Say, have you heard of the Bamboo cutter's tale?
A princess from the moon, descending into this land, almost divine like
"No I haven't" an answer without hesitation
I see, well the point is, humans used to fancy takes as such, myths and legends.
That kind of thing.
Something good happens and it's a miracle, a blessing, people would pray for gratitude.
Something bad happens? They blame it to spirits and evil.
It sounds almost convenient for people to blame anything but themselves for anything, if that were to be real, I think it would be really convenient as it sounds like, but over time, it faded. Personally, I still believe in that kind of stuff
"You do? For what reason? Have you witnessed one before?"
Of course, I've witnessed a miracle before, and that would be you.
Those were the last words of my father before he died in an accident, it's ironic that our last conversation was about miracles and blessings, Gods? Heaven? Yeah I call bullshit.
If those were to be real, he would be alive today, yet at one time, I prayed so hard and clinged to that idea that someone would save my father, someone would heal him, a miracle would occur.
Yet it never happened. That's the harsh truth of this reality. pray and beg, grovel and cry.
Nothing will happen, you only have your own powerlessness to curse.
And for that reason, I'm doing everything to be above, to be the best... To secure a future I can rest at ease, to achieve a sense of security.
I don't want to feel that despair I felt again... I'm going to make my father proud of me, so when I see him again someday, I'll be able to face him.
It's almost 8 years soon since his death, I was 10 that time, and now I'm 17.
I have done everything to ace in every field I took part in.
I will make sure to do the same this school year.
I slowly advanced across the hallway, each steps tapping the floor echoed.
I remained focus, calm, greeting and greeted by some teachers along the way.
"I'm expecting great things from you again this year"
Damn right, you better do.
I must do greater things than before.
I gripped on the handle of my bag tightly, I inhaled deeply, before exhaling.
I opened the door of the classroom before closing it again, observing the surrounding carefully.
I see a lot of familiar faces, and many unfamiliar ones too, either from another section previously or transfers.
I walked towards my designated seat.
Fixing myself on the chair and my bag under the desk, I made myself comfortable.
And in curiosity, I once again glanced around.
There's something about meeting new people that I find intriguing.
The expectations you build of them, the encounters you have with them, though I might say that, I never really built an actual friendship. How ironic.
Perhaps it's my personality or how busy I am usually, or maybe people really just don't like me.
Honestly, I don't care. If they do not like me before even knowing me, that shows they were never worth the interaction to begin with.
And then... I'm sitting next to a girl... Great...
Girls in classes are usually obnoxious.
Full of gossips, unnecessary noises, screeching and that attitude they bring to people.
Now you're telling me I'm sitting next to one? Great...
No, this is just wrong, I shouldn't go and stereotype like that, I mean it's true most of the time but there must be some who aren't right?
I closed my eyes hoping that would be true, and then
"Hey there"
Oh my, what...? That voice was absolutely melodious, it immediately caught my attention.
I looked at the girl next to me and raised my eyebrows in curiosity as a response
My eyes took all the information it could get from her within a span of second.
She is definitely not your average girl in class.
Her hairstyle I think was called hime cut?
Long black silky hair, deep blue eyes that seemingly glow as light reflects from it, almost pale skin and a natural brush, I'm not an expert but I can confirm she's not wearing make up at all.
Yet her lashes are gorgeously long and her lips are soft and plump on a scale of I can only say perfect.
She's wearing a crescent moon ornament on her hair, a pin?
Simply majestic... Wait why am I glazing her?
"Me?" I answered.
The girl seemed pleased to get my attention.
"Yes, you" she replied with a confident smile
Curious, I wondered what she could want from me.
"What Is it?" I voiced back, seeking to find an answer to her sudden attention.
"I'm thirsty, can you buy me a drink?" She asked of me as she handed some money.
"Eh?" Was all I could answer
I mean, What? Seriously? Who the hell does that?
Think about it, what kind of person suddenly talks to someone whom they've never meet before only to ask them to do something? RIDICULOUS! IT'S ABSURD!
yet strangely I couldn't refuse...
something about her eyes, the way she looked at me, the entire air around her pressured me into accepting, so here I am walking down to the nearest vending machine.
Is that charisma? It must be, right?
Otherwise it makes no sense that the ME I know very well would just accept like that, I don't even donate to charities!
Unthinkable, simply unbelievable.
I kept complaining Inside my head while walking that I did not realize I had bumped into someone on my way back.
It wasn't much of a force but given our size difference, I kind of knocked them down, tripped.
Of course I'm not heartless despite the rumors around me, I helped them up.
I extended my hand in apologies to the... Girl?
Hmm... Strange, I could swear that's male uniform, is that the fashion sense today? Cross dressing?
No matter.
I helped her up and apologized for my carelessness.
"I'm okay, thank you... It was my fault for being clumsy" Answered the girl after I asked if she was alright
Yeah sure, you're definitely okay, you literally just got knocked down, I doubt that didn't hurt
"No this is on me, I got lost in thoughts while walking, I'm sorry about that" I apologized, sincerely of course, I know when I'm wrong and not
Hmm...
"Here" I handed her one of the box of juice I bought earlier as a token of apologize.
"I hope this token of apology is accepted"
But the girl seemed to be against the idea
"No way! It's absolutely fine, I don't need anything, please keep it" she rejected in panic
Geez It's just a juice, it's not like I'm offering a fortune or anything, just accept it.
"I insist" I replied as I forced the juice on her hand before leaving so she couldn't refuse further.
I'm such a social genius.
"Thank you ..." Accepting it finally as I left.
That took more time than I had expected, I should return as soon as possible.
As I return in the classroom, I hand the drinks I borrow earlier.
She must be really rich to hand that much money all for drinks, so I bought a lot of juice along a bottle of water, she must be pleased.
I handed everything in her desk, to her surprise, she did not expect to get that much.
Is she being sarcastic or just stupid, of course that much money will buy a lot, poor attempt in comedy if so.
"Ohh thank you very much, I appreciate it~!" She thanked me with a smile, well... Atleast she's being grateful...
Something about her gratitude makes me feel an unknown emotion I definitely haven't felt before.
With a cheery time, she offered me one of her drinks
"Here you can have one if it as a thank you!" She handed a box of grape juice to me in gratitude
Whoa I did not expect that, of course I accepted it happily...
Why am I happy about this?
I mean, it brings me joy that she wasn't a sassy or bossy brat whatever I guess...
She genuinely seem grateful and happy.
Not bad I guess.
Without second thought, I punctured the hole with the straw and drank the juice.
I hate grapes flavor... They don't taste like actually grapes at all.
After my complaints, the class is finally starting.
Our advisor arrives and greeted all of us a good morning, psyching us up for the new school year
Naturally I am psyched up, I should be or I will fall off.
We begin with introducing ourselves
Greetings, name and interests
Many names and voices I have heard before, and a lot of hobbies shared common.
And now it's the turn of the girl sitting next to me, this is perfect chance to learn her name without directly asking.
"Greetings everyone, a good morning to all of you. "
A polite and warm greeting.
"My name is Kaguyahime Mikoto, as for my hobbies and interests, well I suppose I love to sing and as for my interest... I do have one but I think I'll keep it a secret ~ "
Kaguyahime... Where have I heard that name before? Pretty sure I've heard that somewhere
Likewise, the entire class seemed to be fascinated by her name too, it is a captivating name after all.
And after a few students, it's now my turn.
I greeted everyone in a basic polite manner.
And then my name.
"My name is Hikaru Sorasaki, my hobby is studying, as for my interest... Astronomy, I guess? Like the moon and stuff"
I'm not sure about the astronomy part but I had to come up with something interesting
I took it from the fascination I have over the moon, I wonder why...
I've always been obsessed with the moon since childhood, I've forgotten the reason but that feeling remains the same today.
This seem to have caught the attention of my new seatmate, I can feel her gaze as I sat down.
I turned my eyes towards her.
"What is it?" I asked, she's not even trying to hide that she's staring.
"Oh, not much, just a little something" she smiled before turning her gaze away
.... That was weird
And after that, everything else proceeded like normal
Which makes it even weirder
How could that one moment feel so weird and awkward it stuck to my head the entire day?
And now, school time is up, time to go home
Well like usual, locked in for lessons and everything...
I feel hungry.
The sun sets into a burning orange scenery, the students exits their own respective classrooms with the intention of getting home and rest as soon as possible, I can relate to that, but for now... Maybe I'll stop by that small ramen stall I often eat in
As for why, well, my mom has work and gets home really late so all good are served late too, so does my sister.
I'll basically be alone for the next 4 hours so better spend it somewhere else.
I entered the small stall with few seats available, all are occupied.
Seems like they just opened.
I took a seat, my usual actually, well it's not like there's much choice but the familiar scent is intoxicating, the comfort it gives me is unrivaled, ah I can feel my hunger even more
"The usual please" I requested.
A regular bowl that's all, no need for extra stuffs or anything crazy, this is more than enough for me, besides I'm just here to get my fill, not to do some food blogs.
And with the freshly cooked noodles served to me, I dug in with pleasure.
Taking every bite, slurping every inch, savoring every piece and lastly, drinking the last drop of soup.
The perfect texture of the noodles was superb, it was neither soggy nor hard, the size too of each strand was just right along the perfectly cooked pieces of meat, and that soft boiled egg.
Oh, this food deserves every praise it can get from me but what the hell is up with this long monologue over a food?
Count me in.
I paid for my meal and left, I should be going home now but.. I think I left my bag under the desk... Great.
i just stood in the middle of road in silence with my right hand covering my eyes thinking about my stupidity. i let out a sigh and decided to go back there. i hope the room was left open.
I entered the building to face my enemy, the stairs.
Now asscending to the second floor.
The contrast of this place currently in comparison to how it was earlier is something, you can pretty much say it died.
Previously full of the student's yapping noise, now replaced by silence.
I arrived in my classroom.
And there was my bag, lucky.
I then reached for it, taking it from the floor that was under the desk.
And next to my seat...
I noticed that the bag of that Kaguya girl is still here too.
did she forget it as well? I guess that makes it the two of us, maybe I should take it as well and look for he—
Just when i turned around, just before i could finish my sentence.
something unpleasant greeted my face.
What should be a scenery of the rest of the classroom replaced by...
I don't know what to describe it.
It was there standing, I'm not even sure if it is because it's body is not that of human at all.
Yet it's eyes were staring right into my soul.
I could feel it's gaze pierce through my flesh, chills shivering my very core.
My fight or flight sense activated before I could realize and thankfully, I ran.
I ran as fast as I could, before I realize, i was screaming.
adrenaline was circulating through my body that i didn't even notice i have a gaping hole on my left arm.
My screams so loud I could feel my throat burn from how violent it is, my eardrums feel like it's being ruptured by my own desperation.
I don't care what you call that thing, a monster, a demon, a yokai whatever!
I must get away from it!
it's chasing after me.
Each stomps it makes are so strong it's demolished everything it steps on, it's almost like an explosion.
A walking distaster you can call it, bringing destruction to the classrooms once holding lessons for students to sit through.
The creature simply marched forward without regards for it's environment
it has a flat body and short limbs like a lizard.
with a neck so long it resembles a coconut tree with the head hanging upside down at it's end with a really long hair. it has a face of a human, but it's reaction remains frozen in one eerie smile. eyelids widely open it feels like the eyeballs could fall anytime, pitch black pupils and very dried lips, skin so pale the nerves are visible as purple linings.
It makes a sound it, is that even a sound? It's like wheezing. It would try to laugh but barely resemble the sound of it.
This creature, it's enjoying this...
Even with my heavy breathing and loud screams, the wheezing still rings in my ears.
Tears started flowing out of my eyes before I knew it, I simply want to survive that's all.
It doesn't matter If I lose my limbs, or anything.
As long as I'm alive, as long as I will see the light of tomorrow, please, let me live.
I kept on running, even climbing the stairs towards the rooftop I hated so much.
it might've been a foolish decision to come here, I am cornered after all.
I closed my eyes wished for many things while running.
like, what if i just suddenly gain crazy overpowered ability to get rid of this thing or maybe if i wake up and this is just a nightmare, or maybe if a god saves me even though I'm a big atheist...
That's right... I rejected the idea of gods... of miracles, I know damn well nothing will save me... Just like how nothing saved my father that night.
unfortunately, I will die here. That's the harsh truth...
How am I going to face my father... Hahahaha...
I laughed, laughed at the absurdity
I haven't even achieved a single damn thing
Slowly advancing towards me, the foul creature once again cracked a laughter, one so loud it was shaking the air around us, ringing through the depths of my ears and creating a painful sensation, but now, it's more like manic laugh, still while wheezing.
the creature leaned closer to my face, it's head just above me and slowly opened it's mouth, it's resembled any normal human mouth, it's not that big but this one, it didn't stop stretching it's jaws open until the flesh of it's cheeks began violently tearing, I could hear it tear open, the sound of blood dripping down, the sound of flesh that is being stretched and snapping.
I could only watch it do that, I'm frozen in fear, I think it's planning on devouring me alive.
It's breathe reeked of rotting flesh, just how many people has this thing devoured already for it to smell that agonizing?
I could feel my nose numb from how extreme the scent was.
And then, a flash of light...
Is this it? Is this my death?
...
Wait...
I slowly opened my eyes...
The creature's head fell before my very eyes.
What? What just happened?
I was in absolute shock.
I can't process anything, my heart is pounding, sweat dripping and my ears ringing.
But, the creature is dead.
And above, something caught my eye.
My blurred eyes couldn't quite make anything out of it... It was shining.
The moon...?
It slowly descended..
No...
"phew that was close, great job holding yourself together and surviving"
It was a person, a girl.
That soft melodious voice, it was the same voice I heard earlier, voice so soothing, I've forgotten my ears were even hurting.
She descended.
A beautiful girl, a beautiful maiden...
She was mounted to a crescent like object, it was crimson in color with the ends fashioned with gold
She slowly descended...
The moon is descending before my very eyes.
The same deep blue eyes, that hair, those ornaments
On top of that, she was wearing a very traditional crimson kimono, sleeves gently moving along the breeze that hits her descent.
Beautiful, so beautiful, I have forgotten what even was happening, that just earlier I was being chased by a monster.
No, I don't mind any of that now, the fear remains but the sight of her keeps me in clarity.
The moon descends before me, what should I do?