I spotted her house in the distance and slowed my pace. A turn on the left, and there, tucked in the corner of the alley, resided her humble abode.
I came here first... again. It's not like I was always early; it's that she didn't bother to catch up to time.
I felt someone's hand resting on my shoulder.
—?
"BuUh!"
Her voice broke through the stillness of the early morning.
I instinctively flinched. I hadn't expected her to come from behind. Her hand on my shoulder jolted me awake from something I should've stayed asleep in.
I looked behind me, meeting her gaze as she met mine in return. She smiled, yet her eyes didn't seem to say the same—not that I knew she was insincere.
I furrowed my brows, clearly dissatisfied I fell for it—though that small gesture felt like an achievement to me.
"Hah! Told you I was good at jumpscares."
She teased, her expression twisting into a smug smile.
I stayed silent, observing how she perfectly carried herself.
I assumed she lurked behind that wide post connecting to the power supply. Her thin frame hidden from plain sight. She was that kind of person who'd vanish after you thought you'd caught her interest, yet still leave you looking for her.
"Yeah yeah, I should've seen that coming."
I was exasperated, shaking the remaining tension from my bones.
"Anyways, you scared the heck out of me—"
"I know, I'm just that good."
She grinned widely, walking out first.
"...Okay."
I followed behind her.
——————————————————
As we passed the alley where the black cat lay, I glanced behind me. Her figure had vanished, deep into the alley where darkness shrouded the secrets we kept.
She didn't leave a trail, not that I saw any. It baffled me how she carried herself to a place only she knows. A place where light couldn't reach.
[ I kn■w where sh? went. ]
[ Sometimes, you return to the place that
?•■■? you. Not out of weakness, but because it's the only place where ■■•? is normal. Where there are no expectations for you to keep—■?]
I didn't know where she went. But I preferred my thoughts not to linger too long on someone I couldn't comprehend.
[...]
We took another turn where the alley faded into the background.
——————————————————
[ A Few Minutes Passed. ]
We raised our hands when a vehicle passed by.
It wasn't exactly easy, yet my sense of awareness was eroded by this monotonous task, keeping me chained.
It was the usual rhythm of the day tugging us forward.
A pedicab was heading toward us when we both raised our hands to meet it. It didn't take long for it to slow down before us.
The seats were empty, and we quickly took their place. She sat first, while I followed just beside her. It didn't take a moment before I felt a shift—not in my bones, yet a force telling me something was wrong.
[ "I c■n't re■ember ■hy." ]
It clearly meant something. I just couldn't figure out what it was.
The wheel, once stagnant, slowly started to roll back ahead. I felt the air hitting my face, keeping me sane from whatever was bothering me.
I kept my cool, trying to jog my brain's memory to see if I forgot something important.
Work that should've been finished today...
A plea I forgot...
And memories I just couldn't remember.
[...]
Something about this unnerved me. As if the world around me moved—yet I alone remain unchanged.
[ Like whatever I tried to forget b■ck then…
never really let me go. ]
——————————————————
A girl with a petite physique waved her hand to a nearby pedicab. Her hair was tied in a bun, rushed and messy, choosing practicality over neatness.
The pedicab seemed to notice her and slowed down. Two figures occupied the main seat, leaving only the front seat available.
It wasn't the most comfortable spot, yet with the short distance left, she could endure it.
She looked at the two figures before her, wondering about them silently. One was poised and confident, radiating an aura of quiet stillness. While the other was hunched, her head down—clearly a reflex she learned when she found herself around someone unfamiliar.
The pedicab buzzed to life, its wheels humming against the pavement.
The ride was particularly quiet, nothing to take note of. She tried recalling what she forgot; homework due today, presentation the whole group relied on her for, and an important quiz she forgot to study for.
She sighed.
She forgot to do that one homework where she needed to write a reflection after each lesson.
"..."
She facepalmed internally.
—————————————————
The pedicab slowed down near a school.
It was massive, stretching beyond with gates as its borders. Rows of classrooms lined themselves up perfectly—the walls thick enough not to hear the other side.
Students occupied the school grounds, some running back and forth to the restroom. Other students stayed just beside the entrance gate, hoping to meet up with someone. Although, they didn't touch beyond the gates that bound them, as it was school policy not to idle outside.
The petite girl got off the pedicab first, followed by the two figures who followed behind. By their silhouette, it was revealed to be our mc and her [ ■•■?■■ ].
The petite girl, known for her ability as a natural leader, was greated by her classmates as soon as they saw her. She smiled and greeted them back before going to her assigned classroom.
Our mc and her [ ■•■?■■ ] also walked to their class. Their once silent conversation was replaced with a few casual questions that followed the rhythm of their steps.
The sun shone on puddles, reflecting the start of a new day. Vehicles covered the streets, waiting for a passenger while a bike blurred between them.
[ Why c■n't ■ remember? ]