Prologue-07

Okay, so here's [Prologue-07].
The real chapters starts after this one.
(Ugh, after sooo long!) ( ^_^; )
Anyways, enjoy!

00-07 [White Flash]

by Tan-san

The whole party was a success. Everyone had a great time to the point where some passed out from the booze that was presented.

But as the reunion party ended, we excused ourselves and separated from the rest.

We didn’t go home immediately though; we started our own reunion party, due to the fact where we weren’t given any decent time catch-up with one another.

Though, I said it was a party, in reality we only ate at a barbecue joint near the sea. There we bought dishes, mostly of meat skewers, and cold beer.

*gulp*gulp* “Ah! That hits the spot! Nothing beats ice-cold beer after a party!” [Masato]

“Ma-kun, you’ll get fat, if you still continue with that habit, you know?” [Asuka]

“Ma-kun, Asuka-chan’s right.” [Yuki]

“Pfft, nonsense, I’ll just burn it off in the gym. Am I right, Setsuna?” [Masato]

*sigh* “Masato, at least don’t compare me to you. I do go to gym, but I can’t burn off something as large as to what you’re eating right now in one go.” [Setsuna]

Our own private party continued on, until it reached midnight.

After the little celebration, we paid the bills for our meal, and began walking towards our next destination.

We weren’t that drunk, but we are tipsy, with Asuka and Yuki humming the currently most famous song.

What we decided to do was to stay at the nearest inn, managed by Yuki’s family. It was only nearby, that’s why we only walked there. 

The walk is quiet and cooling because it's at the shore line.

Our pace were slow, every step we would admire the surroundings. It wasn’t everyday that you’d get to walk near the sea along with your friends. It is certainly refreshing.

All that we could hear right now were the waves of the ocean reaching the shore, our steps from the pavement, and the occasional cars that comes zooming by.

*breaths in and out* “This breeze is the best…” [Setsuna]

“You got that right.” [Asuka]

“Especially on a night like this, it’s relaxing.” [Yuki]

“Agreed.” [Masato]

As we walked besides the railings near the sea, we would often stop and rest, at times, even look at the sea.

But at some point, Yuki decided to tease Asuka about our relationship. All while hugging, Asuka from the back and resting her chin on Asuka's shoulder.

“So, how is it going between you and Setsuna-kun, Asuka-chan?” [Yuki]

“Heh???” [Asuka]

Asuka gave of an awkwardly shrill reaction, whilst becoming frozen on the spot and facing the opposite side of Yuki’s face.

“W-what do you mean?” [Asuka]

“Oh, don’t act dumb. You know what I mean.” [Yuki]

Right now, Yuki has a slightly wicked smile, contrasting from her usually serene one. It’s quite out of her character, actually.

She then focused her stare towards me without talking, and finally returning back to Asuka.

“I’m just curious about you and Setsuna, right now. That’s all.” [Yuki]

“…” [Setsuna]

“U-um… W-well, nothing much, i-it’s just like a-always… W-why do you ask?” [Asuka]

Asuka produced cold sweats while being interrogated by Yuki. 

“Um… What’s wrong?” [Masato]

“…” [Setsuna]

“I wonder, is it really nothing?” [Yuki]

Yuki returned her attention towards me, as if looking for an answer.

(Hey, don’t look at me! I can’t give you any satisfying answer.)

While I gave of excuses in my mind, I didn’t really notice at first that Asuka was looking at me, but as I did, she turned away her face and blushed bright red, from ear to ear. 

Somehow, Yuki and Masato noticed that as well, with Yuki suddenly staring intently at me.

“Heeeh~ So that’s what is happening, huh?” [Yuki]

*gulp* “…” [Setsuna]

“…” [Masato]

I couldn't help but swallow the lump of saliva forming in my mouth. I didn’t even know why I was nervous, but nervous I was.

What I didn’t notice was the expression of Masato at that time. He was just quiet, as if discovering something big.

“Mou!~ Yu-chan’s so mean! Hmph!” [Asuka]

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry! I just wanted to know what's happening with both of you, that’s all.” [Yuki]

“Hmph.” [Asuka]

Asuka began to pout, unable to take anymore mental damage. (Ahh, she reverted to a child…) …so my thought went.

Yuki caresses Asuka’s body, all while apologising half-heartedly.

“C’mon, it’s just a joke! I love you, Asuka-chan~” [Yuki]

“…” [Asuka]

Asuka didn’t say a single word, she only closed her eyes, puffed her cheeks, and faced the other direction, opposite of Yuki.

“Is that how it’s going to be, huh? …Take this!” [Yuki]

“What’re y… AHAHAHAHAHA!” [Asuka]

Yuki began attacking Asuka by tickling her waists.

*sigh* (They’re just going to get themselves hurt.)

“Okay, stop it, both of you we’re on the roa… UGH!” [Setsuna]

As I began scolding them, the flailing Asuka accidentally hits my face while running away from Yuki.

“Setsuna! Sorry about that. I didn’t do it on purpo… AHAHAHAHA! Yuki, stop it! AHAHAHAHA!” [Asuka]

(Is Yuki-san still drunk? Ouch…)

“No! Not until you forgive me and spilled the beans!!!” [Yuki]

“What!?!” [Asuka]

Yuki and Asuka continued to play “Cat and Mouse”. 

“Masato, don’t just stand there! Stop them, before they get hurt.” [Setsuna]

“…” [Masato]

(Ahh, it’s no use. This guy’s useless as well.)

At that moment, everything went by as if the world revolved around us. We spent our time not caring about the future. 

But what happened next was so sudden that I could only react through instinct.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Asuka and Yuki were running slightly ahead of us, I tried to catch up to them, while Masato paced from the back, still absent minded.

They ran until they had reached a Three-Way Intersection, with a large delivery truck speeding down towards our direction, but something was not right.

Shivers crept my back as I saw something I wished wasn’t true.

(The driver’s asleep!?!)

I began to shout desperately, hoping to warn both Asuka and Yuki in time.

“ASUKA! YUKI! LOOK OUT!” [Setsuna]

“Setsuna?” [Asuka]

“Huh?” [Yuki]

“BOTH OF YOU, RUN!!!” [Masato]

I shouted, but to no avail, it was only Masato, who have noticed the danger as well, that moved. All I could do is push myself, sprinting with all my might, hoping to make it in time alongside Masato.

My mind went blank. All that I can think of was to save them both. 

(PLEASE, LET ME REACH THEM!!!)

“RRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!” [Setsuna]

“UUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHH!!!” [Masato]

Both me and Masato howled in desperation, thinking not of our breaking feet, but of the lives of our friends. 

Asuka and Yuki didn’t understand what was happening; everything just came all of a sudden. Asuka was only able to utter one thing;

“Eh?...” [Asuka]

All that I could remember after that were a white flash and the sound of my body breaking, and then… darkness…

Thus, our lives ended that day…

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Misc. Details;

N/A

Author's Notes;

Here's [Prologue-07] as promised.

Yes, I can finally start with the 1st chapter!

As always, feel free to comment any advice or suggestions.

Thanks! ;3

00-06 | 01-01