Yume~ Chapter One

Author’s note: This is incomplete due to the lack of ideas of what to progress onto at the stopped point. I have an image beyond that, but I have to get past this point.  Open to reasonable suggestions…

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“Kenji-kun!” He halted in the middle of the hallway and turned around. A smile found its way onto his face when he saw it was his beloved. “Chiyo-chan!” He ran toward her then wrapped his arms around her. “I’ve…” he trailed off when she pushed him away. He thought it was strange of her to do. “Chiyo-chan, what…what is the meaning of this?” She lifted up her arm and held out something. Kenji looked at the small box, puzzled by its presence then took it from her. He opened it and gasped while his eyes widen. He pulled the locket out gold liquid chain while the box fall to the floor.

 

The only noises was the stutters of him trying to form a word. Kenji found he couldn’t speak. He fell backwards onto the wall to have the wall support him. To him it felt like the room was spinning. This caused him to feel dizziness in his confusion. Chiyo-chan… Her name echoed through his mind. He could see a trace of a smile on her face with an indeterminable expression. Chiyo broke the silence between them.

 

“I can’t take it anymore, Yoshio-san.” His haw dropped at the formal reference as his heart took another blow. “I did love you…I really did, but…” Chiyo shook her head and hesitated before continuing. “You never loved me.” He stood there stunned by what she said. The audacity of her accusing him of never loving her was shocking. He had loved her wholeheartedly. Kenji wondered at what he did wrong…what he didn’t do. He had sacrificed everything for her. To spend his time with her. To be in her presence. To love her…

 

“C-C-Chiyo-chan…I…I…d-did…love you,” he stuttered brokenly as he spoke. Hurt was flooding within the confines of his voice. She shook her head then turned away from him. “You are just saying that.” He felt tears streaming down his face. “I don’t want to ever see you again, Yoshio-san.” She started to walk away, but then stopped a few steps away from the door. “Another thing, don’t you ever call me ‘Chiyo-chan’ again.”

 

She left him standing there alone. Kenji pushed himself off the wall and started to chase after her, but he fell to his knees. “Chiyo-chan…” he whispered at first. “Chiyo-chan!” He shook violently with his tears. He stood up with his head down and his arms dangling at his side while he clenched his hand around the locket. “Kenji…”

 

He jerked his head up at the sound of his name. “Chiyo-chan!” he called out while looking around the hall. The mysterious voice called to him again. He then realized that it wasn’t his beloved saying his name. “Who are you?” he said quietly. No reply came. “Whoever you are just take me now!” he cried out in anguish. I’ve lost everything so it doesn’t matter…anymore.”

 

A blinding light appeared before him while a soft giggle surrounded him. “I’m here to save you, Kenji, not hurt you…” His arm involuntarily lifted itself like he was reaching out. “Save me…?” he whispered. He took a step forward then fell. He felt like he was floating downward then…

 

Kenji sat up suddenly while trembling. His breathing had quicken. He glanced down and saw the locket in his lap. He picked it up and studied it for a moment. “Chiyo-chan…” he gasped as he threw the locket across the room. He felt the pain engulfing his heart once more. That moment had been plaguing his mind the entire summer break. He still wondered at who was trying to save him.

 

He was dreading the start of school more and more after each night. He would have to see her face, possibly share classes with her. He couldn’t face her. All those painful memories would come back. Kenji wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. He forced himself out of his futon and began stretching himself. He laid himself face down on the floor with his arms bent at an odd angle then pushed himself up. He began the repetitious movements of a push-up till he could do no more.

 

He flipped himself onto his back and stared blankly at the ceiling. Sweat began to run down the sides of his face while the room began to feel to very warm and uncomfortable. He got off the floor then went over to his closet and pulled out some clothes. He slid the door to his room aside and went to the bathroom. He dropped his clothes on the floor and stripped himself of his pajamas then closed the door behind him. He turned the water on and shivered at the chill it gave him. The water soon warmed itself and he relaxed. He wondered at what to do today. He knew soon he would have to pack up his things and return to Osaka, but not today. He has been trying to put that off as long as he could. With no goal or destination in mind maybe I will just wander the streets and savor my last few days in Tokyo.

 

Kenji sighed and quickly washed himself of everything then turned off the shower. He pushed his hair out of his eyes and looked at himself within the partially fogged mirror. He took a towel and rubbed his sopping hair with it vigorously. He quickly dried himself off then went to grab his clothes outside the room. Kenji slipped on his pants and tank top. The tank top did nothing flattering to him. It showed how undefined and thin he was. This sort of thing made him wonder at how so many girls were attracted to him. He placed his over shirt on a towel rack then began brushing his teeth. He rinsed his mouth then wiped it off and picked up a comb, but didn’t run it through his hair. He decided to leave it disorganized mess like he normally did and threw it back in his bag.

 

He yanked her shirt out of the towel rack then shrugged it over his shoulders. He left it unbuttoned then ran for the front door. He grabbed his wallet and cellphone off a small table on his way there. “Kenji-kun!” He stopped before he even opened the door then turned around. “Ah, brother, so you are still here.” His older brother narrowed his eyes. “I’m off today. In case you forgotten today is Saturday.” Kenji placed a hand on the back of his head. “Slipped my mind…” he muttered under his breath. “Where are you going?” Kenji stuffed his wallet along with his cellphone in his pocket then slipped on his shoes. “Nowhere in particular, Sashiro. Just taking a walk around the city. Might stop by a manga café, bookstore… stuff like that,” Kenji said. Sashiro crossed his arms across his chest then said, “Alright, just be home at a reasonable time. I think our parents would like to see their younger son alive.” Kenji chuckled then said before leaving, “Don’t worry, Sashiro. I’ll be alright.” Sashiro watched his little brother leave before closing the door. “You better be.”

 

He walked down the populated streets while looking around. Several people bumped into him as he walked through the crowd. He finally reached the café and stepped inside to escape the people. He went up to the counter then took a step back when he saw who was standing there. “Toshi-san…” he said shocked. “Have you forgotten I worked here?” Toshi tilted his head to side with his arms on his hips. “Sorry, Toshi-san, I’ve been in a daze. Can I get my usual?” Toshi nodded while Kenji pulled out his wallet and set the yen for his stay on the counter. He walked through the many bookshelves and scanned over them until he found a manga that had caught his interest. He sat down and opened it then began reading. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his tea being set down. Toshi sat across from him. “When do you return…to Osaka?” Kenji lowered his manga and looked him straight in the eye.

 

Kenji could tell that he was not wanting him to leave. Toshi had been a real friend to him since he arrived. One of the very few of Sashiro’s friends that he had appreciated. They had this indescribable connection that he knew would last. “Not much longer…a couple of days,” he said quietly then took a sip of tea. Toshi nodded slowly. “Well, I’ll leave you to your tea and reading.” He got up and started to walk away. Kenji looked up from his cup then called after him. Toshi stopped and turned to face him. “I’ll email you, alright?” Toshi’s face lit up with a smile then said, “I’ll be counting on that.” Kenji gave him a thumbs up then returned back to his manga.

 

He relaxed in his seat while flipping the pages as he finished reading them. He closed the book then drained his cup and stood up. He stretched then put the manga back where he got it then went up to the counter. “I’m going to head out, Toshi-san,” he said while placing the cup on the counter. Toshi nodded. “I’ll come by your place, okay?” Kenji nodded then said, “See you then.” He left and wandered through the streets then stopped at a corner. He let his head fall with his chin resting on his chest. He closed his eyes and just listened to his surroundings.

 

“Alright, I’ll see you guys later!” Kenji felt someone run into him and fell to the ground. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?” The voice sounded innocent and sweet. He looked up and paused. The opening of her shirt that slightly exposed her cleavage was within his eyesight. He gasped inaudibly while he blushed a pinkish color. “Y-Y-Yeah…I-I’m fine,” he stuttered then swallowed the lump in his throat. Her hand appeared before him. It looked so soft and smooth. When he held it he felt an instant rise in temperature. She pulled him up and steadied him. He looked down and saw that she was wearing a very short skirt. He hated how his body reacted to this. He felt his mouth involuntarily curve into a smile. He tried to rid his face of the smile, but he could still feel a trace there.

 

“I’m sorry…let me make up to you,” she offered. He figured she did not notice the struggle that was going on inside him. He held up his hand then said, “No…that is not necessary by any means.” She giggled and took his hand then started dragging him with her. “I’m serious,” he said while pulling his weight against her. “Just humor me,” she pouted. Kenji sighed then nodded. “Alright, how are you going to make it up to me?” She pulled him with her across the street. “You’ll see!”

 

“Can I ask you what your name is?” He gathered up the speaking power a few moments later. She had let him walk on his own free will beside her. “Kamiko Ayano,” she replied. “And yours?” He looked at her then shifted his gaze somewhere off in the distance. “Yoshio Kenji…I still want to know what this plan of making it up to me is.” She let go of his hand and opened a door. He looked up then took a few steps back. “What are we doing here?” he asked. She pulled him through the door. He looked at her puzzled. “I don’t have much to spend.” She shook her and pulled out a card. “I’m treating you, remember? Now let’s go shopping!” Ayano’s face held a cheerful smile. “O-okay…” he said dumbly.