The afternoon sun hung low over the rooftops, casting long shadows on the quiet street. Seiji walked with his hands shoved into his pockets, eyes half-lidded, a soft breeze tugging at the edges of his hoodie. His thoughts wandered — to nowhere in particular — just drifting.
A loud smack on his back jolted him.
"Oi, Seiji," a voice said, all grins and mischief. An arm slung over his shoulder. "What are you daydreaming about this time?"
Seiji blinked. "Toma—!"
"He's always like this," came another voice, lighter and amused. Rika caught up to them, sipping on a half-finished bubble tea. "Tragic little daydream boy."
Toma gave a mock gasp. "You didn't forget about the café later, did you?"
Seiji froze.
"What? No! Forget? Me?" He backed away, flustered. "Never! How could I possibly— That would be— Unthinkable—!"
He darted across the street, still babbling, "I'll be there! Don't wait for me!"
Toma chuckled as Seiji vanished around the corner. "Classic Seiji."
Rika raised an eyebrow. "Ten bucks says he forgets."
Toma swung an arm around her shoulder as they turned to walk. "I'm not taking that bet. I'm not made of money."
The front door slammed open.
Shoes kicked off.
Seiji dropped onto his bed like a coat tossed on the floor, sighing as the springs creaked under him.
He stared up at the ceiling for a moment, then turned his head toward the window, watching the sunlight slant across the wall.
"Oh crap i forgot the intro... Hey! I'm Seiji- Just Seiji. Quite boring i suppose? Seventeen. A serial forgetter of plans. Possibly allergic to mornings. Definitely allergic to math. My parents died when I was ten. Car accident."
"But don't worry — it's not that kind of story."
He smiled faintly, rolling onto his side.
"I live with my aunt and uncle now. They've got three little monsters I call my brothers. Our house is small, loud, a little chaotic… but it's mine. I like it that way. I'm happy. I really am. And oh uh who were those two? Well my friends- best friends infact for 9 years now- Toma and Rika!"
He closed his eyes.
For a moment, there was peace.
Then—
"Oh crap—THE CAFÉ!"
In a flurry of motion I grabbed my jacket plopped on my shoes, shut the door and ran out.
...
Wasn't it just another day?
The screech of tires.
A horn blaring.
Someone shouted my name.
"Seiji!"
I turned—
Light. Blinding. Pain.
My body hit something hard.
I couldn't breathe.
Voices rang in my ears—sirens, shouting.
What's happening to me?
I tried to move. Nothing.
Everything was spinning—then silent.
Then—
Darkness.
What went wrong?
...
I opened my eyes after what felt like an eternity.
"Where am i?" I could hear my own thoughts echo in the silence.
Darkness surrounding me.
A blue flash of light appeared in front of me.
[Do you wish to live?]
[ YES NO]
I unconsciously clicked [YES] before closing my eyes.