Chapter Text
He felt sick.
The commotion sped through like a gust of wind, alerting the entire crowd around the area. A woman's scream of terror can be heard, a man pleading his case, and a child gazing upon his once alive friend and future lover.
"I didn't mean to hit her!"
The scene was disturbing. The young girl's corpse and blood was dragged along the road in a way an artist would splatter paint over a canvas.
"Someone, call an ambulance!"
Chance of survival was non-existent at this point in time, he was old enough to understand the cause and effect of the incident.
"Look at her, call the coroner. There's no way she's gonna make it."
Questions arose from nearby civilians, the marks on her arms and legs were bright red and clear. His stomach churned in horror, his eyes widened and his mouth agape.
"What happened?"
"Her head's crushed in."
A man nearby was immediate for a phone call, he delivered loud and clear for the entire street to know.
"Yes, a child got run over by a car."
He just wanted to arrive in the safety of his home, mentally unscathed that day.
"I don't know, hurry!"
The pool of bodily fluid surrounded and spread more around the scene, it was straight out of a morbid film.
"We should help her!"
"I'm not going near that!*
Panic turned into remorse, to acceptance.
"That poor girl.."
"Oh. this is heartbreaking..”
His body stiffened in fear, he reached out to speak one word,
"Rika?"
A hand from her detached body began to twitch with ease, creating a strange crackling noise within his head.
"Yuta...”
Her voice was corrupted with the curse embedded within her soul, reaching out to the small boy with her abnormally thick arms and melted disposition.
"Yuta...”
He began to sweat in absolute fear that overcame him, he couldn't do much besides watch as his now deceased friend repeated the same words engraved in his mind that was supposed to be a romantic vow.
"When we grow up, we're gonna get married…”
It had been long since the experience that allowed him to become the sole target of a group harassment.
The sky painted colors of late sunset; orange with hints of crimson red that reflected off the dripping rain on the concrete. Street lights flickered with a soft buzz that was easy to skip over, the night was upon the earth. It shined faintly into the building's clear windows, some left open from the work day.
"Well, well, if it isn't Yuta Okkotsu, my favorite weakling."
He had almost made it through the last day of the school without a hint of the bullies surrounding his vulnerability, his guard was let down completely. He had only a few words that he would always hold no meaning to any of the older boys before him, proving his weakness further.
"Don't you come near me..."
Yet, no action was done.
"Oh come on, don't play hard to get!"
His left hand rested upon his right arm, his sleeves rolled up, back against the cool wall of the classroom window. His head was tilted downward to avoid any eye contact possible, trying to prevent any more banter with these troublemakers. His mind was foggy with every possibility on how they could take advantage of the situation, considering the appropriate timing they had caught Yuta in. His vocals broke,
"I said, don't..."
An older boy with a darker uniform and larger figure approached him, he had gotten closer with every word he spoke.
"I just wanna slug you one more time before I graduate.”
The laughter from three other students present within the room echoes around, in his mind, in the real world.
"You're not gonna deny me my graduation present, are you?"
Yuta pleaded for a stop, the man merely just adjusted his tie and ignored the cry for help.
"Since it's our last time together, maybe I should just kill you."
His tone became harsh, yet remained comedic. The rush of adrenaline ran through Yuta, his eyes perked up in terror. His cries became more clear. summoning the fragment of his once childhood friend.
"Don't touch me! Rika!”
The name caused confusion amongst the group of boys, the close proximity between the face of the group and Yuta had loosened, the hands of a foreign creature grasping at his body. It was forced back away from the timid boy, who watched in relief, but still was shook to the core.
In the year of 2016. Yuta Okkotsu had caused the death of four young men with the calling of Rika Orimoto's curse. The scene was unforgettable, just as the replaying of the car accident that started this mess in the first place. He didn't want anyone to get hurt, yet he brought this situation to a close in the snap of a finger. The horrid screams, the grotesque atmosphere, blood painting the furniture a sky shade of red. Rain poured from onto the windows as Yuta was met with the touch of blood on his hands, face, uniform and shoes. He could only stare, blank faced and traumatized from the massacre he just witnessed.
What was left over was stuffed within the locker right next to the classroom's chalkboard, he could only speak the two words that he only knew how to say in such moments.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
Each line grew in desperation, he delivered them in such agony in his voice. He curled up along the same spot he presented himself in to start with. The sound of rain rang through the paralyzed boy's ears, such as in current time.
Year of 2025. The busy late night street carried on in the heart of Tokyo, people chatted as they rushed to their destination while others paid no mind to exchanging any words. Yuta carried his umbrella comfortably by his side, he wandered along with the crowd with an empty mind. He had felt a particular presence that was unfamiliar to him, a presence that was as strong as the length of his ifespan. It was growing stronger every night and day he spent time within his own household, it became visible within his night terrors and sweet dreams.
Its contrasting views was enough to make him question whether his mind was truly playing games with him. The droplets of rain met the tip of his nose, then his hair, then—
"Okkotsu?"
The warm voice of the man by his side showered slight concern due to the man's actions of spacing out.
"Huh?"
The duo stopped in place. Yuta met eyes with the company he brought along with him. He looked shocked from the sudden exchange of conversation between the two since there has been a lingering silence, merely with the ambience of the city.
"You've been spacing out, the umbrella is tipping.”
Yuta flushed with embarrassment, he nervously laughed, holding it up right once more.
"Sorry about that,"
It was quickly taken from his hands, accepting the responsibility.
"No big deal, let me hold it."
Yuta felt a bit bad for having his friend take over, yet shrugged it off.
"Megumi..."
The man's eyes sharpened Yuta's glance and attention, providing a reassuring statement.
"It's okay. I'll take over."
They carried with the evening stroll, Yuta returned with gratitude,
"Thank you."
He felt a smile emerge on his face, he took the time to glimpse Megumi's face, who shared the same expression, feelings if he was lucky. This sight was rare, one he would hope to inspire more of, and he was certain to make the effort. As long as this haunting remained under control.