kōkai | shin tsukimi [DISCONTINUED]

III

I come to my senses.

I fainted again...?

I slowly open my eyes, and the dizziness hit me like a truck.

— Ugh... My head... — I don't even have the time to take everything in.

— So you're finally awake. — I hear a deep voice say.

I look up to be met with a pair of grey eyes and blonde hair.

He forms a smile in his lips — Good morning, sleepyhead. — he stretches his hand for me to take, since I'm sitting down.

— Uh... Hello? Who are you? — I observe the place we're in. We're in a large empty room, and there are more people gathered at the center of this place. — ...And where are we? —The man smiles again — I'm Keiji Shinogi, your friendly policeman. And for the second question, I'm afraid I don't know either... Anyways, now that you're awake, we should see what's going on. — he gestures to the group of people in the center.

Now I notice... How this 'Keiji Shinogi' guy is wearing a collar thing around his neck. I immediately reach out to feel my neck, and feel the sensation of a goddamn collar...
Oh god not me too...

I try to take it off, but to no avail.

What the hell...?

I meet eyes with a girl a little younger than me, she has a ponytail and a streak of her hair is covering part of her left eye. She's also wearing a collar. She notices me staring and starts looking at me. Out of nervousness I break eye contact.

What are all these people doing here?

— Okay everybody, — Keiji starts. — Now each of you must be asking the same questions. What is this? Why was I brought to this place? And about all you know is who you are.—

— What are you getting at, I wonder? — a man with messy white hair and glasses speaks up.

— What about we give introductions? Should ease the suspicion down, at least. — Keiji suggests.

Now all eyes are on him.

— Introductions, you say? — a man in an apron asks.

Keiji shrugs — Not a whole else we can do. —

He's got a point... But what if one of these people is one of the bad guys?

— Am I right, Sara? — he looks at the girl I had looked at before. She looks startled by the sudden attention on her.

— Huh...? You're asking me? — Keiji nods silently. — Well... True, I want to clear up our situation. —

That's when I feel someone's eyes on me. I turn to look and meet eyes (again) with a pair of turquoise ones. The guy has a softer shade of turquoise hair. He shyly looks away.

Huh. That's weird. His eyes remind me of...

I'm snapped out of my thoughts — ...See, the calm ones know what to say. —

His eyes remind me of Ichigo... Is he okay? No... I... I don't want to acknowledge it... He got killed didn't he...? He got killed... Because of me... I left him there. It's my fault. Why did I do that?

—Ahem... — I hear Keiji clearing his throat —So then, I think we should get to know each other a li'l more.—

A boy holding a big cat plush speaks up
— Myeow so? Mom tells me not to give personal info to strange guys I don't know, woof! —

Seems like this kid likes animals, alright...

The man with the weird hair talks again —Stupendous! A level-headed child who does as his parents teach him!— he rests his head on his hand —Yet, this is indeed an emergency... Hrmmm. Then we must prove that we adults are not suspicious characters... Mwahaha...—

I grimace. That just makes you look more suspicious, man.

The cat kid tilts his head —Waugh... Super suspicious, woof.—

It's like he read my thoughts... Or crazy hair just gives off that impression to everyone.

Apron guy sighs —Nothing for it. Well, where should we start?—

Sara and Keiji talk between them again, a guy with a similar uniform to Sara's looking at them suspiciously.

Keiji takes notice of this —Mm, got it. The wary ones can be for later. Raise your hand if you don't mind blabbin'.—

Weird hair is the first one to speak —Hello, I am Kazumi Mishima. I teach at a certain high school... Mwahaha...—

Is he trying to ease our suspicions or is he just eager to introduce himself?

—Ehh...? — cat kid gasps —You're a school teacher, woof? The world's going to the dogs, meow.—

I like this kid. A snicker escapes my mouth

—Boohoohoo...— Mishima sighs.

A punk-looking girl speaks up next —...Name's Reko Yabusame. I'm a singer-songwriter.—

So this gal's got some talent! I've always admired artist who can write songs AND sing them at the same time. But... I don't think this is the time to get excited about it...

The guy with the same uniform as Sara- I'll just call him hairpin, because he's got an awesome looking hairpin, perks his head in interest —Oh! I think I've seen you in magazines! You're THE Reko Yabusame?!—

Said person frowns in annoyance —...Dude. Is this the time?—

Hairpin hangs his head in shame —...Sorry.—

Seems like he can't contain his excitement even in a situation like this. Well, can't blame him, I guess.

—I am Kai Satou. I'm a rather unremarkable homemaker.— apron man says.

The guy with turquoise hair and a beanie looks behind Kai —What's with the stuff behind you...?— I turn my head to see what he refers to, and honestly, I would've asked too.

Who the hell carries kitchen utensils around like that?!

Kai remains aloof. —It's a frying pan... And a ladle... And a spatula.— he responds calmly.

I don't think that was what he was referring to...

—I... I didn't mean it like that...— beanie covers his mouth with his scarf.

A booming voice makes me jump —Q-taro Burgerberg! I'm a baseball player! Second-string, though!— a buff redhead speaks.

Burger... Haha

The girl with dishelved pink hair gasps —That's why you're so big!—

Burger sticks up his thumb and smiles proudly —193 centimeters! And strong to boot, y'hear! —

The room quiets down after his comment and we all stand in an awkward silence.

—...Seems no one else wants to talk.—

Should I... Introduce myself...?

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DEAR LORD I'M DONE! I'm so sorry for keeping y'all waiting!! Anyways, here's the chapter! I'll make sure not to be like this with the next one!