Overgrown Melody (In My Heart)

Complexity At Its Finest

I felt my stomach churn at the line, "I had put my trust in that kid's future and ultimately was betrayed." I was disappointed in myself.. I grit my teeth and looked to the ground. How could I let my own insecurities get in the way of others... Just like how I let them get in the way of myself, when I ran from Toya. Toya put his hand around my neck, he was clearly nervous about it, as it shocked me. I reluctantly leaned into his embrace, accepting his form of comfort. He needed it too, as his father just came into the picture. He seemed to appreciate my effort to return his affection. An gave us that look, but said nothing.

The man continued, "Your father introduced me to the scamming business, and a way to... For lack of better terms.. How to morally protect yourself from accountability." The man said turning away, almost as if he were turning away from his past self out of spite. "After joining his business, I started climbing up the later, per se. I wasn't a top official or anything, but I was at a high enough position that he let me know about his secret." Toya's interest was piqued, Kohane and An were just as involved. I however, couldn't stop drowning in anger and self pity, Toya's embrace being my only form of coping at the moment.

"He also had a hiding place somewhere in another region. I was drunk when he was telling me about it, but he was saying something about how it looked like an ordinary office building, and it was highly elevated. Since there are a lot of highly elevated office buildings in Japan, He put a small indicator on the outside of it, even showed me a picture. Unfortunately, I don't have the picture with me, regardless I could help point it out..! But I don't know where it is.." The man said finishing up. "I used to blame the boy for everything that happened... Now I understand his situation, and sometimes I wonder if he were to be connected with your father."

I released myself from Toya's embrace and stood upright. "So, what you're saying is if we meet this 'boy' then we may be closer to the answer..?" I said clenching my fists. The guy looked to the side and shrugged. "Woah, Akito calm down! He didn't give any actual details on the boy's relation to Toya's father! And even if that's the case... This was years ago! How would we even find him?" An said noticing my frustration.

I understood that much, but I knew exactly who that boy was, or at least I was certain I did. I had a small amount of doubt, however I couldn't back out of this based on that. "An's right! We can't just jump into something we aren't sure about.." Kohane said standing up. "You... You may have a point, but I need answers.. I think I know where he may be." I said, turning my back to them. Toya stood up, putting his hand on my shoulder. "While I may not be able to justify your logic.. I trust you fully, if this is the path you choose to go, then I must follow you." Toya said moving his body toward the group, maintaining his hand on my shoulder.

Kohane had a scorn on her face. "If that's what you think... What do we have to loose..?" Kohane said, giving in to defeat. Toya's intimate actions towards me must've gotten to her. An looked concerned. "Fine.. If Kohane thinks you're going the right direction, then I'll follow." An said, keeping the same sentiment that Toya had previously stated, but towards Kohane.

I began to think to myself, where is somewhere I would've went in the past. My being here means that this world's version of me is still on the run. When the police found be they assumed that we were the same as our DNA matched. I knew I wouldn't have run to far, given my lack of real world knowledge. I knew it! I had to be hidden in plain sight, the one place where I could watch people from the distance without drawing attention to myself.

I began to lead the group. "Why are we headed towards your school..? Isn't it closed by now..?" Kohane said struggling to keep up with the group. Also struggling, the man added, "This kind of makes me uncomfortable... I'll wait outside." He said, understandably so, given that he's an adult in his 30s on a high school's campus. I told the group to wait there by the man, as if they got caught entering the school after its doors were closed, it would be considered breaking and entering.

I got around the locked gates through jumping over them. After that I went around the front cameras, pulling up my hood for anonymity, and began to pick the front door lock. I tried my best to avoid any potential security or cameras, so my steps couldn't be traced back to me. I made my way to the cafeteria, sliding under the tables, and lock picked my way into the kitchen. Turns out I was correct. There he was.

"Who..." The 'boy', now a teenager, stood still in shock as he saw me. It was a trippy experience, as I was staring a frail version of myself in the face, but I was over the confusion at this point. I walked toward him, looking into his eyes. He began to walk backwards against the wall. "Whatever you're gonna do get it over with coward..!" He screamed, shutting his eyes tight. I couldn't help but feel angry at him. He had hurt so many people. I couldn't bring myself to sympathize with him as he was me.

I hated myself back then, and I still hate the person I was. I, unfazed by his constant threats, picked his frail body up and put my hand over his mouth. "Shut up. You're gonna get us caught." I then carried him stealthily through the hallways and out the main door. I ran, throwing him over the gate, he was fine, it wasn't a far fall. I jumped over the gate myself and picked up the sad version of my self, who was wincing on the floor. It appeared I miscalculated his physical condition.

He was weak, looking as if he hadn't had enough sleep, or food to eat for days. I lightly patted him on the back, despite my feelings of resentment toward him, I understood he had his own issues. As we got around to the front gate, the weaker version of myself squirmed. "Get me out of here! Don't you recognize that voice! Put me back!!" He started screaming, hitting, bitting, scratching at my back. He was trying anything to get me to bring him back. Everyone ran around to us, recognizing his voice as my own.

Before I could realize it, it seemed they had come into conflict with Ena, who had returned with my parents. Or at least this version of me's parents. Everyone looked shocked at the similarities between me and the 'boy'. I knew I had to explain everything, while dealing with the conflict at hand. How was I going to get everyone to grasp the situation? Would they even believe me? I felt  anxious.