I believe this would be appropriate to announce this:
In my dire attempt to run away from my responsibilities, I am remaking all of my series. That also includes the ones I've dropped at hiatus. (Yes, that includes 'Wandering Ship', 'The Virus', 'HFAYPTG?', 'Sanity', 'Disappearance S2', and 'Hidden Truth') To give my readers a treat, I decided... What better way to start is to redo my first completed angst piece? This will be posted on the forum (no more Tumblr), and major changes has been made to the plot as a whole.
Spoiler-free changes include:
> Watanabe Mayu has three older siblings; they will play a major part of the story
> Plot holes from the previous version will be corrected
> The antagonists' roles and ulterior motives will be more realistic
> The antagonists' are university students, NOT high school students
> Clues and investigation scenes will differ from the previous version
> The Mayuki pair will receive tremendous amount of attention; others... not so much
> The ending from the previous version is scratched off; you get yourself a brand new ending for this remake
Please make note that this is a series during the summer of 2012. Many members and their roles remain the same as how I have written it from the past. Whether this series will stay as canon or as a spin-off remake... I will let you readers decide on that.
I am still working on the others during my spare time! When they are fully complete like this first season of Disappearance, they will be uploaded weekly. (Waiting for weeks to even months seem to be a disastrous effect...) The reason why I'm doing this? I could not let my guilt go from leaving these pieces unfinished. I was and am never the type of person to leave things undone. What had started must be completed.
With that said, I introduce you to a special series that kickstarted my past love for the 48Groups (and the pairing of Mayuki... if that is still popular?). I hope veteran readers of this work can enjoy the new changes as newer readers come to enjoy this dark tale.
Trailer: *Update Schedule: When school isn't brutally murdering me
[Chapter 1]
It was stuffy. It was hot. It was loud. It was chaotic. It was almost unbearable to stand in this condensed area.
There were other members running around, trying to grab their belongings and change out of their Team B uniform. Endless chatters in the meantime were exchanged between members. It filled up the entire room with an endless source of noise. When you add a special performance including members from Team K (Miyazawa Sae, Akimoto Sayaka) and Team A (Takahashi Minami), it got a tad bit rowdier. Do a headcount and you got a couple dozen of females kicking the temperature higher than usual in any room within the building.
As if the sweat I’ve produced from AKB48’s performances not too long ago wasn’t enough, I felt my sweat glands beginning another round of its salty production. Despite the change of clothing from the idol uniform to a more casual wear (consisting of a white patterned blouse, pink cotton sweater and skirt, white scarf, white tights, and pink sneakers), I felt like I was going to die from the heat. The status of exhaustion also hung over my head as all of my muscles were doing their best to keep this body from collapsing. Heck, I surprised myself by the ability to keep my pink backpack plastered to my back.
I didn’t even bother to conceal the loud yawn that left my mouth. Oh how much I wanted to go home and sleep under my blanket. The thought of showering off all this icky sensation can be done once I’ve gotten enough Zs—
Actually, there was something I was suppose to do… Oh right; I promised my parents I would return home to prepare a special occasion for my older brother, Watanabe Takumi, right after our live performance.
Takumi has always been the reliable man in the family, and, now at the age of 21, has gone off to work at Sakae in accounting. Compared to my job, his paled. At least the silly personality of my second eldest sibling continues to mold him into a great young man for society.
Now that he is planning to visit us next week, I have to make preparation for his arrival with my parents and two older sisters.
I then pinched the bridge of my nose as I squeezed my eyes shut. Another yawn left my mouth. Life as an idol is clearly keeping me productive. Maybe it is keeping me a little too productive that I almost forgot an important event with my family.
’I should tell Yukirin I’m leaving early.’In the crowded dressing room backstage of Team B, I wildly waved my hand in the air. “Yukirin!” I called out from across the noisy room. “I’m going to be going home right now!”
“Eh?” I saw the raven haired female strip off her shirt before glancing over at my direction. Her top merely consisting of a black bra, she tilted her head to the side with eyebrows raised. “Why are you in such a rush to get home right after our performances, Mayuyu?”
I had to divert my eyes’ attention from that one specific area. I had to. Heat began to gather at the area where my cheeks are located. I felt that if I were to lay my sight upon those chest once more, I might die from overheating.
’That damn woman… Can’t she at least put on a shirt before looking over at me!?’ I knew it was natural for a dressing room to consist of same gendered individuals to switch clothing, but Yuki is a different story! She’s my best friend and my closest friend. Even though I have seen my other friends bare with no clothing, only this girl manages to bring forth this strange effect. It’s even worse when we crash into each other’s home for the night, but I digress.
My fist touched my mouth as I cleared my throat. “I need to head home ASAP. I promised my parents to help them plan for my brother’s arrival next week.”
When my eyes slowly shifted its gaze back to Yuki, I saw her mouth formed a small circle in comprehension. “Can I walk you home though? It’s late right now, and I don’t want anything bad to happen—“
“Yukirin,” I faintly smiled. “I’m 18, you know. I’m not a little kid anymore. Besides, ‘Mother’, nothing bad happened to me every time I walked home alone at this time of the day.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. Then without warning, I found myself staring straight at this half-naked woman. In the span of ten seconds, Kashiwagi Yuki traveled across the dressing room to confront me; I gulped at the fast ability she possesses. She immediately crossed her arms as a stern tone was heard.
“It’s nearly midnight, Mayu. Do you understand how dangerous it is at this time?”
Another negotiation battle. I felt like this was going to be a verbal battle like Phoenix Wright or Danganronpa, and I was sure to win this fight. I may have lost at times before, but I cannot lose to this.
A surge of leftover energy my body preserved was given to fuel my defensive stance. I shifted my backpack’s strap. My entire expression became firm, ready to face the challenge before me. Then, I raised an index finger up into the air.
“How about this!” I suggested. “I’ll give you a text when I reach home, okay?”
“…”
“I’ll also throw in a call!”
“...”
“…is it not enough?”
She bit her lower lip. Her expression remained firm as she stared directly into my eyes. Yuki was giving me the silent treatment. It was an attempt to overpower my opinion over the course of my action. I wasn’t going to let my defense lower, of course. Instead, I stared right back at her without budging nor cowering away. I knew I had to use this trick up my sleeve, and I knew that if she wasn’t going to be affected, I would be defaulted to the losing side.
The strained smile still on my face, I then said, “…I’ll buy you a watermelon shake tomorrow?”
I felt my entire body jerk forward. Without warning, my face was buried straight into the very area I avoided gazing at. My entire vision was met with nothing but the darkness; my sense of smell overwhelmed by the sweet, strawberry-like aroma from Yuki. I barely managed to lift my face away from that portion of her body. Now I found myself resting the right side of my face against her elegant figure. (It beats being suffocating to death by Kashiwagi Yuki’s breasts.) The woman’s arms then enveloped my figure in a tight squeeze. Unconsciously, my arms returned a similar favor to the older female.
’What… the heck… just happened…?’ I wondered to myself.
Strands of her black hair fell upon my face as she leaned her head down. Despite the amount of noise produced in the background, I was able to grasp the soft voice she shifted to.
“Make that a shake and an actual watermelon,” she whispered into my ear.
I felt my grip loosen slightly. The purse within my backpack is probably crying right now; it knows that when Kashiwagi Yuki starts demanding for products, she will get what she wants regardless of the price. Just the thought of it made my heart heavy and my smile falter. Yet I shook that off. It was a requirement I didn’t mind completing tomorrow. I really had to get home by myself, and I know Yuki has to go home soon herself. As much as I wanted to join the walk with her, Takahashi Minami, Miyazawa Sae, and Akimoto Sayaka, I cannot wait any longer for all four to leave.
“I’ll be sure to get those two for you then, ‘Mother’.”
We then released our hold on each other. Though I probably need to soak in a bath with some cold water at this time, Yuki pointed her index finger at my direction.
“You better hold onto that promise!”
“Of course I will!” I grinned.
’I-I think…’With that exclaimed, I waved to her once more. “I’m off now, Yukirin. I’ll see you tomorrow during practice.”
She nodded. “Have a safe trip home, Mayuyu. Remember to give me a call! I’ll call the cops if I don’t hear from you in a few hours!”
The gentle wave I performed increased its tempo to the max. My eyes widen in horror as I frantically shook my head.
“P-Please don’t do that! Are you trying to get us into a scandal!?”
“I’m just worried!” she puffed her cheeks.
“‘Worried’ my bottom! Stop being such a worry-wart!”
With that said, I turned my back towards my friend and walked out of the room.
----------
Once Mayu left the room, Yuki let out a soft sigh. The bright and cheerful expression she wore on stage transitioned into pure exhaustion. Any energy she needed to expend on smiles was already given to the otaku. She then walked back over to her original spot in the room; it took a minute for the young lady to be fully dressed in a sweater, long-sleeved shirt, and skirt.
Miyazawa Sae then, without warning, slid right over to the raven haired’s side. The tomboyish female grinned mischievously as she watched the idol began to pack her purse.
“My… aren’t you both full of energy,” she remarked. “So rowdy at this time of the day… Drank any caffeinated products, Yukirin?”
“Sae,” Yuki glared at her best friend. “I didn’t drink any.”
“Well, it sure seem like you did!”
“Quit teasing her, Sae,” Akimoto Sayaka piped in from the distant.
Upon hearing the other half of the Twin Tower duo, the short haired female hung her head in exaggeration. “You’re no fun, Sayaka…”
As for Yuki, she felt a sense of regret the instant Mayu left the room. Deep within her mind, her instincts were screaming at her throughout the argument to keep the other female from leaving the building by herself. She can’t exactly put her finger on why she felt this way. Yet it’s too late to make any changes to her decision now. Even if Yuki chased after the Watanabe girl, she’s likely to be long gone from Team B’s building. Besides, it could be a part of her paranoia. Kashiwagi Yuki is known to be a worrywart; especially when it involves her ‘daughter’, Watanabe Mayu.
----------
It was a chilly night. As expected from the seasonal change of Summer to Fall, so did the temperature and weather. The night sky above my head was littered with stars as the number of pedestrians I used to see dwindled down considerably. The walk from AKB48’s Team B’s building to the nearest train station underground is fairly quiet.
I tug at the end of my sweater, bringing it closer to my body. My entire figure shivered in desperate attempt to warm my entire figure up. A sneeze was then heard followed by a sniffle from yours truly.
’Gosh… Why the heck is it so cold down here?’Now standing below ground level, I examined the empty railroad tracks. At this time of the day, a stray civilian or two will stand nearby. Today yielded a different result instead; not a single person was seen standing around this premise.
I was used to walking home at this time of the day, and I occasionally walked home by myself without Yuki’s consent. Yet for some reason, I felt on the edge. I felt anxious, nervous, and overall uncomfortable. The last time I felt this way, it was during a graduation announcement from one of my best friends in Team B. So why would I be feeling it now?
“Just take this train and I’ll be home in no time…” I mumbled to myself. “I got to help my family for Takumi’s visit…”
My eyes flickered left and right. There was still no one on this floor. Perhaps the sense of isolation is getting to me—
I then heard footsteps from afar. My ears managed to roughly pick up the source’s location. It was coming from behind my spot, and it was on this floor. Faint at first, it was progressively becoming louder. A shiver ran down my spine. The sound I was used to hearing was suppose to bring me comfort; the possibility that there is another person waiting for the train brings easiness. However, I cringed from it.
Paranoia seeped into my thoughts as I trained my sight straight ahead at the empty railroad tracks. I was too terrified of turning around at the time. If I turned around, what if… what if…
’What if it was a monster from Final Fantasy XV?’There was a screeching halt in my head. The expression that I wore earlier immediately transformed into a blank slate. Then my lips purse together as I desperately kept myself from bursting out into a fit of laughter.
’Calm down, Mayu,’ I mentally warned myself.
’This is what happens when you overthink things… I’m sure it’s just another passenger.’I felt a presence nearby once the footsteps came to a stop. Instinctively, I flickered my gaze to the left.
It was a young university student. Streaks of red within her black strands of hair gave off the impression she was a rebellious individual. A cigarette stuck out from the corner of her lip as a thin wisp of smoke wafted into the air. My eyes wandered over to the backpack. With a single strap crossing her chest, it is worn comfortably on her back. Based on her stature, facial features, and unique set of dark clothing, I assumed she was around my age. (Or even a little older?)
“Hey, Watanabe Mayu,” she sharply spoke.
’She talked!’I nearly leapt up from the ground. If it weren’t for my sneakers glued to the ground, I could’ve made a fool of myself. My heart began to pound heavily against my chest as I turned my head towards her direction. The student kept her head facing forward and eyes trained straight ahead. Either way, I flashed my ‘idol smile’ in attempt to conceal the startling effect.
“Ah—You know who I am?”
“Of course I know you…” she muttered.
“So you must be a fan then—“
“Everything about you.”
“E-Eh?”
I blinked. Then I felt my entire mind become blank. It took roughly five seconds for my mental state to revert back to its original status. At that same moment, a faint, but strained, chuckle came out of my barely closed lips. The cold weather must have affected my senses; I am not surprised to hear or interpret the university student’s words far from its original meaning. This is a story that should be shared to the rest of my teammates for tomorrow’s practice.
A tight hold suddenly enveloped my entire left wrist. My shoulders immediately hitched upon spotting her hand grab ahold of me. Her dark brown eyes finally directed itself to my pair. I was paralyzed on the spot. The gaze that fell upon me were not of a normal, sane individual. Her head now following after her eyes, she tilted her head; the action contrasted the physical image she portrayed.
“Every single detail about you, Watanabe… It’s been my dream to meet you in person…”
All of the hairs on the back of my neck stood. If the chills that ran down my spine the second time that day wasn’t enough, the lacrimal glands began to produce tears. My eyes watering, I desperately blink to remove its effect.
This woman is clearly giving me the creeps. I tried not to be rude as I shook my arm light from her grasp. However, her hold tightened in response.
“You’re cuter than I imagine in person…”
I had to get away. If I linger around any longer with her, I might actually breakdown.
I gave a mental apology to the university student before forcefully tearing my wrist out of her grasp.
It was a successful attempt.
My legs were ready to sprint out of the station, and I’m going to head back to a nearby 24-hour supermarket on ground floor. If I have to, I’m going to report to the police about this incident. Frankly this is the only time I regret ignoring Yuki’s warning. If only I had followed her words of advice…
I twisted my entire body around. I immediately slammed into another person. My figure stumbled backward thanks to the impact. At that same moment, I felt the same student grab ahold of my figure. With her arms swooping from underneath mine, she lock my upper body from further movement.
“I’ve always wanted to take you home with me…”
There was another female student. Perhaps the same age as the university student, her body features and attire was like day and night to the other female. She wore clothes that any normal lady would wear to school. I would’ve easily mistaken her to be a person of ally if it weren’t for the damp white cloth shoved at my face.
A muffled cry exited out of my throat as the student covered the bottom half of my face; my eyes squeezed shut during the entire process.
“So I’ll make sure that happens.”
A strong smell wafted into my nose as I struggle against the assaulter’s grip. I desperately held my breath. The chemical chloroform effect won’t kick in by a mere whiff. Yet I knew very well humans are unable to suppress their need for oxygen for any longer than a couple seconds. I wheezed out an exhale. I was forced to inhale the sweet aroma that could make any sane person gag, and blackness crept into my vision.
I was not able to keep resisting. Any form of strength I had from adrenaline trickled away. If there was anything I had to be grateful for, it was that my kidnappers refused to drop me to the ground.
My eyelids were like lead. Every second that passes by not only worsen my vision, but the fight to stay awake became harder. Then, the last I saw were two females overlooking my now-slump figure. They grinned wildly as I finally closed my eyes.
----------
In the dressing room, only four members were left behind. The noise that filled the area is now replaced with a quiet atmosphere. A couple of staffs remained in the dressing room for the sake of supervision to the idols. After all, if something were to happen to the ladies, the responsibilities would befall upon them.
“Yukirin, let’s go!” Sae exclaimed. “Sayaka and Takamina are waiting for us?”
The Kashiwagi female snapped back to attention. When she woke up from the daze, it appears that the Team B captain was staring at the coffee mug in her grasp.
The creamy colored material that held patterns of adorable kittens has a long crack ruin the design. Although it was odd for anyone to keep a tarnished product, it has actually occurred recently. A little too recently, that is. Yuki reached out to grab it roughly a minute ago when an ugly snap rang in the air. It did not help for the fact it was a gift from Watanabe Mayu either.
She isn’t fond of supernaturals or the beliefs of what’s good luck and what’s bad luck. However, this incident concerned the idol. Yuki’s done enough reading and common knowledge to understand that this is a bad omen.
’I think I should leave the cup here for now…’Yuki wasn’t planning to take it home nor carry it around with her, yet she couldn’t bring herself to throw away the gift. It would be better if she told Mayu about the broken ware. Besides, the janitors and staffs leave belongings in the dressing alone; members accidentally leaving their stuff behind is a common occurrence. The last time someone swept the area clean, Mayu lost one of her manga volumes in the process. A huge fuss was definitely made to Aki-P.
After placing the object back on the table’s surface, Yuki flicked open her cell phone. The time shown is past midnight. Her brown eyes wandered upon the inbox icon. Not a single notification has been sent from the ‘cyborg’ idol.
’Hm… She might still be walking home.’“Yukirin!” Again, her attention was brought back to reality. This time, there was a playful slap-on-the-shoulder from her best friend. Yuki was lucky to keep a firm hold on her phone in the process. When she glanced over her shoulder, Sae wore a smirk on her face. “I know you’re head-over-heels for your girlfriend, but that could wait for later.”
A tint of pink colored the woman’s cheeks. She wasn’t sure whether it was from the fact she kept her friends waiting or from the ridiculous, blunt statement Sae had proclaimed. Upon seeing Yuki’s reaction, the tomboyish female chuckled.
“Looks like the reaction Queen is at it again with her expression.”
“H-Hey!”
She could feel her entire head considerably heat up; she would be surprised if fumes didn’t waft into the air. As for her friend, the female raised both hands up in the air.
“Don’t ‘hey’ me! The relationship you both have is beyond friendship, I tell you.”
“What’s that suppose to mean? We’re just friends.”
“Right right… What you do isn’t normal.”
“Like?”
“Like… earlier today when Mayu’s face got buried into your—“
“Sae! Yuki!”
Takahashi Minami and Akimoto Sayaka has now silenced the bickering two. With the taller of the two holding the door open, Minami then said, “We should hurry home, you two. At this time of the day, I think your parents would be worried about their kids.”
A sigh was heard from Sae’s direction. “We’re coming!” Her gaze remaining on Yuki, she playfully motioned her hand in the air. “My main point is that you both need to get on it as soon as possible. Officially. Time won’t always wait for the two of you.”
Yuki raised an eyebrow. This caused the other female to let out another faint exhale. Although the Kashiwagi female is confused, the Miyazawa female sees the potential relationship the two could have. If only she could push them into officially bonding as lovers… If only.
“Right… Let’s just go.”
----------
It was a chilly night. Thanks to the upcoming Fall season here in Akihabara, the weather adjusted itself. Winds gently blew against the four figures as they walked in a pack towards their destinations.
Their first step was to go the same train station as where Mayu was headed not too long ago. At this time of the day, the time interval between trains was longer than during the day. (Thus why they decided to go together.) Once they catch their transportation, then one-by-one, they will deport back to their homes. So far, the four of them were huddled close together in the quiet train station premise.
“Gosh… Why is it so cold tonight?” the short female grumbled. Her hands hastily rubbed both of her arms in desperate attempt to create heat. “I should’ve worn something warmer if I knew it is going to be this chilly…”
“Really?” Sayaka piped in. “I think this is a perfect night.”
“Are you sure you aren’t lying?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. I think it’s just your stature. Your small body can’t tolerate the cold compared to my tall figure.”
“So you’re saying…”
“…that you’re a midget? I think that’s about right.”
“Sae!”
“What? I’m only speaking the truth here.”
“Don’t you call me a midget! Unlike this gorilla here, I am of normal height—“
“What did you just call me?”
“Ah—“ The short female frantically waved her hand in the air. “N-Nothing…?”
“Takahashi Minami… What did you just call me?”
“Nothing, you gorilla—I mean, nothing!”
The exchanges between the two fired at each other; it was as if they were trying to gun one another down with bullet-like statements.
In the meantime, Yuki snapped open her mobile device. For the sixth time that night, she observed the digital screen. Still no text nor call from the Watanabe female. This made her feel uneasy. Though there were occasions when Mayu isn’t able to call, Yuki at least knew her whereabouts and status. This, however, is a whole different situation. She could not help but sense a faint wave of nausea creep upon her stomach. Her heart raced as paranoia slowly enveloped her entire mental capacity.
’Calm down, Yuki,’ she mentally commanded.
’Don’t let your imagination get the best of you. Mayu must’ve forgotten to give a call.’Her fingers raced upon the keyboard’s surface. A couple buttons were pressed before she placed it against her ear. A monotone sound rang into her eardrums as the raven haired female impatiently waited for an answer.
“Hello? This is the Watanabe residency.”
“Ah—“ That voice. It was a familiar voice that eased the powerful beat of her organ. A relieved smile formed on her face as she let out a soft sigh. “Mayuyu… I’m glad to hear you answer the phone.”
“Mayuyu? You’re talking to the wrong person, Yuki.” There was a feminine chuckle on the other line as the same voice spoke once again. “It’s me, Watanabe Shion.”
Yuki almost slapped a hand against her forehead. How could she have mistaken Mayu’s older sister for herself?
“I’m so sorry about that, Shion,” she apologized. “You both sound alike over the line.”
“I get that all the time,” she chuckled once again. “Even Chieko thinks so sometimes! Can you believe it?”
Watanabe Shion, Watanabe Takumi, Watanabe Chieko, and Watanabe Mayu; in order from oldest to youngest, these four are siblings in the Watanabe family. Though Mayu isn’t one to speak much about her personal life to the public, Yuki was invited to her household on multiple occasions; it is almost as if they are a second family to the raven haired female.
Shion, the eldest, works as a registered nurse in Akihabara’s hospital. Takumi, the only son in the family, constantly works at Sakae as an accountant. Finally, Chieko works as a manga artist for a small company that specializes in the genre of seinen. Combined with popular idol, Mayu, the entire family is considered to be beyond perfect. Their parents must be proud of their children’s accomplishments.
“So what’s up? It’s not everyday you call us out of the blue.”
Yuki’s heart picked up its pace once again. So it was time to ask her that question. Oddly there is a sense of fear from the answer that she willing to hear. She inhaled deeply, then exhaled loudly.
“Is Mayu at home?”
“Um… not at all. Let me go ask Chieko— Oh! Takumi’s home!?” The idol had to pull the phone away from her ear at the sudden increase in volume. “What the heck! I thought you were going to come visit us next week!”
Scuffling sound were heard over the line as loud chatters outside of the topic mixed into the noise. Yuki felt the corner of her eyebrows twitch. Numbness began to instill into her body as she tried to process the given information so far.
Mayu’s eldest sister, Shion, did not see Mayu arrive home. She’s going to ask Chieko, Mayu’s other older sister, about it. Then Takumi, the only brother and the second eldest in the quartet siblings, arrived to their household earlier than expected. Yuki clearly remembered her closest teammate explain that she had to hurry home and help her family out with his arrival.
“I apologize about that, Yuki,” she heard Shion’s voice once again. “Got caught up in the surprise.”
“It’s not a problem. So… Mayu is still not home?”
“I guess not. She’s still working at this time with her idol business, right?”
“No… She actually left less than two hours ago…”
“…r-really?” she breathed out. “My sister’s not with you either?”
“That’s the reason why I’m calling.”
There was a pause. It was an abnormally long pause on the other line. Yuki was about to question if Shion is still on the line when her voice popped up one last time.
“Shit… Shit shit shit… Where the heck did she go?” she cursed under her breath. “Brother Takumi, I-I’m sorry, but I have to go to the police station right now… What’s going on? Watanabe Mayu is missing!”
Those words she didn’t want to hear. A single terminology that Yuki did not ever want to have it associate with the female’s name.
Missing; Watanabe Mayu is missing.
Sae, Minami, and Sayaka glanced over at Yuki. Though they haven’t said anything during their conversations over the phone, their expressions said everything. By the time Yuki hung up, Minami raised her concern.
“Is something the matter, Yukirin?”
“…missing.”
“Hm? Did you say something?”
Yuki felt the tears pour out of her eyes as she raised her head. Her lips trembles in attempt to formulate a response to the confused group.
“Mayuyu… Mayu’s missing.”
Little did they know that the four were all standing on the same exact location and place where Mayu was taken away an hour ago.
Topic: Disappearance Season 1 [REMAKE] - Chapter 5 (03/25/16) (Read 18129 times)