Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)—————————————————————————————————————

ANHS- Ayanokoji POV
I made my way to the graduation ceremony when Horikita stopped him.
Horikita: Why did you do this? After everything we'd been through?
Koji: I was hoping you and Koenji could defeat me but I ended up stealing Class A from you two.
Horikita was crying at this point.
Horikita: I loved but you betrayed me.
Koji: I loved you as well.
Horikita: Then why!?
She screamed at me in anger.
Koji: I just...
Horikita fell to her knees.
Horikita: After those six months together you did this! You betrayed our class abandoning me to fend for myself.
Koji: It would never have worked between us in the end. After my graduation, there was no way for me to spend time with you.
Horikita: Why?
Koji: I can't say.
Horikita: Why did you leave me?
The tears in her eyes were flowing so much. It hurt me to see her like this. After all she wasn't just a tool anymore but someone I loved.
Koji: I wasn't going to waste any more time distracting you in a romance that would never lead anywhere but I really do love you. Enough to let you go.
Horikita: You... you should have talked to me. We could have...
With tears in her eyes, she looked up at me.
Koji: No we couldn't.
Horikita got up grabbing my collar in anger.
Koji: You're still the Student Council President. If you walk onto stage like that it will be a disgrace to your name.
Horikita: You ruined me. This is your fault!
Koji: I know.
Horikita: Why don't you care about anyone more than yourself? Why are you like this?
Koji: I can't be what you need me to be. Not in this life.
Horikita: I'll never forgive you for this. For what you put me through.
Koji: I really do love you.
Horikita: I hate you.
Horikita stormed off towards the graduation auditorium. I followed behind taking my place and as I stood there in the crowd I pondered to myself. What have I done that has actually been important? Throughout my three years here I have manipulated and betrayed everyone in this school. The only worthwhile things I did were encouraging growth in a few students and gaining some of my emotions back because of Horikita. When I looked back on my life there were only two paths I would have liked to take. Either a peaceful life where I could be normal or one where I could truly challenge myself. But that wasn't possible in this world. I had already reached the peak and I was far from normal. This all left me with an immense feeling. Boredom. I wanted to live an exciting life where I could be satisfied with my path. When I looked at Koenji who had accepted his loss and began to move forward by improving himself and forging the path that would lead to his future I was left with one emotion. Envy.
???: Aishiteru.
I looked around for the sound of the voice but noticed that no one else had heard it.
Koji- Strange. 
After the end of the graduation ceremony, I went to my room, lay down on my bed and went to sleep.
???: Aishiteru.
The feeling was so strange. I didn't understand where this voice was coming from or who it belonged to so I focused on the voice more. The voice was sincere and warming yet at the same time unsettling. 
???: Aishi...
???: Okiteru Senpai!!!
I woke up to a familiar voice as I heard them knocking on the door. I opened it to find Amasawa.
Ichika: Hi Senpai. Are you doing alright?
Koji: Why?
Ichika: It's just that I spotted you looking around the auditorium.
Koji: I thought I heard something is all.
Ichika: Hm... you'll be leaving soon right?
Koji: There's no point in staying here any longer. I was planning on sleeping and then packing up and then leaving.
Ichika: Well then let me help you.
The two of us packed my luggage and I thanked her.
Ichika: I'm not dropping out.
Koji: I know. Spend your time here and enjoy it. After all, you have 1 more year here.
Ichika: I know.
I patted her on the head.
Koji- Strange as it is our relationship has become much different than before. While her feelings are unchanged I can't help but see her like a chaotic younger sister.
I walked outside heading towards the car that was waiting for me. My father was in the passenger seat with the window down waiting for me with that same look on his face.
Koji- I'm not looking forward to returning to the White Room.
???: Aishiteru.
I turned my head.
Koji- Nothing.
I then noticed an irritation in my eyes so I rubbed them for a second.
???: Aishiteru.
I heard her voice again and then... what is that sound? I opened my eyes to see wagons drawn by reptile creatures and humans with animal ears and tails walking around.
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Lugunica- Capitol City
Koji- What is going on?
I observed the moving world around me and saw a boy about to be run over by a carriage. I walked over and grabbed his arm pulling him out of the way and then left.
Koji- I need to get my bearings. Too bad that child's parents aren't close by.
I walked over to a street vendor who had fruits that resembled apples.
Koji: Hi. Could you spare a moment of time?
Vendor: You going to buy something?
Koji: I don't have money.
Vendor: Then no.
Koji: Please? I'll compensate you at a later date.
Vendor: Fine. What do you want?
Koji: You see I've lost my memory and I'm clearly a foreigner. The only thing I seem to remember is my name. Could you perhaps fill me in on things from our world? Like Currency, some brief politics and some taboos I should avoid?
The vendor sighed taking a pouch from his pocket and taking out some coins explaining their value.
Vendor: I don't know much about politics and I can't really think of anything to call a taboo per say. But obviously slavery isn't allowed.
Koji: I see. Could you point me to some relevant authorities?
Koji- Perhaps I'll have better luck there. Still, they might have an identification system. Still. It's worth the risk.
I walked off in the direction he pointed me and was walking through an alley when three men approached me.
Koji- I'm being mugged? Really?
Thug 1: Hey don't worry. We won't hurt ya. Just give us all your belongings.
Koji: Are you sure? I'm pretty sure I don't have anything of worth.
Thug 2: We'll see about that after we take your stuff.
Thug 3: Yeah!
I sighed when a beautiful girl with pointed ears rushed over to the rooftop but stopped upon seeing us.
???: Have any of you seen a small girl rush through here?
Thugs: No now get lost.
Koji: No I haven't good luck on finding her.
??? was about to leave but hesitated.
???: Aren't you getting mugged?
Koji: Yeah I think I am.
I said this with an unfazed expression.
???: You're not going to ask for help?
Koji: You're a stranger. Why would you help me and involve yourself?
??? jumped down.
???: I can't just walk away while this is happening. Puck!
A little floating cat floated out of the gemstone in her necklace as crystals of ice appeared and she launched them towards the thugs. They were just warning shots of course as they ran off.
Koji: Thank you.
???: It's nothing. Just an exchange of favours. You told me what you knew so I helped you.
Koji: My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Could I have your name?
??? seemed to shift uncomfortably. Did she find me unsettling for some reason?
???: Satella.
Koji: It's nice to meet you Satella.
Satella: Yes. It's nice to meet you as well Kiyotaka.
She seemed to make a slightly surprised face.
Puck: What exactly do you think you're doing analysing Lia so closely?
Koji- He noticed me observing her closely. Lia? That doesn't sound like a fitting nickname. Though I expected that Satella was probably a fake name.
Koji: Sorry it's a habit I have.
Satella: Come on Puck. Don't be rude.
Koji: So the girl you were looking for. Mind if I help?
Satella: Why?
Koji: You see I know nothing about this city and I have no money to my name. I was hoping that establishing good terms with you would help me find my bearings.
Satella: Well alright.
We walked around until we came across the slums. Puck went inside the gemstone.
Satella: He'll be asleep for a while.
Koji: That's fine.
Satella stood on the bridge summoning the lesser spirits towards her. The sight was memorizing. She really was beautiful.
We eventually found our way to a loot house. 
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Loot House
We entered to find a giant man and a little girl gutted.
Koji- Not good.
I pushed Satella out of the way as we barely managed to dodge an attack.
Satella: What was that?
???: Oh? Did you dodge that?
I got up, grabbed Satellas hand, pulled her towards the door, and threw her through the doorway as I turned and dodged another slash.
Koji- This speed. It's way too fast!
I jumped back through the doorway.
Satella: What is going on?
???: Come back inside. Let's have some fun.
Koji: I'm not really a fan of staying indoors all day. why don't you come out and feel the moonlight instead?
???: Fine.
She stepped out holding two cleavers. One in each hand. With this, I was able to assess the hopelessness of the situation. She was far superior to me physically. I didn't stand a chance.
Koji: Satella. I think we're going to die.
Satella: What?
Koji: There's no way I can fight her and win so run away and get some help. I'll stall her.
I said this but Elsa charged in as I desperately tried to dodge and did I fell backwards.
Koji- All is go...
A massive cut appeared on my stomach. I was bleeding out.
Koji- This feeling. I've felt similar so many times but it's been so long and it's never gotten this bad. I think I'm... I think I'm dying. Oh well. I was hoping to find some freedom in this world but I suppose death is another kind of freedom.
I closed my eyes.
???: Aishiteru.
Koji- Huh?
I opened my eyes to see the Appa vendor in front of me.
Vendor: Hey I gave you my time. What do you want?
Koji- What the? Did I die and then come back?
The feeling of dying was still fresh in my mind. I'm sure almost anyone else would be vomiting right now. Even I was tempted to.
Koji- What is going on?
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To Be Continued

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