ISHIKAWA KAI'S POV...
Elkwood University.
If Elkwood University had a personality, it'd be that one overly serious relative who wears suits to breakfast and glares at you for breathing too loud.
The place looked like a castle that accidentally became a school - gothic towers, dramatic archways, and enough ivy to choke a small dragon.
I never understood why people called it 'prestigious'. I mean, sure, it had history-- blah blah, founded in 18-something, scholars and visionaries, blah blah blah-- but all I saw were sleepy students, overpriced coffee, and professors who looked like they hadn't smiled since the Cold War.
Still, it was my school. And even though I mostly came for the vibes and occasional learning, Today felt... different. Like something is waiting for me...
I went for my class and didn't really pay attention, I study Philosophy. It was Metaphysics and the self the professor was talking about today, and it was boring... I did my best sitting through this 3 hour lecture.
"... and so Locke suggests personal identity is tied to consciousness. If your memories are continuous, you're the same self", professor Takeda Masayoshi ended the sentence. Adjusting his glasses, "Before we end, I'd like you all to reflect on the nature of the self. Your assignment is a 1000-word essay on the question - 'If the soul can change, does the person remain the same?' Due next week Monday. No extensions."
I blinked, "wait, what changes now? The soul?"
Professor Takeda replied, "Yes, Mr. Ishikawa. If your soul, not your memories or body, changes are you still you?"
"Sir, I don't even know what my soul had for breakfast"
"then perhaps you should let it write the essay. Maybe it has more insight... Your soul better start outlining."
"My soul's gonna drop out..." I muttered frustrated.
Suddenly, my ears started ringing in a very high pitch.
I shook my head and it stopped. I didn't bother about it.
------
After class I went to look for Reis on campus, he went for 'Ancient texts and forgotten languages' class, Reis studies Archaeology... yeah, I know right. With his face and those bone structure statistics, he should be in the entertainment industry or modeling for overpriced perfume ads or something. But nope. He's out here brushing dust off ancient rocks and reading dead people's grocery lists. Such a waste...
Reis had finished his class and was coming out, I met him and teased him while we walk to the cafeteria, "you basically study aliens and their languages, right?"
"not aliens, ancient civilizations, relics and artifacts"
"gosh, boring!'' "how did you end up with such course... it fits you not"
"it doesn't fit your image at all, you should be on a billboard or in a boyband or something"
we reached the cafeteria, grabbed our trays and had our lunch.
"I'm done with my classes for today"
"me too"
"then lets go home", I said.
---
On our way home...
"Should we take the bus today?" I asked Reis
We always walk home because our houses aren't far from each other at all, we're neighbors and so we walk together and talk on our way home
"Should we?"
"Yeah, it's been quite a while since we took the bus, let's take it today." I didn't really feel like walking today...
"Okay."
As we were crossing to the other side where we'll be waiting for the next bus,
A black car that looked absolutely expensive rushed towards and it was too sudden for me to react at all.
I flew a few feet backwards.
I had been hit.
My ears started ringing so loud.
My head hurts so much.
My vision got blurry and blurry and I couldn't feel my whole body and my eyelids gave me away.
"Reis."