“What is?” Itsuki asked.
Leaning against the car and looking up at the stars. It was so late that I did not notice it was the middle of the night now. The stars were so clear to see. The moon looks like a half shaped pie. Shining brightly in the sky. No wind, the air was cold but nice and refreshing.
Reigen finally let me go after I finally convinced him. Some of my emotions overplied and I have shown a side of me that seemed to unsettle him. He abruptly let me go. Pushing me out of his office and making me leave.
But what is done is done. I couldn’t take it back.
“You approached me that day to seed me with doubt. Just to unravel this.” I looked at Itsuki sharply acknowledging what he had done.
Itsuki smiled at me brightly.
“I am glad you saw my efforts.” He replied.
“It does not take you off the hook.” I warned him.
Approaching and walking closer. I stood in front of him.
He was still leaning on the front of the car. Not moved from his spot. Those cat-like eyes even in the dark looked so mysterious and unpredictable.
He flipped his hair, the side that’s longer.
“It does not?” He asked.
I shook my head.
“I thank you for trying to tell me but still you did not tell me actually. You played this just to entertain yourself.” I said. Seeing through his intentions.
“You truly are very similar to your mother.” Itsuki said. “The lawyer’s insight.” Praising me.
“You saw my mother?” I instantly guarded myself. My tone shifted.
“Don’t worry! I was just curious.” Itsuki replied. He finally moved his body off the car’s hood. Stepping closer towards me. Eyes looking at me.
“That kind of curiosity can be dangerous.” I warned him. Standing still.
Itsuki was still approaching me, he stopped not too close in my face but still too close for my comfort.
“How many years have passed?” Itsuki questioned. “...since I last saw you?” His face melancholic remembered the memory he supposedly met me.
“We have never met before.” I said. “I definitely would remember someone like you.”
Itsuki smiled hearing me say that.
“Really?” He asked surprised. As if he did not believe me.
“Of course.” I replied. Then I asked. “Where did we supposedly meet?”
I seriously couldn’t remember where we had met. And it was starting to bother me.
“It’s true you did not meet me. I did meet you.” Itsuki gave me a clue.
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“Where?” I asked.
“That I cannot tell you.” He replied to me smiling knowingly.
“You like this. Me guessing things. Giving puzzles to me…just like…” A lightbulb moment entered my mind. A memory came into my mind. I stopped talking.
Could it be?
I stared at Itsuki with deep eyes. Trying to see him. To understand him but in the end I moved away.
However, Itsuki suddenly closed the distance with us and pulled me into him.
Instinctively, I evaded him by stepping left but Itsuki caught up to me in speed. Which made me spin right.
He caught up to my steps again. Grabbing my hands.
I looked down. Wishing to pull away. I didn’t.
Instead I looked up.
Itsuki’s cat-like eyes shone looking at me. As if he had found something to be entertained with. This did not feel creepy because he was trying to tell me something. The way he held my hands right now. The way he looked in my eyes with that gaze of his. Itsuki was someone not to be played with and he doesn’t appear just because. If I was to try to pull my hands away I would snap my wrists in instant. And it would not be Itsuki’s fault but mine.
The security of his hold. The professionalism of it.
I didn’t need to ask any questions, I just stared back.
The moon over our heads split in two. Shining on our heads with a double meaning. The pair shone tonight. Under a million stars. All full of mysteries. Two days till the last week of November approached. I was here in Akasia. My mom was here too. Sano was missing. I was in my dad’s hometown. Where truth is manufactured. The rules followed.
I was supposed to be a mere student here. To get a degree for my studies in technology development. To find out how to learn under an educational institution. My dad is wanted for a murder. My boyfriend was with me for surveillance. A classmate who is a rival also surveyed me.
The Big Three. Mystery with Ichigo’s.
Itsuki’s hold tamed me, grounded me and told me something very important. This isn’t merely a game. This is something bigger and more sinister.
Itsuki. Whoever he was. Whoever he worked for did not matter. He was a weapon. Sharp and unpredictable, double edged and cold.
Not a friend. Not an enemy.
The chill air in this night felt more intense.
And like nothing happened he let it go.
“It’s getting late. Let’s go!” Itsuki said to me, as if this moment between us never happened.
He moved towards the car and entered the driver's seat.
I stood there in a daze. My mind was buzzing. Not letting go of the sensation of the danger. I heard the car doors open. Then the door shut. Itsuki was in the car, he turned it on the headlights, my eyes got blinded.
Itsuki rolled down the window.
“Rory? Are you coming?” He asked me.
“Ohh…yeah.” I pulled out of my daze and moved over to get inside the car.
“I wish we had more time to hang out but it’s late.” Itsuki said in disappointment.
“Mhh.” I did not answer but automatically nodded my mind completely zoned out in a different dimension.
I couldn’t grasp what it all meant yet. The hold on my arms lingering clear and steady. I looked outside the window at the big bright moons looking back at me.
Itsuki did see my state and did not say anything else. Let me zone out completely.
We drove for around fifteen minutes. No music, only the sound of the engine running and wheels rolling on the roads.
The two moons shone so bright in the sky, looking at me in this other state. Watching me like a hawk. Haunting my mind.
“Where should I drop you off?” Itsuki asked.
“Dorms.” I gave an automated replay.
He nodded and continued to drive to turn to the destination.
And soon I was there. Itsuki waved me goodbye and drove off.
I didn’t react, I simply walked. The moons stalking me over my head with a million stars.
I entered the building and moved towards the elevator. Went to my floor and walked towards my room. Swiped the card and entered it, closing the doors behind me.
I have to get the hell out of here! Out of these dorms and university!
I can’t quit. I have to graduate.
I did not go to sleep. My mind did not let me rest. Instead, I started packing. I opened my closet and swiped all of my clothes. Putting them messily inside the luggage bags. I pulled out any bags that I could find. Once I filled them with my clothes I moved on to the bathroom and cleared it empty. Taking a black bin bag I threw lots of things out. All shampoos, soaps, toiletries that were used. Some I kept but the ones that were used a lot were all thrown out. By the time I was fully packed the sun was setting. My eyes restless, my body is tired. But eventually I packed everything. Leaving out a towel and some shower things and a change of clothes. I fished some things. Going into a shower and cleaning myself up. All the events and packing made me tired but I could not stop till I was finished. Once I finished. I showered. I dried myself. Put on some light clothes and lay down on the bed I already stripped. Falling asleep with the bags surrounding me.
The next two days were dedicated to fully moving out of the dorms into my mother’s home.
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Ask. The archive might answer back.
What to Expect:
- Sci-fi mystery
- Character-driven plot
- Slow-burn investigation
- Brothers on opposite sides
- Cool powers!
- Optional meta layers
- Multi-POV cast
- Emotional gut punches & sarcasm
Hear from Lev below. These artifacts are your first clue!
[Lev’s Note]: Am I a terrible person for being relieved this tabloid is about Isi and not me?