Death^

For another long half-hour, Bigaku-sensei asks of us to elaborate a painting. It is to be based on the draft we produced out of mere triangles. Having shaped the depiction from my dream onto paper, with the countless planes shaping the wings of an angel-like being, I think about the colors...

"You look like a lost lamb, Taoru-kun. Do you need my help for something?"

The spriteful face of the young teacher attracts my attention. I guess my "spiritual" or whatever subject really caught her eye. But I can't help it if the prompt she suggested is so abstract...

"Bigaku-sensei... I have to say that I am puzzled by, uh, what you said about the palette? When you asked for something like crystal and all. For the shapes, that was kinda clear, but..."

"Oh, that. I guess that in the end, having something that shines through is what matters. Since you went with someone with wings, I believe that exploring the contrasts with lighting and shadows... for example: with pure colors, yes. That might work out."

"Like... black and white?"

"For instance, since both tones are worlds apart. But you may also desire to use gray, to figure an ambiguous in-between."

And so I acquiesce and thank her. Holding the brush with a sloppy hand, I sigh as she goes on to another unartful heart... I see Kanadera-san looking my way. I murmur.

"Kanadera-san, I wondered but... since your subject is the Eiffel Tower, do you... miss home?"

"Nothing of the sort. It is just that, in a book I'm reading, the Tokyo Tower is told to be a glorious replica of the Eiffel Tower," answers she with a blunt tone.

Oh. I guess she is the type to enjoy literature, then. Makes sense, actually. We're still at a serious high-school, to be fair.

As fifteen minutes or so fly by, I begin putting my all on the line. To recreate my dream. To make sense of what happened... will happen. As I remember the details, I keep thinking about how other classmates are also doing angels...

The wings, shining like a meteor shower. The dreadful limbo, hidden in a darkness that might be shallow — or infinitely farther than I could have reached... The blood of a pierced body.

As I paint with focus, I hear a muffled shout. And then a couple, expressing sheer disgust, disbelief, fear, or a mixture... Feeling the movement of many stares in the room, I follow the flow of Kanadera-san's golden hair.

Some student , a boy with dark and pretty chiseled hair, is holding his tablet. My classmates gather around the popular Soccer Club member, as he angles the tablet so we all can see.

The graphic interface of a social network greets my eyes. The post being displayed has two pictures... A mass on top of blackened concrete — in plain daylight —; and what looks like the cut of a neck from some biology class.

As the post allows for 360° navigation, the tall boy shows us the virtual panorama. It's in Shibuya, one of Tokyo's most lively districts. I hear people talking about the news.

"Heard he killed himself, jumping from a tall roof."

"That would explain the black puddle on the ground..."

"Wait! There's a hole in his stomach?! It's murder, look at the neck..."

"It's answering to the news account!"

Bigaku-sensei, surprised by the outburst of activity, doesn't seem to know how to handle the situation. And after watching the pictures, she... falls on her knees, puking. I can understand the reaction, but still...

The radio system of the entire high-school emits noise within the Art Studies room. The voice of the headmaster can be heard, clearing his throat.

"Ahem... ahem. This message is addressed to every student, as well as to all workers at Sonoserena High-School. As requested by Tokyo's authorities..., the school will close its gates earlier today. To every teacher: please let students go home now. The public authorities ask of you all not to stay outside for too long, in light of a mysterious incident that occurred in the Shibuya district... Every high-school in Tokyo's juridiction has been tasked with the same message. This was all, I bid you goodbye and hope for your safety."