16 Fall: And So, Stupidity That Which Fell To; ...!
"You're late!"
I watched Pandora puff up her cheeks in angst, grabbing my hand before staring up at me.
"Sorry, I couldn't really sleep last night," I yawned out, closing the door behind me before we made our way to school.
"Nightmares again then?" she asked, and I nodded, yawning again, covering my mouth with my free hand.
"I see…" She trailed off as she bit her lip slightly, looking down at the ground.
"Anyway, enough about me, what do you wanna do today?" I asked, and she looked up at me, frowning.
"Whatever you wanna do."
I let out a sigh before frowning, remembering Eros' words. "That isn't very helpful you know."
"But it's the guy's job to take charge, isn't it?" She asked, looking up at me with an expectant look in her eyes.
I exhaled sharply through my nose instead of my normal sigh, scratching my hair. "Well, I wanna see them then…"
"See who?"
"The people in my club. It's been so long since I've been there, since I've devoted most of my time to you." I glanced over at her, and she was pouting at my words. "Not that that's a bad thing, I just think a change of pace would be nice…"
She looked up at the trees, all but barren now, before nodding to herself. "Alright, let's do it then."
Eh? "Wait, really? You'll let me go?"
"Who said anything about you going alone? Of course I'm going with you," she said, a dazzling smile reaching my eyes.
"Oh, I guess I should've expected that one," I said, frowning to myself, and I got a swift kick in the leg.
"Don't look so disappointed! It's times like these that you're supposed to show off your cute girlfriend, so that way everyone gets jealous!"
I feel as if she just missed my entire reason for going, I thought, letting loose a small smile.
"Ah," Pandora let out, and we both stopped in front of the school gate, already at our destination.
She hesitated, looking down at our interlocked hands before looking up at me.
"It'll be alright," I said, attempting to slip out of her grasp. But before I could, she grabbed onto the tips of my fingers, her regal purple eyes looking at me.
"We'll meet up for lunch, okay?"
I nodded.
"I'll come to you so we can go to your club together, okay?"
I nodded once more.
"I'll, I'll…"
I gave her a smile, nodding for the third and final time.
"It's okay to let go," I said, finally slipping out of her grasp.
"Your Fault."
I winced slightly as the burden that she relieved me of came roaring back, with all of it's YOURFAULT'S, laughter, and the never-ending voices that always haunted me.
She walked backwards, looking at me carefully, and I just gave her a small wave.
"YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT," I said, and she nodded before running into the school, leaving me alone underneath a grey sky.
I sighed before gritting my teeth, YOURFAULT of YOURFAULT coming back to me YOURFAULTYOURFAULT, as I failed to push the hair away from my face.
I've grown used to this routine in the YOURFAULT weeks since I've remembered everything, and it surprisingly didn't YOURFAULT affect me as much as I thought it would. I guess it's true that people really can adapt to things easily, no matter how awful.
I readjusted my backpack before heading into the school. Over the course of these two YOURFAULT's, I've found that it gets worse whenever I think about certain people or things, along with being around certain people as well. And by certain people, I mean YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, and YOURFAULT. I met up with them shortly after everything occurred, but I couldn't hear anything YOURFAULTYOURFAULT telling me. In the end, I haven't seen YOURFAULT since, and I still haven't figured out if that's truly a blessing or not.
I opened the door to the classroom, noticing Hiro already in his seat, staring out the window with a serious look in his eyes.
"Is something the matter?" I asked, and he rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb, removing the look he once had.
"Nah, I'm good. Just thinking about some stuff is all," He said, stretching his limbs out in his chair before letting out a loud yawn.
"If it makes you feel any better, I plan on going to the club today," I said, taking my seat in front of him.
"Wait, seriously!?" he yelled out, nearly causing me to jump out of my seat. "So, Pandora's coming with you then?"
"Yeah, she is," I said, turning around to him.
"I see, trying to show off YOURFAULTYOURFAULT, huh? I see how it is. I didn't think you were YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT person."
I frowned, trying to piece what he just said together. "Um, it was Pandora's idea actually."
"Nah, darling would never concoct such a menacing plan. I blame you."
"I seriously don't get the joke with that," I said, and Hiro let out a laugh.
"It's because she's my darling Pandy, and I'm her Honey Hiro."
"Isn't normally the other way around though?" I thought aloud, and Hiro shrugged.
"We break norms here, what can I say."
I couldn't help but chuckle a little before turning forward in my seat.
"Anyway, I won't tell anyone that you or your girlfriend is coming, got that?"
I nodded, gritting my teeth as the voices grew louder.
"I'll never leave you."
"You already have everything you need…"
"We came here to save you Depra, no, KING!"
"In the end, there was nothing I could do…"
"BRING THEM BACK YOU USELESS BASTARD!!!"
I took a deep breath, the voices dying down into their normal lull just beneath the surface, and I stared out the window, looking at the grey sky once more.
"I really should've left it alone," I murmured, the bell starting another long day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You know, I like eating with two hands sometimes Pandora," I said, glancing down at our interlocked hands.
It was lunchtime, and we were sitting outside in one of the school's courtyards alone, it being relatively warmer today than normal.
She gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand. "You don't wanna hold hands with me? The girl you're dating? I'm hurt."
"… You're ridiculous sometimes, you know that?" I grumbled, taking a bite out of my sandwich.
She uncovered her mouth, a small smile on her face. "Yep, it's what you like about me so much!"
Well, she's not wrong about that, I thought as she took a bite out of my sandwich. Although, even I find it rather strange, how I came to like her as much as I do now…
"Now that I think about it, what do you even like about me?" I asked, taking a bite out of her sandwich. "I'm just a big ol' pain in the ass, especially with how I am now."
"Hmm, I guess it would be, your hair?"
"Be serious," I growled out, taking a swig of water, and she giggled to herself.
"No, it's true! I've always liked that unkempt black hair of yours," she said, nodding to herself. "Yeah, that's probably what I like most about you!"
"Hey, that's a problem if that's what you like the most about me," I said, and she laughed.
"That last part was a joke you negative bunny," she said, poking me in the side. "I do like your hair, but it's not what I like the most about you. Probably a close second though."
"The fact you said that so seriously worries me," I murmured, and she let out another laugh.
"Well, compared to my own hair, I like yours a lot better."
"I like yours better than my own though," I said, glancing at her hair, which was purple underneath the dark grey clouds. "Honestly, I would like to have your hair color instead of mine."
"Oh, then we better switch hair colors one day then!" She said, grinning at me.
"How does that even work?" I asked myself, glancing at her hair before shaking my head. "No wait, seriously, what is the thing you like about me the most then?"
And without skipping a beat, she told me with the utmost seriousness, shocking me so much that I dropped my sandwich, which she promptly caught.
"H-huh?" It was all I could let out at her words, and she nodded, looking me directly in the eye.
"Yeah, that really is what I like the most about you. Oh, if you don't like that answer, we can always go with I like everything about you."
"DON'T SCREW WITH ME!" I yelled out, causing her to flinch back. "Like hell that's true, there's no way in hell that's true, so stop fucking around already!"
"Who said I was joking?" It was my turn to flinch, as I was caught off guard by the stiffness in her voice, her eyes conveying not an ounce of insincerity.
"That's just, just…" I trailed off, my hand moving its way out of the hold it had placed itself in.
Impossible. Absolutely Impossible.
"It's just, I, you must be crazy to think that! Who the hell would like that out of all damn things!? I won't, no, I can't believe such lunacy!"
"Is it so wrong, to like that part of you too?" She asked, her hand gripping on to keep the hold intact.
"OF COURSE IT IS!" I roared out, ripping my hand out of the hold, shooting to my feet before stumbling backwards.
"YOUR FAULT!"
I let out a cry of pain as it came back to me, roaring in at full force, all the laughter, the YOURFAULT'S, and most especially-!
"Really? I never liked my hair much, but if you like it, then I like it too!"
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"
"If I'm a murderer, then that means it doesn't matter what the hell I do to you, right?"
"Don't give up, you hear me!? I won't forgive you if you do!"
"LEAVE ME ALONE GODDAMNIT!" I roared out, clutching my head as YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOUFAU-!
"SHUT UP AND JUST-!" I gasped, realizing what I had done, and everything around and within me silenced itself.
I gripped my shirt, unable to catch my breath. "No, NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo! Not again, no, please, wait, I'm sorry, please, I-!"
I felt warmth envelop me, and a soft face rubbed itself against mine.
"I'll never leave you."
I watched the purple hair cascade down my shoulders, as I let out a brief laugh, before the tears that would never fall filled my eyes filled them.
"I'll say it as many times as I'll have too, okay?"
"I'm here, because you need me."
"So, you don't have to worry, okay?"
"Never forget that Depra, never forget that."
I didn't deserve it, I never deserved it, not since that day, but maybe…
In the end, I left the thought be, tossing it into which they confined me in…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Oho, so you finally decided to show her off! How cruel of you Depra!"
It was the end of the day now, and I had walked into the clubroom for the first time in over a month and a half, hand in hand with Pandora. Only Prez and Hiro were in the clubroom at the moment, with Prez the one making the comment.
"How exactly is it cruel? She wanted to come meet you guys, so here we are," I said, scratching my cheek.
"Yeah, but you never said the girl was as hot as me!" She shouted out, pouting at me. I couldn't deny that fact from Prez sadly, although I preferred Pandora.
I felt a tight squeeze, and I glanced over to see Pandora glaring at me. "You were thinking that she was as hot as me, weren't you?"
Shit. "No, you're way better than her, trust me. Her personality sucks anyway."
"But we're the same based on looks is what you're saying."
FUUUUUUUUU-!
"Nah, you look way better than Prez here darling," Hiro said, and Pandora nodded.
"See, at least honey gets it."
"Hey, don't just insult me while I'm here!" Prez yelled out, and we started to laugh. I'll have to thank Hiro later from saving me from that predicament.
"So, this is your clubroom then?" Pandora said, pulling me by our interlocked hands as she walked around the room. "You've joined this club since freshman year, right?"
I nodded, smiling to myself as the memories came back. "Yeah, it's been quite a lot of fun in the Hidden Club."
"That's our motto after all Depra! To have fun!" Prez said, shooting me a grin and thumbs up.
"Since when have we had a motto Prez?" Hiro said, scowling at her.
"Just now!"
"…You're an idiot."
"So mean!" Prez said, faking pain as she crumbled to her knees, and Pandora started to giggle.
"So, what do you guys do anyway?"
"Whatever this idiot decides," Hiro and I said in unison, pointing at the culprit, and said culprit slumped down to the floor in utter defeat at our words.
"Hey Hiro, I thought you were on my side!" Prez started to cling to Hiro's legs despite his many protests.
"Oi, get off of me already!" Hiro yelled off, trying to get her off, and Pandora frowned as she watched the scene unfold.
"Something wrong?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"Nah, nothing you need to concern yourself with," she said, smiling to herself.
Huh? But before I could continue my train of thought, Pinkie walked in on the two fighting over each other, letting out a sigh.
"What the hell are you two doing?" We all turned to Pinkie, who was scowling as she watched Hiro and Prez have a wrestling match at this point.
"Oh, thank the heavens you're here Pinkie! Help me take down Prez why don't ya!?"
"No way, you help me out Pinkie! Girl power needs to triumph over Hiro!"
Pinkie sighed, shaking her head. "You two are idiots." She dragged Prez away from Hiro, despite Prez's complaints.
"Aw man, I was close to taking him out once and for all," Prez grumbled, pouting at Pinkie.
"Oh man, you really are a life saver Pinkie, you know that?" Hiro said, laughing the entire thing off.
"Shut up Hiro."
"Eh!? What did I do?"
Pinkie let out a small smile before nailing him in the stomach. "You shouldn't fight girls so much."
"Ouch! Damn that hurts," Hiro groaned as he fell down to one knee. "But, as an advocate of true gender equality, if a girl wishes to fight me, then I shall endeavor to do the same with all my might!" He got a punch to the face for that one.
"Hey honey, you wouldn't be trying to two-time me, right?" Pandora suddenly asked Hiro, causing him to tense up.
"H-huh? I have no clue what you're talking about darling."
"Remember, you have to choose me in the end. Depra here knows exactly what I mean by that," she said, beaming at me.
"Uh, what?"
"All you need to remember is to take care of my lovely self. No other girl is deserving of your attention, got it?"
She really makes no sense sometimes. "Yeah, yeah, I got it." I gave her head pats with my free hand, causing her face to flush pink.
"What did I do to deserve this all of a sudden!?"
"It's because you're too cute," I said, giving her a small smile.
"Hey, seeing them flirt like that really makes me wanna punch Depra, you know what I mean?"
"I think that's only you Caelus."
And in came Caelus with Heracles, Caelus looking as if he was holding back anger, and Heracles with an exasperated look on his face.
"How come you didn't say anything about Depra bringing his girlfriend Hiro!?" Caelus asked Hiro, who picked himself back up, grinning.
"Oh, I thought it would be interesting to see everyone's reaction's is all," he said, winking at Caelus, who also punched him in the stomach.
Heracles chuckled at their interaction before turning to Pandora and I. "I see, so you must be Pandora then. Nice to meet you." He offered his hand in for a handshake, causing Pandora to back away slightly, looking over at Hiro.
"It should be fine if it's with him," Hiro said, picking himself back up after getting punched. She nodded before looking down at the hand, hesitating with her own before Heracles took it.
Her eyes widened as she looked up between Hera and their hands, and to my surprise, she rushed in to hug him, releasing me from my hold. I tensed up, waiting for the inevitable fall, but instead, there was nothing.
Huh? I glanced around at everyone, who were all confused at the sight of Pandora fiercely hugging Hera, before looking at my own set of hands.
I'm, fine? I looked at everyone again before looking back down at my hands.
"Um Depra, is she okay?" Hera asked me, frowning, before looking at me, which caused his frown to deepen. "Uh, Depra, you okay?"
Pandora released him, a broad grin on her face. "Oh, sorry! I was just so happy, I lost myself a little bit. Oh, darling, is he like that too?" She looked over at Caelus, who was listening to Hiro whispering in his ear, before his entire demeanor changed. He let loose a wide grin, pumping his arms in excitement as his sandy-blonde hair flowed upward.
"OH HELL YEAH! I'M, SUPER PUMPED RIGHT NOW! OF COURSE I'M ALRIGHT!"
Caelus swaggered over to Pandora and offered out his hand, a confident smile on his face. "Trust me, I'm alright. I'm Caelus by the way."
Pandora glanced at Hiro again, who shrugged. "It should be fine if he says it is." Nodding once more, she shook hands with Caelus, before a big grin appeared on her face.
"So it is true!" She gave him a fierce hug, squeezing him tight.
"Oh, this, this really is the real deal! When was the last time a girl hugged me!?" Caelus said, practically crying as he hugged her back. "This softness, this aroma, this is a real girl, through and through!"
I felt an odd feeling overcome me as I grabbed onto Caelus' shoulder, looking at him dead in the eyes. "Let go."
He suddenly appeared next to Hiro, clutching himself as he leaned away from me. "Eek! Okay, I'm good! Damn, I thought I was gonna die just then!"
Pandora, who was left clutching air, fell to her knees, a look of disappointment on her face. "Ah, what just-!" She quickly wiped her face before turning to me, realizing what had happened. "Depra, I-!"
I gave her a smile in response, causing her to stop in her tracks. "I'm actually fine, so it's alright."
"Eh?" She looked down at her hands before looking back up at me, a look of relief on her face. "Ah, I see, so that's how it is."
She got back to her feet, smiling at me. "Still, I got to see a jealous Depra today, so I'm pretty happy right now."
"Uh, I'm not jealous," I said, scowling.
"Uhuh, sure you aren't. By the way Caelus, how did you do that?"
"Damnit, I knew we were going to be the last ones!"
"If you knew that, why didn't we leave earlier then Lachesis?"
Before Caelus could respond, the last two members walked in, Lachesis and the Ass. Lachesis saw Pandora in the room before glancing at our hands, which had lost the hold it was once in, before frowning at the two of us. The Ass, however, rolled his eyes at the sight of us two before turning away from the two of us. Why he did so is beyond me, however.
"Ah, it seems everyone's here then!" Prez exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Pandora scowled as she looked at the number of people in the room before tugging on my sleeve.
"Hey, I thought you said there were nine members?" Oh, that.
"Oh, our eighth member is currently very sick overseas, so she's staying there until she gets better," Hiro said, which got him a punch from Lachesis.
"Liar."
"Damn, why am I everyone's punching bag today!?"
We all started to laugh, except for Hiro, who sighed, scratching his afro.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And that's everybody here," Prez said, after everyone in the club had introduced themselves to Pandora. "Glad you could join us for today Pandora!"
She nodded, grinning at Prez. "Glad I could be here!"
"So, what's on the agenda today?" I asked, looking over at Prez, who was sitting at her normal spot by the head of the table.
"Glad you asked Depra! Today we-!" Before she could continue, Hiro through a pencil at her, nailing her in the forehead.
"Ow! Hey, what's the big idea Hiro?"
"I say we let Depra decide, since he hasn't been here in over a month," he suggested. "Anyone object?"
Everyone nodded in agreeance, except for Prez.
"I object, I object!"
Hiro sighed. "Okay, let me clarify. Anyone besides Prez objects?"
"Hey!"
I couldn't help but smile at their exchange before clearing my throat. "As flattered as I am, I really don't care what we do. So instead, I'll pass it to Pandora instead."
"Eh!? An unexpected development!?" Pandora yelled out, and she pursed her lips at my decision. "Well, I guess if that's fine with everyone here, besides Prez here of course."
We all nodded in agreeance, and we watched as Pandora thought to herself for a moment.
"Well, how about a cooking lesson?"
The entire room went silent at her words, and she quickly took notice of our reactions. "Um, was it that bad of an idea?"
Pinkie was the first to recover, shaking her head. "Um, no. I think we're all just too used to the wacky ideas that idiot comes up with that we've never even bothered choosing something so… normal I guess."
"Does anyone here even know how to cook well?" Caelus asked, and three people raised their hands.
"Huh!? Pinkie I can get, but since when the hell have you been able to cook Prez!?" Hiro exclaimed, frowning at the other end of the table.
"I'll have you know I've never bought a lunch here number one! I always bring it!" Prez retorted, leaving Hiro to second guess himself.
"Now that I think about it, I guess she's right…" Pinkie said in disbelief. "I don't think I've ever seen her buy lunch at school."
"Hehe, take that number one! I bet I can cook better than you!" Prez declared, pointing at Hiro while shooting to her feet.
"Like hell you can! Who the hell do you think taught my adorable lil sis how to cook to begin with!?" Hiro roared out, doing the same thing that Prez did to him.
"Uh, if it's alright with you guys, you two wanna have cooking battle? I can be the judge while everyone else is in teams," Pandora suggested.
"YOU HAVE A DEAL!" They both yelled out, glaring at one another, sparks flying in the air (and yes, I mean that literally).
Anyway, we split up into two teams, which ended up like this:
Team 1: Hiro, Heracles, Lachesis, and Caelus
Team 2: Prez, Pinkie, Depra, and The Ass
We walked out of our clubroom back into the school, where on the second floor the classroom they used to teach Home Economics was. Inside was a state-of-the-art kitchen supplies, ovens, gas and electric stoves, grills, and a refrigerator with a bunch of food inside of it.
Also, inside the classroom was a teacher, flipping a wooden spoon in his hands before he took notice of us.
"Ah, are you here to use the facilities?" He asked, glancing over his wooden spoon.
"Of course we are! I have to show this numbskull who's the better cook here!" Prez exclaimed.
"I think you mean I have to show you who's the better cook!" Hiro yelled out, and they started to butt heads as more sparks started to fly around them.
"Eh, a good ole Food War then?" the teacher asked, grinning to himself.
"An unexpected reference!?" Hiro exclaimed, and he, Pinkie, and I all were all taken aback by his words.
"I see, so that's how it is!" The teacher roared out, his clothes starting to stretch as he stood up, and he threw off his lab coat in exchange for an apron before turning back to the nine of us.
"My name is Priapus, although that's Priapus-sensei to yah younglings," he said, finishing tying his apron, which had a cornucopia filled with vegetable emblazoned on it. "If you don't mind, I'll help judge this fight if you don't mind."
Suddenly the door behind us slammed open, and another person, this one wearing an apron with a cornucopia filled with fruit emblazoned on it, let out a laugh.
"I heard a Food War was occurring!?" She exclaimed, tying her black hair in a ponytail before grinning at us. "I'm Pomona, and I'll be a judge as well! Who might the third judge be!?"
"Ah, that would be me Pomona-sensei!" Pandora said, stiffening up at her words.
"Ah, I see, in that case, you'll decide what category they'll base their food off of!"
"Uh, yes ma'am!" Pandora yelled out, saluting Pomona before yelling out her category.
"You have to make a dish incorporating noodles or pasta in it!" She stammered out, and both judges looked towards the two competitors.
"You have 90 minutes! Go!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the clock anxiously, our time about halfway over in our Food War.
"Hell's yeah, now we're cooking with gas!" Hiro yelled out from the other side of the room, starting to laugh maniacally. I had no clue what they hell what they were making over there, but from the frazzled looks on everyone's faces, it must've been intense. Then again…
"C'mon slowpoke Depra! Stop wasting time and hurry it up over there!" Prez yelled out, a white bandana around her forehead that had the word "Victory" hastily written on it (or, at least that's what she said was written on it, since it was in another language).
I nodded, turning back to finely mincing my vegetables, constantly muttering under my breath as I watched all my vegetables be left with only the most perfectly minced of vegetables.
Meanwhile, Pinkie, who was busy working by the stove, seemed to be working on some sort of broth that she created on the spot, while Prez was carefully cooking the vegetables I had cut up.
And last and most certainly least, The Ass was working on the meat, busy cooking it the way Prez told him too. Honestly, he was the one I was most worried about, since he had nearly no experience cooking, but Prez said he was the perfect one for the job apparently.
"I'm so gonna kick your ass number one!"
"Like hell you are! You're number 2 for a reason dumbass!"
The backtalk didn't help the rising tension on the battlefield, and I could feel sweat dripping down my face as I continued to concentrate.
"Hey Depra, you've done enough so go grab the dishes we need, got it?"
I nodded, setting my knife down before rushing to grab the dishes, which were three sets of bowls and spoons, and set them down next to Prez, who was just about finished concocting up her masterpiece.
"Hey Ass, bring it to me now!" The meat the Ass had been working on was suddenly sent flying into Prez's pot right as Pinkie poured in the broth, letting out a loud gush of steam into the air.
��Alright, great work guys! I can do the rest, so the you guys just relax," Prez said, covering the pot with the lid before turning up the heat. We all nodded before collapsing in a couple nearby chairs, and it was then that I noticed a burning sensation on my left hand.
I frowned, examining it before letting out a sigh. "Ah, it happened again," I murmured, looking at the cut more closely. It didn't hurt very much, although that was because…
"Huh? Son, did you cut yourself while cooking?" Pinkie noticed, taking my hand in her two small ones.
"Oh, yeah, but I wouldn't worry too much. I'm used to it by now."
"Used to what?" She asked hesitatingly, and I muttered under my breath before showing the cut to her again.
"See, it's fine, nothing to worry about," I said, the cut gone from my body, not even a scar left to remember it by.
Pinkie's eyes widened at my finger before she looked back at me.
"Hey Depra, don't tell me you-!"
"Hehe, HEHEHEHE!" Prez exclaimed, and we turned to see her approaching the three judges, carrying three domed platters to hide her finished product in.
"I see, so Prez is the first one to finish!" Priapus-sensei exclaimed, looking at the hidden platter in front of him. "I could smell what you four were cooking from all the way over here! I'm expecting great things!"
"But of course!" Prez said, grinning. "Now, I present to you…!"
She uncovered the platters, releasing a blast of steam, and quickly after it came a rich aroma that filled the entire room, causing the judges mouth's to water.
"Prez-Style Trachanas!" She exclaimed, revealing three bowls of her dish. Inside the dishes were the vegetables I minced up, which were onions and peppers, along with some thinly sliced tomatoes around the edge of the bowl I had secretly worked on. The soup broth, which was beef and tinged red, was filled with the trachanas and the meat the Ass worked on, which was also beef.
"Oh!" Priapus-sensei and Pomona-sensei exclaimed, looking eagerly at the dish, while Pandora, who was the middle, frowned at the name.
"Uh, what exactly is this?"
"Fufu, I'm glad you asked Pandora!" Prez said. "Trachanas is a type of dry, crumbly pasta often made into soup! It's something I'm used to making, so I decided to go this route with your theme!"
"When was the last time we had this dish Pomona!?" Priapus-sensei exclaimed, a wide smile on his face.
"Far too long indeed! Not since those times have we had such a dish!" Pomona-sensei agreed, picking up her spoon.
"Hmm, I've never had this before, but might as well try it," Pandora said, getting a spoonful of the soup along with everyone else, before putting it into their mouths. And then…
"IT'S DELICIOUS!" They all exclaimed before practically melting in their chairs.
"Incredible, absolutely incredible!" Pomona-sensei said, taking another bite, this time savoring the flavor. "How did you managed to cook the meat to such perfection!? It practically melts in my mouth, it's so tender!"
"Especially since it doesn't take over too much from the vegetables and soup broth! How did you pull this off!?" Priapus-sensei yelled out, starting to examine the dish more thoroughly.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it! But first," Prez turned around to Hiro, carrying an extra dish she prepared for him. "Let's see if number one can figure it out."
He frowned as he took a waft of the Trachanas in, before taking a spoonful of her dish in his mouth.
"I see, what the hell did you do with that wooden pot of yours?" Hiro asked, looking over at the wooden pot she had used to bring all the ingredients together.
"Hmph, glad you asked Hiro, for you see, I used this, my family's special spice mix passed down through the ages!" She exclaimed, bringing out a jar of mixed spices. On it had what was probably her family's last name, but it was far too faded for us to even try to read it. "You see, I did something crazy and lined the inside of the pot with this stuff, so it would cook evenly with all the food!"
Everyone's jaw dropped at her words, and Hiro looked back down at the soup in shock. "That's insane, you know that right? If you screwed up, your whole dish would've been fucked!"
"Ah well, glad I didn't huh!" She said, letting out a big grin.
Ah, I forget how crazy she is sometimes.
Hiro sighed, putting the soup down, scratching his hair. "Well damn, I don't know if I'm gonna top that!" He let loose a smile.
"Just kidding."
He let out a laugh as he looked at Prez. "As expected of number two, you pulled out all the stops! But in the end, it wasn't enough huh!?"
He grabbed his three covered platters and set them down in front of the judges, grinning at them.
"I present to you…!"
He placed his hands on the domes, and everyone could feel the tension as he ripped open the domes.
"Hiro-Style Ramen!"
And inside was no smell wafting out, just a ceramic bowl with a bunch of large white noodles in it. No broth, no meat, just the noodles.
"… Huh?" Everyone let out, and Hiro let out a grin.
"Now, now, I don't really get points for presentation, but this is my dish! Not even the great Luna could ever make this!"
"Huh," Pomona-sensei frowned, examining the large noodles in the bowl. "So, how exactly do we eat them?"
"Oh that. If you could eat them one at a time, that would be great. Oh, and remember to chew it up real good," he said, his grin still on his face.
"Hmm, well I trust my honey, so might as well." She stuffed one of the large noodles in her mouth, slurping it up before biting down on it. She suddenly stopped, and everyone's attention turned to her.
"Huh, looks like it's as bad as it tastes," Prez said, grinning to herself. "Looks like you really were all talk Hiro."
"Ah, but keep on watching," he said, his grin growing wider as he continued to watch Pandora.
And just like that, as if a switch had been flipped inside her, she started to devour the rest of the noodles as if she hadn't any food all day.
"Eh, they're gone!?" She said suddenly, looking down at her bowl, much to everyone's shock. "Hey honey, can I have seconds please?"
He let out another laugh. "But of course! I have enough for thirds for everyone in the room!"
Hiro brought another bowl to Pandora, and she scarfed it down just as quickly.
"Wait, what the hell did you do!?" Prez exclaimed, and she could only watch as the other two judges had similar reactions to Pandora, asking for seconds as well.
Hiro started to laugh even harder as he slid a bowl her way. "If you really wanna know, try it out for yourself, Mrs. President."
She stiffened at his words before looking down at the bowl, taking the spoon that accompanied the meal to take one of the large noodles. She put the entire thing in her mouth before biting down on it.
Her eyes widened, darting between the bowl of noodles and Hiro. She quickly chewed it up before pointing a finger at him.
���You, how the hell did you pull that off!? You managed to fit an entire bowl of ramen into the noodles!"
"HUH!?" We all let out, and the judges finished eating their seconds before speaking.
"Indeed, never have I experienced such a thing! I wouldn't even think it would be possible, dare even attempt it!" Priapus-sensei said, looking down at the empty bowl. "The broth, meat, vegetables, even toppings; all of it was inside the noodles! My tastebuds can't even fathom the level of deliciousness this man has created!"
"I never thought I would live to see a master chef such as yourself! What is your name young one!?" Pomona-sensei asked, and Hiro let out a huge grin.
"I'm just your average everyday Hiro is all," he said before letting out a laugh.
"Well, my vote is for honey!" Pandora said, and the other two judges agreed.
"Glad you liked it!" Hiro yelled out, taking off his bandana, which had the word fight emblazoned on it (well, according to Hiro anyway, since it was in Japanese).
Prez gritted her teeth, glaring at Hiro. "Oh no, like hell I've lost!" She stormed to me, offering me her dish. "Depra, mine is obviously better right!?"
"Oh no you don't Prez, like hell Depra will say that! After all, my dish is the superior one, right Depra!?"
Oh no, I have a very bad feeling about this. And those were my last thoughts before being stuffed with food by the both of them, ending up in a food coma. Funnily enough, it was the only time the nightmares didn't plague my rest.
And so ended my activities with the Hidden Club.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I yawned, looking into the pantry so I could my normal breakfast of oatmeal, only to find it empty.
Same with the fridge too huh? I thought to myself as I sighed, remembering YOURFAULT's words once more.
Guess it's that time again. I yawned again, my thoughts wandering as I put on some shoes.
I was on Thanksgiving break now, spending most of it inside doing nothing. The Hidden Club didn't have anymore activities once the short break started, although it was worthy to note that Pandora had decided to accompany me to all our meetings now, much to our surprise. It seemed she liked the cooking competition so much that she wanted to see more of what shenanigans darling and I would get into, whatever that meant.
I grabbed my wallet from off the bannister along with my keys before looking down at myself. I was wearing a white t-shirt with some holes along with pajama pants that very clearly no longer fit me.
"I guess I'll change my pants," I grumbled, taking off my shoes before changing into some sweatpants, moving my wallet and keys into my new pockets before grabbing a nearby sweatshirt.
I pulled up my hood and opened up the door, getting met with a blast of cold wind. I jammed my hands into my pockets before leaving the house, onwards to complete my monthly task.
Now that I think about it, when was the last time I had celebrated Thanksgiving? "Probably about 4 years now," I murmured to myself, remembering those times. I would normally just grab my food and pig out somewhere before heading into a food coma, so no one ever really bothered me too much during this holiday. Maybe that was why my memories of it weren't so bad…
(And? What about the last 4 years then? Have you looked at them favorably too?)
I gritted my teeth at the sound of the voice I despised most, trying hard to ignore it.
Why can't you ever leave me be.
(Was that meant to be a joke? I almost laughed at the absurdity. You know damn well why.)
I could feel my heart start to hammer as I walked faster.
(You walking faster won't help. It's not as if you could ever outrun us you know.)
Leave me alone.
(After all, it's entirely your fault you're like this).
The laughter roared to its crescendo, and I collapsed unto my knees, clutching my head as the voice grew louder with them.
(After All, Your Task Is Meaningless In The End, And You Know WHY, DEPRA!)
I was unable to catch my breath, holding my head as the laughter roared even louder, drowning out my breathing, my hammering heart, and almost the pain they caused.
Almost anyway.
I waited for a couple minutes until it died back down to it's normal dull throb in the background, and I took a shaky breath as I stumbled back to my feet, my hands freezing as I jammed them back into my pockets, shivering from the cold.
"Let's just get this over with," I muttered, and continued to the store without incident. Inside, I got my three carts with the usual, and an extra cart filled with a feast in the making, before I wheeled them all to the front to check them out. After that, I wheeled them outside to the empty parking lot, exhaling sharply through my nose as I sat down on the sidewalk, gazing upwards to the grey clouds up above.
"What the hell am I even doing," I murmured to myself, closing my eyes to the sky above.
"Depra?"
I could start to hear the laughter encroach me as I slowly turned to the voice, my heart hammering as I recognized the hair that a Padparadscha Sapphire would rarely have, a unique color I could never forget along with the regal purple eyes that accompanied it.
"P-Pandora," I whispered out, and I could audibly hear their giggles all around me, as if mocking me and all my effort thus far.
"Oh, I didn't know you went to this grocery store," she said, glancing around the parking lot, frowning. "Isn't there one closer to your house?"
Calm down Depra, it'll be okay. No need to panic. I managed to get to my feet, giving her a small smile. "Oh, yeah, I tend not to go to that one anymore after I almost got put up for adoption."
"Eh!? Wait, seriously, how did that happen?" She exclaimed, and I could feel my body start to relax.
It'll be fine, it'll be okay. "Oh, it's a long story, so I wouldn't worry about it. What exactly are you doing here anyway?"
"Me? Something good happened today, so I went to pick up some food to celebrate!" She let out a grin as she lifted the bags she was carrying.
It'll be okay. "Oh, looks like you might've been doing the same, huh? That's quite a-!"
"DON'T YOU DARE LOOK!"
She flinched backwards, and I gasped, managing to catch myself before I said anything more. It'll be okay Depra, she-!
"Jeez, don't scare me like that! Still though, that is quite a lot of food, among other things." Her face lit up as my heart began to pound harder and harder. "Oh, I see now! It must be-!"
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY ANYTHING!" I roared out, taking shallow, unsteady breaths as I took a step back, and Pandora frowned at me, setting her bags down next to her.
"Are you-!"
"Why the hell did I have to meet you today of all days!" I yelled out, clutching my head as YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT me.
(Looks like it's time to stop, isn't that right, DEPRA!?)
"No, shut up, I don't wanna hear that shit from you!"
"Depra, what's-!"
"DAMNIT ALL TO HELL! no one was meant to…"
"Who are you-!)
(Fall.)
I found myself sinking further into the abyss, cackles of laughter echoing around me as they took me to my punishment, our hell, their abyss, the [redacted]…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was about a month after they had vanished, and I had shut myself within that lone house, tormented day and night by it all. People came and went, tried to ask me questions, a lot of questions, but I couldn't answer them without sounding as if I was mad.
Eventually, all the people were gone, and once their voices were gone, theirs came in their stead, haunting me day and night. Unable to rest, unable to think, incapable of doing anything of my own, there I stayed, in that empty house of mine, surrounded by darkness of my own creation and the silence that came with it.
Eventually, more people came, and they wanted me to sign something, I really don't remember what. The thing I do remember, the thing that screamed out to me at the moment, were that the voices became so loud it was almost unbearable.
Then a thought occurred to me, by chance as I signed those papers. I needed a way to appease those voices, something to sate their insatiable thirst for revenge against myself.
It was then I came up with my idea. Asking those very same people who had me sign all those papers, I asked them if I could sign one more. I couldn't hear anything they said, but I somehow managed to get them to agree.
After that, it was a simple task of walking to the store and getting everything I needed for my very own (sacrifice). After I had everything in place, I said the dreaded words that had just recently caused me my own second regret. I felt an awful chill go through me, and when I looked up once more, the sacrifice was gone, and with it, the terrible voices that screamed out at me.
So, in the end, it was not out of kindness that I do this every month, nor out of some form of love and affection.
No, I do it because it's the only thing that can let me live.
I do it because it's the only way I can be happy.
I do it to appease.
It's why I never let anyone know.
Why I made sure to keep it a secret even to myself.
Why I never wanted her, out of anyone, to know of my dark, deplorable secret.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
major
For the second time, I heard a voice that was not one of theirs; so quiet, yet I got the impression that they were trying to tell me something important. But, also for the second time, I dismissed it for nothing at all, a figment of my own imagination.
After all, there's nothing down here but my own punishment.
"Depra."
Another voice, this one clearer. It ran through me, bringing about something that shouldn't have existed down here, an unfamiliar warmth that didn't belong.
"Depra."
Ah, could it possibly be…?
I felt something warm touch my cheek, and the voices, the laughter, the voice, and the soon to be YOURFAULT's all vanished into nothing, and I was finally able to focus my thoughts on the girl in front of me, the girl who had saved me countless times already with naught but a single touch.
"P-Pandora…" I stammered out, and she relaxed at the sound of my voice.
"Oh good, you're finally back. What a relief." I turned away from her mesmerizing smile before standing up.
"Why, are you here?"
"I'm here, because you need me. Duh."
I gritted my teeth. "That's not what I meant, and you damn know that!"
"Then what could you mean?"
I looked over at the carts and sighed it out before turning back to Pandora. "You, you shouldn't be here. No one was meant to know, so why, why are you here…?"
"I'm here, because you need me."
"QUIT SCREWING WITH ME!" I roared out, and I could hear the laughter start to encroach once more.
"I'll say it once more," Pandora said, getting up as well before staring me in the eyes, the utmost sincerity in her voice.
"I'm here, because you need me, Depra."
The laughter went away as quickly as it came, and with that came the voice I dreaded to hear.
(Tell her.)
I…
(Tell her all about yourself Depra, tell her so she can join in the hate, so you can suffer again once more!)
I…!
(Tell Her Everything, Depra!)
And then it went quiet, the world around us silent as the girl I liked looked upon me without hesitation, awaiting my answer.
"I, I've done terrible things…"
"You've also done wonderful things."
"I, I always take from others and never give them anything to work with."
"You've already given plenty, so it's okay for you to be selfish as well."
"I really, really can't face a lot of things, running away from my problems rather than facing them head on like I should."
"You really, really take your time with the decisions you're faced with and know when to take a step back instead of charging forward."
"I'm an unfeeling bastard who hurts others without a care in the world, unable to feel the warmth others bring me."
"You're the most empathetic person I know, which is why you get hurt so easily, and try to be numb to the pain.
"I'm a lazy son of a bitch who refuses to look forward, not wanting to change, not wanting things to change, wanting to maintain the status quo for good!"
"You're a hardworking person who always tries to move forward; even if you end up right back where you started, you always push through so you can reach the perfect tomorrow!"
"I'm stupid and can never see the heart of the issue!"
"You're smart, which causes you to miss the big picture!"
"And, the thing I hate most-!"
"And, the thing I like most-!"
"Is Myself!"
"Is Yourself!"
I fell to my knees, the sun causing her hair to blaze orange underneath the grey skies that surrounded us.
"How, how is it that you can retort so damn easily!?"
"Because I like everything about you, that's why!" She yelled out, pulling me by my shirt to bring us closer.
"But that's just, that's just impossible! I hate everything, so why couldn't it have been me who'd went instead!? Why is it that I'm still here then!?"
"Because Depra, I'll say this as many times as need to be said!"
"I'm here, because you need me!"
"That shit again!?"
"But you're here, because I need you!"
Huh? That's, huh? She let go of my shirt, causing me to slump down onto the sidewalk, my hands trembling at her words.
"Darling needs you, The Hidden Club needs you, Luna needs you, Lachesis needs you, her friends need you, that old couple needs you, the people you've helped in those shop need you; but I'll say it again: I need you!"
I'm needed? I looked back up at Pandora, and she gave me a grin.
"You're finally looking at me."
"I'm, I'm needed?"
She nodded, her hair bouncing as she did so. "Yep, you're needed by so many people, because you're important to us all!"
"Even if I'm a rotten bastard who only cares for himself!?"
"It's because you're not a rotten bastard, that you were able to become so needed by us all."
"Even, even if, if I, make that-!" I stopped myself, squeezing my eyes shut before I felt a warm soft hand touch my face, allowing them to open once more to see those soft regal eyes looking into my own.
"No matter what choice you make Depra, always remember…"
"I'm here, because you need me"
"And you're here, because I need you."
"No matter what choices you make, that will never change."
"And that's a promise."
I could feel the tears well up in my eyes, and yet once more, they never once fell from my face.
"So, it'll be okay?"
Her hands wiped away the tears forming in my eyes, revealing the person who said they needed me the most.
"No matter what, I'll always need you."
She embraced me, and I finally allowed myself to relax, my once raucous heartbeat finally calming down at her words, allowing the thought to come back from where they confined me from:
"With you, my Stupidity can fall into the grace of Happiness."
I watched Pandora puff up her cheeks in angst, grabbing my hand before staring up at me.
"Sorry, I couldn't really sleep last night," I yawned out, closing the door behind me before we made our way to school.
"Nightmares again then?" she asked, and I nodded, yawning again, covering my mouth with my free hand.
"I see…" She trailed off as she bit her lip slightly, looking down at the ground.
"Anyway, enough about me, what do you wanna do today?" I asked, and she looked up at me, frowning.
"Whatever you wanna do."
I let out a sigh before frowning, remembering Eros' words. "That isn't very helpful you know."
"But it's the guy's job to take charge, isn't it?" She asked, looking up at me with an expectant look in her eyes.
I exhaled sharply through my nose instead of my normal sigh, scratching my hair. "Well, I wanna see them then…"
"See who?"
"The people in my club. It's been so long since I've been there, since I've devoted most of my time to you." I glanced over at her, and she was pouting at my words. "Not that that's a bad thing, I just think a change of pace would be nice…"
She looked up at the trees, all but barren now, before nodding to herself. "Alright, let's do it then."
Eh? "Wait, really? You'll let me go?"
"Who said anything about you going alone? Of course I'm going with you," she said, a dazzling smile reaching my eyes.
"Oh, I guess I should've expected that one," I said, frowning to myself, and I got a swift kick in the leg.
"Don't look so disappointed! It's times like these that you're supposed to show off your cute girlfriend, so that way everyone gets jealous!"
I feel as if she just missed my entire reason for going, I thought, letting loose a small smile.
"Ah," Pandora let out, and we both stopped in front of the school gate, already at our destination.
She hesitated, looking down at our interlocked hands before looking up at me.
"It'll be alright," I said, attempting to slip out of her grasp. But before I could, she grabbed onto the tips of my fingers, her regal purple eyes looking at me.
"We'll meet up for lunch, okay?"
I nodded.
"I'll come to you so we can go to your club together, okay?"
I nodded once more.
"I'll, I'll…"
I gave her a smile, nodding for the third and final time.
"It's okay to let go," I said, finally slipping out of her grasp.
"Your Fault."
I winced slightly as the burden that she relieved me of came roaring back, with all of it's YOURFAULT'S, laughter, and the never-ending voices that always haunted me.
She walked backwards, looking at me carefully, and I just gave her a small wave.
"YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT," I said, and she nodded before running into the school, leaving me alone underneath a grey sky.
I sighed before gritting my teeth, YOURFAULT of YOURFAULT coming back to me YOURFAULTYOURFAULT, as I failed to push the hair away from my face.
I've grown used to this routine in the YOURFAULT weeks since I've remembered everything, and it surprisingly didn't YOURFAULT affect me as much as I thought it would. I guess it's true that people really can adapt to things easily, no matter how awful.
I readjusted my backpack before heading into the school. Over the course of these two YOURFAULT's, I've found that it gets worse whenever I think about certain people or things, along with being around certain people as well. And by certain people, I mean YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, YOURFAULT, and YOURFAULT. I met up with them shortly after everything occurred, but I couldn't hear anything YOURFAULTYOURFAULT telling me. In the end, I haven't seen YOURFAULT since, and I still haven't figured out if that's truly a blessing or not.
I opened the door to the classroom, noticing Hiro already in his seat, staring out the window with a serious look in his eyes.
"Is something the matter?" I asked, and he rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb, removing the look he once had.
"Nah, I'm good. Just thinking about some stuff is all," He said, stretching his limbs out in his chair before letting out a loud yawn.
"If it makes you feel any better, I plan on going to the club today," I said, taking my seat in front of him.
"Wait, seriously!?" he yelled out, nearly causing me to jump out of my seat. "So, Pandora's coming with you then?"
"Yeah, she is," I said, turning around to him.
"I see, trying to show off YOURFAULTYOURFAULT, huh? I see how it is. I didn't think you were YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT person."
I frowned, trying to piece what he just said together. "Um, it was Pandora's idea actually."
"Nah, darling would never concoct such a menacing plan. I blame you."
"I seriously don't get the joke with that," I said, and Hiro let out a laugh.
"It's because she's my darling Pandy, and I'm her Honey Hiro."
"Isn't normally the other way around though?" I thought aloud, and Hiro shrugged.
"We break norms here, what can I say."
I couldn't help but chuckle a little before turning forward in my seat.
"Anyway, I won't tell anyone that you or your girlfriend is coming, got that?"
I nodded, gritting my teeth as the voices grew louder.
"I'll never leave you."
"You already have everything you need…"
"We came here to save you Depra, no, KING!"
"In the end, there was nothing I could do…"
"BRING THEM BACK YOU USELESS BASTARD!!!"
I took a deep breath, the voices dying down into their normal lull just beneath the surface, and I stared out the window, looking at the grey sky once more.
"I really should've left it alone," I murmured, the bell starting another long day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You know, I like eating with two hands sometimes Pandora," I said, glancing down at our interlocked hands.
It was lunchtime, and we were sitting outside in one of the school's courtyards alone, it being relatively warmer today than normal.
She gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand. "You don't wanna hold hands with me? The girl you're dating? I'm hurt."
"… You're ridiculous sometimes, you know that?" I grumbled, taking a bite out of my sandwich.
She uncovered her mouth, a small smile on her face. "Yep, it's what you like about me so much!"
Well, she's not wrong about that, I thought as she took a bite out of my sandwich. Although, even I find it rather strange, how I came to like her as much as I do now…
"Now that I think about it, what do you even like about me?" I asked, taking a bite out of her sandwich. "I'm just a big ol' pain in the ass, especially with how I am now."
"Hmm, I guess it would be, your hair?"
"Be serious," I growled out, taking a swig of water, and she giggled to herself.
"No, it's true! I've always liked that unkempt black hair of yours," she said, nodding to herself. "Yeah, that's probably what I like most about you!"
"Hey, that's a problem if that's what you like the most about me," I said, and she laughed.
"That last part was a joke you negative bunny," she said, poking me in the side. "I do like your hair, but it's not what I like the most about you. Probably a close second though."
"The fact you said that so seriously worries me," I murmured, and she let out another laugh.
"Well, compared to my own hair, I like yours a lot better."
"I like yours better than my own though," I said, glancing at her hair, which was purple underneath the dark grey clouds. "Honestly, I would like to have your hair color instead of mine."
"Oh, then we better switch hair colors one day then!" She said, grinning at me.
"How does that even work?" I asked myself, glancing at her hair before shaking my head. "No wait, seriously, what is the thing you like about me the most then?"
And without skipping a beat, she told me with the utmost seriousness, shocking me so much that I dropped my sandwich, which she promptly caught.
"H-huh?" It was all I could let out at her words, and she nodded, looking me directly in the eye.
"Yeah, that really is what I like the most about you. Oh, if you don't like that answer, we can always go with I like everything about you."
"DON'T SCREW WITH ME!" I yelled out, causing her to flinch back. "Like hell that's true, there's no way in hell that's true, so stop fucking around already!"
"Who said I was joking?" It was my turn to flinch, as I was caught off guard by the stiffness in her voice, her eyes conveying not an ounce of insincerity.
"That's just, just…" I trailed off, my hand moving its way out of the hold it had placed itself in.
Impossible. Absolutely Impossible.
"It's just, I, you must be crazy to think that! Who the hell would like that out of all damn things!? I won't, no, I can't believe such lunacy!"
"Is it so wrong, to like that part of you too?" She asked, her hand gripping on to keep the hold intact.
"OF COURSE IT IS!" I roared out, ripping my hand out of the hold, shooting to my feet before stumbling backwards.
"YOUR FAULT!"
I let out a cry of pain as it came back to me, roaring in at full force, all the laughter, the YOURFAULT'S, and most especially-!
"Really? I never liked my hair much, but if you like it, then I like it too!"
"I'LL KILL YOU, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"
"If I'm a murderer, then that means it doesn't matter what the hell I do to you, right?"
"Don't give up, you hear me!? I won't forgive you if you do!"
"LEAVE ME ALONE GODDAMNIT!" I roared out, clutching my head as YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOUFAU-!
"SHUT UP AND JUST-!" I gasped, realizing what I had done, and everything around and within me silenced itself.
I gripped my shirt, unable to catch my breath. "No, NoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo! Not again, no, please, wait, I'm sorry, please, I-!"
I felt warmth envelop me, and a soft face rubbed itself against mine.
"I'll never leave you."
I watched the purple hair cascade down my shoulders, as I let out a brief laugh, before the tears that would never fall filled my eyes filled them.
"I'll say it as many times as I'll have too, okay?"
"I'm here, because you need me."
"So, you don't have to worry, okay?"
"Never forget that Depra, never forget that."
I didn't deserve it, I never deserved it, not since that day, but maybe…
In the end, I left the thought be, tossing it into which they confined me in…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Oho, so you finally decided to show her off! How cruel of you Depra!"
It was the end of the day now, and I had walked into the clubroom for the first time in over a month and a half, hand in hand with Pandora. Only Prez and Hiro were in the clubroom at the moment, with Prez the one making the comment.
"How exactly is it cruel? She wanted to come meet you guys, so here we are," I said, scratching my cheek.
"Yeah, but you never said the girl was as hot as me!" She shouted out, pouting at me. I couldn't deny that fact from Prez sadly, although I preferred Pandora.
I felt a tight squeeze, and I glanced over to see Pandora glaring at me. "You were thinking that she was as hot as me, weren't you?"
Shit. "No, you're way better than her, trust me. Her personality sucks anyway."
"But we're the same based on looks is what you're saying."
FUUUUUUUUU-!
"Nah, you look way better than Prez here darling," Hiro said, and Pandora nodded.
"See, at least honey gets it."
"Hey, don't just insult me while I'm here!" Prez yelled out, and we started to laugh. I'll have to thank Hiro later from saving me from that predicament.
"So, this is your clubroom then?" Pandora said, pulling me by our interlocked hands as she walked around the room. "You've joined this club since freshman year, right?"
I nodded, smiling to myself as the memories came back. "Yeah, it's been quite a lot of fun in the Hidden Club."
"That's our motto after all Depra! To have fun!" Prez said, shooting me a grin and thumbs up.
"Since when have we had a motto Prez?" Hiro said, scowling at her.
"Just now!"
"…You're an idiot."
"So mean!" Prez said, faking pain as she crumbled to her knees, and Pandora started to giggle.
"So, what do you guys do anyway?"
"Whatever this idiot decides," Hiro and I said in unison, pointing at the culprit, and said culprit slumped down to the floor in utter defeat at our words.
"Hey Hiro, I thought you were on my side!" Prez started to cling to Hiro's legs despite his many protests.
"Oi, get off of me already!" Hiro yelled off, trying to get her off, and Pandora frowned as she watched the scene unfold.
"Something wrong?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"Nah, nothing you need to concern yourself with," she said, smiling to herself.
Huh? But before I could continue my train of thought, Pinkie walked in on the two fighting over each other, letting out a sigh.
"What the hell are you two doing?" We all turned to Pinkie, who was scowling as she watched Hiro and Prez have a wrestling match at this point.
"Oh, thank the heavens you're here Pinkie! Help me take down Prez why don't ya!?"
"No way, you help me out Pinkie! Girl power needs to triumph over Hiro!"
Pinkie sighed, shaking her head. "You two are idiots." She dragged Prez away from Hiro, despite Prez's complaints.
"Aw man, I was close to taking him out once and for all," Prez grumbled, pouting at Pinkie.
"Oh man, you really are a life saver Pinkie, you know that?" Hiro said, laughing the entire thing off.
"Shut up Hiro."
"Eh!? What did I do?"
Pinkie let out a small smile before nailing him in the stomach. "You shouldn't fight girls so much."
"Ouch! Damn that hurts," Hiro groaned as he fell down to one knee. "But, as an advocate of true gender equality, if a girl wishes to fight me, then I shall endeavor to do the same with all my might!" He got a punch to the face for that one.
"Hey honey, you wouldn't be trying to two-time me, right?" Pandora suddenly asked Hiro, causing him to tense up.
"H-huh? I have no clue what you're talking about darling."
"Remember, you have to choose me in the end. Depra here knows exactly what I mean by that," she said, beaming at me.
"Uh, what?"
"All you need to remember is to take care of my lovely self. No other girl is deserving of your attention, got it?"
She really makes no sense sometimes. "Yeah, yeah, I got it." I gave her head pats with my free hand, causing her face to flush pink.
"What did I do to deserve this all of a sudden!?"
"It's because you're too cute," I said, giving her a small smile.
"Hey, seeing them flirt like that really makes me wanna punch Depra, you know what I mean?"
"I think that's only you Caelus."
And in came Caelus with Heracles, Caelus looking as if he was holding back anger, and Heracles with an exasperated look on his face.
"How come you didn't say anything about Depra bringing his girlfriend Hiro!?" Caelus asked Hiro, who picked himself back up, grinning.
"Oh, I thought it would be interesting to see everyone's reaction's is all," he said, winking at Caelus, who also punched him in the stomach.
Heracles chuckled at their interaction before turning to Pandora and I. "I see, so you must be Pandora then. Nice to meet you." He offered his hand in for a handshake, causing Pandora to back away slightly, looking over at Hiro.
"It should be fine if it's with him," Hiro said, picking himself back up after getting punched. She nodded before looking down at the hand, hesitating with her own before Heracles took it.
Her eyes widened as she looked up between Hera and their hands, and to my surprise, she rushed in to hug him, releasing me from my hold. I tensed up, waiting for the inevitable fall, but instead, there was nothing.
Huh? I glanced around at everyone, who were all confused at the sight of Pandora fiercely hugging Hera, before looking at my own set of hands.
I'm, fine? I looked at everyone again before looking back down at my hands.
"Um Depra, is she okay?" Hera asked me, frowning, before looking at me, which caused his frown to deepen. "Uh, Depra, you okay?"
Pandora released him, a broad grin on her face. "Oh, sorry! I was just so happy, I lost myself a little bit. Oh, darling, is he like that too?" She looked over at Caelus, who was listening to Hiro whispering in his ear, before his entire demeanor changed. He let loose a wide grin, pumping his arms in excitement as his sandy-blonde hair flowed upward.
"OH HELL YEAH! I'M, SUPER PUMPED RIGHT NOW! OF COURSE I'M ALRIGHT!"
Caelus swaggered over to Pandora and offered out his hand, a confident smile on his face. "Trust me, I'm alright. I'm Caelus by the way."
Pandora glanced at Hiro again, who shrugged. "It should be fine if he says it is." Nodding once more, she shook hands with Caelus, before a big grin appeared on her face.
"So it is true!" She gave him a fierce hug, squeezing him tight.
"Oh, this, this really is the real deal! When was the last time a girl hugged me!?" Caelus said, practically crying as he hugged her back. "This softness, this aroma, this is a real girl, through and through!"
I felt an odd feeling overcome me as I grabbed onto Caelus' shoulder, looking at him dead in the eyes. "Let go."
He suddenly appeared next to Hiro, clutching himself as he leaned away from me. "Eek! Okay, I'm good! Damn, I thought I was gonna die just then!"
Pandora, who was left clutching air, fell to her knees, a look of disappointment on her face. "Ah, what just-!" She quickly wiped her face before turning to me, realizing what had happened. "Depra, I-!"
I gave her a smile in response, causing her to stop in her tracks. "I'm actually fine, so it's alright."
"Eh?" She looked down at her hands before looking back up at me, a look of relief on her face. "Ah, I see, so that's how it is."
She got back to her feet, smiling at me. "Still, I got to see a jealous Depra today, so I'm pretty happy right now."
"Uh, I'm not jealous," I said, scowling.
"Uhuh, sure you aren't. By the way Caelus, how did you do that?"
"Damnit, I knew we were going to be the last ones!"
"If you knew that, why didn't we leave earlier then Lachesis?"
Before Caelus could respond, the last two members walked in, Lachesis and the Ass. Lachesis saw Pandora in the room before glancing at our hands, which had lost the hold it was once in, before frowning at the two of us. The Ass, however, rolled his eyes at the sight of us two before turning away from the two of us. Why he did so is beyond me, however.
"Ah, it seems everyone's here then!" Prez exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Pandora scowled as she looked at the number of people in the room before tugging on my sleeve.
"Hey, I thought you said there were nine members?" Oh, that.
"Oh, our eighth member is currently very sick overseas, so she's staying there until she gets better," Hiro said, which got him a punch from Lachesis.
"Liar."
"Damn, why am I everyone's punching bag today!?"
We all started to laugh, except for Hiro, who sighed, scratching his afro.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"And that's everybody here," Prez said, after everyone in the club had introduced themselves to Pandora. "Glad you could join us for today Pandora!"
She nodded, grinning at Prez. "Glad I could be here!"
"So, what's on the agenda today?" I asked, looking over at Prez, who was sitting at her normal spot by the head of the table.
"Glad you asked Depra! Today we-!" Before she could continue, Hiro through a pencil at her, nailing her in the forehead.
"Ow! Hey, what's the big idea Hiro?"
"I say we let Depra decide, since he hasn't been here in over a month," he suggested. "Anyone object?"
Everyone nodded in agreeance, except for Prez.
"I object, I object!"
Hiro sighed. "Okay, let me clarify. Anyone besides Prez objects?"
"Hey!"
I couldn't help but smile at their exchange before clearing my throat. "As flattered as I am, I really don't care what we do. So instead, I'll pass it to Pandora instead."
"Eh!? An unexpected development!?" Pandora yelled out, and she pursed her lips at my decision. "Well, I guess if that's fine with everyone here, besides Prez here of course."
We all nodded in agreeance, and we watched as Pandora thought to herself for a moment.
"Well, how about a cooking lesson?"
The entire room went silent at her words, and she quickly took notice of our reactions. "Um, was it that bad of an idea?"
Pinkie was the first to recover, shaking her head. "Um, no. I think we're all just too used to the wacky ideas that idiot comes up with that we've never even bothered choosing something so… normal I guess."
"Does anyone here even know how to cook well?" Caelus asked, and three people raised their hands.
"Huh!? Pinkie I can get, but since when the hell have you been able to cook Prez!?" Hiro exclaimed, frowning at the other end of the table.
"I'll have you know I've never bought a lunch here number one! I always bring it!" Prez retorted, leaving Hiro to second guess himself.
"Now that I think about it, I guess she's right…" Pinkie said in disbelief. "I don't think I've ever seen her buy lunch at school."
"Hehe, take that number one! I bet I can cook better than you!" Prez declared, pointing at Hiro while shooting to her feet.
"Like hell you can! Who the hell do you think taught my adorable lil sis how to cook to begin with!?" Hiro roared out, doing the same thing that Prez did to him.
"Uh, if it's alright with you guys, you two wanna have cooking battle? I can be the judge while everyone else is in teams," Pandora suggested.
"YOU HAVE A DEAL!" They both yelled out, glaring at one another, sparks flying in the air (and yes, I mean that literally).
Anyway, we split up into two teams, which ended up like this:
Team 1: Hiro, Heracles, Lachesis, and Caelus
Team 2: Prez, Pinkie, Depra, and The Ass
We walked out of our clubroom back into the school, where on the second floor the classroom they used to teach Home Economics was. Inside was a state-of-the-art kitchen supplies, ovens, gas and electric stoves, grills, and a refrigerator with a bunch of food inside of it.
Also, inside the classroom was a teacher, flipping a wooden spoon in his hands before he took notice of us.
"Ah, are you here to use the facilities?" He asked, glancing over his wooden spoon.
"Of course we are! I have to show this numbskull who's the better cook here!" Prez exclaimed.
"I think you mean I have to show you who's the better cook!" Hiro yelled out, and they started to butt heads as more sparks started to fly around them.
"Eh, a good ole Food War then?" the teacher asked, grinning to himself.
"An unexpected reference!?" Hiro exclaimed, and he, Pinkie, and I all were all taken aback by his words.
"I see, so that's how it is!" The teacher roared out, his clothes starting to stretch as he stood up, and he threw off his lab coat in exchange for an apron before turning back to the nine of us.
"My name is Priapus, although that's Priapus-sensei to yah younglings," he said, finishing tying his apron, which had a cornucopia filled with vegetable emblazoned on it. "If you don't mind, I'll help judge this fight if you don't mind."
Suddenly the door behind us slammed open, and another person, this one wearing an apron with a cornucopia filled with fruit emblazoned on it, let out a laugh.
"I heard a Food War was occurring!?" She exclaimed, tying her black hair in a ponytail before grinning at us. "I'm Pomona, and I'll be a judge as well! Who might the third judge be!?"
"Ah, that would be me Pomona-sensei!" Pandora said, stiffening up at her words.
"Ah, I see, in that case, you'll decide what category they'll base their food off of!"
"Uh, yes ma'am!" Pandora yelled out, saluting Pomona before yelling out her category.
"You have to make a dish incorporating noodles or pasta in it!" She stammered out, and both judges looked towards the two competitors.
"You have 90 minutes! Go!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched the clock anxiously, our time about halfway over in our Food War.
"Hell's yeah, now we're cooking with gas!" Hiro yelled out from the other side of the room, starting to laugh maniacally. I had no clue what they hell what they were making over there, but from the frazzled looks on everyone's faces, it must've been intense. Then again…
"C'mon slowpoke Depra! Stop wasting time and hurry it up over there!" Prez yelled out, a white bandana around her forehead that had the word "Victory" hastily written on it (or, at least that's what she said was written on it, since it was in another language).
I nodded, turning back to finely mincing my vegetables, constantly muttering under my breath as I watched all my vegetables be left with only the most perfectly minced of vegetables.
Meanwhile, Pinkie, who was busy working by the stove, seemed to be working on some sort of broth that she created on the spot, while Prez was carefully cooking the vegetables I had cut up.
And last and most certainly least, The Ass was working on the meat, busy cooking it the way Prez told him too. Honestly, he was the one I was most worried about, since he had nearly no experience cooking, but Prez said he was the perfect one for the job apparently.
"I'm so gonna kick your ass number one!"
"Like hell you are! You're number 2 for a reason dumbass!"
The backtalk didn't help the rising tension on the battlefield, and I could feel sweat dripping down my face as I continued to concentrate.
"Hey Depra, you've done enough so go grab the dishes we need, got it?"
I nodded, setting my knife down before rushing to grab the dishes, which were three sets of bowls and spoons, and set them down next to Prez, who was just about finished concocting up her masterpiece.
"Hey Ass, bring it to me now!" The meat the Ass had been working on was suddenly sent flying into Prez's pot right as Pinkie poured in the broth, letting out a loud gush of steam into the air.
��Alright, great work guys! I can do the rest, so the you guys just relax," Prez said, covering the pot with the lid before turning up the heat. We all nodded before collapsing in a couple nearby chairs, and it was then that I noticed a burning sensation on my left hand.
I frowned, examining it before letting out a sigh. "Ah, it happened again," I murmured, looking at the cut more closely. It didn't hurt very much, although that was because…
"Huh? Son, did you cut yourself while cooking?" Pinkie noticed, taking my hand in her two small ones.
"Oh, yeah, but I wouldn't worry too much. I'm used to it by now."
"Used to what?" She asked hesitatingly, and I muttered under my breath before showing the cut to her again.
"See, it's fine, nothing to worry about," I said, the cut gone from my body, not even a scar left to remember it by.
Pinkie's eyes widened at my finger before she looked back at me.
"Hey Depra, don't tell me you-!"
"Hehe, HEHEHEHE!" Prez exclaimed, and we turned to see her approaching the three judges, carrying three domed platters to hide her finished product in.
"I see, so Prez is the first one to finish!" Priapus-sensei exclaimed, looking at the hidden platter in front of him. "I could smell what you four were cooking from all the way over here! I'm expecting great things!"
"But of course!" Prez said, grinning. "Now, I present to you…!"
She uncovered the platters, releasing a blast of steam, and quickly after it came a rich aroma that filled the entire room, causing the judges mouth's to water.
"Prez-Style Trachanas!" She exclaimed, revealing three bowls of her dish. Inside the dishes were the vegetables I minced up, which were onions and peppers, along with some thinly sliced tomatoes around the edge of the bowl I had secretly worked on. The soup broth, which was beef and tinged red, was filled with the trachanas and the meat the Ass worked on, which was also beef.
"Oh!" Priapus-sensei and Pomona-sensei exclaimed, looking eagerly at the dish, while Pandora, who was the middle, frowned at the name.
"Uh, what exactly is this?"
"Fufu, I'm glad you asked Pandora!" Prez said. "Trachanas is a type of dry, crumbly pasta often made into soup! It's something I'm used to making, so I decided to go this route with your theme!"
"When was the last time we had this dish Pomona!?" Priapus-sensei exclaimed, a wide smile on his face.
"Far too long indeed! Not since those times have we had such a dish!" Pomona-sensei agreed, picking up her spoon.
"Hmm, I've never had this before, but might as well try it," Pandora said, getting a spoonful of the soup along with everyone else, before putting it into their mouths. And then…
"IT'S DELICIOUS!" They all exclaimed before practically melting in their chairs.
"Incredible, absolutely incredible!" Pomona-sensei said, taking another bite, this time savoring the flavor. "How did you managed to cook the meat to such perfection!? It practically melts in my mouth, it's so tender!"
"Especially since it doesn't take over too much from the vegetables and soup broth! How did you pull this off!?" Priapus-sensei yelled out, starting to examine the dish more thoroughly.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it! But first," Prez turned around to Hiro, carrying an extra dish she prepared for him. "Let's see if number one can figure it out."
He frowned as he took a waft of the Trachanas in, before taking a spoonful of her dish in his mouth.
"I see, what the hell did you do with that wooden pot of yours?" Hiro asked, looking over at the wooden pot she had used to bring all the ingredients together.
"Hmph, glad you asked Hiro, for you see, I used this, my family's special spice mix passed down through the ages!" She exclaimed, bringing out a jar of mixed spices. On it had what was probably her family's last name, but it was far too faded for us to even try to read it. "You see, I did something crazy and lined the inside of the pot with this stuff, so it would cook evenly with all the food!"
Everyone's jaw dropped at her words, and Hiro looked back down at the soup in shock. "That's insane, you know that right? If you screwed up, your whole dish would've been fucked!"
"Ah well, glad I didn't huh!" She said, letting out a big grin.
Ah, I forget how crazy she is sometimes.
Hiro sighed, putting the soup down, scratching his hair. "Well damn, I don't know if I'm gonna top that!" He let loose a smile.
"Just kidding."
He let out a laugh as he looked at Prez. "As expected of number two, you pulled out all the stops! But in the end, it wasn't enough huh!?"
He grabbed his three covered platters and set them down in front of the judges, grinning at them.
"I present to you…!"
He placed his hands on the domes, and everyone could feel the tension as he ripped open the domes.
"Hiro-Style Ramen!"
And inside was no smell wafting out, just a ceramic bowl with a bunch of large white noodles in it. No broth, no meat, just the noodles.
"… Huh?" Everyone let out, and Hiro let out a grin.
"Now, now, I don't really get points for presentation, but this is my dish! Not even the great Luna could ever make this!"
"Huh," Pomona-sensei frowned, examining the large noodles in the bowl. "So, how exactly do we eat them?"
"Oh that. If you could eat them one at a time, that would be great. Oh, and remember to chew it up real good," he said, his grin still on his face.
"Hmm, well I trust my honey, so might as well." She stuffed one of the large noodles in her mouth, slurping it up before biting down on it. She suddenly stopped, and everyone's attention turned to her.
"Huh, looks like it's as bad as it tastes," Prez said, grinning to herself. "Looks like you really were all talk Hiro."
"Ah, but keep on watching," he said, his grin growing wider as he continued to watch Pandora.
And just like that, as if a switch had been flipped inside her, she started to devour the rest of the noodles as if she hadn't any food all day.
"Eh, they're gone!?" She said suddenly, looking down at her bowl, much to everyone's shock. "Hey honey, can I have seconds please?"
He let out another laugh. "But of course! I have enough for thirds for everyone in the room!"
Hiro brought another bowl to Pandora, and she scarfed it down just as quickly.
"Wait, what the hell did you do!?" Prez exclaimed, and she could only watch as the other two judges had similar reactions to Pandora, asking for seconds as well.
Hiro started to laugh even harder as he slid a bowl her way. "If you really wanna know, try it out for yourself, Mrs. President."
She stiffened at his words before looking down at the bowl, taking the spoon that accompanied the meal to take one of the large noodles. She put the entire thing in her mouth before biting down on it.
Her eyes widened, darting between the bowl of noodles and Hiro. She quickly chewed it up before pointing a finger at him.
���You, how the hell did you pull that off!? You managed to fit an entire bowl of ramen into the noodles!"
"HUH!?" We all let out, and the judges finished eating their seconds before speaking.
"Indeed, never have I experienced such a thing! I wouldn't even think it would be possible, dare even attempt it!" Priapus-sensei said, looking down at the empty bowl. "The broth, meat, vegetables, even toppings; all of it was inside the noodles! My tastebuds can't even fathom the level of deliciousness this man has created!"
"I never thought I would live to see a master chef such as yourself! What is your name young one!?" Pomona-sensei asked, and Hiro let out a huge grin.
"I'm just your average everyday Hiro is all," he said before letting out a laugh.
"Well, my vote is for honey!" Pandora said, and the other two judges agreed.
"Glad you liked it!" Hiro yelled out, taking off his bandana, which had the word fight emblazoned on it (well, according to Hiro anyway, since it was in Japanese).
Prez gritted her teeth, glaring at Hiro. "Oh no, like hell I've lost!" She stormed to me, offering me her dish. "Depra, mine is obviously better right!?"
"Oh no you don't Prez, like hell Depra will say that! After all, my dish is the superior one, right Depra!?"
Oh no, I have a very bad feeling about this. And those were my last thoughts before being stuffed with food by the both of them, ending up in a food coma. Funnily enough, it was the only time the nightmares didn't plague my rest.
And so ended my activities with the Hidden Club.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I yawned, looking into the pantry so I could my normal breakfast of oatmeal, only to find it empty.
Same with the fridge too huh? I thought to myself as I sighed, remembering YOURFAULT's words once more.
Guess it's that time again. I yawned again, my thoughts wandering as I put on some shoes.
I was on Thanksgiving break now, spending most of it inside doing nothing. The Hidden Club didn't have anymore activities once the short break started, although it was worthy to note that Pandora had decided to accompany me to all our meetings now, much to our surprise. It seemed she liked the cooking competition so much that she wanted to see more of what shenanigans darling and I would get into, whatever that meant.
I grabbed my wallet from off the bannister along with my keys before looking down at myself. I was wearing a white t-shirt with some holes along with pajama pants that very clearly no longer fit me.
"I guess I'll change my pants," I grumbled, taking off my shoes before changing into some sweatpants, moving my wallet and keys into my new pockets before grabbing a nearby sweatshirt.
I pulled up my hood and opened up the door, getting met with a blast of cold wind. I jammed my hands into my pockets before leaving the house, onwards to complete my monthly task.
Now that I think about it, when was the last time I had celebrated Thanksgiving? "Probably about 4 years now," I murmured to myself, remembering those times. I would normally just grab my food and pig out somewhere before heading into a food coma, so no one ever really bothered me too much during this holiday. Maybe that was why my memories of it weren't so bad…
(And? What about the last 4 years then? Have you looked at them favorably too?)
I gritted my teeth at the sound of the voice I despised most, trying hard to ignore it.
Why can't you ever leave me be.
(Was that meant to be a joke? I almost laughed at the absurdity. You know damn well why.)
I could feel my heart start to hammer as I walked faster.
(You walking faster won't help. It's not as if you could ever outrun us you know.)
Leave me alone.
(After all, it's entirely your fault you're like this).
The laughter roared to its crescendo, and I collapsed unto my knees, clutching my head as the voice grew louder with them.
(After All, Your Task Is Meaningless In The End, And You Know WHY, DEPRA!)
I was unable to catch my breath, holding my head as the laughter roared even louder, drowning out my breathing, my hammering heart, and almost the pain they caused.
Almost anyway.
I waited for a couple minutes until it died back down to it's normal dull throb in the background, and I took a shaky breath as I stumbled back to my feet, my hands freezing as I jammed them back into my pockets, shivering from the cold.
"Let's just get this over with," I muttered, and continued to the store without incident. Inside, I got my three carts with the usual, and an extra cart filled with a feast in the making, before I wheeled them all to the front to check them out. After that, I wheeled them outside to the empty parking lot, exhaling sharply through my nose as I sat down on the sidewalk, gazing upwards to the grey clouds up above.
"What the hell am I even doing," I murmured to myself, closing my eyes to the sky above.
"Depra?"
I could start to hear the laughter encroach me as I slowly turned to the voice, my heart hammering as I recognized the hair that a Padparadscha Sapphire would rarely have, a unique color I could never forget along with the regal purple eyes that accompanied it.
"P-Pandora," I whispered out, and I could audibly hear their giggles all around me, as if mocking me and all my effort thus far.
"Oh, I didn't know you went to this grocery store," she said, glancing around the parking lot, frowning. "Isn't there one closer to your house?"
Calm down Depra, it'll be okay. No need to panic. I managed to get to my feet, giving her a small smile. "Oh, yeah, I tend not to go to that one anymore after I almost got put up for adoption."
"Eh!? Wait, seriously, how did that happen?" She exclaimed, and I could feel my body start to relax.
It'll be fine, it'll be okay. "Oh, it's a long story, so I wouldn't worry about it. What exactly are you doing here anyway?"
"Me? Something good happened today, so I went to pick up some food to celebrate!" She let out a grin as she lifted the bags she was carrying.
It'll be okay. "Oh, looks like you might've been doing the same, huh? That's quite a-!"
"DON'T YOU DARE LOOK!"
She flinched backwards, and I gasped, managing to catch myself before I said anything more. It'll be okay Depra, she-!
"Jeez, don't scare me like that! Still though, that is quite a lot of food, among other things." Her face lit up as my heart began to pound harder and harder. "Oh, I see now! It must be-!"
"DON'T YOU DARE SAY ANYTHING!" I roared out, taking shallow, unsteady breaths as I took a step back, and Pandora frowned at me, setting her bags down next to her.
"Are you-!"
"Why the hell did I have to meet you today of all days!" I yelled out, clutching my head as YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT me.
(Looks like it's time to stop, isn't that right, DEPRA!?)
"No, shut up, I don't wanna hear that shit from you!"
"Depra, what's-!"
"DAMNIT ALL TO HELL! no one was meant to…"
"Who are you-!)
(Fall.)
I found myself sinking further into the abyss, cackles of laughter echoing around me as they took me to my punishment, our hell, their abyss, the [redacted]…
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was about a month after they had vanished, and I had shut myself within that lone house, tormented day and night by it all. People came and went, tried to ask me questions, a lot of questions, but I couldn't answer them without sounding as if I was mad.
Eventually, all the people were gone, and once their voices were gone, theirs came in their stead, haunting me day and night. Unable to rest, unable to think, incapable of doing anything of my own, there I stayed, in that empty house of mine, surrounded by darkness of my own creation and the silence that came with it.
Eventually, more people came, and they wanted me to sign something, I really don't remember what. The thing I do remember, the thing that screamed out to me at the moment, were that the voices became so loud it was almost unbearable.
Then a thought occurred to me, by chance as I signed those papers. I needed a way to appease those voices, something to sate their insatiable thirst for revenge against myself.
It was then I came up with my idea. Asking those very same people who had me sign all those papers, I asked them if I could sign one more. I couldn't hear anything they said, but I somehow managed to get them to agree.
After that, it was a simple task of walking to the store and getting everything I needed for my very own (sacrifice). After I had everything in place, I said the dreaded words that had just recently caused me my own second regret. I felt an awful chill go through me, and when I looked up once more, the sacrifice was gone, and with it, the terrible voices that screamed out at me.
So, in the end, it was not out of kindness that I do this every month, nor out of some form of love and affection.
No, I do it because it's the only thing that can let me live.
I do it because it's the only way I can be happy.
I do it to appease.
It's why I never let anyone know.
Why I made sure to keep it a secret even to myself.
Why I never wanted her, out of anyone, to know of my dark, deplorable secret.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
major
For the second time, I heard a voice that was not one of theirs; so quiet, yet I got the impression that they were trying to tell me something important. But, also for the second time, I dismissed it for nothing at all, a figment of my own imagination.
After all, there's nothing down here but my own punishment.
"Depra."
Another voice, this one clearer. It ran through me, bringing about something that shouldn't have existed down here, an unfamiliar warmth that didn't belong.
"Depra."
Ah, could it possibly be…?
I felt something warm touch my cheek, and the voices, the laughter, the voice, and the soon to be YOURFAULT's all vanished into nothing, and I was finally able to focus my thoughts on the girl in front of me, the girl who had saved me countless times already with naught but a single touch.
"P-Pandora…" I stammered out, and she relaxed at the sound of my voice.
"Oh good, you're finally back. What a relief." I turned away from her mesmerizing smile before standing up.
"Why, are you here?"
"I'm here, because you need me. Duh."
I gritted my teeth. "That's not what I meant, and you damn know that!"
"Then what could you mean?"
I looked over at the carts and sighed it out before turning back to Pandora. "You, you shouldn't be here. No one was meant to know, so why, why are you here…?"
"I'm here, because you need me."
"QUIT SCREWING WITH ME!" I roared out, and I could hear the laughter start to encroach once more.
"I'll say it once more," Pandora said, getting up as well before staring me in the eyes, the utmost sincerity in her voice.
"I'm here, because you need me, Depra."
The laughter went away as quickly as it came, and with that came the voice I dreaded to hear.
(Tell her.)
I…
(Tell her all about yourself Depra, tell her so she can join in the hate, so you can suffer again once more!)
I…!
(Tell Her Everything, Depra!)
And then it went quiet, the world around us silent as the girl I liked looked upon me without hesitation, awaiting my answer.
"I, I've done terrible things…"
"You've also done wonderful things."
"I, I always take from others and never give them anything to work with."
"You've already given plenty, so it's okay for you to be selfish as well."
"I really, really can't face a lot of things, running away from my problems rather than facing them head on like I should."
"You really, really take your time with the decisions you're faced with and know when to take a step back instead of charging forward."
"I'm an unfeeling bastard who hurts others without a care in the world, unable to feel the warmth others bring me."
"You're the most empathetic person I know, which is why you get hurt so easily, and try to be numb to the pain.
"I'm a lazy son of a bitch who refuses to look forward, not wanting to change, not wanting things to change, wanting to maintain the status quo for good!"
"You're a hardworking person who always tries to move forward; even if you end up right back where you started, you always push through so you can reach the perfect tomorrow!"
"I'm stupid and can never see the heart of the issue!"
"You're smart, which causes you to miss the big picture!"
"And, the thing I hate most-!"
"And, the thing I like most-!"
"Is Myself!"
"Is Yourself!"
I fell to my knees, the sun causing her hair to blaze orange underneath the grey skies that surrounded us.
"How, how is it that you can retort so damn easily!?"
"Because I like everything about you, that's why!" She yelled out, pulling me by my shirt to bring us closer.
"But that's just, that's just impossible! I hate everything, so why couldn't it have been me who'd went instead!? Why is it that I'm still here then!?"
"Because Depra, I'll say this as many times as need to be said!"
"I'm here, because you need me!"
"That shit again!?"
"But you're here, because I need you!"
Huh? That's, huh? She let go of my shirt, causing me to slump down onto the sidewalk, my hands trembling at her words.
"Darling needs you, The Hidden Club needs you, Luna needs you, Lachesis needs you, her friends need you, that old couple needs you, the people you've helped in those shop need you; but I'll say it again: I need you!"
I'm needed? I looked back up at Pandora, and she gave me a grin.
"You're finally looking at me."
"I'm, I'm needed?"
She nodded, her hair bouncing as she did so. "Yep, you're needed by so many people, because you're important to us all!"
"Even if I'm a rotten bastard who only cares for himself!?"
"It's because you're not a rotten bastard, that you were able to become so needed by us all."
"Even, even if, if I, make that-!" I stopped myself, squeezing my eyes shut before I felt a warm soft hand touch my face, allowing them to open once more to see those soft regal eyes looking into my own.
"No matter what choice you make Depra, always remember…"
"I'm here, because you need me"
"And you're here, because I need you."
"No matter what choices you make, that will never change."
"And that's a promise."
I could feel the tears well up in my eyes, and yet once more, they never once fell from my face.
"So, it'll be okay?"
Her hands wiped away the tears forming in my eyes, revealing the person who said they needed me the most.
"No matter what, I'll always need you."
She embraced me, and I finally allowed myself to relax, my once raucous heartbeat finally calming down at her words, allowing the thought to come back from where they confined me from:
"With you, my Stupidity can fall into the grace of Happiness."
RECENTLY UPDATES
Fantasy
Action
Eastern
Contemporary Romance
Action
Action
Contemporary Romance
Action