Better Off Alone Book 1

3: Myriads

Once his room door shut, he sighed and picked up his sketchbook.

He turned on the radio, keeping it at a low volume as music played.

It was broken before, but with a little tinkering and rewiring, he fixed it.

...He just wished he could fix himself too.

×××××

Riku walked along the street, bag in hand as he yawned.

Staying up to sketch might've been a bad idea, he realized.

Something bumped into him, and he looked up to see a tall guy with curly hair and brown skin.

"...Uh, sorry." He said.

"No problem." Riku told him, before his eyes looked at the parakeet he was holding. He narrowed his eyes, sensing the soul.

...What's up with the kid?, He questioned.

"RIKUUUUUU!"

Kanna grabbed my arm, smiling at him before she saw the bird.

"Wow, excuse me! Is that your parakeet?!" She asked, amazed.

"Oh, yeah..." he answered.

"So cute!"

"Hello, my name is Shibata Yuuichi. What's yours?" He told them.

It talks...?!

There's not doubt about it... Somehow, that's a human soul. I can barely sense the parakeet's soul as well. Does he know..?

"I'm Suzuki Kanna! That's my friend, Murakami Riku!" She smiled.

"Kanna, we're gonna be late." Riku said as she frowned.

"Okay, thanks for letting us talk with your bird, mister! What's your name?"

"Yasutora Sado." he told them.

"I hope we can meet again! You too, Shibata!" She smiled, before taking Riku's hand and pulling him along.

...I'm gonna have to check out that bird.

"What a cute birdie!"

"I know. I've heard you say it a million times-"

He held his head, shaking from the pain.

"Humph. Air head..."

They walked on, unaware of the danger that bird was in.

×××××

The Hollow dissolved, turning into a black butterfly.

Riku watched as it flew away.

"Have a safe journey..." He mumbled, his sword disappearing into a sea of light.

He started turned to go home, freezing when he saw the guy from before land in front of him, blood pouring from his back.

"What the-" He began, until he blocked another attack by the Hollow. "Attacking humans...Bold move." He smirked, calling his sword.

But the Hollow laughed.

"You can't protect the kid! I will catch him again..!"  He said, disappearing before he could do anything.

"...Wuss." he mumbled, turning to the other guy. He observed the wound, frowning. "I knew something was wrong..."

He picked up the larger male, gritting his teeth.

"JESUS, HOW MUCH DO YOU WEIGH?!"

Chad looked at him, still dizzy.

"It's fine... You can put me down."

"No way! I'm strong, like you, so don't worry." Smiled, dragging him even more.

He dragged him to the Clinic, doubting he'd be able to carry the guy to the hospital.

"Hello..?!" He yelled as he stood outside.
"We need some help!

A girl with black hair came out.

"Stop yelling, we can hear-" she stopped before running back into the clinic.

"Dad!" She yelled.

Riku sighed, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Thank you...'

"Don't worry about it." Riku smiled.

They took him and checked his wounds.

Riku knew it was his cue to leave it at that, and to search for that bird. He knew it had something to do with the Hollow.

"Riku!"

He turned around, seeing Ichigo.

"Oh yeah, you live here. I'm guessing those were your sisters and dad?"

"Yeah, but what happened to Chad?"

"...A Hollow attacked him, and I'm guessing the parakeet he was carrying around has something to do with it."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, shocked and confused.

"You saw it..? When?"

"This morning on the way to school. Shibata Yuuichi, right?"

"Right." Ichigo said, nodding.

"I'm to try to find that bird. I think he's in serious trouble." Riku waved.

"Wait, I gotta ask you something."

He stopped, and turned around.

"...What exactly are you..?"

Riku smiled, pushing he hands in his pocket.

"A kick-ass middle schooler." He said, using his thumb to point to himself as Ichigo's eye twitched. "Take care of your friend." he used flash step, leaving Ichigo to fume.

"That punk..!"