Rikka's Past After that day, when living felt pointless, it was the usual story.
Thumbtacks in my shoes. Graffiti on my desk. No seat for me. My face plastered on a woman's body in crude drawings.
I endured every kind of bullying.
Told the teacher—useless. Too much hassle, probably.
Told my parents: "Deal with it yourself." "We're busy."
I was invisible.
…It was my fault, I guess. I failed their expectations.
Thought about dying a few times, but the mess and trouble stopped me.
If I kept enduring, maybe my heart would go numb first. That'd make living easier, I thought.
A year into the bullying, third year of middle school, nothing changed.
Didn't expect it to. Humans are like that.
Still, I wondered if everyone else was okay with exams. Bad grades would screw them over. I, worthless as I was, kept top scores.
…No dreams, though. Staring at the sky, wishing I could just die easily.
Then—
"Pardon the sudden call, Fujimaru-dono!"
Someone spoke to me. First time in ages.
"—Uh."
My voice, rusty from disuse, barely worked.
"New transfer, so forgive my rudeness! Call me… Seekermaster! You're Fujimaru Rikka, yes?"
"—Yeah."
"Such beauty, as rumored… but clouded by petty jealousy! A tragedy!"
This hyper kid, Seekermaster, was… unattractive. Pudgy, greasy, sweaty.
"You seem bored with school life. Unacceptable, Fujimaru-dono! You mustn't waste your precious life!"
His eyes, though—stunningly clear.
"How about it? Spend one day with me. Might be unpleasant, but never boring! Not that kind of unpleasant, mind you—my looks, I mean!"
"Fine."
I'd just get bullied at school anyway.
I'd seen enough pretty faces with rotten hearts. Looks didn't matter anymore.
"Duf! Diamond in the rough, acquired! Let's go, Rikka-dono!"
"Yeah."
No one would care if I skipped.
He led me to a grand mansion.
"…"
"Surprised? I live alone! Why? 'Cause I'm a lottery-winning champ!"
"…"
"Duf! Salty response! No matter, come in!"
"Yeah."
…My voice wouldn't come out right. Been a year.
"You answered my call! I saw you and knew—you're a gem waiting to shine!"
"…Liar."
"No lie! I'm skilled in most things, save one, and I've got an eye for people!"
"…Huh."
Sweaty, but no deceit. I could tell.
"So… what do we do? I can't do much."
"No worries! You just need to experience!"
"…Experience?"
"Yes! Culture! Here's today's quota!"
A mountain of DVDs—anime, piling up.
"…Anime?"
"Unfamiliar? Skipping subculture is missing 90% of life! Even a beauty like you!"
"…Huh…"
Anime. Too busy with lessons to watch before. No interest in middle school.
"Ready to start, but…"
"?"
"Your face, Rikka-dono! That gorgeous face is ruined! Your hair—dull, damaged orange! Too young to give up on femininity! To the bath, now!"
"…Okay?"
"No issue! This mansion's too big for one guy. Pearls before swine, haha!"
"…Got it."
"Thanks…"
Talking to someone… how many years had it been?
Post-bath, Seekermaster, hyped, plops on the grand hall's sofa.
"Finally! That shampoo scent! Hope it masks my stink! No? Darn."
"Thanks. I feel refreshed."
…Somehow, the shampoo and soap washed away my body's grime and aches.
Custom-made, maybe?
"Forget my smell. Anime time! Culture!"
"…I don't know anime…"
"No worries! I picked the best! Let's dive in!"
He fumbles with the remote.
…Anime, huh. Fine.
It was a simple kids' show—Wan-Nyan Kingdom or Something-Man, like that.
Straightforward, easy for kids, no twisted nonsense.
Pure, heartfelt stories that hit you square.
Holding hands, fighting together—simple, timeless.
"…"
It reminded me of innocent, playful days.
My frozen heart began to thaw.
"…—"
Tears wouldn't stop. Overflowing, unstoppable emotion.
"How is it, Fujimaru-dono?"
"…Yeah."
"Culture speaks to cold, broken hearts, right?"
"Yeah…"
"Anime's great, huh?"
"Yeah…!"
Sobbing, snotty, I soaked in the heartwarming tales.
By evening, I'd binged anime all day.
"Godly… animators' art makes humans feel small…"
Sniffle, sob. "It was… amazing."
I was crying, emotions bursting like never before.
"Like it?"
"Yeah…! Why this?"
"Hehe, I chose these for you."
"…Huh?"
"Heard your rumors right after transferring. 'Bitch,' 'thief'—I wanted to see you. One look, and I knew: a dazzling gem nearly swallowed by darkness! Those baseless slanders by worthless fools? Ten seconds to see through! Too long? Haha."
"—"
"I couldn't stand it! A treasure like you, dimmed by nobodies! I had to act. First, your heart—teetering on becoming a living corpse."
"…Why care so much?"
"Huh? Obvious! You'd live looking down forever otherwise."
"…!"
"Life's too short to be warped by others' cruelty, no?"
"Seekermaster-san…"
"Your worth shouldn't stay clouded. Be confident."
"…But I'm not…"
"No, you are. You didn't shun me despite my looks."
…That's—
"It's the same. Don't judge, don't assume, and life gets fun. Letting human biases rule you? Foolish! Laugh, Rikka-dono, like an anime character! You make your life fun!"
"…Yeah…! Yeah…!!"
"It's late. Come back after school! We'll dive deeper!"
"Yeah!!"
My first friend.
From then, I visited daily, devouring anime.
A precious middle school memory.
To be continued, maybe?
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The battle isn't over... and the truth has yet to be revealed. Read the next chapter now on Patreon! [patreon.com/Greyhounds]