Under Beautiful Night Skies

Solitude

"Have a good weekend, class. Don't forget, your Japanese essay is due on Monday," Mrs Kimishima said to the class. The students were packing up and then going out to karaoke or going to the newest crepe shop with their friends. Masato, however, was not. He never had and he doubted he ever would.

He had no friends, no contacts in his phone other than his sister and no reason to go sing karaoke or buy crepes by himself. Everyone would think he was lonely and would give him hell. So he stayed out of sight. Out of the way with his horror novels that he read almost always.

When anyone ever bothered to speak to him, it would be to say, "ugh, don't you read anything other than blood and gore?" And Masato would always reply with a shrug of his shoulders.

He knew some people were a little scared of him because of how much he enjoyed reading about the suffering of others (even if they are fictional characters), he knew some people were a little disgusted by him and he knew most people just didn't care and didn't realise he existed half of the time.

To say that Masato was lonely was an overstatement. If he had to be honest, he loved the solitude. The silence allowed him to relax.

Everything was fine for him. Well, up until the 11th of April.

As usual, Masato was eating breakfast and watching the news with his older sister, Namie. After the weather lady had finished speaking, the news was then directed to a murder that had taken place the night before. The victim was a girl who attended Masato's school.

"Airi Fujimoto. She attended your school, Masa! You must make sure that you are careful when you walk home everyday. I don't want my little brother being abducted and murdered!" Namie exclaimed. Masato thought the girl's name sounded a little familiar.

"Don't worry," Masato smiled, "I'll be just fine."

Namie exhaled. Masato looked at the time on the television and ran out the house.

"Masato!" Namie called from the house when Masato was about twenty metres away, "stay safe!"

When Masato arrived at school, he noticed that some people were looking at him with disgusted faces. He heard a couple of them whispering to each other:

"I bet Airi was killed by Masato."

"Yeah, he loves reading about death and gore."

"He probably loves it in real life as well."

Masato tried his hardest to ignore all the glares he was getting in class. The teacher even asked what was up with everyone but no one would say a word. They were probably worried that Masato would kill them if they said anything. Which was a complete lie.

After school, Masato was walking home when he felt his phone vibrate in his jacket. He opened the piece of technology and saw that he had received an email from an unknown person. The email said:

'Dear Masato,
You are quite peculiar. I would love to have a chat with you sometime. Please do email back if you would like things to change, if you would like to be respected by your peers. I know this is quite a weird request, but I see some potential in you.
- A buddy'

Masato tried to stifle a chuckle. Potential? What potential? A buddy? He had none. Albeit, Masato decided not to be rude and emailed the mystery man back.

'I'm sorry. I think you have the wrong guy. Or is this supposed to be a joke? Let's just say I'm amused. I know I don't have a future. You definitely have the wrong person; I have no friends.'

When Masato had finished writing the email and had sent it, he found himself at the front door of his house. Masato opened the door and wasn't surprised to find that it was unlocked; Namie was always home before school finished.

"Welcome home, Masa! I'm so glad to see that you're safe," Namie cried and embraced her brother. Masato just nodded. The two had dinner and after, Masato went straight to his room to read.

He didn't get any emails that night.