Chapter 7

I floated through the streets after class, wandering aimlessly, looking for a sign.

His favorite diner.

His favorite electronic shop.

His favorite bookstore.

But nothing happened anywhere.

I decided to try harder, looking for smaller clues, like going to the specific aisle in the record shop where he spent most of his time, or looking for the rock he marked a long time ago with his initials… but no dice.

It didn’t make any sense.

I was trying to think what was different today from other days, but other than the obvious, everything was pretty normal.

I was about to give up for the day until I heard a low, pained grunt coming from a dark alley somewhere.

When I looked, I saw an old man keeling over, staggering as he held onto the wall with his palm.

He seemed to be in pain, so I rushed over to his side, throwing my bag to float at my feet.

“Are you okay!?”

He lifted his head to look at me, and I saw that he was wearing a red scarf.

I racked my brain for this, but…

I’m pretty sure red was his favorite color.

Yes, I remember, because that was always his favorite super sentai no matter the show.

It’s a bit of a stretch, but… Could this also be a sign, I wondered?

As the man stood up more properly with my help, I opened my mouth.

“..........Nolan?”

I didn’t know what else to say.

I could be wrong, but it didn't matter. I had to ask.

“...Huh?”

“D-Do you know Nolan? Sorry if this is a weird question…”

“Nolan…”

He repeated. I felt embarrassed, and was about to tell him to forget it, but he suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder.

“..........Ray.”

My eyes opened wide like saucers.

***

“W-What? Y-You know who I am!?”

“Yes…”

“Nolan!? Is that you!?”

“......Yes…”

I couldn’t believe it.

It was such a shock I felt like I could puke.

My mind was a cloudy mess.

Nolan.

Nolan was here?

This time, the old man grabbed my arm before I fell to my knees.

“Ray,” he said, “you have to help me. Someone is following me…”

“Huh?”

I tried to come back to my senses, looking left and right.

“What? Who!?”

The old man pointed behind me.

I turned around to look.

But right about then, I felt something hit the back of my head, and I lost consciousness.