Chapter CXXIV: Touch Grass
With the realm of subconscious, darkness surrounds everything. There are no walls, no ceiling nor floor. Only an endless black void stretching beyond sight. Kota stands alone inside the strange darkness. The silence feels heavily and oppressively unnatural, almost as though the room itself is holding its breath. He slowly looks around. Then he sees two familiar figures bound by chains. Their silhouettes are familiar somehow, one resembling a guy, and the other, a girl. The metallic restraints wrap around their arms, torsos, and legs. Thick links extend into the darkness, disappearing into places unseen.
Upon observing them, Kota narrows his eyes. The figures remain motionless. Then suddenly, a warm, gentle, and comforting golden-yellow light descends from above. The beam touches the chained figures. Immediately, the chains begin rattling violently. The clickety-clack of locks and the clank of chains echo within the realm. The restraints shatter. Metal fragments scatter into the darkness. The two figures slowly raise their heads, and the golden light illuminates their faces. It's Hanako and Tengen. Kota stares at them. The two simply look forward as though finally freed from something that had imprisoned them for a very long time. But before Kota can approach them, another light appears.
Far away, at the very back of the room, unlike the warm golden light this one is cold, white, and unforgiving. Three figures stand beneath it. The one on the left is Homura, and the one on the right is Eloise. Kota immediately recognizes them.
Then his eyes shift toward the center. It's another person standing silently, the figure is just watching. The figure wears glasses. A familiar silhouette. Yet the face remains hidden beneath shadows. No matter how hard Kota tries to see it, the darkness refuses.
Suddenly soft, gentle, and familiar voice calls from somewhere beyond the void.
"Kota..."
The dream begins shaking. The darkness distorts. The lights blur.
"Kota..."
The voice grows clearer. The dream starts collapsing.
"Kota..."
Everything fades. Then, a soft whisper brushes against his left ear.
"Ohayou, my Ai~"
Kota's eyes shoot open. For several seconds his brain completely stops functioning. He slowly turns his head, and freezes. Akiko is comfortably and peacefully lying beside him. She is wrapped in a blanket as him, looking directly at him and smiling. Kota immediately sits upright.
"Holy—"
His heartbeat accelerates.
"Oh my."
He points dramatically.
"This is a dream."
Akiko giggles.
"I swear this is a dream." (Kota)
"Think again, tehehe." (Akiko)
"Definitely a dream." (Kota)
"Guess again, LOL." (Akiko)
Akiko suddenly hugs him. The poor guy immediately turns bright red, steam practically bursts out of him. Akiko laughs so hard she nearly falls off the bed.
"Bro."
She wipes a tear.
"You almost turned into the main character of Avenge of the Titan."
Kota covers his face.
"I wasn't prepared for that."
"You looked like your soul left your body, like that fish from FoamBob" (Akiko)
"It almost did." (Kota)
The girl continues laughing. Eventually Kota calms down enough to return the hug.
"Yeah."
He smiles.
"Good morning, my Ai."
Akiko beams. Then plants a kiss on his cheek. The steam returns instantly.
"Critical hit." (Akiko)
"Hit or miss..." (Kota)
"I guess I never miss, huh?" (Akiko)
"What?" (Kota)
"What?" (Akiko)
Both burst into laughter. A little later, the two descend the stairs. The aroma of breakfast immediately greets them of eggs, rice, sausages, and freshly brewed coffee. The kitchen feels warm and inviting.
To Kota's surprise, Akiko is already helping his mother prepare food. She carries plates, arranges utensils, and helps stir one of the pans. His mother appears completely comfortable around her. The two chat naturally like they've known each other forever.
Kota stands there watching and confused. His mother notices.
"What's with the face, Champ?"
"You two get along suspiciously well." (Kota)
Akiko laughs. His mother laughs too.
"What did you expect?"
Kota points dramatically.
"You've known each other for less time than I've known both of you."
"Skill issue," Akiko says.
Breakfast eventually begins. Everyone enjoys the meal together. The atmosphere feels peaceful, comfortable, and normal. Something Kota has missed recently.
After breakfast. The trio migrates toward the living room. Kota and Akiko sit on the couch, while Kota's mom goes to do some gardening in the backyard. The television powers on. Soon a movie begins, and the title appears. It's "First One Who Confesses First, Loses the Game: The Forever Kiss". Kota immediately points.
"This title is ridiculously long."
Akiko nods.
"Which means it'll probably be good."
The movie begins. Soon the two are completely invested. The protagonists continue their endless battle of romantic mind games. Trying to force the other person into confessing first. Akiko laughs.
"Bro, they're both idiots of love." (Akiko)
"Though, they have patched up since Season 3." (Kota)
"I mean they almost made the Academy to blow up by a balloon." (Akiko)
"Remember that one time that maid tried to enjoy her bath but her master needs her for the chat problem with his boyfriend?" (Kota)
"Yeah, I remember that scene, so hilarious." (Akiko)
"The dub was also on crack." (Kota)
"Oh, where can we watch it?" (Akiko)
"I think there's a lot of link on Boogle Chrome, but I have seen some clips on BroTube." (Kota)
The movie progresses with heartwarming moments, comedic misunderstandings, and emotional developments. Kota and Akiko provide commentary for nearly every scene.
"Man, it keeps getting better and better" (Kota)
"It's a rollercoaster of climaxes" (Akiko)
"The title says it all what we need to know about it" (Kota)
"Good point though, same goes for Reincarnated as a Block, and Bizarre Adventure." (Akiko)
"Yeah, it does says it all. Man, I remember the treasurer comparing the vice president's chest with the secretary's chest." (Kota)
"All roads lead to Rome." (Akiko)
Eventually the movie reaches its emotional climax. The room becomes quieter, and both watch attentively. When the credits finally roll, neither speaks for several moments. Then Akiko sighs.
"That was actually beautiful."
Kota nods.
"The adaptation was really good." (Kota)
"And painful." (Akiko)
"Yet heartwarming." (Kota)
"The ending is so tearful, made me sprout a waterfall below my eyes." (Akiko)
"I also got carried away by seeing her and the president together at the end of the movie." (Kota)
"Yeah, but the bed scene though, I didn't expected that" (Akiko)
"Yeah, it's just like hearing the dude from that game show saying 'Naked Grandma' to that bald dude" (Kota)
The two share their thoughts, discussing characters, themes, relationships, and favorite scenes. Before long
Ding dong.
The doorbell rings. Both immediately look toward the entrance. Kota slowly stands. Then, instead of walking directly to the door, he sneaks beside it and reaches upward. He pulls down a long bamboo tube hanging from the wall. Akiko blinks.
"What are you doing?" (Akiko)
"Security." (Kota)
The bamboo tube opens. Inside rests a pellet machine gun. Akiko nearly chokes.
"WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT?" (Akiko)
"Emergency." (Kota)
"Emergency for what?!" (Akiko)
"Home invasion, neighbors trying to threaten us, debt collectors, you'll see" (Kota)
Kota positions himself dramatically. The door opens. The intimidating figure stands there holding the pellet gun, and the visitors freeze. Asahi, Enmei, Gin, Natsuki, and Yui stand at the entrance. Everyone stares. Several seconds pass then,
"What the heck, Bro?"
Asahi raises both hands.
"We come in peace."
Enmei points.
"Bro looks like he's guarding Area 51."
Akiko collapses onto the sofa laughing. Natsuki rubs his forehead. The weapon disappears immediately. Soon the group gathers inside. The living room becomes crowded again. Asahi kneels beside another mysterious box. Everyone immediately becomes suspicious.
"No."
Asahi grins.
"Yes."
Another console emerges.
"What now?", Gin asks.
"The future.", Asahi declares proudly.
The machine gets connected. Cables run everywhere. The startup screen appears. Everyone watches. The logo loads. Asahi then declares,
"YEAHEHEY, we got the effing-uh, got a brand new baby right here, you know what I'm saying~"
Then,
"GAYSTATION 5"
"WHAAATTTT?!" (Kota)
"BRO GOT HACKED?!" (Enmei)
"WTF?!" (Asahi)
"LMAO, Bro I think you got that one from America! LOL" (Akiko)
Even Natsuki looks shocked. Asahi nearly falls over.
"THA-THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT ONE!"
The room explodes with laughter. Enmei cannot breathe. Akiko is crying from laughter. Gin points at the television.
"You need a refund."
Asahi unplugs everything immediately.
"Nobody speak of this."
Five seconds later, another console appears. The replacement boots up.
GAMESTATION.
Everyone applauds.
"There we go." (Kota)
"Much better." (Akiko)
Controllers are distributed. Natsuki nods.
"Asahi's uncle sent these from Tokyo." (Natsuki)
"The beta testers are us." (Asahi)
Gin raises a hand.
"I still think we should refund the other one." (Gin)
"GIN." (Asahi)
"What?" (Gin)
The first game loads and it's Craftsburg. The familiar blocky world appears with trees, mountains, grass, and animals. The screen divides into seven sections. The realm begins, and everyone spawns together. Immediately chaos follows. Asahi begins gathering wood. Natsuki starts collecting stone. Gin explores a cave. Akiko plants crops. Yui decorates things. Enmei gets chased by three skeletons.
"HELP!"
"I got ya fam!" (Gin)
Asahi uses a skeleton skin, and strikes his own shield with his own wooden sword.
"BRAAARGH!"
Eventually they build a village. Several houses appear, storage rooms, farms, and furnaces. The realm begins thriving. Hours pass surprisingly quickly, then night falls.
Inside the game. Kota exits the house they built. The moon hangs overhead. Everything looks peaceful. He walks toward another house. He opens the door and immediately freezes.
"WOAH!"
Everyone turns. Kota points dramatically.
"WOAHOHO!"
Inside the room, Yui's character is standing on Enmei's character, while Enmei's character is lying on the bed.
"IN OUR BACKYARD?!"
The room erupts. Yui turns red and Enmei falls off the couch.
"IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!" (Yui and Enmei)
"It looks exactly like what it looks like!" (Kota, Asahi, Natsuki, and Akiko)
The laughter continues for nearly five minutes. Even Natsuki starts smiling.
Eventually the gaming session ends. Controllers are set aside, and the group stretches. Several joints crack. Somebody complains about sitting too long. Then Akiko and Kota put on their wigs once again. Honoka and Reo return. The group decides to head outside to get some fresh air, touch real grass, and actual sunlight, a revolutionary concept.
Their first stop is the beach. The sea breeze feels refreshing. Waves gently roll toward the shore. The salty scent fills the air. The group walks along the coastline, taking photos, talking and laughing while watching the ocean. For a while nobody discusses investigations. Nobody discusses suspects nor discusses danger. Just friends enjoying a beautiful day.
Later they visit Central Park. The grass stretches across the landscape. Trees sway gently. Birds chirp overhead. Enmei immediately drops onto the lawn.
"I am touching grass."
Asahi follows.
"Me too."
Gin sighs.
"Idiots."
Then he sits down anyway. Soon everyone is resting beneath the afternoon sky, talking about games, anime, school, and future plans. The simple things and just the normal things. Things they almost lost.
Eventually the sun begins lowering toward the horizon. Orange light paints the city. The day slowly comes to an end. One by one, the group says their goodbyes with waves, fist bumps, and farewells. Then everyone begins heading toward their respective homes.
Kota and Akiko linger briefly, watching their friends disappear down different streets. For a moment, neither speaks because despite everything, today felt normal and sometimes normal is exactly what they need.
21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uo2VFbElm
and then Add to home screen.