Masaru's skin quickly became slick with sweat, as he stumbled through the hallway, running erratically.
Past the manga shop, the flower shop, and he stumbled into Chiba in front of the convenience store.
"Masaru!" And when she saw his face, "What's going on?!" Her face blanched.
"Move."
Chiba was a bit taken aback by Masaru's rude speech but she moved quickly. "You can tell me later over text or call me! You can tell me anything!"
Her words fell on deaf ears. Masaru could only think about that message on his screen. [Choco is..]
"No! There's just no way!"
Masaru's mother was cradling something small in her arms. She wept, not so much for her own sorrow, but the sorrow she knew was about to come to her son. She nudged the small thing's furry face. "Wake up, little one. Masaru needs you." It's head flopped lifelessly when Masaru's mother removed her hand. She choked up a sob.
The door opened, slowly, yet as quick as slow could be. It was someone who didn't want to see the other side of it, but felt they had to.
"I'm home, mom…" Masaru spoke breathlessly.
Masaru looked down, and fell onto his knees.
Choco was quickly transferred to Masaru's arms.
"I- what… hap-" his voice broke off, and his tears flowed. He bawled noisily. How could this… why?
Masaru's mother grabbed him tightly. "It's ok… it's alright. Shh…" She rocked him back and forth. Choco was Masaru's best friend. It wasn't very hard to realize. From an early age, he had been so attached to Choco, his mother had been fully convinced he preferred him over his human friends. Sure, he beamed and looked so happy around his friends, that girl Chiba, and the girlish-looking boy, Hibiki. But nothing compared to the way he looked at Choco, as if Choco were the daylight, stars, and moonlight all at once. Choco was always a wonder, and the cutest being alive. He shared his food with him, told Choco his worries, and hugged him tight. He really treated Choco like the truest friend, and he knew it was one that could never hurt him. It actually worried her quite a bit since her son seemed to have a strange personality like this. Isn't it a bit twisted? She had thought. But she pushed those feelings down. Masaru was her son, and Choco was family.
Masaru suddenly rose. His mother jumped a bit. "Masaru?"
He opened the door and ran out. She didn't really process what was going on until it was too late. She heard him mutter something like "hospital" and "will be fine".
He dashed into the street in front of their house, weeping and moaning with sorrow. Come on Choco! You're ok! I'll help you-Then a blur of blue and silver slammed right into him.
Masaru felt nothing. He was inside of himself, and nowhere near earth or his body at the same time. There was some sense of.. something, something as he fell to the pavement. He had no idea what was happening. It was black, then it was red, and then everything swirled. Then it was still, and he was aware of some liquid going across the ground, onto his face, and onto Choco's fur… Masaru felt bad about his fur getting dirty. Masaru narrowed his eyebrows, and tried to grab Choco. But he realized he couldn't.
Suddenly everything seemed a bit clearer. He was conscious of his lack of… everything. His sight was minimal, he couldn't hear, he couldn't smell. There's no way… It's so soon isn't it? I think I'm dying. Wow. I really said it. I don't really know how to feel right now. Well I think I'm sorta sad. But I can't really tell. I think… I'm also happy that me and Choco are going together. It seems so messed up… I really don't want to leave. It's… twisted, even, but I don't want to be in a world where I'm not with Choco, so I'm glad to die now. And from now on, I'll be together with him forever.
Masaru could've thought about his friends or his mother, or the other things he could miss. But he didn't. He smiled even, a light smile.
. . .
"What the hell?!" A person exclaimed. "Isn't this too weird?"
Another person shook their head "It is what it is. You know what to do, don't you Arte?" Or do I need to explain it again?"
"O-of course not! I've got it Arieh! Something about together... his final wish. That place, yadda yadda…"
Arieh:"…"
Arte smiled, and trembled a bit. Then she slapped Arieh's back suddenly, and accidentally took him by surprise. "I've got it it's coooool. Trust me bro!"
Arte signed. "Fine, but if you mess up then it won't-"
"Shhh! Don't even mention it! I've. Got. It! Trust. Me. Bro!"
Arieh groaned a little. "Alright sis."
"Okayyyy I'll se you later! We're going to Planet 707 for ice cream right?"
"Yeah. Don't be late! It pisses me off." Arieh looked at Arte coldly.
"I wontttt. And if I do, I'm paying! Byeeeee!"
"See ya later."
Arte left, and someone approached from behind Arieh.
"Meter. What are you doing here?"
"Just thought I'd drop by. Isn't it Arte's first job?"
"Second." Arieh rested on Meter's shoulder. "I still don't know though. Brother, do you think she'll be able to do it?"
"Reincarnation is easy! I think you're stressing out way too much over nothing." Meter scruffed up Arieh's hair.
"Yeah you're right. She did a perfect job last time too. But she has always been the clumsiest out of all of us…"
"Whatever… she'll be fine. Anyways about that ice cream!" Meter got excited.
"Yeah, as soon as Arte gets back we'll go. She's paying."
"Let's goooo!"