A
The 1
Inside his bedroom, the smell of incipiently brewed coffee, a loud advertisement emanating from his TV, and the gelid breeze of the AC gusted across his face, Luca narrowed his gaze at the clock.
Luca Yashima
Today is the day.
The boy yelped, while waving his hands above his head.
It's the day where his favorite idol group will have a live stream of their performance.
Luca Yashima
Arghhh, they said it'd start at 12:30 PM?
Exasperatingly, the boy madly probed over the cyber world. Surf the internet that felt like for hours.
The boy flinched in surprise, throwing his phone across the room. He mouthed a feral blasphemy.
He ran towards his phone and he flipped it, he couldn't believe what he was seeing.
And yes, the screen is broken.
A familiar name and logo catch Luca's attention upon opening his phone. "UNCANNY FAN CLUB" appeared on its small and broken screen. Determined to answer the call, he reached the pencil above his desk and used it rapidly to swipe left on his broken phone. Finally, with a clicking sound, the caller responded.
CLUB MEMBER
Hi, Luca! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately, management canceled the live stream for today due to technical problems, and it will be rescheduled for tomorrow. Furthermore, those who bought the paper view for the concert, they were having a meeting about a raffle for...
Luca Yashima
You gotta be jokin'!
The boy tossed his phone at his bed and screamed.
Luca Yashima
I've got everything ready for this day, canceled my dentist appointment, had a shopping spree, bought all the merchandise even faking my sickness for me not to go to school, the worst part is I have a practical exams today!
While sighing all the things he has done just for this day, he heard the sound of multiple push notifications coming from his back; he pivots his body in its direction. Then, imitating Sadako Yamamura's movement and sound, Luca crawled toward his computer.
Luca Yashima
It's from Uncanny management!!!
Alertness in the eyes, behind the glasses that sat crookedly on the boy’s nose, a heavy feeling formed inside his stomach while a gasped escaped on his opened mouth.
Luca Yashima
Is this about the raffle?
The boy mumbles before kneeling and intertwining his hands together.
Luca Yashima
God, can you hear me? God, I know I'm not your greatest devotee nor your greatest masterpiece, but please, please grant me this opportunity; you can take everything from me, please make this wish happen!
Then, he opened the email, all things come through desire, and every sincere prayer is answered.
Luca Yashima
KYAAAAAAAA! Is this for real?
Effusive imprecations flooded the room. He squealed like a little girl and jumped on his bed while reading the email.
Uncanny Management
Hi LUCA YASHIMA! CONGRATULATION, you've WON a VIP ticket for TOMMOROW'S CONCERT! Please claim your ticket to your nearest stadium. For more information, please call 184-2...
Luca Yashima
I won the ticket!!!
Disturbed by his loud cries, his neighbor knocked on the walls and yelled.
Neighbor
HEY YOU, CAN YOU SHUT YOUR GOD DAMN MOUTH FOR JUST ONE DAY?
With no care about what transpires around him, the boy closed his eyes, put his arms on his chest, and expressed his gratitude.
With no care about what transpires around him, he closed his eyes, put his arms on his chest, and expressed his gratitude.
Luca Yashima
God, I'll never doubt you again
Staring into the distance, he stands up, gathered all the necessary things he needed. He then lie down before he called out to his Mom.
He fakes his cough repeatedly. Her Mom, Aiko, quickly came to his room with a concerned look.
Aiko Yashima
Oh dear, are you still not feeling well?
Talking in a sweet and calming voice Aiko, pat her son's forehead to feel his temperature.
Aiko Yashima
I heard you shouting a while ago, and why are you dress up like that? Where are you going?
Luca feigning his sickness, faintly reply.
Luca Yashima
Mom, one question at a time.
Luca Yashima
Don’t worry about me Mom, I’m getting better. Thanks to the ramen and udon you made awhile ago.
Luca Yashima
I was planning to take my medicine, but there's no stock left in there when I checked the cabinet. So I'm planning to head to the pharmacy to grab some ibuprofen.
Aiko smiled and hugged his son like a scarf wrapped around a boy's neck during winter.
While reminiscing the past.
Aiko Yashima
Your dad's departure left me empty… alone. Life turned gloomy, confusing even. But you…
Aiko Yashima
…you've always shone like a little sun, brightening up my life day after day, chasing away the loneliness and confusion. You became my everything.
She refrains from adding.
Aiko Yashima
"I wish you could relax from time to time and learn to rely on me, your mom."
Luca seemed about to speak, but his mother's emotion eluded him.
Luca Yashima
Hmmm...Haha, what's with you and your mid-life crisis today? Hahaha...you know I always got your back, Mom. Right?
Laughingly, Luca replied while wiping her mother's tears.
Aiko nodded, but it took her a moment to find her voice.
Aiko Yashima
Son, wait for me. I'm coming with you.
Luca looked back anxiously and smiled at her Mom.
Luca Yashima
It's okay, Mom, I'm well now. I can do this on my own. Besides, I don't want to bother you. I know how busy you are lately"
Luca accepts eternal death while opening his eyes wide.
But Aiko clung her arms around her son's waist and looked at him.
Aiko Yashima
Don't you want to spend a day with your favorite person just for today?
Her tone was wary but cheerful.
Luca Yashima
Of course, I want to!
Aiko talked so much Luca felt it was like drowning in a verbal Niagara Falls.
The heat of the day was already lamentable, sapping any energy he had to spare, but stepping into the sunlight was far worse. The sun was so intense that he looked at his arm to see if his flesh was crisping under its relentless rays.
What he awes about his neighborhood is how it subsists despite the rapid growth of information and technology development of the civilizations.
Aiko Yashima
I know it's been a while since the two of us go out together, and since the meeting has been canceled, I'll take this opportunity to spent time with my baby boy.
She squeezed Luca's cheeks with both her hands.
Embarrassed by her mother's action, Luca smiled and whispered to his Mom.
Luca Yashima
Mom, stop embarrassing me; theirs a lot of people looking at us. Can you please walk like a normal human being?
It's a voice that could cut glass for a mother's ear.
Hurt by her son's words, all she could only do was to stare at him. In contrast, she was hiding her face with her handkerchief.
Aiko Yashima
I'm so sorry for embarrassing you, son.
She mumbled while trying to smile.
The awkward silence continues until they reach the pharmacy.
The boy felt the guilt welling up inside of him.
Eventually, Aiko breaks the silence before walking inside the pharmacy.
Aiko Yashima
Luca, I'll fall in line at the counter and buy all the necessary medicine that we need. Can you please purchase some refreshments over there?
Luca focused his gaze on where her mother was pointing and saw a small booth blue tent packed, eagerly awaiting customers for their orders.
Luca Yashima
Okay, mom... I'll be quick.
His voice was soft and measured like a guy trying to overcome a stutter. Before her Mom enters the pharmacy, he quickly hugs her Mom from behind before heading towards the refreshment store.
Luca Yashima
I feel shitty for making my Mom feel like that, and I didn't mean to hurt her.
Luca Yashima
I should apologize and be more supportive around her.
While crossing the road, he noticed a big willow tree, and lights from traffic signals were flickering.
Luca Yashima
"Hmmm, I know I'm no mechanic, but there's something off about that. Well, it's a problem for some other person; I have to grab some refreshments and grab my ticket at the stadium quickly"
The second he reached the store, he quickly ordered some refreshments and sprinted out instantly as he received his orders.
Eventually, Finally, he set foot in the stadium; It thrived as people went about their daily business, some walking, other ordering, and eating popcorns.
The sound of shrieking children mingled with the busy crowd. The slanted morning light from the windows gave everything a genial look as it passed through the fresh air.
Luca Yashima
Pick up... Hurry up... I have to return to the pharmacy immediately before my Mom think’s somethings fishy.
After the third call, the fan club finally answered.
Luca Yashima
Hi! It's Luca Yashima; I'm here at the stadium to claim my ticket... Where should I get it?... Hmm
Uncanny Management
“Inaudible voice”
Luca Yashima
Okay, at the front desk, right? Thank you, and have a good day!"
Running like a hungry cheetah, he scrammed his way up until he reached the third level of the stadium.
A shy voice escaped from his lips towards the lady at the front desk who's talking with her colleague.
Luca Yashima
Haaah...Haaah...Hi!
A breathy explosion of words. But the woman didn't seem to notice him. Gathering up all of his courage, he approached the woman.
Luca Yashima
GOOD AFTERNOON!!!
He said it too fast and too loudly.
The woman faces his direction.
Manager
"Hi, good morning! How can I help you?
Luca Yashima
I won the Uncanny VIP ticket for tomorrow's concert. My contact said that I could claim it here?
The woman smiled and browsed her emails.
Manager
Are you Mr. Yashima?
Hearing his name, the boy smiled ear to ear before he opened his bag.
Luca Yashima
Ma'am, here's the email that I received and my detailed information.
Manager
Can you wait for a while?
Manager
I will have to confirm this before giving you your ticket.
Manager
But, while waiting, do you like some cold water, sir?
Couldn’t find his voice, the boy just grabbed the bottled water and sat at the nearest chair he could find.
As the allotted time draws near, the steady summer heat becomes far less bearable. The breeze coming from the AC is not enough, so he curled his fingers around the thin fabric of his shirt, waving it in and out to create just a little airflow, but it's not enough, like an ice cube into hot soup.
Finally, after several minutes, Luca heard his name and walked towards the front desk.
Manager
Hi, Mr. Yashima! I'm sorry if it takes too long. Here's your ticket!
Luca vowed to the woman, put his ticket in his pocket, and gave his farewell.
A chorus of four-letter words exploded from his lips as he remembered her mother.
By the time he exits the stadium, the sun stared at the world without pause through the crystal-clear sky. Fragile ornamental plants withered under the glare of the fiery orb while the trees sagged as if exhausted.
The heat radiating from the streets soon created an atmosphere of an oven. Many people sought comfort from the heat by eating ice cream or drinking chilled beverages. Sweat rolled off their foreheads like liquid beads, darkening their clothing.
Luca Yashima
It's hot out here, and I'm sweating in spots I didn't know I had.
Running so fast that he thought his legs were going to explode. Instead, his heart pounded to the beat of his feet racing over the hard ground. Sweat beaded his forehead, causing his hair to cling to it as his throat ached for air, more air. It was his first time running like this.
Luca Yashima
HAAAH...HAAAHH.... getting cloooseerrr.
A distinct old dead tree went upon the path that meant that he should saw the pharmacy across the road. Forcing his legs to push harder, he kept his sprint, anticipating the relief to saw his Mom and apologized to her.
But, instead, his breathing hitched in his throat, making his already screaming lungs just about burst. Luca saw his Mom waving at him across the road; she looked relieved and tired.
He waves his hands then a sudden breeze out of nowhere went. It blew out the ticket from his front pocket.
Luca Yashima
No, my ticket!
His ticket flew through the air across the road. Not noticing that the traffic light instantly turned green, he followed it with no hesitation.
A large hazy shadow overshadowed him. It had to have been a large truck heading toward him at high speed. His mother screamed from the top of her lungs.
The world stopped for a second everything seemed to have been in place when he heard and looked at his Mom; she seemed so concerned and worried about something.
But, when he went back to his senses, it was already too late. He slammed into the floor, his head slowly sinking into a pool of blood.
The next thing he remembered was the sharp pain that crosses his head and the side of his body, the glass shattered below the ground, and the sound of squealing tires. He huffs and gasps for more air.
Luca Yashima
Haaaah...Hasssh...."
The crowd circled him and had a solemn eye.
Luca Yashima
“I hate this feeling, stop looking at me, please.”
He saw his mother running towards him, yelling yet crying.
Aiko Yashima
Luca, my baby.... +[$[]!¥.$.
Aiko's tears fall on her son's face. Sobbing, face like a wet weekend, down in the mouth to the point where she cannot control her breathing and tend to have trouble taking in the air like a child trying to stop crying.
Aiko Yashima
You will be okay, son. Anybody! Please help my son! Please, can anybody please help my son?!
Luca tried to reach her mother's face, and he smiled but was reduced to tears.
His words broke up, and all he could say was stuttering sounded. Hot tears streamed down his face, and he squeezed his eyelids shut in the hope his tears would stop. But, instead, his choppy breathing and watery eyes remained for quite some time.
Luca Yashima
Mom, I'm s.....
Darkness descended on his vision; he was cried as he watched the light fade from his eyes. His skinny, fragile hands turned cold like stone. He exhaled what was left of his sanity. Every second count, he couldn't stop crying as tears fell quickly from his eyes.
He regrets and shame all things he could've done, the times he could've been someone that always wants have been, but he was consumed by his body's insecurities, guilt, and pain.
He could not comprehend what was happening; the thought of dying in this god-forsaken world scared him. Never again would he show how much his mother means to him. What will happen to tomorrow's concert? And never again be called son or darling, a name he's grown to love.
The road was so peaceful and quiet. The sounds seemed to stop, or maybe Luca was slowly losing his sense of hearing; all eyes turned to the dying boy as he drew his last breath. Time froze for the victim's mother's eyes. When his son's hand dropped by her side, she knew he's already gone.
Aiko Yashima
LUCA, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME, SON!!!
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