Dream Sequence Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable

After getting kicked out of school, I began wandering the streets. With my will to try school again all but nonexistent, my mind was blank. Somehow, I ended up in front of the bookstore. A sign outside read “Meet the Voice Actor of Kasubito, Arnie Papenlock!”

With some semblance of joy sparked within me, I entered the bookstore. For such a small town, there was a surprisingly long line inside the bookstore, though, since I didn’t recognize nearly anyone inside, they were likely from neighboring cities.

Sat at a table at the front of the line was the voice actor in question. He even went the extra mile to cosplay as Kasubito, except for the hair color. I looked around for something to get signed, eventually coming back with a pair of Kasubito figures. After an hour in line, I made it to the front.

“Hi, how are you?” asked Arnie.

“Great!” I lied. “I’m a huge fan of your work.”

“Glad to hear,” Arnie said, signing the figurines. “Taking one to a friend?”

“Yeah, something like that,” I said, the sorrow on my face plain to see.

“Ah,” he said, nodding somberly. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll work out, so long as you don’t give up hope.”

“Ah, uh, thank you,” I said, kinda embarrassed. I took the figurines and stepped out of line for the next person. In the corner of the store, I spotted a familiar face. “Mom? Why are you here?”

“Hm? Oh, sweetie. I could say the same to you. How was school?” she asked despite the fact she knew full well school was still going on.

“Oh, uh, not so good mom. I don’t think I’m gonna be going back there,” I said sadly. She looked down at my hands, noticing both the dried blood on my knuckles, as well as the two signed figurines.

“I see,” she said. “Are you going to go-”

“Yeah,” I replied, hugging her.

“Stay safe, son. We can talk about it when you get home,” my mom said, kissing me on the forehead.

“I will. I love you, mom.” I said, exiting the bookstore.

Little did I know, I’d never see her again.