Collision of Heaven and Hell ✅

Chapter Fifteen

October 13th, 2029

I awoke in a cold sweat, nearly catapulting out of bed. For a moment I couldn't hear anything, but I felt the vibrations in my throat and I knew that I was screaming. I clamped my mouth shut and covered it with my hand. After a few more moments sound rumbled in my ears. My heavy breathing through my nose.

"Mai-chan?" Mama opened the door and peeked her head in. "Mai-chan, are you all right?" Her tone was low and calm.

I lowered my hand away from my mouth, still struggling to catch my breath. After a moment I nodded slowly. "Yes, Mama. Just a nightmare. I-I'm sorry I—"

"Don't apologize," Mama said softly. She entered my room and sat down on my bed. She reached out and brushed the bangs out of my face. "Is it better now?"

I nodded again. "M-Much better. Now that I'm awake."

"Are you sure about today, Mai-chan?" Mama asked me. "We can postpone it if you need more time."

"I'm okay, Mama," I reassured her. "I-I want to do this. I need to—see my friends. My classmates. And I—they—" I swallowed hard before continuing. "T-They...I want them to have a distraction. After what happened to Yamamoto."

Monday had been Sports Day, but I hadn't been allowed to participate as I was restricted to in-home online learning. Not that I minded; I still didn't feel entirely comfortable going out and about. Not when so many things still triggered me. The Suzuhara schools always went all out for their events, and even host many other events that other schools did not have. But the festivities of Sports Day had been abruptly cut short when a Shirahime student, Bachiko Yamamoto, became the victim of a hit-and-run. As far as we knew the police were still searching for the driver, and the news reports about Bachiko's condition had been grim. One report even said that she suffered a spine fracture.

I wasn't friends with Bachiko Yamamoto, but I knew her to be a relatively nice girl and I was heartbroken to hear that she may be paralyzed. The teachers also seemed shaken by her accident. My family had sent flowers to her hospital. Mama had arranged a small party for my classmates and former Dance Club members prior to the accident, and as far as I knew many of my peers were still coming. I hoped that a small get-together would help everyone. My classmates...and me.

"Try to get some more sleep, Mai-chan," Mama told me. She gave me a quick hug. "You have a busy day ahead of you."

"I know, Mama."

Mama left me be and I laid back down. Tako had been undisturbed by my awakening and slept soundly beside me in bed. I rolled onto my side and stroked his fur with the back of my hand. "...I miss him," I murmured, looking at the cat's sleeping face. "You miss him too, don't you?"

I reached for my side table and checked my texts. The last time he texted me was several hours prior, with a thanks for the photo of Tako I sent him. Tears stung my eyes then and I buried my face into my pillow. "I miss you, Chikafusa. I hope you're doing well."

I wished he was there, but I knew that he couldn't be. Not right now. Even weeks later I wasn't entirely sure where he was, though I was certain he was still in Japan. But I missed Chikafusa terribly and I wanted to see him. I wanted to help him, and I felt awful that there wasn't much I could do for him. Other than take care of his cat...and text him daily.

And refrain from telling him that I loved him. I knew that I definitely couldn't do that. Not now, at least. All I could do was support him the way he needed to be supported. And what he needed—what he felt he needed—was to be alone.

I love you, Chikafusa. I need you. I wish you were here. But I...all I can do is let you stay away.

~*~