Fallen

College!

Hitori's memories faded away as I made a decision to embrace a new identity. Determined to start afresh, I headed to the store and purchased black hair dye, symbolizing a transformation of self. Graduation arrived a few months later, accompanied by the exciting news of a scholarship at a prestigious school in the United States. With anticipation building, I began packing my belongings, preparing to leave my home behind.

As the day of departure drew near, a sense of melancholy settled within me. There was no one to bid farewell, not even Kako. It became clear that there was no longer a place for me here, urging me to seek a new purpose elsewhere. Boarding the plane, I gazed out of the window, lost in my thoughts.

Suddenly, a familiar voice filled the cabin. It was Masumi Yumi, expressing gratitude for enabling her to pursue her dreams. The song she sang, dedicated to a friend named Hitori who had lost his memory, stirred emotions within me. Although I couldn't recall the details of our past, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the friends and loved ones Hitori had.

Realizing that I was now alone, without anyone to care for or support me, I resolved to find a new purpose. I aspired to become a lawyer, driven by the desire to help others and ensure that justice prevailed. My parents, who had committed suicide on the day of my adoption, had never faced the consequences of their actions. It was time for me to seek justice for myself and others who had been wronged.

After a long journey, I finally arrived in the United States. A taxi driver transported me to the college campus, passing by bustling restaurants and hotels along the way. As I stepped out of the taxi, I thanked the driver and watched as he drove away, leaving me facing the grand entrance of the college.

Entering the main office, I was greeted by a friendly woman named Ashley Cavin. She recognized me as a top-grade student and introduced herself as Ashley. She guided me towards the dormitories, where I was introduced to my roommate, Dexter Paterson. He preferred to be called Dex, and we exchanged greetings. Ashley bid us farewell, leaving us to settle into our new living arrangement.

Moments later, Dex casually asked me to leave the room so that he could entertain a guest. Reluctantly, I obliged and found myself in a nearby coffee shop. There, I sat down next to a girl engrossed in a book called "School Days" by Darkwill. Curiosity piqued, I struck up a conversation with her, asking if the book was any good. She replied that it was not her favorite, recommending another work by the same author.

As our conversation continued, the girl, named Ayame Yamane, mentioned that she attended the same college as me. She confessed that she felt isolated due to her privileged treatment, fearing that others would despise her if they discovered the truth. In response, I assured her that I would be her friend, regardless of her circumstances.

The coffee shop was about to close, and Ayame suggested that I join her in her room until it was time to go. Gratefully, I accepted her invitation, and we walked back to the dormitory together. Inside her room, Ayame left momentarily to fetch food and drinks for us.

While she was gone, a book filled with photographs fell from a shelf. Curiosity got the better of me, and I picked it up. To my surprise, the pictures featured Ayame, Hideki, Kako, and another girl. As I continued flipping through the pages, I stumbled upon a photo of myself. Feeling a sense of connection, I carefully placed the book back on the shelf before Ayame returned.

The evening passed in laughter and conversation, and soon it was time for me to leave. Promising to return the following day, I bid Ayame and her friends farewell. Rushing back to my own room, I found myself staring at the pictures once again, yet struggling to recall any concrete memories associated with them.

Fatigued, I drifted off to sleep, hoping that the next day would bring clarity and a deeper understanding of my past.