Celebrating a Death

What felt like a dream for Rui quickly turned into a nightmare. The girl who had saved them from certain death was now confessing that she didn't have much time left to live. Rui couldn't help but wonder if it was his fault. The night he had fallen from the bridge, miraculously surviving with minimal damage, haunted his thoughts. Rui couldn't shake off the guilt of not being able to save Maya. Even with hospital equipment hooked up to them, Maya was the first thing on Rui's mind. Determined, Rui dragged himself out of bed and crawled outside, screaming Maya's name. A surprised doctor informed them that Maya was in critical condition but alive.

Conflicted and unsure of how to feel, Rui visited Maya every day, trying to avoid her family as much as possible. He couldn't bear to face them, burdened by the belief that Maya's condition was his responsibility. Memories slowly resurfaced, including the man in the oni mask who had pushed them both off the bridge. Rui had tried to explain the situation to the police, but his urgency to take action was lacking. Frustrated by the lack of progress, Rui took it upon himself to conduct his own investigation. However, his efforts yielded no results. Swearing revenge on the oni-masked man, Rui was determined to find him.

"Rui?" Maya's voice broke Rui's train of thought, bringing them back to reality. She followed up with concern, asking if he was okay.

"Yeah, I'm fine. How about your injuries?" Rui inquired, noticing Maya's frail appearance compared to when they had first met.

"Don't worry, I've been feeling great since I woke up," Maya reassured, flexing her arm before settling back down in her bed.

"Um, how do you know my name? I mean, I know your name from the hospital staff, but we never really introduced ourselves," Rui said, finally addressing the curious omission. He realized that despite Maya being his savior, He had never truly had a proper introduction.

"You're right, we haven't. Hello, my name is Maya Ayasaki. It's nice to meet you," Maya replied, bypassing the question and offering a friendly introduction.

"My name... My name is Rui Toyama. It's nice to finally meet you as well," Rui responded, though uncertainty lingered within them. He couldn't help but wonder if everything was truly okay.

"Um, Maya, I can't ignore what you said earlier. You mentioned having only eighteen days until...," Rui trailed off, unable to bring himself to verbalize the rest.

"Hmmm, Rui, do you believe in fate?" Maya asked, reaching for a small wooden ballerina toy on the table, examining its craftsmanship.

"What do you mean?" Rui questioned, seeking clarification.

"I didn't believe in fate until shortly before I met you," Maya answered, her tone contemplative.

"I don't think our futures are predetermined by fate. We have the power to change them if we want," Rui expressed, reflecting on his own experiences. The idea of fate seemed incompatible with their survival. Defying fate had become a personal battle since that night on the bridge.

"It was fate that brought us together that night, Rui. It is also my fate that we meet again in this hospital. And it's my fate that I'll die very soon, in exactly eighteen days," Maya revealed. Rui felt unsettled by Maya's words. After finally reuniting, she spoke of imminent death. Meanwhile, Maya continued to gaze at the wooden figure, raising questions about his compatibility with someone who seemed interested in astrology.

"But the doctors said you were in great health and would be discharged soon. If anything, we are both miracles," Rui remarked, still struggling to comprehend how they had survived the fall. His survival seemed to defy any notion of fate.

"I know it may sound strange right now, but I wouldn't lie to you or say something that isn't true," Maya asserted, a small smile forming on her face.

"But..." Rui was at a loss for words.

"Also, you know, it's not like I want to die," Maya tearfully interjected. Rui's own sadness began to well up, as he believed Maya's words but didn't want to accept the possibility of her impending death. He didn't want to lose her so soon after finally meeting.

"Maya, no matter what, I promise you I won't let you die!" Rui declared, His determination solidifying. In His heart, he was resolute in His quest to find the man in the oni mask and bring him to justice.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Maya reminded Rui.

"How did you know?" Rui asked, surprised by her knowledge.

"The doctor informed me before you arrived that I shouldn't keep you for too long. I overheard you telling the nurse that you had somewhere to go after visiting me," Maya explained, bringing Rui back to the present moment.

"Yeah, a couple of months ago, a friend of mine from school passed away. We use the 11th of every month to remember and celebrate him as a class. Today, we had planned to gather for a memorial event. But I don't have to..." Rui started to say but was interrupted by Maya.

"No, you have to go. Live your life to the fullest. I won't die right away. I'll see you tomorrow," Maya said, offering a reassuring smile. Rui chose to ignore the mention of dying, refusing to believe her words. He attributed it to her fatigue and the disorientation of waking up from a coma, similar to his own experience.

Nodding in agreement, Rui slowly walked out of Maya's room, glancing back at her. Closing the door behind them, Rui felt a mix of relief and unease. Maya was awake, but her words seemed far from normal. Turning around, He noticed a man standing nearby, wearing a black coat and a fedora hat. The outfit reminded Rui of spy movies and the investigators who had questioned them after they woke up. He assumed he must be here for Maya.

"Listen, she doesn't know who the man who pushed her was, so you're wasting your time trying to ask," Rui quickly intervened, wanting to protect Maya from any unnecessary questioning. She wasn't in the right state to provide answers, and the investigators had previously shown little interest.

"I'm not here for Maya," the man responded, surprising Rui. If he wasn't here for her, then why was he standing outside her room? Rui noticed the badge in his front chest pocket, confirming his status as an investigator.

"Then why are you here?" Rui stuttered, caught off guard. The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a badge.

"I am Investigator Kotogawa, and I might have some information you want to hear. It's about the 'oni masked-man' you've been searching for. I know where he will be next, and I need your help," Kotogawa revealed.

Rui was taken aback by this revelation. Did the police really have a lead on the oni masked man's whereabouts? "The oni masked man? You know where he is? Why would the police need my help? You should have already caught him," Rui expressed his anger and frustration.

"It's not as simple as it seems. I'm the only one actively working on this case," Kotogawa explained.

"The only one? He pushed us off a bridge! Isn't that serious enough for the police to take it seriously? I knew it. Just give me the information, and I'll find him myself," Rui exclaimed, recalling his determination to avenge the oni-masked man's actions.

Kotogawa looked at Rui and replied, "No one said you have to do it alone. The reason I'm the only one on this case is because it has been erased from our system. Everyone has been forced to let go and forget about it. But I couldn't let it go. I dug into my leads and sources, which led me to him. It seems he has some influence within the police department, so I've been conducting this investigation secretly. I thought if anyone could help, it would be you."

Rui carefully considered the offer. What were they getting themselves into? A police investigation? Were they capable of assisting in such matters? But the prospect of working with a detective who had more leads than he could possibly gather alone was tempting. Looking into Kotogawa's eyes, Rui saw determination and resolve. He had black hair tied back in a ponytail, a cold and stoic expression on his face, and a scar running along his cheek. He stood taller than Rui with broad shoulders. Rui extended his hand and said, "Alright, I'll do everything I can to help. I've always wanted to find and bring him to justice."

"Good, that's all I needed to hear. I know I'm putting my career on the line for this, but I believe you kids deserve justice. To achieve that, we need to find, expose, and apprehend the oni-masked man," Kotogawa affirmed, shaking Rui's hand in agreement.

Nodding in confirmation, Rui said, "So, what's the plan? Where is he located?"

Kotogawa retrieved a folder and responded, "I've been tracking his movements, and it hasn't been easy. But I've noticed a pattern. He commits his crimes on the 11th of every month, just like when you were attacked. I'm not sure of the significance of that date yet, but it's our best chance to find him. I remember him stopping by the bridge where you were attacked at midnight on the 11th. I believe it's some sort of ritual for him. We'll confront him there."

Absorbing the information, Rui asked one final question, "Why do you need me for this? Wouldn't someone more reliable be better suited?"

"Truthfully, I believe that if he sees you, it will create an opening for me. I've attempted to confront him alone before, but he's skilled at evading capture. When midnight strikes, I need you to meet me at the bridge. He'll be there, and so will we. I'll provide more details when the time comes, but I need you to stall him just long enough for his guard to drop. Then, I'll take action," Kotogawa explained.

"It's a plan. I'll be there," Rui declared, sealing his commitment with a handshake.

It was 10:00 in the evening when Rui left the hospital and made his way to the class president's house for the celebration. As he walked, thoughts about the significance of the date consumed his mind. The 11th seemed to hold importance for many people, but Rui couldn't quite grasp its true meaning. Holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand, he arrived at the door and rang the bell.

Yuki, the class president, opened the door with a wide smile. She reached out her hands to take the flowers and warmly greeted Rui, saying, "Welcome, Rui. Let me take these from you. Come in and make yourself comfortable."

Rui couldn't help but feel amazed as he stepped inside. The entire class had gathered for the event. It was his first time attending this celebration, and he struggled to fully accept the loss of his friend, Tobi. Maya being alive brought a sense of confidence, yet Rui found it difficult to celebrate someone's death in this manner.

A voice called out from his right, and Rui turned to see one of his classmates, Tanada. He was a short guy with black hair and a greenish highlight, known for his lowkey intelligence and friendly demeanor. "Look who's here," Tanada said, smiling.

Next to Tanada stood Shimizuki Ganta, the captain of the strength club. Despite his imposing size, Ganta's appearance contrasted with his lively personality. He had the same energetic nature as Kazuto, another classmate. Rui scanned the room and noticed many familiar faces—classmates he had become friends with over time.

Engaging in conversation with Ganta and Tanada, Rui heard a voice from the other side of the room. "Oi, Yuki! There you are!" Across the room stood Alice Miyazaki, the half-Japanese European exchange student known for her beauty. She had blonde hair and blue eyes that captivated many. Alice had joined the school around the same time as Rui, but she had quickly become popular. Kazuya trailed behind her, wearing a frown on his face, indicating that Alice had slipped away from him once again.

Approaching Rui, Kazuya sighed and said, "I swear, I was so close to securing a date with her, man!"

Rui laughed and replied, "You've been saying that for as long as I've known you."

Alice turned her attention to Rui and exclaimed, "Oh, Rui! It's been ages since we last talked. How have you been?"

Rui responded, "I've been alright," sensing Kazuya's intense aura behind them, as if a fiery demon had been unleashed.

"That reminds me! I have this board game that I've been meaning to play with everyone," Alice announced.

The night continued with joyous activities. The group enjoyed singing karaoke, playing board games, and engaging in lively conversations. Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, Rui noticed that one of their classmates, Kaori, seemed rather quiet and withdrawn. Kaori was a short girl with bright red hair that made her stand out. Rui couldn't help but wonder why she appeared so sad, but he didn't know her well enough to inquire. After some time, Rui excused himself and headed to the restroom.

Upon leaving the restroom, Rui glanced at his watch and realized it was already 11:45. He needed to leave soon. Although his alarm was set for 12:00, he preferred to keep track of time himself. In the hallway, Rui noticed Kaori approaching them. She looked directly into his eyes and said, "Hey, um, Rui, right? You're kind of feeling the same way as me in this situation, aren't you?"

Confused by her words, Rui listened attentively and replied, "What do you mean?"

"You know, we're all here having fun on the day of our classmate's death. It feels weird, doesn't it?" Kaori expressed.

Rui questioned, "How do you know what I'm thinking?"

Kaori responded, "Because even if you can pretend in front of everyone else, I can sense that you're not truly enjoying this." Kaori's words struck a chord with Rui, as he, too, couldn't fully agree with the festivities.

"I guess you caught me," Rui managed to say, struggling to compose himself. "Ever since Tobi died, I've never understood why we celebrate his death. Is it because he was a hero? Is it because he saved someone nobody knows? Is it okay that we don't really know how he died or why the police won't investigate? No one wants to acknowledge the possibility that he was murdered. I care about everyone here, they're my friends, but I can't comprehend how he can treat Tobi's death like this." Rui's thoughts drifted back to Tobi, and tears started to well up in his eyes. Tobi and Kazuya were among the first people to reach out to Rui when he first arrived at the school. Tobi, despite his constant struggles with sickness, was never a strong person. Rui believed deep down that he had been murdered. The police, much like in his own incident, had failed to conduct a thorough investigation into Tobi's death. All he knew was that he was found brutally attacked with a knife, his face disfigured. They labeled him a "hero" for trying to save someone in a misguided moment.

"It's not fair," Kaori cried, echoing Rui's sentiments.

Rui nodded in agreement, barely managing to speak. "It isn't."

"I can see it on all your faces. You all feel the same way, but for some reason, you go along with it to suppress your negative emotions. Why do we hide our emotions? Why do we pretend to be something we're not?" Kaori's words resonated deeply with Rui.

Rui thought back to his own past, a life spent concealing emotions and pretending to be someone else. It almost led to his own demise. He had lived that way once, so why was it happening again?

"You're right. We can't forget Tobi's death by simply laughing it off. Sometimes, we need to cry to honor the departed. That's something my grandfather told me a long time ago, and it still holds true. Thank you, Kaori. I think it's time for me to leave anyway. Do you want to come with me?" Rui suggested, realizing it was time to depart.

Kaori chuckled slightly through her tears and replied, "That's an odd saying, but I agree. We should probably go. I'm not very good in social situations."

"Alright, let me inform everyone that I'm leaving," Rui responded.

Kaori nodded, and Rui made his way back to the room where everyone had been gathered. The house was spacious, and the walk down the long hallway felt cumbersome. However, as they contemplated his friends, Rui realized his mistake in blaming them for the way they were celebrating Tobi's death. In truth, his friends were hurting just like Rui and needed a way to cope. Rui felt that somehow they could find a better way to commemorate Tobi's memory. He made a mental note to discuss it with Yuki the following day.

As Rui approached the room, an eerie silence filled the air. Not long ago, the room had been filled with lively conversations, but now it was ominously quiet. Rui couldn't help but think that perhaps Kazuya had done something awkward to suddenly silence everyone. He whispered to himself, "Days like these make me remember when I had a family."

Before his parents had passed away, life had been pleasant with his, mother, and father. Now, his friends had become his new family. Even though he still lives with his annoying sister. Rui opened the door.

"What the hell..." Rui's eyes widened, and the air was sucked out of his lungs. Overwhelmed, he fell to his knees as he took in the gruesome scene before them. The floor was drenched in blood, and the lifeless bodies of his friends lay scattered, bearing brutal wounds. The room was silent, devoid of any sound or emotion. Rui's gaze shifted from one lifeless body to another, his eyes begging for help. Beside them, Kazuya's lifeless form lay on the floor, his neck severed and his mouth filled with blood.

Step.

Step.

Step.

Rui's breathing grew heavy and labored as the sound of footsteps approached from behind.

Step.

Step.

Step.

His mind raced, questioning why this was happening, why they were subjected to such agony.

Step.

Step.

"Do you know pain yet?" a commanding voice resounded behind them.

Unable to form words, consumed by shock and horror, Rui could only stare in disbelief.

"I asked you, do you know pain yet?" the voice demanded, its volume increasing.

"So, you don't... not yet," the voice continued.

"Rui?" Another voice, this time one he recognized, called out from behind.

Then a scream pierced the air, a scream that belonged to someone familiar. Rui turned around and saw Kaori, standing beside a figure in a black cloak, donning an oni mask. The menacing presence emanating from the figure sent shivers down Rui's spine.

"Then I suppose you need to experience more pain," the oni-masked figure declared before swiftly unsheathing a blade and, in a single motion, severing Kaori's head from her body.

Agony overwhelmed Rui, and a primal scream tore through his throat as he lunged toward the oni-masked figure, driven by a whirlwind of emotions.

In an instant, a blinding light enveloped everything. Rui's vision split, diverging into two directions. He felt a searing, piercing pain, spreading through his entire being. Even his fingernails registered the chilling shock of impending death. Death? Was he dying? No, it couldn't be. Death wasn't supposed to be this excruciating, confusing, and torturous. This was suffering. Had he been struck or stabbed? Darkness enveloped his senses, and soon, everything faded away, until there was nothingness—except for two distinct parts of his existence. Oh... he has been torn in half.

And then, as Rui emerged from the darkness, he realized something. He had returned to life.