Day 19: Big Red Heart

Day 19: Big Red Heart

Lily smiled as she watched Ryan sleep. She was introduced to Suisei earlier that night. It would have been a dangerous event if Ryan hadn't stepped in. She and Suisei had a lot in common, which honestly wasn't a good thing, but they got along well enough. Ryan turned in early, claiming to have a long day. Suisei left because she was bored, opting to practice playing Tetris, leaving Lily alone with Ryan. "Now, let's see what kind of dreams this one has," she said, licking her lips. She held out her hand towards Ryan's head, a yellow glow coming from her hand. Emotions flooded into her, converting into energy as she started to consume Ryan's dreams.

"How sad," The smile from Lily's face vanished as she started to process the emotions. She doesn't actually feel the emotions but can judge what they are by the amount of energy each dream gave her. The stronger the negative emotions, the more energy she received. She didn't feel fear coming from him, as the energy she received was sporadic, like consuming a lot of sugar. She felt a lot of sadness from Ryan, the energy being filling and satisfying.

"Such a troubled individual," Lily sighed as she moved her hand from her side, the glow fading. "I truly feel sorry for him."

With a small glow, she was gone.

-

Ryan snapped awake when he heard knocking on the door. He summoned his gun, creeping towards the door. "Who is it?" He asked, holding the gun at the door.

"It's Neko," Neko said. Ryan let his muscles relax as he let go of the gun, letting it fade back into the ether before opening the door.

"What's up?" Ryan tilted his head.

"I decided to apply for KFP the normal way," Neko said. "I was honest about who I was, and I got a job in a joint not too far from here! Apparently, it's a couple blocks away from a bar called bar: ROBEL or something, so it's perfect!"

"That's great," Ryan smiled, remembering his one visit to the bar. "It's a great place. I actually got my first glass of alcohol there."

"Really?" Neko tilted her head. "I'll take your word for it."

"Alright," Ryan said. "I'm sure the manager isn't as bad as Tenchou, though, so you have a couple more hours to sleep in."

"That's true," Neko nodded. "I'll see you around, Ryan."

"See you around," Ryan said as Neko went off to her room. "Me, on the other hand is another story. I guess I better get to work."

-

"Morning Tenchou," Ryan smiled as he opened the door to the KFP. "Did you hear that Neko got accepted to her own KFP?"

"Of course!" Kiara smiled as she popped up from under the counter.

"I just hope her manager isn't as much of a slave driver as you are," Ryan heaved a sigh.

"Huh? I don't understand," Kiara put a finger to her lips, looking upwards as if she was trying to remember something. "She is the manager."

"Uhh," Ryan shuffled uncomfortably. "You know what? I'm going to go get changed."

"Alright!" Kiara chirped.

-

It was only a couple seconds after Ryan steeped out of the break room for the door to burst open. "HAACHAMACHAMAA!" Both Ryan and Kiara paled as they heard the word.

"HAACHAMA?!" Kiara exclaimed. Ryan turned to look at the girl. Among a second look, Ryan could detect the pain and sadness in her eyes.

"Who's this?" Haachama turned to Ryan, a sadistic smile on her face. "An ingredient for Haachama cooking?"

"Haachama no!" Kiara gasped.

"Tenchou, it's okay," Ryan took a deep breath. He wanted to help, just like Edhas did. He held his hand out towards Haachama.

"Ryan, what are you doing?" Kiara narrowed her eyes, though concern did flash through her eyes.

Haachama, intrigued, held her hand out towards Ryan. Ryan then closed his eyes, calm grabbing on to Haachama's hand. Ryan's world then went white.

-

Ryan opened his eyes to see that he was in an eternal blackness. "So that's how it feels like entering someone's mindscape," he said to himself. He looked around, noticing a small cage in the distance. He walked over to the cage, seeing Akai Haato sitting alone, curled up in her cell.

"Haato?" Ryan asked, tilting his head.

"Who are you?" Haato looked up, her eyes red and puffy. "I've never seen anyone but Haachama come in here."

"Name's Ryan Shade," Ryan introduced himself. "I'm someone from outside. I wanted to talk to you two."

"Two? As in talking to Haachama and me?" Haato turned her head. "Yeah, good luck with that."

"Haato," Ryan sat down, leaning his back on the cell. "Tell me. Have you ever talked to Haachama?"

"No," Haato turned her head away from Ryan. "Why would I do that?"

"That's the problem," Ryan said. "You aren't being open-minded."

"Why would I be open-minded to a freak like her?" Haato asked.

"Observe," Ryan smirked as he saw a cyclone of fire in the distance. Haachama flew up from the cyclone, a trail of fire following her until she landed a few meters away from Ryan, flames dancing on her fingertips.

"What are you doing in Haachama's mind?!" Hacchama demanded. "Why are you talking to Haato?!"

"I actually wanted to talk to both of you," Ryan said, standing up. Flipping on his magic, he summoned a table and three chairs.

"Talk… to Hacchama?" Haachama tilted her head. "Why would you want to talk to Haachama? People like to run away from me."

"Do you want people to run away from you?" Ryan asked.

"Of course!" Haachama said, a sadistic smile on her face. Ryan could tell she was lying though. The eyes are the gateway of the soul, after all. "Everyone is scared of Haachamachama!"

Ryan stood up abruptly, caused both Haachama and Haato to stiffen. He walked up to Haachama, looking at her. All three of them stood, Haato and Haachama tensing in anticipation as Ryan calmly looked at Haachama. Ryan raised his head, causing Haachama to flinch, closing her eyes. To her surprise, Ryan placed his hand on her head. "It's okay to tell the truth, Haachama," Haachama opened her eyes to see Ryan smiling warmly at her. "You're safe here."

"I…" Haachama paused. "I don't want people to be scared of me… I wanted to make friends… I don't like this…"

"That's okay," Ryan pulled the girl into a hug. "It's okay to feel this. We can change things. I promise."

-

When Ryan opened his eyes again, he was back in the KFP. Haatochama had her eyes closed, seemingly unconscious. Kiara was looking at Ryan with a concerned expression as he removed his hand from Haatochama.

"What the hell was that?" Kiara asked, equal parts confused and concerned.

"Uh…" Ryan rubbed the back of his head, looking at his clock. An entire hour had passed. "What the actual fuck."

"Yeah, care explaining?" Kiara demanded, a tick appearing on her forehead. "Is Haachama okay?"

"She's fine," Ryan looked up to meet Kiara's eyes. "She just needs to talk things out with Haato."

"How do you even know about Haato?" Kiara tilted her head. "What did you even do?"

"You know, I actually knew someone like them," Ryan gestured towards Haatochama. "They taught me that all they need is to sit down and talk about it, maybe kick each other a couple times… get shot in the head."

"Get shot in the head?" Kiara said, her eyes widening in shock.

"He was…" Ryan hurriedly looked for a word to remedy the situation, "a unique situation. No one's shooting them in the head. Don't worry."

Kiara opened her mouth to speak but was cut off when Haatochama opened her eyes. "Ryan…?" She looked at Ryan, a bewildered expression on her face. "You're not just a figment of my imagination?"

"As much as I wish that was, I'm real," Ryan smiled.

"Haachama?" Kiara looked at Haatochama. "Are you okay?"

"Haachama let me use the body for a while," The now determined Haato turned to Kiara. "I'm sorry, but my memory of the past few years is pretty blurry. Who are you?"

"Haato?!" Kiara almost leaped back. Before she could say anything else, the doors burst open.

"Hi friends!" Fubuki barreled through the door, dragging Mio behind her.

"Oharuuju!" Haato bounded over to Fubuki. "Fubuki! It's been so long since I've seen you! Who's this?"

"Haato?!" Fubuki almost jumped in shock before tackling her friend into a hug. "I've missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, Fubuki, but who is this?" She said, looking at Mio.

"Konbanmion! I'm Ookami Mio!" Mio introduced herself. "I'm Fubuki's girlfriend!"

"You have a girlfriend?!" Haato, Ryan, and Kiara shouted in pure shock. Shirakami "The Friendzoning Fox" Fubuki had a girlfriend. The thought was just blasphemous. Paradoxal. Uncomprehendable. Unconceive- you get the point.

"Yep!" Fubuki pulled Mio close to her, smiling brightly.

"I'm really happy for you, Fubuki," Ryan smiled.

"Thank you," Fubuki smiled.

"So, how's FBK going?" Haato asked. "Last I remembered, you were just starting it up, right?"

"About that," Fubuki rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "I think we need to catch you up on what's been going on the past few years."

-

"Wow, you've all gotten so famous!" Haato said, a bright expression on her face. "I wonder how YAGOO is doing right now."

"Actually, it would be a good idea to talk to him now that you're back," Mio said.

"Yeah! Let's go, Haato!" Fubuki said. "Everyone'll be so happy you're back!"

As Fubuki dragged Haato away, she turned to Ryan, a small smile on her face. "Thank you, Ryan."

"No problem," Ryan smiled as the doors closed behind Haato, Fubuki, and Mio.