Chapter 10
"It's been two week since Hayama disappear... It was also the time where I gained and lose him..." I muttered to myself and release a heavy sigh. "I wish I could turn back time and change my attitude, if that happens Hayama won't leave my side... It was all my fault."
With my eyes swollen due to regrets and guilt, I turn my gaze at his seat which only next to me. "I'm not the only one who's affected when he left... Kosaka, Diane even our whole class. It's tragic, a person value can only be realized once he is gone."
The door is suddenly being open which caught the attention of everyone. Naomi sensei, the homeroom teacher enter the classroom with a grim look on her face.
She takes a step inside and glance at Hayama's seat. "So he is absent today... It's been two weeks already." She look away from Hayama's chair and head into her table. "OK, class I have an announcement today..." Despite getting affected by Hayama's disappearance, she makes sure that the class will continue.
The room was filled with heavy devasting atmosphere, aftereffect of Hayama's disappearance. It's been two weeks already but they can't be help since they look up to him. She take a deep sigh and continue. "We have a transfer student today... Please come in and introduce yourself." She averted her gaze at the door and called someone outside.
"Step... Clack... Clack... " The annoying sound of heels which being generated everytime he step on the floor caught everyone's attention, except Amane who's still sulking on her desk and Diane who's staring blankly at the floor.
The transfer student stand up and face his new classmates in front. Everyone focus their attention into him and waited for his introduction. He looks around first as if searching for someone and then take a deep breath. "My name is Utsubyo Kanashi..."
Many student waited for an follow up but there's nothing... His self introduction only summarize by his name.
Naomi who is also waiting for a follow up averted her gaze at him but he didn't put up any indicating his introduction was over. Releasing a heavy sigh, she raise her hand and stretches it pointing at specific direction. "You can used the empty seat at the back..."
Kanashi slowly approaches the back seat and Naomi sensei continue speaking. She talk while keeping her grim eyes on Kanashi. "Anyway, I have paper works to do... So the home room will be over."
She pick up her belongings and left the classroom. Kanashi stay still at his seat until Naomi sensei leave. There are some students who wanted to he friend him but before they could approach Kanashi, he stand up and advance into someone. He is keeping an eye on her the whole time. Ever since he enter the room.
"You are Amane Shina right? Can we talk outside for a moment... It's about Hayama." Amane who is sobbing on her desk immediately raised her head after hearing the name she missing for so long.
"Hayama...? Do you know something about him? Please tell me!" She grab both of Kanashi shoulder and shake him off, as if she is willing to resort to violence just to squeeze every information out of him.
"Yeah I have leads but please stop shaking me..." His head starts to spin due to dizziness. Amane let him go and he shake his head.
"Can we talk about it outside... It's not a topic everyone should know." As he speak someone suddenly grab his neck from behind. "Ahhh!" Moaning in pain due to someone strangle, he turn around to witness the person behind it.
"Confidential? Does that mean I'm also not allowed to heard that even if it's about Hayama?" Tightening her grip Kanashi decided to put up a resistance. He raised his hand over his shoulder and grab Diane arm from behind.
He didn't put much strength but manages to seperate her grip away from his neck. Certainly Diane realized Kanashi is strong individual based on his grip alone.
"Don't worry you were also involved Ayase Diane the self proclaimed loser champion." With a smug look on his face he explain things to her and even go as far to diss Diane.
Diane didn't pay attention to words "self proclaimed loser champion " after all Hayama is much important than her anger.
"Let's go outside..." Offering a proposal... Kanashi lead the two of them outside. On the hallway, he turn his back at them and begin to play mind games.
"I can only give you three days at maximum. If you failed to dig any information related to Hayama then he will disappear forever. You might think I don't hold any credibility but I know everything about you guys. Amane Shina, Hayama grope your breast approximately two weeks ago? Diane have a sparring match against him the day after. In the same day you three loses Hayama. I think that's enough proof right?"
Shrugging his shoulder in arrogance he started to put some facts that will increase his condition credibility.
"What makes you think we needed three days to see Hayama? You will tell us his current whereabouts now... Because if you don't I will break you neck!" Diane looking frustrated begin to stretch her leg, she is about to throw a deadly head kick to Kanashi.
However, Kanashi already foresee what's going to happen and even provoke Diane to kick him. "Someone who couldn't even touch Hayama's hair is threatening me? Don't get full of yourself, loser."
Diane patience reaches it limit! She strengthen her right leg and use every once of her strength to deliver a head kick to Kanashi.
Kanashi merely raised his right hand and grasp the air on head level, receiving Diane head kick completely unharm. He criticize her attack. "You are far too weak but at least barely qualified..."
He shove Diane legs away and continue to business. "Anyway, I will only give you three days... Brainstorm every information you have about Hayama and combine it into one. Once you know the truth, come into Hayama's old house at 8:00am three days starting tomorrow... If you have even slightest hesitation inside, don't come. Hayama doesn't need half ass love especially like what you have Amane Shina."
He started to walk away from them but he still speaking. "The reason why I showed up here was to bring a message... I'm putting you guys on a test. I'd like to see if you still wanted to be with him despite knowing what kind of person he is..."
Leaving stunned and confused, Kanashi disappear and never show himself to them again.
Diane and Amane stare blankly at him and didn't say a word. Perhaps due to happiness or worries? The misunderstanding between them has been cleared... It's clear that Hayama didn't left them because of Amane. His reasons were far more deeper than they could imagine.
But what are they going to do about it? What's their next move?
"Shouldn't you be happy since he left for a different reason and not because of what happened between the two of you? Besides we found a lead... This is a gain for us." Diane begin to motivate Amane who have devasting look on her face.
Amane just take a deep sigh and keep a sad look. "Yeah... But I'm worried... I know Hayama for 2 years and been watching him since then but I only know what kind of person he is at school and not the outside... It makes me worried-"
She didn't manage to finish her next words because Diane interrupted her. Diane griab her shoulder tightly, and look at her with frustrated face. "Are you saying that you are going to abandoned Hayama once you know what kind of person he is!?"
Diane pushes Amane and her back hit the wall. It didn't hurt much but it somehow shut her up, so Diane just continue speaking frustratedly. "Know him for 2 years? Watching over him? Don't make me laugh. All you do is watch over him, you don't know a thing about Hayama... The real Hayama and Hayama version inside your head are two different people... If you only love him because of your fantasies then that fake can live forever in your heart. Once I beat him and drag him back, I will make sure he will never meet you again."
Diane turn her back to Amane and made a momentary pause. "I thought you could do it but I was wrong... I shouldn't have trusted you in the first place." Leaving a hurtful words to Amane which expressing her disappointment, Diane open the door to get her bag and immediately leave the classroom.
Amane just stare blankly at her and didn't do anything, as Diane slowly disappear from her site she begin to ask herself. "What am I supposed to do..."
Few hours have passed, inside the house from an unknown location three people have gathered. The three of them were playing chess and drinking wine, room filled with rose aroma and being lightened by candle.
"Clack... Clack... Clack..." The sound of chess pieces hitting the board generates all over the silent place.
"Things have become interesting right Kanashi?" An old man sitting on the couch put down the empty wine glass on the table. By his appearance he is probably around 60, Perhaps more than that... A beautifully crafted wooden crane was resting beside him. On the other side, a pitiful sight can be seen his right hand has been cut off... However, he doesn't s seem to be bothered being handicap and still smiling wryly.
"Yeah... I made an appearance to turn things around." Kanashi, without bathing an eye on him give a response. One by one he is putting the pawn on chess board.
"Are you sure about that?" The handicap old man asked him a question. The smile on his face seems to disappear and it turns into confused one.
"Yeah... I have a feeling if I feed her everything she will reject Hayama... So I pushes her into the clip to decide whether she will keep going or not." He finishes putting all of the pawns on the board and the match between them is about to start.
"You are reducing your chances of winning... Clack". As he speak, the old man begin to move a white pawn three steps ahead of it current location.
"It doesn't matter, even if I reduced the chances to 0, I'm still going to win. After all Hayama is also rooting for her." He speak then put back the pawn to it's original position. "By the way, no pawn can move three steps ahead... If you fool around again I'm going to cut your left hand next!" Glaring sharply at the old man, kanashi release an murderous intent. Indication heis serious about taking his arm.
Despite his intimidating aura the old man didn't faze in the slightest and smile wryly. "My bad... I must be getting old." He pick up the same pawn and move it four steps ahead.
Kanashi who is watching the board stand up and strengthen his right hand about to throw a punch to a handicap old man... The power of his fist is enough to kill the old guy but the old man doesn't seem to be afraid and willing to take kanashi head on.
"Ding dong... Ding dong..." The sound of door bell being ring interrupted me from my sleep. "Who is being noisy in the early morning? Was it Hayama?" I asked myself while rubbing my blue eyes, the only thing that connect us as real siblings.
"UHWAAAAA!" I let out a long tiresome yawn and get down to bed. I'm still wearing casual clothes and didn't bother to change since we rarely often get visitor.
I walk downstairs and take a heavy steps. Eventually, I reaches the main door and open it. The person who rings the door bell was rather unexpected, well probably because I'm expecting it will be Hayama. "What are you doing? Don't you have a school today Diane?" I asked her a question and let out another tiresome yawn.
"I have an important news for you, it's more important than school anyway..." Diane casually head inside and I closes the door.
"So what's this all about? Important than school, I think there's nothing more important than it... Perhaps, Are you going to get back to your house?" While fixing my sleeping clothes, I asked Diane for clarification.
She only stare at me with serious expression on her face and her next words make me frozen into my tracks or it's appropriate to say it wake me up.
"I have information about Hayama and where we can find him."
"What!?" I was shocked by her reasons and immediately force Diane to speak what she knows. The truth to be told I've been asking several people about Hayama whereabouts ever since he left but I didn't get any leads.
"A transfer student from my class, most likely knows about Hayama whereabouts made an appearance... It only happens earlier but I think he hold a certain credibility." She starts by explaining me how she obtain information about him and whether it can be trusted or not.
"What did he say?" I immediately pushes her straight to the point since I wanted to search for him as soon as possible.
"He told me to brainstorm everything we know about Hayama and go to a certain place after 3 days... The most intriguing part here is we mustn't have any slightest hesitation when we go otherwise we won't be able to see Hayama again."
"Who is the person demand that from us and what's his reason for doing this?"
"I don't know the exact reason but he told me, it's to test and mention something about whether Amane really love Hayama or not. As for the guy his name is Kanashi Utsubyo."
"Utsubyo Kanashi? I think I heard that name before... But I can't remember where. Anyway, what about Amane? I was wondering why she isn't here. I thought she will run over her heels just to see Hayama." I put my index finger along with thumb on my chin while in deep thoughts.
Diane remain silent for a while and take a deep breath. "About Amane, we had a conflict earlier and I told her to back off if she is hesitant whether to see Hayama. After all, Hayama doesn't need half hearted feelings."
"I see... We should go to living room first and discuss everything we knows about him. We still needed Amane but if she isn't willing to cooperate... Then it can't be help."
Chapter 10.1
"You manage to block my attack are you sure you're getting old?" Kanashi spoke while his right hand was being captive by old man's left. Despite being old, he catches up his fist like it's nothing. Certainly his strength is enough to knocked out even the adults in one blow but it's surprising he caught his fist like and considered it as attack from a child.
The old man let go of Kanashi hand, and he pull it back. Both of them sit down at the same time and decided to play seriously. "Anyway, are you sure about staying with us, Fushigi Arthur?" He speak of his name casually while putting back the pawn to it's original position.
The other man sitting next to Kanashi averted his gaze at elderly and give him a proper response. "Yeah, after all Hayama is here." Then he turn his gaze to Kanashi and smile bitterly.
"Resigning as body guard then joining us... I'm not questioning your decisions but it was still surprising. Kanashi told me about you, I didn't expect you can read every secrets he has using a little bit of information." He levitate his hand and reaches it towards the bottle of wine resting as bucket full of ice. Then he pour it on empty glass and drink all of it's contents in one go.
"I was surprised too that's why I joined. His background is something I cannot overlook. After all, we are the same..."
"Hahaha...! How amusing... Do you want to join the executives, Fushigi Arthur? I cannot pull strings to give you authority because it's something that you must earn yourself but..." He put back the empty glass on table and stand up, cutting his own words leaving what comes next as mystery.
He left the room putting everyone at silence... Kanashi casually move his hand towards the chess piece, queen and rub the tip of it using his thumb finger.
Fushigi Arthur who's been watching him with his arms cross speak to him. "I was planning to drag you back by force but I didn't expect things to become so complicated... Hayama is this really who you are?"
Kanashi grip the chess piece tightly and eventually divide into two. The wooden piece isn't weak it's just his hand was strong that it destroy the piece like a stick. "I'm speaking on his behalf but he cannot go back even if he wanted to... This is the place where he belong. It's like someone can make him forget everything to start over again..." After he spoke, Kanashi open his palm and the broken queen piece falls out his hand... It eventually reaches the carpet, and he stare at it along with his hand as if in deep thoughts.
"It was difficult... Fighting fire with fire will only result into bigger destruction..." Arthur look away from Kanashi and closes his eyes. "Multiple personality disorder... Using violence could solve the problem you have just like what Hayama stated but since both of you share the same memories then, he will also be affected by destruction... The stage has been set up and everything will be solve if the actors/actress play their part." Arthur spoke as if he already knows the outcome.
"Yes... In order to get rid of me, the false personality, violence is the only solution. Beat Hayama close to death until he acquired amnesia and with the help of those people around him, they will rebuild his memories from nothing." One by one Kanashi pick up the white chess piece and crush them.
Arthur open his eyes and take a deep sigh. "Sounds simple but it's complicated... In order for Hayama's plan to succeed, he need a strong piece... Someone with precision, this will likely be the key figure. The force must be enough to give him an amnesia without killing him. But there is a limit on human body which is unknown, even if that piece succeed there's no guarantee that Hayama will live. On the worse case scenario a new personality might emerge."
Kanashi stand up from the couch and step on broken chess pieces... The only one standing on white side is the king all of pieces were destroyed starting from the queen. "Hayama's solution is close to impossible so, it won't happen... Besides it's not like he doesn't have any emotions, the love he received, the happiness everything is just not enough to satisfy him. Thanks to those people around him I've been born... I understand Hayama the best since we are the same person sharing the same body and memories." He take step away from the couch and approaches the door.
"Hayama isn't a sinner, it was me who is burdening him... That's why I'm going to do what ever it takes for Hayama to be happy. Even if I have to kill the whole organization."
Arthur stand up and gets closer to Kanashi, he is now standing on his right side with a bright smile on his face. "Certainly, if you are going to take the world as your enemy then I might as well join you in deathbed... The task lady gave me was to search for you and do what ever it means to bring you back so, I'm going to do it not only for the sake of order but for her brother as well."
"It seems like you guys already made up your mind..." The old man who's teasing Kanashi earlier spoke. He is on the other side of the door leaning his back on the wall. "...if you are going to fight the organization then I will join you, Hayama is my favourite pupil not only that he is like my own son so, what kind of father I am if I let him go to deathbed alone?"
"Old man your words might be enough to make Hayama happy once he heard that but... We must win the war first." Kanashi expression becomes serious and grim. "You better wait for us in your throne... Aikon." With a start of war declaration, the three of them leave the room and head into a certain place.
Lots of time have passed and the promise day eventually comes. "There's only one minute left... Amane didn't even show herself. It seems like her worries got the best of her." Asuza cross both of her arms while sitting down on Kotatsu.
Diane remain silent for few moments, probably sorting her thoughts. After a while, she take a deep sigh and reply to Asuza. "It simply means her love for Hayama is -" she didn't manage to finish her words because the door was being open.
"Ohh at first I thought no one will come but for two people to show up... I guess the situation has become serious then." A man wearing a pure white mask along with white trenchcoat and black pants made an appearance. He doesn't look intimidating at all but his well hidden body makes things intriguing for them.
He casually sit down on the Kotatsu and about to start the meeting. "Now then shall we get things started?" He asked them a question and the two of them nod in agreement. He put his hand on his mask and take it off.
The mysterious man face doesn't look and doesn't look bad either. He have slightly brown skin and green eyes, the color of his hair is white mostly based on genetics. "My name is Kanashi Utsubyo..." Introducing his name , he put down the mask on Kotatsu and slightly lower his head.
Asuza take a good look at his face and eventually come into realization. "You are the caretaker of Hayama's house weren't you? I've seen you before I visited his place."
"Yes..." Kanashi smile and noded in agreement.
Diane who staring at him with puzzle look on her face started to speak. "What do you mean by Kanashi Utsubyo!? Kanashi is the one who told us to come here before. The two of you look different!"
"What? He isn't him?" Asuza glance at Diane then averted her gaze back to Kanashi.
"Well things will become clear later... But first why don't you come inside? You have been staying at place for three days weren't you, Amane Shina...?" Kanashi without bathing an eye on the door, he begin to talk as if he was talking to someone outside.
There was no response for few seconds but the closed door is being open. Then the sight of stressful Amane made an appearance. Judging by her looks alone, one could tell she lacks sleep.
With her weakened body, she slowly walk inside and sit down on Kotatsu. She didn't even bath an eye on Diane and Asuza, instead she keep her gaze on the Kotatsu and keep her mouth shut.
Kanashi stole a glance at them before he proceed. "It seems you guys have a fight but it's not important right now... First I'd like you all to tell me how much you know about Hayama... You are free to have a discussion here and I will wait for an hour until you guys are ready. Just to let you know, the amount of information I'm going to tell you is based how much you knew. The more you know the more you get closer to Hayama. You can start right away I won't do anything for an hour here. Think of me as a ghost." Giving them time to think, Kanashi cross his arms and closes his eyes.
Diane stole a glance at Amane and pick a fight with her. "So the half ass love did come here? She probably got overwhelmed by guilt..." Diane shrugged and speak to Amane full mockery.
Amane didn't like Diane behavior. She slammed her hand on desk aggressively which caught Diane attention.
"What? Are you going to pick a fight? Bring it on then. I'm going to send you to heaven so that your half ass love won't be able to reach Hayama again."
"Grrr!" The two of them let out a frustrated groan and collide their foreheads.
"Heeh..." Asuza who watches the event unfold let out a chuckle and cross her arms thinking the issue about them has been resolve and back to their usual selves.
"An hour is over..." Kanashi interrupted the fight between Diane and Amane. The two of them glance at him and criticize each other. "See it's all your fault because of you our time for discussion has been go to waste!"
Diane headbutt Amane again, but this time Amane is fighting back verbally. "My fault? Why are you blaming everything on me? Because of your sexual harassment Hayama left! It's your fault!"
Kanashi clear his throat and the fight between the two of them stops. They look away from each other and click their tongue.
Kanashi take a deep sigh and start the discussion. "I don't need any answers coming from you..." He stand up and head into the door after cutting his words. "It appears, you don't know a thing about Hayama..." He open the closed door and take a step outside leaving them confused.
Asuza without a moment of hesitation stand up from her seat and follow after Kanashi. Diane and Amane were still looking at each other, they don't have any idea what's going on... Staring at them pitifully Asuza try to explain things to them. "Don't you guys get it?" She shrugged her shoulders and asked them but it appears they don't really know a thing so, she just proceed with her explanation.
"The main objective is to come here... There's no such a thing about trading information. As a matter of fact, he is willing to cooperate because we showed up here."
Asuza try to hint something and it put Diane into momentary of pause. "I see... I get it now." The confused face she has earlier turn into serious.
Amane who doesn't understand a thing stare blankly at them looking dumbfounded, Asuza didn't pay attention to her and continue to walk after Kanashi so, Diane did the explanation.
"You still don't get it? Our classmate Kanashi told us, to come here after three days without hesitation other wise we won't be able to see Hayama. It simply means, we just need to come here, willing to accept him no matter what kind of person he is. Then, the truth will be revealed for those who come and those who didn't won't be able to see him again. He is trying to say that we should get Hayama to place where he is right now." After explaining things to Amane, Diane comes after Asuza and Amane did the same thing.
Outside of the house there is a car black waiting for them. Kanashi approaches the car and turn around to speak to Azusa. "Hayama is your only family left right? Please take him back at all cost." Looking devasted Kanashi beg Asuza to bring back Hayama which simply means something big is happening behind the scene.
She didn't say a word to him. Kanashi open the car and the three of them enter, leaving them farewell message before they departed. "I hope you still make it in time..." He closes the door and the car drive away going to a certain location.
In a dark room full of container an individual wearing a clown mask with bloodshed is talking to someone. "I heard they are going to come here... I wonder how will they react once they saw you, Hayama. Kakakakakaka!" Letting out an odd laughter, the individual hug the small container which contaminated with head, the blue eyes and blue hair shines perfectly inside.
It was so beautiful which make one disregard the sight of cutely. The head which come from certain person is now putting up as display along with different merchandise. The individual wearing a clown mask, carefully put down the treasure on table and continue speaking. "With the main character gone... How will the story proceed? Time cannot be turn back... Death is always certain... The only hope is for a miracle to happen but the head won't move if it was separated away from the body... What are you going to do now? Amane Shina? Kakakaka! Please entertain us well."