[Trigger warning: This chapter contains graphic descriptions of gore and violence. If you are sensitive to these topics, please proceed with caution.]
[Narrator: Author] - [POV: Shiroyami Reiji]
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As his feet drag him to the source of the commotion, each step he took was accompanied by a deep sense of introspection that seemed out of character.
'Why am I doing this?'
'This isn't me at all.'
'Am I worried about her?'
'But what if she's dead already? Also that scream… no, don't overthink it.'
He wrestled with conflicting thoughts and emotions, questioning the motivations that were driving him.
What was compelling him to rush toward danger and the unfamiliar?
Was it the influence of that enigmatic figure in the white space, the one who communicated without words or actions?
Or was it the overwhelming weight of the sudden twists and turns of events that had turned him into someone he barely recognized?
No one could tell, but only me, the author.
His instincts nudged him, suggesting that making connections could indeed help him in any ways. Despite his uncertainties, he pressed forward, silencing the whirlwind of thoughts churning in his mind.
—iffle…
As he drew nearer, the sounds of sobbing and frantic murmurs grew louder. And there, amidst the tangled undergrowth, he spotted Nakamura Sayuri—one of the social butterflies in their class; her usually cheerful face contorted in terror.
'As I thought...! It's her!'
Reiji's heart clenched at the sight of his classmate in such a state. He didn't know why is he feeling this, but somehow, he pitied her situation.
Sayuri's lime green hair, usually vibrant and full of life, now appeared messy and unkempt, strands sticking to her tear-streaked cheeks. The ends, labeled by her chin, swayed slightly with her trembling as she tried to regain control of her emotions.
Her once bright green eyes, normally filled with curiosity and liveliness, were now red-rimmed from tears and fear. The roundness of her eyes only emphasized the panic etched across her delicate features.
Sayuri's legs, which were often the source of her energy and vivacity, now betrayed her. They trembled, threatening to give way beneath her, as if unable to support her weight under the weight of her fear. Sayuri fell down; it seems that her legs can't take it anymore. Reiji could see the toll that fear had taken on her, her petite frame appearing even smaller as she huddled against a tree for support.
'What makes her… cry like that?'
It was then when Reiji's eyes shifted to another entity.
A few meters away from her stood an animal resembling a rabbit, but it was like no creature Reiji had ever seen before.
It was the same size as an adult jersey wooly rabbit.
'W-What the hell is that—?!'
Reiji's eyes widened, fear evident in his gaze. The sight of it alone sends chills down to his spine.
The creature's once pristine white fur now hung heavy with the weight of blood, its mouth smeared with the deep red hue of its recent prey. Its eyes, radiant like smoldering embers, flickered with an eerie glow. Each tooth, once ivory, now bore the stain of its feast, creating a macabre display of crimson.
A long, twisted horn curved menacingly from its forehead. The creature stood before them, a living embodiment of pure malevolence, a vision straight out of the darkest corners of one's nightmares.
Munch!
Reiji stood frozen; his eyes locked on the gruesome sight before him. The creature's wild and primal hunger was evident as it tore into the creature resembling a flying squirrel. Its sharp teeth plunged into the tender flesh with unnerving ease, causing Reiji's stomach to churn in horror.
He could almost feel the sensation of the creature's teeth sinking into his own flesh, as though a serrated saw had been driven into his very being.
What would Reiji do with this horrifying scene unfolding before him?
Would he muster the courage to help his classmate?
Or be overwhelmed by fear of this monstrous creature?
No one could tell, but only me, the author.
Reiji's senses were overwhelmed by the scene unfolding before him. The metallic scent of blood filled the air, mingling with the damp earthiness of the forest floor. The sound of crunching bones and tearing flesh resonated in his ears, making his heart race with a mixture of fear and repulsion.
"Huff... Huff..."
Sayuri's heart pounded in her chest, the rapid thump echoing in her ears as she took a step back from the gruesome scene unfolding before her. Her hands trembled, clasped tightly to her chest in a desperate attempt to steady herself.
Gulp…
Huff…
Huff…
Her eyes darted between the relentless creature and Reiji, who stood only a few paces away. Panic washed over her, unsure of what to do next.
Should she run?
Should she stay still and hope the creature wouldn't notice her?
The conflicting instincts of fight or flight threatened to overwhelm her.
As she took another step back, panic surged within her, but the massive tree trunk behind blocked any hope of escape; its diameter was substantial, leaving her feeling trapped.
"A-Ah…"
In that tense moment, Sayuri felt the weight of her vulnerability. Her instincts screamed at her to flee, to preserve her own life, but her body seemed frozen in place, held captive by fear.
'M-Move, girl! Move...!'
Time seemed to stretch as the seconds ticked by, each moment laden with the potential for danger. As the creature's teeth tore into the squirrel's flesh once more, Sayuri's resolve faltered.
She whispered with a trembling voice, "H-Help me..."
Her words barely audible over nature's sounds, yet carried an urgent plea.
She knew they couldn't stay here any longer.
Seeing Sayuri's pitiful face transported Reiji's mind, not to memories, but to a familiar sensation—a symphony of images, emotions, and moments. It linked present experiences vividly to his past.
That familiar expression belonged to his little sister.
In the first memory, she sat on the floor, tears streaming over a broken toy. Reiji knelt, promising to fix it, comforting her in a hug.
The next memory—a crowded place. Reiji swiftly found his sister, assuring her with a calm voice and a reassuring touch.
The third memory emerged like a gentle breeze—a dark night, moonlight casting a soft glow. Reiji soothed his sister's nightmares, his presence a comforting shield.
These memories painted a tapestry of emotions, reflecting vulnerability and unwavering support. As Reiji returned to the forest, gazing at Sayuri, he whispered.
"Ah... I remembered..."
It was at that time, Reiji's head was filled with vivid memories. Hyperthymesia—a syndrome which Reiji deemed both blessing and curse, suddenly triggered.
He also had this innate strong empathy, where as he witnessed Sayuri's pitiful expression, he felt all what she could feel; the fear, the anxiousness, and the hopelessness.
As he absorbed the weight of the moment, he felt his veins surging electricity. The pain, sharp and unexpected, radiated from the depths of his being. His hands instinctively clutched his head, his fingers gripping his hair in a desperate attempt to anchor himself.
"...Urghh!!"
This was a drawback, a side effect of his syndrome that he rarely mentioned. The syndrome's knack for reliving past experiences with remarkable clarity came at a cost—a cost he had grown used to bearing alone. The flood of memories and emotions could, at times, rush into his consciousness with such intensity that it seemed his mind might burst under the pressure.
Reiji clenched his teeth, his fists balling instinctively, as he grappled with the overwhelming sensation. His gaze flickered momentarily from Sayuri to the creature, the pain warring with his determination to regain control.
In that tensed moment, the forest's silence was broken by a soft rustling. The creature, previously focused on its prey, had sensed the shift in Reiji's demeanor. Its ears perked up, and its nose twitched, attuned to the unusual disturbance that emanated from him.
The creature, locking its glowing crimson eyes with Reiji's; it seemed to taunt him, but there was more to its intense gaze than met the eye.
Unbeknownst to Reiji, the creature had the ability to become invisible by locking its gaze with its target, as it had done with the unsuspecting squirrel and Sayuri earlier.
"I-It can make its body disappear!"
"?!"
Sayuri's urgent warning about the creature's ability to disappear echoed in Reiji's mind, prompting him to be even more vigilant. It also confirmed what he had just witnessed – this creature indeed possessed the power of invisibility as it vanished into its location; the motionless flying squirrel was left lying on the ground, pool of blood soaking its fur.
'Invisibility, huh...'
Reiji's mind raced to comprehend the situation, simultaneously regaining his composure from the sudden headache.
'Then this place is no doubt in another world…! But there's no time to dwell on that!'
Indeed, a definitely dangerous creature were just lurking around, caped with its invisibility. So, how could he still be in awe that this is—in fact—in another world?
Reiji's heart raced with a mix of concern and urgency as he turned to Sayuri, his eyes narrowing with fear and confusion.
"What happened to the squirrel?"
"Did that creature really killed it?"
"How?"
Sayuri drew a sharp breath, her eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. "At first, I got transported here and somehow—"
But Reiji cut her off, his voice edged with urgency. "Make it brief! What happened for the squirrel to be in this state?!"
Sayuri nodded, her words quickening. "The rabbit suddenly appeared behind the squirrel, then bit its neck."
"...Just that?" Reiji's brows furrowed in disbelief.
"Just that..." Sayuri confirmed, her tone tinged with hesitance.
Reiji's mind raced as he processed the information. Just a single bite. Despite the grim scene before him, he found himself somewhat reassured by the simplicity attack.
'A bite… I hope it's just that.'
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|TO BE CONTINUED|