5 Identity Crisis (End)

I have watched a movie titled "Wanted" in the past. It was a good movie with a shitty ending. The protagonist of the movie had an ability to perceive the world faster for a limited time. It makes him able to see everything moves slowly in that limited time.

I am experiencing the same thing. However, I have not the ability of Wesley Gibson. The reason I am experiencing the same thing was due to my closing death.

When we are close to die, we are so afraid that our brain works faster than normal. Thus, enabling us to perceive the world faster.

I can see the black sports bike is coming my way very slowly. I can imagine my death. Being head-butted by a sports bike. I know, it's not an epic way to die.

Well, at least, my first death was dope as fuck.

Screech!

Oh, I can even hear the imbecile riding the bike pressing the brake desperately. Which means, I still got the chance to escape.

Move, my body! Move!

I pull up my body to the very best of effort —

Bam!

— only for it to be in vain.

My world is spinning. It feels like bumping my head against a wall. I have just been head-butted by a sports bike. Luckily, I was not thrown away. I was merely slammed down to the ground, due to the impact my head received from the bike.

Clutching my head, I can feel the red body fluid poured down my forehead. Oh, boy, it is starting to swell already.

My vision begins to clear once again, and the dizziness died down. Sitting myself up, I can notice the people running my way.

"Ugh... Who is the imbecile that ran over me?!"

I'm pissed. I was just walking civilly like a normal person, without causing any disturbance to others. But! This goddamn rider just ran over me out of nowhere! How could I not be pissed.

At that moment, I see the rider who is sprawled on the ground stands, before approaching me. Judging by this person's gait, they are pretty much uninjured. They even have the audacity to keep their helmet on!

"Oh my God! Kid, are you okay?!" The rider asks me like nothing happened. Taking a good look at the helmeted rider, I reply sarcastically, "What do you think?" The rider tilt their head, before answering uncertainly, "You look... fine?"

That's it, that's my bottom line. I am outraged. I am so outraged my blood flows faster than usual. The audacity of this bitch is maddening! When I am about to rush at the bitch, they open their helmet. It is revealed that the rider is a she.

Suddenly, my head spins once again.

Right, my blood flows faster due to my outrage. That means, the blood flowing from my injury will also increase too.

In result, I pass out due to my outrage.

...

Hmm... I know I am unconscious. But, I can think clearly. I have access to my consciousness, but not my body. Usually, at times like this, I will do my Profound Thinking. But, I have have something I have been ignoring to think about.

It's about my reason coming here. How can I get to this side of the world? How the fuck am I in Chiba?! Alright, that's even less bewildering than the fact I just died. I remember clearly the moment of my death.

It was like...

It was like...

Okay, who can tell me the complete version of how I died? I only know I died by car crash. I can't recall what happened right after. I do remember the news on the radio.

It went like...

Fuck it! I can't recall any shit!

Well, can't help it. Let's just wait till my consciousness returns. Oh, it returns already. I can feel my body once again. Twitching my finger for dramatic purpose, I open my eyes right after.

This time, I am met with an unknown ceiling... No, I know it is hospital. Raising my body, I observe my surrounding. I see a typical hospital room, and a bewildered woman. Hm? Woman? Oh, right. She is the woman who ran over me with her bike.

"You are awake!"

"No, I am not."

The woman's face contorted for a brief second, before sighing to herself. "Huuh... I am glad you are finally awake." I crease my brow, before asking, "How long have I been out?" Looking at her watch, the woman replies, "Roughly three hours."

That's long enough. All I felt was flying in the void for fifteen minutes. Still, this woman is admirable. She stays on my side for all this time, instead of running away.

"Are you okay now?"

At her question, I look down at my blood stained green t-shirt. I am not feeling dizzy anymore. My head will throb a little from time to time, but I am fairly okay. Thus, I nod my head.

"Thank goodness. I thought I killed you back then."

I leer at this woman neutrally. It seems, she had expected me to die at some point. Luckily, I am not petty. Thus, I choose not to pursue that matter any longer. At that moment, I realize something. This woman is somehow familiar.

Sadly, I can't pinpoint where I have seen her. At times like this, I opt to ask. Asking a question makes you a fool for five minutes, but not asking one makes you a fool for a life time.

"Lady, since you have eventually run over me, I have a right to know your name."

What? I know how to be polite. You don't have to be surprised I addressed her politely. Huuh... Who am I talking to again? Right, Four Dimensional Beings.

"Oh... uh.. that is..." The woman shifts in her place awkwardly. Luckily, I don't have to wait for long, since she regains her composure quite quickly. "Kuhum! Hello, there. My name is Hiratsuka Shizuka."

First of all, let's ignore how she has introduced herself to me. Someone normal wouldn't introduce themselves to the person they had run over like that. But! That's not something I am concerned about. Her name is.

Now, being a successful young trader wasn't easy. I needed to rely on my intelligence to achieve the height I have reached, in the past. With that level of intelligence, I, of course, know who Hiratsuka Shizuka is. I have watched the entire series, and collected the entire volumes!

Still, it's not good to jump to conclusions.

"Are you working at Sobu High?" Shizuka is surprised, and that is enough to indicate what I am thinking is happening. "Y-yeah... How do you know?" I laugh soundlessly in amusement. How do I know? Well, I know you from the anime!

Of course, I can't say that. Sighing to myself, I lean my body back.

"So, what is your name? I have told you mine, but you haven't told yours."

I leer at Shizuka. I am not scrutinizing her. I am thinking of the best answer. Who am I? I don't know how do I suppose to answer that. Am I Chris? Yes, I was, but not anymore.

This body I am inhabiting doesn't provide me with any memory or whatsoever. How do I suppose to know my current identity?!

Sighing to myself, I answer her with a straight face, "I am Batman."

Swat!

"Are you joking?!"

"Chill out, woman! You have nearly slapped my injured head!"

This savage woman knows no how to hold back. If I hadn't dodged her hand, I would have gotten a permanent brain damage!

"I am asking you seriously, and you dare to joke with me, kid?! Also, who taught you to treat an older person rudely?"

"An older person? Can't you see I am..." Not of the same age as you. Right, I am residing in a body of a young man. Stupid me, I have to think of a comeback!

"What? What can't I see you are?"

"...more ethical than you. I am not the type of someone who will slap someone's injured head."

"You have a smart mouth, huh?"

We stare at each other. None of us have any intention to back down. I look at her with my unamused eyes, and she looks back at me in disgust.

"Ugghh... Don't look at me like that, kid. Your eyes are unnerving."

"Yeah, I know. It's what you have caused to me, after all."

"My bike bumped your forehead, not your eyes!"

"..."

My unamused eyes bother her so much she squirms in her seat. After some time, she finally admits her defeat.

"I get it, jeez! I am sorry!"

"Well, at least, you know some manner."

"This brat!"

I chuckle softly. It is somehow familiar. It feels like those days where I banter with Christine.

Hmm... I just ruined my own mood. Well, it's all in the past. I have eradicated every little shit who had wronged Christine. She should have been in peace at this point.

"What's wrong with you, kid?"

"Huh, what?"

"You are crying."

"Huh...?"

Drip. Drip. Drip.

I don't even realize I am crying. I guess I am not crying. People sob when they cry. However, I don't. So, my eyes are just sweating.

"Hey, are you okay? I'm sorry if I somehow hurt you."

I know Shizuka is approaching me. But, I am too curious of what she is about to do to stop her. Upon annulling our distance, she pats my head tenderly.

I am a little bit surprised. It's weird to say the least. Shizuka shouldn't behave this way normally. She reminds me too much of...

Nah, no way.

"Excuse me."

Slid!

Suddenly, a doctor comes in, and finds us in the intimate position. Surprisingly, Shizuka is just as professional as the doctor. None of them overreacts like I have expected.

"Kuhum. It's great to see you are already awake. I am Dr. Murata, and I am here to tell you your diagnosis." I nod my head, and Shizuka follows suit. "You may experience anemia due to the blood loss later, however it won't be for long. Also, I have prescribed the medicine to help you to pass that period."

I nod again, and the doctor continues.

"Now, let me ask you some questions, and I hope you can answer me truthfully."

"Sure."

"Do you feel any pain in your head."

"Yes, it will throb slightly, from time to time."

"Very well. It is caused by the swelling, and it is normal. I will prescribe you a pain killer to lessen the pain." The doctor pauses, before asking, "What is your name?"

Shizuka is already looking at me intently. I am sure she will kill me if I answer it jokingly. But, I won't fool around this time. I will be honest.

"I don't know."

"Brat, don't jo—"

"Very well. As I have expected, you are having an amnesia."

"Wait, what?!"

Shizuka is bewildered the doctor just accepted my answer. She pesters him a few more times, before finally accepting zthta I am indeed having an amnesia.

"Huuh... So, you really don't know your name?" Shizuka looks at me helplessly.

"No, I don't." I pause, and look at the doctor. "I believe you have figured it out?"

In response, the doctor scratches his head awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I don't know either. It's the police's job, not mine."

To conclude my predicament simply, I am having an identity crisis.