*Rowan's POV"
"You really want to play it extreme, don't you?" I heard a soft spoken tone ring below me as I try to look at the thing that grabbed my ankles but I couldn't see very well "Uh... excuse me...? l-let me go-" "I'm afraid not Rowan, the project blew up and here we are" Manager..? I try to get a better look but they had some sort of mask that obscured their face... actually now that I'm seeing it this person was just hovering in the air, is this a stunt and they have invisible rope..? where's the crewmen- "Get ready~" before I could gather my thoughts the grip on my ankles tightened suddenly, before I felt myself being swung back and forth "WAIT-" but I was already thrown towards the air as my screams echoed through the air.
The people below also screamed, mesmerized by what was happening, I would to if I saw a floating person throwing people arounds as if they're mere toys. Before I hit the ground I was once again grabbed by assumingly the same person from before, putting me gently on the grass. Shaking my head to clear out the dizziness I push myself back on my feet, throwing a glance at whoever rescued me just now. "Alright silly head, how about you don't throw yourself off a building next time? there's people that cares about your butt y'know"
The person came to face me and an awkward silence fell upon me. They shifted their weight on another leg, placing a hand on their hip tilting their head "Hello? Stars to idiot?" but I still remained silent, trying to process everything as another explosion went off behind me from the building that used to be my workplace. Seeing that I'm still silent they sigh, grabbing into the edge of their mask before pulling it off, a yellow ray hitting my own eyes as I instinctively shielded them "Jesus-". Seeing my reaction they let out a faint chuckle "Oh, apologies... I am still learning to control myself".
As the temporary light of blindness dispersed and my vision cleared out I was hit with the familiar shade of blue and the bright yellow. I could feel the air cracking around us briefly before returning to normal, and that hair... that fiery hair fluttering in the wind... and something snapping within my heart "...It's... you, isn't it?" the familiar giggle escapes their lips, shaking their head "Well... yeah" they mumble as her fingers reached out on top of their head, tugging at a few strands of hair before two ears popped up, twitching madly at their own touch.
I look at the fox that left me years ago for some unknown reason, the fox who said we wouldn't meet again.. the fox that said we have to go on different paths "I.." she holds out her palm, walking up to me "You obviously don't know what to say Rowan, you're just shocked and confused at the same time, you do have a lot of questions and I may answer them, but most importantly... ...let's just... walk" she grabs my hand and pulls me after her, just in time as a fire truck arrived at the burning building behind us.
With hesitation I fell into the same pace as her, those ears were twitching at the faintest sound and I could see that she herself was hesitating, of perhaps reluctant. "...Did I die? am I imagining you? "Of course I'm real you silly head! if I wasn't I couldn't really drag you around hm?...although I'm flattered that even after years I'm still on your mind~" I guess that makes sense, however.. how did she grabbed my ankles? first of all.. she doesn't have the strength to lift me up and second of all.. how did she managed to float?? "To answer that question Rowan, I floated and I simply... trained" "...Wha?" I could see the corners of her lips curling up in a slight smirk.
She can't help but laugh at me, or at the situation... this isn't the Hariko I know.. "I can also read minds, think about something and I'll say what you thought about~" if she's anything before she left... this woman has become society's greatest menace "No, I'm not a hologram Rowan" "Alright that's enough mind games for today! just stop... doing that..." she throws her hands up, but that smirk was still on her lips "What are you doing here anyway? weren't you in that psycho neighborhood?" "I moved out.. and that place that caught fire is my workplace, why did you leave me though? what was your reason to do that?" her smirk was quickly wiped off her face, turning into a thin line. She doesn't answer me, at least not straight away, as we continue down the street... actually where is she even taking me?
There are just... so many questions I have. Why did she leave? why the hell did she return seemingly out of nowhere? how was she in the right place at the right time? "So.. where's your new place?" she finally spoke out, ignoring my previous question. Fine, if she wants this I can play along before I lose my composure "Not too far from here, just follow me" suddenly she hugs my arm and giggles "I missed you a lot Rowan.. I'm surprised you still recognize me" her grip is surprisingly strong... and her sudden mood shifts are confusing me "Of course I do, you didn't change one bit" she pouts "Lies! I grown up more you blind chicken" I can't tell if she's teasing me or she's genuinely offended... oh how time can change things.
"Enough about my changes.. talk about your magnificent beard you bastard" indeed, I do have a boxed beard that I recently shaved "Oho~ what's with the language? did the little fox got upset?" I suddenly have a feeling when I'm sleeping she might turn my head 180 degrees around... although seeing her getting annoyed is a bit funny, just when is she going to talk to me about the things I desperately wants answers for? "Tsk... watch your little mouth darling, one hit and you'll be on your knees" ...now I'm really in the danger zone.
Her smirk returns as she suddenly turns towards me "Hariko don't you dare woman!" I shouted at her and those ears flicked upwards. But despite that she lets go of my hand and turns her whole body at me "Oh don't worry darling, I promise I'll be gentle" at I felt the scent of Ozone filling the air around us, from the corner of my eyes I spotted how everything started to become blurry as a thumping headache hit me like a truck. My eyes darted back to Hariko who suddenly snapped her hand towards my forehead, pressing her palm gently "Shh... do not resist. Do what comes natural" the edges of my vision started reddening slightly as my knees buckled. The last thing I remember was Hariko's crouching before me with a serious expression, just... staring at me.
I suddenly woke up with cold sweat on my forehead, I looked around and everything seemed dark.. as my vision adjusted somewhat to the darkness I could make out the outlines of my bedroom's furniture "Wait... it was all just a dream..?" I sit up rubbing my tired eyes, I look outside the window and the sky was filled with stars "Wait a minute.. if it was a dream that means.." I quickly stand up and instantly went to explore every single darn room "Yep.. as I expected, no traces of Hariko" I sit on the sofa confused, a part of me is glad it was just a dream because of how weird Hariko was behaving... but another wished it was true... I suppose this is my heart's way to cope "Tsk... whatever... screw those dreams..." I groan as I turn towards the TV, turning it on "Wait... if it was a dream that also means my workplace is fine... I should go check tomorrow" my head is absolutely killing me however, whatever... I'm just gonna watch something to clear my head off and figure out something tomorrow.
As I was watching a sappy comedic show my ears picked up some shuffling from behind, before I could even turn around I felt a strange shift of... ozone in the air "Why are you awake?"