Emi Epilogue - Stopping Short: Chapter 5 (Decision 1)

Stopping Short – Chapter 5: The Finale

Decision 1: Wait for Emi outside

Barging in on my white charger to “save the day” can’t be a good idea. I may be able to talk to her and get her to realize that I care, but in the end she’ll probably just see it as me being the hero that protects my so-called “damsel in distress.”

Don’t worry, Emi. I’ve learned my lesson.

Rather than entering the structure, I opt to sit down on a bench directly across the street. From this position, I’ll be able to see Emi as soon as she exits. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before she does, because I don’t know how long I can stand this heat.

Despite the excruciatingly warm sensation that the sun produces on my flesh, I wait patiently (though uncomfortably) for the small girl to return. Besides, I’m sure she wants to be alone right now…

In my mind I can picture her clearly, squatting in front of that specific slab of stone, staring quietly at the name engraved on its surface.

She always turns to her father.

When things begin to spiral out of control, it seems as though he’s the first one she goes to for help. Naturally, there’s not much that he can do for her anymore, but I’m willing to bet that her visits are mainly for psychological reassurance more so than anything.

Although I was kind of hoping that I could become that person that she always goes to when in need.

Not that that would make a lot of sense with me being the core of the problem here.

A blurry shape suddenly appears in my unfocused vision, interrupting my thoughts. Focusing in on the blob, I recognize the form as Emi Ibarazaki, slowly making her way towards the exit. As I stand from my place on the bench, something about the small girl catches my eye. Even from this distance it’s clear that she’s exhausted. Her clothes are wrinkled, her gait is slow and labored, and her face is a mask, portraying none of her characteristic energy and vigor.

She looks lifeless.

Rather than call out to her, I stand by the curb and wait for her gaze to find me. Fortunately, this occurs the moment she exits under the archway of the cemetery. However, her dull expression and vacant eyes do not change.

Mechanically, Emi begins to click in my direction, maintaining a sluggish pace that I would never expect her to be able to stick to. Everything about her movements and posture is the complete antithesis of “Emi.”

I stay rooted to my spot on the curb, afraid to move towards the pink-haired girl crossing the street.

This isn’t Emi.

This CAN’T be-

BBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!

The blaring of a car horn snaps me out of my thoughts, sending an entirely new wave of fear and panic through my body. A red sports car, clearly a vehicle that’s designed to hit velocities far beyond the speed limit, barrels down the road. Due to her lethargic state and lack of awareness, Emi finds herself directly in the path of the oncoming red blur.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck FUCK!

Emi stands in the road, stock still.

A deer in the headlights.

My feet move on their own.

Off the curb.

Through the first lane.

Across the median.

Launching into Emi.

Locking my arms around her.

Flinging us towards the sidewalk.

Twisting midair.

Crashing onto the pavement.

…

………

………………

The sound of a roaring engine passes by and begins fading into the distance. I stay silent for a moment, waiting to see if the pain of an injury appears. Aside from the erratic beating of my heart, nothing seems out of place.

Opening my eyes, I’m met face to face with two large green disks, staring at me with a mixture of fear and relief swirling around inside of them.

Safe. We’re safe.

Rolling onto my back, I push myself off of the hard concrete and turn back to Emi, extending my hand to her. The girl stares up at me with a wary expression, but slowly and reluctantly reaches up towards me, latching onto my-

Oomph!

Emi’s hand is suddenly torn away from mine. Or, more accurately, I’m torn away from her as my body careens through the air, landing on the sidewalk with a THUMP! that knocks the wind out of me.

What the hell…?

Upon opening my eyes I’m greeted by a bright blue sky swirling with black dots. I try to sit up to see what just blindsided me, but the throbbing pain in my chest prevents me from doing so. It takes an immense amount of effort to turn my head in what I believe to be the direction of my “assailant.”

My eyes settle first upon Emi, still sitting on the ground where she had first landed after my flying tackle. Her hands cover her mouth as she stares at me, wide-eyed, quivering slightly. Just beyond her I can make out, through my increasingly blackening vision, an overturned bicycle with the form of its rider lying sprawled on the pavement.

The sharp and erratic beating of my heart confirms my fears about the event that just unfolded.

Riding his bike down the sidewalk. Rounding the corner quickly. Suddenly faced with a foreign object rising from the ground with little to no time to react.

It’s hard to blame the guy.

It’s not his fault.

I attempt to take in a deep breath, but an electric jolt in my lungs cuts the action short. Something (likely a rib) is stabbing at the organ, sending small bursts of pain through me with every shallow breath.

Emi still hasn’t moved.

The blackened edges of my sight begin to take on a reddish hue, growing steadily across my eyes.

Goddamn. I thought I was in better shape than this. I suppose my heart was already racing after I leapt across the road to save Emi. Even still. Done in by a fucking bicycle?

The thought is so absurd that I begin to chuckle, causing me to cough and sputter violently.

Ah shit, is that blood?

Is this my punishment?

Trying so hard not to be the shining knight on my white charger and in the end that’s exactly what I became. Not that I regret saving her life.

Is Emi still there?

I muster my last remnants of strength and turn in her general direction.

Barely visible through the redness shrouding my vision is a figure rising from the ground. Despite the frantic look of the action, the person seems to be moving in slow motion.

“Hisao!!!!”

Emi?

“You can’t leave me!!!”

She’s sobbing.

“You promised!!!”

Oh shit, I suppose I did say something along those lines. Nothing to be done about that now…

“Hisaaaaaaaaaaoooooooo!!!”

Clicking. A shadowy blur growing larger. She must be coming this way.

I attempt to draw another ragged breath, but it catches in my throat.

Not painful, but I just can’t inhale anymore.

Red swarms my eyesight.

Sorry, Emi.

I can’t.

“HISAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!”

I take one final look at the figure before my vision fails entirely and my mind goes dark.

Running. Sprinting forward. Racing towards an unreachable finish line. Just barely stopping short.