Round 15 - [video] Open
[It wasn't an unfamiliar dream. Akihiko experiences it every so often, especially on days when he's feeling reminiscent of the past.
He was in a room inside the orphanage with his best friend, Shinjiro. His little sister, Miki, was off somewhere else, probably playing a 'girly' game, or maybe getting ready for the day. He can't remember all the details.
Just the most painful parts. Everything happened so quickly. The fire alarms inside the children's home sounded, and they were instructed to move quickly and quietly. Akihiko and Shinjiro stuck close together, but he kept looking around the entire time. Where was Miki? Was she outside already? Was she with someone? Did they know where she was? When he was outside for a while without seeing her, a horrible feeling came over him. He started to run back towards the building, only to have one of the caretakers wrap their arms around his chest and hold him in place.]
MIKI!
[And suddenly, it's morning. He awakens, the room looking much larger than usual once his eyes adjust. No doubt some kind of event is about to take place. But in truth, the room hasn't gotten bigger.
He's become much smaller. And that's enough to send him into a worried panic. The older Akihiko? He's much more cool about things; a guy who's strong, determined, and focused. Optimistic when most people are not. The younger Akihiko? Not so much.]
[sniffle] A-Arisato? Nn...are you awake? [sniffle] Is anybody awake? I...I don't feel so good. [A few tears roll down his face. More will come, most likely.]
He was in a room inside the orphanage with his best friend, Shinjiro. His little sister, Miki, was off somewhere else, probably playing a 'girly' game, or maybe getting ready for the day. He can't remember all the details.
Just the most painful parts. Everything happened so quickly. The fire alarms inside the children's home sounded, and they were instructed to move quickly and quietly. Akihiko and Shinjiro stuck close together, but he kept looking around the entire time. Where was Miki? Was she outside already? Was she with someone? Did they know where she was? When he was outside for a while without seeing her, a horrible feeling came over him. He started to run back towards the building, only to have one of the caretakers wrap their arms around his chest and hold him in place.]
MIKI!
[And suddenly, it's morning. He awakens, the room looking much larger than usual once his eyes adjust. No doubt some kind of event is about to take place. But in truth, the room hasn't gotten bigger.
He's become much smaller. And that's enough to send him into a worried panic. The older Akihiko? He's much more cool about things; a guy who's strong, determined, and focused. Optimistic when most people are not. The younger Akihiko? Not so much.]
[sniffle] A-Arisato? Nn...are you awake? [sniffle] Is anybody awake? I...I don't feel so good. [A few tears roll down his face. More will come, most likely.]