May 6, 2016
It was Friday, the last day of classes for the week. The astronomical phenomenon everyone had been expecting still hadn't appeared.
For some reason, I felt inexplicably interested in it. It was as if I were on the verge of discovering something.
Today, in particular, the atmosphere around me also felt strange.
Even now, on my way to school, I had that unpleasant feeling in my stomach. That strange tingling sensation that makes you anxious about something you don't understand, yet somehow feel is about to happen.
All this discomfort was starting to get on my nerves. I was distracted, paying attention to every little detail. Even my hearing seemed unusually sensitive.
I'll probably feel better once I get to the classroom. Being somewhere enclosed and surrounded by people is supposed to help sometimes.
Ah!
"Shit."
I bumped into someone.
"Sorry," I said to the girl.
Maybe because of my past experiences with girls in middle school, I quickly moved away.
"What a weirdo."
The only thing I managed to notice was her orange-brown hair. Judging by her uniform, she attended the same school as me.
A start like this is always the perfect trigger for malicious rumors about me.
They're probably already thinking about that weird guy who walked away like a lunatic.
Tsk.
I should've just said my leg was still hurting. I could've stayed home without any trouble.
Anyway, thanks to Hiratsuka-sensei's help, I had already caught up with my classes, so I didn't have to deal with any additional annoying assignments.
...
"Open your books to page 47 and look for the section on animal metamorphosis, and..."
Resting my chin on my hand, I stared out the window.
Everything was calm.
What happened earlier was probably just an exaggeration.
I'm sure I'm not drawing any attention. I've said it before: I'm a loner. Even if Sakuma or someone else talks to me, I don't have much interest in socializing.
After all, everyone already has their own group of friends. There's no reason for me to force my way into one and end up making everyone uncomfortable.
It's the same when you happen to meet someone by chance. You talk to that person normally for a while, but eventually, both of you go your separate ways, even if you continue seeing each other.
That's how I've come to see things lately.
I don't desperately need friends, nor do I need to talk to everyone.
Even if I get involved in something, it's my problem. I don't need to depend on anyone else.
Relationships based on appearances are a pain.
You have to constantly pretend to care about the other person while, at the same time, pretending to care that they care about you.
I'd rather spare myself the trouble.
"Hey, Zaimokuza-kun. Pay attention. What are you doing? We're in class."
"But, Sensei, I'm almost finished with my masterpiece. I was struck by great inspiration today."
"This kid..."
"Zaimokuza-kun, you do realize we're in the middle of class, right? Stop doing that and finish your book. You'll have time for it later."
"But, Sen—"
Suddenly, my teacher gave off the aura of a volcano on the verge of eruption.
"We're in class, Zaimokuza-kun."
He said it with a calm smile that was somehow terrifying.
"Understood."
He sighed and lowered his head.
"Hey, that's the otaku who keeps doing weird things in empty classrooms."
"Yeah, I've heard that he even climbs on top of desks and raises a stick like it's a sword."
"Hahaha. Otakus are such weird people. They say that if you spend enough time around them, their weirdness is contagious."
"He's so ugly. I'd better stay away from him."
"Silence!"
"Yes, Sensei!"
Yoshiteru Zaimokuza, another classmate of mine, was a hardcore otaku. The kind who suffered from eighth-grader syndrome, or, as it's more commonly known, chuunibyou.
I mean, I used to cosplay too. I did things I thought were interesting, but I never let anyone see that side of me. It would've ruined my image even further.
But apparently, he didn't care.
He was completely absorbed in his own world.
As I said before, superficial relationships aren't my thing. I also tend to ignore things that don't interest me.
This time, though, I want to maintain a better image. I don't want rumors reaching my sister's ears as well.
I know she already knew what happened to me in middle school, but knowing something is different from admitting it.
I'd want to bury my head underground from sheer embarrassment. I didn't want my sister looking at me with pity.
I'm already tired of her personal lectures about how to talk to people.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're distracted too. Please read the next sentence. You know which one it is, right?"
Tsk.
"Yes, Sensei."
I sighed.
Drawing attention to myself isn't exactly something I consider admirable, especially when it comes to me.
What can you do?
...
Sitting on a step while eating a simple cereal bar, I enjoyed taking in the surroundings.
It was peaceful. I enjoyed the breeze whispering through the trees, as well as the greenery of the grass and bushes.
There's always been something pleasant about simple, natural things.
"Mmm. I still have that strange itching feeling in my stomach."
Could I have eaten something that had gone bad?
I shook my head.
I trust my sister's cooking. Maybe it was something I bought outside.
Crack.
Footsteps.
I turned my head, but there was nothing there.
I heard those sounds right beside me.
Could it be that again?
Honestly, I missed it this morning.
Voice-kun, you're not hiding somewhere, are you?
Tsk. I already said I'd figure out what these voices are.
I'm getting closer.
I've written everything down. I'm free tomorrow and Sunday, so I'll spend the weekend investigating.
After all this time, I already know how these suspense plots work. It's better to put an end to this once and for all.
It's not like there's some Umbrella-style corporation experimenting with viruses or a containment organization lurking somewhere.
Yes, I'm talking about RE and SCP.
Everything belongs to the realm of normality.
And if nothing happens, then the only explanation is that the accident knocked a screw loose in my head.
As far as I know, there's nothing supernatural in this world.
At least, that's what I've always believed.
Wars and senseless murders committed by governments aren't exactly unusual.
You can find all of that on the internet.
What does seem out of place are those rumors about martial artists capable of performing superhuman feats.
Glug... glug...
After finishing my canned drink, I stood up and threw the wrappers and other trash into the bin.
Whispers.
Whispers.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm leaving."
Tsk.
"Now I finally understand why some adults end up developing imaginary friends."
"Either they're crazy or they're incredibly lonely."
"Heh. What a terrible joke."
"I'll probably need a psychologist later. Hopefully, it'll be a pretty girl."
....
"Sensei, here are the assignments I was missing. With this, I've finished everything. I've also included my notes for the advanced exercises."
"Hikigaya-kun, I'm impressed by your sense of responsibility. Normally, it takes many students quite a while to finish these, or they're simply too lazy to do them."
As she spoke, she flipped through the pages.
"What other people don't do is their problem. I'd rather finish things before they start piling up."
"Yes, yes. Good job, Hikigaya-kun. I'm glad you're such a diligent student. The only thing you're missing is interacting more with your classmates. Like I mentioned before, you can come talk to me about joining a club. I think it could help you."
She wouldn't stop bringing up that club. Apparently, she didn't want me to spend all this time without joining one.
"Yes, Sensei. I'll let you know when I feel like it."
I looked at Sensei again.
She was a really beautiful woman, aside from her smoking habit, which I discovered when I happened to see her on the street.
From what I'd heard, she was single.
I wonder why. Is it her personality? Or maybe something else?
If she were younger, or if I were older, maybe I'd give it a shot.
"Hey. Why do I have the feeling you're thinking about something inappropriate?"
She looked at me with a grim expression.
Scary.
Even the air felt heavy.
I'd better leave before she gets the chance to use her fist on me.
"Oh, nothing, Hiratsuka-sensei. I was just thinking that you're beautiful. If you'll excuse me."
I quickly fled without looking back.
"Hey, Hikigaya-kun..."
"That boy..."
She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Telling a single woman she's beautiful... Does he have any idea what kind of consequences that can lead to?"
She sighed again.
"And now what am I supposed to do? Ah, never mind."
"The other teachers can deal with this. After all, they're the ones who assigned these tasks."
...
On my way to the bicycle parking lot, I suddenly had an irresistible craving for ice cream.
It was hot. Perfect weather for ice cream.
As I watched the crowd of students leaving the school, I spotted a familiar figure.
It was the girl I'd bumped into that morning.
Her orange-brown hair was tied into a loose side bun, and she had beautiful peach-colored eyes.
She waved at me.
I looked at her and gave a slight nod.
I'm not rude enough to ignore someone who greets me.
I got on my bicycle and left through another gate.
After a few minutes, I found the perfect place to eat my ice cream.
A park near Inagekaigan Station.
It was quiet and shaded, the kind of place where I could simply sit and watch cyclists pass by.
While enjoying the moment, I noticed one of my classmates.
I usually saw her as quiet and reserved, but I had no idea what she was actually like.
Gokou Ruri.
Seriously, anyone would think she was an elementary school student.
Hmm. She's walking home. I wonder if she's going straight home or stopping somewhere with her friends.
Well, it's none of my business.
These days, everyone has access to transportation. The government makes things easier for students because we're the future of the country.
That sideways glance she gave me...
She seemed to recognize me.
Then why did she suddenly start walking faster?
It's not like I'm scary.
I'll bring some ice cream home for Komachi. She'll probably like it.
.....
Yawn.
Apparently, I fell asleep shortly after getting home.
I hope Komachi ate her ice cream.
I got up and realized everything was dark.
I reached for the light switch and tried to turn it on, but...
Breathing.
What the hell...?
I quickly turned around, but there was nothing there.
I had felt it directly against the back of my neck.
Shaking my head, I turned back toward the switch.
But now everything was darkness.
First came the whispers.
Then hundreds of eyes appeared from every direction.
Deformities.
Amorphous things.
Limbs.
Tentacles.
And countless other grotesque forms.
Silence.
Everything stopped.
A vast silence filled the room.
Then a dense gray fog swallowed my vision.
MYSTERIES!
Ah...
Was it a dream?
I quickly splashed water onto my face and looked around.
Everything was fine.
I was still in the living room. I'd fallen asleep on the couch, and the news was still playing.
"A blood moon has been forecast for tonight. Some believe it to be a bad omen, while others think it could indicate environmental changes..."
"As you know, this astronomical phenomenon is similar to observing an eclipse, and people are eagerly waiting for it to occur."
The reporter was walking through the streets of Tokyo, interviewing passersby.
I walked over to the curtains and opened them.
It was already dark outside.
I checked the time.
20:39
Suddenly, I had the feeling that I was being watched.
I turned around and saw my sister looking at me with a worried expression.
"Onii-chan, what happened? You looked scared when you woke up. Didn't you notice that your adorable little sister was right beside you?"
"I'm almost done making dinner, so set the table. This soup will wake you right up."
She looked at me with concern.
"Yeah. I can tell you haven't been sleeping well. You need to take better care of yourself, Onii-chan. I won't always be by your side, so don't make your little sister worry."
"Ah, right. Before we eat, could you go buy a couple of drinks and some cookies from the convenience store?"
She looked directly at me.
Since it was the weekend, she wasn't too concerned about staying up late eating snacks while using her computer.
"Sure, I'll go. I could use some fresh air too."
I changed clothes and left the house.
The convenience store was about five blocks away, so I decided to walk instead of taking my bicycle.
With my hands in my pockets, I looked up at the vast dark sky.
The sky was unusually vivid tonight.
The stars were shining intensely.
Something about it made me uncomfortable.
I didn't know why.
The walk passed in silence, but a strange atmosphere of mystery and stillness seemed to envelop everything.
Maybe it was just me.
I'd just woken up from a nightmare, after all.
"Good evening."
I entered the store and greeted the cashier.
I went to the food and drinks section and bought what Komachi had asked for, along with a few extra things.
I took everything to the counter and paid.
"Be careful. The moon is changing color tonight. Be careful, young man. Who knows what might happen?"
"Thanks for the warning."
I nodded and left.
I opened a can of iced coffee and took a sip as I walked.
It almost seemed as though the natural light from the sky was flickering.
How strange.
I'd better hurry.
As I walked, I thought about everything that had happened to me throughout the week.
For some reason, I suddenly found myself reflecting on all of it.
There was no doubt about it.
All these strange things were connected.
Glug... glug...
"Ah... that's refreshing."
I approached a trash can and tossed the empty can inside.
As I continued walking, I noticed a large puddle of water.
They'll probably fix this pothole soon. By tomorrow, it won't be here.
I walked around it.
Then a flash caught my attention.
I looked down.
I could see my reflection in the puddle.
But behind me...
A huge red moon had appeared.
I froze.
A powerful chill ran through my body.
Instinctively, I turned around and looked up at the enormous crimson celestial body.
"What...?"
A multitude of whispers erupted inside my head.
I couldn't move.
I couldn't stop staring at the moon.
An enormous amount of forbidden knowledge flooded into my mind.
Names.
Multiple Sequences.
Numbers.
Things that should never have existed inside a human mind.
My eyes became glassy.
Large tears of blood streamed from them.
Blood also poured from my nose, ears, and mouth.
I could feel larvae crawling beneath my skin, moving through every corner of my body.
But I couldn't move.
Nothing could make me look away.
One title stood above all the others in my mind.
"Mother God..."
Before I could finish pronouncing the name, a dense gray fog covered everything.
But I wasn't the only one.
Everyone heard the same thing.
The cries of countless babies.
At the same time, the moon and stars shone with such overwhelming intensity that anyone who looked directly at them was blinded.
That night, great events unfolded in different parts of the world.
As if something had awakened.
Something the world was not yet prepared for.