20 Days Later ~ (Aki's Perspective)
Man... it's been twenty whole days without manga. I feel like my soul has left my body. Even Ash is nowhere to be seen. If I go to Jun, he's just taking care of Tessa all the time—and I'm not complaining, I swear! But for the love of all that is holy—
SOMEONE PLAY WITH MEEE! I'M BORED!
As I was sulking through the hallway like a tragic anime protagonist, I spotted Lumi and Yuki walking down the corridor.
"Hey! Lumi! Yuki!" I shouted. "Where are you going? Can I join you guys? Please please please please—pleeeeease!"
"It's dinner time. We're going to eat and sleep," Lumi replied with a small smile.
Sigh... I forgot it was evening already.
Theo stepped out of his room. "Ha—y," I said half-heartedly.
May was clinging to his arm like a lovesick octopus. Theo looked... disgustingly happy.
"Hey," he greeted casually, then walked off.
"What happened?" Jace asked, patting my shoulder.
"Let me tell you a tale, my friend," I said dramatically. "A man is sad. He comes out of his house. A girl says 'hi.' The man becomes happy."
And yes, I had tears in my eyes.
"Are all the girls in this mansion already taken!?" I yelled to the ceiling.
"I don't think you should focus on those things," a voice said behind me.
"Jace? What happened to your voice?" I asked, turning around.
Nope. It was Rei.
I didn't say another word—I just ran.
By the time dinner started, everyone had gathered. The atmosphere was way livelier than it was on our first day here. People were actually smiling now.
"Okay, everyone! I have good news!" Yuki's grandfather announced.
"Oooh! What's the news?" I asked, bouncing in my seat like a child on sugar.
"Tonight, someone very special will be joining us for dinner... for the first time."
"Who? Who?" May chimed in, excitedly.
(Pretty sure she doesn't know who Ash is... but let's not burst her bubble.)
And then he walked in.
Ash.
Supported by Aunt Naomi and Uncle Kenji.
His hair was black—clearly dyed. An eyepatch covered a deep scar. Faded marks ran along his hands and neck. He wore an oversized T-shirt and sweatpants that made him look smaller than usual.
"OMG! Ash, you're alive!" May gasped, rushing toward him. "Thank God you're safe!" She hugged him tightly.
"Miss, I understand you're happy, but please maintain some distance," Aunt Naomi warned.
"Oh—sorry!" May said, stepping back sheepishly.
Ash sat down quietly and greeted everyone with a soft smile. The room buzzed with excitement. Everyone started talking to him at once.
"Wanna explore the house with me?" Bram asked.
"It's a mansion, you uncultured walnut," I corrected.
"How about cards?" Jun suggested. "Let's go old-school."
But then Yuki's grandfather spoke again.
"Everyone, I know you're happy to see Ash, but after dinner, he'll only be with us for ten more minutes. He needs rest. Once his room is ready and he's fully recovered, you can talk to him as much as you want."
Ash stood, smiling gently.
"I love you guys. And I promise—we'll do so many things once I'm better. But for now... please forgive me. I'm really tired."
And honestly?
Those 40 minutes we got with him?
The best 40 minutes in the past 20 days.
After dinner, people started heading to bed.
"I've arranged your room next to ours, okay?" Aunt Naomi told Ash.
"Hey," Rei suddenly said to me, "Jun told me you like manga."
"Yes!" I said, eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree.
"Wanna come with me the day after tomorrow? I'm heading to the mall for food supplies. They've got a whole section for manga, action figures, and even a dedicated comic room."
"What should I do to help you?!" I snapped to attention like a soldier.
"You help me carry food; I help you hoard manga," he said with a wink.
"Deal, boss!" I said, saluting like my life depended on it.
Ash's Perspective
"Aunt Naomi... when do you think I'll recover?" I asked quietly.
She sighed. "Honestly? It's a miracle you're alive at all. I've never done something like this before... so, I can't say anything for sure."
She left me in the room to rest.
Lying on the bed, my mind was spinning...
Then—knock knock.
I dragged myself to the door.
A girl stood there. I remembered seeing her at dinner, but we hadn't talked.
"Hi. I'm Airi. Yuki's older sister," she said calmly.
"Hi," I replied, unsure.
"I'll get straight to the point," she continued. "After hearing everyone's stories about that incident... you seem really suspicious."
I blinked.
"Like—why did Theo believe you were human without question, even when you were just sleeping in class while everything went to hell? Why did you suddenly move around the apartment like you knew something was off? How were you so sure the shapeshifter was under the bus? The list goes on, and on, and on..."
I stared, speechless.
"I'll tell you everything... tomorrow," I muttered.
Then shut the door and flopped onto the bed.
...What should I even say tomorrow?