The familiar voice ...is calling out to me...

???: Wake up, Jiro.

Jiro: Who said that?

-In the shadows, I find a blurry figure of some little girl appears out in front of me, wearing a white dress...peculiar and mysterious. Might just be my figment imagination...maybe even the lack of medications.-

???: Wake up, Jiro. "The Second Son". Your task is not yet finished....

Jiro: Who---who are you?

-Ignoring my question, she just continues to walk ahead and notions her arm movement-

???: (Smiling) When it is time, I will introduce myself

-Reaching her hand out into the dark clouds of this dimension, she launches floating green lights signaling me to---Return.-

Kadomon: Quit standing there, you two. Are you guys gonna buy appas or not?

Jiro: Two....

Kadomon: Yeah, are you alright kid?

Jiro: Uh huh...

???: Where am I? J-J-Jiro!!!

-The blonde turns his head over to visualize who he's seeing right now but clearly can't due to having an aching migraine-

Jiro: (Brain-fried) Who? What? You said something---

???: Jiro, WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK?

-Walking in front of me, here he comes---the pain in my ass-

Subaru: Seriously, you left me in the alley behind to get jumped by all three of them. Some friend you are, leaving me...asshole

Jiro: (Rubbing down his temples) I'm sorry, Natsuki...my head is just hurting badly...

-Noticing the gleams of light in your hand...there was bits of green already-

Subaru: Never mind, damn bro the guy ain't kidding...are you alright?

Kadomon: He's probably on drugs...acid maybe?!

Subaru: (Ignoring the dude) Don't listen to him, hey let's talk over here...

-Snatches my hand to drag me into the same alley-

Jiro: I just need some air, buddy

Subaru: Understood. Take your time.

FEW MINUTES LATER

Jiro: I think I'm ready, Nat. Fire away...

Subaru: For starters, do you remember anything?

Jiro: Yeah, I-----Died-----<frantically shaking his hands>

Subaru: Stay with me, Ren. Breathe

-Inhale/Exhale/Inhale/Exhale-

Jiro: (Wheezes) Okay...thanks. Sorry I'm worrying you, Subaru.

Subaru: Not a problem, my friend. Please. Relax. Think first.

-Recollecting my thoughts, that---bitch-

Jiro: S-S-Subaru...

Subaru: Wassup, Jiro?

-Tugs onto the guy's white sports jacket while crying-

Jiro: Please...don't enter that warehouse again...

Subaru: So, you remember....

Jiro: Remember what----no----impossible.

Subaru: Same...so what does this mean, how can you Return By----<Clutching his heart in Pain> ARGH!!! AHHH!!!

-Seeing Subaru collapse onto the floor in agony, I shook him softly to check if he's alright. Thought as it was some heart attack, my theory was simple...-

Subaru: Dammit, WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?!

Jiro: I have a thought but you won't like it...

Subaru: Go ahead, Jiro. Tell me.

Jiro: My first guess...is...all the cheeseburgers you've been eating has increased your cholesterol so high, even the blood is thickening until its licorice...sorry <WHACK>

Subaru: (Irritated) Not funny...but seriously, do you know anything? This is crucial, Jiro.

Jiro: I do..Ready?

Subaru: Go on...

Jiro: So, the "phrase" you've spoken of definitely an unbroken rule in all of this. Your power is to "return" back to life with all memories still in tack.

Subaru: I'm Immortal then, well this is----

Jiro: (Interrupts) No, that's not "good" in the sense of a mental state. Immortality means living forever. Your death is like "respawning" in one of those video games. Fighting the boss and going back to the previous savepoint. Dark Souls for sure, jeez I can never beat that game...But, really Subaru.. this actually can't right...you'll lose sanity and---yourself in time...

Subaru: Hai. I get it now...thank you Jiro. But, the question still remains...how do you recall these events too, because if you died earlier inside the warehouse...wouldn't the game restart or something?

Jiro: No...

Subaru: Why?

Jiro: Because, you are the "main character", Subaru Natsuki. All of the choices you make depends on the only one...

Subaru: ME?

Jiro: Yup, and I'm the "spectator"...I get to see it all happen right before our very eyes...luckily I'm the witness...but know that....no one besides both of us would believe this stuff.

Subaru: True, so what I was thinking is...your powers. Did you find out anything, Jiro? Like why is your eye color completely "different"...Red?

Jiro: What are you talking about, Natsuki?

Subaru: Have you looked in the mirror lately?

Jiro: Actually, I haven't yet.

Subaru: Here, let me get something

-Searching around to find a water bucket behind the apple salesman, he picks it up quietly before planting it before my feet, checking my face out...Damn I look cute. But, that's besides the point...gazing closer, my eyes are RED!-

Jiro: Woah, this is insane!

Subaru: I know right!

-Awkwardly staring at each other, I began to panic as I told Subaru the truth while spinning around in circles-

Jiro: We need to get to the warehouse first!!! NOW!!!

Subaru: Wait what? Why? Shouldn't we find---

Jiro: There's no time, Subaru! Please, Trust Me!

Subaru: (Concerned) Ok, but you need to calm down---

???: Heehee, look guys! Two idiots lost...and no where left to go!

Subaru: (Annoyed) Not you again!

Bowl-Cut Boy: Huh, have we met!

Jiro: (Whispering) Only You and I remember these scenes, dummy

Subaru: (Awed) Oh right

Hot-headed halfwit: Don't move and---we won't hurt you both too badly

Choker-chain weirdo: Yeah, give us what you both have and we'll let you go

Jiro: Screw this, I don't have time <Reaching for his empty weapon> NANI?! Where is it?

Subaru: (Confused) Where's what Jiro?

Jiro: My sword----ah shit, its at the warehouse. Ugh, great---fucking great---

-Listening to the other three bozos snicker, I noticed this was the only shortcut into the slums and they're in our way. Persuasion is key for this situation-

Jiro: Hey, how about we give you everything and let us pass unharmed.

-Providing me some backup, Subaru moved ahead of me and tried his best to change their minds...unfortunately it doesn't work as planned-

Hot-headed halfwit: What do you think, Kan?

-The Bowl-hair cut boy turns to look at me with villainy in his eyes-

Hot-headed halfwit: What do you think, Kan?

Kan: (Smiling) Not a fat chance, we might as well have fun with him...first

-The Choker-chain weirdo nods while pulling out a knife like a damn maniac-

Chin: Agreed! You!

Subaru: (Frightened) Give us, what you have or else...

Jiro: Do as he said, Subaru!

Subaru: Fine! Here you go and if you don't mind---(trying to budge through them)

-The one with the knife blocks his path while grazing the sharpness near my friend's face, hell no I can't let this shit stand-

Jiro: Come on, bro. We don't have time for this. Here. <Tossing it over to them> Take it. And let my friend go.

Chin: Hmm, I think not. Might as well have some fun...right guys?

Ton: (Haughty) Yeah, I wanna punch something anyways!

Kan: I'll take the cute, blonde boy---

-Both of the taller thieves look at him in disgust-

Chin: If you're gonna tell us you're gay, say it first.

Ton: He's correct about that, you've been acting very "strange" lately little man.

Kan: What? He does though!

-Perceiving my facial features closely, until all of them nodded-

Chin: I guess he has a point

Kan: See?!

Ton: Doesn't exclude the fact that its weird

-Seeing as Subaru passed by them unknowingly, the guy holding the knife notices him gone missing-

Chin: Oi, where do you think you're going loser?!

Subaru: Um, to my momma's crib!

Ton: What?

-Slapping my forehead in annoyance, I snuck behind them whilst knocking the big fella out-

Chin: Mother---You'll pay for that!!!

-Coming in to save me, Subaru jumps off the height of stairs and tackles the mugger allowing me to retrieve the knife before pointing it at them-

Jiro: Again, we're in a serious hurry and would be very grateful if you leave us alone

Kan: As if?! What are you gonna do if we decide to attack?

Jiro: Then, I won't hesitate to "slice" your friend's throat. Does that make sense?

Kan: (Scared) Ok...lemme get him first, I'm sorry sir.

-Picking up his wounded friend, they went over to the unconscious one and dragged him away-

Chin: (Angry) This isn't over, asshole!

Jiro: (Menacing) I pray we never see each other again...or they'll be news about three dead bodies piling up in the alley...

Kan: (Terrified) S-S-Shit! He isn't joking...

Jiro: No...I'm "dead" serious.

Kan: Fuck that, I'm out of this!

-Running like the cowards they are, Subaru pats me on the shoulder whilst saying-

Subaru: I didn't know you had big "balls" Ren Jiro.

Jiro: (Arching his brow) What?!

Subaru: Oh...I meant you were acting tough and all that so I was---

Jiro: Ok, first just shut up. Secondly, we need to hurry before that crazy, hot "soccer mom" finds us!

Subaru: Who?

-Holding onto his wrist tightly, I pulled him alongside me as we ran ahead to reach the destination in time before the dealer shows up and trust me...it is an absolute pain if she does-

Jiro: I'll tell you once we get there. You gotta be "patient", Natsuki Subaru.

Subaru: (Quirky) Didn't you know, Patience is my middle---

Jiro: Not--a--single--word--on--this--trip

Subaru: (Defeated) Alright! You won! (Sarcastic) Lead Above and Beyond, Fearless One!

Jiro: Of course I did...(smirk) I'm Ren Jiro...After all, and he never backs down from a challenge!

8/7/20