RINGGGGGG!
From Seiryu High School's front doors, out came its students who were eager for the incoming summer holiday, considering how they had been plagued with exams for weeks already.. Throughout the week, exams had plagued its students continuously, which had made getting out of school all the more exciting.
The gates opened and friends began to split off from one another, some talking about their test results and most splitting off from one another. In Seiryu High, having a couple friends was the difference between a good high school career and not. Most of its students did keep a couple close friends and like most high schools, some people were just liked by everyone.
In that crowd of bustling friendships and eager talk for the summer ahead, was Hoshi Saito. He'd already taken notice of those around him who seemed ecstatic for summer break, and a few of his classmates gave him a friendly wave, which he gave back. But even that was a formality; if one were to look at Hoshi, they'd notice that he was one of the only people who didn't have someone beside him.
Still, it wasn't like he hated being alone; it was more the lack of the high school experience that everyone else had and he lacked that nagged at him. But for now, he accepted his circumstances and swore to himself he wouldn't waste away at home doing nothing like the previous summers. A determination brewed within to make this one special, maybe he'd get a gym membership or try to approach a girl.
For now, Hoshi closed his eyes whilst walking and took in the warm smell of summer deep within. He found the scenery quite nice today, with the chirping of birds nestled deep within vibrant trees, and the summer heat was suppressed by a cool breeze that tingled the hairs on Hoshi's neck.
He was taking the usual route home, and traffic seemed busy since parents were hurrying over to local schools to pick their kids up. So, Hoshi decided to treat himself a little, he took a little detour from his usual path and found himself in front of Sakura Sip Cafe, which had the best drinks in town for a relatively low price. Since school had just ended, the cafe was relatively empty minus a few adults here and there.
Hoshi grabbed the handle and opened the door, where a few of the employees instantly recognized him and waved him to a seat. He complied and pulled his seat out, settling down with a thump and slipping his schoolbag off his back.
A woman named Hikari scurried over to Hoshi's table and flashed him a generous smile. She was in her mid-late 20s, with medium length black hair that was styled messy and wavy about down to her shoulders. Hikari was the person who usually served Hoshi at the cafe and had already known tidbits of info about him from small talk they made.
[Hikari]: "Hey, Hoshi, you excited for school finally being over? I know exam week has been pretty rough so I'll make your drink extra sweet today!"
Hoshi gave her an awkward laugh back to match the smile that reached ear to ear on Hikari's face, he always appreciated little gestures like this and it made him feel a bit more appreciated.
[Hoshi]: "Ah—thanks Hikari, I'll just take the usual to go, a strawberry smoothie with some honey added in."
[Hikari]: "Alrighty, a strawberry smoothie coming right up, just hang tight in the meantime and relax."
Hikari left Hoshi's table and walked toward the smoothie maker and swiftly began concocting Hoshi's drink. Even after watching her do it tens of times, Hoshi was always impressed with Hikari's speed at making drinks.
He eventually looked away and to some of the customers in the cafe. A lady with a black sweater and a skirt clacking away at her keyboard, probably hasty in turning in some work for the day. A couple in the corner gingerly laughed as they gathered their things. The man helped her up, and Hoshi's eyes caught the round curve of her belly as she sauntered on over to the door while lightly clutching her soon-to-be baby.
He watched the couple leave and couldn't help but feel a little happy for them, they seemed so light and airy together and Hoshi wondered if there was someone out there for him too. His thoughts were interrupted by a cold drink being nudged into his shoulder.
[Hikari]: "You alright? You look a little lost in thought…if you need to talk you know I'm always here."
[Hoshi]: "Hey, Hikari, do you ever think about finding someone to marry one day?"
Hikari tilted her head in thought and placed a finger on her cheek, she put his drink on Hoshi's table and looked closely at him. Her mind flooded with the thoughts of her very unfortunate love life before quickly shaking her head to rid herself of those memories.
[Hikari]: "Mmm, I don't think you have to worry yourself with that Hoshi, you're a pretty thoughtful person so you'll find someone someday."
Hoshi took a moment to process her words, a little upset at her vague response of what she personally thought on the matter, but decided not to press, He put his money on the table and took small drinks of his smoothie, savoring the sweet and refreshing taste.
[Hoshi]: "You weren't lying about making it extra sweet…"
Hikari giggled and took the money off the table, placing it into her shirt pocket which was placed on the roundness of her chest. Hikari had indeed made the drink a little sweeter with some added honey since Hoshi was picky with ingredients in what he ate.
[Hikari]: "Go on and enjoy your youth now, make sure to come back tomorrow for our specials!"
Hoshi left the cafe with his drink in hand, he nodded to Hikari and gave her a curt smile while waving. As Hoshi walked down the street, he took occasional sips of his drink and was already beginning to think of his plans for the summer.
His train of thoughts was halted by the bloodcurdling scream of what sounded like a woman. Hoshi's hairs stood and his breathing became shallow, his eyes darted around to try and find the source of struggle.
[Woman]: "HEEEEEELPPPP!"
He began to move quicker along the sidewalk, the screaming seemed to get closer and Hoshi could narrowly hear the sounds of crying and ragged breathing in a nearby alley. His drink fell to the floor and spilled as he took in the sight.
A woman with a round and pregnant belly, her husband whose arm was limp and profusely bleeding from his shoulder as he stood in front of his wife.
His mind turned its wheels back to the cafe, this had been the same couple who were happily laughing as they left, and now all he could see was pain and horror etched across their features as a man with a knife creeped toward them.
[Mugger]: "Give me your goddamn money and jewelry!"
Hoshi was frozen, he couldn't move an inch forward, sweat beaded off his brow and he could feel his body shaking and screaming to run away. It wasn't uncommon for muggings to happen in this city, but to actually see one was a lot different than hearing about it on the news.
The mugger grunted and charged forward with vigor, slashing away at the husband's chest and he fell backwards into the wall. The wife backed away into the wall and clutched at her stomach as if it were her lifeline, she prayed to god to keep her baby safe.
MOVEEE!
And so, the woman's prayers were answered, because Hoshi flew forward with a speed he didn't know he had, with purpose he didn't know could exist in someone. Blood rushed through every fiber and muscle in his body, he tackled the mugger head on which released his hold on the woman, and they both crashed to the ground.
The struggle was raw and intense, Hoshi furiously grabbed the man's wrist to take the knife and pushed his face down with his hand. The woman was too stunned to even move and kneeled down to her husband with shallow breathing. The mugger kicked Hoshi in the abdomen which sent him sprawling onto the ground. The sudden ache through his body was immediately numbed with adrenaline and he got to his feet.
Hoshi wasn't the most athletic person, but even someone who wasn't coordinated could find themselves to be nimble once the human body recognized danger, he moved to the side as the mugger shanked his knife forward to land a hit. He sent a punch into the mugger's jaw and grabbed his wrist again, they both crashed into the nearby dumpster with a heavy thud.
Hoshi's lungs burned and his mouth tasted like metal, the mugger grabbed him by the collar and suddenly jabbed his knife straight into Hoshi's side. He couldn't feel it, but Hoshi could see it, crimson poured out and covered his side as he looked at the man's face, his previous rage replaced with a look of shock at what he'd just done in his anger-induced state. He threw Hoshi to the ground and ran off in a frenzy, Hoshi felt his eyes closing and could barely hear the beat of his own heart. The pregnant woman scurried to Hoshi's side and began screaming for help, but even Hoshi's hearing felt muffled as he focused on the pouring of life out his side.
If the man had left his knife lodged into Hoshi's side, maybe he could've been saved, but he could already see the gaping wound as his body tried to fight and stay alive. From the corner of his eye, Hoshi saw a lady at the end of the alley, a horrified expression blooming on her face as she ran down and kneeled to Hoshi's side.
As soon as Hoshi saw her face, he already felt emotions welling up deep inside his throat and tears flowing fresh out of his eyes. A lady with a couple dollars in her front pocket, her always joyous expression gone since she laid eyes on Hoshi's dying form.
Hikari…
[Hikari]: "Nonono— please, Hoshi say something!"
He could see the evidence of sadness falling from her eyes down to her cheeks, Hikari pressed her hands to Hoshi's wound to slow the bleeding.; The woman, on the other hand, dialed the ambulance on her phone and urged them to hurry. Hoshi could feel his body growing colder by the second, his fingers raised to Hikari's face to wipe her tears.
[Hikari]: "Listen to me—you're gonna grow up, okay? You're gonna have a g–great summer and even find a girlfriend, and when the years pass by and you have kids, I'm gonna be there as a free babysitter…"
The words left Hikari's mouth not just to reassure Hoshi, but Hikari herself. She continued applying pressure and the tears were never-ending, and Hoshi felt the guilt of making Hikari upset deep in his heart. The alley seemed endless now, he could feel his consciousness slipping in and out of reality as his body lost feeling.
[Hikari]: "Please…don't die, you're too young, you still have so much to do…"
[Pregnant Lady]: "I'm—so sorry, we just wanted to take a shortcut home…this is all my fault."
It's not your fault.
The lady kneeled on the other side of Hoshi, opposite of where Hikari sat and she clutched his cold hand tightly. She gently moved the hair out his face and Hoshi looked up to the vast blue sky, he memorized each curve of the clouds and how the birds seem to chirp freely. A breath escaped his lungs, maybe his last, he blinked a few times to try and fix his blurry vision.
Hikari placed her head on Hoshi's chest, her hand left his wound and she clasped the collar of his uniform. She mumbled incoherently into his chest, Hoshi felt the tears escape his eyes, the last signs of life.
I don't wanna die…
He hoped—prayed, even, that the life after would treat him nicely even though he wasn't ready to leave this world just yet, he had so many plans that would never come true. Hoshi thought of his mother and father, who were probably worried about him sick since he was supposed to be home about now.
He thought of his classmates, Hoshi wondered if they'd be indifferent to his death or maybe even shed a tear. He thought of Hikari, who was crying into his clothes, he really hoped she could move on from this and not his death affect her.
He looked toward the pregnant woman, who still had her hand on his forehand with her other placed on her belly. Yes, Hoshi Saito would die, but at least he died helping someone. The pregnant lady's lips moved as she spoke, and these were the last words he'd hear.
[Pregnant Lady]: "I'll—name my child after you, Hoshi…"
That's…good, I hope they don't struggle like I did.
And as his last breath escaped his lungs and his eyes closed, Hoshi Saito could only think of one thing.
My summer break is…over.
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His world was white, he couldn't feel his body but could see, he didn't possess a physical form but was aware of his consciousness. Hoshi looked at the void around him, trying to find anything, something to tell him that this wasn't the afterlife. He wanted to cry—scream for someone to help, but he didn't have eyes to cry from or a voice to use.
And then, he felt a hand grab him, not his chest or arm, but grab his soul itself. Whatever it was mumbled gibberish as Hoshi was dragged through the void, he tried to break free but it was simply impossible. Hoshi thought this was hell, that this was his punishment for being so foolish as to be a hero and die.
But he couldn't be more wrong, because he was thrown, Hoshi fell endlessly through the white void as if his being was being pulled toward something, he braced himself for impact as the white void opened up whole.
A breath filled his lungs and his eyes shot open, Hoshi's hands flew to his side where his wound previously lay, but the pain was nonexistent. He looked around to his surroundings, it was a lush green forest full of wildlife which all ignored him and walked by.
Hoshi walked in a random direction, being inexplicably drawn to something as he scoured out for the source. Through a nearby river, he caught sight of his reflection and his eyes widened. His previously thick and dark hair was seemingly dyed a silvery-white, his face looked relatively the same.
His clothing was different too, a light gray tunic with a leather vest strapped onto his body, he looked down to see old leather boots and thick durable pants. His face trailed across his own cheek as to try and determine if this was a dream or not, but everything seemed real enough.
Hoshi wandered and was blinded as the trees danced in the wind and let the sun beam straight into his eyes, he looked down to see an unfamiliar sight, something that simply couldn't be real.
From the hillstop, Hoshi could see the kingdom clearly, with impossibly big buildings that scaled nearly to the clouds and small figures moving throughout its busy streets. From the entrance, Hoshi could see carriages moving in and out and pale stone walls that reflected the sunlight in colors that didn't seem natural.
Birds danced and swarmed across the kingdoms skies as if this place was the center of all attention in this world, and Hoshi felt himself drawn to enter, to see what this new world had to offer. But even then—the words escaped his mouth almost panicked, he couldn't help but wonder…
[Hoshi]: "Where…the hell am I?"