"Hey Misato, why do I have to wear all of this? It feels weird."
"To become a popular singer, you have to dress the part. We can't have you running around in your pajamas all the time, can we? Besides, you always dress boyishly. This can't go on; it would be a crime against your beauty not to wear a skirt from time to time," she replied with a smile, mischief written all over it.
"But does it HAVE to be like that? I don't like it."
"Shiori, sometimes we have to do things that are, well, bad, or don't feel good for us, all to achieve a great result. It's the same with this. Come on, just try it. Maybe~ we could also try clothes that emphasize your beauty?"
Her smile turned into a smirk, sending a cold shiver down my back. "T-There's no need for it. Just let me put on what I want. It's not like they can see me; you know?"
"*sigh* You know that that's not what I meant. Shiori, you have to start wearing clothes that are made for your type of body. You can't just run around with oversized boys clothing all the time."
"I can and I will. It's not like it matters what I wear in my free time anyways."
"Oh... Is that so~?"
Seemingly out of nowhere, a skirt with a crop top appeared in her hands. I tried stepping back, but she ominously inched closer, cornering me.
"Ehh! Misato, what are you doing?" I said nervously as she loomed over me. "Misato? Hey, Misato? Misato! No! Stop! STOP! MISATO, NOOO! AHHHH!!!"
"AHHHH!!!"
I fell to the side together with the whole box, heavily breathing. "It was... just a dream? Why did it have to be that specific one? sigh" I felt a shiver going down my spine again.
After taking a few more breaths in, I remember what kind of predicament I was in. Stuck in a box hidden in a closet, tears dried on my face. I could only think about the scene I had seen, haunted by her muffled screams. It was painful for me just to think about it, let alone for her.
'I really am useless... I can't do anything to help when it matters... She doesn't deserve being treated like this just because of me...'
The Kaslana blood in me, whatever form of it I had running in my veins, boiled. My very being shouted at me to move, to act, my genes pushing against my will with rage, alas… I couldn't… I was too scared, too worried about being captured, about things spiraling… I saw no good outcome…
I'm just a failure.
No wonder… I had always been like that, even before this second life of mine, even before Otto maybe even got a thought of me. At least my life was normal back then.
*Sigh*
'Maybe... I should move somewhere else, just in case those guys return.'
I lingered around for one more hour, just looking at the bloodstains on the floor, small patches that brought the scene to my eyes. I went down to leave the key, pacing outside, my body slouching. The bustle of the city found solace in my mind, buried underneath the memories. It couldn't get to me like it normally did.
Hours, or minutes, went by. I didn't care anymore. Bleak—that was my life at the time. Like a washed-out canvas, the colors washed out under a jet of water.
I zoned back in the second my butt touched the ground. My gaze fell on the robot figurine on the ground, then at the man who picked it up.
"Ah... Sorry..." I blurted out, trying to get back into a normal mood.
"Hmm... don't worry about it," replied the man, offering me a hand.
"...Thank you," I answered curtly, trying to go on my mindless stroll anew, wishing to hide myself. Head slightly bowed, hoping to run away.
"Miss?"
I turned back, once again forcing a small smile on my face, yet the soft tremble in my lips betrayed me.
"Is... something wrong? You seem like you have a lot on your mind, miss. Are you alright?"
"I'm... fine. Thank you for asking, sir."
I could see it in his eyes, the way they were fixed on me, staring deep into my soul—no word could fake my emotions.
"I am sorry if I'm intruding, but I think you could use someone to talk to. Is there anyone you trust enough to converse with?"
Despite how warm his words were, I couldn't really accept it, and yet he felt eerily familiar. Perhaps he looked like someone I knew from my world. "Thank you, sir, but I don't wish to take up your time with my problems."
Noticing my internal struggle, he smiled, speaking calmly.
"Don't worry about that. Let's just have a seat on that bench over there and take a moment to breathe. I have around one hour until I need to leave, so we can talk."
Without saying much, I reluctantly sat down on the warm wood, hands on my lap. The man took a seat on the other end, giving me space to feel comfortable. It felt like minutes went by in silence, my body relaxing slightly. Glancing to the side, I could see the worried expression on his face, yet it eased the moment he noticed.
"Judging by your expression, you're probably feeling like the world fell down on you. I can understand that it's difficult to open up about such trouble, especially at your age."
I found myself nodding along, even if part of it was a lie. I was much older mentally, or at least I should be. Perhaps returning to a younger age, my mind took after it and grew youthful.
"How about we introduce ourselves? My name is Joachim. I teach history in one of the high schools in another city."
With a sigh, I barely spoke out.
"…I am Shiori… a high schooler…" I obviously lied about the second part, making it seem as natural as I could. I did look the part, so it went about unnoticed; I think?
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Shiori."
Silence fell between us, but it didn't feel restricting. I watched the crowds of people move around, taking time to arrange my thoughts. With a slight tremble in my voice, I told him a little about my troubles, masking the details while leaving just the idea of me having lost someone dear to me—and maybe even making it seem like she had died, since details weren't something I wished to offer. He took his time, thinking up an answer that wouldn't hurt.
"I'm sorry for your loss. Years back… I too lost people dear to me. I recall every emotion, especially the bad ones, but I was lucky to have people with me, helping and pushing me to move forward through that mess. I don't think I could have been able to do it alone, so I can say that… you're stronger than me, Shiori."
He offered me a tiny, honest smile, yet the pain in his eyes crept out slowly, only to soon fade under time's dampening.
"I might not be in a position to talk, but since I went through something similar, I do have some advice I wish to share.
Do not let those bad emotions pull you down. Clear your mind and strive for the future that you believe in, for a future the one you lost would be proud of. In this race known as life, there will always be things that try to drag you down, but you mustn't let them win. Build a future of your own choice, and let time heal you, bit by bit. Try to keep pushing until you find out that the weight on your heart is no more."
*Beep*
"Hmm... It seems there's not a lot of time left until my train arrives. In any case, take your time to sort out your emotions. It's the hardest task at first, but also the one you should face earliest."
With a swift movement, he was up and ready to go, robot figurine in hand, still there just in case I wished to say something. I did have one single question on my mind.
"Why did you decide to spend your time with me?"
"Perhaps it's because one would consider this the moral choice, but also… maybe because I saw my younger self in you. In any case, don't worry. If fate plays its cards right, we might meet again. I hope the next time we do, I'll see you smiling. Until then, take care, Shiori."
I waved at him, trying to cheer up, yet my efforts were half-hearted. The pain was there, with no way of leaving so soon, and yet… my mind cleared up slightly. I watched his back until the figure faded in the crowd, and I was left alone.
"..."
' …Strive for the future that you believe in, huh...'
Meanwhile, Joachim, now hidden in the crowd, was talking with someone over the phone.
"Sorry, Tesla, I went to check some stores around to see if they still have any vintage Arahato merchandise left."
"Don't worry about it. I'm going to be there in six minutes."
The call ended, and he sighed heavily.
'I'll just take a bus to it.'
MARK'SPOV:
He woke up early in the morning, sprawled out on the couch. Recalling when he had fallen asleep was impossible, just as impossible as getting up felt in that moment. With a tired movement, he rubbed his eyes, shifting slightly as his back pain moved along, playing tricks on his lower back once again. It had become a daily thing.
Struggling against his own weight, he was soon standing, looking around the room with slight disorientation brushing against his senses. His first urge, that of his bladder about to burst, pushed him to the bathroom. Since knocking on the door earned no answer, he just walked in and took care of his business.
Cold water splashed against his features, trying to take away the sleepy haze that buried his mind. It worked, but along with the sense of self, a burning feeling of hatred for the cold made itself seen. His eyes scanned the mirror again, staring in themselves as if answers could be found. Hushed memories of something he'd seen before coming to the world were trying to pry themselves out, but they couldn't budge.
He walked out, finding a quiet corner to say his prayers for the morning, then the kitchen became his point of interest, all thanks to the rumbling in his stomach. The fridge, as expected, was mostly empty.
'Why do I even bother? I guess she mostly keeps alcohol in there instead of food. I'm probably screwed until Mei comes here. Guess we'll have to see.'
It closed with a thud, marking the end of his expedition for food. Instead of trying again, he chugged a glass of water, only then realizing how hoarse his throat was.
His ears perked up as the silence broke thanks to the sound of water running. There was just one explanation for that, and his brain took things south.
'Must be Himeko showering. I wonder how she'll act after last night… yeah, if she even recalls anything.'
Playing pretend, like he cared little for such matters, wound up with him sitting on the couch, stiff as a pole. The words that left her soft lips in the drunken stupor were still there, haunting his mind with cold, gnawing teeth.
'Her words might've been just drunken rumbling, yet… welp, what can I say? Emotions weren't my strongest suit, especially the negative ones. Guess I'm too sensitive.'
He came back to reality as the bathroom door opened, revealing the slim figure clad in nothing but a towel. It clung to her body, molding to her curves, leaving Mark stunned for a second. That second was all the time he had to process the scene, and his brain failing instantly rendered it useless.
Her gaze met his, awfully nonchalant about it.
"Mornin', Mark. I hope you slept well, since we have work today. It's time to go check up on the girls you've fought back then."
His wordless confirmation came quick, his eyes trying to stick to her own, just to slip down, repeating the cycle like Sisyphus. Himeko chuckled slightly, shaking her head a bit.
"I forgot that you're pretty much a child. I guess you'll get used to this type of task one day. Now get ready, since we're leaving shortly."
Mark blinked twice, the comment about him being a child hitting a sore spot, but one he didn't falter in front of. After all, he wasn't even 20.
"Got it, Himeko. Just get dressed, and we're out."