Solar Eclipse

        “Ugh, finally off that train. Why was that ride so shitty today?!”

        I had finally gotten to Shibuya station and was making my way to school. As you can tell, by the annoyance in my voice and the irritated look on my face, that train ride was a disaster, it is never usually like this. A total of 3 things happened to me the minute I entered the cabin.

        First, A middle-aged man bumped into me, causing me to drop my phone on the floor and lo and behold, my screen cracked dammit! Now I gotta go and fix that which is gonna cost me!

        Then, I saw someone get up from their seat on the left and since nobody else was sitting in that aisle, I took it. Problem? The seat was wet! Wet with what? I have no clue and I do not want to know! The bottom of my pants is soaked now! I gotta head to the bathroom and try to dry it off as best as I can, this sucks!

        And finally, once the train stopped, I got up from my seat only to slam my forehead on a hanging sign that was inside the train for some reason and it just so happened to be on my side, right above me. Stupid ass advertisements.

        “The hell did that one even say?”

        I turned around just before the train left and looked into the cabin I sat in. The advertisement, coincidentally, was about the solar eclipse happening today.

       -The day Japan falls into darkness. Why’d they make it sound so ominous?

        I mean, yea, I knew it would make the sky dark, I don’t know why they’d word it that way. That’s how you scare children…and maybe certain adults.

        Whatever. I’m just glad that train ride ended, my mood was seriously on the edge of getting more sour had any more stupid shit happen to me.

        As I walked to school, my mind wandered back to the dream again. Honestly, it’s kinda hard to forget a dream like that.

        -Seriously, why did that dream feel so different compared to all my other ones? I gotta be coming down with a fever. I’ve had some crazy fever dreams before, maybe this one is a sign i’m about to get hit with the nastiest fever of my life.

        My thoughts were cut off as I heard the sound of many students. I had reached the gate of my school.

        “Walks pass by quick if your mind is elsewhere I suppose.”

        I look up at the giant school building with our school’s name engraved in the front.

        ICHIBAN HIGH SCHOOL

        “That’s the name.”

        I stared down at the cherry blossom trees lined up on each side as they created a beautiful pathway to the front doors of the school. The sun shining down on the pathway through the trees. It was one of the few things that actually made going to school pleasing to me.

        Yea, I don’t know if I mentioned this before…but I’m not really the biggest fan of school, if that wasn’t obvious enough. I’m in a good school since I worked hard, but I still hate it. I would much rather stay at home all day and keep playing video games.

        -But then I think about all those couch potatoes and…ugh…yea gotta just keep pushing through.

        I walked down the beautiful pathway along with many other students. The difference was that I walked it by myself while the other students had at least one other person with them. Can’t say I’m much of a people person, which is what I meant as well when I said I was pretty much always alone.

        It’s fine enough. Not like people acknowledge my presence that much anyway unless it’s something urgent. I don’t get bullied either so that’s a plus…though being alone still always has its fair share of pros and cons.

        Well, enough about that. I got class in like a few minutes. Better pick up the pace!

-

        “Alright class! Turn to page 145 in your workbook and complete the first three sections in silence for the remaining time left please!”

        The teacher said to our decent class of 35 students. We were currently in our English class so not the most exciting thing ever.

        The classroom was setup with 7 rows of 5 with the desks spread out. Guess where my seat is?

        -In the back right corner baby, the perfect and most optimal spot for loners like me!

        It was a perfect spot for me considering I don’t usually like to be called on to do problems at the board unless I choose to, but I also get the nice view of the window, looking out at the city and the clouds in the sky.

        -What I wouldn’t give to not be here right now

        I had already completed the assignment while she was talking about other things so I just sat there quietly, staring out at the window.

        -And if I’m guessing what you’re thinking, yes, my answers are correct, I double checked and everything, so screw you!

        A hobby of mine I liked to do whenever I finished my work early?

        Making out the shape of the clouds!

        It’s fun for me okay?

        -Hm, lets see. Oh! That one looks like a monkey! A ring-tailed lemur to be specific!

        -The one next to it looks like a really tall pine tree!

        -That one looks like my neighbor’s cat, Rintaro!

        -And that one looks like…..huh…

        The last cloud had my attention for a good while. It was much bigger than the other clouds…but this one looked distinctly in the shape of a dragon. And even more crazy…

        -Why does it look like it’s…moving on its own?

        The fever theory keeps becoming more real with every strange occurrence that happens today. The cloud felt like it was moving on its own. And…I could’ve sworn the cloud had turned in my direction. It was hard to tell…but the shape of this cloud was much more structured which made it easier to make out rather than being large masses of fluff clumped together randomly to create a totally random shape. No…this one feels…intentional?

        -Still…I should snap a photo-

        …

        I dropped my head on the desk. I forgot my phone broke earlier and the screen got damaged, making it totally unusable

        “Damn it all…”

        Still, I looked back at the sky to see that the dragon shaped mass was no longer there. I had only looked away for a split second and the cloud had managed to disappear on me.

        -It’s like the universe wants to ruin my mood today…geez.

        Oh well, it’s gone now.

        I proceeded to keep guessing shapes of the clouds for the little time I had left in class. Though I was less invested in it now since the rest of the clouds were not nearly as good as the dragon one.

-

        The bell had rung and I made my way to the cafeteria since it was now lunch time. It was extremely packed, well, only because I took my sweet time getting ready that I was behind and now the whole cafeteria was filled with students in less than 30 seconds.

        “What a pain…oh well, I’ll just grab my usual and find a seat somewhere.”

        I went through the line and got myself some Katsudon, a side bowl of salad, and a box of strawberry milk.

        One problem however…

        -This damn cafeteria is so full that I can’t even find a seat!

        I looked around the whole place. Full. All the seats were taken. Even the singular seats on those high-top counters by the windows were all taken, and we students always skip a seat so that we don’t have to sit next to anyone! If you break that cardinal rule, you’re a weirdo!

        -I’m already a loner, I don’t need weirdo being an added title for me!

        Well, since there were no tables. I had to go with the other option. Outside in the courtyard…which didn’t totally suck thank god. Nothing interesting happened though so I had an overall peaceful lunch…

-

       I managed to finish up my lunch swiftly. Since the solar eclipse viewing event was happening soon, I made sure to head back to my classroom to grab my sunglasses. I heard that staring directly at the solar eclipse without any type of protection on the eyes can cause you to go blind and I kinda like having my vision.

        -Wouldn’t be able to play video games anymore if I didn’t have my vision.

        I made my way out to the big courtyard where many students and teachers were gathered. The courtyard was enormous, like the size of a football field, and it was right by a large river so it was a really nice scenery.

        I found my class and slid in without anybody noticing, not like they would care if I was there or not…

        -If it’s this easy, I might as well just sneak out all the time.

         I could hear everyone loudly chatting about the solar eclipse

        “Oh my god! We gotta get the best pics ever!”

        “Dude, we should prank someone once it goes dark.”

        “I heard today was going to be a ‘Jet Black Solar Eclipse’. We definitely have to do something once it goes completely dark!”

        “That sounds so scary! Hold me Kisuke-kun!”

        “You’re such a scaredy-cat, Hina-Chan. Come here.”

        “Can’t wait for Japan to fall into darkness!”

        That part was news to me. I thought this was just going to be a normal solar eclipse where the sky becomes decently dark for a few minutes.

        -Can’t really ask anybody about it since I have no friends or good social skills..sigh…but I guess that’s what that advertisement on the train meant.

        Still, the advertisement didn’t say any specifics about what type of solar eclipse it was…

        Honestly, I could think about it later. I heard the previous chatter turns into people pointing upwards and shouting with excitement—fear from some of the girls—as the solar eclipse was beginning. The moon was moving, ever so slowly, but it was indeed moving into the view of the sun.

        I scrambled to put my glasses on as I nearly forgot and was very close to losing my precious eyesight.

        “Agh- get on you!”

        After a few minor seconds of fumbling with my hands to get them on, I did, thankfully, also ended up hitting my nose in the process so that was nice. Also had some people glancing my way with a weirded out and concerned expression. I just…ignored them and pretended nothing was wrong. Smooth. Way to go me.

        -I’m so lame sometimes. Oh well, I’ll just forget that ever happened. I have more important things to focus on.

        I looked up and watched as the moon moved more and more in front of the sun. I could hear the voices of excitement across all the different classes, including mine, scattered all across the courtyard.

        As the moon kept moving, the sky began to gradually become darker. It was as if the day to night cycle was happening at an extremely accelerated pace. After a few seconds, it became totally black. Almost near Jet Black to be more specific. The clouds were still somewhat visible and buildings across the water were also visible but it was hard to see the things around me.

        “Wow. This is amazing!”

        I look up again and see the moon was near 100% fully covering the sun. It was totally black but it looked as though it had a glowing white ring surrounding its body outline. It was incredible to look at!

        -Yea…I’m definitely getting a picture of this. You two need to see this for sure!

        Funny enough, I did actually have a real camera in my bag. It was for a school project about nature and I opted for the easiest part, which was to take pictures. I like the easy way of doing schoolwork. I thankfully remembered to snag my camera along with my glasses after lunch. I was planning on whipping out my phone again but…yea you know what happened. I can be occasionally forgetful, but it works out in the end. Why I didn’t take it out during class to get the pic of the dragon cloud?

        1. It’s too big so everyone would notice me whip it out

        2. It’s loud so the teacher would hear

        3. …I simply forgot….shut up.

        “Heh, this one’s gonna be for the books.”

        I raise the camera up to the sky and let it focus in on the moon for a few seconds. I was so focused on getting the perfect shot that I happened to not notice the changes that were occurring all around me.

        The chatter and excitement of the students all across the courtyard had disappeared entirely.

        The sky, buildings, and everything else around me had gone from near jet black to completely black.

        And I started to feel chilly even though it was said to be a pretty hot day. I brushed it off as the wind coming in since I was so locked into taking the picture

SNAP SNAP SNAP

        I grinned as I finished getting in a few pictures.

        “Perfection. Man, these are so cool! Wish…I could show these to someone…

        …

        “These will get to you at least, Mom. Dad.”

        I sighed as I kept looking down at the photos.

        “Maybe…if I show them the pictures…”

        I finally turned to my classmates that I sneaked next to so I could show them the pictures I took.

        “H-hey…check out these-”

        Nothing. I was staring at pure black. Actually, I took the time to check my surroundings, spinning all around me and seeing nothing but black.

        -What the hell...? Where is everyone?! Is this part of the solar eclipse???

        I can’t lie, I was freaking out a bit. I kept rubbing my eyes, constantly turning my head, but nothing. It was pure black as far as the I can see. Hell, I was standing on what I thought was the grass but when I knelt down and felt the ground, it definitely wasn’t grass. Just pure black with no feeling of anything at all.

        I still have all my stuff. My camera, my ID, even my broken phone.

        “Dammit! What the fuck is going on?!”

        I then froze. I looked up to rays of light shining down on me, very bright lights. I was so caught up in the fact that everything turned black that I somehow didn’t notice the lights shining down on me.

        Then I fully looked up to see the solar eclipse was…still there?

        “What…?”

        -Wait…

        I stared up at the eclipse. The moon was still completely black with the white light of the sun making its outline glow. I’m not sure why but I just felt like I had to remember that dream I had today. Back to the final words I heard from that woman.

        -Stop the eclipses…stop the….eclipses? What did she mean by that?

Is this all related..?

        -No..it couldn’t…but it was just a dream…I don’t-

        I went to put my hand on my face to try and think about it and I just realized something…

        pat

        pat

        pat

        -…where the hell are my glasses…?

        I instantly removed my hand from my face and swiftly moved my head to look down at the ground. I then saw that my glasses were somehow on the ground and shattered to bits. When did that happen? I don’t have the foggiest idea.

        “GOD DAMMIT! HOW THE FUCK DOES THIS HAPPEN?! GREAT! I SPENT A SHIT TON OF YEN ON THOSE GLASSES! DID THEY BREAK WHILE I WAS FOCUSED ON GETTING THAT STELLAR SHOT?? OH MY GOD-”

        I then stopped shouting as I came to the realization.

        -I was looking up at the eclipse before…but my glasses…

        I took in a deep breath and made the ballsy move to look up again at the eclipse. My eyes were closed shut but I slowly opened them and stared directly at it.

        ……….

        Nothing.

        No excruciating burning pain

        No eyesight loss

        Hell, my vision wasn’t getting blurry either

        “That…doesn’t seem right…”

        My eyes were fine…but I’ve seen videos of what happens when people look directly into a solar eclipse. Nothing happening to me does not make sense.

        Then I saw it…

        -Wait…what the…what the hell is that…?

        Something white had appeared in the middle of the eclipse. A white dot in the middle of the dark moon that kept getting closer and closer.

        As it kept getting closer, I felt my heart beating fast and a cold sweat run down the side of my face. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. That cloud earlier, I totally thought it was just a cool coincidence. I guess with that dream, and those signs I experienced earlier from the moment I woke up till now, I should’ve been able to guess this faster.

        “No way…”

        “…is that a dragon..”