Future Diary: Rewritten / 未来日記: 書き直した (Inspired by Sakae Esuno's "Future Diary")

Chapter XIII - Acknowledgement

"Calm down, Arin. I'm aware of how Edwin is my step-sibling. Have you seen your dad, Ezekiel? He was part of a polyamorous relationship with Shinso and Ciel, which resulted in Edwin's birth. They were the reason our dad left their parent's relationship." said Juri, who had just arrived in Tokyo from Military duties overseas. "Welcome home, lieutenant. ", said Edwin, who greeted their older stepsister. "Thank you, step-sibling. It's been a while since I have seen Tokyo. What has changed since I've been away?", she asked, to which Edwin simply answered, "A lot of things have changed since you were away. The cities have changed...dramatically. A lot of companies now have subsidiaries in Tokyo. A few other things have happened in Tokyo as well, which you should explore for yourself." 

"Hm. exploration, you say? Well, that's kind of clueless of you to suggest that. However, exploring a city, in general, isn't that bad, unless you're called a "street wanderer" or something like that. What do you have in mind? Exploring wise, if I may ask", asked Juri. "Well, some things are left unsaid, but I heard that someone was supposed to meet me in a bit. She said the three of us could explore Tokyo as a whole, unless my girlfriend doesn't know about it.", said Edwin. "I met your girlfriend, Kaede, yes? She seems to be a very obsessive person. Also, doing anything to protect someone isn't what I would go for when looking for someone. Why did you choose her? ", asked Juri. "I thought she was normal. Turns out, that it's quite the opposite. Her father is forcing me to stay with her and get married to her...and I'm told if I don't comply with these rules, I'm doomed!" exclaimed Edwin. "Hm. Well, what's going on? I do not know if this is accurate or not, but I've heard of something called the "Survival Game", and it happens every once in a while. Well, the last one from what I remember had 13 Diary Holders, and I'm aware that this one also has 13 Diary Holders. Aren't you the 13th Diary Holder yourself, step-sibling?", asked Juri? "HUH!? WHAT THE...I'm not sure. There should be another 13th Diary Holder somewhere else." (Edwin)
 "Well, let me check my book right quick since this is the newest one to date. The 13th. yep, Edwin Nakamoto, the 13th Diary Holder." (Juri) "Oh...well..." (Edwin)
"It's OK, don't worry about it. I'm also aware of the others." said Juri, to which Edwin asked, "You...you are?" to which she nodded. 

Meanwhile, Edna Hasegawa (A reference to Houtarou Oreki from Hyouka), a troubled student who was more than willing to improve her grades in University, and graduate, invited Juri and Edwin to explore Tokyo as a whole. Edna then says, "Step siblings, eh? What a treat! We can explore the city of Tokyo as an entire! That'll be a fun experience!" Edwin then smiled, and asked, "Edna, how come you've seen Tokyo as an entirety? Do you know the whole city by heart?" to which Edna responded with, "I do, however, um, can I talk to the grey-eyed step sibling?" to which Juri responded with, "Sure, I do not mind."

"Listen, Edwin, I don't feel like calling you Edwin, can I call you something else besides Edwin? Maybe you've considered changing your name?" asked Edna, to which Edwin responded, "I always felt the names Evon or Eden. I was given the name Edwin at birth, but my mother said I could change my name at any point in time." (Edwin) "Well, I'll call you by the name Eden, then. Perhaps Aren would be a good name for you? Take some time to figure out what kind of gender-neutral name in English or Japanese could suit you. I'm not good with names, but if you understand neutrality within names, it'll help you.", said Edna, and a few hours after the trio explored Tokyo as a whole, Edwin filed a name change form: to change their name to Akane Nakamoto from Edwin Nakamoto. 

The name Akane Nakamoto was originally what Edwin was supposed to be named as, but due to the impulsive name decisions, Ciel and Shinso had landed on the name, "Edwin" to name them at the time of their birth. The name Akane was also the name Ciel had planned out from the start to name Edwin, and the next day, after the name change form was approved and signed by Ciel and Edwin, they finally had their new name: Akane Nakamoto. "Finally...it's what I'm fulfilling as a promise to my mother. I'm happier than ever.", they thought, and after what might be considered a normal day for them, Yuzuha had come out of nowhere, wondering where Akane had been. "How's it going? You haven't texted me in a while. Can you update your name in my contacts on my phone, please?" to which Akane said, "Of course. I do not mind it at all. Let me update my name in your contacts. Just give me a moment to do so."  After a moment of updating their name on the contacts page of Yuzuha's phone, Yuzuha then says, "I heard you're going by Akane now. It doesn't suit you, but you do, I guess. I mean, unless Kaede finds out about the name change, it'll be one of the worst experiences for Kaede in a while."

"Why do you say that?" asked Akane, to which Yuzuha replied, "Kaede hates it when people change their names for no reason at all. So, keep this a secret from her." Akane then nodded, and Yuzuha then walked away from Akane. Meanwhile, Kami Satou (A reference to Rin Tohsaka from Fate/Stay Night) had noticed Akane from a distance, and wondered, "Maybe I'll talk to them. They seem like a cool person to me. They have beautiful white hair and grey eyes."  As Kami walked to Akane, Akane felt like they were shaking, so they went to a vending machine to get a drink. For Kami, it was another day to walk outside. Akane then noticed Kami, and then Kami said, "Is it OK if I talk to you for a bit?" "Sure, I do not mind.", they said.

"So, sorry if I'm bothering you, but I'm Kami Satou. I heard a lot about the name change you went through. Is it alright if I ask about the name change?", she asked, to which Akane answered, "No, I do not mind it at all." "Perfect. I was wondering how you were able to change your name to such a fascinating one. I mean, you are from the Nakamoto family, no doubt about that. Likewise, I hope I am not wrong on that part. Furthermore, in any case, if you want to text me, here's my number." "With such formality, I did not expect such strong wording from you. It's nice to meet you, Ms Satou. I know such manners are not needed among friends, but for strangers, it is needed. I wonder how you are aware of my name change." they asked Kami, to which she replied, "I'm honoured to meet you too. How did I hear about your name change? It was on the news. Also, I overheard you and your friend talking about your name change. I also read some articles regarding your name change. So, technically speaking, I have resources to use."

"Interesting. Well, in case you want to visit me, my dorm is on the 3rd floor at the University of Tokyo." they said, with Kami replying with, "Ah, I'll happily visit you one day. I live on the 2nd floor there. I share a room with 3 other students. Furthermore, I heard you share a dorm with 2 other students." "Yes, that's correct. My friends, to be exact. On a side note, I'm honestly liking your red eyes." "Thank you, I find your grey eyes attractive, as well as your white hair. I do honestly consider you attractive. However, I want to make a deal with you. If you can dump Kaede, I'll be your girlfriend. Do we have a deal?" said Kami, to which Akane replied, "I'm not sure what you're trying to imply here." "Listen, Kaede is an obsessive person, from what I know of, and she's not the right person for you. If anything, you're better off with me. So...do we have a deal?" said Kami, to which this time, Akane replied with, "We have a deal." "Good. I'll trust you as much as I can. I'll see you tomorrow.", said Kami, as she waved at Akane, to which Akane smiled.

After a while, Akane had arrived back at their dorm, to which surprisingly, Kaede was there. Kaede had a lot of questions to ask them. The first question she asked was, "Where were you?" to which they answered with, "Outside in the open." The second question she asked was, "Why did you change your name?" to which they answered, "That is none of your concern. Never ask me questions like that again." After numerous questions and answers, Kaede's last question was, "Do you still want to continue this relationship?" to which they replied with, "What do you think my answer will be? Take a guess." Kaede, being shocked at the answer, said, "I THOUGHT I TRUSTED YOU. SIX YEARS...WHAT'S CHANGED WITHIN YOU?! I THOUGHT YOU STILL WANTED TO BE WITH ME!!!! I'LL HAPPILY GO TO MY DORM AND NEVER CALL YOU AGAIN!!! WHY...WHY...WHY???!!!!! Please, tell me, after all these years, what has changed within you?!"
 "Nothing coincides with your obsessiveness. You know damn well where you need to go: to a Mental Hospital. I'm sorry Kaede, but I'm breaking up with you, after 6 years of dating. I can't be around someone obsessive. Please, get out of my dorm..." (Akane) "What?! Why?!", she asked, then Akane yelled, "I SAID, GET OUT OF MY DORM!!!! DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND ME?????"

With Kaede walking to her dorm, Akane finally said to themselves, "Finally, I can enjoy some quiet. Finally, being out of a six-year relationship is surely refreshing." Then, a couple of students asked Akane if they were alright, with Akane replied that they were alright. They also told the students they were a bit stressed, so they asked them to leave them alone. After a while, Akane took out their phone and texted Kami. The following text messages are as followed:

Akane: Hey, Kami. I told Kaede that I broke up with her. She wasn't happy.
Kami: Oh jeez. She's never happy. However, I'm glad you broke up with her. How's your night so far?
Akane: It's stressful. A couple of students had asked me about me being alright, so I asked them to leave me alone. After that, everyone around the school was asking me about my mental state.
Kami: Oh, no. Well, that's to be expected from the students. Anyway, have you dumped Kaede yet?
Akane: Yeah, I did. She wasn't worth the six years. 
Kami: Perfect. Now since you've left Kaede, I'll work with you as your new significant other as we can get to know each other. I'll hopefully be enough for you as time passes.
Akane: I swear, already seeing you in person is already enough for me to fall for you. Do not worry. I'm already honoured to be with you.
Kami: Likewise, my love. I'll see you later, because my roommates asked me if I wanted to move in with you, since I told them about you. If you need me for anything, you know where to find me.
Akane: Thank you. I appreciate it.
Kami: Oh, and by the way, I might come off as a bit hyper due to my behaviour, so I ask you not to act different because of it. 
Akane: Fair enough. See you in a little bit.

After Kami was busy painting her nails black and red (a similar style sported by Yuzuha), Kami then decided to head to Akane's dorm. She politely knocked on their dorm room, to which Akane then opened the dorm room. "Thank you for letting me in.", in which Akane nodded. "So, this is the dorm you stay in. Very...nice, I should say. I mean, for three students, it's not that huge at all. I heard two of the students you live with are moving out. Why so?" she said, to which Akane replied with, "My two friends? Yuno? Yuki? Well, both are moving into an apartment in which they'll share with another student. Have you requested to move into this dorm?" "I have, and I heard no one else will be moving in this dorm, which is some of the best luck I've had in a while. It is all to ourselves, you know?"

"Yeah...but all I'm worried about is your safety..."