Ethereal Flute Steals Consciousness
？？?
Whatever. I'll just chuck you out there.
The stranger stuck an arm around my waist, hoisted me onto his shoulder, then headed for the broken window.
You
You're going to throw me out there?!
He showed no sign of hearing me. Reaching the window, he threw his leg up on the seat and peered outside.
A strange, acrid smell stung my nose.
On the other side of the window, an alien landscape robed in red fog stretched out into oblivion.
(If he throws me out there, I'll...)
？？?
Quit strugglin'. I can't get a good angle.
？？?
Just your friendly neighbourhood ghoul! Man, I have always wanted to say that!
The stranger hefted me up and swung me back, preparing to throw.
？？？
Come on, man. Don't do that in front of me.
？？？
I'm just saying. I'll have to tell the academy, and no one wants that.
？？?
Stay outta my way, asshole.
The first stranger tossed me onto a seat like discarded luggage.
？？？
Chill out, Taiga. I'm not trying to swipe your prey.
？？？
This civilian saw you, right? I'll take care of cleanup.
？？?
Oh, for real? I'll go after that thing then.
？？？
Yep, sure. Maybe try not to destroy anything?
The red-haired stranger punched a hole in another window.
？？？
What did I just say...?
He picked up a handful of shattered glass, leaped through the window frame, and disappeared into the fog.
All right. Let's get out of here for starters.
The remaining stranger stretched, then knelt on the floor of the train, back straight.
He pulled out a long flute, pressed it to his lips, and blew several notes into the air.
(What a beautiful sound...)
The gentle scent of rain had filled the train car.
Suddenly, a stream of bubbles flowed from my mouth.
Somehow, I was underwater.
(Everything's going dark...)
Announcement
We will soon be arriving at the final stop, Shimbashi Station.
I was jolted back to consciousness by a familiar announcement.
I was back in a normal train car.
For some reason, daylight was streaming through the windows.
You
Still no other passengers... But everything else seems normal...?
？？？
Sorry, but I'm still here.
I tried to spin around, but the world tilted as my leg buckled beneath me.
The stranger caught me before I fell, but I winced at the pain in my right leg.
You
You asked me what I thought it was, didn't you...?
？？？
Huh? Did you have your eyes closed?
You
He took another match out of the bottle he was holding and lit it with the striker strip.
？？？
Could you look at this fire for me?
He stared hard at me with a furrow in his brow, as though he didn't like that response.
He blew out the match again.
(Is this some kind of prank?)
The series of bizarre events coupled with the pain in my leg was becoming too much for me. I took a deep breath.
You
The monster, the gunshots, the scenery outside the train changing...
You
Are you guys filming a movie or something?
Comments
Tōshirō Hitsugaya
Heartwarming and inspiring.
2025-07-18
0