Glimpses from the Past

This can’t possibly be happening.

I HAVE to be dreaming.

Getsurin held his palm tightly over his left eye, now at rest and able to get his thoughts realigned, there was an unthinkable heat pressing on his left eye. The heat started almost the moment he had the altercation with the crazed man, but that heat was simply buried with all the other sensations that come with unwanted company.

The local police had to get a statement from Getsurin which obviously aligned with what others and the camera saw. During that time he learned that the man was Shu Yuzuriha, as guessed, a titular denizen of the Akihabara’s night clubs, and one who has multiple run-ins with the authorities for drunken belligerence. However, those were always, always, during the evening or middle of the night. This encounter was a clear morning, which even confused the authorities, even further, he wasn’t even intoxicated. But he sure seemed to be on something, considering the manner in which he was aggressively demanding for Getsurin’s…

“Eye…”

Getsurin voiced, unnerved at the possibility that this Mr. Yuzuriha fellow somehow knew that his left eye was special. Wondering if that man had his own special eye and needed Getsurin’s for whatever purpose. Wondering if that’s the case, then why was the aggression so strong with him but not me?

The idea then escalated to one even more worrisome. Could there be others? If they are, then they’d surely be looking for him or others like him. The thought forced a sigh of annoyance that his life may have just gotten a little more complicated. Nevertheless, his life may be in danger too.

As he ruminated on the idea, he quickly realized that airing on the side of caution wouldn’t be a bad idea. To then reflect on the new moves he somehow knew, he should be able to at the very least stall any attackers while the authorities arrive to save him. And still wondering where that even came from… Shu said he’s a black belt. Getsurin recalled, that must be what? Something with martial arts? The question soon faded since it wasn’t too important as he needed to maintain his initial objective to learn about this new eye, before asking what it can do.

⊜ ⊜ ⊜

Getting off of the train, Getsurin figured that it may be best to avoid the crowds, guessing that any potential attackers are likely floating within them. Not one to take the back routes to a given location, but does know them well as some days can be so overbearing that avoiding the cacophony of exciting persons wandering throughout Akihabara is best left to the street merchants.

Another thought soon sped into Getsurin’s head. “Wait. What the hell do I even ask the doctor?” He paused as he spoke to himself in the middle of a shallow neighborhood. Obviously he can’t say that his eye was forced out by one that fell from a plane. Perhaps, a general examination would work. That would make sense, he hasn’t had an update of his glasses in god knows how long so a check up should make enough sense to develop a few unusual questions for the optometrist.

With his new found skills he instinctively whipped his body around 180 degrees. Quickly realizing that his body moved before his mind did, he understood the reaction was prompted because of an unfamiliar tap on the shoulder.

“Uh, watch it! I know… Kung fu.” Getsurin stutters slightly, glancing at his surroundings, trying to maintain the same speed with his body and mind. Even striking the pose of a martial arts master.

“Relax, I'm not like that guy whose ass you just beat…” Overly casual, the person spoke with a cadence that should be feminine but hides a brutish charm.

“You saw that? You’ve been following me?” Getsurin quickly questioned as he stared down a native to japanese punk culture: layered by shirts with dark, jagged color composition, clocked by a holey sweatshirt, and all oversized. Overtly tight jeans, and shoes with tired colors.

“I was on the train for one of its stops when I saw you, and I just had to say something.” Bobbed her head around at the idea, unsure if following is the right statement.

“So you know what's going on?”

“I have no idea, but I do know that there is strength in numbers.”

“You can’t be serious, I don't know you.”

“You really forgot, haven't you? Well, I didn’t recognize you right away I suppose, growing up and all.”

A breeze of awkward silence flowed between the two: Getsurin could only stare at the supposed stranger, while his master martial arts pose changed to a crippled Mantis, trying his damnedest to dig up a memory of this person.

The woman sighed with defeat to quickly raise her hands in the air, “Once I conquer the mountains, then everyone will tremble at my true power!!!” She shouted, squeezing her voice to mimic her childish self.

A chill of nostalgia ran throughout Getsurin’s body. One with so much comfort that he wished he could go to that place and stay there. The cooled serenity of the mountain town they played in. Getsurin froze from the flood of memories as a child and the joy of curiosity he once had, as if he relived every moment that brought him a smile.

“Kayano…?” He uttered in a soft breath, one that longs for simpler times.

The woman broke a harsh cough, indicating that something was wrong with what he just mumbled.

“Oh, yeah, I mean, Kay—Um… You... look... different.”

“How so?” Kayano, Kay, questioned as she began to walk, continuing the path Getsurin was originally on.

Getsurin paused for a moment before following, still somewhat frozen from the nostalgia. Kay’s brutish composure is something he didn’t miss too much, yet he was glad that she’s just as he remembered. Finding within him a comforting sensation that he hasn’t felt in years.

“Never mind, what's your situation with all this? Did you pick up an eye or something?"

“Is that what happened to you?”

“Yeah, it hurt like hell.”

“Yup, I certainly picked up… Something.” Kay slightly hugged herself as she recalled the memory. “So on my commute yesterday, I saw a shiny glare in the ground, way after, you know…” She glanced at Getsurin.

“It was this fleshy thing. Kinda in the shape of a crooked heart, almost glowing. And the second I touched it. Puncture straight into my hand.” She continued with harsh hand gestures. “Then my whole body spiked with pain, then puked clumps of blood. And…” She paused, like one would for a scary story. “It was over, no pain. People gathered around me, asking if I was okay, I thanked them and just went home... Work, uh, wasn't too happy that I called off again, heh, but this was clearly different.” She giggled with light guilt to end her story.

“You're not going to school?” Getsurin asked, seemingly more worried about her personal life than the strange anomalies they share.

“Yup, a ronin.”

“Why are you in Tokyo, then?”

“Work… obviously.”

“Shouldn’t you be in school.” She quickly criticized.

“Called off to see the doctor.” He rebutted.

“Do you live around here then?”

“No, I live in Akihabara, my mom was able to get a great deal on an apartment and we’ve been living there ever since. Which means going anywhere else is a bit of a hassle.” He groaned.

“Is your mom well?”

“Yeah, she’s in Seoul for a few weeks for work.”

“That’s great… Good thing you two moved.” Kay forced a small smile, struggling not to frown at the memory of when Getsurin moved.

“Yeah, in a weird way.”

In most situations Getsurin would have reflected the question and asked how her parents were. However, as he remembered their friendship, he recalled that she spent a lot of time at his home because of complications with her household dynamics. Which is why she firstly asked how his mother was doing. Kay had clear affection towards his mother as she never hesitated to have Kay spend the night or join them for dinner.

Likewise, Kay also knew to only ask about Getsurin’s mother, avoiding his own complicated topic of his father. Even though they’ve been apart over 5 years, they still remember aspects of one another’s lives that most would never know of.

“Come on, get a coffee with me before I have to get to work.” She joyfully hopped in front of Getsurin.

“I don't drink coffee.” He answered with a concerned brow.

“Aannd…?” She prolonged, leaning closer to him. “Unless, you really need to see a doctor…” She cleverly pondered.

“Well, the more I think about it, they’ll probably just send me to a lab for study.”

“Then it's settled.”

Kay exhaled a joyous titter, maintaining a smile that could cure sickness. While Getsurin felt the corners of his mouth curl at an unexpected excitement.