Colorful Gray World

"That plan seems easy to follow."

"Yeah, I think I can do that."

Masato and Ko both gave me a thumbs up.

"You just stay here, Masami. I know you can't help us."

"Alright. I'm interested to see how this goes, Noboru."

Peeking around the corner, I saw the robot on the other of the room.

"The Coast is clear for now, proceed."

Masato quickly ran to an aisle that was close to the robot, and Ko ran to the opposite aisle.

"We're on our positions."

"Great, bring out the wire."

As we were making the plan, we found an old thick metal wire laying on the ground, which made this plan even more simple.

Ko threw the end of the line towards Masato, and they both lowered it.

"We're ready."

With everything set in place, I jumped in front of the aisle, and started rushing towards the robot.

"HEY! YOU METALLIC SCRAP!"

Even if the robot couldn't hear, I always wanted to say that to a robot.

The robot was looking around, and when he saw me rushing at him, he rushed at me. When I got close to him, I ran into the aisle to my left. The robot didn't notice the wire, as he tripped over it, falling to the ground.

Perfect!

With the robot on the ground, I pulled out the Shock Gun from my bag and aimed it towards its head.

"Sorry, robot, but your time is up."

I fired a huge ball of electricity, which destroyed its head into pieces.

"I have to give you credit, Masato for bringing the Shock Gun."

Turning around, I saw that Masato was puking on the floor.

"Oh, dude, are you alright?! I knew this could happen!"

"I-I'm fine. It's just my stomach."

"This will be the 100th time we have to go to a hospital!"

"You have to admit that what we're doing is dangerous, so it's not a shock."

"Of course, Ko! That's why I try to protect you all, by taking the riskiest role."

"A-Aww. That's so s-sweet, Noboru."

"Who is at fault for letting you eat that chocolate?"

"I-I know... But t-they could've s-stopped me."

"Excuse me? When and how could I have stopped you?"

"Y-You're right. I-I'm just kidding."

"Yeah, you're the white haired comedian!"

"Y-You know what, t-that's actually n-not that bad."

"Anyway, Masami, you can come out now!"

"Alright!"

She looked around the corner before running towards us.

"You sure did a number on him."

Ko and I laughed at that.

"What is funny?"

Masami was oblivious to the pun she accidentally made.

"T-That's not fair! I-I'm the-"

Masato threw up again.

"Okay, Masami, could you take him to the hospital?"

"Yes."

She picked up Masato on her back, before running downstairs.

"You have the can, right, Ko?"

"Yes, here."

Ko handed the argon.

"I swear, these scientists will make hell of earth one day, if they keep on continuing their researches."

"That's why we're here! To clean up after them!"

"Your enthusiasm is astonishing."

"T-Thanks."

Wait, did she get flustered? No... There's no way...

"Listen, Noboru..."

"I'm sorry, but could we talk when we finish this?"

"Yeah, no problem!"

I squatted down next to the robot, and put the can inside the hole.

"Run!"

We both rushed down the stairs, but it was a little too late, since the explosion already started.

"Hurry!"

Passing the counter, I noticed that Ko wasn't behind me.

"KO!"

"I-I'm here!"

Running towards the voice, I found her leg stuck under the part of the ceiling.

"Hold on, I'll get you out!"

I tried pushing the rubble, but it didn't budge.

"Noboru, there's no time! Run!"

"I'm not leaving you behind! Not after everything we've gone through!"

Tears streamed down my face.

"If nothing, I'll die with you!"

"You can't die! You have to beat this game!"

"But I can't! Not without you!"

The second floor of the supermarket started heavily collapsing onto us. A huge part of ceiling almost fell on me.

"What do I have to say, so that you could go?!"

"You can say anything, honestly, but that won't change my mind!"

"You idiot! GET OUT!"

She started crying.

"I WON'T!"

"WHY!?"

My heart raced so fast, that I didn't hold back from answering.

'BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!"

Her eyes went wide.

"You... you love me?"

"YES! ALWAYS DID! ALWAYS WILL! YOU SHOWED ME THIS COLORFUL GRAY WORLD!"

"Colorful gray world?!"

"THE COLORFUL YOU, AND GRAY ME, THAT IS THE WORLD I LIVE IN!"

"You... YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU SAY SOMETHING SO SWEET TO ME RIGHT NOW!"

We were both crying, and the supermarket almost collapsed onto us.

"You do not mean-"

"YES! I LOVE YOU TOO, YOU IDIOT!"

At that moment, she pulled me in for a kiss. When she broke off, she pushed me, and the rubble fell in between us, trapping Ko.

"KO!"

"GET OUT!"

"KO!"

"GET OUT!"

"KO!"

"GET-"

A rubble from the ceiling fell on the place she was. A splash. 

Splash.

Splash.

Splash.

Splash.

This is all just a dream. Wake up.

Wake up.

Wake up.

Wake up.

"WAKE UP, DAMMIT! WAKE UP!"

Nothing.

"KO!"

Nothing.

"KO!"

She's there. She's still there.

"COME OUT!"

The explosion stopped, and most of the roof collapsed.

"IT STOPPED! YOU CAN COME OUT NOW!"

Answer me.

"PLEASE SAY SOMETHING!"

Nothing...

"AGHHH!"

I fell to my knees, feeling absolute despair.

"GOD! GIVE HER BACK! GIVE HER TO ME!"

My tears never stopped, they continued falling.

"Why..."

"You never know if you don't try!"

"Hey, Noboru!"

"I'm your friend! You can tell me if you have any problems!"

"No-bo-ru!"

"HGH!"

Where did you go? I don't know. Can you tell me, Ko?

Will I see you tomorrow?

Will you come to my house to clean it up?

Will you pout at me?

Because I don't know. I'm here, kneeling before you, waiting for you to tell me.

"Why aren't you answering, you idiot? Don't leave... Our adventure had just begun! We didn't go to the forest, we didn't go to that hill, we didn't go to the swimming pool, and other locations we have yet to discover."

My whole body was shaking.

"H-Hey Ko, I-I'm g-gray without you! S-So could you p-please..."

I place my hands in front of me and bow.

"Return t-that color?"

TO BE CONTINUED IN VOL 2.