After chatting with that beautiful gal, he walked down the street, feeling uplifted.
Something about their brief interaction made him feel like going out once in a while wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Who knew? Maybe he would see her again, especially since they were next-door neighbors.
"Wait... neighbors?" he thought, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Why do I feel like this is a plot for some R rated anime?"
The images flashed in his mind.
It wasn't the story of a clumsy, socially awkward guy suddenly thrust into unexpected romance and misunderstandings with his pretty and kind neighbor.
Well, there was definitely "thrusting" involved, but not the innocent kind.
'Whoa, whoa, slow down,' he thought, shaking his head to clear the negative thoughts in his mind. 'This is getting a little too... degenerate for my taste.'
'Just keep it cool, man,' he advised himself as he walked. 'Focus on being normal and maybe even friendly. No need to overthink it.'
But now that the idea was there, it was hard to ignore
'How long do I need to keep walking?' he wondered, shifting his thoughts to other things to distract himself.
He could have rented a taxi or even used an app to call for a car, but he was short on cash.
Money was tight, after spending what little he had on video games and junk food.
Walking was his only option, but in a way, it might be a blessing.
The exercise could help offset his unhealthy lifestyle—his long hours of gaming, binge-watching shows, and the endless cycle of snacks.
As he walked along the sidewalk, he felt the sun's light, warming his back.
People were rushing past him, engaged in their conversations, laughter, and lives.
It felt strange, like he was watching a movie where everyone else had the main roles, and he was just the kind of person who gets blurred out in the background.
Of course, he wasn't petty enough to be mad at them.
Whatever they did with their lives, they deserved to enjoy it. People had different ways of having fun, and for him, it was playing games. No reason to be bitter about that.
Turning onto a quieter street, tall trees lined the path, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.
Rustling leaves created a soothing sound that helped calm his thoughts.
After a while, the entrance of the cemetery came into view.
The tall, wrought-iron gates loomed ahead, like a guardian welcoming him into a place filled with memories and silence that demanded respect.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped through the gates. The atmosphere changing instantly.
It felt different here—peaceful but heavy.
The manicured grass and the neatly arranged tombstones told stories of different lives.
He made his way along the winding path, passing by flowers left at various graves— some fresh, others wilting with time.
As he got closer to his destination, memories of his parents flooded his mind.
Their laughter and smiles still echoed in his mind—the way his mother would cook his favorite meals whenever he won a competition and the moments when his father trained with him despite the busy schedule.
Each step felt heavier as he approached the section where they rested.
Finally, he reached their grave, marked by a simple headstone.
He knelt down, his heart pounding as he traced his fingers over the engraved names:
Liam Marshal and Takahasi Maya
Seeing their names flooded him with emotions—sadness, regret, and guilt
Today was supposed to be a day of celebration for him, his birthday, but it was overshadowed by their absence.
"I'm here," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"I'm sorry it took me so long to come. I just... I don't know how to face you."
Tears began to well up in his eyes, but he blinked them away, determined not to let the sadness take over today.
"I'm trying, you know? It's just... things haven't been easy since you... since that day. I've been a mess."
Unfortunately, all his facade shattered, and he could no longer hold it together.
Sobs broke free, shaking his body as he let the flood of emotion flow like a raging river.
"I'm sorry," he choked out, the weight of his failure pressing heavily on his chest.
"I'm sorry for not being the person you wanted me to be. I thought I could handle it, but... I'm just so lost without you."
The walls he had built around his heart crumbled.
"I should have done better. I should have been stronger."
"I miss you so much," he cried out, pouring his heart out as he leaned against their tombstone.
He sat there, lost in his grief, not knowing when he would stop crying—maybe in a minute, maybe in an hour.
Time felt meaningless right now.
The world around him faded into a blur, leaving only the pain in his chest and the emptiness where their presence once was.
Without him realizing it, his vision started to fade, and he felt dizzy.
'Am I having a heart attack?' he wondered, but at that moment, he didn't really care.
Maybe this was for the best.
Deep down, he had been waiting for this moment. It was why he had been living such an unhealthy and dangerous lifestyle, ignoring the consequences.
And now, his wish was finally coming true.
'This is for the best, Mom and Dad. I'm coming! Please cook me my favorite food,' he joked, even as he clenched his chest, feeling like it was about to explode.
In his last moments, illusions danced before his eyes.
A woman in a black kimono with red rose patterns walked closer to him.
Every step she took created a soft thud as her wooden sandals hit the ground.
"Are you Luck?" she asked, her voice soft and low, almost like a whisper carried by the wind.
He put effort to lift his head and saw a beautiful girl who looked like a porcelain doll.
Pale and smooth skin complemented her dark hair, which fell around her like a midnight curtain. Lips as vivid as blood enhanced her beauty.
"Oh, I never imagined death could be so beautiful. Not bad, not bad at all," he joked, though his voice was strained.
The beautiful girl's eyes widened in surprise, and she stifled a giggle behind the black fan in her left hand, her laughter soft and enchanting.
"I found the right person! You've definitely inherited your grandfather's sense of humor and his annoying attitude,"
A playful smile crept onto her lips as she peeked over her fan.
"Grandfather?"