| abstract | - The sun was shining, the birds were singing. All appeared well in Amanogawa City, at least to Zakura Terui. Zakura bore the appearance of a young, very feminine male with a petite and slender frame, much like a woman's, and light brown eyes. He had light pink hair which reached down to his waist, and was tied up in a simple braid, and had two bangs going down to his chin. He wore the most simple of apparel; a red sleeveless t-shirt and baggy azure jeans, completing his attire with brown sandals. It was one week ago that he was found washed ashore on Amanogawa City's beach; one week ago that he encountered Yuuki Kaburagi. Snug around his waist was a vermillion belt with strange markings, and attached to a chain on said belt was a crimson digital camera with similar odd markings. One thing was for sure; he wanted to figure out the mystery of these strange objects. They were connected; he was certain of that. He felt as if something was awakening inside of his very body; a power unlike anything else in Amanogawa City. This force flowed directly into his brain, and his sight was painted crimson, as if giving him directions. Obliging this sensation, Zakura did all he could to get to this destination as fast as he could; leaping over cars, hopping across rooftops, and sliding under various obstacles, essentially utilizing Parkour to get from Point A to Point B in a matter of minutes. Hopping down from a rooftop and dashing into a plant life-filled park, immediately noticing several people gathering around a young woman who was playing the violin. This woman looked…stunning to say the least, with long scarlet hair, emerald eyes, and a noticeable bust. She wore loose-fitting clothes, a long white dress to be specific topped with black high-heels. The birds sang to her wonderful music, and it actually seemed like flowers were blooming. Cliché, eh? Well, I wouldn't blame you, though looks are deceiving. Zakura felt drawn to this young lady; as if he and she were kindred spirits. He wanted to approach her and loudly ask her everything, but to do so was bad manners. Instead, he waited, tapping his foot to the notes of her violin, at which point, she ceased. As the people dispersed, Zakura without any second thought rushed to meet her, grabbing her hand and shaking it roughly with a broad smile upon his face. "Heya there! You…you're an excellent violinist. Something about you…just drew me to you. I don't know what, but no matter. I'm Zakura Terui; what's your name?" Over-eager as always, it seemed. The young lady stared at Zakura as if he was on crack, though she knew he meant well and was a genuinely friendly person. For some reason, she appeared as if she had important information to give Zakura, though she kept a stiff upper lip, responding in an aloof tone, "…Yukiko Tsugami. May I ask you what business you have with me, hm?" Zakura stuttered nervously. There were butterflies in his stomach; an image of his past revealed itself, showing Yukiko and he side by side, along with a taller young woman behind the two. At this point, Zakura clutched his head in pain upon remembering the past times, though he regained his affable composure within a split second, stating, "Oh, nothing really, just sayin' hi. Is that a crime or something?" Yukiko's eyes sharpened, as she brushed past Zakura, thinking to herself, "…It seems you can't remember a thing…" As the mysterious woman began to depart, Zakura called out, "H-Hey! I think I know you…! Wait up! I think you could help me, if it's not too much trouble." Yukiko swiveled around, bluntly stating, "What is it. Do not whittle away my time." The tips of Zakura's fingers pressed together, as he began to panic. "U-Uh…You see…" Those butterflies sure were fluttering, that was a certainty; he couldn't digest them to save his life. "…Well, I've…I've…I don't remember anything. Just then, I remembered something. Yukiko, can I ask you…Have you and I ever met?" "…!!" As she received this question, her icy composure broke apart for a moment. She gazed upon Zakura Terui. There was no doubt about it; in addition to not remembering a single thing, he was acting way too different from the norm to be considered even remotely similar to his original self. "…Yes. I cannot deny it. The you of "past" and the you of "present" are so different, I couldn't remember your face at first." Yukiko wandered back over to Zakura, placing her palm upon his forehead, generating a crimson aura around her arm; seeing into recent events he had experienced. Yes, even that. As she removed her palm, she caressed Zakura's cheek, which caused the amnesiac youth to blush slightly. "…It seems, what you've experienced has allowed you to become enlightened. Right now, you're experiencing confusion, though what do you think will happen after this? What do you think will happen when you leave?" "…I'm not sure, to be honest. All I know, that I feel like I don't have a purpose. Like I'm devoid of any meaning. I need a purpose. A reason to be here. A goal to achieve. My desire." Zakura stated, with doubt making his eyes hazy. He wasn't sure; he was worried of what would occur next. He thought, that maybe it would strip him of what little he had. Yukiko responded, "But remember, the same method that you go about your daily life, as usual, will someday be threatened. Just now, it is a time to be tested, and the strength of your heart will allow you to wish." As Zakura was busy being baffled by such words, Yukiko placed a high-tech deep red cellphone with the same odd markings as the belt and camera into Zakura's hands. Quickly, the amnesiac youth glanced down, inquiring, "W-What is this…?" Yukiko kept a straight face, responding, "These items. CS-777B, CS-777C, and CS-777P. These objects will allow you to materialize your hopes into a method of protecting all you stand for." Yukiko leant in closer to Zakura, whispering in his ear, "…I'm afraid I don't have much more time. This will be the last time we meet." Yukiko pulled Zakura into a tight embrace, as a single tear streamed down from her cheek onto Zakura's neck. Zakura began to shiver, asking lightly, "W-What…What do you mean!? We've just met! Even if something bad were about to happen to you, I won't let it happen, got that!?" Zakura's arms tightened around Yukiko, continuing, "See!? Anyone, even if they meet once is a friend! To allow such a friend to die…That is a grave sin worth being condemned to hell for! Besides, you said these triad of items could help me fight, right!? I'll just use 'em to protect you! You have my word, Yukiko!" Yukiko's eyes widened, remarking, "…G…The you of the "past" would never go around spouting such nonsensical ideals. But…" She let up, giving Zakura a tearful smile, revealing her sharp fangs. "…That's why I like the you of the "present". …I'm sorry we couldn't meet on the terms as we used to. Goodbye." Before Zakura could react, Yukiko Tsugami disappeared right before his eyes.
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