Chapter 3: Rules

I am already dead

But I have given the chance to live once more

Though it is a forbidden art

That's why I must abide the rules

And here these rules will dictate my life

'Hirai?'

As my eyes drift towards the corner of the gate of the school I saw a girl. A very familiar girl with big round glass through it is her sky-colored eyes and her disgusted face made me twitched from where I am standing.

'Why… is she looking at me like that?'

I thought to myself and as I ponder upon my thoughts I came to a realization that I have done something embarrassing in her front. My hands are stretched in the sky and have a wide grin on my face. Hirai slowly walk towards me but she doesn't know what to say in the end we are bound with silence.

"…"

"…"

The suffocating silence is disturb when suddenly a motor went out of its way and went towards where I am standing and almost hit me and quickly I am off balance and fall onto something soft and when I open my eyes I can see Hirai's flushed red face and realized I hold upon something I shouldn't have and thus… I die but not literally

…

…

When I open my eyes the first thing I see is the clear blue sky and then it suddenly blocked by a grey strands of hair and with a big round glasses in her eyes Hirai's eyes are locking to me as she cover my view of the sky.

I sigh

Then I lift my head and continue to stare at her eyes. It brings the calm and warmth of her personality but as I continued to look at her eyes it makes me feel afraid… I don't know what is it, but it seems it wanted to seep into my mind and see through my pain.

I sigh again and put a grin on my face

'I can't make you worried like that, can I?'

Then as I prepare to stand, a slim hand blocks my vision and helps me to stand. With a smile on my face I took her offer.

Once again…

Our eyes locked again, this time we both averted our attention and look in front of us. A simple street, where students like us are going in and out of the school gate.

"Kiro… I –"

"Hirai… I –"

We both said at the same time and our face reddened because of the mixed nervousness and embarrassment.

"Go ahead Kiro"

Hirai's voice said and smile at me, she quickly easy to recover from that and disturb the awkward tension enveloping us. I scratched my head and whispers

'Really… it's my job to ease the tension Hirai…'

I just smiled and let that thought drift towards the back of my mind. I compose myself and ask Hirai

"I thought you have … a practice?"

I said with my usual tone and voice, Hirai is surprise and heaves a sigh of relief while putting her soft hands to her chest.

"Nope, it looks like our practice… is postponed. Anyway, why did you want me to go home together with you?"

As those words came out from Hirai's lips. I am struck,

'How can I explain things to Hirai?'

I look at her eye and suddenly I bow my head.

'Even I don't know what is happening. Should I say to her "Hirai, did you know that I came back from the dead! And here I am having my second life"As if things like that will pass easily '

I laughed at the pathetic excuse I thought and look at Hirai then give her a smile. A smile so gentle that you can call it genuine. I turn my back and put my arms above my head and whistle.

"Mom is cooking something delicious. Though there is no event or special celebration but Mom wanted to see who my friends are. So I deliberately ask you"

I shouted and suddenly I hear small footsteps following me and after some point those footsteps match the my pace and beside me

"Ok, I'll go"

Hirai nodded and walk beside me.

Without hesitation she followed me though…

'I lied'

Feeling down makes our atmosphere became gloomy then without a warning. I felt something hit me and give me a bit of shock and pain.

Hirai slap my back me so hard that I remember she is the champion of karate in our school.

'Haha… You are really my best friend'

I whisper and continue walking when suddenly a raging fast car passed by. The early happiness and tint of normal life has been ended with that second.

'That's right…'

I felt nervous and I am sweating throughout my face.

"K… Kiro… are you ok?"

Hirai worried face made me more nervous. She took a blue stripe handkerchief to her pocket and wipe my sweat.

"Silly… your still this weak until now"

Hirai said with whimsical tune.

'That's not it… Hirai'

I look at her with a serious look on my face and she stop wiping my sweat

'I am already dead and the world is trying to put me in my own place'

"Haha… that was a crazy driver over there. It gives me the chills. Streets these days are quite dangerous, don't you think Hirai"

I said and made a lame excuse again. Hirai did not said anything and she just stand and we continue our journey.

I thought I am already saved.

I thought that it is over.

It looks like the world is rejecting me.

As if I am not belong to this world anymore