10. Conversation

" That is, you want to say....that you fell down the stairs ? "

" Yes ! It was a complete surprise ! "

"...seriously ? Do you think I would believe such nonsense ? Do I look like a fool ?! "

" No ! That 's not what I meant ! "

When Takeshi woke up, he was met by the evil Tae. And by "evil", it means that she almost stabbed him in the throat with a scalpel.

" Then stop talking nonsense and talk ! What happened this time ? "

The relationship Tae and Takeshi.....are very ambiguous. Tae helped him out many times and pulled him out of scrapes, treated his wounds and helped with medications.

Although their relationship cannot be called close, but there is still a strong bond between them.

" I'm telling you, it's nothing serious. "

" Nothing serious ?! "

She took the form and poked Takeshi's face into it.

" Fever, high fever, heavy sweating, delirium in a dream, severe bruising on the hands and on the head. And to all this, there is a small fracture of the fibula. And this is what you call " nothing serious " ?! "

" Pfft ! You know that's not the worst thing that's ever happened to me. "

" You..... !!! "

She stuck the form in and took Takeshi by the breasts. She bumped her forehead against his and glared at him.

" Stop hurting yourself, you idiot ! "

" Haaaaaa ?! Who are you calling an idiot?! Idiot ! "

He tried to push her away, but her grip was too strong for his weak body.

" Don't you understand ?! The more you cripple yourself, the faster your body wears out ! You just can 't stand it ! "

" I don 't care ! I 'm going to die anyway ! Even now, even as an old man ! The difference is small ! "

" Bastard ! "

She pushed his body onto the bed, sat on him and started beating him.

" You ! Crazy woman ! Stop it ! "

" Stop it ! Destroy ! Own ! Life ! "

" And what do you care ?! Why are you so attached to me ! "

" Because I 'm worried about you ! I don't want to see you die ! "

Her blows became weaker and weaker, after which she stopped and buried her face in his chest.

" I don't want to see it. Not again. "

Takeshi's clothes started to get wet from her tears.

" Please.... "

She raised her face to him.

Her face was filled with tears.

Her brown eyes looked at him and trembled with fear.

" .....stop it "

Takeshi was looking at her. He couldn't say a word. Everything he wanted to say stayed with him.

He gently stroked her hair and held her close.

" Sorry. I'm sorry. "

Lying in his arms, tears began to accumulate in her eyes again.

That wasn't the answer she wanted to hear.

Not such an answer

--------------

Sitting on the bed, Takeshi stared blankly at the ceiling and pondered.

He was wandering in his mind in search of an answer to many questions.

And the most important question was...

( What should I do next ? )

He had several options.

1. He forgets everything like a terrible dream and continues to lead his miserable existence.

2. He begins to explore this new world of possibilities alone. Which will most likely lead to his death.

3. The same as 2, but he is assembling a team.

( Previously, I would most likely have chosen option 1, but not now. )

He took a cigarette out of the pack, opened the window and lit up

( If I quit now. then I'll lose a great opportunity. )

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out an old, battered photograph.

It depicted an ordinary, average family. Father, mother, daughter, dog. Nothing unusual.

( If this world is a reflection of the real one. If so..... )

He looked at the photo and squeezed his hand.

( Then I can definitely find that bastard. I've been waiting for a whole year. There were no answers. Not a single clue, evidence or suspected versions. )

He threw the extinguished cigarette out the window, put the photo back in his pocket and went to bed.

( Now, it's time to take matters into your own hands. I've been on the sidelines for too long. It's time to get your hands dirty. )

-----------

Akira and Sakamoto walked along the road to Shujin and talked cheerfully to each other.

They slowly, like the other students, approached the academy. But just as they were about to cross the threshold, a voice called out to them.

" Hey "

They both turned around and saw Takeshi. He was leaning against the gate and smoking a cigarette.

Noticing that he was able to draw their attention, he threw away his cigarette, limping he approached them.

" There is a conversation. Not for extra ears. "

It's time to discuss everything.