Chapter 35

I sit outside of Doctor Itu’s study. Next to me, on the ground, sits Hibiki. She quietly stares into the infinite void in front of her.

After stopping the fight Miss Cho brought the three of them to Doctor Itu’s office. Iwata and Okubo entered first and got treated. This also because their wounds were way worse than the one Hibiki got.

I also accompanied them since… Well, I am somehow a part of all of this, am I not?

I slowly poke at Hibiki.

“Why is there such a rivalry between you?”

“Rivalry? I would call it a rivalry if we were close to me.” She was smiling a little bit after saying this. I sigh.

“No, seriously… Why is there such a… I don’t even know what to call it… Why does he hate you so much?”

“Isn’t that obvious? I am better than him. That’s it.”

“Can one really be hated that much just because they are good at something? Are you sure you didn’t do anything to him?”

She looks straight ahead. She seems to take her time to think for a few minutes.

“Well, you can see that it is possible. After all, I never did anything to him. In fact, I never do anything to anyone.”
“You did kick him in the balls the other day.”

She smiles a bit again. “Yeah, he deserves that. After all, he is constantly trying to kill me.”

I was shocked by how easily she brushed it off… and even more shocked by how easily Iwata wanted to kill someone!

No, shock does not capture that emotion at all. Does neither of the two know just what death truly is? How horrifying it is? How horrifying it feels to kill someone… to destroy the existence of a being with your own hands?

Who knows. Maybe - and I do not like that idea at all - I was just being immature? No, that’s not an option… I know for sure how it feels. I know both how it feels to lose someone dear to me and I know how it feels to erase someone.

“You should make up… This kind of relationship isn’t good for either of you.”

“I don’t care about my relationship with anyone. Anyone can hate me for all I care. Humans suck anyways.”

I keep quiet for a bit. I have to think about what I am going to say to her.

“You really think so?”

“Yes. That’s why I don’t like talking.”

“And yet we are talking.”

“...”

“Man is a social being. Being alone sucks, trust me…”

“I’d love being alone.”

I slap her.

“I remember the time I was alone. It was not a long time. In fact, it was far shorter than I normally sleep. I was not truly alone if you want to say it like that… but, despite that, the short time I was fully alone after my village and my people were annihilated was the worst time I had ever felt. Even if my current situation does not come close - and never will come close - to the happiness I felt back then, I appreciate it. Being connected with other people and just knowing that someone exists that knows of your existence… That someone will tell your story once you vanish from this world… Feels good.”

I smile. Hibiki keeps quiet for a while.

“Okay. Then do that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Tell me of the people you have lost. Tell me of their story.”

“Hira was my best friend for as long as I can remember. We practically grew up together. I ended up getting a crush on her… She was the sweetest girl you could possibly imagine. Just think of the perfect girl and make her even sweeter… Then you’ve got Hira.” I smile when thinking about my past. “We ran around town each day. There was no reason why we were running most of the time… but simply running did feel good. Running, knowing there was someone who was running just the same as you were. Just running made me feel so alive… I kept on running for hours at a time.

We were eating good food, laughing… Just… The usual stuff, you know?

There was this festival… and that night there was… something happened. Something special.

I do not know whether or not it actually happened until today… But I did kiss her that day. At least that’s what it feels like.

I think that was the greatest day I have ever lived.”

I smile, sunken into memory.

Iwata and Okubo leave the study. They look at me, then they look at Hibiki. Soon enough they leave. Hibiki stands up and quietly enters the study. I sit down on the ground, still reminiscing in thoughts of the past.

Some minutes after Miss Haruka comes out of the study. She looks at me.

“Well, there apparently are some people who hate their life. Like, really hate it… Don’t end up like either one of the three.”

I slowly nod.

“Anyway, you need something? Else, I'll go.”

I silently shake my head. She waves at me, then Miss Haruka goes off.

I scratch my hand, just to pass the time. After some time Hibiki comes out of the room as well.

“Miss Cho and Doctor Itu are talking about something… We can go now.” She looks at me.

“You started the talking… Seems like it’s not that bad, is it?”

“Shut up…”

Thus, the two of us go away.
“Miss Haruka did a good job, huh?” The wound Hibiki has suffered has disappeared completely.

“Yup… She does a great job all of the time. And when she can’t fix something, then Doc Itu does.”

I can’t even imagine Doctor Itu actually doing something at all.

When we walk for a bit longer, we come across Aki.

“Isuri! Hibiki! Just the two I needed:” She holds up a piece of paper.

“Wanna help me with a quest?”