Kurou:
[...I...I'm sorry but I still don't understand sign language...]
Mikane smiled. She then picks up her notebook.
"Let's just go home"
Kurou nodded.
Later, at Kurou's room.
Kurou:
[...what did she mean?]
(I'm special...to her!?)
[...no, I must've misunderstood it.]
(As if that'll ever happen...)
Kurou scoffed
Hours passed
Kurou was currently lying on his bed as he stared at his ceiling.
Kurou:
[...I feel so...numb]
(Ever since I had that dream. My feelings started going downhill. I can't feel any intense emotions. I'm still struggling a bit whenever I feel angry but besides that, I feel so numb)
[... I'm going crazy]
Kurou suddenly started doing push ups.
Kurou:
(No use thinking about it. I mean, I have no right to think about how I feel. Yep...just need to continue living like this...)
As Kurou continued working out, he suddenly felt something dark inside his chest.
Kurou stopped working out as he tried to understand what he just felt.
Kurou:
[W-what just happened!?]
(That feeling...it was the same feeling when I was in that forest...)
[...]
Kurou remembered how he felt when he pulled the trigger. The time where it felt as if the world was in slow motion. That short, dark and numb feeling as he looked at the motionless body with no remorse...just nothing.
Kurou slowly held his chest as he breathes in.
Kurou:
[...weird]
Next day
Kurou:
(I didn't sleep. I kept thinking about that sensation yesterday. It felt... weirdly amazing to be honest...I-...no...)
Kurou stood up from his bed, he then looks at his mirror.
Kurou:
[Sickening...]
(I pity my family for having to bear this awful sight.)
[Well, not like I can do anything about it.]
(Time to head to school)
later
As Kurou was walking down the street, he noticed a familiar face. Since he can't remember exactly her name, he just ignored her and continued walking.
Rin:
[Can't even say "good morning" to an acquaintance?]
Rin smiled.
Kurou:
[Morning, bye then.]
Rin:
[W-wait.]
(What's wrong with this guy? Was he always like this?)
Kurou:
[...uhm...]
(Ah...I see)
Kurou suddenly grabbed something inside his pocket. He then gave it to Rin.
Rin:
(Is this...MONEY!?)
[WHY ARE YOU GIVING ME THIS!?]
Kurou:
[...hm? I thought you were asking for my lunch money. Is it not enough?]
Rin:
[NO! TAKE IT BACK!]
Kurou:
[... that's the weirdest threat I have ever seen]
Rin:
[WAIT! THREAT!? HUH!?]
They cleared up the misunderstanding...
Rin slowly exhales.
Kurou:
[Sorry, I thought you were trying to steal my money.]
(It's usually this time in the morning where those guys suddenly appear and take away all my money. Even some of the girls joined them.)
Rin:
[Please don't treat me as if I'm trying to bully you.]
Kurou:
[Okay. Anyways, I'll be heading off. I don't want to be late.]
Rin:
[Then let us walk together]
Kurou:
[Why?]
Rin:
[...I wanted to talk to you...about Yuzu]
Kurou:
(Yuzu again? What is it this time?)
[Sure, what about him?]
Rin:
[...I kinda ran into him yesterday...and he looked like he was really depressed. Did something happen? I'm worried]
Kurou:
(He got refused by Mikane after asking for her phone number...is what I like to say but)
[I don't know, ask him yourself]
Rin:
[I...I can't, I'm too shy to speak to boys. Specially Yuzu...]
Kurou:
(Oi, what do you see me as? I'm a boy here and you're talking so casually to me.)
[I...is that so]
Rin:
[Anyway, if you ever find out what's bothering him. Talk to me ASAP. I don't like it when he looks so sad.]
Kurou:
[...fine?]
(Do it yourself, this girl is troublesome)
Rin:
[We are about to reach the campus so I'm heading off first. Sorry but I don't want others see us walking side by side]
Kurou:
[I know, just go on]
Rin started walking faster leaving Kurou behind.
Later at Kurou's class.
The teacher was currently checking the class attendance.
Teacher:
[Akazawa?...Akazawa! ...is she not here? Hmmm]
Yuzu:
[It's rare for Akazawa san to be absent. Did something happened?]
Yuzu and Kurou looked at Mikane.
Mikane hurriedly wrote something on her notebook.
"I didn't do anything in particular"
Mikane pouted
Kurou:
(Weird...)
After classes. It was lunch break. Kurou was currently walking towards the bathroom when he suddenly ran into Kazuto.
Kazuto glared at Kurou.
Kazuto:
[...ugh]
Kurou ignored him and just went inside, then Kazuto follows. As both of them started washing their hands. Kazuto glared at Kurou.
Kazuto:
[... You stay away from Harumi. I don't trust your face]
Kurou:
(Wow...is that really the reason why he thinks I'm a bad guy? I mean I understand what he feels. It's the same for me whenever I look at the mirror.)
[Sure]
Kurou walked passed Kazuto.
Kazuto then felt pissed as he never expected Kurou to react that way.
Kazuto:
[Mark my words. If I ever see you walking towards her, I'll mess you up.]
Kurou:
[Okay]
Kazuto gritted his teeth
Kazuto:
(Arrogant bastard!)
Kurou:
(What's his problem? Why does he hate me so much?)
After school.
Kurou:
[Sorry, I'll be heading off first. I have something important to do]
Mikane:
Is that so? See you tomorrow then.
Mikane felt a bit bummed but she smiled at Kurou.
Yuzu:
[Careful on your way home.]
Kurou suddenly whispers to Yuzu.
Kurou:
[Your chance. Good luck]
Yuzu's eyes sparkled.
Yuzu:
(Brother!)
Kurou:
*Annoyed*
Later...
Kurou was currently inside a supermarket.
Kurou:
(Gonna get me some protein...)
[Ooh, that's a nice looking beef....]
(I think I'll get two of these)
As he was about to go to the cashier, right outside the window he saw Hana passing by.
Kurou:
[Akazawa san!?]
(Where is she going I wonder...)
After Kurou paid for the meat. He got overwhelmed by his curiosity as he slowly followed Hana.
After a few minutes of walking. Hana made a sharp turn to her right as she entered a narrow Alleyway.
Kurou:
[...]
Kurou walked a bit faster. He then peaked beside the building.
There he saw Hana being surrounded by three large men.
One of them suddenly tapped Hana's shoulder.
At that moment, Kurou threw his bags towards them as he went in front of Hana.
Kurou:
[You okay!?]
Hana:
[Yukitou!? Wait! This isn't-]
???:
[You bastard!]
Kurou pushed her away as he avoided a punch. He then countered the guy with a hook knocking him down.
The other two charged towards Kurou. Kurou then started positioning his body as he was ready to intercept the two guys.
Hana:
[YUKITOU STOP! THEY'RE MY BROTHERS!]
Hana's brothers were already on the ground moaning in pain.
Kurou:
[Eh?...]