Fumiko sat at the table, enjoying a bowl of cereal. The spoon occasionally clinked against the glass bowl, producing a satisfying sound. After finishing her cereal, she searched for the TV remote. Once she found it, she turned on the TV, and the first channel that appeared was the news.
"The increasing cases of Reikon continue to rise, along with the death toll. Once again, the officials have yet to make a statement. However, today—"
"I'm so late!" Ryota complained. He's everywhere to find his items.
Fumiko just decided to observe her brother go into chaos since he was late. Her class started late today, so she could take her sweet time to prepare.
Ryoka waved to her sister before leaving the house. Fumiko replied with a smile as he shut the door. "Heh, deja vu."
Ryoka ran his way to school the whole way. Thankfully, he reached the fate with 3 minutes left before the bell. He stopped right after going in and decided to take a breather. He crouched to grasp his breath yet again.
To his surprise, when he lifted his head; everyone stopped walking and stared at him. He could hear soft mumbles and whispers coming from each direction.
Oh, wait... WHY AM I AT SCHOOL?!
He straightened himself and went straight to class. Everyone looked at him as if he weren't supposed to be there.
"That's him, right?"
"The youngest awakener..."
"He's the newest member of Reikon Responder..."
"I thought he wasn't-"
Yes, I just realized that too. I am a Responder, so I wasn't supposed to be here. I already have a vast future ahead of me. Damn, I hate unconscious action.
He managed to reach class despite having multiple mobs of humans blocking the way. He took a deep breath and slid open the door.
At first, the class was loud as usual. Then, it was silent. As expected, everyone was staring at him.
"Ryoka!" a boy called him.
"Hi," he waved awkwardly.
The boy walked to him and pinched himself. He ouched and sighed, "Why are you here?"
"Um, I got a day off today. For some reason, my body moved itself to school. I had no plans today," he laughed awkwardly.
The boy laughed, "Well, welcome back, Mr. Special," he gestured to Ryoka to his seat.
Finally, Ryoka felt comfortable once again, "Thanks, Haru."
A class passed without the teacher realizing his presence, but that was the opposite for the other students. The class was unusually quiet and some of them kept looking at Ryoka.
The next class was also very 'not-usual' since the teacher almost squeaked after seeing Ryoka. It was to the point that the teacher got a bit stiff while teaching by his presence.
The bell rang for the recess for a few seconds. Haru went to Ryoka's table to invite him to eat together.
"Sure," he stood and followed Haru.
Even in the halls, everyone kept whispering and staring at him.
"You sure are famous nowadays," Haru slipped some words.
Ryoka couldn't help but laugh awkwardly and follow him to the cafeteria. Later, they concluded that they should eat in class after buying their lunch.
"So how is it going for you?" Haru asked after he sat on a bench to enjoy a peaceful lunch break.
"I don't know the answer to that, but I'm sure I don't hate it," Ryoka responded.
"I see. I'm happy for y-"
"Hey, Ryoka! So the rumors are true. Do you want to join us for a round in Kyoto?" a boy approached them.
"Uhh- Sure?" Ryoka accepted the invitation. Hmm, an outing? Sounds great!
"Now, that you've finished what you're going to say, please take your leave," shooed Haru.
"Man, you're no fun. By the way, you're invited too! Bye," the boy ran away to regroup with his gang.
"Nagi is everybody's friend, eh?" Ryoka took the opportunity to talk since he had longed to start a conversation himself.
"Yeah, a guy who kept butting in everywhere," grunted Haru.
Great, that's the end of it. Now I got to find another one.
They finished their lunch without words. Just before Ryoka stood to get back to class, Haru spoke a bit and it made him sit again.
"You're lucky y'know? Amazing as hell," said Haru. He was looking at the tree that started to fall with dead leaves. He was grasping for the feeling of breezes surrounding him.
"You're a smart guy and good-looking too. You've got reputations and now- You're an awakener," Haru continued. Surprisingly, Ryoka couldn't sense a single feeling of envy. Haru took the words from his heart.
"You still kept the streak of debuts after debuts."
Ryoka couldn't help but sit again. He felt that he was needed to content Haru's mind.
"You're going to be an amazing person. And the path for it was carved nicely."
Ryoka tried to say something in response but he swallowed back his words.
"I was waiting for when envy would develop towards you."
"But, it never happened."
"And you know? Today I learned something precious."
"I'm content to be a part of the memories of an amazing person."
=====================================================
"Hey, you came!" waved Nagi.
"Hi," replied Ryoka as he walked up to the group of students. There was about a group of 5 including him.
"Yo, I never thought that you'd come. You know, because you're awakened," told Haru as they walked to the station.
They got on a train from Aoyama to Shibuya. It's only 20 minutes ride and the whole way, Nagi was trying to squeeze out some words from Ryoka but only a few came out. He gave out after reaching the station.
"Shibuya!" Nagi exited and ran around.
"This is the second time I've been here," told one of the boys that Ryoka didn't know.
"I'm a first-timer," said the other one.
"Also a first-timer," Haru echoed.
"Been here a few times," told Ryoka.
The train behind them shut the door and started speeding to another station. Nagi called the group to follow him as he roamed around Shibuya.
As they walked around the city, a sense of being forced into them was felt; this city was very different from the other one. It was active almost all the time with pedestrians and cars moving around.
"We got a special guest today, as we know," said Nagi as he dipped his lip into an ice cream. They just took a break next to an ice cream stand in a park they just 'discovered.'
Ryoka sighed, "Hello, Ryoka's the name. I think that's more than enough introduction?"
"Yup," Haru replied.
"So, how is it being a Responder? Must be fun, right?" asked one of them whom he didn't know.
"It was, at first. But-" Fleetingly memories pass by. Sacrificial-
"Hey, don't force it!" Haru shakes Ryoka.
After Ryoka returned to reality, he found himself shaking and sweating. Since that moment, they never mentioned the topic again. However, this did not stop them from doing everything they could to give Ryoka the best outing ever.
They jumped from place to place and street to street, having fun and always smiling with excitement and joy. They also sampled many desserts and sweets that are quite popular in the area.
It was quite late already, so Haru tried to wrap it out, "I think this is a great outing, though I think it's time to go home," said him awkwardly.
Nagi looked at the watch on his wrist, "You're right, it's quite late already. I guess this is the wrapper?"
"Yup."
"Agree."
"Sure," Ryoka replied.
Two boys that Nagi had invited left early since they had their own stuff to do. Nagi and Haru stayed behind just for a few more moments to say farewell to Ryoka.
Nagi gave a gentle sigh, "I guess we won't be seeing you again for now?" he patted Ryoka on the back.
Haru also gave a sigh, "This is farewell?"
Ryoka tried to muster a smile. "Don't worry; before you know it, I'll be going out with you guys again. I will find the time. After all..."
I will miss the time when I could smile.
Nagi smiled, "That's good to hear. Bye. Wait no- See you again!" he waved as he walked away with a wide smile.
Haru shook Ryoka's hand, "See you again, Ryoka. I hope everything will go in your favour."
Yeah, I wished that too. Sorry, I don't have the right to say 'see you again.' So:
"Goodbye," he waved and walked away.
=====================================================
Before heading back home, he decided to visit a park he had frequented countless times with his family. He sat on one of the empty benches, which reflected the warm yellow light of the setting sun. He sat in the empty park, remembering scenes that he had seen there.
I have played in this park before. That slide—I've lost count of how many times I've gone down it. Fumiko really loves the swing. She often asks me to push her. And that bench is where Mom and Dad sat to observe their little children.
We would laugh, smile, and sometimes cry over the silliest things. I would even fight with her over who got to hold Mom's hand. Those were some good memories, and I treasure them so much.
Today, I went out with some friends. Honestly, I was just happy to see them smile about literally everything. I think I smiled quite a bit too—only they know, I guess.
Well, it was a good attempt to escape reality, but unfortunately, it has come to an end.
One more day, I will face hell once again. I'm not sure how bad it will be or if I'm ready for it. I will hear screams again and witness cries. A smile? In hell, everyone will be clinging to life.
However, only those who fight for it might find reasons to smile at each small victory. Those who support one another will share smiles, too.
Ryoka, you aren't alone. You have people who are willing to smile at you and help or support you, even if it may seem like they're holding you back. The important thing is that you can always find a smile, even in the darkest moments. I just learned; you always need someone to be there with you.
He dug through his pocket to grab his phone.
[To Director Asahi]
A minute later...
[Asahi just read]
[Asahi is typing...]
THE END OF FIRST ARC