A Start To Something Big

It has been two months since I revealed my past to Ko. Nothing much has changed since. Masato kept on teasing me and Ko and always got beaten up. Because of that, other girls hated Sera and left her out of the girl group. Even when Masato reassured them it was all normal, they still didn't want to talk to her. Ko was perfectly fine with that, as she just wanted to spend time with us. My feelings of guilt still lingered, but I could think more about myself now. With that improvement, I had enough courage to talk to Masato about my past. At first, he was worried about my mental state, but as time went on, he relaxed to the point where he almost forgot about it.

Today was the 22nd of December and New Year was nearing. We made plans to go to a local park to watch fireworks together. 

I was now walking to school with Ko and Masato, who joined in on our commute a few weeks ago, saying that he felt lonely while walking.

"And when she said she wanted to go out with me I couldn't reject! She was so cute at the moment that my heartbeat rose!"

"Wow, Masato finally got a girlfriend!"

Ko said enthusiastically, the news not shocking her.

"Yeah, I thought you had at least two girlfriends before or more."

"Why do you think that I'm a lady's guy, Noboru?"

"Because every one of them wants to be your girlfriend."

"You're kidding, right?!"

We both look at him with a deadpan expression.

After getting to school, I take in a breath of freedom.

"You're lucky he's being repaired."

Masato had a huge grin.

"Yeah! I can't express the happiness I feel about not having to run away from "him"."

Classes were going on as normal as they always do. Nothing special!

With the last bell, I rush towards the clubroom. Recently, I joined the art club, seeing as I enjoyed drawing. It was awkward with the other members for a while, before we opened up to each other through art. That feeling of connection was comforting.

"Noboru! You're early again."

The president, Kiyabu Teruo, is a third year who is an expert when it comes to oil painting. He is kind, and everyone gets along with him.

"Yeah, I'm motivated right now, so I want to quickly capture this feeling."

"Then, go on! You don't have to wait for others."

With that, I started drawing. In my last class, which was geography, I never really noticed the beauty of Earth. The globe gave me an inspiration for this piece.

Finished, I stand up and slowly present my piece to the club.

"Woah! That's beautiful!"

"It's a unique perspective!"

Some members said. The drawing contained a bunch of shapes and a large circle with a person holding his hands up. I wanted to represent the beginning of the Earth, the creation of Earth.

As club activities finished, I met up with Ko and Masato. Masato joined the flight club, and Ko joined the school's event organizer club because she wanted to walk back with us and be somehow productive.

"How was art club today?"

"Nothing special... What about flight club?"

"That girl Kaori that asked me out couldn't focus today, so I stayed on the bench for today..."

"You Ko?"

"We are planning on holding a Christmas party on the 28th of December! The preparations for it are almost done!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about the winter break!"

When we reached the transport point, my handphone rang.

"Huh? An unknown caller?"

"Maybe they called the wrong number?"

Masato suggested.

I pick up the call. 

"Hello?"

"Hello, Sako. It has been quite some time."

I froze in place when I heard the voice.

"You..."

"Yes, I'm the one who killed your parents."

My body started to shake.

"W-What do you want?"

"There's no need to be scared. I just want to play a game with you."

A hologram of the guy's body shape appeared through my phone.

"I want your friends to compete too."

"This guy..."

They both muttered.

"It's a simple game. I planted around 10 containers with a large amount of Insergen around the city. In one week, they'll all explode, covering the whole city in Insergen and teleporting them to the Insergen that I'll dispense with an airplane. Of course, the Insergen from transport points will combine with mine. You can't tell anyone, as I have spies following you. If you tell, I'll detonate it all immediately. Do you understand?"

We all just stood there, shaking in fear.

"H-How can we believe you?"

"See that guy across the street?"

We look, and see a businessman across the street.

After a few seconds, he disappeared.

"W-What d-did you do to him?!"

I screamed.

A few moments later, a scream, followed by a loud splash was heard from across.

"The businessman..."

We all turn away and puke into the bushes.

"Do you believe me now?"

"H-How did you do that?!"

"I put an electronic device on some people that frees Insergen at the push of a button."

"Then how are we supposed to find these containers?"

"I left you some clues at your home. It wouldn't be a game without something to play with."

"I-I have one more question... W-Why are you doing this?! Why chose me?"

There was a moment of silence.

"Those are two questions. First, because I was bored of killing! I wanted something new! Something that would excite me! And this idea truly made me excited! Second is because you were my only victim who survived."

"...okay. I'll ask you a question if we win."

"About your parents? There's no need for that. I simply killed them 'cause they worked at the Insergen company and had access to a huge amount of Insergen."

"I-I'm shocked you r-revealed that so easily."

"There's nothing for me to hide. I'll even introduce myself!"

The guy cleared his throat.

"I'm the 22nd of the Numbers, Korosu! I'm glad we'll be able to play this game of mine, Sako Noboru!"

With that, he hung up.

"Guys, I think that-"

"We're going to help you!"

They both cut me off.

"I don't want you getting in danger! This is my problem!"

"Didn't our talk with us make you learn something?! Some things you can't do alone!"

Ko came up to me with an angry face.

"Yeah, I agree! There's no way you could pull this off alone!"

Masato jumped in.

"Guys..."

I looked at them. Both of them seemed determined.

"Alright! We're doing this together!"