Chapter twelve: Out of Touch:

    “In every stiffened corpse I saw myself. And soon I should not even see them; I shout be one of them -- matter of hours.”

-Elie Wiesel “Night”

    It all started with a small question. “Aneko.” Takeru said ichi morning before class. The princess turned to her boyfriend. “Hai Teddy?” she asked. “Is this place real?” Takeru asked. Aneko looked lost. “Nani do you mean?” she asked. “I can’t tell if I’m dreaming or not.” her boyfriend said. Then he looked up. His eyes were like the dark sea. “The hell I’ve seen seems so real. I need to know if I’m dreaming or not! Dozo tell me!” Takeru pleaded. Aneko was speechless. How could she answer? If she did, would it be the right one?

    “Hai,” Aneko answered at last. “This is real!” “But how can I be sure that’s true?” Takeru argued. “How can I be sure I’m not dreaming again? Answer that! Tell me!” Aneko last her tongue. “Well tell me!!!” her boyfriend yelled. She couldn’t answer. “I…” she began.

    But Takeru didn’t give her a chance to answer. He got up, shoved her aside, and ran off. All Aneko could do was just stand there and watch. Enough was enough! She couldn’t just sit back and let him self-destruct. Aneko clinched her fists. It was time to fight back! “Takeru!” she thought. “I will help you!!!

    And when the bell rang to start class, Aneko had the plan all ready to be carried out.