Reverie Chronics

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, leaving a canvas of deep indigo smeared with the remnants of twilight. Streetlights flickered to life, casting long shadows along the quiet streets of the suburban neighborhood. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of blooming night jasmine, mingling with the distant hum of city life.

Inside our modest home, the clinking of dishes and the soft murmur of a television show created a backdrop of domestic tranquility. I lounged on the couch, flipping through a manga with a furrowed brow. The day had been long, and I cherished these quiet moments of reprieve.

"Izumi, can you bring groceries?" my mother's voice floated from the kitchen, pulling me out of my fictional world. I looked up, a hint of reluctance in my eyes.

"Mom, it's really late now," I said, glancing at the old clock hanging on the wall. The hands showed it was already 8 PM.

"Please, can't you bring them for your mom?" she asked, stepping into the living room with a pleading expression that I found hard to resist.

"Well... okay, alright, I'll bring them. What do you need?" I sighed, closing my manga and rising to my feet.

"Some tomatoes, some garlic, and if you want, get something for yourself as well," she replied with a grateful smile.

At that moment, Yuki, my younger sister, bounded into the room, her eyes bright with excitement. "Onii-chan, can you bring some snacks for me too?" she asked in her cheerful tone.

"Didn't I buy some yesterday?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, you see, I'm in my growing stages, so I need to eat a lot," Yuki said, grinning mischievously.

"If you eat that much every day, you'll grow up for sure, but in a different way," I teased, ruffling her hair.

"Onii-chan!" she protested, puffing her cheeks in mock indignation.

"Okay, okay, I'll bring some," I said, chuckling. I slipped on my jacket and grabbed my wallet, heading out the door.

The night was cooler than I expected, the chill biting through my clothes. I walked briskly towards the nearby market, the streetlights guiding my way. Halfway there, a realization struck me. "Oh wait! Markets usually close around this time," I muttered to myself, glancing at my watch. "That means I'll have to go to the supermarket. Great, that was a terrible decision."

The supermarket was much farther, its neon sign glowing in the distance like a beacon. For most people, the walk would be a minor inconvenience, but for me, it felt like a marathon. Ever since I was a child, my body had betrayed me, refusing to endure any extended physical exertion. If I pushed too hard, my legs would give out, and I would collapse.

People often joked that even a five-year-old had more stamina than me. But despite my weakness, I possessed an unusual strength and an almost supernatural ability to feel no pain, even if I were to be stabbed. These traits, however, felt more like burdens than blessings, isolating me from my peers.

"Oh no, I'm running out of stamina," I thought, feeling my energy drain with each step. "I must reach the supermarket soon."

Finally, the brightly lit supermarket came into view, its automatic doors sliding open to welcome me. The cool, sterile air was a relief. I grabbed a basket and started picking out the groceries: tomatoes, garlic, and snacks for Yuki. As I navigated the aisles, my legs felt like lead, but I pushed through the discomfort, determined to complete my errand.

With the basket full, I headed towards the checkout, but then remembered the 9th floor had an anime section. I couldn't resist the temptation to browse for some new manga. 

I made my way to the elevator, the doors sliding open with a quiet whoosh. I stepped inside and pressed the button for the 9th floor. The elevator hummed softly as it ascended, the numbers lighting up one by one. The ride was smooth, giving me a brief moment to catch my breath.

When the doors opened, I was greeted by a burst of color and life. The anime section was a feast for the eyes, filled with vivid characters and vibrant displays. Posters of popular series lined the walls, and a life-sized cardboard cutout of Hatsune Miku stood proudly at the entrance, her teal hair and cheerful expression welcoming fans.

I wandered through the aisles, feeling a familiar excitement bubble up. The shelves were stocked with rows upon rows of manga, each cover more enticing than the last. It was like stepping into a different world, one where my worries melted away. I browsed through the sections, my fingers trailing along the spines as I searched for a good pick. 

Just as I reached for a new volume of my favorite series, a sudden scream pierced the air. "Monster!!" someone yelled, the panic in their voice unmistakable.

My heart skipped a beat as I turned towards the source of the commotion. The vibrant, comforting world of the anime section was abruptly shattered, replaced by a sense of urgency and fear.

---

I saw a monster with five legs and a fat, grotesque body swinging its arms wildly and destroying the store. Recently, there had been reports of mysterious monsters lurking around the world. They appeared and then vanished just as suddenly. And today, I was witnessing one in front of me. As any ordinary person would do, I chose to run.

"I don't wanna get caught in this," I muttered to myself, sprinting towards the stairs. Suddenly, a small explosion sparked a fire. Ignoring the chaos, I bolted for the stairs. But then, a scream of a small boy echoed through the store. 

I was just about to reach the stairs when I looked back and saw a young boy crying for help. The monster had spotted the child and was now targeting him. It lumbered towards the boy on its five legs, swinging its arm back for a fatal blow. It was about to strike when a loud *clang* reverberated through the store. 

I had grabbed an iron rod, used for some store fixture, and with the help of my disability—or should I say my power—I managed to knock the monster away. I reached the boy and shouted, "Run!"

The boy ran as fast as he could but paused at the top of the stairs to look back. "Onii-san, won't you come along?" he asked in a hurry.

"Don't worry, I'll be there later," I reassured him.

He nodded and dashed down the stairs. The monster, of course, wasn't completely knocked out. It had only stumbled and was now getting back up, glaring at me with murderous intent. It swung a punch, but I managed to dodge just in time. 

The store was in ruins, the shelves toppled and the air thick with smoke and panic. My heart pounded as I faced the monster, gripping the iron rod tightly. I had to keep it distracted, at least until help arrived—or until I figured out what to do next.

The monster roared, swinging its arms with brute force. I ducked and weaved, using every ounce of my strength and agility. Despite my low stamina, my unusual strength and resistance to pain gave me an edge. But I knew I couldn't keep this up forever.

"Come on, you ugly brute," I muttered under my breath, preparing for the next attack. The monster charged, and I braced myself, determined to protect anyone else from getting hurt.

The monster kept trying to hit me again and again, but each wild swing missed its mark, smashing into the floor instead. Every impact sent vibrations through the ground, cracks spider-webbing outwards from each blow. The creature seemed to be getting more frustrated, its movements becoming increasingly erratic and powerful.

When it finally seemed exhausted, I seized the moment. I swung the iron rod with every ounce of strength I had left, mustering all my power into that one blow. The rod connected with a sickening thud, and the force sent the monster flying a short distance. It landed with a heavy crash, the ground beneath it shuddering from the impact.

But it wasn't over. The monster quickly got back up, its eyes burning with renewed fury. It charged at me with surprising speed and landed a brutal hit. The force of the blow sent me crashing through one of the shelves, the wooden structure splintering and collapsing around me. Pain shot through my body as I started bleeding from multiple wounds. 

The monster began to approach me again, each of its five legs pounding the ground with ominous intent. I knew I wouldn't survive this encounter, so I made a desperate decision to take the monster down with me. I stood up one last time, my vision blurred and my body screaming in pain. 

I ran towards the creature, dodging its massive swings. Each missed punch left craters in the floor, the concrete cracking and breaking apart under the monster's immense strength. The fire in the background grew hotter, the heat intensifying and making the building even more unstable. 

With every missed swing, the cracks in the floor grew wider, the structure groaning under the strain. Finally, one particularly forceful hit from the monster sent a deafening crack through the floor. The ground beneath me started to give way, the floor tiles buckling and breaking apart. 

I felt a sudden lurch as the floor began to collapse. The section I was on slid sideways, tilting dangerously as it started to fall. The noise of the structure giving way was overwhelming, a massive *crack* echoing through the chaos. Dust and debris filled the air as the floor crumbled beneath us.

As the floor gave way, I felt a strange calm wash over me. I knew this was it. The monster and I were both going down. The floor crumbled, and everything seemed to move in slow motion as we tumbled into the void below. The sensation of falling was disorienting, the world a blur of destruction and noise as we plummeted.

The building slid downwards, dragging everything with it. I felt the floor beneath me give way completely, and suddenly, I was falling through the air. It was a surreal sensation, as if I were flying, though in reality, I was plummeting towards the ground with nothing to hold onto.

Debris and shattered pieces of the building surrounded me, a chaotic storm of concrete and metal. The noise was deafening, but it felt distant, almost muted in the rush of the fall. The sensation of free-fall was disorienting, my stomach lurching as I tumbled through the air.

I closed my eyes, trying to find some semblance of calm in the midst of the chaos. "Well, I think this is how my life is going to end," I whispered to myself, surprisingly relaxed given the circumstances. There was a strange peace in accepting the inevitable.

As I fell, time seemed to slow down. Each second stretched out, giving me a moment to reflect on everything. I felt the air rushing past me, the weightlessness, the finality of it all. My breath grew shallow, and eventually, I exhaled, feeling my consciousness start to fade.

In that fleeting moment, suspended between life and death, I felt an odd sense of freedom. And then, everything went black as I ran out of breath and succumbed to the void.

As I was falling, back-downwards, a sudden sensation startled me. It felt like someone was holding me by my back and legs in a cradle. I opened my eyes, and to my astonishment, I saw a stunning girl with sparkling red eyes and long, bright red hair flowing like molten lava. Her presence was otherworldly, her skin porcelain smooth, and her entire demeanor exuded a serene yet commanding aura. She wore a sleek, form-fitting outfit that shimmered slightly, enhancing her ethereal beauty. Her eyes were intense, filled with depth and secrets, and her lips curved into a small, enigmatic smile.

We were surrounded by the chaos of the collapsing building, the noise of crumbling concrete and shattering glass filling the air. Yet, amidst the destruction, she moved with effortless grace, her hair and clothes billowing in the wind as she levitated, carrying me away from danger.

"Who...who are you?" I managed to ask, my voice weak and trembling.

"You don't need to know about me," she replied with a little smile, her voice soothing and melodic. "I was here to take care of the monster, but it seems like you already did it. Good job—" She glanced back at me while gliding through the skies, her red eyes gleaming in the dim light. But I lost consciousness before I could hear her completely.

The next thing I felt was a gentle landing on a nearby building. "Well then...farewell," she murmured. Somehow, I managed to hear her last words before everything went black again.

When I finally opened my eyes, I found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Blinking, I realized I was lying in a hospital bed. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the rhythmic beeping of machines surrounded me. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over the room, making the white walls seem less harsh.

I turned my head slightly and saw my mother sitting next to me. Her eyes were red-rimmed with exhaustion and worry, but as she saw me waking up, a wave of relief washed over her face. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she reached out to grasp my hand, her touch warm and trembling.

"Izumi... thank goodness you're awake," she said, her voice thick with emotion. She looked like she had been through an ordeal, staying by my side, waiting for this moment. The sight of her was both comforting and heart-wrenching, knowing how much I had worried her. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly as she saw me, and I felt a surge of gratitude and guilt for putting her through such distress.

She hugged me tightly and said, "Thank goodness you are okay." I could feel her tears soaking into my hospital gown, a testament to the depth of her relief. My own sense of relief washed over me, easing the lingering pain from my injuries.

"Izumi, your dad was also worried," she continued, her voice still thick with emotion. "He left work and came to visit you. He's waiting outside."

My mom asked the nurse in the room to call my dad. Moments later, he entered. His face was as stoic as always, but today there was a subtle difference. Normally, I would feel a sense of fear, but this time his expression gave me a calm feeling.

"Hey, Izumi," my dad said, his voice softer than usual. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, Dad," I replied, feeling a bit awkward under his concerned gaze. "Just a few bruises."

"Good," he said, nodding. "You gave us quite a scare."

"Yeah, sorry about that," I said, managing a small smile. "Thanks for coming."

He placed a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. "Just get better, alright? We'll talk more when you're home."

The nurse checked my injuries, confirming they were mostly minor. A bandage covered a small bruise on my arm. Given the circumstances, I decided not to skip school. 

That morning, I arrived at school a little later than usual, but just on time. I entered the classroom to find almost every seat full, meaning all the students were present. I wasn't popular in my class, preferring to keep to myself with my edgy and emo personality. Quietly, I made my way to my particular seat.

As I walked towards my desk, I noticed a new presence in the room—a new student. For some reason, I felt a sense of familiarity, but I dismissed it, sitting down and acting as if nothing was bothering me.

The new student was a girl with short, bright blue hair. As I sat down, my mind filled with thoughts about her. There was something eerily familiar about her, as if I had seen her somewhere before. Then it hit me—the girl who saved my life yesterday. I had almost forgotten about the incident, but as the memory resurfaced, I realized something: this new girl looked almost identical to the one who had rescued me. The resemblance was uncanny, except for the different hair color. The hair length was also different; the girl from yesterday had long hair, while Mei's hair barely reached her shoulders. This only added to my confusion.

I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the class, which was about to start. The teacher introduced her to us, "Class, this is Misaki Mei. She's new here, so please make her feel welcome." As the first class ended, I decided to approach her. 

"Hello," I said, trying to sound casual.

She looked back at me with a warm smile. "Oh, hello."

"You're a transfer student? Or a new admission?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Well, I'm newly admitted," she replied.

"Ah, I see." I hesitated for a moment before asking the question that had been nagging at me. "Mmm...by any chance, have we met before?"

She gave me a confused look. "No, I don't think so."

Feeling a bit shy, I tried to wrap up the conversation. "Well, my bad, I guess. Anyways, nice to meet you. My name is Izumi Hayashi, and yours?"

She replied with a sweet tone, "My name is Misaki Mei. Pleased to meet you."

To be continued…