We'll meet again soon

 “Yeah, I definitely read that right.” As I walked down to the first floor lobby to use the ATM, I was hoping that it must’ve been some kind of mistake that had nothing to do with me.

Unfortunately, fate was not so merciful.

“Is my balance really that low?” I didn’t want to say how low, exactly. But it was low enough where ordering something like a burger seemed like some far-off dream.

“Ha…” a dry, weary laugh eked its way out. What now? Put more money in my card? I did have some money in my wallet, so increasing the cash on the card wasn’t too big of an issue. No, the thing that was weighing me down was just how much money I’d already spent.

When I was born, my parents had started saving money for me, they had a lot of ambition for me after all. They had both worked their fingers to the bone to make sure my siblings and I would have an easier life than they had. They knew what it was like to go hungry after all, and they always stressed the importance of being smart with your spendings and savings.

…Disappointed would be the least of the emotions they’d feel if they knew the situation I was in. They might even disown me or compel me to seek mental health treatment or force me to work till I drop to pay it all back.

As for my siblings… they’d probably laugh at me.

Maybe I should just go home before I dig myself into a deeper hole?

. . . . . . .

“Screw it.” I’m already this far gone, what’s a little more gonna do? With cash in hand, I pressed the keys to make a deposit. Just have to enter my pin, navigate the menu, choose how much I want to deposit, then the last step is to actually make the deposit-

“No, no, no, no, no, all of you over there, you gotta go!” The sound of a man’s gravely voice pulled me from my task. I looked over and saw a portly, balding man stomping over to the front entrance seemingly to confront a group of four, wearing disheveled layers of dirt-caked clothes, who must have come in to take shelter from the worsening storm.

One person among the group, seemingly the leader, split off from the others and spoke in a weak voice: “Please, we’re only waiting for the bus, but we couldn’t wait outside anymore. The storm just gets worse by the second.”

“Couldn’t you go to the restaurant across the street or something? I’ve warned you people before about bothering my customers.”

“Have a heart, man. We’re just homeless, not pariahs. We won’t bother anyone, we just want to get out of the rain, and once the bus comes, we’ll be gone.”

The man, who I assumed was the manager here, took a long drawn out sigh as he looked around at the onlookers, the rain outside, and the group of vagrants. He nervously scratched the back of his head and then finally relented. “Okay fine, but as soon as that bus gets here, I want you people out. we’re not gonna have a repeat of last time; these are extenuating circumstances, so I’ll overlook your presence this time.”

“Bless your heart, sir!”

“Whatever, just go wait over there and don’t cause any trouble.”

Guess that was all the interaction that was gonna happen, weird, I was expecting it to be longer given how angry the manager looked. But, he folded pretty quickly.

Seeing as the show was over, I was about to return to finish my transaction but then I suddenly felt that strange feeling from earlier. I felt a pair of eyes on me. I peeked out of the corner of my eye and could see my observer from here, a strange individual in a dirty cloak with their long hood obscuring their facial features. They were part of the group of four, and while the three of them engaged in hushed conversation.

‘Wait… isn’t that…’ That’s the same person who was watching me from outside the window. What could they want from me?

My mind suddenly began to race with possibilities. Assassin, scammer, long-lost friend, a reincarnated spouse from a previous life, the list goes on, each of them more ridiculous than the last.

What could they want? Part of me just wanted to ask them directly, but then they’d probably ask me for spare change or try to involve me in something shady.

One of the three ushers the figure into the conversation, and so their attention on me fades. Can’t say I wasn’t relieved, but yeah… that was weird.

With that event cleared, I turn my attention back to the ATM monitor, only to discover all that greeted me was my reflection in the black idle screen.

“Was this me?” I hadn’t seen myself in a mirror in a while, I looked terrible. My eyes were baggy from sleepless nights and crying, my clothes were dirty and wrinkled, my hair had become wild and untamed; I was almost unrecognizable. “Geez Yugo, you could’ve at least washed your face.”

How long was I gonna continue running away?

“....”

Probably until I run out of money. Speaking of which…

I repeated the same steps as before, it wasn’t ideal but dipping into my emergency cash isn’t the worst thing in the world. Besides, I just wanted to play that game, get away from that weirdo who keeps staring at me, and then just… forget my troubles for a bit. Was that too much to ask?

Well, the universe must’ve heard me because like a man responding to the question, “what’re you gonna do about it?” The universe did something about it.

Namely, there was a flash of light, then everything suddenly went dark. My chest tightened briefly as I thought maybe I’d been struck by something, but no… it was just a power outage. The next sounds I heard were confused patrons and angry voices. Of course they’d be annoyed, this was an internet cafe, and with no power… this was basically just a building with cubicles.

‘It’s actually kinda strange that power went out at all. You’d think they’d have a backup generator or something. Did that go out too or something?’ My thoughts swirled, but it didn’t really matter, I guess.

People crowded around the front desk, trying to get answers about when the power would come back? I might’ve been there with them if I thought it would accomplish something. They know the power’s out, they know that their business relies on power to the building, so getting in their face to yell at them is just an exercise in pointlessness.

With nothing to do at the moment, I took a seat by the window, just listening to the rain impact the glass trying to not let the intrusive thoughts make their way to the surface.

‘Wonder what she’s up to right now?’ And one made it through. My thoughts drifted to Kaori again, wondering what she’s up to. Is she thinking about me? Does she miss me? Maybe she’s just waiting for me to make the first move?

……

No. I need to stop thinking like that. Kaori’s gone, that future you wanted is also gone. Life moves on so you gotta accept that. The only company I have now is the darkness.

…That sounded a lot less edgy in my head. Still, it’s true that I don’t really feel like I want to go back to my old life right now. Though, I can’t tell if it’s because I don’t wanna see how much people were worried about me. Or, that they weren’t worried at all.

As my thoughts drifted towards wondering what I was gonna do, I took notice of the ad on the bus stop. It seemed to be some kinda tourism ad, but I wasn’t sure of the destination. The artwork depicted someone wandering through a field of golden crops with the sun hanging high in the sky. It looks pretty picturesque at least. Alongside it was someone in a bustling city. And then someone else in a snow-covered landscape.

“Traveling, eh?” Did I even have the money for something like that? Maybe if I sold some stuff? Or… screw it, maybe I could just walk or join someone else’s tourism group or something.

…Why was I even entertaining this idea?

…because I want to leave. Still, though, regardless of what I want, is it even feasible? To just pack up, leave, and disappear for a while?

Fortunately, that question would have to wait. To accompany the sound of angry patrons filling the lobby, my stomach began to rumble. When was the last meal I had? I mean, actual meal, like something that didn’t come out of a snack bag.

There was a restaurant across the street right? What is it? Some kinda fast food place, but I don’t think I’ve ever been there.

A flash of lightning suddenly struck following by rolling thunder, causing my spine to stiffen up.

“......”

It’s just across the street right? What’s the worst that could happen…

- - - - - - - - -

Somehow the street had become something like a small river. Water pooled around my ankles even now — soaking my socks and creating a whole new type of discomfort — I briefly step back inside and face the door, I’d just stepped out to see if the weather was as bad as it looked. The answer to that question was a resounding: Yes.

But, for some reason, I was not completely deterred. Is this stupid? Am I being stupid right now? What happens if lightning strikes as I’m walking across the street?

I’d probably die.

Am I gonna risk that for… what do they even serve there?

Pizza?

……

Okay fine, just quickly run across. Wait no, don’t run, I’ll slip and crack my skull. I guess, just be careful then?

I take a deep breath, ready to brave the storm when I suddenly feel a hand at my sleeve and a weight was dropped on my chest. Who was trying to stop me? I didn’t make any friends here, I’ve largely kept to myself. Was it someone who knew me? Or maybe the staff?

Cautiously, I turn my head to meet a pair of strange eyes beneath a long, dirty hood.

They said nothing, just stared in my direction — but with how dead their eyes looked, I don’t even know if they were really looking at me — they opened their mouth several times, as if to say something, but the words didn’t come out. It was almost like they themselves were confused by their actions.

“Um… do you need something?” I asked, trying to gently pull myself out of their grip.

“.....” Still, they said nothing.

What’s with this person? I can barely see who they are under that hood. I don’t think we’ve ever met before, but they keep staring at me like they know me.

We stood in that stalemate for what felt like an eternity before they finally let go, and then my next thought was getting as far away from this person as possible before they dragged me into something crazy like some kind of underground death game or abduction by aliens or something. So I’d brave the storm.

Out of the corner of my eye, as I stepped out into the rain once more, I could see that person still staring at me as if they wanted to say something but didn’t know what.

I’m sorry, but whatever mystery they had for me would have to remain unsolved.

As I carefully trudged to the other side of the street, my thoughts drifted to that person again. They had a strange appearance, I don’t think hair colors come in that color, was it dyed? And those eyes… never seen ones like those before. I think they were a girl, but it was hard to tell with all the layers they wore.

If I had to describe the feeling they gave me, it was kinda like someone mimicking being human but not quite getting it. They seemed like such a strange existence that I couldn’t help but wonder about their existence, even as I tried to get away from them. This almost felt like a setup to one of those romcom Visual Novels I was just playing.

I was so lost in thought, that I didn’t notice how bright things had gotten, and the sound of screeching and horns blaring right next to me. When I turned my head, I came face to face with the front cover of a bus.

Time slowed as the bus inched closer, it… it must’ve been trying to stop at the bus stop, but I guess the road was too slippery from the rain and the driver lost control of the bus?

Chaotic thoughts swirled through my mind as my senses began to fade. My brain screamed at my body to move, but like a deer in headlights, my body just couldn’t react in time. An impossibly bright light began to overtake my vision, compelling my eyes shut.

SMASH

…

…….

…………………

‘I… I thought dying would feel more painful.’ Wait, I can think. I can still feel my body. I’m not dead?

My senses returned slowly, as my heart beat a million times per second. The bus had missed me. I could see it had crashed into the bus stop as people from the internet cafe were filing out to see what happened.

I can’t breath. My hands are shaking. My thoughts scattering. I… I almost died. But I’m alive, why?

“I… I made it in time.” A voice I didn’t recognize, but I certainly recognized the owner. Their hood had fallen, revealing their long hair and tear-stained face, they cradled my body in the soaking-wet street. “I finally found you.” She told me as she embraced me even tighter.

My voice tried to respond to ask who she was, and why she saved me, and what she meant but all I could do was utter out some indecipherable noises.

She held my cheeks in her small hands and pulled me closer, pressing her forehead and side of her nose against mine, I could feel her warm breath against my lips but she did nothing more. Rain, lightning, and thunder raged around us as muffled voices sounded around us, but all I could focus on was her. Why was this girl so familiar with me?

Wait… something… something felt familiar. I couldn’t describe it, it was like I both knew this girl and didn’t know her at all.

Her look of relief was soon replaced by one of deep sadness. “I’m sorry… you have questions but I can’t answer them, that would disrupt the script too much.” She pulled away and looked off to somewhere in the chaotic sky. “Why… why can’t you just give me a little more time?”

Before I could ask what she meant, the hand that had been placed on my cheek suddenly disappeared. As if it just blinked out of existence, her now empty sleeve flopped down next to her, hanging limply. Her face began to literally crack as she winced from, what I can imagine was, intense pain. It was as if she was breaking right before my eyes, like a porcelain doll who’d been tossed carelessly on the floor.

But I had other issues to worry about.

I was no longer touching the ground. The girl’s legs, like her arm had also blinked out of existence, so I had thought that she was just getting smaller but in actually I was floating up.

My chest began to pound once more as my breathing became labored and strained, what was happening, this didn’t make sense!

She grabbed my hand in hers, and through pained gasps she smiled at me. Why did she look at me like that? I’ve never seen a look like that from anyone. Like she knew me, like… she cared for me? That I was the most important person to her?

Why?

What did I do to make you look like that?

“Don’t… be… afraid.” She began, her voice becoming weaker. “Just keep holding onto my hand, for as long as you can, it might be a while before we meet again so… remember this hand, remember this warmth, remember as much as you can because-”

But then her hand faded as I was whisked away into the sky.

Even as all sounds started to fade, I could still hear her voice as loud as if she was standing right next to me.

“Yugo! Whatever happens, don’t forget!”

Her voice faded away as the world around me shattered into a swirl of colors, culminating in a bright flash of light.