As the sunrays started shining on his face, he slowly began to open his eyes. Tadomeki looked at his phone to see what time it is.
- Oh fu.. - he muttered and quickly jumped out of the bed.
His sudden movements woke up Akari. She yawned and started stretching.
- Good morning Honey, what happened? - she asked still in a sleepy tone
- Morning. Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up. I only have two hours till I leave the house, and I still need to make you some breakfast and prepare myself.
- I can make breakfast for us if you don't have time, you know? - Akari smiled.
- Yeaah... It would be better if I'm the one who cooks, and you know that.
Akari let out a small laugh and started dressing herself. Tadomeki drank a glass of water and went to the kitchen to make himself some coffee. Kano Tadomeki is a twenty seven year old man with a rather handsome face. He has blue eyes and black hair that are quite long for a male. He works for an IT company and is the perfect example of a regular plain member of society. He's wealthy but he doesn't really care that much about the money. Tadomeki never wanted to stand out in the crowd so he never accepted any promotions. The only thing he really needs is living his life happily without any stress and it's exactly what he has right now. Akari is only a few months younger than him. She has long black hair and blue eyes, just like her husband. As Tadomeki always reminds her "She is a beautiful young woman who is carefree and elegant at the same time creating a killing combo that no man can resist". He has been happily married with Akari for 7 years. They've met in high school and became really close to each other. They never have any arguments nor affairs.
- Hooney? Have you seen my brush? - Akari yelled from the bathroom.
- I think it's near the sink.
- Oh, it was. Thank you!
Tadomeki smiled. This was his definition of a perfect lifestyle. While he was preparing breakfast, Akari came up to him from behind and wrapped her hands around him.
- You remember what day it is today? - she asked.
- Of course. Today we're going on a festival with Ren and Tsumigi.
Watanabe Ren and Takanashi Tsumigi are two of Tadomeki's closest friends, both knowing him since they were kids. He hasn't seen Ren in years since he had travelled to work in the United States, but last week he texted Tadomeki that he will come back to Japan for a month.
- I wonder if Ren-kun changed a lot.. - Akari smiled - Maybe he will finally ask Tsumigi out!
- You know that's not possible... - Tadomeki said with a gloomy expression.
She pouted at him. The reason why it wasn't possible was because Tsumigi never had any romantic feelings towards Ren. She would always treat him like a younger brother. What's more, she had already fallen in love with someone, that person being Tadomeki himself. Everyone in their group had known that for years, but she kept her feelings hidden to avoid destroying the bond these four have.
- Breakfast is ready - he told to Akari who was already sitting at a dining table.
- Thank you Honey!
When they finished their meal, she went to iron Tadomeki's clothes, while he decided to go shave himself in the bathroom. He couldn't help but feel strange, since he had woken up. It was something like a strong feeling of déjà vu.
"It's probably because we had so many normal mornings just like this, but why does it feel almost like I'm in some sort of danger?" he thought to himself. Tadomeki looked around but nothing in the house or outside it was out of the ordinary.
- Did something happen? Why are you crying Honey?
He glanced into the mirror and he indeed had a tear raining down on his left cheek.
- I... I don't know, maybe it's because I didn't get to sleep that much last night..
Akari blushed.
- S-shut up! - she muttered and came back to ironing their clothes. Tadomeki smiled as the feeling of danger and déjà vu vanished completely.
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After an hour, Tadomeki was prepared to tackle another day at work.
- Remember, be careful and eat something while you have the time, okay? Oh and don't hesitate to come back earlier if they give you the opportunity. And also.. - Akari didn't have the chance to finish, as Tadomeki leaned in closer to kiss her lips.
- I will. You be careful too and have a nice day Darling~
Akari covered her face and waved him goodbye. After he left, she came to the window to see him driving away in their car. Since she had woken up, she had that uneasy feeling that you get on the day of your exams, but she hadn't told that to Tadomeki because she didn't want to make him worry. Still, watching him leave to work made her feel sad and for some reason nostalgic also. Akari brushed off those feelings and started to clean up dishes they had left after the breakfast.
___________________________
- Ughhh... Why does it have to take that long? - Tadomeki whispered to Tsumigi.
- Hey! Shh! You said that a little too loud, I think... - she answered quietly, looking to see if the person holding the meeting looked in their direction. Luckily, he didn't.
Tsumigi looked at Tadomeki with her incredibly green eyes.
- Did you even sleep last night? Your eyes look so tired - she asked.
- It's... complicated...
- And with that, we will end our monthly meeting. Thank you everyone for your time, and we wish you a good day! - the chairman of the company they worked for said.
Tadomeki almost jumped out of his seat, happy that he could finally get out of this boring meeting. He loved working for this company, but the monthly meetings weren't his favourite activity. "Why can't they just send everything we need to know on a group chat or something?" he asked once, and Tsumigi quickly answered him; "Because you probably wouldn't have read that". They both got into the same company after their studies, Tadomeki - because he really liked this place, Tsumigi - because she could spend time with Tadomeki there. She probably loved him since their childhood. They first met when they were six years old at her birthday party. Tadomeki wasn't invited but came anyways since he wanted to play with his friend who had to come to the party because of his parents. Even though he didn't know her, he still prepared a gift for her - one of his toys, badly wrapped in a present paper. Tsumigi still has that toy till today.
- Tsumigiii, what time is it? - Tadomeki mumbled, making her snap back to reality.
- Eh? Oh, it's 1PM.
- Uhhh... I want to go back homeeee.
Tsumigi smiled and started twisting her hair around her finger.
- You can't wait to go to the festival, right?
- Exactly! I hadn't seen Ren for so long, and I can't wait to eat some streetfood! If me and Akari eat there, that means that I don't need to make dinner and supper today!
Tsumigi was happy. She was happy that he hasn't changed a bit since childhood. Sure, he got more responsible and mature, but there was still a little bit of that six-year-old boy inside him. But with happiness comes sadness. She loved him, but he already has a wife, and she knew there is nothing she can do to be with him. "I need to stop thinking about that" she said to herself as she took a sip of coffee.
They talked a little more about the festival, but soon they had to get to their tasks for the day. Tadomeki knew that once Tsumigi set her mind on something, she would do everything to finish it, and she wouldn't hear anything he said. That's why he didn't even bother talking to her. Instead, he decided to take care of his tasks, but almost all of them were already finished. Tadomeki always had really good solutions to problems, so work as a programmer was a match made in heaven.
"It's time to take a break; Akari will kill me if I don't eat anything..."
He stood up and went to the nearest convenience store to buy a sandwich for him and Tsumigi.
- Tadomeki! - he heard a voice from behind him, but when he turned around, no one he knew was there. "Weird..." he thought to himself. He came back a little confused to the office.
- Here you go, Tsumigi, your favourite - he said as he placed a mayo tuna sandwich next to her.
- Hm? Oh, thank you. I will eat it in a moment...
As Tadomeki began to eat his sandwich, he looked out the window. He could already see people preparing stalls for the festival not too far away. "I can't wait... It will be just like old times when the four of us went to every festival we could. Ah, I'm getting nostalgic". Tadomeki always loved those kinds of events, and thanks to him, Ren, Tsumigi, and especially Akari started to love them too. His wife's first festival was also the first time Tadomeki revealed his feelings for her. He could remember it like it was just yesterday.
"What I would give to go back to those days when everything was more simple...".
- Whatchu looking at? - Tsumigi asked. Tadomeki realized he must have dozed off for quite some time since she already had finished her tasks.
- Nothing in particular. By the way, you have some tuna on your face.
- I do? - Tsumigi said a little embarrassed. Tadomeki took out a handkerchief and wiped her face off, what made her feel even more awkward.
- T-thank you...
- No problem.
A few seconds later, he heard a notification from his phone.
- Oh, Ren texted me; he's already in town. He will meet with us near that serpent statue, you know, our usual meeting spot, at 7PM. Ahh... now I can't wait till we finish work...
- That's great! Good he landed safely without any troubles - Tsumigi smiled - Can't wait to finally talk to him. Do you think he's going to be alone?
- What do you mean?
- Well, you know, there are many beautiful woman in the USA; he surely must have met someone already, right~?
Tadomeki went silent for a moment. He knew that Ren liked Tsumigi for a long time, but the relationship between them was really complicated. After a few seconds of silence, he responded.
- I hope so...
___________________________
The rest of their work day went smoothly without any troubles. When it was time to leave, Tadomeki said goodbye to Tsumigi and got into his car. He drove back to his house. He looked at his car mirror and saw another tear drop on his left cheek.
"Again? Am I this sleepy? I don't really feel like it.."
When he walked through the front door, Akari immediately jumped to hug him.
- Welcome home, Honey! How was your day? - she asked while still clinging to him.
- It wasn't bad, just really boring. I missed you - Tadomeki replied and kissed her forehead - We have over two hours to get ready for the festival. Ren is already in the city. Oh, almost forgot, how was your day, Darling?
Akari smiled and started telling Tadomeki about what she did today. He listened as they both enjoyed a quick meal he prepared in the morning.
- Honey? Are you crying again? - she asked him as she wiped off a tear from his cheek - Are you that tired?
- Again? I don't know why that's happening, but don't worry if this keeps up I will go to a doctor. - Tadomeki smiled - Let's start getting ready; we can't be late.
- Okay...
Akari's feeling of uneasiness grew even stronger throughout the day. The moment Tadomeki showed up it calmed a little, but she still felt like maybe they should stay at home tonight.
"Don't worry Akari, everything will be fine. Now dress up in your yukata and charm him as you always do" she thought to herself while she was getting ready in their bedroom.
Tadomeki waited patiently in the living room for her. He was already wearing his outfit, which wasn't exciting in any way, just a casual black golf and comfy pants that didn't restrict his movement.
- Okay! I'm ready! - Akari yelled and walked out of the bedroom. She was wearing a beautiful light pink yukata with sakura petals pattern all over it. Her hair was now tied in a ponytail. All the other accessories she had, matched perfectly with the whole outfit.
- Amazing... You look incredible, Darling... A shame I'm gonna ruin this dress after we come back home tonight~ - he said with a smug smile on his face. Akari blushed and shouted.
- Don't you dare! - she got silent for a second - Well, maybe if you ask nicely, maybe I will let you...
- Of course - Tadomeki smirked - Now shall we get going, my lady?
- Y-yes! - Akari said still shy and embarrassed.
They got into their car and they set off.
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Another tear on his cheek. The feeling of being in danger returned to him as well.
"I must be imagining things..."
Tadomeki walked out of the car with Akari and saw them, Tsumigi and Ren, standing near the serpent statue. The statue represented Uroboros, a snake that eats itself for eternity. Tadomeki's always found it interesting for some reason. When the couple approached their two childhood friends, Ren finally noticed them and shouted.
- Tadomeki!
He definitely looked older than before. He had got himself a tan and dyed his hair. But despite that, Tadomeki almost didn't see any changes. He was still the same old Ren.
- It's so good to see you! I can see that America has done wonders for you - he responded when he ran up to hug him.
- Haha, you haven't changed a bit since I last saw you! Well, you probably got a little taller as always. Hi, Akari! That yukata suits you. I hope this grumpy man still treats you right.
- Hi Ren, don't worry if he didn't treat me right I would make him regret that - she smiled - Hi Tsumigi! Oh my god, you look so pretty!
Indeed she did. Tsumigi, now also in a yukata, looked a lot different than she did at work. The green kimono paired really well with her green eyes. The accessories she must have picked with Akari also matched really well to create a compelling outfit. While the girls started talking with themselves, Ren came closer to Tadomeki and whispered.
- I'm going to do it today. I will confess my feelings to Tsumigi I mean.
- For real? I will help you, but are you sure? It may be difficult to make you feel better after she dumps you.
- Come on man, you don't know what will happen. The magic of the festival will help me to increase my chances, I'm sure of it! - he said with a spark of hope in his eyes.
- Sure, sure. Like I told you, I will help you to prepare the stage for your performance. The rest depends on you - Tadomeki said. He felt like Ren's chances were really low, but he didn't want to discourage him. It wouldn't be proper for him to do it.
- Thank you, man! You truly are my best friend!
- What did he do to deserve such a title? - Akari asked curiously, who had heard Ren's shouting.
- Nothing that important - Tadomeki quickly changed the subject - Shall we get going? We still need to travel a bit to reach the festival stalls.
- Yeah! Let's get going! - exclaimed Ren - I need to finally taste some Japanese food again!
- You go ahead, me and Tadomeki need to get something out of the car, right, Honey? - she said and discreetly poked him.
- Yeah, we will join you in a minute.
- Okay then, but don't take too long... - Tsumigi looked at them with a slight sadness in her eyes.
As Tadomeki and Akari walked back to the car, she frowned.
- They fit each other, both of them don't want to move on.
- Yeah... I'm going to help Ren confess his feelings to her. Will you help me, my partner in crime?
- Of course! - her expression lightened up - If they get together, I won't have to worry about you being stolen from me.
- Don't be silly. Nobody would ever steal me from you. I'm your property Princess.
Akari got red as a tomato on her face after those words. Tadomeki also felt a little embarrassed after saying something like that.
- We should get going. One more minute and we will lose sight of the...
- WATCH OUT! - she yelled suddenly and pushed him.
The last thing he heard was a loud crashing sound.
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He opened his eyes, or rather - one of them. His left eye felt like it was burning. Tadomeki's vision was still blurry, and he couldn't make out what had happened. Questions started flooding his mind.
"Is Akari alright? What happened? Where is she?"
He finally managed to stand up.
"I can't feel my left arm...".
- A... Aka... Akari! C-can you.. hear... Me? - he muttered, each word causing him pain in his throat. His right eye cleared enough for him to see what had occurred. A truck had crashed into both of them. Tadomeki glanced at his left arm - it wasn't there. Blood was flowing out of him rapidly. Somehow still standing, he began to search for Akari with the little strength he had left. A piece of glass pierced his throat, silencing him, while his left eye continued to burn. His entire body looked mangled, like a prop in a horror movie. Only his right arm remained relatively undamaged. He used it to remove the debris from where Akari had been standing before the crash.
"You can't die. You can't die. You can't die. Please, be okay.. Please, be alive. Please answer me..."
Tadomeki collapsed onto the ground. "Just... a little more.."
He tried to push himself but he couldn't stand up or lift his right arm. Then he heard a male voice.
- Witnesses killed and we secured the specimen. Everything looks like an accident, don't worry boss. No, they were with two other people from the list, we already took care of them.
Then Tadomeki saw a huge man in a red suit holding something big in his arm. He focused and looked closely. The man didn't hold "something"; he held someone. He held a person in a pink yukata.
- G...Gi - Tadomeki tried to shout while coughing up blood - Give her.. back... you.. bastard.
The man looked at him surprised.
- Impressive for a human to still be able to speak with wounds like that... You are interesting, but I don't have time for you. Rest in peace kid.
He started to walk away from him. Tadomeki desperately tried to stand up and go after him.
- Giv... er.. back! Gi..
"Please... Give her back...". But his shouting was futile. Drenched in blood, he tried to crawl after this person, but he couldn't feel any parts of his body now. "Am I dying? What will happen to Akari? Please, somebody help her..."
___________________________
Now he could only see darkness. "Is that what happens after you die?" He thought to himself.
- Interesting... - a mysterious voice appeared inside his head.
"Kill me" was the first thing he wanted to say after hearing this. It would be a natural instinct for every creature on Earth in his situation. This voice was the embodiment of pure evil.
"Please kill me, I'm scared, I'm scared. CAN SOMEBODY FUCKING KILL ME?"
- Hahaha, you really are an interesting kid. Let's see, how will you perform on this stage?
"Kill me..." He replied in his head.
___________________________
As the sunrays started shining on his face, he slowly began to open his eyes. Tadomeki looked at his phone to see what time it is.
- What a weird dream... Anyways, I need to get up. I can't be late on my first day of highschool...