"Kanro, I already know who the killer is!! Meet me at the same place, right now!! And I will tell you who it is!!" He texted Kanro in a rush, confidently knowing the identity of the killer.
"Now that I know who the killer is, you will definitely get what you deserve, killer!!" He muttered to himself, with determination. His mind raced with thoughts of justice and retribution.
"We will catch you!! Definitely, we—" From afar, he saw Kanro.
"Over here, Kan—" His eyes widened in terror as the car struck him while crossing the road, the car hit him hard sending him flying.
"SHIKI!!!!" Kanro shouted as he see his friend hit by a car. He was so shocked that he couldn't speak and before he knew it, he was running towards his friend. "No, no, no, this can't be real, you can't die!!!"
When he got close to his friend, he quickly reach him with his trembling hand. While he still couldn't believe what was happening, a hot liquid continued to flow from Shiki, and it was blood that gradually stained the pavement.
"Stay with me, Shiki. Help is on the way," he whispered in a trembling voice. He reached for his phone and dialed emergency services with his trembling fingers. "Hurry up, there's been an accident! Someone's been hit by a car!"
While waiting for the ambulance, he cradled Shiki's head in his hands, tears starting to stream down from his face. "Don't leave me, Shiki. We have a lot more to do... I need you." As help arrived, the sirens grew louder, but all he could focus on was the faint rise and fall of Shiki's chest. "SHII!!!"
---
"KIIIIII!!!"
"Oh!, you're awake, thank goodness" a bright smile greeted him.
"Here's your food," she said, handing him a plate. "Eat while it's still warm."
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment. "Still trying?" she asked. "None of your business," he replied coldly.
"Yeah, I know. Just don't overdo it. I'm going now, I'll see you tomorrow." She gently gazed at him as she walked towards the door. "Oh, one more thing," she came back. "If I can help, just call me. Bye."
"Thanks, but I don't think you can help," he murmured silently. Little did they know, she heard him.
"I know, but can't you just rely on me, even just a little?" she said sadly, leaning against the door. "I'm here too...."
---
A bright day began, a great day for some, but not for him. He woke up in bed, grabbed the album, and picked a picture. He started to use his time manipulation again, but just like yeterday nothing happened.
He tried it over and over, but nothing. "Arhhg, this sucks!!!" "GAGGHHGGJAJS!!!" His eyes were full of emotion, mostly frustration.
After a while, he decided to go downstairs to cool his head. In the kitchen, he found some food with a note that said, "Eat it at least before it spoils." There was also a cat doodle on it with the name Aki. He didn't want to eat, but his tummy had other plans, so he gave in and ate the food.
---
Aki is sitting at her desk, trying to focus on the teacher's discussion. Despite her best efforts, her mind kept wandering back to Kanro. "Has he already eaten the food I made?"
She kept glancing at her phone, hoping for a response to her earlier message. "No response huh? How cold"
The teacher's voice droned on about historical events, but Aki's thoughts were somewhere else. "I hope he's okay" she thought, tapping her pen against her notebook "And i hope he ate the food" sighed she added
She glanced around the classroom, noticing her classmates scribbling notes diligently. "Oh no! I should be paying attention too!" she scolded herself, as she trying to push her worries aside.
Then the teacher asked a question, and Aki finally snapped back into reality. She raised her hand, hoping to participate and distract herself from all of her concerns. As she answered the question, a sense of accomplishment washed over her. At least for a moment, she was able to focus on something other than Kanro.
Meanwhile after Kanro ate, he lay down again on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He replayed the events of the past few days in his mind, feeling the weight of everything bearing down on him. The room felt suffocating, and he couldn't shake off the sense of helplessness.
He picked up his phone and read Aki's message but he didn't even bother to reply. He was too wrapped up in his own thoughts and frustrations to the point he doesn't want to have a conversation with Aki.
Finally, unable to bear the stifling atmosphere any longer, Kanro decided to step outside and get some fresh air. He hoped that a change of scenery might help clear his mind and bring some clarity to the chaotic thoughts swirling around in his head.
Kanro walked down the street, hoping the fresh air would help clear his mind. As the sunlight hit his face, a sharp pain shot through his head. A vivid, painful memory suddenly flashed before his eyes. He grabbed his head, the pain intensifying, and he felt himself getting dizzy, on the verge of collapsing.
Just as he was about to fall, he felt a pair of hands supporting him. He looked up, disoriented, to see Aki's concerned face.
"Oops, are you okay?" Aki asked, worry etched in her voice.
Kanro blinked a few times, trying to steady himself. "Yeah, I'm good," he mumbled, feeling a bit more grounded.
Aki didn't seem convinced. "Are you sure? You looked like you were about to pass out."
Kanro sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just a headache. It'll pass."
Aki frowned. "You should really take it easy. Pushing yourself too hard isn't going to help."
Kanro let out a short laugh. "Easier said than done."
Aki looked at him, her eyes softening. "I know it's hard, but you don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you, remember?" she murmured.
Kanro glanced at her "Did you say something?"
"No, nothing" she replied quickly, although her gentle smile hinted otherwise. "Come on, let's get you somewhere you can sit down and rest for a bit." she suggest
With Aki's support and nagging, he agreed to be assisted to a nearby bench. As he sat down, he felt the tension in his head slowly easing.
While sitting, Aki suddenly felt hungry and decided to get something to eat since the stress of the day had left her feeling drained and hungry. She turned to Kanro. "I'm going to grab something to eat. Do you want anything?"
Kanro barely looked at her, covering his face with his hand. "No, I'm fine."
Aki sighed and headed towards the convenience store.
As she entered, the cool air was a welcome relief. She walked to the freezer section, contemplating her choices.
"Hmm, what should I get?" she muttered to herself. "This one or that one?" After a moment of indecision, she picked one. "This one it is." After choosing her food, she spotted the ice cream and decided to buy some. "I know he doesn't want it, but I think I'll buy him some too," she thought as she made her decision.
"And If he doesn't eat it, I guess I'll just eat it myself" she added. After that, she made her way to the cashier and placed the food and ice cream on the counter.
"Hello," the cashier greeted her with a smile.
"Is that all for you today?"
"Yes, just this," Aki replied.
The cashier scanned the food and the ice cream and rang up the total. "That will be 125 pesos."
Aki handed over the money and took her change. "Thank you," she said as the cashier bagged her purchase.
"Have a great day!" the cashier called out as Aki left the store.
She smiled faintly, grateful for the brief interaction. As she walked back to Kanro, she hoped that the cool treat would help him to feel a bit better.