The Oni Slayers: Chapter 1

Takuya walked slowly to Tsukino’s house and rang the doorbell. “Hamasaki Residence,” the speaker sounded. “It’s me, Takuya.” Tsukino ran down the stairs and opened the door. “Takuya!” she shouted and gave him a hug. “That’s my girl. Now off to the festival!” Holding hands, they boarded the local bus to Yamamoto Square. Arriving at the square, there were colorful banners and a stage for entertainment currently featuring a Japanese drum line. Dancers in colorful robes leap to the drums’ rhythm and shook their instruments. “Takuya! I’m going to get some drinks and be right back.” Tsukino darted away to the bubble tea stand. Takuya shook his head and smiled, “Gluttonous little girl.” Suddenly, an explosion erupted at the bubble tea stand. Debris fell from the air and hit some people on the head. Takuya himself was lying on the ground clutching his head. As he wiggled across the ground, he nudged against something. The disfigured head of Tsukino with oozing blood laid next to Takuya. “TSUKINOOO!” Takuya shouted. Three consecutive explosions erupted billowing gray smoke. The ground shook like an earthquake crumbling the stage into pieces. Takuya ran towards the nearest park and continued to run. Finally he dropped to his knees on the pavement and cried out.

“Takuya, if you ever need any help, you can go to the guidance counselor or any school staff,” his teacher assured. Takuya silently replied, “Yes, Takamura-sensei.” Taking out his textbook, he flipped to yesterday’s homework. There Takuya left Tsukino’s bookmark with the butterfly engraving. He took it out and placed it carefully into his folder. “Hey, did you go to the New Year’s Festival?” a girl asked. “No, I’m happy for that,” another girl replied. “What are you talking about?” “Didn’t you hear about the bombing?!” Takuya’s heart stopped at the word “bombing” and felt adrenaline rush to his face. He clenched his fists which were hidden under his desk and shifted uneasily in his seat. On his way home, Takuya pulled out his green Ipod and stuck it in his forest green winter jacket. Instead of going home, he boarded the train into the city. Takuya walked into a small, but brightly lit noodle shop. All tables were full except for one occupied by a young man with tousled-styled brown hair in a long black leather jacket. His hair stood up in all directions unlike Takuya’s caramel hair that slightly curled on the edges. Takuya sat adjacent to the man and the store waiter came over. The middle aged man in a dirty white apron took out a scratch pad and a pen. “What would you like?” “Uh, I’ll take a wonton noodles and a Coke,” said Takuya. “Get me a beer,” said the man across from Takuya.

There were already two empty green bottles on the table and the man continued with his meal. The little noodle shop played a local radio which broadcasted some old tunes. The white table which Takuya sat at had its wooden edges slowly crumbling and aging. His chair had a bit of stuffing sticking out. The waiter returned from the kitchen with a steaming bowl of wonton noodles and spilled a bit of soup onto the table. Takuya split his bamboo chopsticks apart and began to eat, but stopped. He laid the chopsticks on the rim of the bowl and sipped his Coke instead. He propped his face onto the palm of his hand and tipped his head sideways while poking his noodles. “You seen down, “ the man across spoke. “My girlfriend just passed away,” said Takuya. “Those that have died cannot live again. Don’t grieve upon it too long.” Takuya bit into his wonton. It was flavorful except he had no appetite. “How did she die?” the stranger asked continuing to eat his noodles. “New Years Festival,”said Takuya. The man looked up from his bowl. “Have you heard of oni?” the brown haired man asked. Puzzled by this question, Takuya responded, “What does oni have to do with this?” “Well you see,” the man answered. “What happened to your girlfriend was the act of an oni.” “Please, I don’t believe in that crap,” Takuya scoffed. “Demons do exist,” the man said. “In the hearts of men and on this material Earth.” “How do you know?” Takuya asked sarcastically. “I fight them. It’s my job.” Convinced that this man was a lunatic, Takuya finished his meal and left the store.

Walking home, Takuya crushed some soda cans with his feet and kicked them away. Upon reaching his front door, Takuya pulled out his house keys adorned with a photo key chain of him and Tsukino. “Tadaima,” Takuya called out. “How was school today,” his mother asked. “Just the same,” Takuya answered and went to his room. He sat at his desk and took out the bookmark. The butterfly was cut from purple metallic paper and then decorated with a colorful border. Sealed in plastic, a red ribbon was tied to is as well. Flipping to the reverse side of the book mark was a portrait of Tsukino. Staring at her immobile green eyes, Takuya left a warm tear splash onto her face. “Takuya,” his mother walked into the room. Takuya quickly rubbed his eyes and turned around. “Dinner’s ready?” Takuya said and stood up to leave the room. His mother eyed the bookmark and left the room.

Unable to sleep at night, Takuya turned on the table lamp and pulled out a photo album. As he turned the pages, he saw a picture of when he and Tsukino were eight years old. Takuya smiled and flipped to the next page. A loud thump from outside was heard. Turning off the light in his room, Takuya peered through the blinds from his window. A monstrous figure towered over what looked like a bloody pile of human remains. Immediately, Takuya withdrew from his window. That monster did not see me, right? he thought. Was that even a monster? Questions swarmed to his head. The image of the brown haired man appeared in his mind. Have you heard of oni? he said. Takuya peeked out the window once more. The monstrous figure was no longer there and the human remains disappeared. Perhaps demons do exist, Takuya thought to himself. His whole body shuddered at this thought. No human can die so horrendous.

A/N

tadaima (Japanese) - I'm home

#onislayers