Chapter 4: Chat Time

..."Hm — I was actually going to throw this away, but maybe I really should..."

>> Just leave it alone. You'll never find any friends. << — the familiar, sinister voice cuts in.

Startled, Yoru looks around his room — but just like the times before, there's nothing to find. No person, no object. "What is that? Why is this voice showing up again? I thought it was just the lack of sleep. Am I actually starting to hear voices now? Am I losing my mind or something?"

But despite the fright, Yoru manages to calm himself down faster this time. "Maybe it's just because I've been alone so much lately. Maybe it really would be better if I sent that guy a message. What was his name again? Sato? Seta? Sen?"

Yoru picks up his phone, looks at the number on the slip of paper, and types it in. "Well, I'll just save him under 'S.' — can't go too wrong with that."

He stares at the new contact. "Okay, now what? What am I even supposed to write to him? I barely know anyone else, except maybe Megan." He keeps staring at the screen. "I think a simple 'Hi' will do."

And so Yoru picks up his phone, taps the contact, and opens the conversation with a plain "Hi." For him, that was a big step — he hasn't genuinely texted anyone new in more than three years, aside from Megan and the occasional message to his mother. "Okay, now I just have to wai—"

- At that moment, a reply comes in immediately. -

"Huh — I really didn't think I'd get a response THAT fast."

[ Author's note: To keep the story easy to follow, text message conversations will from here on be presented in a special format. ]

[ Chat log : ]

[S.]: Hey, so you changed your mind after all? That honestly makes me really happy! :)

[Yoru]: Yeah, looks like it, I guess.

[S.]: That's great — I was genuinely worried you'd turn me down!

[Yoru]: Yeah, things just kind of ended up going differently.

[S.]: So what are you up to right now?

[S.]: Not that I'm trying to stalk you or anything!!!

[Yoru]: No, it's fine, I know what you mean. I'm just at home, not really doing anything in particular.

[S.]: Hmm.. doesn't doing nothing get pretty boring after a while?

"Oh, you wise soul," Yoru mutters quietly to himself, and keeps typing.

[Yoru]: Well, I'm kind of used to it at this point. So it doesn't really bother me.

[S.]: Oh, I see...

[S.]: Okay! I have an idea!

[S.]: How about we meet up somewhere and get to know each other a little better? Just talk, hang out, whatever!

"Get to know each other better?" Yoru wonders, mildly taken aback. "Man, how am I even supposed to respond to that?" He stares at his phone again for a moment, thinking it over. "Well... I guess it's actually not that bad of an idea. I just genuinely don't know how to act around other people." He starts typing.

[Yoru]: Yeah, sure, I don't mind, I think.

[S.]: Drop the "I think"!

[S.]: Great, then it's settled!

[Yoru]: But wait — where do you even want to meet?

[S.]: Uhh, good question, next question...

[S.]: Got it! You probably know the playground near the duck pond in the village, right? I mean, this place isn't exactly huge.

[Yoru]: Yeah, I know it.

[S.]: Perfect, then let's meet there around 3pm!

[Yoru]: Uhm okay, but hold on. What are we actually going to do there?

[S.]: I don't know...

[S.]: I'm sure we'll figure something out once we're there! I'm positive!

"Oh man — I just agreed to something where neither of us even knows what we're doing." Yoru writes back.

[Yoru]: Okay, if you say so.

[S.]: Great, then see you at 3pm!

[S.]: Well then — talk later, Yoru!

[Yoru]: Talk later.

After the short chat, Yoru sets his phone down and thinks about the meetup. "So I'm actually going to see someone again." He lies flat on his bed and stares up at the ceiling, the way he so often does. "It's been a long time since I met up with anyone. I wonder if I'll do everything right."

He lets out a short sigh. "Wait a second — how does he even know my name?" He looks around, puzzled. "Is he maybe some kind of stalker after all? No, I don't think so. He probably just saw it in my contact settings."

- For a while, Yoru closes his eyes. But as his thoughts drift, he slowly dozes off — until suddenly he hears something. -

>> Do you really think you need to meet up with anyone? Why go to other people when you could be so much stronger on your own? <<

Yoru's eyes snap open and he looks around in alarm. "That was genuinely unsettling. It's probably just because my brain drifted to that voice for a moment. I really hope it's just because I've been lying here alone doing nothing."

He glances at his phone. "WHAT — it's already 2:46pm? Oh man, I really shouldn't have fallen asleep. I need to move!"

- He throws on his shoes and jacket at speed and heads straight to the playground. When he arrives, Yoru can already spot Sero standing by a bench with a smile, waiting for him. -

"Ah — so you actually showed up," Sero greets him with a grin. "Well, why wouldn't I?" Yoru asks, mildly confused. "I don't know. There are a lot of people out there who don't show up when they're supposed to and just leave you hanging," Sero muses thoughtfully.

--- Chapter 4 End ---

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