Reality...?

I wake up in my room to find that there are a set of police cars outside. Must have been the neighbor. It's sunny out, and the bright air filters into my room through the shades. 

The nauseating stream echos through my mind. I hope I didn't kill Chisaki. The thought makes me want to throw up.

I hope she's okay.

I can hear a few pairs of boots headed my way, and I sit upright. All thoughts of the dreamlike stream dissipate from my mind as reality comes crashing back down on me.

They knock on the door.

"This thing's pretty darn busted, but we're here to make sure you're okay. Saeki Hinata, is it? Mind opening up? We're the cops."

"Uh, sure, head on in." I say. 

The door opens and they step in.

"Saeki Hinata, right?" The cop asks. "We had a call from your neighbor telling me that your door was busted down. We've also heard that you were assaulted. You okay?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah." I nod. Despite me being dazed from the escape, I'm able to give them a smile. "Loan sharks." The officer visibly relaxes, and calls into his radio. 

"Yep, subject is safe. I'll just give them a few resources if that's okay? Got it, okay." He turns to me again. "Well, I can't tell you too much, but you'll be glad to hear we're onto the bank for racketeering. And frankly, it's not your fault you're in debt anyways." He whistles and looks around the house. "So this is the son of the legendary Taro Saeki. Sheesh."

"Well, thank you, I suppose."

"I'll have to recommend you get out of here for now, probably. You can take your computer and stuff along, but it'll be a while before the rehab centers start to show any progress."

"Rehab centers?"

"Yeah, haven't you kept up with the news? This entire area is an embarrassment to the city. It's about time we dealt with the drug problem here. That's good for you too, even though you don't look like a druggie."

There's a strange warm feeling in my chest, a sort of hope for humanity springing back up. When was the last time I felt like this? A decade ago, maybe?

"Oh and uh, tell the neighbor I say thanks, I suppose. I was pretty rude to them earlier." The officer chuckles.

"Don't let the fame get to your head, kid." He winks as he radios some of the other officers about having performed checks around the area. "Jesus, we really need to get some help around this place. Good thing there's a new busline opening up."

"You've seen my stream...?" I perk up as he mentions the fame. It's true, I shouldn't let it get to my head but...it feels good.

"Of course I have." He smiles. "You know, I grew up playing your dad's games." 

"Well, isn't that something. Thank you, I guess." The officer smiles, and turns away from me after hearing this.

"I recommend you look into a shelter or something. There's a new government program aimed at getting you decent housing for young folk, so maybe that's something you should look into. You can stay here for the day, but I strongly suggest it later on. Well, I will be going, and stay safe."

"Y-yes sir." I give him a smile as he walks out, then look at my computer again. I'm probably fired from my job, so I figure I should look for another one.

As the cop leaves and the computer whirs up, I figure I should probably look over the channel a little. Sitting there is the fruits of my labor, a whole five thousand subscribers, and counting. There's a comment from Samcapis and MooMueller as well. MooMueller turns out, wants to give me a shoutout on his channel.

"Of course!" I type in. "Thank you so much, I really appreciate how you like my stuff!"

I hit enter.

There are now comments on my other videos too, and despite the cruelty of the audience earlier on, the comments on these ones are a lot more positive. The comments on the game I was streaming just before this whole debacle started now has eight thousand views of it's own, and the comments are promising.

Maybe I'm not so screwed after all.

The phone rings. I pick it up. It's the boss, from the bar.

So I wasn't fired for not showing up, I guess. He seems a lot softer now.

"Saeki?"

"Uh, boss? What's up?"

"You alright, kiddo?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. What is it all of a sudden?"

"We've heard the local news. Airi's been worried sick about you. Any more of this and I'm going to start worrying it'll impact my bottom line, haha!"

"Ahaha, I guess so. Sorry about that." I laugh along with him.

"Don't be. Wasn't your fault. Oh, and just you and me kiddo, but Airi's having her own trouble of money problem these days due to debt, so don't be too embarrassed to tell us about it, alright? You remember that bastard of an ex coming here to harass her over it? Waste of a man."

"Uh, yeah, thanks boss."

Oh, that's all it was? I feel terrible now. I almost abandoned Airi over nothing.

"Heh, I won't mind if you decide to quit, but hey, if you do, please give us a final visit instead of the Irish goodbye. Maybe we can have you as a customer in the future! And if you want to continue working here...well, I could talk to you about a raise. You know, Airi told me they just opened a new bus station nearby that should be cheap enough."

"I'll keep working, thanks. I'll be at the bar."

"Good. You're forgiven for you absence, Hinata. Just get my star worker happy again, and I'll give you all the raises you want. And uh, I know this is long overdue, but uh...thanks for everything you did for us here."

"T-thank you." There's a warm bubbly feeling in my gut again. "Seriously, thank you."

"No problem kiddo. I heard your channel's been doing well by the way, congratulations! Airi was telling me all about it. Says she's a fan."

"R-really?"

"Yeah, she loves it. Anyhow, get your ass over here, if you're not quitting, there's still work to do. Slow day today, but who's to say you can't at least stick by?"

"Yes sir. I'll be there right away."

"Good." The bossman hangs up.

I get up.

I should trust Airi.

Not thinking of anything else, I make a mad dash to the new bus stop as I search over the map where it is. The fares are nonexistent, and it's practically in my front lot. As I run over to the bus, I pay the meager fee that even I find economical, then leap onto a nice, warm seat as I look at my phone again.

The stop is just outside of the bar.

Where Airi is waiting for me.

***

"Hey Hinata!" Airi chips as I open up the door to the bar. I catch my breath, then step on in. For once, the boss actually looks a bit worried as I do, but turns away.

"Alright Hinata, you can get ready and start work. Don't think I'll go easy just because you've had a rough few days, alright?"

"Heh, alright boss." For the first time in a long while, I decide to give him a little salute like I used to do back when I first started this job. The bossman looks at me a bit surprised, but nods and points me to the bathroom, to which I head to.

"Get changed quick." Airi tells me as I open the bathroom door. "Another day, eh?"

"Yeah, I guess so." I enter the bathroom with my clothes in my hand, and as I do, I decide to take a look at the mirror. I...look pretty decent today.

The day's going great.

...

A little too perfect, actually. I pause.

How did I run, exactly?

I stop and turn around. I jump into the air. I stop my left leg on the ground.

My leg is normal.

I grab my calf through the pant fabric. There it is, a normal, standard calf. Not the withered one I had my entire life.

This isn't real.

"Airi?" I ask her as I exit the bathroom. "Hey...Airi?"

"What is it Hinata?" Airi asks me, nonchalantly. Yet, there's a hint of confusion in her eye as I look at her. 

"You know, I always had a withered leg since I was little. I...I know I should have told you ahead of time, but I guess I never did. I can walk normally, just an FYI...but it stops me from running."

Airi's eye's widen, then she turns away.

"What...what do you mean?"

"Tell me, 'Airi', where am I really?" I step forward, and as I do, I can see a look of exasperation on her face. Then, a pained smile.

"I guess I can't fool you, huh?" There's a sad but beautiful look on her face, as she turns back to the windows. "A shame. I wanted to spend some more time with you, Hinata. Guess even this can't do. What did I do wrong? Ah, I guess even Airi isn't normally this forwards..."

I step backwards. The Airi glitches and warps, with Chisaki showing underneath.

"I just wanted to spend more time with you Hinata. I just needed more time..." 

"Chisaki." I take another step back. "This...this isn't real. You're not real."

"Why does it always end like this?" Chisaki asks me, as she looks me square in the eye. "I'm so alone. Am I not allowed to be happy?"

"Chisaki..."

A small host of rats spring forth from behind the bar.

"You'll be surprised at how much other people would kill to be in your shoes, Hinata. You know that?" The rats begin to run up Chisaki, then one stops on Chisaki's outstretched palm. She gently pets the creature, as she gives it a smile. "How many would kill for my attention. You know that, right?" The rat leaps off, then scrambles onto the floor alongside the others.

"I'm sorry, Hinata. Only if...only if I hadn't screwed up. You know?"

 Chisaki looks at me, as she cups her hand towards my face and draws me into a kiss.

"Hng! Hmmph!"

Chisaki unloads...something into my mouth. As her lips leave mine, I find myself unable to speak. The substance coats the inside of my mouth, gluing it shut. "Ghh! Gmm!" A twisted expression, one of both anger and lust spreads across her face as the world around us begins to collapse. Chisaki picks up a stray bottle as the cabinet falls over, and the contents tumble out.

"So I'm unlovable, huh?" Chisaki's voice is full of venom. 

"Ghgmgh, ghh!"

"We'll see about that then." 

As Chisaki hits me over the head with a bottle, the world goes dark once more.

Why the hell do people keep smacking me over the head like this?