Corpse Party: Future [Fanfiction]

Chapter 3: Illusion

(Written on 13 Sept)

The hour hand of the clock struck one.

As Yoshiki intently watched over a sleeping Ayumi, both Satoshi and Naomi's heads lolled forward, before snapping awake. They made no sound, but their intertwined fingers closed around each of their hands tightly as they smiled sheepishly at each other, realising how exhausted they were.

"... Yoshiki, if you don't mind, we'll be making a move now," Satoshi said as he stood up. "Naomi seems very tired, and I'd like to accompany her on the way home."

"Sure," the delinquent replied in understanding. "You seem tired as well. Go on, I'll take care of Shinozaki here."

"Okay... Remember to come to school!"

"... fine..."

As Yoshiki watched the couple leave the room, he sighed and directed his gaze towards Ayumi. A sad expression was plastered on his face as he watched the silent rising and falling of her chest.

"But, if Shinozaki isn't there, what's the point of going...?"

----

Naomi stared at the floor blankly, with a dazed expression. She could still remember the times where she had barely saved Ayumi's life from extinguishing. It had been an extremely harrowing situation where lives were on the line, and even though she had gone through the terrors of Heavenly Host, the amount of horrifying fear, rising panic and extreme hyperventilation was an entirely new sensation to her. Never did she want to go through such a thing ever again.

"... aomi? Naomi?"

She could hear Satoshi's whisper by her ear and almost jumped in fright.

"W-What is it?"

"You've been in a... trance for quite a while now." His eyebrows were furrowed in worry. "Is... something wrong?"

Naomi could not help but smile. Satoshi was always worrying over even the smallest things, even though it did not involve him. But that was what made him such a good friend, and it was also a trait of him she loved so much.

"Nothing's wrong," she chuckled, "but, thank you, Satoshi." She squeezed his hand tightly, which made an adorable blush spread across his cheeks.

Naomi could still remember how exhaustedly distraught she was at the hospital after she ran down from the car that saved both Ayumi and her, and with eyes of fear, watched Ayumi, who was barely alive from the curse of the Book of Shadows, hurriedly wheeled into the operating room. The red light that signified the start of the surgical treatment seemed like the start of an immediate doom that was hopelessly irreversible.

She could still remember how she was crouched in a corner of the aisle, concealing her face from everyone else and crying her heart out, wishing for the class representative to be okay. She remembered how she did not want to lose Ayumi, who was a dearly loved classmate to her. Even though she was the one who caused the class to plummet into Heavenly Host, in the end, no one could really blame her for that.

She did not remember how long she had been sobbing, but she did remember she had been swept up in a comforting embrace after quite some time. Satoshi had been holding her in his arms, while Yoshiki and Yuka, Satoshi's little sister, were patting her and constantly telling her everything would be alright, despite the fact that there were evident traces of worry on their faces.

Strong little Yuka had presented her a small bottle of caramel-scented beads, which, according to the little girl, would bring her happiness. She even told her, "Naomi onee-chan, everything will be alright! ... I'm sure Ayumi onee-chan will be fine! So smile, Naomi onee-chan!"