ANOTHER: REWRITTEN // もう一つ: 書き直した (Inspired by Yukito Ayatsuji's "ANOTHER")

Chapter I - On Short Notice.

"Langa!!! I have some news for you.", said Langa Ichimura's mother, Hideyoshi Ichimura. "What's the news, mum? I'm quite curious to know.", the curious Langa Ichimura, replied softly. "So, you may not be comfortable with this, but we are moving to Japan. You're coming along with us. Don't worry, we'll have plenty of time before we eventually move to Japan." "Big brother, aren't you in University already? We're proud of you!", said Langa's twin sister, Amane Ichimura. "Amane, why didn't you attend university?", asked Langa, to which she said, "I'm suffering from mental health problems, so I couldn't attend university due to that alone." Raiden Ichimura, the businessman of the family, had saved up approximately over CAD10,000 for this trip, as his job was paying him four times less of his normal salary. "We have four days to prepare for this mess, so, get to it!", said Raiden. Amane was getting her video game console and video games that went with it, while Langa was packing up his computer that he had received for Christmas as a gift from his parents. Also, Langa had posters of cartoon characters from the 90s and early 2000s, so, he had to pack those up.

Amane and Langa's birthday is also on Christmas Eve, which they get more presents than ever for their birthday and Christmas presents. As Langa was the older one of the two, and was referred to "big brother" by Amane, a term which he grew very fond of by this time, he seemed to get used to it by now. As the little sister of the family, Amane didn't mind being the little sister to Langa. After 3 hours of packing up the house filled with suitcases, Raiden was surprised by how fast everyone packed up. "I already have the tickets, in case you guys want to move early."

After some discussion, the Ichimura family agreed and decided to move to Japan 2 days later, on 26 December 2004. They settled in Shibuya, Tokyo. After some nerve racking anxiety attacks, Langa attended university on 27 December 2004. Finding out his roommate was quite hard, since he didn't know any Japanese, as he only spoke English. He introduced himself to his classmates on the first day of university. "It's very nice to meet you all. My name is Langa Ichimura. I transferred here from a University in Ottawa, Canada. My knowledge of Japanese isn't all that great, but I would like to get to know my Japanese heritage one day, as I am half Japanese myself." One student stood up and said, "I speak English. I can tell you all about this class in English and everything you need to know about this university." The student then introduced herself with this formal introduction, "My name is Mei Misaki. I'm a soon-to-be sophomore here. I see, from your records, that you transferred here in the middle of your sophomore year. You're a soon-to-be junior year student. Is that correct?" Langa stood there, in shock, in distress, how a Japanese student could know such things about a transfer student. However, he said, "Y-yes, that's correct. How did you make such inferences about me?" "Questions like that are not needed to be answered. All I know, is that you can have an eye patch of mine to cover your sky blue eye. Sky blue eyes here are considered "mysterious" and "abnormal." It's quite obnoxious to say, but I would understand from a point of view of how people view eye colours." (Mei) "Sky blue eyes in Canada are not really mysterious or abnormal. They're just...rather unique." (Langa) "Canada? What's that? Is that the place you're from? If so, welcome to Japan. Please, enjoy your stay here.", said Mei. "I'll gladly do so, all courtesy to you, Mei." said Langa in an improvised manner. "Anyway, Langa, is that your name? It fits well with your hair, as it's Black and White. If you need me to explain anything with your courses, I'll do so. I've taken, mostly, all of these courses around this university, ranging from arts courses to illustration courses. I'll help you out in any way shape or form."

Mei, after class, explains to Langa that the class he took was one of Langa's courses that he registered for: Illustration. He's in awe that he's happy with the classes he signed up for, so he asked about the courses that Mei has. Turns out, on the same days Langa has his courses, Mei has the exact same courses Langa has: Illustration, Computer Science, History, Econometrics, and Design Thinking. The girls in Computer Science spread rumours there, saying, "I wonder if Mei and that new kid Langa are dating./How come I see those two in the same classes?/So, who's this new couple I see?"

After school ends for the day, Langa finds out he has his stuff moved in with Mei, because Mei is his new roommate for the school year. Also, Mei was fortunate enough to meet Langa's parents, since Langa was nice enough to let Hideyoshi and Raiden meet Mei. "So, this is the new chick you have, Langa?", asked Raiden. "For the last goddamn time, dad, Mei is not my girlfriend.", he said to his father, then Mei chimed in and said, "I mean, not yet, but there's a possibility for it." "Oh wow, she's playing hard to get. How sudden of her." "Langa, your family acts like bullies. I'm not sure if Japan was the right move for you guys.", she said. Langa meanwhile, wasn't paying attention, but heard the whole conversation. "Oh. I mean, that's their normal behaviour of when one of their children gets near a girl or a guy. It's usual. Totally.", said Langa, in which he noticed his parents' behaviour.

"I hate to ask you this, but can you meet me in our dorm in the next 30 minutes or so? I need to attend something very important.", Mei requested to Langa, and Langa nodded softly. Since Langa went to Mei and his dorm, he decided to do some work on his computer. After 30 minutes of doing work, Mei had returned, and Langa gave a faint smile. "Can I mention your smile is the prettiest smile I've ever seen?", she asked. Langa, being startled by her question, responded in the most peculiar way he could think of: "Yeah. Yeah, you can say that. Although, I would've worded it differently."

After two hours of talking, a group of students known as the "EyePatch Club" comprised of Kyosuke Abe, their twin sister Ichigo Abe, Ryo "Aqua" Furikawa, Ken Satou, Hinata Ryounuusuke (although it can be written as Ryuunosuke), as well as Hinata's older brother, Gojo Hasegawa. Mei was also part of this group as well, which Langa had no idea about. "Step aside, Mei. We have quite the explanation to tell the new kid.", said the founder of the club, Gojo.  "You must be Langa, yes? We heard you moved to Japan. Well, I hereby say you made quite the odd choice. Speculations say you're in for one mysterious treat. However, what I must explain is, the rumours around this school have said to be true: there is a mysterious figure, or should we say...ghost, around this university. We want you on this team. We want you to show your capabilities for this team. If you need help with anything, Mei will be willing to help. She's the vice president of the EyePatch Club. I am the founder of this club, and I've appointed Ken Satou to be the president of this club. Ken, go ahead, as instructed." (Gojo)
"Right. As said by Gojo, there's a mysterious figure, or as said by Gojo, there's a ghost haunting this university. Also, we require one more member to fill in for our previous member, who unfortunately disappeared on unknown reasoning. We could use someone like you. You have a black coloured eye, which would be perfect for spotting a ghost like the one haunting our university. Your other eye, which I see Mei gave you an eye patch to cover it up, should look rather similar to your other eye. May I see?" (Ken)
Langa then took off the eye patch, to which he revealed his sky blue eye, and Ken was astonished by the sky blue eye of Langa's. "Rather...the sky blue eye you have, is rather colourful. The iridescence in your sky blue eye would probably have to make use with how the world reflects colours with your eyes."

One student that quickly got word of the rumours, was abroad student Ronnie Asensio. Ronnie is a Spanish-British student from Southeastern London, United Kingdom. He is taking Japanese linguistics courses in order to fulfil his wish of moving to Japan by Spring 2006. Ronnie is a detective working for an agency in Shinjuku, Tokyo on the side. "What is this rumour? It sounds familiar, as it has happened to my university before. I wonder if this rumour is true."
Another person that received word of this, was Italian-born, Australian raised, Angel Lazario. She heard about a ghost haunting the secondary school that she later went to, when she was 13. Now a 22-year-old studying abroad in Japan, she gets word of how there's a mysterious figure/ghost haunting the university. "I should probably take shelter somewhere, if it attacks me out of nowhere. I need to talk to someone about this."

A native to Japan for about 25 years, Juno Rosaria was originally from Vancouver, BC, Canada. After moving to Japan from Canada, Juno was fascinated by the Japanese lifestyle, so much so, that she began adjusting to the beauty standards of Japan. Opting to become a novelist to get by with rent, she initially was meant to settle in Kyoto, but settled in Shibuya, Tokyo. After learning about what had happened to her Japanese grandfather, she decided to stay in Japan to pay for her grandfather's expenses to cover funeral costs. 

Characters so far in this chapter:
Langa Ichimura – A transfer student from a top university in Ottawa, Canada who is hit with a surprise notice that he finds out his family is moving to Japan. He becomes best friends with Mei Misaki, and joins the EyePatch Club after finding out about a mysterious figure/ghost that's haunting a university that he attends.
Hideyoshi Ichimura - Langa's mother, one of the role models he looks up to. A former novelist.
Raiden Ichimura - Langa's father, a businessman.
Amane Ichimura - Langa's twin sister, a girl who suffers deeply from mental health issues.
Mei Misaki - The only best friend Langa has at this point, one of Langa's classmates, and a girl who covers her black coloured eye with an eye patch. Vice President of EyePatch Club.
Kyosuke Abe - One of the members of EyePatch Club, has a twin sister. The only Non-Binary member of EyePatch Club.
Ichigo Abe - Kyosuke's twin sister, another member of EyePatch Club.
Ryo Furikawa - Nicknamed "Aqua" by the members of EyePatch Club, another member of EyePatch Club.
Ken Satou - The president of EyePatch Club, appointed by Gojo Hasegawa.
Hinata Ryounuusuke/Ryuunosuke - Considered to have piercings, even though that's not true. Another member of EyePatch Club.
Gojo Hasegawa - The founder of EyePatch Club, appointed Ken Satou and Mei Misaki to be President and Vice President.
Ronnie Asensio - One of many abroad students, Spanish-British, comes from the UK. 
Angel Lazario - Another abroad student, was raised in Australia.
Juno Rosaria - A native to Japan for 25 years, originally from Vancouver, BC, Canada.