Shion's eyes fluttered open, heavy and dazed. Her gaze wandered around the dim room, confusion written all over her face. She touched her cheeks, then her hands, searching for glasses that weren't there. Turning her head, she noticed Mumu lying beside her.
Shion:
"Mumu... Mumu, wake up!"
Mumu groaned, blinking her eyes open. The moment she saw Shion awake, she bolted upright, panic in her expression as she leaned over to check her.
Mumu:
"You passed out at the club. Do you remember?
The doctors said nothing was wrong— you just... fell asleep out of nowhere."
Shion:
"I'd tell you what happened, but... you wouldn't believe me."
Her voice trailed off as she yawned, her eyes narrowing against the shadows that filled the room.
Shion:
"It's so dark in here. Turn on the light."
Mumu:
"No. But wait— do you have something to tell me? The doctors were gossiping and I heard something about how you could've had plastic surgery."
Shion froze, eyes widening before letting out a quick laugh. She shook her head, but Mumu wasn't buying it. She crossed her arms, rolling her eyes.
Mumu (muttering):
"No wonder you're so damn sexy."
She avoided Shion's gaze. Shion ignored the heat in the room, stood up, and stepped over a crumpled blanket before flicking on the light. Her expression hardened.
Shion:
"Did you eat in my room again? Clean this up."
Her tone carried annoyance than usual. Empty ramen cups and meat sticks littered the floor, sauce staining her favorite pink blanket. Shion rushed over, glaring at the mess before smacking Mumu lightly on the head.
Mumu hissed, sucking her teeth, but grabbed a trash bag and started cleaning away.
Shion sat back on the bed, her chest heavy. She knew it was time to say it— even if Mumu thought she was insane.
Shion:
"I had a dream. No... more than a dream. It felt real, like I actually traveled through time. Mumu..."
Mumu:
"What? Just spit it out already."
She sounded impatient, her voice sharp as she picked up a noodle cup. Then she froze, hand on her hip, hair shifting across her cheek.
Shion motioned her to kneel. Mumu raised a brow but then decided to obey, Shion tucked her hair back, chuckling softly at her cluelessness.
Mumu:
"What is it? Tell me."
Shion (hesitant): Mumu... before I transferred to our school... I was the dead girl everyone talked about."
Mumu burst into laughter, clutching her knee as she cackled.
Mumu:
"What are you saying? You're alive right in front of me. Boo! I'm a ghost."
She laughed again, but this time her smile faltered. Shion's expression was too serious. Mumu tried to slip away toward the door, but Shion grabbed her wrist pulling her back.
Shion:
"I can't explain if you wont listen, idiot."
Mumu:
"Fine, fine. Finish."
Shion exhaled.
Shion:
"I faked my death before I came here."
The trash bag slipped from Mumu fingers. She clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide, scanning Shion's face for a lie—but finding none.
Shion (quieter, breaking):
"My mom kicked me out. He left me. I thought... I thought I had nothing left. No friends. No future. I lived in a shed, Mumu. A shed. Until.. Daiki helped me scrape money."
Mumu (concerned, firm):
"You still could have reached out for help, you know? and why hasn't Daiki told me?"
Shion:
"He's kind of the one who paid for my surgery despite being so young.. sometimes I feel bad for dragging him in my mess."
Mumu (surprised, teasingly):
"Maybe he's in love with you, why else would he help like that?"
Shion shakes her head.
Shion:
"Anyways like I was saying.. then when I wondered what the problem was about me, he called me boring.
Clingy. Easy. He said the reason that my ex might've broken up with me is because I'm so timid."
Her voice shook harder with every word.
Shion: (yelling suddenly):
"He told me my looks weren't enough! That the only way forward was to erase who I was. So I did.
And now.. this is all I am."
Her hands flew up, clawing at her own face as if to rip it off. Tears rimmed her eyes but didn't fall.
Mumu voice was fragile when it came.
Mumu:
"Why didn't you tell me? Look at me Shion... I'm not even—"
Shion (whispering):
"You don't get it. I wasn't trying to die. I was trying to be reborn. To start over. But even now..."
Her voice dropped into a hollow whisper.
Shion:
"I'm still not satisfied."
The silence was deafening.
Finally, Mumu arms reached out, trembling and wrapped around Shion's hands.
Mumu (soft, breaking):
"And the dream? The time travel?"
For the first time, Shion smiled— small, faint, exhausted.
Shion:
"Would you even believe me?"
Mumu stared at her for a long beat, breath shaking, then nodded.
Mumu (firm, steady):
"Yes."
They sit there with joined hands in the harsh light, trembling but unbroken.
The morning sun spilled through the school windows, painting streaks of gold across the crowded hallway. Toru strolled in, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his steps slow like he owned the place. Girls turned their heads instantly— some blushing, some whispering, some glaring at their friends for staring too long. He winked at one, smirked at another.
But everyone knew Toru. He was the type to give you that look— the one that made your heart skip— only to walk past you without a word, leaving you wondering if it even happened. The ultimate tease.
He reached his locker and swung it open. A small photo fluttered down, landing softly on the floor. A girl's face smiled up at him from the picture, her features uncannily similar to his— same sharp eyes, same grin. Just younger, softer.
Akari appeared out of nowhere, scooping it up before he could.
Akari:
"Hey! you weren't even gonna pick it up? Look at my pretty face— it's all dusty now."
Toru rolled his eyes, snatching it from her hand and ruffling her hair with mock annoyance.
Toru:
"Where's your boyfriend?"
Akari puffed her cheeks out dramatically.
Akari:
"We broke up! So, unlucky you... I'm walking with you today."
Toru rolls his eyes again, slinging an arm over her shoulders like it was second nature. The bell echoed through the halls as the school gates slammed shut.
Akari gasped, pointing out the window like she'd just spotted treasure.
Akari:
"Look! That's him— running toward the gates!"
Outside, her ex Rikuya was res in the face, arguing furiously with the class president as the gates stayed locked tight.
Toru shrugs with an expressionless look.
Toru:
"Serves him right."
He turned on his heel, leaving Akari to pout and chase after him. But before she could catch up—
Takumi's voice boomed from across the halls.
Takumi:
"TORU! COME HERE!
Toru let out a small sigh, half amused, half annoyed, before waving lazily at Akari.
Toru:
"Later, brat."
Akari:
"Brat? I'm older in spirit!"
But he was already gone.
He walked up to Takumi, lifting his chin slightly, his usual cold expression turning to a soft but fake smile with curiosity.
Toru:
"What's up?"
Takumi leaned closer, voice low.
Takumi:
"My brother just got back from the military. I know you two were close. Come over after school— we'll get sushi later."
Toru's face dropped, his footsteps slowed, the noise of the hallway fading behind them.
Toru:
"Yeah but.. it's not like he knows about Hana."
Takumi's eyes flickered with guilt, but his tone was firm.
Takumi:
"Then we just won't bring her up."
Toru smiles again faintly before walking into class, leaking Takumi with nothing but guilt before walking off to his class.
Meanwhile Shion last night..
The zip of the red leather jacket sliced through the silence of Shion's room. She smoothed the sleeves over her black shirt, tugging her blue jeans high on her waist. Her perfume misted into the air like a battle signal— her last step before stepping out into the night.
Mumu, who had been perched impatiently at the edge of the bed bounced to her feet the second the perfume hit the air.
Shion (hesitant):
"...Should I pack my things?"
Mumu clicked her tongue dramatically, eyes rolling so hard they nearly circled her head.
Mumu (mocking):
"No, princess. We're not running away from the government. Yet."
Shion laughed, but it died in her throat as quickly as it came. She fiddled with the zipper of her jacket.
Shion (soft, almost guilty):
"I haven't been back to my hometown since... last year. I haven't even seen my mom.
Mumu froze for a moment, then plastered on a smile—fake, but fierce enough to cover the sting of truth in Shion's voice. She grabbed her hand with sudden force.
Mumu:
"Then let's go see her. What's the worst that could happen?"
They crept out, hands clasped, whispering nonsense back and forth until frustration made them swat at each other like kids. Itsuki and Daiki's voices boomed from their room— music blaring, laughter bouncing off the walls.
But when they reached the front door—
A lamp turns on.
Hiroshi's voice cut like a blade:
"Where do you think you're going?"
They froze mid-step, their eyes rolling so hard it was synchronized. Shuffling forward either exaggerated misery, the flopped onto the couch like convicts before their judge.
Hiroshi sat there with his thin square glasses perched perfectly, a book in his lap, the light catching his cheekbones like some sort of old wise vessel villain.
Mumu (deadpan):
"We.. have to study. At my house."
Hiroshi didn't even blink. He closed his book with a snap and leaned forward, squinting at them with mock suspicion.
Hiroshi:
"Not buying it. And it's Shion's turn to clean the kitchen tonight."
Shion (outraged):
"Hiroshi!"
Hiroshi (calm, dismissive):
"Your friend can help you."
He waved them off like servants, shooing them toward the kitchen.
Both girls (groaning in unison):
"Ughhh."
They dragged themselves into the kitchen like two martyrs, Mumu glanxing at Shion's jacket with a smirk.
Mumu (whispering, clicking her tongue):
"Your outfit's way too good for dish soap duty. You should be on stage right now, not scrubbing plates."
She pretended to throw a fake punch toward Hiroshi's back, making Shion snort.
Then came Itsuki, shirtless, the music behind him fading like a soundtrack. His grin was effortless, his timing unfair.
Itsuki (teasing):
"Looks like you two need help."
Mumu (throwing her arms up):
"We do! But—uh— why are you out like this?"
Itsuki (mock-serious, flexing just a little):
"What? Do I look handsome? Is that my fault?"
Mumu (snapping):
"Yes! that's exactly why you should've stayed locked up in Daiki's room!"
Shion tried not to stare but failed, her cheeks heating when his hand brushed her hip casually to move her toward the sink.
Itsuki (low voice near her ear):
"I'll cover the dishes. You two can go already."
The words turns her cheeks crimson. Mumu stormed toward the door in fake fury, nearly tripping over her own feet. Itsuki caught her effortlessly, and for one long, awkward moment they just stood there
Mumu caught Shion's jealous glance and, flustered, shoved him away.
Mumu (snapping again):
"Don't touch me! I trip in style, thank you very much."
Her clumsy escape ended with another near fall. Itsuki's laugh echoed like a soundtrack behind them. Shion lingered for one second too long, cheeks burning, before running to catch up with Mumu.
Shion (grinning, breatheless):
"Well.. there was some chemistry there."
Mumu (without looking at her, dripping with sarcasm):
"There wasn't."
The train rocked gently as night gave way to dawn. They sat side by side, headphones splitting a song, their heads tipping against each other as sleep pulled them under.
Mumu (half-asleep, whispering):
"Look... it's a rose field."
Shion eyes widened. She fumbled for her phone, snapping a picture, then pulled out her sketchbook to trace the moment into eternity. Mumu leaned her head onto her shoulder, watching her draw with quiet pride.
Four hours later, the sun spilled of Saitama. They stepped off the train, stretching their tired bodies, yawning into the morning air.
Shion led instinctively, her feet carrying her home before her brain caught up. The old streets. The familiar turns. And then— her house.
It was the same. The paint on the walls. The garden in front. And in the window— her doom.
Frozen in time, untouched.
She broke. Tears streaked her face as she clung to Mumu, who awkwardly but fiercely pulled her close, even as Shion's tears and snot stained her shirt.
Her pink room sat untouched: teddy bear on the bed, messy makeup scattered on the vanity, her old tv. But then her breath caught again.
Candles. And in the center: a framed picture of her.
A shrine
Voice (fragile, broken):
"Hana...?"
_____________________________________
END OF CHAPTER 3