Hitotsu, satori o aita

The One, The Enlightened

Michiaki's eyes suddenly grow darker and darker. His facial expression shifts as if what Akihito said was not a joke, and while he doesn't know, something resonated within him; Something long forgotten, something that he used to grief but now just disappeared. In other words, a part of his soul.

-Michiaki: What are you talking about Aki? I don't have a sister. I never had. Where did that come from?

Michiaki's expression shifts again. He is now more anxious and reserved.

-Akihito: I know, Michi, I know...

And with that, Akihito took his cellphone out again. The time was 12:30.

-Akihito: Time really does fly by, huh?

Dim silence filled the room. No one decided to speak up. The whole group was silent. It would be reasonable that they would just laugh it off or not think much about it. What was undergoing them was revival. Revival of an old memory that they still haven't recovered yet. Something they wished to forget, but now that it is forgotten is grieved. Akihito picked up the posters that fell down and continued his way to the right section of the school.

-Akihito: Raiden are you coming or no?

Raiden silently nodded and followed him. Michiaki was lost for words. Hikari finally decides to break the silence.

-Hikari: Ok... That was unnecessary. We had better keep going or else we will lose our only opportunity to make ourselves the student council!

-Miyuki: I agree. Aki, could you please continue without me? I dropped my phone somewhere outside and I need to search for it.

- Michiaki: Don't worry, Miyuki! I will help you look for it!

-Miyuki: But, what about the posters? Who will put them up?

- Hikari: You don't have to worry about it! I am finished with my tasks so I can put them up. No Problemo!

Both Michiaki and Miyuki wave at Hikari as they are about to head outside and Hikari goes inside the school cafeteria.

A lurking shadow can be seen again through one of the cafeteria windows.

-???: Hmm, interesting. Code green in full activation.

The shadow then whispers to herself.

-???: Raibaru No Michi, my mission will be accomplished.

The shadow then disappears into nothingness once again.

Half an hour passes and Michiaki finally finds Miyuki's phone.

-Michiaki: Miyuki! Over here!

- Miyuki: Thank you so much Michiaki! I am sorry I caused you so much trouble.

- Michiaki: Don't think about it! I was just helping you out!

Miyuki blushes and stars walking towards the school entrance. Michiaki follows behind her.

Raiden and Akihito have engaged in a very purposeful argument about whether you should put water on your toothbrush before brushing your teeth. It seems, however, that Raiden will win due to pure strength advantage as he punches him in his stomach. Hikari is done with the posters and a group of classmates can be seen looking at the awe-inspiring posters. Hikari full of pride walks over to them to inform them about Michiaki. Suddenly, an announcement was made through the school speakers.

- Mr. Haru (aka The school principal): Hello Ichikamase High School students! This is your principal speaking and we have an announcement to make. A fire has broken out inside the facility and we must immediately go into evacuation mode. Every student must follow the nearest teacher's instructions and follow them strictly. This is not a drill. Students already outside the facility are obligated not to enter the facility. Leave personal belongings behind. Your safety is our top priority.

The group seems equally confused since no fire has broken out anywhere near the school, let alone inside it. Michiaki calls Akihito on his phone.

-Akihito: Hello?

-Michiaki: Did you hear the announcement.

-Akihito: I did and I am 100 % percent sure that no fire has broken out anywhere.

- Michiaki: That's what I also thought. Is Raiden with you?

- Akihito: No, he went to the bathroom a while ago. Now that you mention it, he seems to be away for quite a few minutes now.

- Michiaki: Make sure you find him. Try to also find Hikari before leaving school. If you happen to find her, tell her to meet up at my place after leaving. Tell Raiden the same thing. All of you, come meet me. I am afraid that those strange occurrences that we have encountered today are planned. Think about it. The broken bus, The strange incident with the break-in, someone impersonating me, my alleged sister, the fake fire alarm. Something or someone is making these things up. There is no way all of these are not connected. Everything up until yesterday was fine, why did all of those things happen now? Why?

-Akihito: Okay Michi, I believe you. I am also afraid that these are not strange occurrences. Something is underlying.

Akihito takes a deep breath. He is still trying to remember her name. He can't get over it. It's eating him. He feels like his soul will get crushed. Moreover, he needs to figure out what is happening to the group while simultaneously being targeted by an unknown enemy.

-Akihito: I will do it. I will make it. No matter how many times I fail, I will do it for you. I owe you my like. Here's to you..... I-. It's fine. I will remember it.

Akihito wipes his tears off his face and rushes to the bathroom.

-Akihito: Wait for me, It will all be over soon...

CHAPTER END