wasteland, baby! [fushiguro megumi]

05: reminiscence

keiko's pov

the air feels heavy and my whole body aches. something is ringing in my ear. as i opened my eyes, the familiar sea of flames seemed to surround me, its heat unbearable but it didn't bother me anyways.

ah, i'm back here again. the mizuki clan estate, or what's left of it.

am i ... dreaming?

"demon child!"

who's there?

"go back to hell!"

"you and your mother should be dead!"

my mother ... where is she?

i began aimlessly running into the fire, desperately crying out but only for my screams to bleed into nothingness.

i'm sorry, i didn't know. i wish i wasn't the one who was saved.

who did this to us? we were doing fine by ourselves.

father, mother ...

"you have to find your brother, keiko. before it's too late."

wait, that's mother's voice! where is she?

mother! don't leave me!

but it was useless, no sound came out of me, the flames around me roaring like thunder. soon, i was swallowed up whole, sinking into a scarlet abyss.

"!!!"

i shot up from my bed, beads of sweat stained my face as it did my pillow. i gazed down at my clammy hands, and used my cursed technique to bring them a little warmth.

it was another one of those stupid nightmares again. sigh.

but who exactly is this brother i'm supposed to find?

i threw my legs off the bed as i reached for my phone, my head still throbbing from the lucid nightmare i just woke up from.

3:34 pm

well shit, i overslept.

as i ran through my daily routine, i dug out a fresh pair of uniform from my duffel since i haven't had the time to properly unpack and settle into my room.

my uniform wasn't anything special, just the standard navy, long sleeved tunic with a white blouse underneath, paired with a navy skirt. maybe my skirt was shorter than the average length but as long as it's comfortable, right? i recently added something new to the belt on my skirt, a black butterfly brooch with a small flame in the centre of it, its wings laced with delicate gold markings. this was my family's crest, the mizuki clan's crest. i found it last month, while i was searching for the truth of my past, and it's all i have left of my family.

i slipped on my thigh-high white stockings and adjusted the deep red garter so that the little red flower embroided on it was moved to the centre. finally slipping on my black penny loafers, i straightened out my hair and left my room.

i took a brisk stroll towards a familiar office, remembering that i never want to run again while on an empty stomach.

i gave the wooden door three light knocks before sliding it open.

"i know i said you can come see me whenever you're back, but you sure took your time!"

"good afternoon to you too, yaga sensei," i gave a slight bow with a small smile on my face. "oh wait i forgot that you're principal now."