Walking down the road, I asked, "So why did you help me? I'm totally a weird stranger you just met."Sighing, I pointed at myself, expression blank.
The girl laughed and smirked. "I guess… you look familiar, as if I've known you from somewhere."
Adam wondered if Manori was truly her name. "What's your name? Man—" he coughed, realizing how weird it sounded to say her name out loud. Embarrassed, he went quiet.
"Close," she replied. "But I'm Mai Jiko. You can just call me Mai."
A sound came from behind—someone huffing and puffing. It was the buzz-cut-haired guy who had torn my heart locket, now wearing weights strapped to his legs and arms.
"Wait a moment," I said.
Manori—no, Mai—stared at me silently as I ran toward the boy.
Adam smirked. "Hey, we meet again!"
The boy looked surprised and scared. "Oh man, I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Adam said. "Have you seen my heart locket?"
The boy froze. "No…"
Adam began running alongside him. "Why the weights?"
"Training, I guess. For a tournament. I just—never mind. See ya, man." He tried to catch his breath as he ran. Not bad for a normal human, Adam thought, before running back to Mai, who was already far ahead, heading toward the horizon.
"Hey, why'd you go so far?" he panted.
"Well, I was bored," she said flatly. "And don't tell me to wait." She stared blankly at him.
That was probably a bad decision, he thought.
Time passed, and we were now at an old motel, worn and aged. The concrete was cracked, the paint peeling, and most doors were shut. A few dim lights flickered through dusty windows.
She handed me a key. "Here. I guess you'll be my neighbor from now on. See ya."
She twirled the key before tossing it to me. I caught it.
(Room 16)
Inside, there were three small rooms—one bathroom, one cramped kitchen, and one modest bedroom. Closing the door, fragments of memory came rushing back.
New Orleans… I was really stupid back then.
Well then, did I change?
I familiarized myself back then with the small yellow room, and now it was white as i sat on the simple bed. Not extravagant, but comfortable enough. Then came a noise from the room next door—first silence, then a scream.
I stood up and went to Room 17, knocking. "Hey! Is everything okay? Can you quiet down?"
The door swung open. A long-haired man stood there, shirt wrinkled and soaked in sweat. He looked like someone who hadn't gone outside in months. He grabbed me by the arm and shouted, "Come quickly! Survivor! I found a companion!"
I shoved him off. "Can you please get off me?" I sighed.
"Quickly! Quickly, before the monsters come!" His voice trembled with panic.
I hesitated, doubting myself, then agreed to step inside. Fine, I thought. I'll just be careful.
Moments later, I was sitting at his table, listening as he mumbled about monsters that would trespass into this world. Then I realized—he was schizophrenic.
I sighed quietly. How tiring.
He coughed, stuffing chips into his mouth. "I tell you, there are monsters trying to infect this world."
I smirked. "How do you know that? There's no evidence."
"Monsters come to my door every month! And I'm different, I tell you—I can see patterns no one else can see."
I stared at him blankly, tired, ready to leave.
"Wait! Wait! Everything I say is true! I can literally hear them right now!" His eyes widened, spiraling with fear.
"Okay…" I muttered.
Leaving the room, I ran back to my apartment, shut the door, and dropped to my knees, covering my head. My heart pounded violently.
(Don't forget… don't forget… DON'T FORGET.)
My mind wandered. Was everything I experienced even real? Of course it was… of course it was…
"What's happening?" I gasped, trying to call out the system, or my status screen—nothing appeared.
Hyperventilating, dizzy, disoriented… it felt like space itself was collapsing.
How am I different from that guy?
(Kineki… Yuko… Yuruki… Kineki…)
I sighed, lying back on the bed, listening to the soft hum of the fan.
"It's been so long… What am I supposed to do? What do I even do?"
Hours passed. The stress didn't fade—my body burned with heat and discomfort—until I finally fell asleep, dead tired.
It was morning the sun was still dead in the morning. I stood up, closed the door, and walked outside, wondering what I was supposed to do. I kicked at the ground, thinking about whether I should go back to that school—or whatever it even was.
Thinking about it... Its been probably been a long time since i was my clothes, atleast in that world sweat and water means the same thing, hehh... Literally smiling to myself, as i just take of my shirt and remaining clothing and wash it off.
Then dry it... For a couple of hours later showering and getting outside, I see Manori as she was starting to go to school, oh... I forgot it was Mai "Cmon... Let's go"
Adam: "If you hadnt thought of me being familiar... Would you have help me?"
Mai: "Definitely not"
We walked towards school having our separate ways...
Suddenly when walking in the school, i was meet with a mole staring at me. As i walked by interested of what it was... "Huh what a cute mole i smile"
As it gesture in his head and squeeks, waving his arms...
"Are you also trap in this place?" I laughed smiling to myself...
The mole shakes his head and runs off, as the bell run. "What a coincidence" Scratching my head, as i walked and go to school.
Sitting around... in the chair, as quite as i can be trying to get off as fast as possible then quickly get a job.
"Hey!..." A long haired middle cross kid with a tight white uniform smirks at me, "Do you really dont have a home? Where's your family?"
Adam: "What's your point in saying that" What a rude bastard... Angering me, should i punch him. I calmed myself down thinking this world will be over anyway. touching my face... Right? Then what am i doing. "Do you have something to achieve to yourself with doing this?"
He smirks as other students laughed and mocked even the boy from yesterday giving me a blank paper as Mai silently gets uncomfortable and stay's silent.
"What I can achieve for myself?" Pointing to himself, "Knowing that you dont have a mom or a dad to support you..."
Yeah. at my original world my mom died due to overwork, and my dad left with a women to commit adultery and have their own kids, heck i dont even know where they are right now.
I stayed silent, staying true to myself. That this world will pass.
But man. It really is fricking annoying, as i stand up. The kids towering over me... Because i was still short. I instantly grab the side of his neck and push him down below me, "Say that again?"
As he coughs... Student's stayed quite, and suddenly a teacher came up.
"Mr Adam! Come to the Disciplinary Council right now!!"