only one who is stressed out. We all are.¡±


    ¡°I have to leave now, but I want to know your name before I leave.¡± The sergeant gives a calm smile.


    ¡°My¡­My¡­name is Yasu,¡± Yasu says, crying.


    ¡°That¡¯s a good name, and my name is Ryosuke.¡± The sergeant says as he gets up.


    ¡°I hope your wife can pull through.¡± The sergeant walks out of the cramped space with his team.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Yasu cries.


    ¡°Yasu, I must ask you to step out. I don¡¯t think you''ll want to watch this.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Yasu says.


    ¡°We are about to cut your wife open, and I¡¯m suggesting you step out.¡±


    Yasu gets up from the floor and slowly walks out.


    ¡°Okay, team, let''s try to save this guy''s wife!¡± The female doctor shouts to the people entering the space.


    Time passes¡­ 30 minutes¡­ 1 hour¡­ 3 hours¡­ 4 hours¡­


    ¡°Sir?¡± The female doctor steps out of the space, looking for the fiance.


    ¡°Oh, sorry, what did you say,¡± Yasu says as he just woke up from a nap, rubbing his eyes.


    The doctor gets down on one knee¡­


    ¡°I am about to ask you a seriously difficult question that no parent should have to answer¡­¡±


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m listening,¡± Yasu says as he grips his hands together nervously.


    ¡°We ran into a complication, and now you have to choose who you want to save.¡±


    ¡°Huh? What do you mean by complication? I have to choose who I have to save.¡± Yasu¡¯s eyes open widely.


    ¡°Yes, you must choose between your wife and the baby.¡±


    ¡°What! What do you mean I have to choose between my wife or the baby!¡± Yasu shouts.


    ¡°I understand that I am putting you in almost an impossible choice¡­ but you must choose¡­¡±


    ¡°Or they will both die.¡± The doctor bows her head.


    Yasu drops to the floor in disbelief, tears running down his eyes.


    I have to choose whether my wife lives or my future child¡­ How can someone just choose something like that? Yasu thinks.


    I mean, should I just choose my wife¡­ If I do, we can always just go for another child. Yasu starts to smile.


    ¡°Hey, sir, are you okay? Why are you smiling?¡± The female doctor asks with a displeased face.


    ¡°Oh, sorry, please save my wife.¡± Yasu wipes the tears from his face, gets up, and starts to head outside the tent.


    In disbelief at what¡¯s happening, the doctor asks, ¡°Sir? Are you sure that you want to do that?¡± The female doctor just stands there.


    Yasu walks out of the tent.


    ¡°Okay, we have an answer. He wants us to save his wife.¡± The female doctor says.


    Another hour goes by¡­


    The female doctor walks over to the tent''s entrance to inform Yasu how the operation went.


    ¡°Sir¡­ we finally finished. Sir?¡± The female doctor looks over at Yasu, who looks like he is just blankly staring into the sky.


    ¡°Sir?¡± The doctor asks again.


    ¡°Hmmm?¡± Yasu finally returns to his senses and asks, ¡°Are you guys finally done?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes. The surgery went well for your wife, of course¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­but the baby?¡±


    ¡°Yes it¡¯s gone.¡± The female doctor says calmingly.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t say it like that¡­¡± Yasu¡¯s voice starts to break. ¡°Don¡¯t treat my deceased son like that!¡± Tears begin to come down his face.


    ¡°You should''ve said something else!¡± Yasu starts to point at the doctor while his body shakes heavily.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ¡°Apologies, sir. I will try not to make that mistake again.¡± The doctor bows her head in respect.


    ¡°Would you like to see your wife now?¡±


    ¡°Yes! Yes¡­ I would like to please see my wife now¡­¡± Yasu sobs.


    ¡°Okay, sir, follow me.¡±


    The doctor heads into the tent, leading the way to Annabelle''s location, and Yasu follows.


    ¡°Here we are.¡± The doctor says.


    The doctor moves the curtains, blocking the view from everybody else inside the tent.


    ¡°Here she is.¡±


    ¡°Oh¡­ my darling¡­¡± Yasu falls to the floor, sobbing. Then he crawls over to her bed and lays his head on her chest.


    ¡°DaRliNg¡­ just what did we do to deserve this?¡±


    Yasu looks at his wife, blood covering her chest where the surgery happened, breathing tubes coming from her nose, a cast around her arm from the accident, and bandages covering both hands and bruises going up and down her body.


    ¡°She¡­ is alive, right?¡± Yasu looks over at the doctor.


    ¡°Yes¡­ she is¡­¡± The female doctor responds.


    ¡°Shall I leave you guys be for a while?¡±


    ¡°Yes, please, just let us be alone,¡± Yasu says.


    The doctor closes the curtain and walks away, leaving them alone.


    A couple minutes pass¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡±


    ¡°WaAaAaAhhhh¡± Yasu starts crying hard, then calms down.


    ¡°If only I protected you and the baby better, none of this would have happened.¡± Yasu holds his wife''s hands.


    ¡°Chatter, Chatter, Chatter¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah, I guess there¡¯s still chaos out there, huh?¡±


    ¡°Of course, there is still chaos; people are still in need of help, and people are still dying.¡±


    Yasu¡¯s eyes start to get heavy as he keeps his head on his wife''s lap.


    Time passes¡­


    ¡°EVERYONE! WE MUST EVACUATE NOW!¡± A soldier suddenly charges through the tent.


    ¡°It is no longer safe here in Iceland!¡± The soldier walks past many injured and dead people, shouting the exact words.


    ¡°Uhhhh, what is all the racket?¡± Yasu says as he wakes from a deep sleep, rubbing his left eye.


    ¡°It is no longer safe in Iceland!¡± A soldier screams to everyone in the whole tent.


    ¡°WE MUST LEAVE THIS VERY INSTANCE!¡± The soldier continues to shout.


    What the hell is happening? Yasu thinks. Yasu gets up and walks outside the small space he and Annabelle are in.


    ¡°Hey? What¡¯s happening?¡± Yasu shouts.


    The soldier looks at the guy before him and says, ¡°Iceland isn¡¯t safe! We must all leave!¡±


    ¡°What we can¡¯t just leave¡­ don¡¯t you see how many injured there are, including my wife?¡±


    ¡°Also, where would we go?¡± Yasu looks up at the big, bald, muscular guy with weird tattoos covering him from head to toe.


    ¡°We would go on a ship.¡± The soldier tells Yasu.


    ¡°Ah, a ship¡­¡± Yasu gets interrupted.


    ¡°And as for the injured¡­ IF YOU CAN¡¯T SURVIVE ON YOUR OWN, YOU ARE TO STAY HERE AND HOPE YOU DON¡¯T DIE!¡± The soldier screams.


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious¡­¡± Yasu says.


    ¡°Very serious, we are now fighting to survive, so if you want to survive, be outside the tent in 15 minutes.¡±


    The soldier continues to scream as he walks through the tent.


    ¡°You can''t be fucking serious.¡± A person says.


    ¡°Man fuck that¡­ this guy seriously expects us to be able to make it to the ship?¡± Another person says.


    ¡°No... no, he doesn¡¯t expect us to; he is just giving us an option¡­¡± Yasu says as he stands up.


    ¡°An option, huh? Well, it¡¯s a pretty shitty option considering half of us won''t even make it to the ship.¡± The person says.


    ¡°Yeah, I would have to agree.¡± Yasu looks over at Annabelle.


    ¡°PEOPLE!¡± The soldier shouts.


    ¡°I know this might be a tough decision, but don¡¯t think too hard about it! You must follow me to the ship if you wish to live.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you guys 15 minutes to decide.¡± The soldier walks out of the tent.


    Damn, what can I do? Hah, what am I thinking? I will clearly stay here with my wife. I won¡¯t leave her again. Yasu thinks.


    Yasu heads into the small space where his wife is still asleep, sits down with his legs crossed, and stares at her.


    Five minutes pass¡­


    ¡°Chatter, Chatter, Chatter¡­¡±


    ¡°Hey what should we do?¡± A person whispers.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, dude; I think we have no choice but to go on the ship, right? And I mean, we want to live, right?¡± The person whispers back.


    ¡°Yeah, I guess you''re right.¡± The person before whispers back.


    Man, I guess people are starting to get rowdy. It makes sense; their time is running out to decide whether to board the ship.


    Yasu looks over at Annabelle for the thousand time¡­


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, darling me and you will get through this.¡± Yasu holds his wife''s hands again.


    More time passes¡­


    ¡°Okay, I have decided I¡¯m going on the ship.¡± A man says.


    ¡°Really? I mean, we still have a little bit of time to decide¡­¡±


    ¡°TIMES UP!¡± The soldier says as he walks back into the tent.


    ¡°I hope you guys made your decisions.¡±


    ¡°If you have decided to leave and go on ship, please follow me now.¡±


    ¡°What? Is it already time?¡± A woman whispers.


    ¡°Yeah I guess so?¡± A man whispers back.


    ¡°Chatter, Chatter, Chatter¡±


    Ah, It¡¯s so noisy again¡­ Yasu thinks


    Yasu walks out of the small space and into the chaotic scene of people rushing to leave.


    Is it time already? Yasu thinks.


    Yasu starts to panic, trying to figure out what to do.


    ¡°Yo? Are you going to the ship?¡± A man yells over to Yasu.


    ¡°Me? Oh no, I¡¯m going to have to pass¡­ I have a very injured wife, you see.¡±


    ¡°Ah, well, best of luck.¡± The man runs to the tent''s exit.


    What should I do with Annabelle? The soldier said we would die if we didn¡¯t go on the ship.


    Yasu starts pacing around while biting his nails.


    ¡°Hello, sir¡­¡± A strange voice appears out of nowhere.


    What should I do¡­ what should I do¡­. Yasu continues to pace.


    ¡°Sir!¡± The voice gets louder.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Yasu snaps out of his trance.


    Yasu looked at the source of the voice and realized it was a shriveled boy in ragged clothes with black hair and brown eyes sitting on the ground.


    ¡°Hmm? Were you the one talking to me?¡± Asks Yasu.


    ¡°Yes I was.¡± Says the boy.


    ¡°Why?¡± Yasu says, confused.


    ¡°I just wanted to say you should go on the ship.¡± Says the boy.


    ¡°The ship? No, I can¡¯t. I have my wife, and I have to watch over.¡± Says Yasu as he turns to go back to Annabelle.


    ¡°The soldier was right, you know. You will die if you stay. So you should go, and I watch over your wife for you.¡±


    Yasu turns back over to the kid¡­


    ¡°Yeah, right, like I would trust a skinny boy to watch over my wife.¡±


    ¡°And I would rather die than leave her.¡±


    ¡°Like I said, you will die.¡± The boy says again.


    ¡°Do you really want your wife to wake up to you dead?¡± The boy says.


    ¡°If I die, then my wife would also be dead!¡± Yasu snaps.


    ¡°Unlikely; I think they would leave her be, seeing how she is already pretty much dead.¡±


    ¡°You punk!¡± Yasu yells at the boy.


    ¡°And what about you, huh? Why aren¡¯t you going to the ship?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious, isn¡¯t it? I won¡¯t make it alive on that ship.¡±


    ¡°Tchhh¡±


    ¡°Of course you wouldn¡¯t.¡± Yasu puts his hands to his face.


    ¡°So, are you going to go to the ship?¡± The boy asks again.


    ¡°I¡ª I don¡¯t know.¡± Says Yasu.


    ¡°I think you should. Just in case your wife does wake up, she will have someone to look for instead of having to bury someone.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you''re right, but I still don¡¯t know.¡±


    ¡°Just go.¡± Says the boy.


    ¡°Tchhh, OK, if I go, you must promise to protect her! You understand!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Yes, I do.¡± The boy says.


    ¡°Also, before I leave, I would like your name.¡±


    ¡°My name, huh? Sadly, I can¡¯t give you my name as for I don¡¯t have one.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t have a name? I mean, didn''t your parents name you?¡±


    ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know.¡± Says the boy.


    ¡°Huh, whatever. I should probably get leaving, though.¡± Yasu glances one more time at Annabelle before he runs toward the exit.


    Now, to protect this person, huh? The boy thinks.


    Fuck I hope I make it to the ship in time! Yasu thinks.


    ¡°Last call for any refugees to board the shiiiiip!¡± A guy standing on the ramp to a big ship says.


    Yes! I made it, Yasu thinks, bending over to catch his breath.


    ¡°Hey you! Get on board the ship!¡± The guy yells over to Yasu.


    ¡°Uhh, yes, I will!¡± Yasu runs over to the ship, bows to the guy, and runs up the ram, boarding the boat.


    ¡®TOOT! TOOT!¡¯


    ¡°The ship leaves in one minute!¡± A person screams over the mike on the boat.


    Dang, this boat is so cramped; so many people are trying to find room for each other, Yasu thinks.


    ¡°Move it, you punk!¡± One person screams.


    ¡°Fuck off!¡± Another person screams.


    ¡°Chatter, Chatter, Chatter¡­¡±


    God, they are so annoying, Yasu thinks.


    ¡®TOOT! TOOT!¡¯


    ¡°The ship is now leaving!¡± The person says through the mike.


    Well, here we go, thinks Yasu.


    The boat leaves the port and starts heading out.


    Back over at the tent, the boy is still watching over Annabelle.


    ¡°Fuck how long are we gonna have to wait for help? It''s been over an hour now, and I¡¯m really starting to get hungry.¡± The boy mumbles to himself while playing with a stick he found on the ground.


    The boy stops playing with the stick, burying his head in his lap, and starts slowly drifting to sleep.


    Three hours pass¡­


    ¡®Crunch, Crunch¡¯


    ¡°Hmm?¡± The boy wakes up to the sound of sticks breaking outside.


    ¡°Is anyone still alive out there?¡± A soldier shouts from outside the tent.


    The boy jumps up in desperation and shouts.


    ¡°Yes, over here!¡± The boy shouts.


    ¡°Hey, did you hear that?¡± A soldier whispers.


    ¡°Yeah, I did; it looked like it came from that tent over there.¡± Another soldier says.


    The soldiers head over to the tent, then head inside and realize¡­


    That there is just a boy¡­


    Meanwhile¡­


    ¡®BANG!¡¯


    What the hell is that noise? Yasu thinks.


    The boat suddenly starts to sway to the right very aggressively.


    Woahhhh¡ª just what the hell happened?


    ¡°Hey! I think the ship got hit by something.¡± A person says.


    ¡°You think so?¡± Another person responds.


    ¡°Hey! Look, the ship is on fire!¡± A woman shouts from the side railing.


    ¡°Woah, seriously?¡± Another person says.


    All the people try to see what is happening.


    Then suddenly, ¡®BANG! BANG!¡¯ two more explosions come from the ship.


    Just what is happening? Thinks Yasu.


    ¡°Oh shit! I think we are sinking!¡± Says one guy.


    ¡°Shit, the boat is up in flames!¡±


    ¡°WE ARE UNDER ENEMY FIRE!¡± A person suddenly screams through the mike.


    ¡°Huh? Enemy fire?¡±


    ¡°Are we really under enemy fire?¡±


    People start asking questions.


    ¡°AND YES, THE SHIP IS NOW SINKING, SO IF YOU WOULDN¡¯T MIND, GO FIND THE LIFE BOATS AND GET ON THEM!¡±


    ¡°Oh shit, the lifeboats¡ª where are the lifeboats!¡± The people start to panic.


    Oh no, oh no! What do I do? I can¡¯t die here! Yasu thinks.


    ¡®RATATTATATATA¡¯ Gunfire starts to go off.


    ¡®BANG!¡¯ This time, the explosion comes from above the boat, and it ends up sending people overboard.


    Ah fuck. I went overboard.


    ¡®Splash¡¯


    Yasu falls into the cold ocean water.


    ¡®AaAAaaaaAhhhh¡¯ Many people scream.


    ¡°Help!¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°Help me! Somebody!¡±


    ¡­


    I can hear the screams of terror coming from the people above; if only I could swim back up, maybe I would be able to do something.


    I¡¯m sorry, darling. I made the wrong choice.


    Yasu continues to sink to the bottom of the dark ocean.


    Back at the tents¡­


    ¡°Hey boy, thanks for protecting this woman. She could have died without you.¡± The soldier says to the boy


    ¡°No problem.¡± Says the boy.


    ¡°Okay, we will take you to a refugee camp, and you will ride separately. Is that okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s fine; just let me give her something quickly.¡± Says the boy.


    The boy takes out a card with a joker''s face and the words "Japan" on the back and places it on her stomach.


    ¡°Make sure she doesn¡¯t lose this.¡± The boy says as he goes to a nearby car.


    The soldier looks at him, confused, but he agrees.


    ¡°And that¡¯s where my story for you ends.¡± Says Annabelle


    Chapter 13 Done

 Punishment

    Chapter 14


    Punishment


    ¡°What! That¡¯s the end of the story?" Kyo says, standing up in shock.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s the end of the story,¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°Okay¡ª then I have a question?¡± Kyo stands straight.


    ¡°Okay, go on.¡± Annabelle crosses her arms.


    ¡°How do you know so much? Weren¡¯t you blacked out for most of the story?¡± Kyo asks, puzzled.


    ¡°You''re right. But remember the boy who left the face clown card? He was the one who told me the story when I woke up.¡± Annabelle¡¯s eyes close, then open again.


    ¡°As for how he knew what happened to my husband that night, I don¡¯t even know.¡±


    This story is definitely strange. I mean, who is this boy, and why do I get such a bad feeling about him? Kyo thinks.


    Mei silently raises her right hand and says, ¡°I have a question?¡±


    ¡°You too, huh? Go on.¡±


    ¡°What made you end up doing this card silly card game?¡± Mei says in a stern voice.


    ¡°Okay, first, this game is anything but silly, and second, the boy said I should open a shop based around the clown face cards,¡± Annabelle says, smiling.


    ¡°And you just took his word?¡± Mei asks.


    ¡®Drip, drip, drip, drip,¡¯


    The room is filled with silence as you can only hear Kyo¡¯s obnoxious breathing and the water dripping off the roof from the rain.


    ¡®Cough, Cough.¡¯ ¡°You''re right. I didn¡¯t just take the boy''s word immediately. I mean, why would I? It was someone I had just met, but the look in his eyes was like he could see the future.


    Yeah, right, the future? No one can do that. Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Then, the words the boy said afterward were what made me do this.¡±


    ¡°The boy said, ¡°Just do as I say, and your future is set.¡± That¡¯s what the boy said; he even smiled when he said it.¡± Annabelle says.


    Mei and Kyo look at Annabelle and then at each other, confused.


    Is she in her right mind? Did she really just take this random kid''s word? Mei thinks.


    ¡°Oh, and I should mention another thing: the boy said he would leave a gift once I got to Japan. You want to guess what it was?¡± Annabelle says, grinning.


    God, this granny is even more ugly than I thought. Missing half of your teeth is weird, especially your two front teeth. Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Just tell us already.¡± Mei sighs.


    ¡°The gift that boy left me is sitting right next to you guys. He gave me another son.¡± Annabelle¡¯s face brightens up.


    ¡°Another son?¡± Mei asks, weirded out.


    ¡°Yes, and you want to know the best part about him? He wasn¡¯t born in Japan.¡± Annabelle giggles to herself.


    ¡°Not from Japan? How is that possible? And where is he from if not Japan?¡± Kyo asks as he begins to pace around the room in boredom.


    ¡°Ahhhh, when we first met, he said he was from somewhere in the Middle East,¡± Annabelle says. ¡°Even though he wasn¡¯t born in Japan, he is still Japanese. Isn¡¯t that crazy?¡± Annabelle smirks again.


    ¡°Oh, and you asked how it was possible? No one knows. Not even my son knows. He said he Just woke up at a shipping crate place, and someone told him to come find me.¡± Annabelle says.


    ¡°I have another question?¡± Kyo says, raising his right hand.


    ¡°Yes¡ª-¡±


    ¡®THUMP!¡¯


    Annabelle¡¯s son slams his hands on the table in anger.


    Kyo¡¯s body jumps back in shock, and Mei¡¯s head quickly turns toward the son.


    Fuck, that scared me! I thought I died for a second there. And why the fuck does he talk now? Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Fuckkkk enough with the questions! Let¡¯s move on to the punishment already!¡± Annabelle¡¯s son¡¯s face gets bright red in anger.


    ¡°Wait, surely it won¡¯t hurt to answer one more question, won¡¯t it?¡± Annabelle says calmly, giving her son the side eye.


    ¡®Tchhh,¡¯ ¡°Fine.¡± Says the son.


    ¡°Okay, go on, Kyo.¡± Says Annabelle, smiling.


    ¡°Right, my question was, why do you call him your son if he really isn¡¯t your son?¡±


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    The room goes silent, and Mei turns her head towards Kyo in shock.


    What the hell is that dumbass thinking? Why are you asking potentially dangerous people a question like that? Mei¡¯s face starts to sweat.


    ¡®Bang!¡¯ Annabelle slams her hands on the table and stands up angrily.


    Ooh, she¡¯s mad. She even has veins popping out of her forehead, making her look like she is about to explode. Kyo thinks.


    Annabelle calms herself and says, ¡°Has your mother never taught you how to use your manners around your elders?¡± Annabelle looks up at Kyo and smiles an evil smile.


    What the hell is up with that smile? And what did this fucking granny say about my mom?


    ¡°Hey, my mom raised me the best she could, so don¡¯t talk about my mom like that,¡± Kyo says solemnly.


    ¡°Hah! Don¡¯t make me laugh! She clearly hasn¡¯t raised you well enough.¡±


    ¡°You¡ª you fucking bitch!¡± Kyo''s lips quiver.


    ¡°Here, I will give you another reason: aren¡¯t you guys wearing school uniforms right now? Doesn¡¯t that mean you''re supposed to be in school, but here you are skipping.¡± Annabelle smiles.


    Kyo¡¯s hands turn into fists, and veins are now popping out on his head.


    ¡°Hey, hey, let¡¯s calm down.¡± Mei stands up from the chair.


    ¡°You''re right. These are school uniforms, and we are supposed to be in school, but I must ask, what does that matter to you?¡± Mei says as she gives Annabelle dagger eyes.


    ¡°Hmm, scary pair of eyes you got there. You''re right. It doesn¡¯t really matter to me what your reasons are for skipping school. I was just simply making a point.¡± Annabelle shrugs her shoulders.


    ¡°Now, shall we get to the final event of this game?¡± Annabelle walks over to the shop entrance.


    The nerve this hag has! Kyo thinks.


    ¡®Sigh¡¯ "Let¡¯s just fucking finish this game, Mei, and leave." Kyo says with a serious tone.


    ¡°Yeah, let us do that.¡± Says Mei with a calm voice.


    Annabelle walks back over to the table with something in her hand.


    ¡°Okay, kids, sit down, remember, we still have to carry out the punishment of this game.¡±


    Kyo and Mei retake their seats and watch Annabelle reveal the punishment.


    Just what is this old hag up to? She gonna definitely pull some bullshit move on us. Kyo thinks, agitated.


    ¡°Okay, you guys ready?¡± Annabelles opens her hand, and one dice comes out.


    ¡°Dice?¡± Asks Kyo.


    ¡°Yes, but look at the pictures on the dice. Don¡¯t you notice something?¡± Annabelle holds the dice in the air for Kyo and Mei to see.


    ¡°Body parts?¡± Mei says casually.


    Kyo glances over at Mei and then back at the dice.


    ¡°Hey, why does the dice have pictures of body parts?¡± Kyo asks, pointing at the dice.


    ¡°I¡¯ll explain the game now, and it''s quite simple.¡±


    ***


    ¡°First, there will be three participants in this game, excluding Mei because she clearly won the card game¡­¡±


    ¡°The second rule is all losers have to roll the dice once, and whatever body part it lands on, and you can¡¯t back out, you have to take the pain.¡±


    ¡°Lastly, Mei has to be the one who inflicts the damage to our bodies.¡± Annabelle fixes her posture. ¡°So you understand the game Kyo?¡± Annabelle side eyes Kyo.


    Why is she looking directly at me like I don¡¯t understand this stupid game, or is she looking down on me? Also, why the fuck do we have to do this! This is absurd. She wants Mei to destroy our bodies, essentially? Kyo bites the right side of his lip.


    ¡°Hey? You do know that we are high schoolers, right?¡± Kyo says, looking at her with frightening eyes.


    ¡°Of course I do. But just because you are a high schooler doesn¡¯t mean you are exempt from the punishment. You must face the punishment if you play in the game and lose.¡±


    Let¡¯s see about that. Kyo thinks.


    ¡°Yeah, and what if I just leave here right now?¡± Kyo stands up and gets ready to leave.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple¡­¡± Annabelle says as she glances over to her son.


    The son gets up, walks over to Kyo, grabs his shirt, lifts him, and throws him to the ground.


    ¡®Thump.¡¯ ¡°Ah, my back, you fucking bastard! Just what was that?¡± Kyo performs what looks like the crabwalk, except he''s not walking; instead, he tries to grab his back.


    ¡°Ah, that fucking hurts.¡± Kyo groans in pain.


    ¡°So now you know what will happen if you try to dodge the punishment.¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡°Okay, now are we ready to start?¡± Again, looking at Kyo, then at Mei.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m ready.¡± Says Mei.


    The game in itself is pretty straightforward. All they have to do is roll the dice, and I have to be the one to hit them. Mei thinks.


    ¡°Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, the dice has eight sides, which means anyone could roll any of the eight body parts.¡± Says Annabelle.


    ¡°Okay, Kyo, would you like to start us off?¡± Annabelle hands the dice to Kyo.


    ME! Really, she wants me to go first! This fucking hag! Kyo thinks.


    Kyo grabs the dice before him and throws it up in the air¡­


    Okay, here we go. Please be something not so bad! Kyo thinks as he watches the dice in the air.


    The dice fall back onto the table and make one bounce¡­ then two bounces¡­ then three bounces¡­ then four bounces, then¡­ the dice looks like it''s going to land on the foot, but then it slowly leans to one side and lands on the hand.


    Ah, that¡¯s not so bad. Kyo Sighs.


    ¡°Alright, Kyo, you got the hand, so Mei, now you need to pick your weapon from this bag my son is about to bring out. Choose which hand it will be and how you will hurt it.¡±


    The son walks to the back of the shop, then returns with a bag and throws it on the ground next to Mei.


    ¡°Choose.¡± Says the son with a deep voice.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Mei looks through the bag.


    The bag has many stuff to use, including a hammer, a nail gun, a wrench, and screwdrivers. Hmm, I will use this. Mei thinks.


    Mei reaches into the bag, then pulls out a¡­


    Hmm? What the fuck is that¡­ Kyo¡¯s eyes widen. Is that a hammer? Wait, no, this could be bad. I might seriously get hurt here.


    Mei picks up the hammer and walks toward Kyo, ¡°Hey, Kyo, put your right hand flat on the table for me.¡± Mei says, expressionless.


    ¡°Wait! Wait! Mei, you''re not actually going to do this!¡± Kyo¡¯s body starts to move backward.


    ¡°Rules are rules Kyo so put your damn hand flat on the table and just let it be over with.¡± Mei continues to have an expressionless look on her face.


    Ah fuck fine! Kyo thinks.


    Kyo puts his right hand flat on the table and closes his eyes¡­ Mei lifts the hammer high in the air with her right hand, then comes swinging down on Kyo¡¯s hand.


    ¡®Crack!¡¯ ¡°Ahhhhhhh Fuck! My hand! My hand hurts so baddddd!¡± Kyo falls to the ground and rolls all over the ground, trying to deal with the pain.


    ¡°Good job, Kyo. Alright, who''s next?¡± Mei glances at Annabelle and then at the son.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go next.¡± Says the son. The son reaches calmly for the dice and then throws the one dice in the air.


    The dice fall on the table, make a couple of rolls, and finally land on the face.


    ¡°The face it is.¡± Says Mei as she expressionlessly walks over to the son, raises the hammer, and swings right at the jaw.


    ¡®Crack!¡¯ The son''s jaw ends up shattering from the swing, and he falls over to his side, and a ton of blood comes rushing out of the mouth.


    ¡°No lost teeth?¡± Says Mei as she crouches down to examine the son.


    Annabelles stands up in fear, ¡°You! What the hell! Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s too far?¡± Annabelle points at Mei.


    ¡°That¡¯s crazy coming from you, granny.¡± Mei stands up and says, ¡°It¡¯s your turn now.¡±


    ¡°Wait! Wait! Let¡¯s talk about this!¡± Annabelle desperately pleads with Mei to stop.


    Fuck My hand hurts so much! How can Mei just do that? Does it not bother her? Just what has she been through? Kyo thinks as he watches Mei.


    ¡°Remember, Annabelle, Rules are Rules.¡± Mei puts the hammer on her right shoulder.


    ¡®Tchh.¡¯ ¡°Fine, I will play by the rules. As Annabelle is reaching for the dice, Mei suddenly swings on her¡­


    ¡®Bop.¡¯ Mei hits Annabelle clean on the head.


    ¡°You know something, Annabelle, sometimes I just think fuck the rules.¡± Mei drops the hammer and walks over to Kyo. ¡°Hey Kyo, you alright?¡± Mei says as she crouches over him.


    ¡°Does it look like I¡¯m fucking alright! My hand is broken because of you!¡± Kyo puffs in pain.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry about that, but at least we have the money now, right?¡± Mei gives a smile.


    ¡°That looks like a fake smile, Mei. Anyway, let''s grab the money and go.¡± Kyo gets up and heads to the back of the shop, where the money is.


    ¡°Found it, but you carry it.¡± Says Kyo, still in pain.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Says Mei. ¡°Throw it over.¡±


    Kyo tosses the bag over, and Mei catches it.


    ¡°So now that we have the money, I don¡¯t have to do that shadow operation thing anymore, right?¡± Kyo says.


    ¡°No, I think we will still have to,¡± Mei says sternly.


    ¡°What? Why?¡± Kyo asked, confused and still clearly in pain.


    ¡°Because we don¡¯t know what will happen if we don¡¯t show. We also don¡¯t know how dangerous they are, so we should show up.¡±


    ¡°Fuck, man!¡±


    ¡°Hey, Kyo? Is your hand supposed to be that swollen and purple?¡± Mei glances at Kyo¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Ah fuck! I think we should probably find someone that can help!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, let''s do that.¡± Says Mei.


    Mei and Kyo exit the shop and walk through the disgusting streets, sewage, piss, and dead stuff, and as they are walking, they hear an offer from a shop.


    ¡°Medical ade for anyone! Just for 1,000,000 yen!¡±


    Chapter 14 End.

 The strange doctor

    Chapter 15


    The Strange Doctor


    "Medical aid for anyone! Just for 1,000,000 yen!" A person from a shop shouts.


    "Huh? Hey, did you hear that, Kyo? It looks like someone is offering medical aid!" Mei points ahead of her and says, "Let''s go it''s that way!" Says Mei.


    "Are you sure?" Asks Kyo.


    "Yes. Well, I think so, at least."


    "Mei? Is it bad that I''m losing feeling in my hand?" Kyo looks at his hand.


    "Yes that''s very bad! We should probably start running now!" Yells Mei as she takes Kyo''s left arm and starts running."


    ''Splash, Splash,'' Kyo and Mei run through puddles left by the rain.


    Where is it? Where is it? Thinks Kyo.


    "Ah, I think that''s it¡­" Says Mei as they stop running. Mei points to a shop on her left.


    The shop is relatively big. Next to the entrance is a sign that says Help Care, and trash is piled up next to it and to the left of the entrance. There is also no door or window. You can enter and exit as you please, thinks Mei.


    ''Huff, Huff,'' Mei and Kyo catch their breath. "Let''s go inside." Says Mei.


    Mei helps Kyo walk to the entrance, but a person stops them from entering.


    "Hey, kids! Don''t you see I''m already ahead of you? You''ll have to wait!" the guy yells. He then uses his left hand to push Mei back.


    "Mei!" Kyo yells.


    "Ahhh! Don''t touch me." Mei says quietly.


    In anger, Kyo reaches out for the guy, but then he gets a close look at him and realizes how fucked up he is.


    Ah, shit, what the fuck is wrong with him? Kyo thinks.


    "Hey? What the fuck is wrong with you! Why do you have tiny holes in your arms? Are you a druggie!" Kyo''s hand goes back to his side.


    "Are you not!" Yells the guy.


    "Of course not! And why do you have so many missing teeth? Ah fuck, and the remaining teeth are rotting!"


    "Calm down, Kyo. He is just like the rest of the people in this part of the city." Mei wipes off her shirt.


    "I guess you''re right." Says Kyo.


    "Hey, was that an insult!" Says the man in anger. The man balls up his right hand into a fist and makes a swinging motion towards Mei.


    "Hold it." A strange person appears from the darkness of the shop.


    "You''ll need to calm yourself if you want your supply today, okay?" says the strange man commandingly.


    "But sir¡­ they made fun of me." The man pouts.


    "That''s enough. Now you''re going to wait because you acted up."


    "But¡ªbut, sir."


    "Just stay out here, and I will be with you in a moment."


    "Fine." The man crosses his arms and sits down on his knees.


    "Okay, now that that''s done, you two can follow me inside." The strange guy says with a smile.


    "Ah, what the fuck? Are you also a druggie? And who the fuck are you?" Says Kyo.


    "Well, you can just call me the doctor." The doctor glances over his shoulder at Kyo and Mei.


    "Fucking creep." Kyo mumbles. He even has the getup for it. He has a white coat, black pants, and black shoes. He is also balding down the middle. Oh, and he''s an old fucker.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Mei, should we go somewhere else?" Says Kyo worried.


    "We can''t; we have no choice but to try this shop out. Remember, you have to fight later. So, we have no idea how long it will take to get to the hospital and back, " says Mei.


    "Ah, fuck. Fine, we''ll stay here for now." Says Kyo.


    "Great! I''m glad you guys are willing to try this shop out." The doctor starts clapping.


    "Oh, right! Here, have a seat!" The doctor brings two chairs that are randomly scattered around the room. "Take a seat."


    Mei and Kyo take a seat.


    This place is a mess. As soon as you enter, pill bottles are all over the floor, and shelves on the back wall have random medical equipment on them. There is just garbage to the left, and to the right, there is more garbage. There is also a hospital bed in the middle of the shop.


    "Okay¡ªOkay, wHat aRe You guys here for?" The doctor starts to stutter.


    "Fuck, you can''t even speak right. Just your typical druggie." Kyo says with a blank face.


    "Hahahah." The doctor laughs. "I suppose you are right. But we didn''t want to end up like this. The world made us end up like this." The doctor says.


    "Not true. You have choices in life, and you people just chose the wrong fucking choice.''


    "Only some of what you said is true." Says the doctor, fidgeting with his fingers. "But what I said wasn''t wrong either. The war that everyone went through left many people homeless and on the verge of death, making them not left with many choices, so yeah, in a way, you were right but also wrong."


    ''Tcchh,'' "Whatever, you still had the choice, and you just made the wrong one."


    "That''s where you are also wrong, kid. I think this choice is correct, you see, because I believe drugs are the future of this wretched world we live in."


    "You''re fucking crazy." Says Kyo.


    "Crazy¡ªCrazy, huh." The doctor stutters again. "I believe every single person in this world is crazy."


    "Anyway, what are you here for?" The doctor glances at Kyo''s hand.


    "Ah, I see your hand¡ªhand''s messed up. Let''s take a look at it." The doctor puts his hand out towards the bed.


    Am I really about to trust this crazy psycho druggie? Fuck today has been absolute shit. Kyo thinks.


    ''Squeak, Squeak''


    "Ahh, what the fuck was that." Kyo jumps.


    "Ah, that was just a rat. We get them all the time here." The doctor says as he waits for Kyo to get on the bed.


    "Oh¡ªRight, the bed," Kyo says nervously. Kyo glances over at Mei in worry.


    Don''t fucking look at me. This is your problem, so figure it out. Mei thinks.


    "Ha, what a jerk." Kyo mumbles.


    "What was that?" The doctor asks.


    "Oh, nothing." Says Kyo.


    "Hmm, this looks like it will need a cast." The doctor says.


    Yeah, no shit! But I feel like this will take more than just a cast! Kyo thinks.


    The doctor walks over to the shelf on the back wall and grabs a ton of bandages.


    "Hey? Where are your gloves?" Asks Kyo nervously, starting to get up.


    "Oh, right, where are my manners?" The doctor grabs the gloves on the shelf and puts them on.


    "Ohhh¡­ fuck no, those have blood stains on them! Get some new ones!" Kyo says.


    "Sorry, but these are all I have, so they will have to suffice." Says the doctor.


    "Fuck." Says Kyo.


    "Okay, hold out your hand, " Kyo says, holding out his left hand. This might hurt a little, " the doctor says as he slowly applies the bandages to the hand.


    "There we go. Your hand is entirely bandaged now." Says the doctor as he heads back over to the shelf.


    "What are you doing now?" Asks Kyo.


    "I''m assuming you''re still in much pain, right?" The doctor says. "I''m just getting you a pain reliever, that''s all."


    Fucking drugs. Kyo thinks.


    "I won''t take any drugs from you," Kyo says.


    "What was that?" The doctor asks, not hearing him. "Ah, found it." The doctor says.


    "I said I wasn''t going to take any drug you give me." Kyo stands up.


    "That''s too bad." the doctor flicks the tiny medicine syringe. "I''m not really giving you an option."


    "Excuse me? What the fuck you say, you psycho." Kyo gets agitated.


    "You can come in now!" The doctor shouts. A person enters the shop.


    "Oh, it''s that druggie from before," Kyo says. "And what the fuck is wrong with you?" Kyo says, looking at the guy shivering before him.


    "Hey, can you hold this kid down for me?" Says the doctor.


    Ah, shit, I have to run! Kyo thinks.


    "Mei, let''s go¡­"


    ''THUMP!'' The person suddenly tackles Kyo to the ground.


    "Ah, fuck that hurt!" Kyo says in pain.


    "I¡ªI got him, sir!" The person says, holding Kyo down. "Can I please have the drugs now?" The person says, drooling.


    "Well, aren''t you a good little dog?" The doctor walks over and pets him.


    Dog? The fuck is wrong with him. Fuck I can barely breathe. What is with this guy''s strength?


    "Kid, to answer your question from a second ago, he looks that way because he is experiencing withdrawal effects." The doctor crouches down.


    "Fuuck," Kyo says.


    "You see, I drug people to make them addicted in hopes that they come back for more, and once they do that, I turn them into my lapdogs."


    "Fucking psycho," Kyo says, trying to breathe.


    "So this is what you meant by that drugs are the future of the world, huh? You just want to use people for your benefit!" Kyo tires to breath


    "Correct¡­" Says the doctor.


    "Now, just hold still." The doctor brings the syringe towards his arm.


    "Wait¡­wait, please don''t do this!" Kyo pleads.


    "Sorry, kid, but I''m gonna make you my next lap dog!" The doctor says with his tongue sticking out.


    ''Stab'' "huh? The doctor looks up and sees Mei stabbing the person with medical scissors.


    ''Stab, Stab, Stab'' Mei stabs the person in the bad repeatedly.


    "Sir? Sir?" The person says.


    "Just keep holding him down!" The doctor screams.


    "You guys are all the same. You are just dirty bastards." Mei says with no emotion. "Don''t worry, you will be next." Says Mei.


    "Sir! Without the drugs, it fucking hurts!" The person suddenly gets up and throws Mei to the right side of the shop''s entrance.


    "Ow, that fucking hurt, you know," Mei says.


    "You fucking BITCH!" The person lunged at Mei, fist raised.


    "No! Mei!" Kyo tries standing up, but the doctor holds him down tightly.


    "Sorry, but before that, I''m going to give you this drug first." The doctor holds down Kyo with one hand and prepares the syringe, then he puts the needle in his arm, and the drug enters Kyo''s body.


    "Fuuuuck," Kyo says.


    "There we go. Now you should feel all better, " says the doctor in an evil voice.


    Kyo tries standing up but can barely keep his balance. "Just what the fuck did you give me?" Kyo asks as he starts to become dizzy.


    "I gave you a pain reliever, obviously." Says the doctor.


    "No, the fuck you didn''t! Everything is moving right now; the shelf looks wobbling, the floor is moving up and down, and I see different colors like purple and blue instead of normal colors! And fuck, my head hurts!" Kyo says, holding his left hand to his head.


    "Those are just the side effects." Says the doctor, taking his gloves off. "They will wear off soon." Says the doctor.


    "Now it''s time to pay and tell your friend to stop fighting my lapdog over there." Says the doctor. "Although it doesn''t look like a fight, it looks like she is just being held up against the wall, like you would see in a romance movie." Says the doctor.


    "You fucking bitch¡­" Says Kyo as he falls to the floor.


    "Aww, did he pass out? I guess he couldn''t handle the drugs. What a shame." The doctor reaches for Kyo.


    "You scumbag!" Mei cries out as she stabs the guy holding her against the wall in the neck, then removes the scissors.


    Dam, the fight with the doctor will have to wait. I will need to save Kyo first.


    Mei then charges at the doctor with scissors. "Come here, you piece of scum!" Mei swings with her right arm, holding the scissors at the doctor.


    The doctor swiftly doges but still manages to get glazed on the arm. "Ah, you''re quite skilled." Says the doctor, looking at his arm.


    Fuck now, what should I do! Mei thinks, ah, right, I should grab Kyo and run!


    "What do you think you''re doing?" Says the doctor.


    "I''m getting out of here with Kyo so you can go rot in hell!" Mei screams.


    "This fucking bitch." The doctor reaches for a knife but realizes it''s too late.


    Mei runs over to Kyo, puts him on her shoulder, and dashes out of the shop.


    "Aww, leaving so soon just as things started to get fun." The doctor smiles an evil smile.


    The doctor glances at his lapdog. "Ah, she was quite skilled, " he says, looking at the dead person before him.


    "Come on, Kyo, just hang on. I won''t let you die here!" Mei says, her voice heavy as she runs the streets of the dead space carrying Kyo on her shoulder.


    Chapter 15 End