"I just have to do this... right?" I asked, staring at the plate in front of me.
"Yep, just do it, Himeya," Haruka said, flashing an encouraging, yet oddly mischievous, smile.
I hesitated. "...*Gulp* Aahhm..." Slowly, I scooped a spoonful of her cooking and brought it to my mouth, my stomach already turning from the anticipation.
...
"Well? How was it?" she asked, her eyes sharp, watching my every move.
I swallowed hard, feeling a bead of sweat on my forehead. *She's gonna kill me if I don't give her an honest answer...*
"It could, uh... use a little improvement, Haru-nee," I said as gently as I could, offering her a sheepish smile.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence.
"..."
"Haru-nee?"
Suddenly, Haruka's lips curled into a smile—too sweet, too serene. It was terrifying.
"What is it?" she asked, her eyes locked on me, the smile still unwavering.
"You're scary, sis..."
"Himeya, you're awful!" she cried dramatically, and before I could react, she bolted up the stairs, leaving me dumbfounded.
...
"Well, that was a lovely way to start the day..." I muttered sarcastically under my breath.
I shook my head and packed some of her cooking into my bento. Hopefully, it'll taste better later. "I'm heading to school now, sis!" I shouted, hoping she could hear me from upstairs.
As I stepped outside, the morning sun painted the sky in soft hues of pink and gold, the cool breeze rustling the cherry blossoms overhead. Today seemed like it would be just another normal day—but something in the air made me feel like there was more to it. Like a calm before the storm.
Walking down the street, I couldn't help but think back to the odd conversation I had with Touka yesterday. Was something bothering her? She'd seemed distracted, distant, but when I tried to ask her about it, she brushed me off. Maybe I was overthinking things.
"Good morning," a voice called from behind, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see a red-haired girl with her hair in a ponytail, her bright eyes focused on me. "...Morning, um..." I trailed off, trying to recall her name.
"Michigami," she said with a small smile.
"Huh?"
"Michigami Yuka. We're in the same class, remember?" she clarified, giving me a slight nod.
"Oh, right... You're the girl running for class president, right?" I said, finally placing her.
"Yep, that's me," she replied, her voice laced with confidence.
We walked together toward the school building, the conversation light and easy. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Touka walking ahead of us.
"Good morning, Himeya," she greeted as she passed by without stopping.
"Morning, Touka," I called back.
She walked into the school, not waiting for me, and for some reason, that tiny gesture left a knot in my chest.
"She seems cheerful today," I mused aloud, not realizing I'd spoken until I saw Yuka raise an eyebrow.
"Shin, are you close with her?" Yuka asked, her tone suddenly curious.
"Huh? What do you mean?" I asked, feeling a bit defensive.
"She's Miyako-san, right?" Yuka pressed.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I didn't want to bring this up, but... have you heard the rumors?" Yuka lowered her voice, glancing around as if someone might overhear us.
...
I felt a heavy weight settle in my stomach. I know where this is going.
"What rumors?"
"The ones about the first-year girl who goes out at night... and gets involved with random men." Yuka's voice was barely above a whisper, as if the words themselves were too dirty to say out loud.
"...You believe that?"
"N-no, that's not what I meant—" Ring-ring. The school bell cut her off, signaling the start of class.
"We'll talk later," she said quickly, heading to her seat.
...
The day dragged on. I couldn't focus in class, my mind wandering back to the conversation with Yuka and the gnawing suspicion that something wasn't right with Touka.
"Alright, that's all for today," the teacher finally announced, dismissing the class. I stretched my arms, feeling stiff after sitting for so long, but before I could fully relax, I felt a soft poke on my shoulder.
"Hmm?" I turned around to find Yuka standing behind me.
"Are you free now?" she asked, her eyes serious.
...
This again? "Yeah..." I replied, not really in the mood for another heavy conversation but knowing I wouldn't be able to avoid it.
"Why don't we go up to the rooftop?" she suggested.
"Alright, might as well have lunch there," I said, grabbing my bento and standing up.
As we were about to leave the classroom, I heard someone call my name.
"Where are you going?" Touka asked, her voice cutting through the noise of students packing up.
"Rooftop," I replied.
"Oh... um, Himeya, can we—"
"I'll text you," I said, flashing her a smile before turning back to Yuka.
*murmur*
Whispers followed us as we left the classroom, students already gossiping about my interaction with Touka. I tried to ignore them, but I could feel the weight of their stares. People really have nothing better to do...
"Let's go," I said to Yuka, brushing off the unease.
We climbed the stairs to the rooftop, the air cooler and fresher up there. The sun was hidden behind a thin layer of clouds, casting a soft glow over everything. It was peaceful, the kind of peace that made you forget about all the chaos down below.
I looked down at my bento. I just remembered... this was made by Haruka...
"You're not going to eat that?" Yuka asked, noticing my hesitation.
"I will... eventually," I said, still unsure whether it would kill me or not.
"So... what's your relationship with her?" Yuka asked, her voice careful.
"Her? You mean Touka?"
"Yeah, Miyako-san."
"Hmm..." I leaned back, thinking. "I've known her for a long time, but we didn't really talk much. Now, though, I guess I just want to spend more time with her. Get to know her better."
"...She's not your girlfriend, right?"
I chuckled. "Nope. Just a friend."
"Even though you two seem so close?" Yuka's eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite read.
"Yeah, strange, right?" I said, scratching the back of my head.
"No, it's not..." she muttered, her voice trailing off.
Something about her tone made me pause. "Speaking of Touka, what were you going to say earlier before the bell rang?"
Yuka hesitated, looking like she was debating whether to say something. "I heard from some third-years that Miyako-san... might be selling herself," she finally said.
"..."
"They say she's been seen at night, going into hotels with men. People have been talking..."
...
Why are people so cruel? Even in this world, no one was spared from baseless gossip.
"Do you believe that rumor, Michigami?" I asked, my voice colder than I intended.
"...I don't know."
"I see..."
"But you've seen how people treat her, right?" Yuka asked, her voice tinged with worry.
"Y-yeah..."
"I don't want you to get hurt, Shin. Please... stay away from her. For your own good," Yuka said, her voice barely audible now, but her words struck hard.
"...!?"
"Please... leave her." Her eyes were pleading, but I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
I clenched my fists. "Michigami..." My voice came out like ice. "You're the class president. You, of all people, should know better than to spread rumors like that."
"Wh-what?" Yuka stammered, looking startled.
"Why would you say something like that?" I asked, my chest tightening.
"I... B-but—"
"Are you done?" I cut her off, my patience running thin.
"S-Shin..."
"If you're done, leave. I'm going to enjoy my lunch now," I said, dismissing her.
Yuka stood up, her face pale, her eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Shin..." she whispered before turning and walking toward the door. Just as she reached it, she glanced back one last time, her eyes sad. "I'm really sorry."
...
I sighed heavily once she left and pulled out my phone. This day just keeps getting weirder. I quickly texted Touka.
[I'm still on the rooftop.]
...
A reply came almost instantly.
[Do as Michigami said.]
...
What? [What are you talking about, Touka?]
[I'm not Touka.]
What...? [Quit playing around. It's not funny.]
[Himeya Shin, we're the same person. I'm you from the future.]
The future? [Prove it.]
Click
A photo came through. It looked like me... but older, with subtle differences.
Is that... me? [That's an edit.]
[Don't get ahead of yourself, reincarnated.]
?! [How did you know?!]
[As I said, I'm you from the future.]
...
[Don't ever message me again.]
...
[Leave Touka to Hiro.]
...!
NO
I stared at the screen, my heart racing, trying to make sense of what was happening. But nothing made sense.
...
"Huh?" I looked up, feeling a presence near me, and there she was. Touka.
"T-Touka...?" I stammered, surprised.
She stared at me with an intensity I'd never seen before.
"Touka, what's going on?"
But her next words froze me in place.
"What happened, Hiro?"
Hiro?
Suddenly, pain shot through my head, like something was tearing it apart from the inside.
This is...?
Everything around me blurred and twisted, the world turning dark as shadows closed in.
"What's happening now?!"
...
"Shin." A voice, soft yet commanding, echoed in the void.
"Huh?" I called out, searching for the source.
"Himeya Shin."
That voice...!
"Attila?"
"You remember me," Attila said, her figure slowly emerging from the shadows.
"What's happening to me?" I asked, feeling lost and confused, like I was spiraling out of control.
Attila stepped closer, her expression calm but firm. "What is your objective, Himeya?"
"...To save... them?" I answered, though the words felt foreign on my lips, like they were coming from somewhere deeper than I understood.
"Are you sure?"
"Touka, and Senpai... I want to save them. Attila, please help me!" I begged, my desperation palpable.
Attila's gaze softened, and she raised a hand to my forehead. "The journey won't be easy, but if you're certain, then I will guide you."