Unchained | JJK OC

Prologue: The Starting Line

Sweat glistened on my skin, each drop of sweat a visual my struggle. My legs felt like they were on the verge of collapse, muscles screaming in protest with each stride. The finish line is in sight, I just have to outrun my opponent. I need to be faster.

I'm so close! I can't give up now.

I bow my head, trying to regulate my erratic breathing. My chest heaves, the feeling of my lungs burning. I focus intensely, trying to find control in my breaths.

Two steps, two breaths in. Two steps, two breaths out.

I begin to pass my component. The pounding of my heart echoed in my ears, drowning out the crowd. The crowd's incoherent cheers were muffled out, but I could care less about who they were cheering for; all that mattered was that I pass that finish line.

Almost there!-

Time seemed to slow. The ribbon stretched across the finish line drew nearer, every inch feeling like an eternity. As the ribbon slacks around my body, the world suddenly felt bright. I lifted my head, confetti rained down like it was Fourth of July as the cheers of the crowd finally become coherent.

"Souchi! Souchi! Souchi!"

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, quickly spreading into a wide grin. Euphoria surged through me, a wave that washed away the exhaustion and pain.

I'm so happy!

My eyes move to my family, their faces smiling and beaming with pride, it shouting, "I'm so proud of you!" The sound of my classmates' congratulations send an electric and exhilarating buzz through me. The commotion promoting supporting my triumph and joy.

The sound of a hand clasping mine brings my gaze down to a female classmate of mine. Their mouths opening to say...

"BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP"

"W-wha- huh?"

Eyes snapping open to the horrid beeping of the alarm clock and frantic hand fumbling to turn it off followed by a tired sigh, it was clear that the recent ecstasy was just simply false reality.

The deafening silentness of the dark room almost felt suffocating. The atmosphere of it felt empty yet spilling over with fullness at the same time. The still half-asleep girl takes a moment to grasp at least a sliver of energy within her, something the sleep did not provide. She broodingly pushing the blankets aside, interrupting the silentness of the room. Swinging her legs over the mattress, her feet kisses the cold wooden floor. A shiver runs up her spine, successfully waking her up.

~~~

Now playing: "I Feel Fine"
By: Sex Bob-Omb

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~~~

"Just 5 more years till graduation..." I tiredly mutter before looking up aggressively, trying to put on an energetic smile.

"Which is sort of close to two years, which is close to one year, which is close to now." Wishful thinking...

This one hell of a colorful girl is Etsuko Souchi. She is in her mid-year of 8th grade and a, somewhat, average middle schooler. Has a friend group, along with pretty good but average grades, middle of the social pyramid, and sleep deprived. But let's be honest, who cares if they're sleep deprived? Plus she's not a zombie.

The chilling cold, sensation of water trickled down my face as the light shining down accentuates the streaks of purple underneath my eyes. I stare intensely at myself, putting hands on each side of the sink to lean in closer to my reflection. Continuing to stare myself down and lifting a pointing hand to the mirror. "YOU are the man."