I could feel the words stuck in my throat as I tried my best not to think about what happened in the Reality Realm. If Master was here, he would know what to do. I shook my head as I had that thought. No, it's already over. You have to just say it. If they blame you, that's fine. Everyone hated Master before, so I will be able to pull through, right? "What's wrong Koboyashi? Are you okay?" I could feel everybodys' eyes drilling holes through me as I tried to come up with what to say. I opened my mouth, then quickly closed it again. Idiot. I opened my mouth and forced the words out of my heart. "M-master, h-he's." I started before closing my mouth and forcing the tears back down. I took a deep breath, and looked up at all of my classmates. Friends, allies, companions, even a lover. I saw them all. After I finished evaluating them, I forced myself to talk again. "Master died in the Reality Realm."
I found myself scanning my classmates once more, as I looked at their expressions. Disbelief, for someone as strong as Master to die. Grief, for his death. Guilt, for not being there to help. Anger and hatred, directed at our enemies, who killed him. No, I know that look a bit too well. They want to seek revenge for Master. The ones with vengeful looks started to ask me questions. "Who killed him?" "How many are there?" and so on. But the expression on my best friend was what I was hoping I wouldn't see. I could feel a stab of guilt in my heart before he even opened his mouth. "Why did you let him die? With your power you could have done something. After all, you're the special one." I could feel my stomach twist and my heart drop. Worst of all, hatred towards me, for not helping. My classmates spun their heads to look at me and their expressions all changed to the same one as my best friend. I could feel the tears start to form, so I turned around as they started falling off my face. "I'm sorry. I-I was too weak." I got out those words between my sobs. I walked out, and slammed the door behind me. "Dammit, you fucking retard." I whispered to myself as I walked down the hallway.
…
Sakai Ai:
I quickly followed in Akio's footsteps. I closed the door quietly and didn't say a word to my classmates. Which way did he go again? I pondered this thought as I stood around for another minute. Then, the door slid open again. Uh-oh. I saw a girl with black hair flow behind her as she walked up to me. Her big, oval, obsidian black eyes stared into me. I didn't know how to feel. My best friend just walks up to me and stares deeply into me. I know she hates Akio for not helping master, just like the rest. But I also felt a bit of relief, since it is just Chiri. "Um, hey Chiri, do you kn-" I started before she began walking to the right of the door. "C'mon, I saw where he went. I'll be that side character who unites you two love birds so just follow me." I could feel my face visibly light up. I regained my composure and started to walk along with Chiri.
…
"Outside?" I asked as I looked up the hallway and saw the door at the end. "Yeah, he should be around there." Chiri replied as she pointed at the door. "This is as far as I will go, because you two should get some alone time." she said as she giggled and walked the other way.
"I would shoot you, if you were Master." I muttered under my breath. She erupted in laughter at this statement, and materialized into water, and then vanished. I walked up to the door she pointed at. I could feel a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead. Would Akio hate me? I admit for a bit, I did blame him for not helping Sensei. But as I saw the tears he couldn't contain, start to form, I immediately felt a rush of guilt stab me from the back. I shook my head, and wiped the sweat on my forehead. Okay, let's do this. It doesn't matter if he hates me, he needs someone right now. His best friend even hates him, so it's all up to me. I forced my anxiety down as I slid open the door.
…
Koboyashi Akio:
I heard the door behind me slide open, but I didn't react. I didn't care. If it's someone who wanted to kill me, I would be able to feel their intent. If they are good at hiding their intent, then I don't care if I die. I didn't care. Master is dead, everyone hates me, even Ai and Yuichi hate me. How did Master put up with all of this hate? I quickly wiped off the streams of tears on my face so I didn't look pathetic when I died, but it was for naught. They just kept coming. I instead looked up and faced the river. I reached my hand in my pocket and tightly clenched what I found the other day in the pouch Master gave me. I tensed myself for what was to come. But I still didn't expect it. Instead of any blood, or coldness, or a stab through the heart or vitals, or even a choke, warm, soft arms wrapped around me from behind. I recognized what was going on almost instantly.
"It's not your fault. I'm sorry for blaming you before. But it was more painful for you. If the rest blame you, that doesn't matter. I'll be on your side." A soft voice said from behind me. Ai.. The tears somehow came down harder, as I accepted the embrace, and hugged her back. "Just let them all out, Akio, I don't mind." She whispered in my ear. I started to wail and sob, and felt like my eyes would burst from how many tears were pouring out. Thank you.
After the moment me and Ai had, I went back to the classroom. I had to explain to all of them what happened in the Reality Realm. Even if they still blamed me, I still had Ai. I slid the door open and found everyone's heads turning to look at me. "I-" I started before Yuichi cut me off. "We are so sorry Akio." They all bowed down in front of me, their foreheads touching the ground. "Huh?" I looked to see Ai, but she was just as confused as I was. What the hell.. They all rose and ran towards me. They started to ask me questions again, but their hatred was gone. Am I dreaming? I wondered before pinching myself. I rubbed where I did seconds later and thought, Yep, not a dream. They all continuously apologized and asked what happened in the Reality Realm. I quieted them down, one by one, and sat down at my desk. I took a long look at all of them, then let out the sigh I've been holding in. Slowly and carefully, I started to go over what happened in the Reality Realm.