Artificial Memory (DISCONT'D BUT WILL UPLOAD UNEDITED CHAPTERS)

Chapter 3: The Genderqueer Tumblr Shitposter In My Head Is Actually Useful

It ended with a quick flash of the boy cowering in terror against a grey wall, the faded blue paint peeling off from neglect.

Returning to reality, I saw Distance and the man rushing towards me in shock.

"Hiro..."

I murmured before losing consciousness.

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Memory was limp when I grabbed and shook him.

"Memory! Get up!"

I snapped.

"Why're you calling him Memory?"

The man asked me curiously.

I let out a sigh of exasperation, glancing at him with narrowed eyes. Well, he was just as clueless as Memory, so I had a hunch that they were related.

Standing up, I lifted Memory's head and arms over my shoulders and started forward.

"So, Hiro, you seem to know who he was before-"

I began.

"Oh, um...that's not my current name. I'm Triumph. Triumph Tsubasa, if you want my full name."

He interrupted with an awkward titter.

I hated people who interrupt me. Or anyone, for that matter. I was going to make a stinging insult, but showed self control for once (holy shit, it's been a long time) and just replied,

"All right, then. I'm Distance, and this bonehead is Memory Tsubasa. So, the amnesiac version of the 'Memory' or 'Hitashi' you knew. Come on, I'll explain this all on the way home."

As I did so, I heard something in my ribs make a popping noise and cussed. Triumph took Memory from me and carried him instead.

"Here, let me carry him...now you can explain."

He said with a grin.

When I glanced at him from this close, I noticed even more clearly how much the two boys looked alike. Both had green eyes, black hair, darker skin, and body structure. Both were taller than me as well, and that made me angry.

"Well, I found him after the CEL shot him. The CEL are the Criminal Elimination League, in case you're unaware."

I began, checking to see if he was up to date with all his knowledge of Dillion and Lost Echo. He nodded.

"They ambushed him awhile back for who-knows-what-reason and a sniper got him in the right eye, hitting his brain. I think that knocked Shale out of commission so my mother and I left the bullet in there. I mean, he's a nice guy and I don't want to lose a friend who I can verbally abuse like that, you know? He also hasn't gotten lead poisoning, so natural selection favours him."

I continued.

"He was nice when we were kids, that's for sure."

Triumph murmured thoughtfully.

At least he seemed less idiotic than this kid I'd unfortunately fallen in love with.

"So anyways, my mother and I patched him up, gave him the name Memory, and we've been taking care of him for just over a year now. He fucks up people who mess with me, and I give him blood every couple weeks, so he's not as big of a parasite as he was when I first met him."

I finished, glancing back at Triumph.

He nodded slowly.

"So that's why you were calling him Memory...sorry about that."