The Unfinished

Chapter 9 - Sorrow

As John opened his eyes in bed, he was swearing more than usual. With bags under his eyes and a dry face, he got up fixed his hair in front of the mirror.

"Ah...I can still feel it even now. Damn it..." thought John as he yawned while putting his school uniform on and exiting his room, closing the door behind him.

As he leaves his room, he notices something strange. An unusual sight for him to see. Chris, sitting around the kitchen table, eating pasta. "Ah! Good morning!" he yelled out with joy as he looked at his big brother with a smile. "You're awake pretty early today." said John with his usual blank slate face. "Yeah. I decided it would annoy you to always wake ME up. I decided to rake the initiative and wake up first! How's that, eh?" said Chris with a seemingly playful tone. "Good for you..." said John as he sat in a chair around the table. "Enjoy tour meal!" said Chris with a smile. "I didn't know you knew how to make pasta." said John, a little interested in how Chris managed to make them. "I have the internet and I had a pack of macaroni. Isn't that all I need?" asked Chris in a playful tone as he continued eating his pasta. "Ah, yeah. That's good." said John with his left eye half closed. "Anyway, you look dead...Are you sure you slept well?" asked Chris with worry for his brother. "I'm fine. More importantly, how's your head?" asked John, turning the question around against Chris. "Eh? Yeah. It's pretty good, honestly!" responded with Chris as he stood up from his chair. "You're leaving already?" asked John as he peacefully ate his pasta. "Yeah. I'm done. I'm just gonna go on ahead!" said Chris as he exited the house. "At least he's back to norm--Eh...?" unable to finish his sentence, John sees Chris bowing in front of the house as he leaves, whispering something to himself. "He's actually not back to the way he was...?" said John, both confused and satisfied. "Bye, John!" yells out Chris as he shuts the door behind him. "He changed so easily...Overnight." thought John as he finished half his portion and left the house.

Walking to school, John felt exhausted. This heavy feeling weighting him down, causing him to struggle walking. "What the hell...?" thought John. "This isn't normal. I've never felt this before..." continued thinking John as he reached the academy building. Entering, he spots Shawn walking down the hallway. "Hey? Shawn?" asked John as he approached Shawn. Touching his shoulder, he turns him around, seeing a scared face on him. "What's wrong?" asked John. "Did the bullies come to harass you again?" continued John, not giving Shawn a chance to answer. "...Who are you?" asked Shawn, terrified. John, steeping back in shock, looks down, thinking. "I'm not in the mood for jokes, Shawn..." said John with frustration and confusion. "I'm sorry, but I don't know you! Leave me alone..." said Shawn as he began to quickly walk away. "Now's not really a good time for him to be playing jokes on me..." thought John. Heading to class, he sees Martina walking down the hallway. "Martina?" asked John, beginning to approach her. "Umm..." "Shawn's been acting weird. Do you know--" "Who exactly are you?" As those words began to register in John's head his eyes widened. "Not you, too..." said John while holding his chest. "I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong person!" said Martina as she began to walk away, entering John's classroom. "This feelings is turning into pain...What's going on today?" thought John as he approached the classroom, opening the door.

As John entered the classroom, he begins walking towards his seat. "They aren't staring at me...How did everything change so drastically?" though John, sitting down on his chair with his hand holding his cheat in paid and discomfort.

"Okay, students! Let's begin today's classes!" said the teacher. "Something isn't right. Things don't change overnight. Especially something like a murder in a highschool..." thought John as he began enduring his school day.

Lunch period came, with John being on edge, sweating, doing his best to asses the situation. John gets up from his seat and heads outside the classroom, only stopping to look at Martina before he leaves, seeing her staring at her notebook. "So she really doesn't remember anything about me?" thought John as he exited the classroom. "Think. Think. What caused this...?" thought John, suddenly stopping in the middle of the hallway in realisation, letting go of his chest.

            "Another illusion..."

thought John as he began walking faster towards the stairs leading to the roof of the academy. "I need some time to think...That Kim girl can't do this much at once...Who else could it be? I don't know any other Illusion Types...Except..." thought John as he climbed the stairs, reaching the roof and opening the door.

As he steps into the roof area, he looks around, stopping his gaze at someone. "There you are..." said John as he stepped forward, walking towards the girl. "Kim, was it?" asked John. "Eh..." started Kim. "She doesn't remember me either...?" thought John as he began fletching his fist. "Oh my dear John! You came to me!!" yelled out Kim with happiness. "Huh...?" thought John as he stepped back a bit. "I was so worried when I felt the power of another Illusion Type targeting my dear John!" said the girl in excitement. "So you remember me? How? Everyone else forgot about me." said John. "Oh my, of course you wouldn't know! Illusion Types or more specifically, illusions don't affect Illusion Types, dear!" said Kim, explaining the situation. "Is that so...? Then who the hell made this illusion? It's on way bigger level than yours." said John. "Unfortunately, I don't know. All I know is that someone in the academy did it..." said Kim, disappointed in herself. "Stop with that tone. I need your help." said John, surprising Kim. "My help...?" asked Kim. "Yeah. I have to fix this. I don't want to have to deal with this right now." said John to the oblivious-looking Kim. "Deal with what, dear?" she asked. John remained silent, holding his chest. "I see...Then I shall help you, my dear! Under one demand!" said Kim, raising her voice. "What?" asked John again. "You will be mine if I help you!" said Kim, beginning to laugh without realising John leaving the roof. "W-wait! I was joking! I will help you!!!" yelled Kim, stopping John. "Yes, yes! I will do anything to help you! I swear! said Kim, overdoing it. "I got it, I got it. We have to investigate now." said John, giving her signal by flicking his hand, signing "Let's go!" to her. "Yes!" said Kim as she began walking with John.