7 Nights:Chapter 01 part5
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Warning: This translation is considered a PREVIEW Script.
Be warned that the degree of translation error may be higher than usual due to the translation method employed.
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continued from part 4
(!)
".... eh?"
By the time I noticed, I was in a park.
"A ... again?"
I was totally taken by surprise. No doubt about this place. The same children's park from last night. Even I'm wearing the school uniform. Taking my mobile from my side pocket and checking, it says 0214H. Date's June 26 Tuesday, one day in advance.
I should be on my t-shirt and short pants and retiring on my own bedroom. Is this the same dream from last night?
I don't think I'm in a dream, my five senses tell me. Just to be sure, I pinched my own face.
"Ow. This mean this is no dream ..."
If I'm not dreaming them I'm sleepwalking. I'm worried if that's the case.
Well then, what to do next? I wanted to wake up if this is a dream, but I don't know how. Even yesterday, I unexpectedly awakened-. Will somebody hit me for me to wake up? ... not a chance. Then, how about lie down and close my eyes? ... riight, I'm totally awake.
"What a pain, might as well explore this dream."
As I was puzzled on what landed me here last night, I did not pay much attention to the surroundings. Tonight's the second time, so I was more composed.
"How nostalgic ..."
I scanned the entire garden. This reminds me, this is the place where I first met Mi-ko. When my childhood friend carried the still-kitten Mi-ko in her arms, my face read "cute! cute! cute!".
I haven't met my childhood friend (Akane Shun) for nine months. I used to play with her during elementary school days, but I only met her in school since my relocation to Nanaobi, and rarely since I got into high school (Shun's in 3rd year middle school at 翠条); well, so much for an association. Shun ... I wonder if she's fine.
◆ ◆ ◆
Leaving the park, I scanned the same road I went through last night. There really is no one standing in this town, even in the convenience store.
"... phew, tastes good."
After drinking some cola from the convenience store, I continue my exploration. With the cola's sweetness, coldness, and acidic strength, I again begin to doubt with thoughts of "is this really a dream?".
I got also some beef jerky, a flash light, and a parasol for self-defense. Even with no one manning the counter, I placed the exact amount there. Once, I my thoughts vary between "it's a dream, swiping stuff's fine" and "it's a dream, my money won't come down". In that place, I want to keep my morals in check.
Incidentally, I can say that this town is "almost uninhabited", but it doesn't mean that it's "totally uninhabited". At least I'm here. That Akeno girl from last night too was here last night. It's totally plausible that someone other that me would be here tonight.
And that's the problem. Right now, there is that feeling on my back, just who is that person?
".........................."
I stop and listen intently. In this quiet space, and without my own footsteps, surely I'll be able to perceive the person approaching me. A step, then another ... probably the sounds of regular footsteps. Somewhere these footsteps sound strained. This one's approaching steadily.
I definitely say my encounter with someone other than me in this ghost town will be anything but welcome. A hidden killer would be terrifying. If it's that girl again ... what next?
Anyhow, I've decided on facing him. I know a thing or two about going through narrow alleys. Shun and I, on our elementary days, used to go through them as shortcuts on the way to school. I'll hide myself there in the darkness, and I'll be able to observe him as he passes through. If I'm found and attacked, I'll ambush him head on.
"... good."
I turn back, entering the alley where no one will find me ...
"---- gah-!"
(!)
Suddenly stars burst before my eyes! A slow shock spreads from my head throughout my body, and staggering, I completely fall backwards.
"Gu .... tsu ...!!!"
For the head-splitting pain, a groan escapes me. This pattern, it's the same as last night ... !?
Resisting the urge to vomit, as I put try to focus on my shaky field of vision, I caught sight of a stretched, slender leg from my loafers.
That girl was looking down on me.
"You ... the hell are you!"
Brandishing a bat, she speaks between short, wild breaths. With those words, I'm expecting her to question me, looks like she's not. From her eyes glaring at me, she totally lost her sense of reason.
The girl seems unaware who I am. I was able to see clearly her face thanks to the moonlight, but I don't think she can see me clearly. Moreover she's showing clear hostility towards me.
" ... to, ma ..."
Shit, I could not speak clearly. Will I get the bat again? That would be a good way to escape from my dream. If not, I would only end up crumpling down. A shitty way to die.
On the other hand, I think it's difficult to avoid that bat with my woozy body. If that's the case, then flying towards her would be fine. I might take in a bit of pain. So ...
"--Haaaaaaaaah!"
And before the girl could scream and swing her bat, I kicked. It connected smack in her face for a stun!
"Kya--?!"
For a strike, it sure is overkill. The girl quickly and disappointingly went down, and I continued with my attack.
"L ... let me go!"
With me on top of the girl, she struggled, striking with her fists.
"Tch ... !"
The feeling of nausea and fatigue recurred again.
"C ... calm down!"
I feel awkward with my rough treatment of her, but I'm taking no chances. I grabbed her wrists and slammed them into the ground, stopping all resistance.
"H ... help! Somebody!"
Even now, the girl's voice changed to what sounded like she's crying. Damn, this girl's sneaky. Even if I'm the victim and I'm doing it for self-defense, I feel like I'm the attacker here. From the sidelines, it seems that I'll be caught red-handed for rape.
On the other hand, to stop her rampage, I can't just step aside. How will able to calm her down? "Nobody's coming even if you scream, so shut it-!" would only reinforce the suspicion of rape. In such cases, I must quickly put an end to this. Ah, got it-!
"Akeno!!"
I called her name quickly and sharply.
It has the immediate effect, the girl replied "Ha...". The screaming stopped. In that instant, I wove my words slowly and precisely.
"Kasugamori Akeno. 翠条 academy, middle school 3-C. Lacross women's team member. ... I presume?"
"H ... how did you know me?"
The girl shivered weakly for a change. Am I her acquaintance, or her stalker. I bet she could only decide between them two.
"I heard it from your senior. Her name's Kure Nazumu. I'm her classmate."
So it would put everything in order.
"Kure's ... classmate ... ?"
"That's right, 翠条 academy, high school 1-E. Hoshi Sakuya. That's me."
"Hoshi ... "
From her murmurs, she's probably searching her memories for my name. But I'm not sure she met me before; I haven't introduced myself.
It's impossible to do a one-sided introduction. With the girl calmed down, I slowly release my grip on her wrists, and stood up releasing her.
"Sorry for my rude introduction. And for what happened ... are you hurt?"
I hold out my hand to the rising girl.
"Th ... thank you."
The girl hesitated, but grabbed my hand. Standing up, she brushed the dust off from her entire body.
"Hm ... I'm fine. I'm so sorry for hitting you so suddenly. Are you all right? ... no, you can't be all right. I struck your head with all my strength with my bat ..."
"Ah, it's only a scratch."
Impossible, it hurts like hell. But I enduring it, smiling like a gentleman. The girl looked at me for the first time with a modest expression.
"............... ?"
Her gaze unexpectedly sharpened. She then stared at me hard.
"You ... where did ..."
She recognized me finally. Now how should I answer to her? "Sorry, but we've met before" would only give a bad impression even to me. Hmmm, if that's the case, I must speak words that would definitely convince her. In other words --
"Last night, I met you in a dream, isn't it?"