Hindsight’s Turn

Getsurin has a habit of suppressing complicated issues that often go on within Japan. Politics was never his forte, not because he didn't want to get involved, it's because he founded the idea that one person can never make the difference that so many politicians claim they can make. Now that much of the crazed events that have consumed most of the news are of course the primary topics of discussion for the political sphere. Not the people that are at risk.

Dozens of power hungry people trying to use the mayhem to their advantage and justify their beliefs that were challenging at best. Ever since the inciting incident, about three major political leaders stepped down from their positions, not too uncommon for Japan, but nonetheless, considering the circumstances in which they stepped away. Another reason for Getsurin to avoid all talks of the current political climate.

“Damn, haven’t been able to react that fast in awhile."

Getsurin, at one of the nearby tennis courts with a ball machine for his only company, notices that his reaction speed has improved quite a bit. Considering that he hasn’t been in a competition since his first year of high school and only plays when he wants to shut out the world. A semi enjoyable distraction. Not even realizing that the most probable reason why he’s improved has something to do with his new eye. Almost a skill on its own that he can disregard the loud world from this simple game.

He sat on the bench to have some water, huffing from the near hour session of constant play. He studied his left hand for a moment, as if something had changed about it then moved his hand by his eye. Oh, right, keep forgetting. He thought, remembering that he hasn’t worn his glasses for three days, the day he gained the eye. Still stuck in the habit to adjust them when a bothersome thought pops in his head.

Getsurin finally sighed. Breath warm from the intensive sport and the ever growing madness. Thankfully another distraction took his mind away, his phone was vibrating something fierce.

“Hello?”

[RinRin! Isn’t that the nickname your mom gave you?]

“Surin, she still does.”

[Oh, yeah, that’s right, anywhooo, how are you doing?]

Getsurin paused, Kay gave him an unexpected call, her pleasantly loud self sounded clearly through the phone. She must be in a good mood.

“Good, just playing some tennis.”

[Since when do you play tennis?]

“5, 6, I think, but our quaint mountain town didn’t have much of a tennis court."

[Ahh, makes sense, are you any good?]

“Yeah, I won a few competitions in middle school.”

[Well, would you look at that, little all star.]

“Anyway, is there something you want?”

[No, it's called chatting, Mr. Social. And anyway, shouldn’t you be in school right now?]

“No. School’s been canceled until the government gets their act together.”

[No kidding.]

“Wait a minute, if you are so concerned with my schooling, then why would you call me during school hours?” He barked.

[I don't know, to get you in trouble in the middle of class cause your phone rang.]

“Whatever!” He groaned. “Did you really just want to chat?”

[Goodness, there’s just no way you’re your mother’s child. She’s an absolute angel.]

Getsurin just remained silent, and Kay could actually hear his contorted scowl he so forcefully made.

[Alright, fine, I did want to chat, but I was also wondering if you talked with Zuina at all?]

“No, why would I do that?”

[It's called common courtesy, geez, what happened to that cheerful, optimistic boy I grew up with?]

“Burgeoning adulthood, I suppose.”

[Okay Peter Pan—Just shoot Zuina a quick message asking how her brother is. And—I saw how you were so focused on her.]

“Huh?! I don’t even know what you're talking about.”

[Oh, come on Surin, she’s, like, insanely cute: super soft skin, button nose, well kept hair, AND a great career path. What more could you want! That’s like a ten out of ten in everyone’s book! I bet she can cook, too!] Kay gushed over Zuina’s subtle yet clear beauty.

“Again, no idea what you’re talking about.”

[Okay, dude, just do it… I… I just think we’ll need good friends like her.]

Kay’s honesty slipped through the cracks. Although true, she did want to catch up with Getsurin, but the reason may have some motivations driven by lingering anxiety.

[Wait!]

“What?”

Kay’s tone instantly changed to eagerness.

[Well, well, speak of the devil and he shall appear.]

“What?! What is it?!”

[You lucked out, I just got a text from Zuina, she said her brother is feeling a lot better and wants us to explain what’s been going on to him.]

“She can’t do that?”

[Yeah, I guess he wants to hear it from us personally, and we might be able to learn something from his story.]

“That or he’ll kill us.”

[Dude, even if that were to happen, we’d have to beat his ass again.]

“I think we should have reported him to the police.”

[No, you saw him, whatever that thing was, it wasn't him. Something clearly had control over his actions, because he completely stopped the moment he saw Zuina.] Kay profusely defended as if Zuina and Yuuichirou were her kin.

“Alright, alright, I should be a little more understanding, I guess.” Getsurin concedes to Kay’s passion. “As you were saying, does she want us to stop by today?”

[Yeah, is that fine with you? Or did you have school work to do?] Kay mocked.

“Obviously not, I’ll be there in 30 minutes.”

[Cool see you there.]

⊙ ⊙ ⊙

“Ah, you’re here.” Zuina sighed with relief at the sight of Kay and Getsurin.

“Sure did.” Getsurin mentioned, as Zuina invited them both in.

“Thanks for visiting, I just need to talk about this madness with someone else, there’s so much going on.”

“No problem, happy to be here.” Kay replied, as the two customarily took their shoes off.

Seconds later the two froze the moment they saw Yuuichirou in the living room. Before they could react, he forced his body to a perfect right angle, “I am so terribly sorry for my inconsiderate actions!”

“See—he’s nice.” Kay whispered to Getsurin, jabbing him with her elbow.

“Oh, don't worry about it, really, we’re just like you. Trying to survive all of this.” Said Kay.

“Still, that should have never happened, it is inexcusable." Yuuichirou straightened himself. “I have been sober for four and a half years. I should be able to control myself, no matter the situation.”

“Yuu had problems with addiction, but has been sober for quite some time.” Zuina chimed in to clear any lingering confusion.

“Congratulations.” Kay was first to support Yuuichirou’s journey.

“Wait…” Getsurin spoke, pondering

“What’s up?” Kay asked.

“Well, I was wondering why Yuuichirou acted the way he did and you and I were perfectly fine.”

“Are you about to say that Yuu’s addiction had something to do with it?” Zuina quickly caught onto Getsurin’s perspective.

“Maybe, the guy I fought the day after I got my eye. He apparently had substance abuse with alcohol.”

“That’s what it felt like… That hunger from beyond, the starvation, that… Ferocious obstinacy for the next high. It felt the same when I was in that monstrous form.” Yuuichirou’s knuckles turned pale with silent anger at the uncontrollable horror.

“But you seem fine now?” Kay asked, as she sat on the coach with a squirrel plushy.

“I sure hope so, truly the entire experience was just like those awful nights, damaged memory from impulsive bingers.” Yuuichirou restrained his frustrations.

“This really is like a nightmare.” Kay murmured.

“Should we make a plan, or something? I mean, it doesn’t seem like anyone is going to help us much.” Getsurin proposed.

“A survival plan.” Kay added, voice low.

“Yeah, who knows how much worse this could get.” Yuuichirou agreed. "There's bound to be more people like us and they might not be so considerate with their new abilities." He continued.

“So what? What kind of plan should we use?” Kay asked.

“Well, I think we should have as much information on this as possible, so we don’t leave anything to chance.” Getsurin added.

“So I…” Zuina spoke up, as the others looked at her. “I have a thing… One sec.” She then stood up and walked to her office.

The others waited in silence as they were curious what she’s doing. After a few moments have passed, Zuina wheels out a movable board, reaching the same heights as her. To then park it in front of the three.

“I’m supposed to use this for development and blueprint drawings, but I do all that stuff in class, so this ends up collecting dust, hehe.” Zuina explained with an awkward giggle. “And on this side uses dry erase markers so I drew a thing or two…”

On the drawing board were several well illustrated plots and informational detail of everything that has occurred over the past week. From the event to the ensuing madness, even details that may be related before the event even happened. Dozens of connecting ideas that will certainly help illuminate the small group of their changing situation.

“Ina, this is very impressive.” Yuuichirou promoted her sister.

“Yeah, this will be a lot of help.” Getsurin added, actually smiling for the first time.

“What’s ‘Bio-Mage’?” Kay asked.

“Oh, that’s just the name I gave, well, you three… We can change it, hehe.” Zuina started to blush.

“No, I think it makes sense.” Getsurin pondered, studying the drawing board. “We found this magical body part that gave us fantastical abilities.” He explained. As both Kay and Yuuichirou provide their own compliments.

“Ah, thanks everyone.” Zuina places both hands over her warming cheeks as the outlook on their futures begins to brighten.