Another one of those freaky dreams again.
The boy thought, shuddering. His pupils darted left and right as he scanned the area, only to find soggy, half-eaten chips and a dried-out turkey.
That thought belonged to the fourteen-year-old leaning against the white wall — Inuwa Shantarra. He was dark-skinned, with spiky, unkempt black hair. He was, hopefully, around average height for a fourteen-year-old, standing at a proud 1.58 metres. He kept a cold, neutral expression, his void-like irises reinforcing the air of indifference around him.
He pursed his lips, forcing a gulp down his throat. He wasn't known for being an uninhibited social butterfly, but it wasn't like he didn't want to be one; it's just that he found himself, at times, overwhelmed by his friends' demands. As of recently, even more so. However, he could not abandon the duty placed on him.
You see, today was his brother's 16th birthday. The 1st of June. Last year, Inuwa had blithely promised his brother that he would deliver him the most unforgettable birthday of his life. However, he had forgotten about the planning of such an event.
His brother had always been a social butterfly, someone who was decent at sports, quite academic and a joy to be around. There was a sense that he radiated a soothing, constant warmth that relaxed the people around him. Therefore, if he could describe his brother in one word, he'd have to use the word: 'Warm'. He was the person who'd always continue guiding him and comforting him, no matter what.
As such, he amassed a following of about 25 people, all of whom absolutely adored him. For this to go off without a hitch, the poor boy was forced to contact his own friends, pay an excessive amount of money ($50), write several emails and cook an array of dishes that took HOURS! to make.
His only redeeming feature was Clarissa Rose and Davee Rose, who were his and his brother's best friends. Thankfully, Clarissa had taken to drafting the emails on her own and gathering the ingredients that Inuwa needed to make the food; however, Davee was a different story. He was the taste tester.
Recently, he hadn't spoken with the two as often. That was why he was glad that they were willing to help.
Finally, with all that excessive work being done, Inuwa thought it was time to retreat to his room; however, his brother, Anya, did the most sickeningly sweet thing ever and asked him to stay so they could cut the cake together.
The audacity…
His lips curled upward before he could stop himself. His expression also softened.
Quickly, his expression was once again idle as he regained his bearings. Seeing the same old half-eaten Turkey with roast potatoes, the mac and cheese and the empty container that once was filled to the brim with party fried chicken and French fries.
It's fine, the boy tried to force his thoughts down a more positive path. His face, however, portrayed a dangerous scowl (as dangerous as a 14-year-old baby face could make), the dark circles beneath his eyes seeming deeper than usual.
Suddenly, he was broken out of his pathetic stupor by a brilliantly blonde man with a short quiff of faded hair. His glare at this moment was incredible, mustering all the malice he had accumulated during his 16 years of life. Yet, Inuwa did not take him seriously. Why? Well, that's because it was that guy– the Jester of the group. Who would put red-eye contacts in their eyes and pass them off as real?
Inuwa sighed and then grinned with a wry smile.
I guess talking to the moronic Jester would be fun.
"Hey, Inuwa! Hey! Hey! I'm talking to you here! Respond to me!" The boy said.
"…What? Can't you see I'm busy seething? Stop being annoying!"
"Gee. Not a lot of conversation to work with, can't you see I want to talk to you, Inu?" The boy sighed.
He plopped himself down next to Inuwa with a soda can in his hand. Even though the boy was portraying an exasperated look, the still giddy grin and manic smile told Inuwa that he'd been enjoying himself.
"So, you just wanna sit in silence with me? Why don't you try your luck with that black-haired girl instead?" Inuwa pointed over at a black-haired girl.
This entire party, he's just been talking with her… could it be? Inuwa wondered.
"Inuuuu, have you been reading too much manga again?" The boy asked with unsettling accuracy. Sweat beaded along Inuwa's forehead.
Inuwa paused. This was a killer blow.
I must defend my honour this time! He thought.
Unbeknownst to him, the 'Jester' had clearly intended to use that statement to make Inuwa forget about his 'seething' session. It was certainly extraordinary how easily Inuwa's attention could be siphoned.
"Shut up! Trust me, this one's good! It's called: 'How I got killed by the demon witch sword saint and was re-reincarnated as a lab banana from zero!'" he said with an innocent look of sincerity, which contradicted the absolute horror that was uttered out of his mouth.
The Jester's resulting deadpanned face was all that it took for Inuwa's confidence to fade.
"What's with that expression? Huh? Huuuh?" Tears began to brim at the corners of Inuwa's eyes.
Jester sighed. The sheer disappointment came off in waves. The once illustrious, piercing red irises seemed to fade into the dimly lit room. As well as any semblance of respect the boy might have had for Inuwa.
"Does the main character have a harem?" Jester quick-fired.
"What? Not really, I mean Chiwa really likes him, and so do Scarlet and Asuna, but that doesn't mean anything, he's a banana after all,"
"Is the main character ridiculously strong?" The Jester asked another difficult-to-answer question.
Jester clearly smelt a rat.
Inuwa tried his best to avoid making any eye contact.
If I were a politician… how would I answer this? Inuwa asked himself.
"Not particularly… I mean, he can solo most of his opponents, but he's kind of a glass cannon," Inuwa trailed.
"Because he's a banana?"
"Because he's a banana."
An incredulous grin crept its way up on the clown's face. The blonde stared at Inuwa victoriously, as if he had rehearsed this already.
"Does the main character solve all his problems in the first volume?"
"I don't want to answer that."
Suddenly, revealing his left arm, the Jester presented the manga in all its glory. Opening the treasure, Inuwa was enveloped in the golden hue of the ludicrously amazing writing. The blonde, however, wasn't as enthused.
"Thirty pages in… and he figures out how to get his human form back. He's also got black hair and black eyes… and he dual-wields swords.
The only difference between him and the clearly obviously stolen reference is his choice of fashion being yellow," he snorted, his face wrenched in disgust. Then, with clarity, his expression softened.
"Hey Inu?"
"Yeah?"
"Never talk to me about literature again. Don't you feel any shame?" The boy asked with genuine curiosity.
The embarrassment of it all began to catch up to Inuwa. His face flushed a blueberry hue as he realised. With no counter left, Inuwa was left standing there in complete silence.
"Yes, sir."
"Hey Inu?"
His face scrunched up. For a second, Inuwa thought he saw the decisive face of a man about to deliver wedding vows. This time, after that humiliation, Inuwa was inclined to listen.
"This is me here," he replied.
"I know what my gift for your birthday will be– a torch to burn all your manga," he clenched his fist and pointed at him with an outstretched arm, "Then, maybe your addiction will die!"
If embarrassment wasn't coming off Inuwa in streams before, it was now certainly coming off Inuwa in waves.
The clown then made an embarrassing stance, one arm with his finger pointed at Inuwa, another to his hips, kneeling on one leg and a grin with only the most malicious intent behind it.
Inuwa shuddered but pressed on valiantly.
"But I'm not addicted to anything…?"
"You fool. Listen to the doctor's advice. The addiction has taken root, it's terminal," he said, adjusting make-belief glasses up while pretending to read off a clipboard.
Don't set these flags for me!
With a huff, Inuwa relaxed his features and swished his head away. The clown– Davee- wore a small smile.
The party had begun to die down, the cheers were becoming groans, and the dances were becoming awkward shuffles. It was clear that the attendees at this party weren't exceptionally good at keeping themselves engaged.
"…. Inuwa?"
Inuwa felt a twinge of annoyance. With the mood dying, he didn't want to engage this time around.
"This is Inuwa here."
He answered in a robotic, monotone voice.
"Ay, stop speaking like that, also… do you happen to know where my sister is? We were playing a game, and I got tired a little. I should have been less sleepy! Well, now I've been looking all over the hall and the main room, she's not in sight anywhere."
That's new!
Davee was what one may consider an impeccable older brother. He had a healthy relationship with his little sister. He was the sort who'd always be around to listen, understand and communicate. He was the only brother Inuwa could remember who'd show up during events like sports days and hockey matches to cheer for his sibling. So, truly, he was an impressive older brother.
However, you wouldn't guess it from his appearance, as he donned an unzipped white tracksuit top with a red zip. Underneath, a white box could be seen on his chest with curved ends that had red text saying: 'Chicify', surrounded by the mass of red that was his shirt. This was followed by the sagging white tracksuit bottoms and black shoes.
The black shoes were the only thing Inuwa didn't find tacky; the boy hated white. Davee really tried to look like a delinquent, but his blonde hair and red irises weren't enough. Especially, when that look was countered by that disarming smile that made most girls melt, to Inuwa's disgust.
Inuwa couldn't say much, though; he was wearing a regular commercial white tee with jeans. The only thing that was out of the ordinary was the compression shirt that he had underneath, its long sleeves reaching out of the short sleeves of the tee, creating a very baggy look.
"Seriously? You? Davee? 'The Family Guy'? That family guy?"
"I don't like what you just tried there, but yes, I was looking for her," Davee admitted while sighing. Seeing Davee as anything but hyper was practically unheard of in Inuwa's book.
"Why were you so tired anyway?"
"I dunno, I guess I haven't been sleeping well lately," Davee muttered. He then put both arms behind his head and muttered a little. Unfortunately for Inuwa, he couldn't read Davee's lips as he spoke very quickly.
Inuwa felt a faint, uncomfortable recognition settle in his chest. Maybe it was just the stresses of his current year in school, but he found himself experiencing this peculiar nightmare constantly. Maybe it was the same on Davee's end? No, stuff like that only happens in movies. Inuwa sighed once more.
"Quit speaking like that. I'll help," Inuwa said, slightly frustrated.
"What do you mean?"
"You suck at being insincere. Stop pretending already."
Despite the gentle smile on his face, his thoughts were far less generous.
But I swear! If I miss the cutting of the cake…
"Knowing you, you're brooding right now. It's o-k, I'll just go find her myself– or maybe I should ask Edgar~," Davee teased, "Well, I guess it's only natural since he is smarter than you!"
I know he's playing me, but he still flipped the switch!
Having been completely bested, Inuwa relented and prepared to follow Davee.
"Fine, I'll help."
"That's great!" Davee gave Inuwa a broad grin.
Grabbing his hand, Davee strung Inuwa along through the array of collapsed and tuckered-out party goers. Once they advanced through the front, they would be free to the door to the outside world.
However, their condition bothered Inuwa slightly.
"Why are they collapsed like this? What happened? I didn't add alcohol to the menu," Inuwa said.
"Oh boy… you've got a lot to learn about teenagers," Davee replied.
"Isn't it illegal to drink underage? Why did they even bring alcohol in the first place?!" Inuwa protested. As the person responsible for the party, he knew that if anything happened, he would be at the forefront of the blame.
Inuwa huffed indignantly at the thought.
They walked past three doors, two on the left and one on the right. They didn't want to entertain the possibility of the girl being left alone in the outside world, so they examined the 3 rooms on their right or left.
In the first room, the one on the right, there was an amalgamation of used furniture and suitcases. The very room itself resembled the insides of a wheat silo; it was hard not to cough. Upon examination, there were no crevices in which one could find themselves stuck or trapped. Clarissa was petite, so the possibility couldn't be ruled out.
The rusted, red room was swiftly abandoned upon little deliberation. The two curious boys then ventured to the second room, in other words, their brother's room.
Inuwa grimaced at the thought of going into his brother's room. Yet, since Davee was beside him, he decided to enter anyway.
To Inuwa, outside of school, his brother was a very meticulous and organised person; he always planned for tests, clothing, interactions, events, and even searching on the internet. Though the reason for his brother's meticulousness and his level of organisation was anything but combined.
Contrary to his social butterfly visage, his room was tidied, and a shade of Prussian Blue dyed his walls. The bed was folded, with not a single crinkle or bump in sight. Chargers were coiled into the sides, and coats and hats clung to a stand. It was a sight akin to those [Super Nanny] before and after sequences when comparing his room and his brother's.
"That's just like him," Davee said.
He sighed. Ever since middle school, the boy could be so restrained but outgoing; it was a terrifying, sudden change in his opinion. Whatever could have caused it?
"With the way it's been sorted, you'd think he was about to move out…" Inuwa declared with melancholy, his voice catching in his throat.
"Don't raise those kinds of flags!" Davee snapped, with visible concern on his face.
Inuwa shuddered at that proclamation.
His brother was incredibly smart in every way, whether it'd be emotionally, intellectually or intuitively. It was no hyperbole to say that, even at his age, he'd be able to graduate from any college or university, and he could probably specialise in every kind of field.
So why wasn't he off somewhere grand?
Inuwa knew exactly why.
It was because of the family. His brother had spent most of his time helping his family, who were dependent on him and his talent. The boys' father had relied on Anyasu for business management and analysis. Their mother relied on Anyasu for teaching resources, and Inuwa himself relied on his brother for emotional support.
Because of that, Anyasu never had much time to himself. In other words, they were always taking and never giving–
Smack.
"Ack!" Inuwa yelped, clutching his stomach.
Davee had hit him in the stomach.
"Urk...! My mistake! My mistake!" Inuwa internally chastised himself for thinking such a thing; he also found himself not hating Davee for what he did. That's what his brother would also do after all.
"Mhm… Those kinds of thoughts are reserved for those sixteen and over!"
Their friendship had progressed to the point that Davee could somewhat understand some of Inuwa's thoughts. Recovering, Inuwa decided that he'd get his revenge by teasing him.
"You're right, but isn't it strange how a fourteen-year-old has better fashion sense than one who's had two extra years of experience?" Inuwa said, pointing at his outfit with a shit-eating grin.
The smirk on the idiot dissipated, replaced by a flabbergasted gape.
"That's right! And didn't you try out the 'frosted tips' style? Why would you take Risa's advice? The same girl who un-ironically calls herself an 'agent of rampant intellectual chaos and destruction!'" Inuwa chortled.
"That's it! Says the guy who's waited over a year to make a move on my sister! You talk to her every day! Even then, it's a miracle I haven't socked you in the face for it. Once you've won that battle, I'll be waiting to execute you!"
Retreating from the room devoid of imperfection, Inuwa and Davee met an onyx wooden door. A brooding aura surrounded it, a dark mist oozing out at the crevices. Grabbing the gold-coated handle, Inuwa prepared to twist and open; however, a biting cold permeated through his hand, telling the boy otherwise.
"Ignoring that, can't we avoid that third room? I've only been there once, and even that was quite ethereal."
"I've never gotten good feelings from that room, but Clarissa is more important than our self-imposed fear!"
"It's funny how we both get the same feeling from it," Inuwa chuckled, getting oddly insightful, "Is it because it's dark and damp?"
"I don't know why. Now open it," Davee replied, his patience was wearing thin, shown by the excited jig in his step and slightly trembling hands.
Good point, I just don't like the foreboding feel I get from that room.
"Good point. Now I'll open it!"
"Hush! I'll do it– since she's my sister! I'm the one who must save her!"
Before Inuwa could argue that point, Davee had grabbed the handle, wincing slightly at the cold, before snapping it to the right and thrusting; Inuwa could tell clearly that there was an apprehension in his action– rightfully so.
The results of his action revealed a void-like darkness, the light of the hallway trickling down and dissipating into the void. Inuwa braced for an action that would never come, and upon this discovery, the party of two shuffled into the room.
"Why would she be in some place so dark? Maybe she isn't here after all…"
"As if I'd know why! And don't suggest the possibility she's outside. We both know that would be the worst outcome."
"Well, how long has it been since you last saw her?" Inuwa replied with a knowing grin.
With a huff, the stocky idiot– Davee- mumbled.
"Half an hour…"