Today's Fortune...

[Deleted]

What is this?
Well I decided in my free time in between different things to type up a story for our enjoyment~ I named it Today's Fortune... cause well that's what's all started it ;3 Anywho~ I will be using a few of our very own players here as MCs. And of course Me and Air (Though he doesn't know about it yet I assume)~.
Story:
One day ten people stop by an old beat up lottery booth and draw fortunes. Each person gets a color for their fortune and eventually returns to their daily lives. It is not until midnight that their fortunes hold even importance.

Sumerini Umemori (Sume)
A female high school student, she's known for being the eye candy of all the boys. Despite this she hates men with a fiery passion. Her most disliked color is pink, even still she has a small pink strap on her phone from a special someone long ago. She is very accident prone and gets hit in the face almost every other day, but she never yells at anyone. Even though she's super popular at her school she has no friends and she's very shy around others. However she is known to when people aren't looking do nice things like picking up garbage, sending get well cards, giving out secret chocolates to everyone on valentines day, and placing flowers on suicidal student's desk.
Appearance: She has short black hair, down to her shoulders, and emerald eyes.
Mana Wakamoto (Sakuya)
Mana was once a family member of the Tategami family, a wealthy family that runs the Tategami corporation. That however was a front for the Tategami family mafia. Sakuya was the sister of Nisshoku, who is destined to take over the family. Sakuya was a bright and cheerful girl who loved her brother deeply in a familial manner. Just before her brother's wedding, his fiancee was killed. Sakuya was labelled as a traitor who set her up to get her brother to herself for incestal love. Despite her protests, her enraged brother estranged her and she was exiled from the family, sparing her life. She now lives in a run-down apartment building in a near emotionless state. She changed her surname.
Akemi Agosaki(Mystio)
A shut in who refuses to come out due to her obsession with beauty. She finds beautiful people vulgar and disgusting. She is secretly a internet idol and makes a vast amount of money to secure her shut in lifestyle. Her typical appearance is that of a messy teenage male and is often refer to as such. She also has a very hard time interacting with people when she's not dressed up in a costume.
Kyousuke Issei (Makoto)
A player who loves fine bodied woman. In the past four years he hasn't slept at his home, due to going to the homes of other ladies. All his relationships until now have been one night stands. He has a high rate of success in luck games.
Nisshoku Tategami (Eclipse)
He was once to be the next head of the Tategami family. His future wife was killed and the only suspect was his sister. He exiled her sparing her life. He has a room full of roses. He looks like a beast.
Saeko Hanamura (Vicky)
She was the loving wife of Nao. They spent almost all their time together hugging and cuddling. She was loved by all their friends and staff members at their place of business. Her favorite flower is forget-me-not. A few years before Day 0 she was killed in a car accident while riding with Nao. Nao was the survivor.
Nao Hanamura (Lexi)
He was the loving husband of Saeko. They spent all their time together hugging and cuddling. He was a bit more reserved than Saeko. He has a mild allergy to forget-me-nots, but nothing too dangerous. A few years before Day 0 he got in a car accident with Saeko. Saeko didn't survive. A simple service was held. He fell into a deep depression before he decided to live for Saeko. He prays to a small home shrine daily but the picture is placed down because he cannot bare to see the picture of his fallen love. He fills the shrine with forget-me-nots. His favorite color is Azure.
Hiromi Ryuusei (Klea)
Hiromi is currently a student in middle school. She is a kind loving person willing to help out someone at her own expense, that usually being the chase. She is very sensitive to touch because much of her body (hidden by clothes) is covered in scars. When she was young her parents ran away abandoning her at their house, leaving with no trace while she was away at elementary school. She was then traded around relatives who yelled and argued about her, degrading her, and sometimes beating her for sometimes no reason at all. She still showed them love with drawings, presents, and more. At school she often would bullied by other kids to the point of physical abuse, the teachers always looked the other way ignoring it. She still showed affection to everyone even as they used her. She now lives with Aunt who sleeps during the day in a drunken stupor and works late at night or whores around with men. Her favorite flower are Violets.
Luna Arato
Reiko
Gasmask
A fighter in Fate Fortune Contest. This person wears gasmask and hoodie covering up their entire body. They disappear as mysteriously as when they enter in a battle.
Black Bunny
A mysterious fight who wears a mask and bunny costume. She's a silly ditz outside of battle but becomes a honed fighter when the contest begins. Not much is known about her however she is one of the 10 participants. 
Grandma Ai
This is the wonderful shop owner of the fortune teller booth.

When I finish up the characters I will list their profiles here.

List of Chapters WIP:
Day 0


Chapters:
Prologue
Day 0 - Spring Plum Blossoms
Day 0 - Broken Heart of Gold
Day 0 - Envious Green
Day 0 - Crusade of a Lover
Day 0 - Wilted
Day 0 - One Scar
Day 0 - Forget Me Not
Day 0 - Radio Waves

[Deleted]

Prologue
Morning haze sets over a small market street slowly waking from its slumber. The iron shutters begin to clang as they retreat upward. The stench of once living fish reeks out of the fisher man’s shop, clashing with the delicious odor of freshly baked bread. What little light there was peered through the alley ways of obstructing buildings illuminated the lollipops handing in the candy store window. All these store were nice in appearance, all save for one. A small beaten up old booth stands at the edge of the street. It was a lottery booth, with ten prizes. An old lady wrapped up to keep warm in this bitterly cold morning, walks to her booth. She finished her preparations for a day of waiting. It would seem no one would ever stop at a outdate shop such as this. Ten prizes, ten chances, and only ten people would stop by. On this day, her long awaited day, she sat in her chair sipping her favorite tea. On this day ten souls, all different from one another, drew their fortune. A school girl of pink, a college shut-in of green, a tough man of crimson, a lover of orange, a troubled of purple, a star of white, a fallen of black, a bad-end future of gold, the forgotten of azure, a mystery of a mystery. After the end, she sat in her chair sipping her tea. As the day melded into tomorrow, the little old booth and little old lady no longer has a place at the edge of a sleeping small market street.

[Sumerini]

THIS IS BS I HATE IT SCREW THIS I CAN'T TAKE IT BYE

[King V]

I'm glad I'm not in this. Good luck to everyone who is.

[Sumerini]

Feb 23, 2014 21:37:57 GMT -8 King V said:

I'm glad I'm not in this. Good luck to everyone who is.

I WILL CUT YOU

[Deleted]

Here is the first set of character chapters for Day 0 in order.

Day 0 - Spring Plum Blossoms (Sume)
Day 0 - Broken Heart of Gold (Sakuya)
Day 0 - Envious Green (Mystio)
Day 0 - Crusade of a Lover (Makoto)
Day 0 - Wilted (Eclipse)
Day 0 - One Scar (Klea)
Day 0 - Forget me not (Vexi)
Day 0 - Radio Waves (Luna)
Day 0 - Of Black, Of White (/)

[Deleted]

Day 0 - Spring Plum Blossoms
The crisp morning sun peeks through my window to send its gentle warm rays to wake me on this bitterly cold morning. I can’t really say why it’s bitter today, maybe someone lent the morning money and did not pay back so now it’s taking out its frustrations on us. If that’s true I’m greatly displeased by that! While I racked my brain around these simple and illogical facts, I suddenly took a piercing blow to my head. No, it wasn’t a weapon of normal conventions, but it was a weapon that plagued all of man-kind, the alarm clock. It made its disgusting blearing sound that I’ve become accustomed too. In one, while half asleep mind you, swoop I grabbed the alarm clock and tossed it on the floor. Luckily that turned it off, and with the pride of a drunk I shout, “Not today dirt bag!”, before I collapse back into my sleep. This did not last long before a shrill voice snapped me back to reality. I realized then and there it was Monday and my weekend has ended. Monday, Monday, Monday, Monday. I might be an honor student but this word was still the bane of my existence. With no choice I drudge myself to the bathroom and slowly begin to take off my—Ahhhh! Wait no! You can’t see this! Get out of here I will keep on the story after the clothes part! Go!


Having changed into my school uniform, a simple black and white sailor one, I rush down stairs for breakfast. My father was running about in the kitchen, it seems my mother has already left for work. In a moment he took notice of my presence, I’ve been spotted! “Good morning dear. I’ve set out your breakfast for this morning and I’m working on packing your lunch.” My dad said his daily tired line.


“Oh thank you.” Was my usual reply. I sat down and begun to scarf down my food in a un-lady like manner, do not judge me! I’m sure in the morning you would do the same.


Within seconds of finishing my father set my lunch on the table and said, “Now hurry along. An honor student like you shouldn’t be late sweetie.” He said it with a smile. I take my lunch and school bag in hand, stopping for a second to put on my shoes at the door, and rush out in the blinding light of the day.


Every day on my way to school I stop by a small little market. While most of the food my father puts in my lunch is healthy and good for me, he always forgets the most important food for a growing girl, nay grown human being. Sweets! So with my pocket change I stop by the bakery each morning to pick up a small pastry. I finally arrived at the Promised Land. It was a small little market street, nestled away from the human-made pollutants of main street. Each morning I stand as see the sun shyly peeking through the obstructing buildings that hide away this little paradise cove. Already though I can see the street is bustling with people going about their business. I am a big coward of crowds but I want those sweets more than life itself! Weaving through each gap of the market goers I make it to the small café named Le Noir et Blanc. It was super ‘frenchy’ and all so that’s proof they make great pastries.


Ah, my sweet chocolate danish is in my possession. I wonder if Denmark is what heaven is like. I make my way to leave when the scent of herbal tea caught my attention. It originated a small, worn booth. Sitting a rickety chair was an elderly lady, wrapped up to keep warm. She was sipping her hot tea waiting for a customer to pass by. I found this pretty interesting, but I cannot see any real merit in fortunes. Still, I felt bad for her since no one seems to be stopping by. “U-Um! Hey!” I found myself meekly shouting as I rushed over. Making my way over there I got out my wallet, “I would like a fortune please ma’am.”


I set a few coins on the table and the old woman’s face lit up. She spoke so softly, “Please give the wheel a turn.” I gripped the handle and slowly turned it. Click, click, click. Then a plop as the lot fell out. Oh. My. God. It was the vulgar, horrible, disgusting color of pink. I’m sick, someone hold me, ignore the fact I have a pink phone strap. While I was stressing over this unfortunate drawing the elderly woman walked the back to pick up the prize and fortune. She returned within a short time, holding a fortune and cell phone strap. Looking at the strap it had a small pink shield attached to it. I did not want this, but how can I turn down this poor old woman. Breaking my train of thought she spoke “This shield represents you. While you might not see it you within you, you are the stone that breaks the current. Strong enough to push back the odds for those in your heart. Today you are pink in your heart, but you will grow into a shield who only wants to protect those behind. This has been today’s fortune, I hope for your future.” I did not know what to say, I was taken aback by this. No way can this be my luck. I bowed to her, taking my fortune and prize, rushing off to school before I become late.


Leaving in a hurry I didn’t not really see where I was going. Thud! I bumped into someone, I have to apologize and hurry. Then there he was. Standing in front of me, holding on to my shoulders to keep us both stable, a twenty-four year old man. He was handsome for most men, but that didn’t matter. The feeling of his hands touching my shoulder, a few layers away from my skin. A shiver ran down my spine, all I could do is shout out “I’m so sorry!” and run off to school.


Ahhh, yes! I arrived at school by the skin of my teeth. Classes proceed the same as the day before, and the day before that and so forth. Doing the same as every day I sit there taking notes quietly as everyone in the back pass notes for what their plans are, silly jokes, or general friendly banter. Sitting up here at the front of the class seems so lonesome at lunch would a group or person to talk to. The dreaded time is here. Today my father made me some boiled chicken, fried eggs, and rice balls with pickled plums in the center. That’s all I seem to be, a sour pickled plum. My plum related thought were halted when I heard a voice.


“Umemori? Um, hey Umemori?” Someone had called out my surname. I mean. Someone had called out my surname!? I look around and I see a classmate of mine. Her name, her name, something…Akiko. Ah I don’t know her surname! She spoke again, “Hey Umemori, do you mind if I sit here?”


What? “U-Um sure! Feel free to!”


What? “Oh thank you!” She pulled up a desk.


What? I was in shock. I mean don’t get me wrong I wasn’t the loser of school, quite the opposite, I was the most popular girl in school. I was also the most timid and had a hard time making friends. Everyone just assumed I had friends and harem of boys, ew. So this is the first time someone has eaten lunch with me! Could I have gotten a seriously good fortune!? Thank you old lady! The two of us sat at our desk chatting away, it felt so good that I even shared my danish with her. Just before the lunch period ended she asked me something, “Hey can I get your number?”


I was in shock, total shock, super shock. “Yes of course!” I shouted louder than I should had and got the class’ attention for a moment.


She giggled a bit and said, “Number and full name?”


I gave her my number then my name, “Umemori Sumerini.” Her fingers fly across her phone’s key pad like nothing I’ve ever seen. After that I enter in her number and her name, Akihi Akiko. Her parent’s where really. . . creative? Lunch ended, then it wasn’t long before class ended. As a member of student council I had to stay late, then head of to cram school. There wasn’t much interesting about that though.


When cram school let out I rushed home. Spending obligatory time with my parents through dinner I rushed up to my room to finish my homework. I sped through the essays and mathematical equations. And when I finished I stood up and pounded my chest like a gorilla. Ow I think I hit a boob at that point too. But this pride was shot down when I saw the time. 11:35PM!? How did it get so late! I rushed over to my phone, placing my fortune strap on the bed near me. I swiftly, sent Akiko a text full of typos asking if she was still up. A few fearful minutes pass and my phone let out an alert. She was! We then sent a few texts between each other before giving it up. I’m just so excited. Ah, the time 11:50PM. I wonder what I should do. I suppose it doesn’t matter, but I just know tomorrow is going to be amazing.



Ten minutes until midnight…

[Kai, Prince of V]

[Deleted]

Day 0 - Broken Heart of Gold
It’s dark in here. It’s cold in here. These are the only thoughts running through my mind, the only thing I can feel to alert my brain that I’m alive. Outside these thin, almost paper like walls adorn with mold I can hear the fleeting chirps of the birds. I’m sure they have a place to go, a place to return to. What time is it? I don’t want to open my eyes. That’s when it sets in again. That feeling I’m always trying to elude, reality. I force myself to open my eyes and I see the time, 12:40PM. I saw it all again today, my apartment. The lights are always turned off; the only light I get comes from my windows. Most of the furniture is broken or ugly to look at. The water is always a strange brown hue. I just want to lay here in this bed, covered by this moth eaten blanket. Using every ounce of strength I can muster, I force myself up and stagger in silence into my kitchen.


Walking along I felt my body hit into something, crashing and falling. I’m just lying on the floor, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. A glass face shattered with my hand in the center. With each heartbeat my precious blood flows. I didn’t care. My mind faded back, to another time.


Long before I was trapped in this hell of scum hole I had a loving family. I was once a family member of the fabled Tategami family, known for their rich Corporation and stock holdings in the free market. We had a lot growing up, we almost never wanted for everything. We were home schooled and conditioned to be heirs. It was a youth many would never be able to have, but that’s not what made that life special to me. It was family, my loving parents who always made time for us. It was my older brother who was always there for me. He was always so kind, looking after his pitiful little sister. I could honestly say he was my best friend in the world. And soon… soon….


My mind returned to reality against my will. Like puppet string hoisting my limbs up, I continued my trek to the kitchen. Opening the fridge door I see inside empty shelves. “******!” I found myself shouting as I slammed the door back. Once more I would have to leave my small hobble to try horribly to live off this dwindling about of money. Moving out into the world the first thing I see is the ever cheery blinding afternoon light. This will be a long journey. Trying to quickly escape the old apartment building before my neighbors catch wind of my daring escape. Rushing too quickly I landed on my face at the last step, I won’t let that stop me I kept on running.


It didn’t take long to reach a small market. It was overflowing with people, hidden away from the expensive décor and tastes of Main Street. The shops all seemed to be ‘mom and pop’ businesses. Much of the products were far from the fine dining I did in my youth but there’s no room for complaining. Walking along I was hit between the sickening sweet scents of bakeries to the fresh death reek of fish. It was fairly difficult to move about. I couldn’t help but stop in front of a café called Le Noir et Blanc, staring at the people. Sitting near the window was a beautiful young woman with long flowing white hair. I bet her life is perfect, she must not know how sour the world can turn like I had to see.


I felt it welling up inside of me. The salty pain of everything that has happened these past few months. I don’t want to now… please… I kept trying to forced it all down when I felt small tug at my clothes. It was a small middle school student. She had soft violet hair tied in ponytail and big bright violet eyes. There was something odd however. Tightly clinging onto her wrist was a small toy shackle and chain covered in purple markings.


“Are you okay miss?” She spoke to me. Why did she speak to me? Am I that pitiful everyone will notice? I shouldn’t have come out here. “Please cheer up miss! I have a magical gift that will lift you up!” She begun to shuffle through her bag and pulled out a rose. It was beautiful. The perfect shade of red, each petal was perfectly positioned. It was like one could say it came from a royal heritage, but like me it was plucked away. I didn’t know what to do. “Please take it miss! Mr. Beast said it was a magical rose that will make everyone smile. So, I want you to have it!”


“Thank you little girl.” Moving my hand to slowly take it I noticed she recoiled a bit. She must be sensitive to touch. I took it without unnecessary contact. “I will cherish it.” I still couldn’t smile, but her kindness help me stable myself. She just gave me one more great, big smile before heading off. Returning my gaze to the café I noticed the woman I was belittling a mere second ago had left. Please forgive me even if you didn’t hear me. With my shopping trip complete and hope to finally this outside exposure and head back to my little hobble.


“My my, aren’t you a beautiful young miss.” Those words echoed through my whole body. I turned to see a small lottery booth. I think this is what people who don’t have money used get wonderful things. Sitting behind the booth was an old lady, sipping her tea. She was staring right at me. I was trapped and just walked over to her. “Would you care to try your hand at the lottery?”


I didn’t want to try. Not at all, but I felt maybe this woman is worse off than me. I put down a few coins and begin to turn lottery. I felt like the fickle gods of luck are taking the small lottery balls inside, violently shaking them. Click, click, click. Then plop. I can’t believe it. It was gold!? Before I could ask the granny what had happened she was gone in the back getting a prize.


She returned with a golden replica spear and fortune. In her gentle voice she parroted the words from the fortune, “Keep reaching out, holding your hand. Fire will burn it, Ice will freeze it, and Lightning will strike it. Never the less keep reaching out, one you will reconnect hands.” My heart was heavy, I had nothing to say. I bowed to her and headed home.


I’m an idiot to be fooled by sweet words, to think that anything lucky can go my way. This spear is heavy, so I decided to stop by a small playground. I sat in one of the swings even though I was far from a child, pushing myself back and forth for a bit. Across the street was a small cram school. Students this late in the evening flood in like ants. Their lives are conditioned to be perfect, but there’s no such thing. Your life can take a foul turn at any point and everything just shatters. I don’t want to be outside anymore.


I made it back to my apartment, stepping up the creaking aged stairs. Up to the second floor, under the flickering light, to the very end of the hall. There with rotten wood was my door---I’m awestruck. Laying folded neatly on floor in front of my door was a crisp new blanket. It was very soft to touch and comfortable one the skin. There was a small note on the blanket. ‘Please get well soon! We pulled money together for a nice new blanket for your bed! We welcome you to our tenant meetings whenever you feel ready! We here feel like a family.’ I couldn’t hold it back anymore. It was hot and salty, these were no longer the cold bitter tears I had before. I didn’t want to cry. It hurt to cry. But I couldn’t stop, I just couldn’t stop. It felt like hours passed as I just sobbed there. I felt I wasn’t alone in my own struggle. I’m sorry big brother. I’m sorry little girl. I’m sorry granny at the lottery. I picked up the blanket and myself, heading back inside. For the first time I turned on my apartment light. I saw the mold and broken ugly furniture that will never heal. But I didn’t care. Putting away my groceries I headed back to my bed, pulling off the moth eaten old blanket. I put on the new one, slowly moving under it. I looked around my lit room. I saw the prized spear, the rose from the girl and my clock. It was 11:51PM. Today I cried, but I didn’t cry myself to sleep.



Nine minutes until midnight…

[Deleted]

Day 0 - Envious Green
I couldn’t see anything but the blinding flashes. Thirty more seconds passed before I was blinded once more. “Mmah~!” The vulgar sound of an air blown kiss. I rigidly contort my body in to pose after pose, every half minute. Hidden in my dark feasting den that is my room I’m taking photos in cosplay. Finishing my glorified fan service I take the camera’s SD card over my immense computer system, six monitors with three actual computers all with the latest in technology. You see, I what you could call an internet idol, going by the name ‘Kyute Mystii’. I dress up in the latest and cutest cosplays, using editing programs and make me into the gorgeous woman I will never be. With my natural ratty hair, oversized bottle glass, gross plaid shirts, I just look like an unkempt man! Day after day locked up in my room I post pictures receiving me comments that sicken me to my core. “OMG!11!!!1 ur s0 hot!” All models are secretly ugly, they just get girls willing to whore out their bodies. “Please marry me! Be my waifu!” I’m not some slut for you own you to chaffed pervert! “I bet you love your fans! We love you!” I don’t give a **** about you; just keep paying money to see my faked beauty. All day everyday this is all for my life, I’ve never left my house in four years now. I can’t say it’s great but there’s a nice easy feeling of not having to go out and letting people see the real me. Slowly rubbing the skin of my face I can feel each indent, I hate it, just covering it with cosmetics with every shooting. Ding! It was the doorbell.


Shamefully I hide right in front of the door, hearing the rings and knocks of another living human being is just on the other side. I never get visitors though. It was just the delivery man with my weekly costume. All I can do is sit there waiting until he gives up and drops it on the mat. Ugh, I can’t stand talking to people face to face. I hate it! I hate it so much! Ah, the signs of a human are gone, it should be safe now. One horror task awaiting me still, retrieving the parcel.


I take a deep breath and shout, “Let’s go!” With all my force I swing open the door as disgusting day light floods in. It was the light that humans daily intake, sunlight. Once the initial shock was over and my eyes adjusted I saw a world far different from my own. So many pastel hues, in the blooming cherry blossom trees. Dull gray streets paved for mechanical horses. I held my breath, not to keep out the corroding pollutants but because of her. Her hair was a beautiful silky white, long and flowing. Her clothes were trendy, latest in fashion. Her skin was flawless and elegantly pale. Her eyes was a shimmering azure like crystals in a pond.


Ah..Ahh! She’s staring right at me, she must have heard me scream. I can’t handle this interaction stuff, I don’t know what to do! She just smirked at me…a smile, why a smile, what did that mean? Before I could figure out that this meant she was walking away. Ahh! I can’t let this go, I grab my hoodie to hide my face and rush out.


I can’t believe I’m doing this; I’m just stalking this girl. Every which way she goes and ugly little shadow is stalking her, me. Please forgive me, normally this would not be how I behave but… I want to know why you gave an impure troll as myself such a sincere smile. Am I overthinking this? Could my lack of human interaction for four years cloud my ability to understand the human mind’s intricate webbing of neurologic cells!? She seems to favor cafés, for a girl who eats so much she doesn’t seem like she weighs that much. In my head I roughly estimate how her calorie intake would translate to my body. Knowing my metabolism I would become a blimp in a certain New York parade.


She seems to be stopping at another place to get food. A small market buried in the overly friendly neighborhood. Living people are running amok in this place. Wall to wall people closely interacting through body movements, language and interactions. I can only stand there as she slips away into the crowd. What am I to do? Go into the wasp nest of annoyingly buzzing insects? Why did you make this hard? Without having made up my mind a passerby bumped into me, knocking me into the swarm. Wah! This is too much! I can’t see her, she’s nowhere in here? Did she get abducted by aliens? Why would no one care? Maybe she got crushed death. Maybe she---BUMP!


“Ah, I’m so very sorry sir.” I looked up to see a very pretty man. He was wearing mourning clothes holding a small mirror with a forget-me-not wrapped around. His smile was wry like a tired old man. I couldn’t respond, just make a few shuttering sounds. He bowed and kept on his way. Would someone mourn me if I died? I’m sure in my coffin they would have to have a miracle to make me look presentable. When…? When did I become like this? Locked away from the world, trying to become what I’m not? Why do I care? When will I become free from this?


“Excuse me there miss.” It was soft. A soft voice that crept its way into my mind. Looking around I see an old bat sitting at an ugly looking lottery booth. She was happily sipping tea like it was some magic cure to those wrinkles. “Would you like to try your hand dear miss?” Wait, she called me a miss. She realized my gender with ease. I walked over to her in my usual silence and toss out a few coins for her.


Click, click, click. It was a far cry from the clicks of my smutten camera. Plop! A green lot fell out. Green huh? Just my color it seems. The old bad took her sweet time heading into the back to get my prize. When she returned I was a bit dumbfounded. In her hand she had a cosplay sword along with a fortune. She gently croaked out the fortune, “A dark smog of pollutants has settled on your path. Try as you might to see ahead you can’t. However, with your courage and valor you can cut in twine the obstacles ahead. Only believe in who you are.”


The old bat is senile! How stupid is this? Beyond stupid! Just stupid, but there were still human customs. I bowed taking my prize and headed off. It’s already getting close to sunset I have to hurry home. This little trip was a meaningless exposure to the world I turned my back on. Ew, there’s a weird man walking across the street. I’m sure he’s just a denpa. I better not make eye contact.


Home at last, my package remains outside unopened. I’m sorry I have kept you confided for so long. I should have plenty of time to take a few more pictures and upload them. I can even use my new prop I suppose. Dressing up, posing and editing. This is my life. This is all my life will ever be. Praise from mindless saps for makeup sitting on a fake. It’s late, I’d better sleep soon. There’s not much else to do. The cold water washes away my lies calling back reality. Staring into the mirror I see my eyes and each cut on my face. I hate it. Every human face I see my own. Each time I look in the mirror I hate it. “Why! Why can’t I be like everyone else!? Why can’t I be enough!?” These are the words I found myself shouting again. In a hasten daze my hand grabbed a stained razor blaze. With swift movements I moved it closer. And then it happened again. That feeling running down my cheeks as my face gets cold. I did it again. Staring in the mirror I see my eyes and a new cut on my face. The bathroom clock 11:52PM and my sinister sword laid in the doorway.





Eight minutes until midnight…

[Deleted]

Day 0 - Crusade of a Lover
Ah, it’s so bitterly cold today. Opening my eyes I can see there is but a hint of light out. It was just at sunrise, I’d better make my move. Everything was unfamiliar to me. This rooms, this décor, this bed, even this--- “Na~aah.” Wait a moment, I know that cute little moan all too well. It’s time to split. With ninja like stealth I ease on my pants one leg at a time. It was only after I finished putting on my shirt that I felt a tug.


“Are you coming back to bed baby?” Such innocence, maybe that’s why I desired so badly to take it away from her.


“Of course sweetheart. I need to use the toilet and it’s cold this morning.” Sweet lies as what make me so alluring after all. Blindly trusting me she rolled over, hiding her bare skin from the nipping cold. Without further ado I made my escape from this young house wife’s abode and out into the streets for another victim to fall into my venomous fangs. I’m not a bad guy you know? A man has needs, mine just happens to fill the womanly desires. The feeling of their soft flesh held tightly in my arms, shouting in ecstasy as each fiber of our bodies become surreal. Ah, I’m losing my train of thought now. There’s not much to do this early in the morning. All the savory sailor suited school girls as still nestled in their beds dreaming of hero to sweep them away. However they’ll only find this little devil roaming around. I ended up head back to my pad to change out of these smut covered clothes into something fresher and head out to get a cup of coffee. If I remember there was a nice little café called Le Noir et Blanc. They seem to be known for their special black and white dishes. I could feel my feet skipping as I whistle a tune now and again.


And here it is, the haven of beauties that is this small little market. Cafés, candy shops, fresh produce, bakeries. This is just my type of hunting ground and this tiger is ready to pounce. I slip through with ease testing each produce as I pass by. The air is full flirtatious giggles and swooning smiles. I was lost in my own nirvana of women, enjoying myself so much I nearly forgot why I even came here. I need to get my coffee so I turn a bit---BAM! I felt them. Warm and pressing up against my chest. A young high school girl. She’s cute. She’s really cute. She’s really really cute. My blood is flowing, but this time not to my *****. I feel warm, my heart is pumping a million miles a minute. She’s staring at me, but I can’t talk. I feel like I’m suffocating, I want to talk so badly. Her body is so pure. I can’t destroy it, leave it by the waste side.


I’m going to do it, I have to say something to her. “I’m so sorry!” With that she was gone. People were standing around me staring. What an embarrassing failure. I need coffee. So I stroll off to the café.


Refreshing, I feel like I could take on army of women. That’s actually not a bad idea. While I was lost in my manly fantasies I heard a voice call out to me. “Excuse me dapper young fellow.” It was none other than the call of aged hen. Hidden away behind heap of trash that seemed to be a lottery machine. She seemed to be sipping tea and waving at me. “Would you care to play an elderly woman’s lotto machine?” That’s a very odd question, but it seems my charm works on the senile as well. I head over and fork over a few chump change.


The wood felt pretty rough but what could I expect of something as old as this? Click, click, click. Plop! An orange lot fell out. There was a large white question mark painted on it. I must have won a mystery prize or something. It wasn’t long before the old crone got me my prize and fortune. It was a small little toy capsule. Those ones that hold figurines and such. With no chance to open it the raspy voice delivered my fortune, “Your future is a mystery. A toss of the dice could change it all, it could change everything. Like a magician you pull trick after trick after out of your hat.” This is really irritating. I nodded at her and just left with my dinky little toy.


It was just a big waste of money. A stupid little toy and a bull **** fortune. I storm around sulking. After pouting a bit I found myself at a nice little church, you don’t see many of these in this town. A large brutish man staggered out of the hallowed halls off into the distance. Sending him off was a young nun with a face Mother Mary would sell her soul to the devil for. She was an angel, that was about to fall. With a coy smile and a strut to boot I waltz into the church, it seems I caught her attention.


“What business do you have here?” Right to the point, I like that in a woman.


“Oh sister, forgive me for I have sinned. I’ve tainted many a young maiden and blacked my heart with lust. I fear I will fall prey to my basic desires once more. I figured that if I were to be in your holiest of holy presence that I could fight back the demons sent to drive me back into sin.” These nun chicks eat this stuff up.


“No, get out of my church.” That’s what---wait what? “I know of your past works Isse, Kyousuke.” Seems one of the chicks I boned came crying here. “Every foul and unholy crime against the female body you have committed. No matter what has transpired you remain no more than filth.” Do I know her? Maybe one night I was just really drunk. “Now get out of my sight. I want nothing more to do with you fouling up my home.” I get it you crazy *****. As I head out I could of sworn I heard her whisper, “This next time you truly will regret it.”


It’s already sunset. My mystery beauty ran off and the smoking nun if too high on that horse of hers. It seems like I could be alone tonight, but I’m not really a man to give up that easily. I ended up hitting up my usual dive, ah I see a new face. A pretty sluty face hidden behind all that dark purple hair. My mom radar is going off so that means she’s been around the block a few times. Just of few drinks and she’s already mine. All it takes is a fake name and hotel room. Not that she seemed to really care about anything but sex. My kind of woman.


It was like a barrage of fireworks, one explosion after another. Ahh, I’m going into far too much detail. As they say a gentleman never kisses and tells. Exhausted we held each other. There was really no need for her to stick around so I casually hinted for her to make her exit, “It’s getting pretty late. Don’t you need to be heading back to your kid?”


She giggled and clung to my soaked body, “It’s not worry. My niece is a big girl and she’s use to being alone.” What a heartless whore. Oh well I suppose, just to check the time I look over to my night stand’s clock. 11:53PM. Laying on the floor was that dinky little capsule with the sickly aura.




Seven minutes until midnight…

[Deleted]

Day 0 - Wilted
I was calling out. Calling out to warn her, to warn myself. I was calling with all my might, the beastly roars of a lion, hoping my words would reach through the echoes of time. I was only greeted with darkening silence, but that is to be expected in a dream. A little droplet snapped me back to reality. The stench of alcohol and last night’s bile fill the air. There’s no escaping the waking world now. With a groan and grow and nest of disarray to clean myself in the bathroom. The water was a cold slap to shock my mind into action. I don’t know why I bother, I no longer have a person to get dressed for, I no longer have a person to fully live for. I live in a room filled with roses for her that she will never receive. With a sullen face I take one and place it in my lapel to pretend she is still near.


Haven finished my grooming a knock came at my door, “Nisshoku, the boss wishes to see you.” It was no more than a lackey of my father. He can’t even be bothered to come see me in person. The man claims he gave us everything we would ever need, but his presence was always missing from my life. Delaying this meeting with my droning on of the past will only bring about negative effects. Leaving dull lackluster room I am greeted by the extravagant décor of our house. For ages our family has had power and wealth. We are the shadowy leaders of this ‘free’ world, pulling the strings behind the curtain so that any who dare to threaten our reign at the helm of humanity is cut short of nothing a merciless death. The Tategami family, aptly sharing the name of the grand noble king of the Jungle, holds one of the top businesses in the industrial world. From the outside at less. The truth is we are a mafia family using our bloodlust appetites to carve out the husks of out prey for gold. My time to shine as the next family head was soon at hand, until my bride to be was cut down. Now until I take another as my bride I will be forced back into the shadows of my father. I don’t care anymore though, no one can take my dear Rin’s place. At last there was a large office door in front of me. ‘Head’. That’s all it had to say.


Entering this den of sin I see the lavish furnishings of a king, no, even a king would be jealous of room. There at my once future desk was the inhuman beast that was my father. No doubt he called me in to lecture me about my slacking. “My dear son, I’m sure you are already know why I called you in here. I understand all and well the little incident that occurred before your wedding.” Little? As always he is a beast without a heart. “But the mourning time has passed, it’s already been a few months.” And an eternity in my heart. “If anyone is to blame it is yourself. After all you let the criminal go. Such a filthy wretch she was in the end, hiding out in some filthy hole.” I’m not surprised he said such things about his own daughter. He was that kind of man, a great business man and horrible father who saw his children as no more than assets. I’m sure by now he went against my wishes of exile and killed my former sister. “When are you going to group up and get over it already?” I stared at him for a bit.


I finally spoke, “Is that all? Is this the only reason you have called me in here?”


He sat there shaking his head, “Stubborn little *******.” Only because of you. “I suppose you’ll be running off to the feeble little church? I show buy it and tear it down just so you’ll stop these mopping.” I fear that nun is even a more fearsome beast then you when you come between her and her place of worship. “Just get out of my sight.” Gladly. Without another word I stepped out and headed towards the church.


Standing tall in brick and stone was the church. It wasn’t the massive of sanctuaries but it had a simple aura. It was the place Rin had her heart set on to get married. With all our money and all the places we could she chose this place. I will admit though, the clock tower is an architectural work of art. I walk up the stepped into the grand hall of worship. The stain glass was simply beautiful. Each from was made by the Nun’s dearest sister. I’ve never met her personally but from what the nun says she sounds like a handful. Revoking the holy path for idle human trends, I suppose it takes all kinds. Up near the statue for worship was the young nun herself, sitting on a bench.


“Ah, I see the lion has returned today too.” She noticed my approach. “Have you come for Rin again?” I nodded. “I can’t speak for Rin, but think she wouldn’t want this. She was a loving, kind woman. She saw the goodness in everyone, even a mafia hooligan such as yourself.” Heh… “She wouldn’t want you to suffer like this.” As always the nun’s voice was stern. Even when she sought to cheer me up her voice was stoic. “I suppose I don’t really mind as it brings in someone in need, but prays and what-ifs won’t heal your heart. Stop living for the past and live for the future. You never know what today’s fortune may be.”


“That may be true, but my heart is still fractured. Even as she died on the floor she gave me a smile. In a few years with her she gave me more happiness than I could ever imagine. How can I ever seek to repay her kindness and love when she is gone?” I wasn’t asking the nun. I wasn’t asking any god. I was asking myself. I was asking Rin.


The nun placed get hand on my shoulder as I knelt in pray, “Live your life. Not just for you but for her. Time is crueler then bloodlust of death. You never know what fate awaits you so live your life in her name so she can view the world through your eyes.” I couldn’t talk. I took her words to heart but I still could not accept them. She understood this. So lingered there, almost trapped in time. A pray to bring her back, a pray to see her smile, and a pray at my selfishness. It was time for me to go. I bowed in respect to her and left. My head was in a daze of thought as I staggered out into the streets. I wasn’t sure where I was going but I just went.


I had arrived as a place I’ve only visited a handful of times. A small little market, far from the grandeur of the fancy shopping centers I usually visit. It was a neighborly place, where everyone had some connection. People smiled and greeted each other. I walked around taking in the simplicity of it all.


“N-No! It’s fine sir! I can’t take it without paying the price. You need money too.” A small girl, with light purple hair tied in a ponytail was discussing meat with a vendor. It looked little she was in middle school, why is she out buying her own food? I’m sure there’s a reason, so I will assist her.


I walked over with my wallet open and paid the man well over the asking price, “This is to pay for the young lady’s purchases.” He looked at me in confusion before he nodded and took the money. “Please keep the change.” He disappeared back into the store.


“Th-Thank you very much!” She bowed with such respect. I was taken about a bit.


“Why is a young lady such as yourself out here alone buying groceries?”


“Oh, well my aunt tends to be a little forgetful sometimes so I promised her I would buy our dinners. She works really, really hard so I want to take off some of the burden.”


“Does she give you the money for the food then?” I felt bad for probing her with all these questions.


“W-Well sometimes she doesn’t have the money or she forgets. So it’s then we go without took much or I work for some money.” This aunt of hers sounds very irresponsible.


I couldn’t let her simply could not let her live like that. I pulled out my wallet once more, “Here young lady.” I handed her a good bit of money. She seemed surprised, I assume she might not have ever seen this much before.


“Th-Thank you..!” For a few moments I believe she got teary eyed. It felt nice, I’m sure this would have mad Rin happy. I looked at the rose in my lapel for a moment.


“Young lady please have this too.” I handed her my rose. “It’s a magic rose that will always bring you happiness.” Her eyes lit up and she smiled at me. We parted ways and as she waved to me I noticed the strange shackle on her arm.


Ah, while I’m here I decided to pick up a bottle of classic wine. As I exited with my elixir I saw it. A worn lottery booth with an elderly woman sitting behind. Stepping over there I was greeted with her wrinkled smile and the smell of tea. “Hello there, my aren’t you such a well-dressed and powerful man? Would you care to take the wheel a spin?” I handed her the money and slowly turned the handle. Click, Click, Click. Plop! A crimson lot fell out. She took it and headed back. A few moments she returned, handing me a rose far beautiful than the ones I had in my room. “You have suffered a lost. Not once but many more. Your heart if wilted but if you hold on to your love and keep looking ahead it will bloom with virtues.” Even my fortunes are trying to mend my heart. I thanked her and headed home.


Once more in my room with partake in this sweet nectar. To dull my pain and return to nightmares I must relive over and over. The loss of my two most beloved. Betrayal and pain. Rin, I’m sorry, but this is all I can do. This is the only way I understand. It’s all black now. Once more I’m calling out to the darkness, hoping to reach someone’s ears but I cannot turn back the hands of time. Awake once more I look at the time. 11:54PM. That fortune Rose was laying in Rin’s spot. It has the blackened aura seeping out onto the pillow, corrupting her place next to me. There’s nothing I can do.




Six minutes until midnight…

[Deleted]

No chapter tonight~ I'll do it tomorrow. I need a break and ya'll need to go play some Blood Shift~!

[Deleted]

Day 0 - One scar
It was early. Really early in the morning for most people, but I was late. I was just standing there, staring at the iron bars that kept me from my destination. On the other side was my middle school. The rules are very strict here, tardiness is the same as not even showing up for school. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m nothing of a delinquent or such. I get up early every morning when it’s still dark out to cook breakfast for me and dinner for my aunt. I don’t live with my parents because they one day disappeared. Next thing I do is make sure my aunt goes to bed, sometimes she feels too sick to prepare everything so I have to help her. With that I prepare myself for school and then I’m off. Before I arrive to school I feed a stray cat then I’m on my way. Today however another student bumped into me knocking me into a gutter. It’s fine I’m sure they didn’t mean to, I was probably not looking where I was going. So we end up here, locked out of class again. This isn’t the first time but I digress. There’s nothing I can do.


Walking the path I came from I decided to visit the cat again today. She should still be eating. She’s one of the most beautiful cats I’ve ever since with a shiny black coat and gold eyes. Ah! I was a little surprised when I arrived. There was someone playing with the cat, a trendy looking woman. She had beautiful snowy white hair, she was like a princess. Do you think she is a princess!? That would be so cool! “Are you the one taking care of this cat?” Ah! She’s addressing me…I think.


“U-Um, yes ma’am!” I’m a bit nervous.


“You don’t have to refer to me as ma’am. I’m not that old. You’re a young middle school student aren’t you? Why are you out and about at this time?” There was such and elegance in her voice.


“Oh, um. I was late so they locked my out of school. They’re very strict where I go. I didn’t mean to be late, I ended up tripping.”


“I can see by your uniform you were pushed.” Oh..


“I’m sure they had a reason.” They must have just been mistaken.


“They did have a reason. They wanted to make sure you didn’t come today.” H-huh? Why would they want that…? “Not everyone has your loving, caring outlook on life Ryuusei. If you don’t realize this only the pain of disappointment will follow. They see your warm heart as weakness for them to prey on, striking it until it caves in.” How did she..? She’s walking towards me. “It try to hold up the pain and anguish over your head, looking the other way… It will one day collapses and crush you under.” She walked right past me without another word. I couldn’t turn my head to look at her. I’m sure…she had a reason to say that. I’m sure she didn’t mean in such a cruel tone. I stood there thinking about all this while staring at the little stray happily eating its food. Her meow snapped me back. I can’t let anything get me down! Since I can’t go to school I’ll go pick up some food for lunch tonight.


This is my favorite place in the world. A small little market where the sun always shines brighter. Everyone is so kind and warm here, all the vendors show me a great big smile! I know every inch of this place I come here so often. Well this is odd. A new booth seems to have opened up at the edge of the market. I can’t tell what it is because there’s a dashing man in the way. I decided to stare over there. He wandered off and I saw an elderly woman running the booth. I must have caught her attention because she waved me over. “Greetings little miss, would you like to try your hand at the lottery?”


Oh! It’s a lottery booth. My mom use to tell me about these when I was younger. Mom… I would sure love to try it. However I don’t know if I have enough money too. Life with my aunt is all about bare necessities. I’m sure just this once won’t hurt. I handed over the money and gave it a spin. Click, Click, Click. I turned the clicks into a song, I couldn’t help but hum this. The old lady even joined in! Plop! A bright, shiny purple lot fell out. The same as my hair.


Within a few moments she got my prize, a toy shackle and chain with purple markings on it. It looks like it was made just for me, I’m so lucky! She also had a fortune for me! “Keep holding on tight. You have to walk forward no matter the cause. Just one day those scar may heal.” I froze up for a second. Everything seems so perfectly tailored to me. Everything seems like it was made for me. I’m sorry, I must just be over thinking things.


I waved to her as I left. I felt like that was weird, but it felt natural. I head back into the heart of market, it’s now time to get dinner. I did a little bit of shopping here and there. It wasn’t long before I arrived at the meat vendor’s store. I got the usual and headed over to the cashier. He gave me the price and I reached into my wallet---Oh no! I-I don’t have enough..! “I-I’m so very sorry sir, but I don’t have enough money.”


He was a little nervous but gentle, “It’s fine little miss, I’ll let this one be for a return customer.”


I couldn’t let him lose money because of me, “N-No! It’s fine sir! I can’t take it without paying the price!” It was then a large man walked over. He looked like a fearsome lion. He had a mane of golden hair and everything! Could he be a king!? Did I get transported to a fairy tale world? I would have figured there would be more of a flash and bang.


Before I knew it he was paying for my meat, “This is to pay for the young lady’s purchases. Please keep the change.” The man took the money. That was so kind, I have to say something.


“Th-Thank you very much!” I bowed as a second nature. I feel a bit embarrassed that I shouted that.


“Why is a young lady such as yourself buying alone groceries?” He has such a deep commanding voice.


“Oh, well my aunt tends to be a little forgetful sometimes so I promised her I would buy our dinners. She works really, really hard so I want to take off some of the burden.”


“Does she give you the money for the food then?” I feel like I’ve been asked so much questions today.


“W-Well sometimes she doesn’t have the money or she forgets. So it’s then we go without took much or I work for some money.” I know she tries her hardest. I want to help her so that she was disappear either...


I was deep in thought when he surprised me, “Here young lady.” He handed me so much money. I couldn’t take it all in. I’ve never seen this much before! He really is a king! A lion! A king of the lions! A Beast king! He’s so cool!


I felt tears welling up I was so happy, “Th-thank you…!” I didn’t mind shouting this time, I was just so happy to receive this kindness. If I give this to my aunt she’ll surely be able to relax for a bit.


“Young lady please have this too.” He was handing me a rose. “It’s a magic rose that will always bring you happiness.” Happiness. I couldn’t be more happy than at this moment. We parted ways and I waved at him. I want to one day repay him for his kindness.


On my way home I always pass the famous café Le Noir et Blanc. I saw a beautiful woman standing in front of the window. She had noble golden hair much like Mr. Beast’s hair. She looked very sad. Thinking back to the rose I got I knew what I needed to do. I ran over to her, “Are you okay miss?”


She looked at me in confusion. Then she started to look sadder, did I upset her? I have to make her smile! “Please cheer up miss! I have a magical gift that will lift you up!” I dug through my bag for the rose, I found it! “Please take it miss! Mr. Beast said it was a magical rose that will make everyone smile. So, I want you to have it!” I offered it to her.


It was a few second before she took it, “Thank you little girl. I will cherish it.” I’m so glad! Please Mr. Beast, bring this beautiful lady happiness. I headed home again.


Phew, just finished making dinner for me and breakfast for my aunt. When she woke up early she happily took it, I’m sure she’ll store it safely. She walks in fully dressed, “I’m going out. You’ll be here alone tonight.” She just walked past me. I guess she was late for work. She changed her hair a bit. Now it covered her face and was a darker purple. I finished my meal and wrapped up her’s. It’s almost time for bed, I can’t be late tomorrow.


From my dead sleep I was awoken. My shackle was laying on my bed, shaking violently. A scary dark feeling was seeping out of it. I was scared, I want my aunt to come home. Please come home, pretty please. I held my head in fear to drown it out, “Please no! Please don’t Ai!”




Five minutes until midnight…

[Deleted]

Day 0 - Forget me not
“I cannot forget you. I will never forgive. My sweetest and my dearest. There is nothing I can do to return you back to my side. I will forever cry for you.” I clasped my hands together. This is all I can offer today my sweet. I see the forget-me-nots are growing strong around your grave. Hanamura the name we both share as our eternal pact to one another. It’s still dark out today, the sun had barely risen and lies eclipsed by the buildings on the horizon. This was the time you left the world was it not? My life has been devoted to that moment, thinking only of you. It’s not a perfect life and I shall never shed my mourning shell, but the memories we shared always brings me the will to smile. It’s starting to get cold so you will have to allow me to excuse my presence my dear.


“Paying yet another visit I see.” There’s no mistaking that voice. A quick glance and I see her. Trendy as always with beautiful white hair. Even in this faint light she holds her beauty. “It seems to have been only five years since that time.” That’s right. You died five years ago.


“My sweetness could never forgive what happened. So I come here every day to say I will never forget that day either.” I hold my words are enough to reach up.


“You only say you can’t forget because you refuse to forgive yourself and live in this lie. We already know the whole story. Who exactly are you doing this for? Using the dead’s name to cover up your own troubles.” Her words are far more stern then the nun’s.


“You don’t sugar coat this don’t you?”


“I’m not about to baby a grown human being. Ultimately, I know you will keep on lying. My hope is that you’ll only realize it’s yourself that you’re lying to.”


“I’ll keep that in mind.” I did not want to keep on talking. Discussions with her usual end on a sour note. So I take off from the graveyard.


I took a little stroll, first to a small community garden. It was a wonderful place that I spent so much time with my sweetness. We always took a small walk through the flowers, and each time we’d reach the forget-me-nots the old allergy would kick up a bit. We would share a laugh though after a sneezing fit or two. Then we would lay by the pond, hand in hand, staring up at the clouds. We really did enjoy our times together in nature. I suppose with a surname like Hanamura that’s to be expected. I could feel my mind drifting off in the old times. A haze of memories washing over me as I slowly drift off.


I remembered it before all else. I was driving down that road, we were both feeling out of sorts. Yet all the way we were laughing and joking around. The sun only at the horizon, peeking at the slowly awaking town. We were fast and loose, our lives were young and we were invincible. We held hands and I’d look away from the road quickly to rub noses. It was then…It was then that…


I opened my eyes to see the sun has moved, it was the afternoon but still bright out. A flock of doves were gathered around. I’m sorry but I don’t have anything for you today. Feeling a little out of sorts I decided to go for a little bit of tea to soothe me. I know the perfect place. While she is quite hard to deal with that girl often knows the best places to go for cafés.


It felt like a short walk before came to the small market that seems so iconic to many. I’m that girl visits this place so often now in days. As I entered I noticed a small little booth. It had a rustic charm to it as did its owner, a little old lady. I walked over to her, “My my, Aren’t you a pretty one. It’s a shame you’re hidden behind those mourning garments.” She has a very gentle voice.


“Thank you, but I’m still in mourning over a lover.”


“I understand, as tough as it sounds I still mourn for my two sisters. It’s been sometime since we were all together. I can see their youthful images in my heart. But I know I have to be strong for both of them, and honest like they are.” I do feel for this old woman. She conveys that she has moved on but it still seems to me that she’s trapped in the past. Though I’m one to talk I suppose. “Would you care for a fortune? Just give it a spin.” I suppose there’s no harm, I paid her and took the handle.


Click, click, click. It was spinning, I suppose this much like the wheel of fortune. Fate is always spinning only to stop as some cruel punishment I suppose. That is our life, to enjoy it fully until we receive our punishment at the very end. Plop! An Azure lot fell out, my favorite color.


The woman had my prize and fortune ready in no time. It was an azure mirror with a fake Forget-me-not tied around it. The mirror itself was simply beautiful. “You cannot run from the truth of the past. Your sins of lies will come to light, but do not hide in the shadows. Accept the truth, accept yourself. The only one who cannot forgive you is yourself.” Those words cut through me. Everyone is telling me to be honest, but how can I? I can’t, I don’t, I couldn’t accept any of it. I took my prize and bowed. I must return to my path to the café.


Walking in this crowd of people all I can think about is the mirror. Holding it in my face I examined it. I saw walking away from me in the mirror a certain someone with white hair. I could swear for a moment she turned around to smirk at me. What did this---BUMP!


I ended up bumping into someone in my distraction. Looking down it was a somewhat messy boy, “Ah, I’m so very sorry sir.” I bowed in apology and headed onward. At last I arrived at the café, Le Noir et Blanc. They are famous for their Black and White tea. They jokingly call it the Monochromic Ursa, for whatever reason. Oh side is sweet and the other is bitter. Only by mixing both sides does it yield an interesting flavor. I decided to head home after finishing my tea.


It was a long stroll from here to my home without taking any trains but I enjoy it. I watched the sky as the sun set along my route. The stars shone brightly, I’m sure one day they will play a spotlight for someone. “I’m sorry if that’s not what wanted.”


I’m home, the scent of incense hits me. It’s very calming and I hope that my sweetness enjoys this scent. I toss the mirror on our bed. In the corner of the room there’s a small shrine. I bow down. The photo is facing down, there’s no way I can look at those eyes. The eyes I killed in that drunken accident five years ago. I clasped my hands together, “I can never forgive myself. I don’t expect you to.” My sins only piled up after that day. I picked up the mirror again. I saw the shadowy hand of the dark past raise out of it. Whatever pain it brings me I will endure.




Four minutes until midnight…