Chapter 6:

The Distance Between Them

A Wish Left Behind in this Forsaken World


“Now that we have the value of X, we can use it to find Y.”

Math class, another completely normal day at school. It didn't even look like the day before there had been a battle in the schoolyard that left a trail of destruction.

The sky was perfectly blue, the birds were singing and it really felt like nothing had happened. Everything was absolutely as it should’ve be.

The only thing that was messed up was Ayumu's mind which couldn't absorb anything the teacher was saying. He was too busy trying to process all the information he'd received in the last few hours. Or maybe he was trying to draw some conclusions from the complete lack of information.

Ayumu was an ordinary student who wanted a better life at school, but now he was faced with a lot of inexplicable things and questions kept repeating in his mind.

What was that demon? And the power he awakened? What were the limits of such power? And where did that sword come from? Why does the world go on as if nothing has happened? How did no one see anything that happened yesterday? What did the girl dressed in black want to say to him? And the biggest question of them all: who is Akemi?

Yesterday he felt something deep in his heart, the strange feeling that he already knew Akemi, the strange feeling that she was precious to him. Because of that feeling he managed to get up and fight. But now, doubts dominated his mind, and while they were completely justifiable, he hated himself for it.

But maybe it wasn't his fault. That's right! It's Akemi's fault who didn't want to talk with him! Why was she refusing to do it? Everything would be solved if she spoke!

Blaming someone else is so wonderful and simple.

Ayumu's thoughts grew darker and a twisted smile appeared on his face.


"How is she?"

Ayumu asked Akemi as he squatted down to check on the mystery girl who was still lying on the ground after being attacked by the demon.

"She's alive, but she's still unconscious."

"What will we do? Should we call an ambulance?”, he looked around, seeing the damage caused by the fight. “But it will be difficult to explain what happened here.”

Akemi shook her head, her voice had lost any sign of joy.

"If you want to help her, let's take her to your house."

“But walking with her in my arms will draw a lot of attention! And take her home? What if she needs some treatment?”

Akemi shook her head again.

“Nothing will happen. And she doesn’t need treatment.”

"What you're saying doesn't make any sense!"

"Trust me."

"But—"

“Ayumu!”

Akemi's scream made him stop completely.

“Ayumu, please just trust me.”

It looked like Akemi was begging and Ayumu stopped to reflect for a moment as he looked at her face without being able to see her eyes.

“Okay, let's do this. But if nothing really happens, when we get to my place, let's talk. And don’t hide anything from me."

For a few seconds, Ayumu waited for an answer, but Akemi didn't show any reaction.

Ayumu took the unconscious girl and started to walk towards the train station, Akemi followed him in silence.

The situation that was already abnormal, became more and more strange. The two kept walking and no other living being appeared.

What's going on here? Why is there no one on the street?

Trying to find any signs of life, Ayumu focused on his hearing and soon he heard the sounds of vehicles that were far away.

Only this street that is empty…?

Akemi followed in silence, never looking at him. Ayumu looked at the houses and saw no sign of life.

When the two finally arrived at the station, it was completely deserted.

“Akemi, what's going on? Will a train really come?”

The girl was still silent and Ayumu still couldn't see her eyes. And then, as if answering him, the train arrived.

So we're not the only ones here!

Ayumu was hoping to see a person, after all, at that time the train should be full.

The door opened and they entered.

No words came out of Ayumu's mouth. He was surprised and completely in disbelief at the situation. There wasn't a single person inside the train.

The two sat down and the silence continued, without Akemi ever looking in Ayumu's direction.

A short time later, the two got off at the station near Ayumu's house. Station that was also deserted.

“This must be a dream…”

The two walked a bit more and finally arrived at Ayumu's house. And then, Akemi broke her silence for the first time.

“Do you have a spare room for her?”

“Yes, there is a guest room.”

The two went to the room on the second floor and there they put the unconscious girl on the bed.

"Akemi, now you need to explain to me what's going on."

Akemi looked at the girl on the bed with a dark expression on her face.

I have no intention of telling him about the loops, but what else can I say without making the guardian reappear? How much control did Ayumu gain over fate after getting that sword?

“Akemi?”

Akemi sighed before speaking.

“This girl's life is not in danger. You managed to keep... her skull from being crushed, but...”

She stayed silent for a moment.

I can't reveal my secret now.

"But what?"

“But the demon did something to her. I can't believe she will wake up again."

"What? Why wouldn't she wake up?!"

Akemi bit her lip.

“I don't know how to explain it, but I feel the demon's presence inside her. It’s like she has been… cursed.”

Well, I'm not really lying. In that attack, the guardian tried to hit both the body and the spirit. It wants to prevent our rebirth in this world, which makes it even more dangerous.

“A curse?”

“I would say she’ll be in this state as long as the curse persists. Asleep, as if her existence was frozen in time.”

“And how can we save her?”

I believe that destroying this world is the only way, but there is no way I can say that. I can't provoke a reset.

Akemi shook her head.

"I don't know. But if it was the demon that caused this…"

“Would we have to kill it? So it hasn't died yet!"

"Maybe that's it, but I'm also making assumptions."

The two were lost in thought for a moment and then, Ayumu broke the silence.

“Akemi, why was the city empty?”

"I don't know."

“How did you know no one would see us?”

“...”

“What is ‘truth’?”

“...”

“What is that demon?”

“...”

"When de we first meet?"

“...”

“Akemi, who are you?”

She didn't answer and just stood there staring into the empty space.

“Akemi, please say something!”

Ayumu held her by the shoulders.

"I… just want you to be happy."

I hope you’ll find happiness this time.

Her words reminded Ayumu of another mysterious girl.

“Why… are you saying that too?”

Akemi took Ayumu's hands off her shoulders.

“I guess I better go home today.”

She ran.

"Wait!"

Ayumu went after her, but Akemi managed to get out of the house and closed the door in his face.

"Akemi!"

He opened the door immediately, then ran to the street and he couldn't find her anymore.

"She disappeared?"

Ayumu looked once more to both sides, but Akemi was really nowhere to be seen.

"What's going on here?"

With no other option, Ayumu returned to the room where the girl was lying.

Is it really okay to leave her here like this?

Ayumu was completely lost. He leaned his back against the wall and sat on the floor.

At that moment I felt that Akemi was the most important person in the world to me. But now I only have doubts in my mind.

He punched the floor with his right hand.

"Damn it!"


The next morning, the news show on the television did not mention anything about the destruction at the school.

Ayumu finished his morning routine quickly and went to check on the mystery girl.

She seems to be sleeping peacefully.

The girl seemed to be fine, so he decided to believe he could leave her like that and headed off to school.

On the way he didn't meet Akemi. And when he arrived at school, everything was normal, as if nothing had happened yesterday.

Doubts came back to his mind, but he quickly made his way to the classroom in hopes of meeting up with Akemi.

“Hi, Ayumu.”

Ryou greeted him.

"Hasn't Akemi arrived yet?"

“Huh? Is she not with you? How unexpected! Had a fight with your girlfriend?”

"She's not my girlfriend!"

Ayumu protested with his face red.

“Right, right.”

"How are you two?"

Takashi had entered the classroom and greeted them.

The three continued talking, but the bell rang and Akemi didn't appear.

“Okay, everyone to your seats.”

The teacher spoke as he entered the classroom. He made his way to the table, looked at the students and noticed an empty chair.

“Akemi is absent today?”

At that moment, the classroom door opened.

"I'm sorry for being late!"

Akemi came in almost running, heading to her desk.

“Try not to be late again, Akemi.”

"Right!"

"Okay, so let's start class."

Ayumu was looking at Akemi who quickly looked at him and smiled when she sat down.

Is she trying to ignore what happened yesterday?

Before he could get an answer, Ayumu would have to endure the class. And when you're anxiously waiting for something, time seems to go by slowly. But after what seemed like an eternity, lunch break arrived.

Fearing that Akemi would run away from him again, Ayumu stood up immediately.

“Today I made your favorite, Ayumu!”

Ayumu was taken aback by Akemi showing the lunch box in her hands.

“Oh, having a girlfriend seems to be really good!”

Ryou said making fun of the situation.

"Oh... right. Let's eat together, Akemi.”

Ayumu quickly adapted to the situation and followed Akemi to the schoolyard.

Has she decided to talk to me or is she really trying to ignore what happened yesterday?

They didn't say anything along the way, but Akemi seemed to be in a good mood.

“I tried harder than usual!”

Akemi said while giving to Ayumu his lunch.

"Oh, thank you. I'm sure it tastes good.”

The two started to eat.

It's really delicious!

Ayumu held back not to say loud what he thought, after all, there were more important matters to talk about.

“Hey, Akemi. As for what happened yesterday...”

Akemi was about to put some rice in her mouth, but she stopped and slowly returned it to the lunch box.

“Do you still want to talk about that?”

Once again, all the joy in her voice disappeared.

"And why wouldn't I want to talk about that?"

"You really don't understand anything, Ayumu…"

Her voice was low.

“How could I understand if you don't talk with me?!”

Akemi took a deep breath, put a lot of food in her mouth, chewed quickly and swallowed.

"It’s so good!"

She sighed deeply.

"Let's make a Deal! You want to know the 'truth', don't you? But whoever has that answer is that strange girl. So if you want to find out what that means, wake her up.”

“What?”

"And the next time we meet, let's forget about everything and keep being good friends!"

"Akemi, you…"

“So, until next time!”

“Akemi?”

She got up and ran away, leaving him behind.

Why? Why can't we just talk?

Ayumu was extremely frustrated with all that. He wanted to trust Akemi, he wanted to be more friendly with her, but she was putting up a barrier between them.

How should I approach her later?

Thinking about it wouldn't do any good, as Akemi didn't return to the classroom that day.


After class was over, Ayumu left the school. He walked slowly with melancholy stamped in his face. Lost in thought, he didn't notice two men wearing black suits watching him from inside a car parked in front of the school.


Upon arriving home, Ayumu went straight to where the unconscious girl was.

"No changes…?"

Ayumu spoke in a very weak voice as he sat on the floor.

“Ayumu, do you want to know the truth?”

He slightly raised his right arm and the holy sword appeared in his hand.

Together with that girl, I'm sure you’ll be able to light a small flame of hope.

Who's ‘that girl’? Akemi or the one here?

His gaze was fixed on the sword.

At the end of the path I've chosen, there's only despair, right? Does Akemi know this and she doesn’t want me to keep moving forward?

The sword disappeared from his hand and he remained there for a while.


The next day, the sky was filled with dark clouds, it was like the night had not ended.

Luckily for Ayumu, the heavy rain only started to fall when he arrived at school.

Once again he didn't meet Akemi who only arrived a few seconds before the teacher arrived too. Because of that, she could only wave to him before the teacher started class.

“Let’s start where we left off yesterday, at page 124.”

The class went on, the rain fell as if it was the result of divine fury and Ayumu kept looking at Akemi. He was still not sure how he would talk with her.

When lunch break finally arrived, Ayumu and Akemi decided to eat inside the classroom, as the rain prevented them from eating in the schoolyard. Ryou and Takashi had to go buy something at the cafeteria, so the two were alone.

Yes, for some reason, there was no one else in the classroom.

“The rain is really heavy today...”

As expected, Akemi did not intend to talk about the things Ayumu wanted answers to.

"Yeah, it's been a long time since I've seen a storm like this one."

Ayumu stared at Akemi for a while, she smiling as she chewed her food.

"Akemi."

"What's it?"

"Couldn't you at least give me a reason for not wanting to talk about what happened?"

Akemi bit her lip, showing dissatisfaction at hearing that.

“Are you really going to insist on this? Why can't we put this behind us and get on with our lives?"

"But there's an unknown girl unconscious in my house!"

"It's all that girl's fault…"

Her voice was really low.

"What did you say?"

A short moment of silence.

"If you want me to say something, then I will."

Ayumu was apprehensive, waiting for the information he would finally receive.

"The truth is: I won't reveal anything."

“Akemi, please!”

"I already told you that if you want to know the 'truth', you're going to have to wake up that stupid girl!"

She screamed. And for the first time, her voice sounded filled with anger.

“A-Akemi…?”

"I'm sorry, but I’ve lost my appetite."

She left the classroom, leaving Ayumu alone.

Still surprised by her scream, he couldn't even move.


During afternoon class, the rain got even heavier. The teacher's voice competed against the noise coming from outside.

A lightning bolt and then a bang. And at that very moment, the class came to an end.

“Please wait for the rain to subside before leaving the school. I believe that the trains aren’t working, so don't be in a hurry.”

"He is right, the trains have stopped."

Ryou was looking at his phone.

“I have to go to the club anyway.”

Takashi was already getting ready to leave the classroom.

“Well, the same goes for me. So see you later, Ayumu, Akemi.”

Ryou waved and walked out of the classroom, followed by Takeshi who also waved at the two.

Gradually, the room emptied. Many students stood near the building’s exit, waiting for the rain to stop.

Still in the classroom, Ayumu approached Akemi who had just gotten up.

"Akemi."

“What is it, Ayumu?”

Her voice was very cold.

Ayumu was silent, thinking about how he should’ve talk to her. He still wanted to insist on getting some information out of her.

"Ayumu, I've been thinking…"

And before he could decide what he would do, Akemi started to speak. Ayumu didn't say anything and just kept looking at her, trying to see her face that was looking down.

“I think we should stay away from each other.”

Ayumu's eyes widened upon hearing that.

"What do you mean?"

“Me being around you will only make you think about things you shouldn’t, so me staying away would be the best thing for you!”

“What are you talking about, Akemi?!”

He put his hands on her shoulders. Her words were like a knife piercing his heart.

"You keep coming back to that subject, even though I've already said I won't say anything, so... let's bring an end to this."

She continued to speak with terrible coldness.

"Don’t say that! I want to be by your side!”

"Then why?! Why do you keep asking?!”, she raised her voice. "You were going to ask again just now, isn’t that right?!"

“I… won't deny it. But I just wanted a small answer from you! Precisely because I want to be by your side!”

"If you wanted to be by my side, you wouldn't ask!"

“Akemi, why? Why can’t you talk with me?"

“Ayumu, enough is enough. Let's stop with this."

Her voice was now filled with sadness, it was like she was suffering.

“Akemi, please.”

She shook her head.

"This is the end. After all, our friendship has always been a big lie anyway.”

She finally lifted her face and looked into his eyes. Ayumu felt his heart tighten.

Tears fell on the floor. Akemi was crying.

Akemi started to walk away from him. Ayumu who still had his hands on her shoulders, didn't make any effort to hold her.

For one last time, she stopped just before leaving the classroom.

“Above all, I want you to be happy. And there is no happiness being by my side.”

She ran.

"Akemi!"

Recovering from his shock, Ayumu screamed and ran after her. But when he left the classroom, she was already gone.

"Damn it!"

Ayumu kept running, passing through the crowd of students that filled the halls.

I was a complete idiot! I should have given her more time! Surely there's something stopping her from talking now! Why was I so insistent? Why couldn't I trust her?

He remembered the time he spent with her. When they met. When they came home together. A summer festival that seemed extremely distant where the two of them smiled together. Strange fragments of memories that shouldn't exist.

He kept running, jumping stairs. The other students looking at him with curiosity and perplexity.

Nothing that is happening makes any sense. There’s a monster, a strange girl, that sword… The whole world has gone mad.

He remembered her smile, her warmth, the months and months they spent so much time together.

My memories are unclear. Autumn is still a long way off, but I feel like I've already spent an autumn with her. The two of us were always together for some reason... Why did she approach me? I don't know. But does that really matter? Her word were more than genuine!

“Above all, I want you to be happy.”

Ayumu walked through the crowd of students who were at the exit of the building, causing some to comment on his lack of manners. And then, he ran under the storm.

"What's with that boy?"

A girl asked.

"Who knows?"

A friend of her said.

The rain was still very heavy. Lightnings crossed the sky. But that didn't stop Ayumu from rushing through the school gate.

I wanted to change! I wanted to have a happy life at school! I wanted to create happy memories so I wouldn't regret it in the future! But this search for 'happiness' left me blind. Because that 'happiness'…

A memory of Akemi smiling flashed in his mind.

...was already right by my side!

Ayumu didn't stop running. Even after almost being run over when crossing a street without looking to the sides, he kept running.

The world around him didn't matter, he had only one goal.

So he ran.

And he ran.

And he arrived at the train station.

The trains have stopped, so Akemi has to be here!

Ayumu searched and searched, but did not find her.

Then he dropped to his knees in the middle of the station. And finally, the tears fell.


The next day, Akemi didn't go to school.