Chapter 7: VI.

. . .

“Goryo!?” Akane shouted so loudly I think everyone started covering their ears in agony. Her face was full of shock and disbelief that even I was wondering how I had never seen it before.

Goryo looked at Akane after she finished shouting and he walked over to her. “Hi Akane.”

Akane was notably confused, shocked, and also happy, probably for both me and herself. “Where’s Ume?”

“She’s homeschooled now,” Goryo answered her question very quickly. “...it’s just for the best…”

I felt slightly bad for him again, which in turn kind of made me want to cry, again. “...why though?” I let out.

He glared at me, which told me he didn’t want to talk about it, at least not here.

“That’s okay too, you don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to talk about,” I let out, I gave him a small smile which lightened his expression. I turned back to face Diana, “should we get going now?”

“We should! Let’s go guys!” Diana chuckled as we all went off to the town.

It didn’t occur to me until just now that Ann and Luna had left the group and probably went home as well. Great, more stalling.

. . .

We walked into town and I, along with Diana, immediately ran off to the clothing store. There were lots of amazing pieces there that I wanted to pick out, and I’m sure Diana would want a dress or a skirt or just something to buy.

There weren’t that many people in the store, thankfully, so Diana and I were pretty much free to run off wherever, however, and whenever. At whatever pace we chose.

We had also chosen to stay close together, you can’t trust anyone this day in age, and I especially don’t know if I can trust anyone here. I sighed as I saw Diana picking out clothes, I was standing back glancing at some of the other stuff before spotting a familiar looking kimono.

“...” I tried speaking but my throat felt tight. Look away were the only words that managed to go through my mind. But I couldn’t just look away, I had to keep looking.

I walked over to it actually and I put my hand on it and immediately started tearing up. It felt the same as it used to, but this one actually looked pristine, like something I would actually have pride in wearing.

“...it’s the same color too…” I managed to get through my throat somehow. I stared at it for a good second before taking it off the rack. I looked at the price tag. ¥60,000. I can afford that, I can afford a lot in here actually.

Diana looked at me as I wiped away my tears. “What’s wrong?” She spoke sympathetically, staring at the kimono in my hands. “Is that a kimono your dad used to wear-”

“Don’t talk about my father,” I spoke sternly as I glanced at her with my eyes wide, my face gloomy and my eyes dull as I stared into hers. I could almost feel the coldness of my glare as I stared, just looking into her expression.

Her eyes were gentle, and they had a pretty brown color as they glistened in the lighting, almost as if they were drowning me in her gorgeousness.

But my expression was the complete opposite. My, while arguably beautiful golden color, eyes cold, dull and gloomy. An expression that read someone in this room has made a fatal flaw in what they’ve done, and I know who it is.

I eventually diverted my gaze away from her and cleared my throat. “...s-sorry I…” My voice was a little bit shaky as I hesitated to continue explaining myself. “...I just don’t want to talk about him… but no… he didn’t have a kimono like this. This is actually what Goryo and I used to wear to school together… just got a nostalgic feeling in the pit of my stomach.” I didn’t. I really didn’t.

I felt guilty, very guilty. How could I not feel guilty? My actions had consequences and I have to live with that.

“It’s okay,” Diana’s cheerful expression never faltered as she turned around to go look at the skirts again. I didn’t move for a moment as I stared at the kimono.

I still had my old one, but I doubt that it fits, and it’s also probably in horrible condition as well. I only know that because I have it in my closet and occasionally I see it and it’s stained.

“Did you find anything you’re going to get?” I asked her and she turned to face me.

“I was thinking I could get this nice red velvet dress for the party,” she chuckled. My facial expression turned from excitement to one of confusion.

“Really? I mean… yeah it’s nice but… for a party? With a bunch of perverted guys?” I questioned. I mean, sure, I didn’t know much about the popular kids, but something told me that at least a few of them were interested in her. Though I’m sure they would be very eager and excited to learn she’s trans.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

She sighed, “the only people that are coming to the party are people I know wouldn’t be perverts about it.” Sure, and if they get drunk I’m sure they’d love hitting on you.

I glanced at the dress, to be fair it wasn’t that revealing. “It’s your call, you know everyone better than I would.” I turned around to go look at sweatshirts and boots because that’s what I wear almost every day.

Diana grabbed the velvet dress and followed me, she was skipping slightly in excitement. I wonder if she actually has the money to pay for it or if I’d be doing it once again.

She, who usually followed beside me, was walking behind me now, which meant it was harder for me to strike up a conversation. Adding to the fact that she wasn’t talking was making it a lot more awkward than it needed to be. I looked to my side quickly before looking forward once again.

“...Diana, …what should I get for us to do tonight?” I spoke gently, she walked at a faster pace to go to my side, which meant she wasn’t mad at me, at least that’s what I thought.

“We should find a book about the mythical creatures!” She giggled a little bit. “And about other universes like the meta-world and the Flipside.”

I guess I could give you a little bit of information about what I know about the meta-world and the Flipside.

These are universes that are hidden deep within our own universe. It’s also where most of the mythical creatures come from. Of course, it’s all fictional, but I do think it’s pretty cool.

The books were published by a company called Aldryflux and they are lengthy.

I’ve never read them but I’ve seen them around bookstores before, they’re pretty popular in the culture around here. But, as I’ve said, I’ve never read them.

I’ve heard about some of the stories before, such as Ally and Lusha, and the other timeline stuff, and while it is pretty interesting, my fantasy interest from when I was a kid kind of just ran out the door as I got older and older.

Sure, everything I enjoyed when I was younger wasn’t any of this stuff, and the stuff I was into was more religious because of my father, but still, the fact of the matter is that I did like fantasy and occultic stuff, yet now I could care less about it.

But still, I do wholeheartedly believe it’s quite engrossing to approach the subject matter from a distinct perspective, not as a clueless, scared witless child, but rather as someone who swallows up the phantasmagoric nature of it all.

Because what if it weren’t exclusive to the fictional world? What if everyone was in some rapidly approaching danger that no one had any way of predicting?

Now that… that is something that could certainly be the cause of insomnia.

“Hey, maybe we could get this collection?” Diana chirped. She glimpsed at the book before exchanging, though it was more staring, a look with me. It was, without any hint of uncertainty in my mind, an abhorrently extensive novel, but with a length like that, is that even an appropriate classification?

Maybe, however, judging by the expression that was sparked, though maybe it was more so plastered, on Diana’s face, because reading through the lines here obviously isn’t necessary at all, she very vividly expressed her excitement with that single expression.

Yes, she desired the book to be for her, and her only. I let out a perhaps exaggerated yet exhausted exhale, one that was more a groan, as I ambled towards the shelf the page-bounded fictitious art was presented upon.

My fingers slowly wandered onto the cover. What had appeared to be some form of leather, one that, while not distressed, yet seemingly from the palette was, seemed to appear more antique. However, my senses and curiosity were soon interrupted by a disparate contrast from the expected.

Plastic wrap. My thoughts ran as my hand backed away from the literature. My eyes peeked almost automatically to meet Diana’s own, her grin still larger than most average.

However, as I resumed my observations, her Cheshire cat-like expression fell to one cloaked in disapproval. Surely she hadn’t believed so hastily that I had a burning and passionate desire to purchase the novel on my own accord, no?

Her lips slowly parted as her voice flowed out upon the opening, “are you going to get it?” She inquired, her eyes glistening with desire.

My own eyes averted their gaze as my breath exhaled once again weakly. Diana’s face gently fell into shadow once more, the character on her face read disappointment, unmeasurable to the standard person. Yet since I understood her adequately, reading into her sullen disposition was most certainly not required.

“...fine,” my voice fell out softly yet quickly. I grabbed the book hastily and proceeded to walk over to the checkout area where I would proceed to purchase the collection.

. . .

Akane was sitting with Kazuki in a McDonald’s, they weren’t eating anything, but I could honestly go for something right now. I handed Akane the bag to hold before she suddenly stopped me right as I started going to order food.

“What is this? It’s quite heavy,” she spoke gently as she pulled the collection out. Her gaze fixated on the company Aldryflux, her expression turned salty and bitter before it softened. “Didn’t know you liked this stuff, King.”

She put the collection back into the bag as I walked off to order some food for myself. She proceeded to get out of her seat and walk along with me, she must’ve been hungry at least a little bit.

“So… the weekend… are you really going to host a party?” She spoke with a hint of wonder in her voice. I had completely forgotten about that, “...are you?”

I was. It would be the only way going to school could be manageable. People would finally talk to me and I could make a name for myself. I didn’t want to be popular, I just wanted to be happier.

“...” I tried speaking but to no avail. I cleared my throat quickly before I glanced at Diana. “...yeah, I am.”

Akane sighed as she placed a hand on my shoulder, I turned to face her and we locked eyes in silence for a moment. It was honestly quite refreshing.

“...okay, you’re the boss, King.”