Light Upon the Darkness (A Your Lie in April Fanfiction)

Chapter 1: Twist of Life

Tsubaki Sawabe's POV

"Beep, beep!"

Just another day for me. I got out of bed, took a shower, and brushed my teeth. After that, I got myself in front of the mirror, tending at my short brown hair was all over the place, as expected. Brown eyes still sometimes demand few more minutes on the bed, courtesy of work. Then I head for the drawer straight ahead of my bed and put on the white blouse and the corresponding black jeans before doing a small amount of makeup.

I head for the kitchen and prepared breakfast. Today will be a simple pancake that I learn to love thanks to my piano prodigy childhood friend's stepmom, a violinist named Yumi Ochiyama. She often made it if I paid him a visit, sometimes when his competition rival-turned-girlfriend Emi Igawa was on his side playing the piano, or practicing for concerts. Now he is in England with her for further studies.

"Good morning, world" That word was the first that went out of my mouth for today. Breakfast done, I grabbed my backpack, but before that, I faced at my family's photo for a few seconds, even with the fact that one of them was still alive, which was my mother, and enjoyed her life back at her ancestral village outside the big Tokyo.

The other thing I do was to head for room number 441, where Watari Ryouta lives.

"Are you ready?"

Almost every day, both Watari and I departed for our workplace early in the morning.

"Yes."

But this time, he was about to go out from the city in the interest of his work for a few days, and so his movement was faster than he usually was.

Out from the room, we head for the bus stop that was not far down from the street where the flat was located, before I board my bus, while Watari has a car on his own.

"Good morning!" Once I get in school, I head for my office, ready to face my charges, aged 14 to 17. Tiring, but satisfying. Their struggles, their dreams, and their love were often sending me back to that time. A lie in April that changed my best friend, even with grief that ensued from the passing of his first love and my friend, Miyazono Kaori.

Oh, how time changes fast...

All in all, I thought that it will become a standard day in school as I changed back to my casual as school and club activities for the day were concluded.

However, for today I decided not to get off at the nearest bus stop. Instead a convenience store was the stop, because I got some spare money to treat myself with some good snack for few days. Additionally, tomorrow will be weekend, which means me-time for me.

Something took my attention when I am shopping; a red van that was parked in that store but not in the designated parking area. Then come a man from the nearby coffee shop and with his buddy straightened the car to it's proper parking spot.

Suddenly that night my phone beeped. It was from one of my former softball teammate back at junior and then senior high. Kashiwagi.

Come to my place! Got some really bad breakup!

What does she mean? Her boyfriend was, what I saw him, annoying at best, and delinquent at worst. She should be happy instead, but her emoji indicated otherwise. According to Watari, she did not go to her office today. Now I understand why.

I also have to cope with the recent news about two cases of kidnappings, a trending topic in school, targeting young women around my age. Nevertheless, I refuse to yield in fear and keep walking toward her house.

I looked behind and saw the van parked on the other side of the road. Way too close for comfort, but surprisingly, nothing happened.

The next day, there were no further development pertaining to the news. But then came another message from Kashiwagi, this time for some cheap drink in a convenience store not far from her office downtown.

Her expression was much brighter than yesterday, as indicated from how she opened the conversation. "You are right, Tsubaki-chan. Hiro is not for me, there are more good boys out there anyway. He's got a regular job, but I don't like his friends, they are quite shady, not someone good, at all!"

"That's wonderful" I told her while rubbing part of my hair. "That's what friends are for."

Kashiwagi chuckled this time and sighed. "It'll take time, through. Right now, I can cope with the fact that I am alone again. Besides, love has no need to rush things."

"I agree."

"Anyway, do you still be in contact with Arima Kousei-kun?"

I replied. "Of course, Nao-chan! In fact he called me from England yesterday, asking about how I am doing, with things going on here - "

She interrupted the rest of my sentence. "Tsubaki-chan, you are absolutely need to be careful. If you looked at the news today, one of the girls who was kidnapped days ago has been found dead. Her body was dumped near Shimamura Station, only two station away from here. The fact that he or she does not leave any ID on her body complicated things. There are claim already that she might be a runaway hence no police report on missing person so far."

"What I have to do now, Nao-chan?" I asked. "Each passing days, I felt strange. I don't know why. I thought I am being followed by some sort."

"The truth is... I also feel the same, Tsubaki-chan. However, you got Watari. First thing is, as soon as you are at home, call him. And also tell your mum if possible."

"Let's get this done with before we head home." I told her. "I have work to do after this."

"Me too. However, I think we should head home together... the bus to your flat passes through mine anyway."

I am pretty much thankful about her offer so I agreed. "Thank you, Nao-chan."

"Just something I want to give in return of your help yesterday. Remember, we are friends. Not as close as Watari or Kousei, but still one."

"You're welcome." I returned.