"Good Morning Nozomi! How come you are here today? Isn't today that day…you know." A man said with a worrisome voice while leaning in my desk.

"Morning Horiyuki. Well… today I feel normal so-"

"What day?" a cheerful voice was heard from behind. I didn't need to turn back to find out who she was. The lady approached us with light footsteps.

"G..Go…Good morning Ms.Abiko… "My voice shook.

'Idiot! Can't you speak properly!?'.

"Ms.Abiko. Today is our Nozomi-chan's birthday~~." He spoke seeing that I was acting strange.

"Oh… Happy Birthday Mr.Sada! Then let's celebrate it after work hours today. What do you think Mr.Tanaka?"

"But I don't have time today after work….. Sorry. Although I will not be there Ms.Abiko, you must celebrate it."

"Then let's invite others too and-"

"NOOO!!!"

"What's the matter Horiyuki...? You startled me."

"Sorry...You know that…. Ah ….. this guy here doesn't talk to anyone else other than work matters except us and.. um...so…..I think…. it's better if you don't invite them….." He put an arm around my shoulder.

"Yeah....it will be awkward. Sorry, I think it will be just the two of us then. I will wait in the lobby at 5 pm. I am not going to listen to any of your excuses. You must come. Okay?" She stared at me.

"Y…Yes, mam!"

She chuckled at my answer and left for her own desk.

"Pffff… Seriously? Mam?" He laughed while looking at me shrinking in shame.

"Just what were you thinking? I know that you have nothing to do af-"

"Good Luck! Don't let the opportunity slide away and confess." He winked and left me all alone.

My face turned red like a tomato. I covered my blushing face with a hand.

'Just the two of us…..like a date.' I was thinking while also staring at Ms.Abiko blankly. She noticed my gaze and smiled back.

'Snap out of it! Nozomi!!'

I sat and made myself busy with work.

***

"uugghh….." I stretched my stiff body and looked down on the watch in my right hand.

'4:50 pm' I realized that there were only 10 mins left. I hurriedly packed my stuff and rushed toward the lobby.

There she was. Standing elegantly with her silky black hair down. Her light brown skin was smooth and her office attire suited her.

She noticed me and lightly waved her hand.

In a daze, I recalled the words she had said to me 'Your eyes are beautiful Mr.Sada. "

She said these words to me when everybody around me avoids me because of my eyes. These simple words warmed my heart as she was one of the few people who accepted me for who I am.

'Ah. She is still beautiful just like that time.' I was unconsciously smiling.

"Why are you smiling? Did something good happen?"

"Oh… nothing. It's just that…. I..I am happy you are celebrating my birthday with me."

"Yeah…. You used to always make an excuse and never come to the office on your birthday. So why didn't you run away today?"

"That.. I always.. go to the orphanage to celebrate my birthday… and .. um…. Today the orphanage kids have gone for a trip.. ". I lied because I didn't want to reveal my illness to her.

And the truth is, today was indeed my first time celebrating my birthday. During the time when I was in the orphanage, no one cared for me. Everyone used to avoid or bully me.

"Mr.Sada?"

"Huh?"

"Then shall we move to a different location? Maybe a restaurant?"

"S..sure."

"Follow me. I have booked a table in a nearby restaurant."

I followed her outside the building.

***

We were now walking in the street. While I was admiring the beautiful sunset sky in my mind, she was staring at me with curious eyes. I noticed her gaze.

"What's the matter?"

"When did you start wearing glasses? I have never seen you without it."

"Oh… I don't quite remember since when but I always used to wear even in elementary school."

"What!? Then is your eyesight that poor?"

"Not both my eyes have poor eyesight. My left eye had blurred vision since birth...Ms.Abiko??"

I noticed she was staring at something in front of us. From the corner of my eye, I too could feel that there was something red glowing there.

"hey…. what is tha…"

SHIEKKKKKKKK

And there was that ringing in my head. I clutched my hair and collapsed on the ground.

"Mrrrr.Saadaaaaarrreeyyooouookkk???..."

I could tell she was panicking in my hazy consciousness. In my blurry vision, I saw something walking out of the red glow.

SHIEKKKKKK SIEKKKKKK

"Ru.. n….. Run…" I tried to warn her of the danger. She was dialing something on her phone.

Slash!

"Ah..." there was confusion in her eyes then her head rolled down.

Pant..pant… pant

'nononono….. this is not happening this is not real

It's a dream…. It's a dream… it's a dream'

"Arrrghhhhhhhh..."

Then I heard screams of people. Of people running for their lives.

"Oi Oi Oi. You bastard. I told you not to kill them. They are precious life stock." A boy smacked the man who was standing above me.

"It's annoying that when they start resisting. So killing them makes the task easy." The man smiled like he was enjoying it.

"sigh… if the boss hears what you are saying you know what happens" the boy stared at the man. The man stiffened and left to chase others.

With great difficulty, I opened my eyes when I felt the boy's gaze on me. The boy smirked and squatted down. I felt a needle in my neck. Everything felt distant and I lost consciousness.