The Crisis World XX

Chap. 2: Meet Directly

After the unexpected incident that happened earlier, I finally reached home when the sun was almost sunset, of course it was quite good. And when a kid comes home late, you know what happens next.

Inside, I could see on the shoe rack a pair of sandals neatly arranged inside. I could also faintly hear the sound of tap water flowing from the sink.

"I'm home!" I said a little loud.

There's no answer. It seemed like the sound of tap water was blocking his hearing to the point of not hearing my greetings. I decided to go inside and see what really happened.

Walking towards the living room, from the kitchen, someone welcomed my return after hearing my footsteps. But all I could hear was his voice, because he was doing the dishes.

"Welcome! Tumben came home in the afternoon, is there any need until coming home at this hour? That's it, not reporting to Mom anyway."

The sound of the sink faucet stopped and then someone came from inside the kitchen wearing a negligee shirt and apron on his body.

She is my mother—Satou Honoka, a 41-year-old woman who takes care of me every day from childhood. She has been a single parent since my father left. Even so, he never complained in the slightest and could continue to smile while in front of me.

With the same brown hair as me and the typical braid hairstyle of mothers, he came to me with a question on his mind. But even so, I don't want to answer honestly because it can be considered insane by him later.

"There's nothing, there's just something weird going on today" I replied.

"Hmm?"

It seemed like my answer wasn't enough to convince him, the face full of questions was still left there and even more curious. I don't know why I have such a bad feeling about this.

"What strange events? Are you in a street fight?"

Yep. That's the one I've been waiting for. Every time I come home late and don't tell me why, my mom would accuse me of being involved in street fights.

Though I was a good high school boy who liked everyone and never fought, but why could my own mother think so of me. Unless you ignore the previous incident.

"No, really! Nothing strange, just something different."

My mother kept getting close to my face intending to put pressure on her interrogation. He even to tiptoes because his body is shorter than mine.

While I was just turning my face away, trying not to look her in the eye so that I wouldn't be bothered to say something weird about it. But whether it was because of my reflexes or stupidity, I accidentally touched my own lips and was realized by it.

"You're holding your lips, you must have been hit right on your lips, right?"

Excuse me for a second, Mom! Can we get rid of the charges about these street fights first? This dear boy of yours has just been kissed by a strange woman with two strange creatures that want to attack him! You should have calmed her down or at least found her a boyfriend.

I was gonna say that, but of course I can't. Then the last words were also just a joke, I guess.

The incident still lingered in my head. Even to the point of making my face blush involuntarily.

"What's the matter, Iraya? Are you feverish? Your face is red."

"Mm .. no, I ...."

Mom held my forehead to check if I had a fever or not. And of course it's as cold as the north pole, I don't have a fever or anything. Which makes him even more confused.

"Po-I'm okay and I'm not hungry either. So I'm going to the room first, huh? The drug! Hehe ...."

Okay, that's enough. I took Mom's hand off my forehead and went up to the room without eating first. For me, it's better to starve in the room than to have to face Mother's misunderstanding. While Mom looked at me who was going upstairs with a strange look.

"Freak kid," he murmured.

I immediately laid down my body on the bed, thinking of many random things that happened in such a short time. Although my stomach was rumbling, but the luck of fatigue was stronger than my hunger, so now the drowsiness has begun to attack.

"Huh ..really a long day."

I looked at the ceiling of the room in silence, blocking the excessive light of the lamp by hand. And subconsciously everything turned black because it was too tired and finally fell asleep.

**

"Hakh ??!!"

I opened my eyes in panic. Why could that be? When I woke up, I was in a strange place.

"D-Where is this?"

I got up from my sleeping position on my back to my sitting position, looking to my right and left. I don't know where I'm at right now, but one thing for sure is that this isn't my room. The pitch-black room that only had one light source— was right above my head.

In search of information and a little curious, I stood up and started walking, hoping to find a clue that could tell the location of my current whereabouts. But free. The room was too dark and I felt like I was not walking anywhere, because the only light above my head was also moving along.

By the time I had resigned myself and given up walking, I found hope. A glimmer of light was in front of me and I went straight to him. But when we got there, that hope seemed lost. Because it was just an empty light that led from top to bottom, shining nothing but the same pure white floor as the others.

“??!!”

Suddenly from behind, someone seemed to be grabbing both of my shoulders. I tried to look back, but strangely now my body could not be moved at all, like being held back by something.

In that confusion and panic, I could hear footsteps walking in front of my face. Finally I could see something other than a glimmer of light and darkness. But when I saw that person's face, my eyes widened in surprise.

It was not because there was something on his face or the ugly appearance he used. Except it's the face of someone I've seen before.

Women with green hair and sharp orange iris glare. Wearing the same strange clothes the last time he met her. No doubt, she was the woman I saved and randomly kissed me on my way home from school.

He gave a mysterious smile to me staring as if he wanted something from me. What about me if you ask? I've been trying 120% to break away, but it's like there's something invisible holding me back.

Even simple movements such as moving the mouth or making a sound can not. All my efforts seem to be in vain.

"Satou Iraya, my name is Si ...."

The si? What kind of strange name is that? Oh yeah, I've heard that the 'C' pronunciation in English is 'Si', so maybe that's what he meant. It's probable. But don't know either, anyway, because it's all just a guess. Besides, what's the importance of someone else's name if you're being held like this.

The woman—C continued to say, but I did not listen too much to her because I was still trying to get rid of myself—which did not seem to show a significant development.

"... Maybe you remember who I am. You must also have a lot of questions in your head right now, because I can feel them clearly. But for now, I'll tell you one thing, that you and I are united."

"???!!!"

Wait for. He just said something I don't understand. I didn't listen to each other, anyway, but what does he mean that the two of us have come together?

I who was initially busy with the event of breaking away, was eventually attracted to his chatter, which made him give off a mysterious smile.

"... For now you don't have to talk, I just want you to listen. When you saved me earlier, gratitude was the first thing I had to say to you. Your brave attitude at that time should be appreciated. But because of the courage you showed me back then, it made me a little interested in you. And once we're united, one thing is bound to happen ...."

He hung his words, making me even more curious.

"... Your boring peaceful life will turn 180 degrees. Therefore, prepare your weak body and mentality, Satou Iraya."

After he finished speaking, a dazzling greenish light instantly enveloped the woman just like the first time he met. It disappeared along with the light that was fading away. After disappearing perfectly, suddenly the sound of shouting was heard calling my name vaguely and getting stronger.

"Iraya! Wake up, what time is it?! Get ready and have breakfast!"

Mom's screams woke me up forcibly. When he opened his eyes, he was already next to my bed while leaving his waist. I realized it and then sat on the bed.

I'm still thinking about that dream. My heart was pounding and sweat soaked my body. Was it really just a dream, a kind of ordinary sleeping flower experienced by humans in general? Or another sign that is very bad for me? This ignorance horrified me.

"Son, son, why silence?! Get ready!"

"Yes, ma'am."

I went to school after that.

**

Now I'm in class. But of course I still can't calm down because my thinking still imagines last night.

"... Right now you and I are united ...."

"... Your life will change 180 degrees ...."

Her words in the dream back then made me unable to focus during the trip to school. I stretched my achy and mentally confused body, after which continued to hold my chin while continuing to daydream.

"How did he know about my name, huh?" muttered.

That was one of my questions, too. Is it possible that he is still one type with monsters that attack the city center? But the chances are small. Because when I saved him, he was also being attacked by two other monsters.

But if he wasn't a monster, why would he shine brightly and disappear in front of my eyes like that? Moreover, he entered into my dreams.

"Argh! Goddamnit!"

All the thoughts and possibilities I made inside my head confused me and instead shouted quite loudly.

"You're why, anyway? From that day on, daydream and talk to yourself. Your medicine's over, is it?" Kudou.

"Eh ... daydreaming? Ahahaha .... There's no way I'm daydreaming, I'm always focused on my goals and never weird thoughts." I avoid things that are completely unavoidable.

"What was that name then?" ask Kudou flat.

"What's wrong? Is there something you're thinking about?" ask Hira.

"Mmm .. No, not really."

There's no way I'm telling them about it. Is correct. This is something my friends should not know. Of course to protect my friends from obscure monsters. Hehe .. If you think I'm really cool. I closed my eyes and nodded confirming my own thinking.

"Freaks" they said simultaneously.

"Why does everyone say that to me?" balaku.

"Oh yes! Later after coming home to play the Game Club, no?" ask Kudou.

Kudou immediately changed the topic without asking further. Does he really care or not, anyway? Even if it's good for me, anyway. So I don't have to make excuses or anything like that.

"Eh? Yes .. I could have. What about you, Hira?" I agree with Kudou's invitation.

"Can't! Don't we have a repeat tomorrow?"

"Ah .. Come on, Hira! Just a moment," Kayu Kudou while embracing Hira.

"Aah! Once can't stay can't!"

Kudou embraces Hira who tries to turn down an offer from her. While Hira instead thrashed trying to let go of Kudou's embrace and out of the illusion of Kudou's invitation to the Game Club.

My lips lifted when I saw the funny and funny behavior of the two of them. This also made me think; there was no way this peaceful life would change, right? At least I won't let that change.

Seriate