LOST TIME MEMORY Vol. 1

Chapter 1.5

After having showered, he brushed his teeth yet again. He flossed, just in case someone commented on his breath, and glanced at his dead fish-looking eyes from the bathroom mirror. Wearing a new white T-shirt and beige, slim-fit cargo pants, he looked like a bleak, little teenager. Even though he was 172cm tall, his hair had straightened down a bit, though still disheveled. He'd combed the ends enough for it to at least look normal.

Before his departure, he checked his drawer for extra supplies. He couldn't be too careful if he wanted to survive out there. It was a scary world. Rummaging through, he spotted a pair of red scissors, an origami that he carefully put aside, and then grabbed a black sling bag and a few cables for Ene. Just in case, he thought. Later, he stood in front of his bedroom door in anticipation, as if waiting for something to jump out even though he'd gone out of his bedroom two times already. He gulped down his hesitation and grabbed the doorknob but caught a glimpse of something hanging from a hook among an assortment of different jet-black jackets. This one was bright red, complimented with white stripes. Ene saw his gaze from inside the phone and commented:

"Master, it's gonna be hella hot today, you know."

When he grabbed the red jacket, she gave a slight "Oh" and didn't say anything after. He put it on, and already burning with embarrassment at his following words, said:

"I'm gonna be hella hot."

Ene breathed in, her nose flaring and her eyes popping out, then spat out and exploded with laughter. Her outburst filled the entire house as Shintaro went outside his room and continued even as he went down the stairs. Beyond the hallway, and past the living room. It was a laugh that could very nearly be mistaken for a robot, its voice almost purely autotuned. Hilariously musical chuckles cheerfully filled the house until she yelled in an equally lively manner:

"TODAY!"

"Hella hot today," Shintaro mumbled.

"YOU!"

"Yeah."

"IN THAT JACKET!"

"Right." He stood in the entryway in front of the main door and continued standing there until Ene spoke. Though he could tell she was both making fun of him and egging him on at the same time, he still used that to carry himself forward.

"Hey." She said, and he could tell from her tone that he was to pick her out of his pocket. Her wide blue eyes stared at him as soon as they were face to digital face. She put both hands against the phone screen with a broad smile, her palms in clear view like they were just a window apart. It was a bashful yet genuinely sincere expression.

"Y-you want me to give you a high ten?"

"Dork," her smile was still firmly in place, her head tilted a little to the side. A rush of confidence nudged him to give her a friendly smile back. His awkwardness had gone away that very moment. He held her tight in his hand, opened his front door, and finally... he went outside for the first time in two years.

Route: ?