Fate/Academy (Second Story)

Chapter 8. The Past (2)

After Loa went to her house, I told Kotone that I would be taking her home. "You don't have to, you know. And what would happen to you if you walk home alone? You know there's been kidnappings lately," Kotone said. "That's the reason why I have to take you home. Plus, if that kidnapper ever crosses me, I'll kick their butt," I said with a smile on my face. Kotone and I laughed as we walked down her neighbourhood.

We stopped in front of a house and Kotone said that this was her house. "Bye, Rin!" She said and waved at me. I waved at her back and continued. Whoosh!!! "Ahh-!" The voice said as it became muffled. I recognized it to be Kotone's voice and I ran to see what was happening. "Kotone! Are you okay?! Where are you?!" I said after I realized that Kotone wasn't infront of her house anymore. "KOTONE!!!" I yelled as I ran in the opposite direction of my house. "Rin?" Someone said behind me. "Kotone?" I said as I turned around to see who said that. I realized that it wasn't Kotone. It was my mom. "Mom?" I said as the figure came closer to me. It was my mom. When she was infront of me, she crouched down and put a hand on my shoulder then said, "Rin, why were you not home? It's already nighttime," she said. "Kotone. I was walking her home and then I heard a noise and her scream. When I turned around, she wasn't infront of her house anymore and so I ran to find her... Before you came," I said. "Rin, I was worried because you weren't home. So I looked all over for you," she said as she hugged me tightly. I hugged her back.

"Mom. Are you sure that Kotone wasn't just kidnapped?" I asked her. "I don't know. Let's go see if she's in her house," she said as we walked on her porch. Mom knocked on the door and Kotone and her mom were both infront of us. "Oh, hello Mrs. Tohsaka and little Rin. What brings you here?" Kotone's mom asked us. "Well, Rin was walking Kotone home and wanted to know if she was inside. And it looks like she is," Mom said. "Yes, all's well. We're about to have dinner. Would you like to come inside?" Her mom said gesturing inside the house. "No thank you. We were just checking in on Kotone," Mom said. "Okay. Well then, good night," Kotone's mom said as she closed the door.

Mom and I stood there staring at the door in silence. I broke the silence and said, "That felt strange. Kotone was just staring at me. Not even saying hi," I said. "Yeah. But, it's dark already. So let's head home," Mom said and grabbed my hand. As we were walking down the street, I asked Mom, "Do think that Kotone is okay?" "Yes. She's in good hands, Rin," My mom said and smiled at me and I smiled back as we walked in silence the rest of the way. Though her words were reassuring, I still didn't think that she was safe.

The next day (at lunch)

I went up the stairs to the rooftop and expected Kotone to be there with me. But she wasn't. When I got to the top, I saw Loa sitting on the bench that we usually sit at. She looked sad. And again, no Kotone. So I sat next to her. "You aren't in the mood to scare people away? It looks like there's some people up here," I said as I looked around. "Yeah. Haven't you noticed that Kotone wasn't here at all today?" Loa asked. "Yes," I said. "I mean, we were walking together, and she was perfectly fine. D-do you think that she was...kidnapped?" She said as she started crying. "Hey. Don't think like that. I walked her home," I said as I hugged her. "She's probably just sick," I said. Though, I knew that that probably wasn't the right answer.

During the last class

During our last class, the intercom went on and said that students were supposed to go home during our last class due to the mass number of children being missing. As me and Loa walked home, Loa asked me, "Do you think that she was murdered?" At shock if the question I answered quickly. "No! Like I said, she might just be sick. You know, like the sickness that only lasts one day. I bet that she'll be back tomorrow. Telling us of how miserable being sick is." There was silence between us. "I hope that you're right. Bye, Rin," Loa said as she crossed the street to her neighbourhood. "Bye," I said. Then continued walking home.

The next day (during lunch (AGAIN!))

When I made it to the rooftop, I saw a crying Loa sitting on our bench. I ran and sat next to her and asked her what was wrong. "You didn't hear the news? Kotone and the other children that were kidnapped were tortured and murdered," Loa said as she wyped her tears and looked at me. Time suddenly stopped. I couldn't believe it. That couldn't have happened so suddenly. I backed away from her and said, "N-no. That's not true. She can't be dead. She was-" "Was what? "Sick?" Give me a break. We both know that she was kidnapped and murdered," she said. There silence between us. Then Loa said, "You know, I actually not hungry anymore," she said and threw away her bento as she left the roof. I was all alone on this bench.

After school

Loa and I were walking home together with our heads down. Breaking the silence Loa started to talk. "I know this is bad timing, but I need to tell you. This is my last day in Japan. My mom and my dad got divorced and my dad is kicking my mom out of his house. So, we're going to go to my grandmother's house America tomorrow. We already have everything packed up," Loa said. I felt an urge to punch her in the face. "No! You can't leave me! My dad died! My mom is in a freaking cartwheel and can't even handle herself! And Kotone... Is dead. I'm losing to many people in my life. I can't lose you too! Right now, you're the only one whose keeping me sane," I said and broke down into tears as I tightly hugged her. She hugged me back and I said, "You can stay with me and my house. You don't have to go to-" "Rin, my mom and I both know that this is the best for us two. If I stayed with my you, you'll have to take care of me, my mom, and your mom. Right now, my mom needs my grandmother. I'm not going out of your life. I'll always have a place in your heart," Loa said as we both hugged each other like we were about to die. "And, because I'm going to leave tomorrow, there's something that I really need to tell you," Loa said as she pulled away. "Rin, don't find this wierd, but, I like you. Every since we've started being friends, I've held this feeling for you. And so, I hope-" Loa said before I cut her off. My hand was in front of her face. "Loa, I don't really feel the same way. But, thanks for being honest," I said. We were quiet until she said, "T-this is where I go home. Bye, Rin," Loa said as she hugged me lightly and walked off.

10 years later.

"Please pick up, Loa," I said as I dialed her phone number. It rang a little bit, but went straight to voicemail. Again. I give up. She'll never answer my texts, or phone calls. I'm all alone. My dad, mom, and best friend are dead. Not to mention the best friend that left for America. I don't really have anybody anymore.