Prologue 02: Akiyama Shoji

My name is Akiyama Shoji, I'm a 15-year-old freshman in high school, a kid with hopes, dreams and a girlfriend - well only the former is true.

Without trying to arouse sympathy, my life up to this point was a rollercoaster.

At age 7 my parents died in a car-crash, with me also boarding that car. Through a sliver of "luck" I survived the wreckage.

Following the accident none of my relatives were willing to take me in, branding me with the stigmata of being a "star of misfortune", keh... So much as family is supposed to be there for you.

Only my mother's sister, aunt Chiyo, was willing to take me in. Aunt Chiyo was truly a saint, only ever seeing the good in people, never even considering that some people go through life with solely bad intentions. Same with my "stigmata", the little me gave in to the remarks and believed what they were saying. Believing that I bring misfortune to those around me. This also impacted the first few years living with aunt Chiyo, I never allowed myself to get too attached to her. Oh, how I regret that mindset. Aunt Chiyo raised me like a son, like her son, it took her some years, but eventually, I faltered and connected with her, accepting her as my mother. That was 3 years ago, I remember how happy she was, making red rice for dinner, but I also remember how sad I was, sad about the fact that I mistreated her for so long.

And now, there is no way to make it up to her... Similar to my parents, it would seem that my "curse" of misfortune killed of another person yet again. Last week aunt Chiyo had a stroke, three days after being taken to the hospital she died... Of course, I know that this "curse" isn't real, merely a stigmata coined together by a family of lunatics. God, how I despise them.

All these years I kept to myself and to Shouko, my pen-pal since third grade. Although I tried to distance myself from others, whether be it my classmates, my teachers, or even aunt Chiyo, Komi Shouko was kind of a beacon of light in my desolate childhood, she was the only person I kept prolonged contact with, and I'm endlessly grateful.

Thoughts racing through my mind, my eyes clouding as I'm writing my response to Shouko from two weeks ago, I don't think we've ever went on so long without exchanging a single letter.

"Hey Shouko,

I'm okay. Aunt Chiyo died last week.

My Grandfather is taking me in for a couple of weeks until he finds me a flat.

I'll keep you up to date.

See you,

Shoji"

'Shit...'

---

On a Wednesday afternoon, Komi found a new letter on her desk.

Two weeks, it's been two weeks since the last letter from Shoji arrived. They have never gone even a week without exchanging a single letter.

Komi was worried, really worried, 'Did I write something wrong?' she thought, '... Was I too familiar with him?' she grumbled and the scariest thought she had, 'Has something happened to Shoji?'.

During these two weeks, she considered sending a second letter to Shoji without waiting for his answer, but ultimately decided not to do that, thinking it'd be rude. So, she patiently awaited an answer. During these seven years of friendship, Komi does know Shoji quite well, and therefore knew he'd answer. The fact that it took him two weeks to send an answer is evidence enough that Shoji had something to take care of.

Putting her school bag aside, she sat down and carefully unwrapped the envelope.

...

Komi, now rooted in place, had a shiver run down her neck. In her eyes, some tears pooled.

As it turned out, Shoji's aunt died. Although Komi knew Akiyama quite well, there is one thing Akiyama never really talked about, that being his relatives. But whenever he did, Komi could tell, just from the strokes and choice of words, that Akiyama isn't on good terms with his relatives. Well, except for his aunt Chiyo, who was mentioned by Akiyama on multiple occasions, especially in the past three years.

The way the letter was written, at first glance, would assume that Akiyama wasn't very close to his aunt. The tear-stained, wrinkled letter paper would prove one wrong, though.

Komi felt as if a cold bucket of water was poured over her head.

Crestfallen for the lonely Akiyama. She felt the urge to meet him wherever he is. To meet him and hug him, telling him that everything will be alright. But alas, it was hopeless, although she knows his home from the address from which the letter is sent, it is unlikely that he's still there as he mentioned that his grandfather had taken him in for the time being.

'Akiyama... please be safe...'

For now, she can only wait for yet another letter...