Never Forget

Chapter 2: The Neighbor

"All decorated!" Sara put up the last of her manga collection. The girl was an otaku, which means she loved anime and manga, as well as anything related to Japan. Throughout her entire life she had an interest in the culture of Japan as a whole, and she found it utterly fascinating. She had moved at just the right time to see the sakura blossoms blooming, and it was a beautiful scene. She had moved at the perfect time.

Sara had a love for all things anime. Her favorites included: Death Note, Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia, Sailor Moon, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, and so much more!
However, Junji Ito's stories were her very favorite. She used to get disgusted looks and raised eyebrows when she told her friends she was a Junji Ito fan.
"Don't you think his stories are too gruesome?" Her friend Anya would say. "Yes, but the way he portrays it in his stories really makes the reader think. His work showcases the darker side of the human mind," Sara would answer. Anya would look at her with a puzzled expression, "Okay, remind me to never make you mad."
It was all in good fun and harmless humor. Sara had always had an interest in weird things and all her friends knew it. It wasn't a surprise when she moved to Japan.
Suddenly, Sara's thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the wooden door.
"It must be one of the neighbors," she guessed. Sure enough, she was correct.
When she opened the door, she was met with a handsome guy smiling at her. He had sandy brown hair, green eyes, and he was tall. He wore a black Attack on Titan shirt with scuffed blue jeans.
"Hello, I heard that you just moved in, and I wanted to say hello to you," said the guy with a British accent. "Yeah, I just got in yesterday. Thanks for coming by. Come on in," she invited with a warm smile.

The guy stepped inside Sara's new home and glanced around, taking in the cozy living room decorated with Japanese art and furniture. He couldn't help but notice the bookshelves lined with manga, clearly indicating Sara's love for Japanese culture.
Curiosity piqued, he gestured towards the bookshelves and said, "I see you have quite the collection there." "Oh, yes. I love anime and manga." Sara perched herself on the edge of the couch, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
"As you can see, I've collected quite a few over the years," Sara replied, her voice filled with excitement. "I've always been fascinated by the art style and storytelling found in Japanese manga," she continued, reaching for one of her favorite volumes and holding it up. The vibrant cover of the manga depicted a fierce warrior standing atop a mountaintop, engulfed in a whirlwind of powerful, elemental magic.
"But this is my top favorite," she held up the volume of Junji Ito's Uzumaki. Its ominous black cover sent a chill down Sara's spine, and she couldn't help but admire the way Junji Ito's intricate illustrations brought the unnerving feeling of dread. "You have great taste in manga," the guy said impressed. "I have yet to read Uzumaki, but I've heard incredible things about Junji Ito's mastery of horror storytelling," he remarked. "I'm glad someone appreciates it!" Sara said with a proud smile, "My friends back in the States think I'm crazy for liking Ito's stories because they're too gruesome."
"Well, I believe art is subjective," he replied, his eyes sparkling with shared enthusiasm. "Thank you!" Sara made a show of collapsing on her couch with relief, making the guy laugh, then she sat up and beamed, "I'm Sara, by the way." "I'm Michael, it's nice to meet you, Sara," he introduced himself. As they began chatting about their shared interests in horror, Michael couldn't help but feel a sense of newfound excitement in this unexpected connection. Sara was feeling the same excitement. They both realized that they had finally found someone who truly understood their love for all things macabre.
They exchanged stories of their favorite horror films and books, their voices filled with animated passion. The duo also shared their love for anime and manga. "So, what do you think of the newest season of Attack on Titan?" Sara inquired curiously. Michael grinned, eager to discuss their mutual interest. "I absolutely loved it," Michael exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "I do too, but I don't like how it's taking so long to release," she groaned. "I agree, but think about how epic it will be," he told her. Sara nodded a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Maybe we should plan a marathon of our favorite anime series," Sara suggested, her mind already racing with excitement. "That sounds like an amazing idea! " Michael exclaimed, his heart racing with anticipation. "We could gather all the snacks, drinks, and pillows we need, and turn it into the ultimate anime viewing experience," Michael added, imagining the joy. "Yes, such an occasion must have the essentials," she spoke like a scientist about to conduct the ultimate experiment. With a twinkle in her eye, Sara began brainstorming a list of must-have snacks ranging from classic popcorn to whimsical Pocky sticks. She envisioned a colorful smorgasbord of sweet and salty treats, ensuring that their marathon would be not only thrilling but also gastronomically delightful.

They could make their sushi rolls, packed with fresh ingredients and artistic flair.
When Sara mentioned this, Michel nodded with approval, "I like the way you think." He could already taste the delicious combination of rice, seaweed, and delectable fillings wrapped up into bite-sized pieces of culinary perfection. He added, "And we definitely can't forget the wasabi and soy sauce for that extra kick." Sara smiled in agreement as she imagined the satisfying heat of wasabi mixing with the savory soy sauce, perfectly complementing the flavors of their homemade sushi.

"So, what made you want to move to Japan?" Michael asked. Sara took a moment to reflect before answering, her eyes gleaming with nostalgia. "Well," she began, "ever since I was a child, I was enchanted by the rich culture, the picturesque landscapes, and the deep-rooted traditions that Japan has to offer. Growing up, I was always fascinated by anime, manga, and Japanese cuisine. I also have always loved to write fiction, and so I came here to find inspiration and also to start a new life." Michael listened attentively, a hint of a smile forming on his face. "You know," he said, "I've always admired people who dare to chase their dreams and start fresh in a new place." "Thank you," she smiled. As they continued their conversation, Michael couldn't help but notice the excitement and determination radiating from her.

As the air grew colder and the sun sank below the horizon, Michael realized that he had found more than just a neighbor - he had found a friend. He marveled at how quickly their connection had formed, despite only having met a mere few hours ago. It was as if they had known each other for a lifetime. Michael couldn't help but share his own aspirations with her when she asked. Opening up to her felt strangely effortless, as if he had been holding back his dreams and aspirations for far too long. "I wanted to work in a field that could help make the world better, and Japan seemed like the perfect place to start, so I moved here from England." She listened intently, her eyes sparkling with understanding and admiration. "I completely understand," she replied, a genuine smile spreading across her face. With each passing moment, Michael found himself becoming more and more captivated by her presence. He was drawn to her genuine warmth and how effortlessly they connected. 

Michael suddenly got an idea, "Have you been to Akihabara yet?" "Not yet," Sara replied with a hint of curiosity in her voice, leaning in closer as if eager to hear Michael's suggestion. "I think you would love it," Michael said, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "It's getting pretty late right now, but I want to take you out to spend the day in Akihabara, we can go to the cafes, we could visit the manga shops, we could do whatever you want." Sara smiled, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "That sounds amazing," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "Great! " Michael replied, his enthusiasm contagious. "We can plan it for this weekend, so we have plenty of time to explore," he suggested, pulling out his phone to check his schedule. "How about tomorrow?" Sara suggested. Michael paused for a moment, considering her suggestion. "Tomorrow works for me," Michael replied, a hint of eagerness in his voice. Sara's heart skipped a beat at Michael's response. They had only recently become neighbors, but the connection between them felt stronger with each passing moment. As they continued to make plans, Sara couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to spend more time with Michael. Would they finally uncover the deeper connection hiding just beneath the surface? Sara's mind wandered, envisioning countless possibilities and scenarios of what their time together would unveil.
Little did they know the eerie curse hiding in the walls of the apartment building, waiting for an unsuspecting stranger to release it onto the world.