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“But if you’re friends, why don’t you make up with Marina? Pi!” the octopus sounded out, “I have this happy ribbon that you can-“
”It’s fine. I don’t need your tools.” was said with far too little emotion to meet the octopus’s needs for Shizuka. “Shizuka, I want you to tell Marina that she’s hurting you-pi! I want to make you smile!” I want it to shut up. I want to be with Chappy. I want Marina to wait, what was that thought? Marina.? Kirarazaka… Marina? Kuze doesn’t want her for anything. She wants… She wants to die.
”What did you say about that ribbon?” Maybe..maybe Takopi can help with that want. That aggravating want. “The happy ribbon-pi! You wrap it around your pinkie finger and your friends! And don’t worry, it stretches to infinity so you can stay attached to your friend even if they’re across the world!”
Ribbon. Rope. Ribbon. Rope. Ribbon… what’s the difference? Aha…
”Takopi… Can I borrow that for a bit?” she smiles. Her eyes don’t quite reach it, though. “Just to settle this with Marina. Please?” She bends down, the cuts in her knees split back open. She smiles so hard that her cheeks hurt. She can feel the blood seeping out from the injuries.
Everything hurts. There’s no point in anything. All that matters is Chappy.
”Alright, I’ll lend it to you Shizuka. All because I want you to smile and be happy from now on-pi!” What an ask. Be happy when there’s nothing to be happy for. “Of course, Takopi.” She goes to leave and the alien expects a “See you tomorrow.” She feels slightly bad that they won’t get that.
Kuze waves with a simple nod and a farewell. And of course, the octopus waves back.
Shes never ran so fast to home before, so fast to her Chappy, so fast to where her mom should be. She gives a few minutes to be with Chappy, before tying the ribbon and getting a chair set up.
It won’t hurt. It’ll be a tight snap and then nothing. It’s not going to hurt.
But did Kuze really believe that? Of course not. And what if she did it wrong? She can figure it out.
Loop around the neck, tug at the tied together bit, test if it holds up, and..
The chair falls to the floor, a sharp snapping sound of ribbon, and a small sound from a girl.
Minute number one.
”Kuze! Kuze!” A boy yells out.
What? But.. I was finally free. How am I.. am I at a hospital? No, no I’m at school. School? School?! Was it-
“You fell asleep in class. Are you okay?” Azuma.. Azuma? He holds out a hand for her. “The teacher gave up trying to wake you up, so…” Kuze declines the hand.
”Quit worrying about that parasite Azuma! You should know she can handle herself.” Marina giggles after speaking. Handle..herself? A compliment? Why is she… “Come on Kuze, let’s go! I wanted to take you to this nice restaurant.” Marina grabs her hand and rushes out the classroom.
Did she do something that made her upset? Is she about to get bruised up again? Is Marina okay? What’s happening?
Minute number two.
”Isn’t this food super tasty?” the blond slurps up some noodles. Weren’t we just at school? “C’mon, answer Kuze! You’re barely talking. Ah, are you still upset at me? I’m sorry that I didn’t respond to your text but you don’t have to give me the silent treatment!” “I’m sorry.” That’s enough to surprise the blond.
”Hey, don’t say that! I was just worried about you.. y’know. Don’t apologize. You sound like my mom.” she passes over the rest of her food to Shizuka, “You should get some lunch in! You never finish it anyways.”
Why is she so nice to me. Did something happen? The food is nice, but.. why? I’m confused. I’m so confused. I want to cry.
”Kirarazaka, I need to go feed Chappy.” Is that a good enough excuse to leave? “Eh? That mutt?” …There it is. She’s gonna- “I got some treats recently for Chappy! Here, take it! I’m gonna go home to my mom then. Call me if you need something, Kuze.”
Huh?
Minute number three.
Theres a loud bark. It almost scares Shizuka. Almost. The smile she gets makes her feel better. She talks to him. She knows he can’t respond, but god it feels liberating. She’s able to talk to him about anything. It’s so nice. It’s the one good thing in living. Why doesn’t she get more nice things? Why doesn’t she get any other good stuff?
She’s so scared. So scared of dying and what happens next. But there’s so little hope left, there’s basically nothing good in life. So what else should she do? She can feel four minutes go by with Chappy.
Reality.
The ribbon unties, and her body hits the floor with a thud.