The two boys charged straight ahead towards the shrieking crimson structure that housed Ryuuko with everything they got, streams of gore and flesh matter rush out from her body like a gruesome fountain of death that reached up into the sky.

Takuya was carefully following behind Kenjirou, sprinting but keeping a distance from the president, yet not too far that he wouldn’t be able to overtake him in an instant. His eyes were peeled, as he ran, and his entire body was shuddering with anticipation as he waited for their moment.

“Listen to me Hideyoshi; no matter what do not stop! Follow closely behind me and keep going until I give the signal. Understood?!” Kenjirou had commanded him.

Takuya swallowed down his anxiety. His entire body was in pain and his mind was plagued with fear and worry.

If there was even a single misstep, all three of them are dead.

And not just them but Ryuuko as well. Everything right now was a gamble. All of this nothing more than a last gambit that none of them have any idea how it will work out, except for the undeniable fact that they will all die gruesomely if they are to fail. The thoughts ate at him so bad, the aching pain on his abdomen almost felt like nothing in comparison.

Yet, despite all of this, he trust Kenjirou. He trusted the big guy who gave him the absolute command, he trusted his suicidal plan, but most of all; he trusted him who was the current sitting president of the club. It was such an insignificant thing, compared to the avalanche of crap that was piling up on all of them, but it was just this unyielding feeling of trust that allowed him to keep on moving.

Where Kenjirou was, he watched with bated breath as Ryuuko reacted to their advances. The tentacles on her body doubled in count as they once again flailed wildly about and meticulously collected the gushing fluids that poured from her being. All of it was converging into a single point above her head, gathering in size; bigger, bigger and bigger, until what formed was a colossal orb that bloated out the sky.

Kenjirou gritted his teeth, as he looked up to the eclipse. It was like a miniature sun, overshadowing everything in front of it. The sheer size of the attack, no matter how much they tried, there would be no way to avoid it. There was no direction they could turn, no amount of retreating and no matter of evasive maneuvers that would save them anymore.

No...there was only one path and it was to go forward, as the massive orb was launched at them, flying down at a terrifying speed.

While Kenjirou’s body could not feel anything, no amount of taste, scent or pain, it did not mean he was immune from the most basics of primal instincts that hung over to his numbed self. The fear that gripped him, constricting so tightly, was spreading rapidly throughout his entire body and, although he could not feel it, his every muscle, bone and vein was quivering like mad.

But, perhaps it was a blessing as well; as he could NOT feel anything.

Although he was being shaken apart, not feeling any of it, he was still able to charge ahead. He could not feel his raspy, heavy breath that came from of his mouth and nose, but he could hear them. The sound of his entire quaking, lumbering body that was completely under his control, the thundering beats of his heart that sounded like an overworked engine, as well as another; the familiar breathing of his underclassman, letting him know he was still following closely behind.

All of this overcame the clenching fear and hesitation that tried to so dreadfully pull him down, as he launched himself into the air.

“UWAAAAAAHHHH!!!” He let out a powerful scream, throwing his fist straight ahead.

BWSSH-CLAAAASH

The president’s punch that collided with the oncoming attack sent massive tremors throughout the area, releasing an ear screeching sound reminiscent of a destructive impact on solid glass. From his hand flew sparks, as it was wrapped in what was a thin yet absurdly powerful barrier that protected him and stopped the enormous crimson sphere that was mere centimeters away from him.

“AAAAAAAAARRRRGGHHHH!!” Kenjirou roared as he mustered every bit of strength in his blunt body, pushing forward his fist and repelled Ryuuko’s attack with everything he got.

DOOOSH

The colossal orb was sent flying back, thrown high into the sky where it immediately dispersed and vanished into nothingness.

“MITSUHIDE DO IT NOW!!” The president voice boomed, finally giving the signal as his foot narrowly touched the ground.

“Activating! DISCHARGE!!”

From Ryuuko’s redden figure came horrific screams of pain as suddenly sparks of electricity flew out and ran across her entire body, completely stunning her.

Without even wasting a moment, Takuya vanished from sight and instantly reappeared before Ryuuko as he pulled out his knives to her paralyzed body and aimed for the memorized spots given to him with pin-point precision.

SHYAAAAA

Like slicing through butter, his blades effortlessly pierced through the thickened outer shell and furiously slid downwards, cutting and breaking apart the wreathing armor that tightly sprawled around the girl, and exposed her trapped body that laid underneath to the light of day.

“TAKATORA!!”

“TAKATORAAAA!!

“RYUUKOOO!!”

Screaming her name, the boys threw out their hands and grabbed hold of her temporarily bared body. The moment they made contact, massive amounts of tentacles flew out from the broken pieces that still surrounded her and immediately swathed around all of them as it pulled them into the endless abyss.

=

My worst fears came true on that day.

It was just a regular afternoon, a little after fifth period. While the morning had been clear, a sudden downpour occurred a little after the end of third period and continued on for the past hours. The sound of the rain hitting the windows brought about a sense of unease that crept over me through the entire duration of class.

It was strange, as if a sign of eminence, the moment I saw the chilling sight of lightening flashing in the darkened skies. Still I tried to shake it all off, hoping that it was just a bad case of the blues during a dreary rainstorm, but it was when I was walking to class that it happened.

“HOW DARE YOU?! LIKE, SAY THAT AGAIN! I DARE YOU, YOU STUPID BIT-“

“KOTO-CHII, STOP!! DON’T DO THIS!”

“SUZU, HOLD HER BACK! DO NOT LET HER GO!”

Suddenly hearing the screams of my friends in the second-year’s hallway, I immediately ran to their direction only to find them surrounded by a crowd of people.

“Whoa, a fight?!”

“Holy crap! Hey, isn’t that Hosokawa-senpai’s girlfriend? And the other one, that’s the hot chick from his club!”

“Eh?! D-Don’t tell me this is some case of lover’s affair!?”

Brushing my way through, I gasped as I saw what was going on.

Mifue and Suzuna was fighting to holding back an enraged Kotono who was shouting at the top of her lungs. And before her was Asumi, who was on the ground with her hand clasped on her face. She was on the verge of tears.

“All I said was...that you should consider Shougo-senpai’s feelings a little more. If you really do love him then-“

“WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! LIKE, HOW DARE YOU ADDRESS MY BOYFRIEND SO CASUALLY!? I’LL KILL YOU”

“KOTO-CHII, NO!”

“STOP IT KOTONO-ACK!”

Mifue and Suzuna was suddenly thrown back as Kotono slipped out from their grasp and pounced on top of Asumi, punching and scratching her and furiously pulling her hair while she cowered in fear.

“YOU THINK YOU’RE, LIKE, SO MUCH BETTER THAN US, DON’T YOU?! THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE SURROUNDED BY BOYS THAT YOU’RE ALL THAT?! WELL NOBODY LIKES YOU, YOU FILTHY SKANK!!”

“KOTONO, STOP IT!!” I shouted as I ran over to them and tore her away from Asumi.

“Ah! Mi-chii, it’s Ryuu-chii!”

“Ryuuko! Quick, pull that idiot away!!”

“Ryuuko!?! Let go of me! Let go of me right now!!”

“The teacher is coming! You have to stop!” I cried as I desperately held her back even as she continued to kick and scream.

“Uuh!!”

She gasped upon hearing my warning. Ceasing herself, she suddenly looked around and saw the even larger crowd that had now gathered before us.

“Kotono, please. You have to get out of here or you’ll be in big trouble.” I pleaded, as I carefully released her. On her face was still a look of shock and anger, as if she was fumbling on what to do in this situation.

“S-she’s right. We have to go! Koto-chii!”

“Moron! Let’s get the heck out of here before we’re caught!”

The two other girls tugged at Kotono’s arm, pulling her away and through the crowd of students. As they ran, they looked back to me, as if expecting me to come along, but instead I only turned away from them in silence. Filled with guilt, I watched as they disappeared from sight.

“Crap! The teachers are coming!”

“DASH!”

The crowd of onlookers cried out as they immediately began to disperse.

“Ryuuko...” I heard the weak voice of Asumi’s amongst the chaos. Turning to her on the ground I quickly helped her up, taking her by the hand.

“Asumi, come on.” I cried as we too ran away the moment we heard the sound of the teachers frantically rushing towards our location. Pulling on her hand, I felt the tight hold of her shaking fingers as we ran as fast as we could.

-

We ran through the outdoor corridor that separated the main school building from the club buildings, the splattering of the rain that splashed overhead rang in our ears, trying to get as far as possible. But, even amiss the deafening sound of pitter-pattering from above, I could still hear the small sobs that came from Asumi behind me. Her hand that held on to mine was squeezing so tight it hurts, but she did not let go.

However it was not just her. My fingers too, were also firmly clasped around hers. Like knots, it was strongly entangled as if in desperation. I also did not want to have to let go.

“Haa...haa...” I struggled for air. My lungs were burning with every sharp inhale and my heart was beating so fast it felt like it could burst from my chest at any moment. My vision was blurry from the running, as my was mind scrambling to keep up with everything that had happened.

Taking another deep breath, I glanced up to Asumi. She was rubbing her eyes and wiping her face, before turning to me with a surprising smile.

“Ryuuko...” She said cheerfully, weakly hiding the sadness in her voice. Her hair was a mess, her eyes were puffy and red from the tears and her face was swollen, with a large fading imprint of a hand that laid across her cheeks. There were small cuts on her head, hidden by her bangs as she brushed it out of her head as she looked towards me with the same look of cheerfulness that she always showed before me.

I was quiet. There was so much I wanted to say but no words that could express what I wanted would come out from my mouth. Pulling out my handkerchief, I moved towards her but Asumi warily back away.

“Hold still...” I told her in a calm as possible voice. Hearing me, she obediently nodded her head and she stopped moving, allowing me to carefully wipe the blood that still dripped from her face.

“So, why were you referring to Kotono’s boyfriend so casually anyway?” I finally asked, my voice restrained as I struggled to keep a hold on myself and tried talking to Asumi the way I normally do. Yet, even so, a great maelstrom of emotions were being mixed together inside of me, curious to understand the cause of such a catastrophe that had occurred earlier. As I cleaned away at her cuts, I saw her winced slightly from pain but not sure if it was because of me or if it was because she was contemplating on what to say.

“Mmm...Shou-...Hosokawa-senpai is a senior in the Kendo club. He’s one of the first few people who became my f-friend...when...when I did what you said about trying to fit in.” She began to speak up. “Hosokawa-senpai is a very nice person. He preferred that we speak to him in a casual tone, despite being a more senior member, and...umm...I’ve gotten used to it and let it slipped when I was talking about him.”

“Really? Wow.” I was surprised at the new information, but more so that Asumi had taken my advice to heart. But as the realization that it might have been my fault that the events had occurred, an uncomfortable feeling started to arise. Not only that, another strange feeling came into my mind when I thought about the way Asumi was speaking of her senpai and Kotono’s boyfriend.

“You...you didn’t fall for him or anything did you? Don’t tell me you like him! That’s...that’s really bad!” I blurted out before quickly covering my mouth.

“Ryuuko! No, of course not! I told you, I have no interest in such things. He’s just a friend and a senpai, nothing more.” She gave a wry laugh, as if amused by my sudden concern and outburst. Yet, even as she laughed I could hear a very pained and tired tone in her voice. “Besides that, Hosokawa-senpai speak highly of his g-girlfriend. Although he tend to complain about her to the point of hilarity, he really does love her a lot. Even if she is “difficult”, as he tend to put it.”

“Heh...Kotono is the same as well. Those two really are made for each other.” I giggled. “But that still doesn’t explain how you got into a fight with her. Why did you go to her of all people, especially when you know that she was his girlfriend and that...ummm...”

“That the other girls in school hates me?” She finished for me, sounding dejected.

I was silent as I slowly nodded my head. Asumi was still smiling but from her cheerful exterior I could easily see the sadness hidden in her eyes.

“I’m sorry...” I apologized to her as I cowardly turned away from her gaze.

“Please don’t be. It was my fault. I wanted...I wanted to make friends with them. With...your friends so that we could all be together.” She replied, her face turning bright red as she blushed shyly. “But, it was stupid of me wasn’t it? I should have thought about it a little more before...before...”

The façade on Asumi’s face faded away as she finally broke down in tears. Like sparkles of water, the droplets flowed uncontrollably from her face as she wept.

“Oh Asumi...” I stepped towards her and carefully embraced her in my arms. Her entire body was trembling as I held her close to my chest, hearing her muffled cries and felt the wetness of her tears on my breast.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Ryuuko. I really just wanted to do as you said and fit in. I wanted to do as you did and make friends with others.”

“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.” I reassured her as I softly patted her head.

I don’t know how much time has passed, as the only indication was the still falling rain that seemed to drip endlessly from the skies and the feeling of wet that soaked my chest. The sound of the rain was drowned out by the soft sobs as I felt her arms wrapped around my body tightening.

“I should have told you...no, I shouldn’t have tried to force you to do such a drastic thing. Even if you say it isn’t, it was definitely my fault. Asumi, do let me apologize. Even if you won’t forgive me, I want to let you know how sorry I am.” I said, as stroked her beautiful hair. “Let me make it up to you. I’ll talk to Kotono, Mifue and Suzuna and have them know it is nothing more than a misunderstanding. Although Kotono might be brash, she is very understanding. I’m sure...”

“Ryuuko...I like you.” I heard her said as she pressed firmly against my chest.

“Huh?”

“I really do like you. A lot.” She said while looking up, a familiar yet weary smile returning to her face.

“I like you too Asumi. I like you a lot. You’re my best friend and I’m happy that you’ve been together with me all this time.” I replied to her as I slightly squeezed her in my arms.

“Yes...we are friends. That’s right....” She repeated the words oddly, a sad look on her face as if she was happy yet for some reason, disappointed in my reply.

“What’s wrong?”

“You know, ever since I first met you, I’ve always looked up to you.” She suddenly stated.

“H-huh? Geez, where did this come from?” I stammered; my face getting flustered when I heard those words from her.

“Heh heh. You once asked, the reason I approached you on that day, that if it was out of pity. Yes, it was that but also...I really did want to become friends with you. From the moment my eyes met with yours, I had hoped that we would be friends.” She exclaimed with a beaming grin.

“R-really? Geez...I had a feeling from your constant badgering but...heh heh, it’s nice to know that.” I giggled.

“Mmhmm. Ryuuko, you really are amazing. Even when you were ostracized by the other kids. Even when they spoke ill behind your back, even when they all looked down on you, you’ve always held your head up high. You never let them break you, no matter what they said about you. You were always so strong, and I had always admired you for that.”

“Haa...Asumi, y-you know that’s not true.” I gave a heavy sigh, as I timidly rubbed my right arm. “You know that I...every day I was crying and was in utter despair. I...I hated the other kids, yet I desperately wanted to be with them. Asumi, I’m a coward.”

“I would hide behind those stupid books. All I had was spite and contempt to all those around me, the very same ugliness that everyone would always show me.” I said bitterly. “I...you know...deep down, I hated even you. I was jealous of you; of how beautiful you were. That’s why, please don’t think so highly of me.”

“Do you still hate me?”

“W-wha?! Of course not! ...Okay, maybe I’m a little jealous of you still. I constantly think that you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen and that if only I could look like you...”

“Hehehe, well you’re the most beautiful person I’VE ever seen.” Asumi giggled playfully as she came over and held my hands. “While you lack confidence, to me you are beautiful in more than just appearance. Not only on the outside but also on the inside as well and I love that about you.”

“Geez...how can you just say things like that with a straight face. You really are so weird.” I blushed.

“Ryuuko, I wanted to be like you. When you told me you wanted to change, I too hoped to do the same because I felt that if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you and...I’d be left behind. It scares me more than anything that one day, you will leave me.” She said, her voice and hands trembling as she spoke.

“Dummy.” I gave a sighed as I gently flicked her on the forehead. “I’ve said it a bunch of times; I will never leave you! We’re best friends, no matter what and nothing will change that. I already know all your creepy, weird, and gross points and you about mine. What can you possibly do that will make me want to leave you? Well, besides maybe if we are to go out and eat, then the bill comes...”

“Aha ha ha! You do still owe me a hefty amount of money for the times I’ve “treated” you, don’t you?” She laughed.

“Eh?! Umm...my allowance is a bit low this week. Could I maybe get until next month?” I squeaked as I nervously played with my hair.

“Oh Ryuuko. You really are too much.”

Asumi suddenly got close and gave me a hug. As I felt her arms wrapped around me, a strange feeling of embarrassment came over me yet I did not fight it. Instead, my arms also wrapped around hers, feeling the softness of her body.

“Can I ask you something?” She whispered in my ear.

“What is it now?”

“Can you promise me that, no matter what happens; you will never forget me?”

“Huh? I don’t understand...geez, you’re so weird. What are you even asking?” I stammered as I felt her squeezing me tightly. “Of course I will never forget you. The same as how I promised back then that I will never abandon you, I will never forget you no matter what. You know that, silly. What a strange promise.”

“Mmmhmm...Sorry, but I just really want to hear you say it. It makes me feel really relieved to hear those words from you. ”

“O-okay.” I replied. “Hey, remember how when we were little, because we could always only meet in secret, I told you to announce our friendship to the whole class during the new semester?”

“Of course. How could I ever forget. Heh heh...didn’t I say that I would declare it to the world if I had too? It was so much fun when we hijacked the school’s broadcasting system and announced it to everyone. The teachers were so mad and we got in so much trouble.” She giggled as she snugly rubbed against my head.

“Y-yeah. Well...I’m thinking of maybe doing that again. To tell the truth, I’ve been hiding the fact that we know each other from everybody...”

“Is that so? Was it because of all the rumors? Were you ashamed of me?”

“...Yeah. I’m really sorry. That’s why, how about I be the one to do it this time? I’ll announce it to the whole world if I have to. To being your friend, I shouldn’t feel any shame. No matter what other people think, you and I are best friends no matter what.” I said boldly.

“Geez, but you’ll get in big trouble then. Well, it’ll no doubt be exciting, but there is no need for that.”

“I-I see...” I said, feeling a slight relief and disappointment.

“Ryuuko, you really are so strong. No matter what happens, I hope that part of you will never change. Please be happy, cause then I will be happy. Your happiness is what’s most important after all.” She said as I felt her fingers interlocking and squeezing mine.

“Asumi?”

“Can you say it again? Say it one more time, that you won’t ever abandon me?” She suddenly asked.

“I will never abandon you. I will never leave you...no matter what. I will always be by your side.” I repeated to her with utmost seriousness, my voice cracking as I spoke those familiar words. My vision started to get blurry as, for some reason, I felt tears swelling up in my eyes.

“Ryuuko...thank you. I’m glad. I’m so glad to have met you...” She replied softly as I felt her arms lightly pushing me away. Where our hands were held, I felt a tight squeeze from her fingers before they went limp and released themselves from mine.

As her hands pulled away, my hands instinctively reached out to once again try to grab ahold of hers, but my body froze.

It was only a momentary pause, less than even a blink of an eye. It was only for a moment, but at that moment of hesitation, I could only watch as Asumi’s delicate hands slipped away from my grasp.

“Goodbye.”

She spoke to me with such a brilliant smile. It was brighter than the sun, so radiant and breathtaking that it stung my eyes as I looked upon her. Her posture was that of perfection, her appearance of beauty that could only exist in a storybook, like a fairytale princess. Her pink hair blew along with the gentle breeze, flowing ever so softly like it was one with the wind, and when she turned and moved, it was as if the entire world lit up for her.

I will never forget that day; the look on her face, even as she was a mess, that she gave to me. The deeply pained yet beautiful smile that brought a wave of heart-retching nostalgia. The memories that we spent together all those years, the happiness we shared that felt like a midsummer dream.

I will never forget that day; the day that I cursed at myself, cursed at my own stupidity, that I had allowed such a foolish hesitance to overtake me. I should have reached out to her and grabbed her. I should have held on tight to her, never letting her go. I should have never let her slipped through my fingers; her soft and gentle hands that should have never moved away from mine. I should have called to her, screamed at her, begged for her to stay; to come back.

I will never forget; the day when my entire world went dark. When everything became a haze. The day that my heart was torn a sundered, the pain that ripped into me so deeply was more agonizing than anything I ever felt before.

That was the last day I ever saw Asumi again.