Another hole blew through my head, taking out my right eye. Blood trickled down my face like tears.
What was Yza doing in front of my house? Or to be more specific... Chiharu's house?
Yza knocked on the door meekly. To my dismay, Chiharu was the one answering it.
"Who are you?"
Coldly, Chiharu questioned the boy standing in front of her. Both of them shared one thing in common: dead, empty eyes that lacked any life.
"I'm Yza... your dad adopted me."
That's... that was my line...
I said that when I first met her...
With Kristy by my side... I told her that...
What was Yza doing... in my role?
A splitting pain rang throughout my ears as I dropped to the floor, burying my quivering head into my shaking hands.
It felt like my head was on the verge of exploding as it spasmed uncontrollably.
It felt like my whole world was falling apart.
A huge chunk of the sky turned black as the night.
Yet it was still day...?
I was wheezing, gasping for air desperately.
My lungs felt tight and shrivelled up.
My heart was beating uncontrollably.
So much pain enveloped my body, it was even hard to stand up.
I crawled my way inside their house.
And helplessly watched as memories of my life began playing out...
...but with Yza in my place.
"Oh... I see."
Chiharu put down her cup of tea and looked at her father, who pushed his glasses up. As usual, her father is all about business and getting deals. He was a fierce businessman, that's for sure.
"Here you go."
Chiharu's mother put a plate of sweets in front of Yza. She did the same thing to me when I first moved in.
Yza stared at the plate with surprise.
"...is it really okay?"
"Eat as much as you want." Dad encouraged him.
"Isn't this... too much though?"
There were only three finger-cakes on his plate. I wouldn't call it too much.
"You can never have too many sweets. If you have left-overs, Chiharu will eat them."
Mom chimed in, trying to make Yza feel welcomed.
"Why would I want to eat something from his plate...?"
"You have a problem with me?"
When I first met Chiharu, she was like this to me too. However, compared to me, who always responded submissively, Yza wasn't afraid to snap back at her.
"You two, try to get along. You'll be siblings from today."
Using his commanding tone, dad shut down any chance for an argument to break out. He must be thoroughly aware of Yza's rash personality then.
"If it's too much, then we can share." Mom said.
"...yeah, that's fine."
Yza gave in, eating one cake. Then he ate the second. Then he ate the third.
Despite what he said earlier, Yza managed to scarf down the entire plate.
"You sure have the appetite."
Once again, Chiharu burned Yza.
"...my bad."
However, instead of responding with snark like he usually does, Yza apologised for eating it.
"They were just... really tasty."
"They're nothing special. Mom bakes these all the time."
Even though it was an off-handed comment from Chiharu, Yza bit his bottom lip.
"...it must be nice."
Even though he made a fierce impression on Chiharu and her family, Yza started acting more similar to me.
"Sorry... I'm gonna go to the bathroom."
In a rush, Yza left the dinner table. Dad looked at Chiharu with crossed arms.
"What's with that look...?"
"You should be more sensitive, Chiharu."
"I could be much worse..."
"I understand you're unhappy with this situation, but Yza has the potential to become one of the greatest stars of the company."
"What makes him so special compared to everyone else? Why did you want to adopt him? It makes no sense..."
"Have you heard him sing?"
"...no. Why would I care about that... I'm not into idols."
"You should listen."
From what I heard, Yza wasn't a good singer. In fact, he had no musical talent whatsoever. If that's true, how could he have such a moving singing voice that dad wanted to adopt him?
It seemed I was more curious about it then Chiharu was. Regardless, she took another sip of her tea and got out of her seat.
"Besides, you always wanted a younger sibling, right? Yza can be a bit of a handful to deal with, but you should be able to take care of him."
"What makes you think that?"
"You're both very similar."
"...I'm nothing like him."
Dad and mom traded glances and smiled. It was as if they were telling each other they had made the right choice.
Chiharu knocked on Yza's door. Predictably, Yza had the same room I did...
"Come in."
"Excuse the intrusion."
Chiharu entered his room and closed the door behind her. Yza raised an eyebrow.
"You... I thought you didn't like me."
"Mom and dad told me to give you a chance. Don't mess it up. I have an axe in the shed and I'm not afraid to use it."
The corners of Yza's lips flicked upwards. When Chiharu first threatened me like that, I nearly pissed my pants.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing... I just can't believe you said that with a straight face."
"Well... that's because I'm being serious."
Chiharu leaned against the door, twirling the ends of her silky hair in embarrassment.
"I don't doubt it. It's more like... how do I explain it..."
"That it came so suddenly out of nowhere?"
"Exactly."
For once, Yza and Chiharu agreed on something. I started to feel uncomfortable as the situation continued.
"Do you want to sit down?"
Yza offered the chair he was sitting on. Instead, Chiharu shook her head and sat down on the floor.
"I'm fine here."
"The floor's probably more comfortable anyways."
Unexpectedly, Yza ditched his seat and sat down at Chiharu's level.
"...you're weird."
"I would feel even weirder having to look down at you while talking."
"I'm not here to talk. I'm here to hear you sing."
Immediately, Yza's face turned red.
"What, you got scared?"
Tauntingly, Chiharu flicked his forehead.
"Ow..."
"Get your mind out of the gutter. You want to be an idol, right?"
"Well... of course. It's the only path I've got left... I've fucked everything else, to be blunt."
After numerous fights and failing grades at school, Yza would have extreme difficulty finding a job in society. As if it were a blessing or miracle, Chiharu's dad was going to give him an out to this situation.
"You're honest."
"I try to be... when I can, at least."
I noticed that, a lot of the time, Yza is never honest when it comes to sensitive subjects.
"Well, if you want to be an idol, you need to be able to sing without getting embarrassed. If you can't sing in front of me, then you'd be hopeless in front of a crowd. You might as well give up now and become a janitor."
"Harsh... don't undermine janitors, they work hard to clean up after us."
"You're arguing a moot point. I just want to hear you sing."
"Well, give some respect to janitors and maybe I will."
"Don't use my view on janitors as an excuse for your inability to sing."
"I'm not using it as an excuse. Janitors are very important in society."
"If they're so important, become one then."
"No way... that's gross."
"Then why do you want me to put respect on this job when you also think it's gross to be a janitor?"
"...ah, whatever."
Knowing he was in a losing position, Yza gave up against Chiharu's harsh words. Of course, I know why Yza was passionately defending this job.
His mom had worked as a janitor in various office buildings as one of her numerous jobs. Chiharu's belittlement of janitors to Yza was the same as belittling his mom.
Of course, his pride wouldn't stand for that. So he stubbornly argued an argument that shouldn't have even existed in the first place.
"So. Sing."
"...what do you want me to sing?"
"Anything. I don't mind."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Sing like... I don't know, what music do you listen to?"
"Rock, I guess."
"Well, the stage is yours."
Yza rubbed the back of his neck. Clearing his throat, he began to sing.
After hearing about his musical inability from his friends, I was curious to find out just how bad he was.
That's why I was blown away in shock when I heard his singing voice for the first time.
It was beautiful.
Even though he had a rough and ragged appearance, Yza's singing voice sharply contrasted it. It sounded like glass if it were personified - so powerful yet could break at any moment.
In fact, it's borderline fragility was what made it so breathtaking. Every note he hit had weight to it, even though his voice was light and airy, his high notes surpassed even mine.
No, his singing voice surpassed my own. I couldn't even control my voice to the level he does. To be able to strain your voice like that yet control the quality of it so precisely required an insane amount of skill. It's clear that he's practiced before.
The song he sang didn't matter anymore. All that truly mattered was the emotion and depth inside of his voice. The gentleness on the surface carried a deep emotional baggage underneath it, letting him spill out his true feelings that he kept buried deep inside.
No one would've guessed that this brawler would be so delicate and fragile behind all these rough layers. His voice was an expression for his true feelings. Vulnerability, weakness, fear.
They all manifested and overflowed in the most bittersweet way possible. A powerful falsetto that played on the duality of man.
The cruel world surrounding him would normally never let him get away with showing this many flaws, but through the medium of music, he could truly embrace the darkness inside and no longer be afraid of showing others who he really was.
Someone who was broken by the world.
That was why it was so captivating. You could understand Yza through his stunning voice, even if you didn't know him at all.
I'm sure Chiharu felt it too.
Her watery eyes wouldn't look away from Yza. She was entranced by his singing. I think the way Yza expressed himself hit deep inside of her. After all, when I first met her... she was a quiet and bored girl who hated how monotonous and tedious life was.
She never made any friends and lived like a shadow in the class, but because of my influence, she changed to become someone who could show lots of emotion. Right now, Yza was doing the same thing.
With his voice, he knocked down the wall on both his and Chiharu's heart.
When the song finished, Yza was completely out of breath. Breaking out of her daze, Chiharu looked away, wiping the tears off her face.
I wanted to do that for her... but I couldn't touch her at all. All I could do was watch as she and Yza slowly formed a bond. Just like how I did with Chiharu.
"Why... why are you crying?"
With a sensitive approach, Yza tried to console her. Chiharu sniffled, avoiding Yza's eye contact.
"Nothing... it's nothing."
"My singing isn't even that good. Save your tears for something actually worth bawling over."
Staying true to his stubborn, prideful fashion, Yza gave a fairly sarcastic response despite his gentle (and slightly worrying) tone from earlier.
"Your singing is really good. No wonder dad wanted to hire you..."
"Ha. If you asked anyone in school, they'd say I'm tone-deaf and my voice sounds like a dying donkey."
"I'm being serious... your singing voice is beautiful. Those guys are the tone-deaf ones."
Yza looked away, before focusing on Chiharu again.
"W-whatever. So, what did you cry over? How bad my voice is or how much you regret becoming my sister?"
Even though Chiharu was talking seriously, Yza kept trying to stir the conversation back to a joking atmosphere.
"Neither. Do you have some sort of complex or something?"
"Not really."
"Then why do you have this preconceived notion you suck at singing? You know that it's not true."
"Well, I was being serious when I said my classmates told me I couldn't sing for shit... so I gave up."
"If you gave up on singing, how the hell do you have such a refined voice? It doesn't make sense..."
"...I sang to myself a lot."
"Huh?"
"Basically... I'm always singing stuff in my head. It's how I keep the demons away. I like singing... but of course, no one else appreciates my voice, so I sing to myself when I'm like in the shower and stuff. My shower sessions become egregiously long because I can't shut up. It's a total waste of water too."
Even though Yza was bordering between serious and joking, I could tell how he was taking out the pain of this by acting self-deprecating about it. Since his family was dirt poor, things like water was precious.
Wasting his time in the shower singing was also quite literally putting money in the drain. Even though he tried sacrificed his own interests for his mom's benefit, he couldn't stop because that was the only way he could express himself.
That's how Yza developed this unique singing voice that revealed his inner emotions. Everything, from the way he acted, to the way he talked, was nothing more than a defence mechanism.
In that aspect... I related a lot. I never joked, but I always lied to myself and tried to run away from reality when things got too much for me. I betrayed Ubume, I never trusted anyone, I broke-down at the sight of a memory...
I wanted to never disappear so badly, I recklessly fought in order to prove I really existed.
But I didn't need to do that... because my career as NAITO, the memories I created with Chiharu, and my battle against Gyze was proof enough that I made my mark in this world.
Besides, disappearing would only hurt those around me. It wouldn't directly impact me. After all, I was nothing more than a personality designed to be a stand-in for Yza. I had no right to live from the start.
Despite all that, I threw it all away. No... to be more specific, it was forced out of my hand by Ayaza. A total stranger with a selfish desire that meant eradicating me.
In the end... he won. I was cast away and trapped inside a strange world where no one can see me or hear me.
I understand it now. That this was my destiny from the very moment I was born.
Even so... I never realised, because I wanted to continue creating memories and experiences in a world that was precious to me.
After tasting life, I didn't want to give it up.
I still had so much I wanted to do... like sing on an even bigger stage.
Just like how Yza is right now.
On his debut as an idol, he sang at Tokyo's largest music festival that featured big hits such as Big Shacc and his brother, Assknee, as well as already established idols such as KYOUYA and... Payic?
When I saw her name featured as a big deal, I couldn't believe it. It was weird seeing that both Payic and Maverick walked different paths in life here. Instead of working with Ryuzaki, they've carved their own paths for themselves.
"Everyone! ☆ Are you ready?!"
As a major star in this event, Payic was put front and centre, pumping up the crowd with an energetic yet seductive voice. Her bouncy movements and cheerful smile captivated the hearts of everyone inside the packed arena.
"Give me a giant yea~ah!"
Like she was casting a spell on the crowd, Payic spread her arms out, causing a huge uproar from the audience. Everyone, no matter their age or gender, loved her. She was the epitome of popularity.
"YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
The crowd waved their shining glow-sticks in unison, before Payic launched into her performance. Undoubtedly, she was setting an extremely high bar for all the other acts to follow. It was like she was challenging them to surpass her brilliance.
I could tell just how much hard work and effort she was putting into her song and dance. Unlike Yza, her music was made to inspire and uplift others, just like she did for Chiharu. Her hospitality for others was the best part about her.
Usually, she didn't shine much because of her more supportive role, but right now, in this world, she leveraged this aspect of her to it's absolute maximum. She used her infectious personality to both make others smile and put herself in the limelight.
Payic was an idol that no one could look away from. She was very much a cut above the rest. It made me anxious for Yza, for some reason. If I had to follow up someone as talented as her, I would probably break down into a nervous wreck.
Of course, following the hype train Payic set-up, KYOUYA, or rather, Kyouya Tsubasa, was up next. He was a very popular rookie that made an explosive debut. I've met him before because he works under the same label as mine. Basically, we both worked under Chiharu's dad.
Because of that, we became rivals. Me and Kyouya were supposed to have a dual concert, but... I disappeared before it could happen. I feel bad for all the fans who wanted to see us together... and I feel bad for Kyouya most of all, since it was my idea for us to sing together on the stage.
"Tokyo, gimme some noise!"
Kyouya's charming looks was coupled by a haughty attitude that he'd play up for the camera. For some reason, girls loved it. He struck a fine balance between cocky and sweet, while somehow also being obnoxiously dumb and stylishly cool.
I had a lot of respect for him, since acting like that was extremely difficult and polarising for viewers. You won't gain huge popularity from it, but you could carve a cult-like niche with this kind of image.
Regardless, Kyouya was still an extremely popular act. When he popped off into his song, his cheekiness shone through with the way he interacted with the crowd; especially those at the front.
He'd get up close, wink, and send flying kisses into the crowd. The guys in the crowd probably didn't find it amusing, but the girls ate it up like it was candy. He even gave high-fives and played a guitar solo.
Beneath his idol image laid an incredible musician that I had huge respect for. When he finished, you could hear fangirls scream from all over Tokyo.
It was now Yza's turn. The host of the festival briefly explained Yza's origin and how he's the latest addition to Nomura Studios.
Unlike the two acts before him, the stadium's lights dimmed down into pale blue. One spotlight emerged, focusing on the man who was entering the stage with obvious nerves.
"You can do this, Yza..."
For some reason, I muttered encouragement for him.
He stepped into the centre of the stage, wearing a cosmic blue suit that was reminiscent of the night sky.
In other words, he was wearing my suit.
My right hand exploded.
Blood gushed out of my open wrist like it were a watering hose. Even though blood was being splattered on the people around me, they didn't notice it.
It was ignored, just like me.
I slowly came to accept that I wouldn't be acknowledged in this world.
Any trace of me couldn't be seen.
Even if it was as gruesome as blood and guts.
"Everyone... thank you for coming out today. I'm not as good as Payic or Kyouya, so... please lower your expectations."
With a self-depreciating joke, the spotlight dimmed to create a dense atmosphere that was completely different from what came before.
It was a suffocating and dark feeling. Rather than hype up the crowd like Payic and Kyouya, Yza's debut was going to sober the crowd.
A light whispering spread throughout the arena. For an idol, his debut was strange and unlike anyone else's. The crowd wasn't used to this seriousness.
However, they held their breath and reserved their judgment. A few people shouted "boo" straightaway, but they shut up once they heard it.
Yza's voice.
Under this pressure, his singing wasn't as good as when he sang to Chiharu, but the powerful yet fragile quality of his voice that made his performance so good shone brightest, making him sparkle like a diamond in the rough.
With a microphone, that voice could now reach the world.
It could touch the lives of millions of people.
It could touch the lives that slipped from his hands.
There was no doubt in my mind that his mother and father were watching their son spread his wings and take flight to the stage.
Even if he was deemed as a troublemaker and failure at school, on this day, he proved them all wrong.
Yza showed the world that he had a future despite all his hardships.
The audience must've recognised it.
They were complete strangers, yet his song was able to connect with all of them.
His song about life broke not only him, but everyone else down into tears.
The crowd sobbed as Yza finished his breathtaking piece.
Wiping the brimming tears in his eyes, Yza gave a single thumbs up to the crowd.
"Thank you."
He didn't have to say any more or any less. His music was enough to prove to them that he was one of the best.
Leaving the stage, I took my leave too.
I had no more reason to stay here.
I could only feel jealousy in my heart.
If only my debut was that powerful... I selfishly thought.
Even if we were the same... Yza was clearly the better musician between us.
I wanted to punch a wall.
But I couldn't even do that much.
After that initial concert, Yza started growing more and more popular. At school, he was slowly overturning his image.
People no longer saw him as a troublemaker. People saw him as the idol NAITO.
Even though he was an idol now, Yza still got into numerous fights with the bullies. They began picking on him for being an idol and insulting his singing ability.
Of course, Chiharu and Ayaza were still there to support him. But he made other friends, like Shika and Akari.
In that time, I lost my stomach.
My body was slowly falling apart the longer I stayed here.
I could accelerate it's deterioration by watching Yza and Chiharu grow closer to each other.
I lost my left foot as I helplessly watched Kakusei pin Chiharu against the wall and start abusing her.
In this world, instead of going after Rukia, he's going after Chiharu.
From the moment I met him, I knew Kakusei was bad news. No one else noticed though...
I wonder what happened to him. Did he ever get his way with Rukia?
I hope that bastard didn't.
"Let... go... of me...!"
"Calm down. I thought arrogant girls like you liked it rough."
I tried to get him away, but my limbs passed through him. Even if I wanted to do something, all I had was one hand anyways.
It was frustrating... being reduced to this ghostly body.
"Kakusei..."
Chiharu huffed, trying to kick him away. Kakusei took the blows and continued to hold her down.
"Listen. I really, really like you."
"Well, I fucking hate you!"
There was so much I couldn't do... so much I needed to do.
I wanted to break free and grab something.
Especially right now, when Chiharu's safety is on the line.
I wanted to be her hero. A knight in shining armour that would come running to save her, again and again.
I killed a God... so why can't I stop one single man from touching her?!
Why am I so useless?!
I want to save you...
I'd do anything to save you!
You're so close, yet so far...
This hand of mine...
It can't reach you anymore.
"Hey, let me finish."
Kakusei slapped Chiharu across the face violently.
At that point, I wanted to choke him to death.
Even though it was just a slap, Chiharu's cheek became swollen.
Kakusei clicked his tongue, rubbing his saliva into her wound.
"Sorry... I guess I was too rough there."
Even though he apologised, the cocksure smile made it seem dishonest and sarcastic.
"Don't rub your filthy spit in my face..."
"Oh, you want me to rub it somewhere else, huh?"
"I don't mean it like that... you stupid pervert..."
Chiharu started to squeal as Kakusei's spit-ridden hand traced down her thigh.
"It's so smooth and plump... how the hell have you not gotten a boyfriend?"
"I'm saving myself... for someone else..."
"Who is it?"
In a flash, Kakusei snapped from playful to serious. A violent urge rose in his delusional eyes.
"Why would I tell—"
Kakusei plunged his fist into her stomach.
"Who. Is. It."
Chiharu wheezed, squeaking out his name in fear.
"...Y-Yza..."
"Five minutes."
Kakusei let go of Chiharu, letting her fall to the floor.
I wanted to catch her... but she plummeted painfully on the linoleum.
"F-Five...?"
"That's how long it will take until Yza is dead."
With that ominous threat, Kakusei went to hunt after Yza.
Chiharu harshly coughed, forcing herself up and chasing after him.
Grabbing hold of his body, she tried to stop Kakusei from leaving the room.
"No... I won't let you...!"
"It's nice you love me so much that you're clinging onto me, but I simply can't accept that you love that freak Yza. If I get rid of him, you can't love him anymore. Understand?"
"No... you won't hurt him! I'll kill you first!"
"You think a weak girl like you could kill me?"
I looked away as Kakusei curb-stomped her.
When I opened my eyes, all I could see was Chiharu lying on the floor, bleeding from the head.
"CHIHARU!!"
I screamed, trying to grab onto her body.
But I couldn't...
When she needs me most, I...
My hand... still can't touch her...
Even in this life or death situation...
What the hell... what fucking God would screw me over like this...?
I need to do something...!
She'll die at this rate...
I need to save her...
Chiharu...!
If there's a stupid God out there, take my life to save Chiharu's!
I don't want to live anyways!
I just want to see Chiharu smile!
I can't let it end here...
Chiharu... please don't go...
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Seeing her on the brink of death caused my upper head to explode.
If the sacrifice to keep her breathing was my skull, then I'd do it again and again.
I'd rather repeatedly suffer than see her die.
Kakusei... I will kill you.
I hastily followed Kakusei, but I found him confronting Yza on the rooftop.
Snow fell on the two of them as they faced against each other.
Even though it was freezing, neither boys were shaking.
If I couldn't make him pay...
...then Yza would, surely.
"Kakusei... what the hell do you want?"
"Two things. Firstly, I hate you."
Yza didn't seem surprised at all. Instead, he rolled his eyes while leaning against the railing.
"Same here. What's the other?"
"Secondly... Chiharu's mine."
Yza blinked, then laughed. Kakusei's expression snapped.
"Good joke. What did you come for really?"
"You think I'm joking?"
"Of course. What dumbass would say that line seriously?"
Even though Kakusei was being fully serious, Yza didn't see it that way. The crass way he talked back to Kakusei instead stroked the flames of hatred in his heart.
"Piece of shit..."
"If you just came here to say you hate me, then—"
Kakusei threw a snowball at Yza's chest.
"...DON'T FUCK WITH ME! CHIHARU IS MINE, YOU FUCKING GOT THAT?! STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER YOU GOD DAMN FUCKING PARASITE EYESORE!!!"
Kakusei screeched with a deranged face. Yza's expression turned from calm to furious.
"Chiharu is yours? Are you that much of an insecure virgin?"
Yza approached Kakusei, and grabbed him by the shirt.
"I would never let a shallow piece of womanising shit like you date my precious older sister. Instead, you can fuck off and die!"
Hearing that provocative statement, Kakusei gritted his teeth and slugged Yza in the face, causing him to let go.
"I'll kill you... I'll kill you, Yza Nomura!"
Kakusei then reversed what Yza did to him, grabbing him by the shirt, but then started to punch him in the face repeatedly.
With every cheap potshot, Yza's head knocked back violently, and the built-up swelling on his cheek slowly trickled down as blood.
Every time Kakusei's fist connected with Yza's face, a disgusting squelching noise echoed in the hollow air.
His punches were unbelievably strong. No, it was overwhelmingly strong. The speed and force behind it left no escape or counter for Yza.
From all the fights he's faced, this was Yza's toughest.
Even though I didn't like violence, I was rooting for him to win, because Kakusei hurt the one I loved most.
And here, it was the same for Yza, whether I'd like to admit it or not.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, Kakusei's fist stopped mid-punch.
Yza's hand had caught him by the wrist.
"Are you satisfied yet?"
As if Yza was unfazed by Kakusei's relentless beating, he glared at him with pitch black eyes that resembled a bottomless abyss.
Kakusei's expression worsened. Anger piled onto more anger. He didn't have to respond for Yza to understand that Kakusei wouldn't be satisfied until Yza was dead.
Kakusei continued to drive his fist forward, but Yza sturdily kept him at bay. Using his other hand, Yza pried Kakusei off his shirt, before launching his own punch at Kakusei's solar plexus.
"...you made a grave mistake challenging me."
With that precise hit, Kakusei was knocked down to the floor. Yza straddled Kakusei, and began raining punches down left and right.
Yza's violent past had been building up for this very moment. With all the experience he accumulated from his street-fights, he began unloading it all in this battle.
If Kakusei's strength was overwhelming, Yza's strength was godly.
He might've failed time and time again against people like Darien, but he always got back up and continued to fight until he beat his opponent.
He wasn't naturally strong like Kakusei. He earned his strength from all the trials and tribulations he had to overcome.
Life put Yza through hell in order to be an unstoppable fighting machine.
The term "holding back" and "giving up" didn't exist in his dictionary.
He was built for the sole purpose of going against those ideals.
And that was Kakusei's fatal mistake.
He didn't understand what kind of man Yza was.
"By the way, I'm not Yza Nomura."
Yza wound up his right fist, and smashed it deep into Kakusei's face.
A violent crack whipped through the air.
"I'm Yza Blade."
Kakusei's consciousness had been reaped by Yza in one hit.
Stand up and dusting off his bloody hands, Yza left the rooftop in search of Chiharu.
When he found her, Yza took her to a hospital.
Thankfully, Chiharu made a full recovery, and lots of people went to visit her.
Kakusei, unfortunately, survived Yza's beating and the harsh winter, but due to the deep fear manifested from his encounter with Yza, he left Seigatsu Academy and shortly ended up in prison for lashing out in his new school.
A month later, Yza and Chiharu both graduated from Seigatsu and continued their jobs at her dad's company. Not long after...
Both my arms were blown off.
"Hey, Chiharu..."
In America, on the same hill where I made that promise with Chiharu...
"What is it, Yza?"
They gazed the starry sky that stretched out before them together...
"Uh... well..."
"Take your time if it's too difficult."
There was a clear difference between the Chiharu he first met, and the Chiharu he was talking to now.
Just like me, Yza had broken down Chiharu's boring life and turned it into something worth smiling for.
I was jealous that was stolen away from me.
Her and that radiant smile.
"It's not difficult... it's just... I don't know how'd you react..."
"If anything is troubling you, come tell big sis Chiharu, because she won't judge you. Remember that silly rhyme?"
"Of course I do. The first time I... tried opening up to you, you told me that."
"Well, don't look so afraid then. You're starting to worry me..."
"I-it's not bad! It's... well..."
Yza looked away, hiding his face in his knees.
"I think... I don't... I mean..."
Chiharu tilted her head cutely.
Yza turned to face her.
"I love you."
...
"I love you too."
Chiharu put her hand over...
"That's why..."
...gripped Chiharu's hand tightly.
"Wanna go on a date?"
That was my line...
"Yes! Yes, I'd love to!"
As they dated... I watched and followed.
All my pleasant memories where me and Chiharu went out together...
Were being corrupted and defiled by Yza...
In every moment...
He was there where I was...
It was like an inescapable nightmare...
Both my mind and body broke down as I witnessed them kiss for the first time.
Under the fireworks.
I lost my torso that day.
More importantly though...
I lost Chiharu that day.
In a world where I didn't exist...
Yza replaced me.
Because Yza didn't pick up those cards on that day...
I wasn't allowed to be with Chiharu.
This wasn't another world.
I realised that long ago.
This was an alternate future that nearly happened.
It was God showing me how much more better the world would be without me.
No fights with the world on the line. No drama about the truth of my existence. No Ayaza trying to kill me.
I was abandoned and left behind.
I was out of Chiharu's reach for good.
All she could see or hear was Yza.
And not me.