The unveiled side

The rain poured down in sheets, drowning the landscape in a torrential deluge.

Everything was still… except for the low drone of cicadas, their song weaving through the thicket and rising above the pitter-patter of raindrops on leaves.

Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by the roar of a black car as it barreled along the soaked road. Its tires kicked up a spray of water, adding to the cacophony of sounds that filled the night air.

Against this backdrop, a kid clad in hospital garb with bandage that covers his left eye appeared, racing through the forest with the speed and grace of a puma.

The kid's footsteps echoed through the trees as he bounded on, evading patches of mud and ducking under low-hanging branches.

Close behind was a masked figure, driving a black car and steering the vehicle off the main road and into the forest in pursuit of the fleeing boy.

Despite the rain and the wind, the kid managed to look over his shoulder and fix his gaze upon the vehicle pursuing him. He slowed to a stop, planting his feet firmly in the mud, and turned to face the car head-on. With an expression of defiance, he seemed almost annoyed by the pursuit, as if he saw this as little more than an inconvenience.

The man in the driver's seat, eyes fixed on the kid standing motionless in the middle of the road, slammed his foot onto the gas pedal. The engine of the car revved higher, and the vehicle surged forward at an even faster speed.

He seemed intent on closing the gap between himself and the kid, and showed no signs of slowing down.

In a matter of seconds, the scene went from dramatic to chaotic. The kid's stoic expression turned to a manic grin as he stopped the car's advance with a forceful stomp. The vehicle careened out of control, tipping precariously on two wheels

The driver, now exposed through the shattered windshield, quickly drew a gun and pointed it straight at the kid's forehead. With a crisp, sharp sound, the gun rang out, silencing the forest and bringing an abrupt end to the chase.

5 months passed.

The day was indeed a beautiful one.

The sun shone brightly over the park, where children's laughter rang out like chimes in the breeze.

Families strolled through the paths and grass, some enjoying life to the fullest while others, perhaps, faced both good fortune and misfortune.

While some individuals work hard and others take it easy, young couples and old couples walk side by side and new babies take their first steps.

A volleyball shot high into the air after being spiked by an ambitious student. In the school yard, a group of high school girls were engaged in an intense game of volleyball.

They moved quickly across the grass, spiking, setting, and blocking with impressive skill. They played with serious concentration, eyes locked on the ball as it flew back and forth across the makeshift court.

The ball careened towards one girl in particular, who appeared visibly nervous. Instead of jumping to spike the ball, she shrieked and dodged out of the way.

The female coach, watching with a critical eye, blew her whistle, signaling that the opposing team had just scored a point.

The girls on the team, breathing hard from their intense efforts, paused to catch their breath. The girl who had missed the ball began to apologize to her teammates.

The female coach, blowing her whistle once again to pause the game, strode over to the girl. Hands on her hips, she spoke firmly.

"This isn't dodge ball, you need to face the ball head-on!"

Misha, the female coach, stood before the girl, her words tough but fair.

Misha's frustration deepened as the girl spoke, her voice quivering with emotion.

"I'm sorry,"

she repeated, tears welling up in her eyes.

"The ball was...it was coming too fast and I got nervous."

Misha sighed, her annoyance evident.

"You have to face your fears if you want to improve,"

she said, her voice firm.

"You can't just dodge the ball every time."

Her tone was sharp, but her words came from a place of genuine concern.

The school bell rang out, signifying the start of lunch break.

The students gathered their things and excitedly started to trickle out of the gym.

As they did, a male teacher approached Misha, who was still standing on the volleyball court.

"Good afternoon,"

Satoshi greeted Misha with a soft smile.

Misha replied with a slight bow, showing her respect for the older teacher.

Satoshi chuckled softly and shook his head,

"You know you don't have to be so formal around me. Please, call me by my first name." He said.

Misha hesitated for a moment, but then took a deep breath and tried it.

"Satoshi... err, S-Sato for short?"

Satoshi's face lit up, his smile widening as Misha attempted to use his nickname.

"Yes, Sato for short,"

He confirmed, his tone warm and friendly.

"You've been working here as a coach for the students for half a year now..."

Satoshi continued.

"And just in case you don't know... we're actually the same age."

Misha's eyes widened in surprise at this revelation.

She knew that Satoshi was a teacher at the school, but she had never realized that they were peers in age.

Satoshi chuckled at Misha's surprised expression, finding her reaction quite amusing.

"So please, act like we're friends,"

he said, his tone gentle but with a touch of authority.

Misha was taken aback by Satoshi's comment.

She had always respected him as a teacher, but the idea of being friends with him was foreign to her.

She didn't know how to respond, so she simply stood there, staring at him with a mix of confusion and uncertainty.

Misha smiled as she accepted Satoshi's request. However, she noticed the time and suddenly became aware that she's going to miss her bus.

"Oh, I have to go now,"

she said, her tone apologetic.

"See you soon, Sir- err, Sato."

With a quick wave, Misha jogged out of the school yard, disappearing through the exit gate.

Satoshi watched her go, his eyes filled with an amused expression. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he felt a soft breeze blow past him, freezing him in his tracks.

The friendly smile slowly faded from his lips as a cold, serious expression took its place. He stopped in his tracks, the soft breeze causing his dark hair to gently sway.

He turned his gaze to the spot where Misha had been just moments ago, his expression now etched with concern.

Few moments passed.

The streets outside were alive with the sound of cars passing by, their engines purring as they glided down the asphalt.

Pedestrians mingled on the sidewalks, their voices blending together in a low hum of conversation as they went about their day.

Misha sipped her ice coffee, the cold drink a refreshing contrast to the warm summer air.

Misha's peaceful moment was abruptly interrupted as a man with a hoodie raced past, colliding into her and sending her ice coffee flying.

"Ugh!"

she exclaimed

Watching in frustration as the drink splashed onto her shirt. The man didn't even pause to apologize, just continuing to run away without a second glance.

Misha's irritation was increasing with each passing moment.

She bent down to pick up the empty plastic cup that now lay on the ground, placing it carefully in the nearby recycling bin.

The stain on her shirt was a constant reminder of the unfortunate event, and her mood was souring rapidly.

Misha let out a soft, frustrated grunt as she cast a disapproving glare towards the direction where the hoodie-clad man had disappeared.

Suddenly, she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, and as she pivoted on her heel, her eyes fell upon Mori, her old friend.

A look of surprise and happiness appeared on Misha's face, her earlier irritation instantly evaporating.

"Mori!"

She exclaimed enthusiastically, her voice brimming with delight. She enveloped her friend in a loose but affectionate hug.

"It's been a while, how have you been?" Misha asked with a warm smile, still holding onto Mori's hands.

"I heard you got married two months ago," she continued, her tone a mix of surprise and excitement.

"You should have invited me!"

Mori gave a sheepish smile, gently pulling away from the embrace while still holding onto Misha's hands.

"Sorry, Misha... We didn't have a big celebration," she explained softly. "It was just a small gathering with our families."

"Oh come on now, don't keep me in suspense!"

Misha said jokingly, a playful tone in her voice.

"Who's this lucky guy that managed to capture your heart?"

Mori chuckled softly, her eyes momentarily flickering away before refocusing on Misha.

She pulled out her phone and showed her the lock screen, revealing a photo of herself and her partner, Tatsuya.

Misha's eyes widened in surprised recognition as she looked closely at the photo.

"Tatsuya?!?!" she exclaimed.

"I can't believe it!"

Misha exclaimed, her laughter echoing through the air as she tried to process the shocking revelation.

"That nerdy Tatsuya from high school?"

Mori chuckled along with her friend, a bemused smile on her lips.

As they walked down the streets, the two friends continued their conversation, reminiscing about the good old times and sharing fond memories.

As the friends continued their conversation, they were suddenly interrupted by the sight of a man in a suit wearing a black mask bumping into Mori without so much as an apology.

He kept walking without acknowledging the collision.

Misha's eyes widened in surprise and annoyance as she watched the rude interaction.

"Hey, watch where you're going!"

She called out to the man.

Misha let out a frustrated groan as she observed the man disappearing into the crowd, his lack of manners leaving her feeling annoyed.

She then turned to Mori, her irritation still evident on her face.

"What is wrong with people these days?"

Misha huffed, her voice tinged with annoyance.

"Just a short while ago, someone bumped into me and spilled my ice coffee all over my shirt! And they didn't even say sorry!"

Mori let out a small chuckle, crossing her arms as she observed Misha's stained shirt.

"I was wondering why your shirt looked like that,"

Mori teased lightheartedly.

"I thought it was a new trend. But I guess you just had an unfortunate run-in with some thoughtless passersby."

Misha slightly chuckled, her earlier irritation fading somewhat.

"You know, I'd be much happier about this stain if it were actually a fashion statement,"

She quipped back, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"But no, just a classic case of a careless person and an unfortunate collision."

Time slipped away as the two friends spent hours catching up, laughing and reminiscing about the past.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden hue over everything, they found themselves at a nearby park, the soft glow of the park's lighting adding a pleasant ambiance to the surroundings.

They then settled down on a bench, their conversation continuing as they took in the pleasant surroundings.

Mori glanced at her phone, checking the time.

"Oh wow, I can't believe it's already this late,"

She said, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"I should probably head back home before my husband starts to worry."

She then stood up, a small sigh escaping her lips.

Misha's expression turned a bit solemn as she sighed and looked down at the ground.

"This sucks," she muttered under her breath.

Looking back up, she met Mori's eye and forced a small smile.

"Yeah, I guess you better get going," she said.

"But don't forget to message me, okay?"

Mori nodded and gave Misha a cheerful wave goodbye before turning and walking away from the park.

As Misha fished out her phone and started scrolling through her messages, she was suddenly interrupted by the sound of rustling coming from a nearby bush.

Startled, she lifted her head and turned to look in the direction of the noise, her curiosity piqued.

To her surprise, she saw a child emerging from the bushes, dressed in hospital clothing with a bandage covering one eye.

Misha sat quietly, observing the kid from a distance, sensing an odd aura emanating from him.

She tried to ignore his presence by looking anywhere but at him, including her phone.

The kid, who was breathing heavily, began to look around, and his eyes fell on Misha seated on the bench.

He observed her for a moment before beginning to approach her.

He finally stood at her side, and Misha looked up to see him there.

Puzzled by his presence, she asked curiously,

"Is there something you need?"

The child stared silently in another direction for a moment before turning back to Misha and quietly asking,

"Can you help me, big sister?"

Misha set her phone aside and focused on the kid, who had a neutral expression.

She responded with a question of her own.

"Help you with what?"

The kid continued to gaze at her, and then stated.

"I'm cold."

Misha paused for a moment, then had an idea pop into her head.

She held out her hand to the kid, smiling gently.

The kid appeared puzzled, tilting his head in confusion as he looked at her extended hand.

Without hesitation, he hesitantly accepted her hand, and Misha suddenly pulled him close, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle embrace.

The child's eyes widened in surprise, letting out a soft gasp as he was pulled into the unexpected snuggle.

Rather than resisting, he leaned into her embrace, seeming unaccustomed to such affection but finding reassurance in her warmth.

Gradually, he closed his eyes.

The child opened his eyes and saw a woman clad in a suit and mask that concealed her entire facial expression.

He breathed deeply, slowly pulling away from the embrace.

Misha looked at the kid, asking.

"Do you feel better now?"

The kid nodded in response, replying,

"I have to go now. My aunt is here."

Misha turned her head and noticed a lovely woman dressed in a beautiful gown.

"Alright then, take care,"

Misha said warmly to the kid.

She observed as the kid appeared hesitant but ultimately walked towards the pretty lady and the two departed.

A lingering sense of concern tugged at Misha's mind, though she could not quite put her finger on what was amiss.