Fifth Log: Antidote

His breathing was heavy. He was heavy.

I have to stop somewhere and apply first aid. Or else… He will die.

No wait! What am I doing? Isn’t it my primary mission to eliminate this being?

If I do that, I will rise up in my ranks. I will be eligible to lead the whole clan. And I would have the power over all…

Still…

He is so young. In mind and in body.

It is against our law to kill the innocent unless it is necessary.

He is innocent. Does that mean it is against our rules to kill him?

But it is my mission. Does that mean that I should just let him die?

…

I stopped at the rooftop of one of the lodging houses near the train station to check on his vital signs.

Not good!

His lips had already turned blue. His breathing remained heavy and he was breaking in cold sweat. The poison was definitely spreading fast!

I didn’t think twice on what I was about to do.

Forget the clan! Forget the mission! I cannot let this person die!

I carefully laid him down with his head on my lap. I need him to stay awake so I slapped his face with the back of my hand. He groaned. Good. He is still conscious.

“Hey. You. Wake up. Don’t sleep!”

He groaned again as he tried to nod. “Don’t move, alright? You’ve been poisoned. If you move, the poison would just spread further. I have an antidote right here. It wouldn’t taste good, but it would make you feel better.”

He was breathing in huge gasps now and was mumbling meaningless incoherent words.

“B-bontakun… N-no… No m-more mushrooms… I-I promise, Mama… No… please… not Bontakun…”

He is getting delirious! I have to hurry!

I realized that he was too weak to administer the antidote by himself the moment I found the small flask and opened it. There is only one way left.

I quickly pulled off the black mask that covered the lower half of my face and put the antidote into my mouth. Slowly and carefully, I raised his head as I lowered mine until our lips met. Upon contact, I released the antidote into his mouth, hoping that he would be able to drink it all.

When I lowered his head back into my lap, I was not sure if I succeeded. He was lying very still and unresponsive.

“Shinji!” I yelled. “Shinji! Do you hear me? Shinji! Wake up! Don’t die!” I began to beat his chest with my arm. “Shinji! Wake up! Shinji!”

But he remained unresponsive.

No... Did I... I... failed?

No!

~Yumi Takai

Fate is showing me something...

A second ago, all I can hear is the crowd...

Then, they all went mute, hearing only two rhythmic pulses going faster and faster...

Are they... heartbeats?

One's mine, no mistaking it. But the other... can it be hers...?

Time froze at that very moment. It's like everyone else just stopped, leaving me and her ensnared by each others' glance...

Those eyes... Wait... I've seen them somewhere before...

The moon...

The fireflies...

The buzzing of the cicadas...

Her kind face...

And those eyes...

My hands holding her close...

This close...

Fingertips gliding through my cheeks...

Her face moving closer...

Closer...

Closer...

And a whisper...

"Aishiteiru..."

I felt it. I sure did. It seemed so real...

And she's going for a kiss.... A KISS...

...

...

...

I closed my eyes... readying my soul for this kiss... only to be spoiled the crowd noise coming back; and time began to flow again...

What was fate showing me? Is she somehow related to me? Or am I just hallucinating...

So, where was I? Still on that position... Opening my eyes again, I see her... and she does not look happy. Is it me,or am I making the face of someone who's asking for it? Yep, that's the octopus face alright... Ho boy, my 'other self' may want to kill me....

!

She judo'd me...! Or was it jujitsu? Either way, I'm in a world of hurt... She's breaking my arm! Man!

I was about to shout 'uncle' when I heard an applause... She stopped punishing my arm and pulled me on my feet.

Wait... the people rounded up for us? They might've thought we're having an exhibition...

She let go of my hand and bowed to the people...

I, on the other hand, am feeling a heavy head, and cold sweat. I'm pretty sure that I felt a needle poking my shoulder after I pinned her.

I checked the back of my shoulder, and I couldn't be more right...

... and all went black...

~Shinji Masato

First Mission: Fourth Log (Escape)

10:01 AM

One minute I was thinking about a tactic to get away from his guards. And the next minute, he pins me to the ground!

"WATCH OUT!!" he yells.

The impact pushes me down to the ground. My training had provided me the necessary reflex to make sure I fall safely without hurting myself. But in the impact, I had let go of my kunai, the only weapon I had at that moment, and it spun away from me and into the crowd.

Sh*t. Defenseless and weaponless!

Ba-dum

A heartbeat.

Ba-dum

I hear a heart beat.

Ba-dum

Loud. Fast.

Ba-dum

And so close…

I turn my face to see his face looking down on me just inches above mine. At this close range I could see the true color of his eyes.

They were dark brown. Just like the ashes of a beechwood tree before it was mixed with water to make ink.

I found it hard not to stare. It’s like staring at the bottom of a pit… As if an inner force is telling me that I will see something in his eyes. So I kept my gaze locked into his and suddenly…

Suddenly…

I saw it.

For a brief moment, I saw his clothing and appearance change. His shirt transformed to a kimono and his face was paler and older. In the same awkward position, he towered over me, murmuring…

“Aishiteru-“

His face slowly moved closer.

He is going to kiss me!

I quickly closed my eyes shut, breaking the connection between us. When I opened them, everything went back as it had been.

And he is still... Sitting. On top. Of me.

At that sudden realization, I quickly grabbed his shirt and performed an escape, ending up in a back mount and pinning him down with my knee. I was about to dislocate his left arm when all of the sudden, the crowd burst into applause. I turned around, and saw that the people at the station were staring at us, clapping at what they thought was an excellent performance of jujitsu.

I scolded myself for forgetting where I was. It was a good thing that the people did not suspect anything. I almost exposed our existence once more. Keeping with the scene, I tapped my victim on his shoulder, signaling him to stand as I released my hold on him. I stood and bowed to the crowd, who applauded even louder. He, on the other hand, staggered as he stood, leaning to the nearby post for support. I guess I overdid it. But it doesn’t matter. I’ll kill him anyways.

I watch him as he clumsily took a bow…

And then fainted!

I grabbed him as fast as I can, preventing him from crumpling into the floor. When I looked at his face, he was paler than before I pinned him down, and his temperature was rising fast. At this distance, I could hear his heart beating slowly every minute. Immediately I knew this is not an effect of our earlier demonstration.
He was poisoned!

But how?

“Hey! Out of the way! What’s going on over there?”

The police! I better make an escape!


Yumi Takai

Fate is playing tricks on me...

"Mister, I believe this is yours~"

That sweet sweet voice echoed around my head...

Jackpot!

Detailed kunoichi wear; seemingly-realistic ninja equipment; that glance... She's an angel, in ninja clothing. And she has something I nearly died for...

It seems like my luck's beginning to change already!

Taking the ticket from her hands, my excitement clouded my rationality and started being all over the place...

... and glomped her...

"HOMIGOSH! THANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!"

My heart felt like dancing for 3 seconds, until I finally thought of letting go: a little longer and she might think I'm harassing her...

If I had an 'other self,' he'd be going facepalm right now.

"OH SH*T!"

But I can't help but be totally fascinated by her outfit. She makes a really convincing kunoichi: not just her clothing, but her style as well. Wonder which character she's cosplaying? Forgetting the decency to introduce myself, my enthusiasm got the best of me as I asked:

"That's the most amazing and detailed ninja costume I've ever seen! And that kunai! It looks so real! Who are you cosplaying?"

...

...

...

Instead of an answer, I got a confused facial expression from her. Doesn't she know what I'm talking about? Or I might have scared her with my stunt earlier. (Yeah, way to go, doofus!)

!!!

There was this heavy feeling that swelled inside my chest; I felt malice, and hatred, and bloodlust, one that would torture my heart, and it's growing more and more intense by the second.

And that hatred... is being projected to... her... the one I just glomped...

"WATCH OUT!!"

Someone's out to kill her. I just know it. My instincts told me. But why are they acting up now, of all times?

I shoved the kunoichi-cosplayer, pinning her to the ground.

I felt it twice now, twice in a single day. Is fate playing tricks on me again?

...

The 'heavy feeling' stopped... only to be replaced by the feeling I do not usually feel... the WTF feeling...

This face-to-face, body-to-body experience only happens in anime, wherein either guy or girl stumbles, either accidentally or intentionally, to their love interest, pinning one on the other and gets their logic haywired for about 3 seconds or so. The haywiring of logic is also known as the WTF feeling, or the sandwich of both heaven and hell, wherein you don't know if you feel wrong, or right, or both.

I haven't viewed a girl's face this close before... Is it me or are her cheeks getting redder?

And angrier... oh no...

Yep, my 'other self' is currently doing the headdesk.

~Shinji Masato

First Mission: Third Log (Glomp)

9:57 A.M

I was able to push through the crowd, making as less contact with them as possible. There were so many people. Almost all of them wearing these bizarre clothes that made think about the stories of creatures from another planet or those from the old mythologies.

But I must not be distracted.

I kept my eye fixed on my target. He just stood there, and everyone who passed by ignored him. He seems tense. He was looking for something. This could be my chance to attack.

No. I must be careful. No one in this area should know my true intention.

Another group of otakus blocked my view. They looked like a bunch of frogs in different colors. One of them, the green one with a yellow hat, yelled: "I have your tickets with me, guys, don't forget that~"

Tickets?

I looked at the piece of paper that the green frog person was distributing. I noticed that some of the funny looking otakus there at the station was yielding the same ticket. It was the same piece of paper that was on the desk of my target. He forgot to bring it with him.

Good thing I didn’t.

I quickly made my way to his side. There were so many people that he did not notice me until I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Mister, I believe this is yours." I said.

He had a confused look on his face as he took the ticket from my outstretched hand. Relief washed in his face as the earlier stress disappeared and it was replaced with a huge smile.

I wanted to wipe that big smile off his face but before I could reach for my weapon, he had disarmed me with a tight hug.

“HOMIGOSH!!! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!”

I was stunned.

He had just ‘glomped’ me! Grandfather had warned me about this. A modern special attack created by otakus known only as the ‘glomp’, where the victim is said to suffer suffocation and fatigue after being pushed down by the attacker and locked in a breath taking bear hug. It was almost impossible to get out of a ‘glomp’, and Grandfather was right. I shouldn’t have let my guard down that easily!

This person has shamed me! In front of many people! He had not only been able to detect me but he was also able to disarm me in just a few meters contact. I am a disgrace to my family!

They didn’t say anything about my victim being this skilled.

“OH SH*T!” he yelled suddenly, staring at me from head to foot.

I was alarmed. He must have recognized me with my ninja attire and is going to attack! Immediately, I took a step back, drew my kunai from its hiding place, and got ready to defend.

“That’s the most amazing and detailed ninja costume I’ve ever seen! And that kunai! It looks so real! Who are you cosplaying?”

I was confused. What is this ‘cosplaying’ he is talking about? Is this a secret code? Does it mean he is going to kill me? Or is it a signal to his minions?

The frog people earlier! That must be his guards!

I scanned the surrounding area, but the frog people were already gone.

They must have spread out when they sensed my presence.

Sh*t.

I am cornered!

What am I supposed to do now?!

Yumi Takai

Fate really is picking on me...

My anxiety grew stronger...

and stronger...

and stronger...

*growl*

Damn... I haven't eaten breakfast yet. Of all the times I had to wake up late... I haven't taken in anything, and my senses aren't working properly because of it. That, and I can barely breathe with the people here...

You can recognize the theme here in this station- people with wigs or dyed hair, strange-to-bizarre costumes, cute creatures, serafuku... ahh... yea~ cosplay convention~~ one of the best gatherings that man has invented... if only this place can be any more breathable...And more ventilated... It's like an oven here, and I'm not even wearing my costume yet...

At this point, I knew it was 10, 15 minutes to 10:00, but it helps to be sure... So, I checked my wrist... to find no watch... Looking down at my clothes didn't cheer me up either... I look like a mess...

This day CAN'T get any worse... NO. IT CAN'T.

Then I overheard the conversation behind me...

"I have your tickets with me, guys, don't forget that~"

"Yeah, we know... Thanks for reminding, though..."

So, that's why I'm so anxious... but yea, I've already forgotten enough stuff for today, and I'm sure I put it inside my...

yeah... that didn't help... now I can't remember where I put it...

In my pocket? No...

In my wallet? No.

In my bag? NO.

I want to go RAGE right now, but CAN'T... It'd be far too embarassing to cause a commotion... With the pool of people here? No way...

YES... Fate really is picking on me...

But would Fate be picking on me if a cute girl suddenly taps my shoulders from behind and says,

"Mister, I believe this is yours~"

~Shinji Masato

First Mission: Second Log

Time: 9:55 a.m.

My target stops in his tracks.

Sh*t!

I must have been spotted. I need to merge with the crowd again. But I must not lose sight of him.

He's good.

Argh! The crowd! It's pushing me away from him! This is not good...

I better get on with Plan B.


Yumi Takai

Fate is picking on me...

...
...
...

Great... just great...

All forms of misfortune crashed down on me today: I'm speaking a HERD of black cats, a flock of crows and a corridor of ladders.

How unlucky? I got up thinking it was 8. It took me time to realize that I was holding the clock sidewards, that it was actually 9:30 already. It's NeoCon today, the anime-manga convention I've been so psyched about since last month, (yea, I'm otaku, now sue me) and it starts at 10. So, what's the rush? Lines... the excruciating queue... I'm expecting it to be a mile long now...

CRAP!

I'll be late for cosplay registration! So yeah, basically, it's rush time; I put random clothes on, took my stuff, and ran, having no time to even shower or look in the mirror.

I rushed towards the train station, not knowing how much time has passed since I left my apartment. I checked my left wrist for a watch, only to find no watch. Pffft... All my rushing got me forgetting the essentials. But yea, at least I have my costume. I'd go seppuku a thousand times over if I ever forget this.

And finally, I got there... In the convention? No, in the train station... Only to meet the mob... The daily mob you often encounter in train stations... the scorching atmosphere... and the noise... only, 10 times that...

And then, there's that sudden anxiety... For no apparent reason, I became cautious... Tension filled the air... Like I'm being stalked... Like my life is at stake...

I get that feeling that fate indeed is picking on me...

~Shinji Masato

First Mission

Date: February 19, 2009
Time: 9:52 AM
Location: Akihabara Train Station

I had finally arrived. I was given the exact coordinates of my destination, and an exact description of my target. I thought he would be hard to miss, but I was wrong.

I did not expect so many people here right now. Too many innocent people. I could easily risk detection from the enemies, or revealing our secret.

I could not let that happen.

And I thought they would go easy on me on my first mission.


Yumi Takai