Corpse Party: Damaged Souls

Chapter 10: Not the Same

    School was never the same without the others. I have heard Hana and Nagisa have gone back, but they weren't the same among their friends. Souta was in his room once more and was getting more counseling for the time being. 

Near the end of school, I walked into the club room. The room that once was filled with laughter. I walked in the room and set my backpack down. The games were still filled in the closet, ready to fall out. 

The place looked the same ever since we went to Heavenly Host Elementary School. However, there was only pieces of the ceiling on the ground that have yet to be cleaned. 

" Why are you in here?" 

I turned my attention to the door to find Ryu standing there. His hasn't been getting sleep, like his parents. The proof was the dark circles underneath his eyes. He must have been worried about his twin. 

" I wanted to see the place. Make sure it's still in shape." 

" There's no point in looking at it. All of our friends are gone." 

" I know that," I said. " But that doesn't mean I can't remember all the good times we used to have." I felt a smile appear on my lips. " Do you remember the day when we all were in here? Cleaning the games because Aoi had caused some trouble in the class? Even though we were all mad, we still cleaned the place, having laughs as well." 

" I remember." 

" I want that back," I admitted. " I want the good times back with Haru, Jun, Aoi, and the others. Being called Ann by Aoi. Ruka being well enough to play with us and scaring us with her video games." 

He didn't answer, but he continued to listen. " Don't you think about that stuff too?" I asked. 
" When we acted nothing more than little kids?" 

" I do. We all miss that stuff Anna, but we're not little kids anymore. We're teenagers who witnessed people dying before our eyes. Our friends or siblings going insane because of what that damn school caused. I don't think about that stuff anymore." 

" I know that. Sad really." 

" When the time comes, we grow up. I'll see you later." 

" Wait a minute! How is your sister?"  

He looked at me and frowned. " She's fine. Just resting a little. Hana tells me that she believes Ruka would be knocked out when she comes back to school. Sounds nice though, she won't be causing trouble in her classes." 

" She did always cause mischief."

" Along with the twins and you as well. I won't forget the time you played a prank on the teacher. Her face was redder than her lipstick." He chuckled. " Makes me miss the old you really." 

" It's still me." 

" Of course, but we all changed since that day. I'll see you later Anna and tell Souta I said get better." 

~

Ever since that day, Mom and Dad refused to let me out of their sight. I have to report to them and have them on speed dial. A parent's love is what it's called. 

They said Souta was doing better and he was now able to attend school. Though, he seemed nervous about going back. " What if they ask a lot of questions about me?" he asked. 

" Well, just answer them and don't answer the ones that make you uncomfortable." 

" Hard." 

" I know that. Don't you think everyone at my school is wondering where I am? I'm missing a lot of homework since we came back." 

" You're in middle school. They give you a little bit of slack." 

I laughed. " A little bit? They don't give us any. The only reason we were allowed to start a club is because we were out of the way of the teachers. With Aoi and Akahana being there, they were happy for that at least." 

" But...now Aoi is gone and Akahana remains emotionless. I heard about what happened with Ruka too." 

" It was a sad time," I admitted, " but she is recovery faster than they excepted. She would have the scars on her body, but she's okay." 

" Living?" 

" Living." 

" That's a relief. I don't know how you would react without your trouble twin around. You treat her like a sister instead of a friend." 

I shrugged. " That's how best friends work." 

" Sounds nice." He then turned around, giving me a sad smile. " It sounds nice to have good friends that are alive." 

~

After school, I had decided to visit Ruka again. She seemed to be getting better, but the air was stiff around her. Maybe it was because of how much pain I caused her. When I reached her room, I found doctors and nurses running through the hallways. 

" W-what happened?" I asked. 

" The Kishinuma girl escaped! She's not in her room!" 

" What do you mean by that?" 

" What I mean she escaped the damn room!" the doctor shouted. " She can't possibly think she can get far. With those wounds of hers, I don't even know if she can move." 

I could already imagined her family demanding their daughter's whereabouts. Even asking me about it. 

Damn it all.