"Next…Mizuki Hakuto? Oh hoh, wonderful! Our second topic this semester is actually Japanese history, so I hope you won't be shy about weighing in on class discussions." (professor)
I stare at my World History professor, his face exuding an enthusiasm that pains me to my very soul. He scours the faces of the students in the class, presumably waiting for me to stand up and identify myself for this first day roll call. Of course, I'm not particularly sold on that idea quite yet…there's much to consider, you see.
As you've just heard, my name is Mizuki Hakuto, and I am a physics major and college senior…in the United States. Yup, you heard that right, and contrary to my professor's expectations, I'm not Japanese. Not only was I born here, but my biological parents are also both American. I am a generic, brown haired, green eyed, white dude. Average height, average build, and, if I may be so bold, slightly above-average in the looks department.
So, why am I graced with the name of an anime protagonist? Simple…my parents are major weebs. No, I'm not kidding…unfortunately. Imagine how delusional you have to be to name your kid like this. My parents didn't even give me their last name! Sometimes, I'm shocked they were competent enough to reproduce.
Alas, I digress. The point is, you can see why I'm a little hesitant to stand up and suffer the inevitable confusion surrounding my name. Every year, in at least one class, there's a professor I'm not acquainted with yet, and this little dog and pony show ends up repeating itself in cringe-inducing fashion.
"Mizuki? Am I pronouncing that wrong? Don't be shy, if you're here please introduce yourself!" (professor)
The professor's voice interrupts my thoughts, and I groan internally, resigning myself. Screw it, I guess, it was bound to come up eventually. I stand up abruptly and raise my hand in an awkward introduction.
Seeing me, the rest of the students erupt in laughter. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the professor wears an expression that's a mix of confusion and annoyance.
"Err…young man…" (professor)
He looks at me like he isn't sure whether I'm playing a prank on him, so I figure it best to cut him off.
"I'm Mizuki, and I assure you, the only joke here is my mom's and dad's parenting choices." (Mizuki)
The room goes painfully silent. Yeah, in retrospect, I should have just stayed silent and let him think I skipped class.
"Ah…uhm well…my apologies. Nice to meet you, Mizuki. Now then…" (professor)
The professor continues with the roll call, casting a suspicious glance my way every now and then. Thankfully, the rest of the class passes without any additional spotlight on me, though I do feel the occasional stares from other students.
As soon as class ends, I swiftly exit the building and make my way across campus. Most of my class load is concentrated on other days, so I'm on my way back to my off-campus apartment.
I pull out the most recent volume of one of the manga I've been following, and begin to read as I walk. But hey, don't go making assumptions! I know I gave my parents a hard time over being weebs, but I never said that simply enjoying something Japanese makes you a freak.
I'll have you know that I've been social enough to have girlfriends. Though, I'll admit that I'm not exactly 'experienced' in that regard…if you catch my drift. Still, I'm not a complete shut-in.
While I get lost in thought about my persisting virg…err, I mean, reflect on my admirable respect for women, I arrive at my destination. Looking across the street to the bus stop, I notice a girl my age standing there. She's pretty cute, and I recognize her from one of my classes last semester, though I've never actually spoken to her before.
Perhaps, since the subject was on my mind just earlier, I figure it's fine to start up a conversation with her while we wait for the bus. Picking up my pace, I make my way over to her, hoping I'll have better luck than this morning. Unfortunately, it dawns on me…if I introduce myself, I might have to explain my name again.
I freeze in place before reaching her, wondering if I should introduce myself to her with a different name. Sadly, I'm a little too far into college to start going by a new name, and me lying about my name would be a terrible start to our relationship that I've already made up in my head.
While contemplating how I should proceed, I look up again at the girl. I'm immediately confused.
Why is there that alarmed look on her face? Also, why is she leaning sideways? Then, I realize, the whole world is sideways along with her, and there's a sharp pain across one side of my body. My vision begins to spin and go dark, just in time for me to remember…I stopped in the middle of the street, didn't I?
I never even get a good look at the bus that kills me.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
An unknown amount of time passes, my state of mind tenuous…
The searing pain I felt initially is no longer present. Unfortunately, I don't have any other sensations either. I have the impression of being in a dark, sound-proofed room while under full body paralysis.
I wonder...is this what death is?
Obviously, I'm not completely dead since I can reflect on the situation. Will I just slowly have a harder time thinking until I die? Come to think of it, it feels like I've been in this state for almost half an hour now, though it's kind of hard to gauge the passing of time without my senses.
Maybe paramedics made it to the scene in time, and I'm currently in a coma in the hospital?
No, from what I recall of coma patients that wake up after a long stretch of time, they usually weren't aware of time passing. I do recall patients that have been in less severe comas, or apparently unconscious, that have described being able to think and perceive the people talking around them. That's not the case here though. I have no sensations at all, yet my cognition seems completely intact.
If not a coma, then what…the afterlife?
I kind of 'snort' in my head. To me, it doesn't seem like any benevolent gods make it their business to interfere with events on Earth.
What else could it be, though? One way or another, something I can't explain is happening.