Chem Lab

Chapter Nine: Preparations are over!

Within the timespan of a second, Masane's apparent forgotten memory was erased from her eyes, allowing her to see the worried faces of Shizuka and Yumiyo.

"You alright?" Shizuka asked.

"Y... yes, I'm fine. Just a little discombobulated is all."

"Yeah that was how I felt when I had my first memory."

"What did you see?" Yumiyo questioned.

"All of the students here... we were friends once. When we were little..."

"So same as me then?"

"It would appear so."

"Why don't I remember?" Yumiyo looked troubled.

"It could be different for each person. You might remember something different or at a different time..."

"Oh ok. So... what does this mean?"

"It means that whoever is behind all this, deliberately made it so we didn't immediately know we had all met before. I don't know why, but if that's the case, it must mean something that could uncover them."

"So what do we do now?"

"I suppose, keep trying to remember something and remain cautious."

"I see."

Shizuka nodded, thoughtful before whipping his head to look at the clock on his wall. "Hey guys, it's getting late. Do you want to do anything before it becomes night?"

"Not exa-"

"Hey shitheads! Get over to the Gymnasium ASAP! I'VE GOT A SURPRIIIIISE!"

Shockbolt's voice resonated throughout the school before the speakers switched off.

The three looked at each other, uneasy. They all were thinking the same thing:

What is this animal playing at?

They all got up, slowly making their way out of Shizuka's room and heading towards the gymnasium. There was no need for small talk, each of them thinking about what the "surprise" could possibly be.

With their footsteps being the only sound echoing the hallways, they made their way over.

They entered the gymnasium, silently, only to see the rest of the class there. Everyone has that same look of disturbed uncertainty, which was understandable.

Raou saluted to Masane, and smiled sternly. "Hello again, classmate. Was there anything you three found by yourselves?"

"Actually yes." Masane responded. "It would seem something has been... altered about us."

"Altered? What does that mean?" Masahira raised an eyebrow as he asked.

"It means... some of our memories are missing."

"Please explain," Toshika asked, confused.

"While spending time together, Shizuka revealed that he has been getting glimpses of memories he does not remember having. Just as he was saying that, I also experienced a memory returning to me. One that I do not recall having."

"What was the memory?" Taro wanted to know.

"All of us... we were significantly younger and seemingly all knew each other. Most of us were even friends with each other."

"Why... would they erase that memory?" Amy wondered.

"My only guess is that their identity is important, so much that they didn't want us to recognize them."