Chapter 1:
Only half an hour left…
The exhausted boy knew logically that time was heavily impacted by emotions and that boredom would make it pass by slower, but despite that knowledge he struggled to focus on the teachings his mentor was providing for him and his classmates. This was one of the subjects he wasn't particularly interested in and so he struggled to keep up in general, doing the bare minimum to pass. His sight strayed away from the black board in front of him as a bird feeding her kids outside caught his attention, sitting upon the branch of a three story tall tree. Birds were able to roam free wherever their wings took them. They could set off without a care in the world, without any responsibilities. He wished his life could have been as unrestrained but unfortunately not everyone had that luxury.
The boy had a habit of doodling a lot. Lost in his own thoughts the pen he was holding found its way to his notebook as he subconsciously attempted to sketch off the scenery which he found so beautiful in front of him. When the class got dismissed and he was interrupted by a classmate who arose from her chair and blocked his view he snapped back to reality, staring down at the paper he had been drawing on in awe. As far as he knew he wasn't particularly skilled at anything, especially not art. He never took any drawing classes, it had never been his favorite hobby… for that matter it had never been his hobby, but he still managed to create such realistic and in-depth pictures, without even trying? It looked like something that could have been part of a professional publication.
- Wow, Shun! This is really impressive!
He had been praised for his art several times, both by teachers, classmates and his family.
His parents had even tried to persuade him to pick an artistic orientation for his high school next year.
- Seriously, you're like an artist in disguise! This is a real talent!
Once everyone else had already exited the classroom she was always the only one left, waiting for him. They weren't particularly close. He mostly kept to himself. He didn't understand how, or why, for that matter, she insisted on wanting to start an actual friendship with someone like him who was so boring and uninteresting. Didn't she have anything better to do? She was well liked in school, she had other friends and friend groups, so why did she continue bugging him all the time?
Was the only appeal his supposed skillful art skills?
- I wish I had a talent like you, there is nothing that I excel at… I guess I haven't found my true calling yet? Do you think I would be able to someday?
"True calling"... this wasn't a fairytale. What was she jibbering about? Her up-beat attitude didn't align with his worldview where wish-fulfillments didn't exist. Compared to the birds, people couldn't do as they please. There were too many obligations, even in the entertainment industry where people were blinded by the false premise of fulfilling their dreams, while in reality they remained slaves to the system.
- Hey, Shun… What do you think is in store for us in the future?
Usually he let her platter on while he listened half heartedly, only giving short and repetitive responses. But this time she managed to capture his full attention.
She was leaning over his desk, facing him directly. Her enchanting gaze made it difficult for him to look away. He adjusted his glasses to take a closer look at her. Her eyes were sparkling.
Word for word her determination grew. Grasping his hands she smiled confidently at him.
- Do you think we could fulfill our dreams? What is your dream? Do you think that we could make a difference in the world? And break free from the shackles of reality?
Was she reading his mind? More importantly, was he dreaming? It sure felt like a dream.
Out of the blue the windows slammed open. Her long, blonde hair was swaying in the wind.
She had those ocean blue eyes, which was very rare among asians. In this light she seemed angelic. She gently stroked her cheek as she put her bangs behind her ear. A moment of consideration before she uttered her next phrase.
- Hey Shun… Do you think that we could alter our fates?
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(Anime opening intro song)
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- So, how did school go today? Did you learn anything interesting?
Despite growing up in a household with a caring and warm mother his father had been absent for most of his life. Abandoning them when he was really young. His mother kept on a brave face as she worked double jobs to be able to support him and his sister. His sister was born with an incurable sickness which forced her to remain bedridden for her entire life, until one day she would meet a tragic end where she had to come to terms with the fact that she hadn't been able to achieve anything of greater importance in her life.
- Actually a pretty funny thing happened at lunch today, you see…
To his family he put on a facade. He didn't want to trouble or worry them so he pretended to be a good, well mannered kid who stayed out of trouble, did his best in school and when he was finally able to he would try to look for a part time job so that he could provide for them and ease the burden on his mother. His mother seemed to buy this, after all if it wasn't for him as her only supportive pillar she'd probably break down. She even got mistreated at work.
He had been trying to talk her into trying to look for a different type of job but since she dropped out of high school due to circumstances as a teenager her options were few and far between.
After dinner he insisted on taking care of the dishes as he encouraged her to rest for a while.
While attempting to stand up from her chair her knees failed her.
- …Mom?!
He rushed over to her side to catch her as she fell down to the floor.
- Moore, I'm sorry but… I think I've reached my limit… I wanted to be there for you, I wanted to see you grow up, I wanted to support you and guide you through this cruel rough world…
But I can't take it anymore. I tried to be brave and strong for you and your sister… but this is… it…
Loosening the grasp of her hand he spotted her holding a tablet box containing overdose pills.
He could feel his eyes widen. Shocked time slowed down for him momentarily.
He stared at her in disbelief. It took a moment for him to grasp back to reality where he immediately searched through his pockets for his phone. Of course it was nowhere to be found,
he had been stupid enough to leave it on the sideboard in the hallway.
Before getting down to action he let his mother's unconscious body down gently, then he got up and called for an ambulance. They arrived shortly, praying that it wasn't too late for her,
he accompanied her to the hospital where she was taken into an emergency room,
he wasn't allowed to enter inside so he impatiently waited outside in the waiting room.
Please let her survive, please, please… he didn't want to lose her.
When he was given the unthinkable news that her life couldn't be saved he could no longer keep his cool. He spiraled into a heated anger. Enraged, he grabbed the doctor by his coat as he started yelling at him.
- WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE CAN'T BE SAVED?!?! ISN'T IT YOUR JOB TO SAVE PEOPLE?!?!?! ARE YOU REALLY THAT INCOMPETENT?!?!?!
Unable to restrain himself, he almost punched him. The doctor understood that he was an outlet for his denial and so he didn't mind that he took it out on him, his colleagues could sympathize with him as well but they knew that there was a moral line between unacceptable and acceptable behavior as they pulled him away from the doctor.
Later that night he went out for a stroll. He crossed a bridge transitioning over a trafficked road.
He had to live on for his sister, didn't he? Then again she was tucked away in a hospital. The staff were already looking out for her. So if it wasn't for his mom, what else could his purpose have been in life? And what would happen to him now? He was a 15 year old orphan. He couldn't pay rent,
he didn't have a job. He would have to leave his home behind and probably be taken into a shelter or something similar, unless he could find a foster family who would want to adopt him…
Was his life even worth living anymore?
He had never feared death, and he had nothing left to lose. Was this a universal sign that it was time for him to disappear as well? When all those thoughts left his mind while he was standing on top of the fence, all that remained was… emptiness. It was a cold and dark, but also…
freeing feeling. Should he do it? Should he let go of this reality? He didn't know if it was the right choice, but even he had his limits and losing his mom was the last drop.
… … …
- STOP IT!!!
What was happening? He felt himself getting pulled back. Baffled, he glared over his shoulder.
A girl was trying to… rescue him? She was small though, probably at least a head shorter than him, weighing half his weight. As expected he was too heavy for her, but she still managed to hold onto his hand. Tears were bursting out of her eyes as she held onto his life.
- YOU MORON, THIS IS NOT HOW THE STORY IS SUPPOSED TO END!!!
He didn't understand what she meant by that odd statement. It sounded oddly symbolic,
almost like a narrated line from a movie. Did she wanna play a super heroine?
Since she put in the effort he might as well make it count. Once he climbed back up from the fence he gave her a confounded stare. Was it someone he knew? He couldn't say that he recognized her. What was this random girl doing out here? And why did she insist on saving his life?
Her heroic deed took a toll on her. She had to crouch down just to recover her breath.
- ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP HERE YOU IDIOT??!!
- I could ask you the same thing…
Their eyes met as they cautiously observed each other, both sharing a growing disgust.
- I'M SAVING YOUR LIFE, THAT'S WHAT'S UP! YOU OWE ME FOR THIS, YOU HEAR?!
And with that she stormed off, leaving no room for further confrontation nor questions.
Who even was she? She said that he owed her, but how was he supposed to "make it up to her" if he didn't even know who she was? Was this another sign from the universe?
That despite the circumstances he should remain a faithful soldier who fought on no matter what was being thrown at him? He sighed, giving up would have been so much easier… then again,
if he did give up wouldn't that deem him a coward? His mother had been through enough already, so her reasoning was a bit more justified, but he was only 15 years old… maybe it was a tad early for him to give in just yet.
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- I'm sorry sir… but I'm afraid that your daughter cannot be saved…
Meeting after meeting, it had been a busy day for him. Arriving back home he didn't expect to have this news delivered to him. He had been putting in so much effort in trying to find a cure for her sickness. Years of research down the drain. His son was the ultimate traitor.
Telling her about her mother's death made her let go of the last bit of hope she had.
- I'm sorry Chelsea… I made it my life goal to save you, but ultimately, I failed.
I'm sorry for abandoning you when I knew that you and your family-... my family… our family-...
Those words seemed so hollow. He hadn't been there for them at all. His wife accepted this, she assured him that she wouldn't be standing in his way. He thought that if he managed to cure their daughter it would bring relief to his past lover… but putting the responsibility on her, of looking out for their son while she was working double shifts just to make it through… it hadn't been fair at all. Most of his income contributed to his research, while he actually lived on a paycheck after paycheck basis. Life hadn't been easy for him either.
He wished that he had kept in touch with her more, but he just didn't know what to say to her…
So his son was the only one left alive? If he just had kept his mouth shut-... then again, he is just a kid still attending middle school, it couldn't have been easy for him either.
Ultimately he put his whole family through this, if he just had been there for them, maybe things could have turned out differently…
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So… you want to change the outcome of your fate? Very well then.
But… it will come… with a price.
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Chapter 1 concluded.