Chapter Text
Time.
Tsukasa hated time. It always passed so slowly. Especially during weeks like these, where Saki and their parents were stuck in the hospital. The clock was detrimental when he was home alone. After his practice shows were over, his piano practice sessions were done, that was all Tsukasa heard.
Tick, tock, tick, tock…
"Ughhh!!!" Tsukasa threw his arms on the couch, the paper crown on his head falling over. He was bored and it was far too quiet. As much as he loved preparing the best shows a 5 year old could, it was tiring when you were doing it for so long. Flipping back and forth between practicing stories and piano was getting exhausting.
"I want mom and dad back home…wait, I can call…" Tsukasa scurried to grab the cell phone his parents gave to him. Since he ended up at home without supervision so often, they figured it would be a good idea to get him one. There wasn’t much on it, just a few educational games his parents installed and of course a place to call and text, but it was enough for him. He opened the calls page, attempting to call his mom.
Ring, ring, ring…beep.
No response.
He attempted calling his dad.
Ring, ring, ring…beep.
No response either.
He tried this for at least 10 minutes. Calling mom. Voicemail. Calling dad. Voicemail. He could barely text, so he didn’t try. Tsukasa was fighting back tears with every missed call. After about the 20th time of being sent to voicemail, he gave up, turning the phone off and balling up, his back against the couch.
"No, I…I have to be strong, I can’t cry!" Tsukasa said to himself, wiping his face as he felt droplets in the corners of his eyes. "Saki has it much worse than me…I need to be patient and wait for mom and dad to come home…"
"I’m the big brother, it’s my job to stay happy and good!!"
Tick, tock, tick, tock…
Aside from the clock, the house was dead silent. Tsukasa felt his ears would start ringing if it wasn’t for that damn clock. Tsukasa closed in on himself more. The ticking sounds were getting to him. " …But I don’t want to be alone!! I don’t want to be alone!!"
"They forgot me…mom and dad forgot me because Saki’s more important! She’s the only one that matters, I don’t matter!!" Tsukasa at this point was sobbing. Tears pouring out of his eyes as he continued to yell at the void.
"…That’s it!! How could mama and papa forget me?! And Saki, even Saki—!!"
"Tsukasa-kuuuun ♪" A high pitched voice came from his phone, sing-songing his name.
Tsukasa screamed, jumping on the couch and backing up. He stared at the phone, the screen now glowing white. "W-Who is that?!" He yelled out, his eyes glued to the glowing screen.
"Tsukasa-kun, Tsukasa-kun!! It’s Miku-chan, hehehe!!" The voice giggled. Shortly after, a hologram with a blue tint jumped out. A girl with long blue twin tails, cat ears, a circus outfit, and teal eyes with golden sparkles in the center. Even with the sparkle, though, her eyes lacked glimmer. This must be Miku. Tsukasa still kept his position, afraid that hologram might jump out and eat him or something. "Mama said not to talk to strangers!! I won’t talk to you!!"
"Ehhhh?" Miku’s ears drooped. "But Tsukasa-kun, I want to be your friend!"
"My…friend?"
She smiled, gleefully nodding. "Mhm!! Tsukasa-kun’s really lonely, right? It makes Miku-chan so sad…so sad that everyone forgot him! Mama, papa, Saki-chan…that’s so sad, right?"
"I…" Tsukasa started, slowly making his way towards the phone, sitting down on his knees in front of it. "It is sad…but, it’s…I have to be okay, I have to be a good big brother and wait! Even if they forget me…"
"Buuuut…they shouldn’t forget you, Tsukasa-kun! They should remember you, too!! You’re important, just like your sister! That’s mean of them to forget!!"
Tsukasa sighed. He hated this. He hated feeling this upset. No, this…resentment. He understood why his parents were away and why they weren’t answering, Saki was probably in a really critical condition at the moment. Therefore, he was the least of their concerns, as he should be. He couldn’t help but feel selfish. Guilty. How could he feel such emotions about his family? Yet at the same time, he couldn’t help but agree with Miku. "Yeah…it is mean."
"Mmm…Tsukasa-kun? Can you open the phone?" She hummed, stepping to the edge of the screen. Seems she couldn’t go further back, her limits were within the screen’s perimeter.
"Huh? Okay…" Tsukasa was confused where this came from, but…he picked up the phone anyways, unlocking it. He stared at its home screen, waiting. "What now?"
"Music app, music app!!" She responded. "Open the music app!! There’s something really really fun Miku-chan wants to show you ♪"
"In…the music app?" Tsukasa’s confusion grew. But at the same time, so did his curiosity. He opened it, being greeted with a page that was supposed to have a bunch of audio files. Tsukasa never downloaded music, after all, he didn’t know how to. It was supposed to be completely empty, but, there was a single file that could be played.
"Untitled." That was what the file was called.
No cover, no artist name, nothing. Just "Untitled” with a blank white cover.
"That!! That’s it, Tsukasa-kun, right there!!" Miku was suddenly jumping about, pointing at the file. "Press play, press play!!!"
"But it looks scary! Does it do anything?" Tsukasa said, his little finger hovering over the play button, shaking.
"It’ll be okay, Tsukasa-kun, Miku-chan just wants to help you feel better!! It’ll cheer you up lots and lots ☆"
"Okay…if you say so…" He turned his head away, tapping the play button. Upon contact, Tsukasa was suddenly met with a blinding light. A bunch of colorful triangles and sparkly sounds surrounded him. "WAHH!! What’s happening?! I’m scared!!" He shut his eyes, holding his phone close to him. When the sparkly sounds began to die out, he opened one of his eyes.
This wasn’t home. This wasn’t home at all.
He opened his eyes fully, gasping at the sights before him. Instead of an empty, silent house, he was now in a bright, noise filled carnival. Lights shining all over the place. Rides that weren’t supposed to be flying, were. Things that were giant grew even bigger. It looked like one giant wonderland.
And there she was, now in full scale. Miku. The same Miku he was talking to. "Ehhh? Miku?"
"Ehehe, welcome to your SEKAI, Tsukasa-kun!" She smiled, crouching down to be at his level.
"SEKAI? Is that where I am?"
"Uh-huh!! Your SEKAI, Tsukasa-kun!! We can have sooo much fun! You’ll never have to be sad or lonely again!! Miku-chan and the plushies will all be your friends!!"
"Plushies?? I don’t see any plushies." Tsukasa looked around, just to make sure. There wasn’t a single plush in sight.
"That’s because they’re all in the tent with KAITO, silly! Come on, come on!" She picked up Tsukasa, running with him to the circus tent. He squealed before grabbing onto her tight.
The circus tent looked a lot bigger on the inside. It was marvelous. It looked like there were hundreds of seats, and in the center? A beautiful stage, where only the finest of shows could be produced. Woah…Saki would love to come here and watch a show…
There was a blue haired man sat on the stage, brushing what seemed to be a plushie. This was normal to Tsukasa, every plush at home always got a tremendous dose of TLC! What wasn’t normal, however, were the plushies moving. And talking! "Me next!!" "No, no!! He said it was my turn after!!"
The blue haired man spoke to the chick plush that was getting mad at the sheep. "Now, now…you’ll get your turn soon, okay? You just need to be patient. Everyone’s gonna get a good brush." He smiled, patting the chick on its head.
"KAITO!! KAITOOO!!! Tsukasa-kun’s here, Tsukasa-kun’s here!!" Miku exclaimed as she ran over. Once she was in front of KAITO, she placed Tsukasa down, presenting him.
"Tsukasa-kun?" KAITO perked up, along with all of the plushies. He looked down at the blonde little boy before him, his hands held together. KAITO smiled, moving the plush in his lap onto the stage as he got up to greet Tsukasa. He knelt down to face him, patting his head. "It’s so nice to finally meet you in person, Tsukasa-kun. We’ve been waiting a while."
"Huh?? You were waiting for me?" Tsukasa asked, looking up at KAITO.
"For a few months now. Miku and I wanted to help you with your sadness." KAITO was explaining in a way where Tsukasa could best understand. He wasn’t exactly sure if a 5 year old could understand how they and the entire SEKAI were created because of Tsukasa’s feelings, and that their primary task was providing company to him. KAITO figured this could be explained when Tsukasa was older and had a better understanding.
"A few months…that’s a long time." Tsukasa responded, looking down at his feet, thinking about KAITO’s words.
Miku grinned, placing a hand on Tsukasa’s shoulder. "But you’re here now!! We’re gonna have so much fun together Tsukasa-kun!!! How about Miku-chan and the plushies show you around? We’ll go on lots and lots of rides, as many as Tsukasa-kun wants!"
"…Really?" On one hand, Tsukasa figured he should head home soon. There is a chance his parents may return home that night. Maybe. There was no guarantee. But, on the other…Tsukasa would actually have playtime. Not only that, but playtime with people. People who promised to never forget him like his parents did. It wasn’t intentional, their situation was extremely complicated. But for a helpless, lonely, glass child that was Tenma Tsukasa, something like this was something that he needed. No, something that he desperately craved. So, he accepted Miku’s offer. One night should be okay. His family should be okay. It’s not like they’ll call anyways.
Just one night.
.
.
.
.
────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────────────
.
.
.
.
A few days had passed since Tsukasa had last returned home. While the days were—in fact—cycling, SEKAI made that apparent, having a day and night cycle of its own, he was having so much fun that he didn’t even notice how much time had passed. He could go on as many rides as he wanted all day. All the fair food he could ever imagine, all for free. He could win as many prizes as he wanted. And on top of that? Miku, KAITO, and the plushies were all the best friends he could ask for! So much endless fun with absolutely no drawbacks!
It was a new day. Tsukasa was sitting on one of the horses on the floating carousel, looking out at SEKAI. Miku was on the horse next to him, supervising. It was then he remembered something, and started to think. Saki would love this place…he wanted to bring her here! They could have so much fun going around the fairgrounds together, and watch all of the shows they wanted. It’d really make her happy. He had to bring her here! He started searching his pockets to find his phone. If it was how he got to SEKAI, it must also be the way to leave. He wanted to leave, hope Saki was home, and if she was, go back to SEKAI with her.
However…lo and behold, there was no phone. No phone anywhere. Because he had been so occupied by the amount of activities SEKAI had to offer, he had completely forgotten about it. And now, it was nowhere to be seen. "Huh? Miku!! Miku, I lost my phone!!" Tsukasa yelled out.
"Ehhh? Your phone? Why does Tsukasa-kun need his phone?" Miku asked, hoping off the horse and standing in front of Tsukasa.
"I…I want to bring Saki here! I think it can make her happy!"
"Saki-chan?" Miku tilted her head, her smile remaining on her face. "Buuut…this is Tsukasa-kun’s world! Not Tsukasa-kun’s and Saki-chan’s! She’ll be okay, Tsukasa-kun! She’s gonna be okay with mama and papa, and Tsukasa-kun’s gonna be okay with Miku-chan and KAITO!"
"What?" Tsukasa looked dejected. He was mad at his family for forgetting him that one night, yes, but he couldn’t leave them forever! They were still his family!! "But I can’t leave Saki behind!! And mama! And papa!"
"Tsukasa-kuuun…but they were so mean! They forget so much! All they do is forget, forget, forget!! That’s not nice! The plushies don’t forget you! KAITO don’t forget you! Miku-chan especially!! Miku-chan is always at your side, Tsukasa-kun! Not like those forgetters!"
"I…mmn…" Tsukasa looked down at his hands, hurt. She was right. Yes, they would call often when they were away, but there were instances where it would take several attempts to answer. A couple of days ago, they completely forgot to. And who knows where Saki stood in that regard. Meanwhile, here…everyone was his friend, and would talk to him, and would play with him, every single day. Wasn’t it so much better than being home alone all of the time? All he wanted were people to play with again. To not be alone. To not be forgotten. And that’s exactly what the SEKAI provided. "…Sorry, Miku. You’re right. They are big, dumb, forgetters…"
"Booo…cheer up, Tsukasa-kun, Miku-chan and everyone else is going to make you happy all of the time! No matter what!"
────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────────────
And that she did.
It was that day that convinced Tsukasa to stay for good.
No one would forget him anymore. It was the perfect world for him.
Slowly but surely, his psyche got warped by Miku. His entire world revolved around whatever she said. His eyes became dull. Black. Perhaps it was the works of Miku, or the mere lights of SEKAI being so bright it removed all semblance of light from his eyes completely. All as his mind was shaped to follow the wants of Wonderland.
It had been over a decade since he first entered the SEKAI. Tsukasa was now 17 years old.
Slowly but surely, as he repressed his complicated emotions about his family, over years and years of being in SEKAI, of listening to everything Miku said, those repressed emotions faded. And sure enough, his memories about his family, completely faded away. He completely forgot about them. He didn’t remember them anymore. Now, his family were the plushies and the Vocaloids that resided in SEKAI. He forgot all about the Tenmas. He forgot all about being a Tenma. He forgot he even was a Tenma. Now, he’s just "Tsukasa" and nothing else.
He also completely forgot about his cell phone. He forgot about phones and electronic devices entirely. He barely used his phone anyways, and after losing it, he too, forgot about it.
His phone was never actually lost. Miku had taken it and hid it away somewhere. She’d cycle between letting its battery drain to a low, but not critically low point, and charging it. She couldn’t risk damaging the phone or having it die, as that would send Tsukasa out of SEKAI. She couldn’t send him back home now. It was far too late.
Her intentions weren’t to trap Tsukasa, but rather, protect him. She genuinely saw her actions as helpful. That keeping him away from his family was the right thing to do. It was the best possible choice to keep Tsukasa happy.
What she wasn’t aware of, however, was the real world effects of her actions.
The Tenma parents had returned home with Saki after a week of being stuck in the hospital. A week after Tsukasa had entered SEKAI. They were terrified when they came home to a completely empty house.
Days went by.
They called, asked close friends and family, nothing.
Weeks went by.
Tsukasa still wouldn’t return home. They started putting up missing posters in as many places they could, trying their absolute best to make their son known to the world, in attempts to find him. Saki was in shambles. How did her brother just…leave? Disappear?
Months went by.
Now, the Tenma parents had two big ordeals involving their children. One child was critically ill. The other hadn’t been seen since August. He completely disappeared without a trace. His phone wasn’t even home. They were devastated. The Tenmas were the people you’d expect to have a good life. Good jobs, great money, a kind family. But during that period of time, they were truly their worst selves.
Years went by.
Saki was free from her in and out hospital visits, and was starting her first year of high school. Tsukasa would’ve started his second. Her life was rough. She hadn’t talked to her friends in ages. Her brother had now been missing for 12 whole years. Surely, that’s more than enough time to recover, but, when your life has been throwing nothing but boulders at you, it’s very easy to feel like everything could crumble apart in seconds.
But, even in the darkest of darks…a light still has a potential of shining through it.
There’s always a chance he can finally return home.
────────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──────────────
08-24-2X — 15:30
I’ve decided to purchase a journal. I’ve never liked journaling much, but…I’ve made quite the discovery recently. I want to research it further.
Yesterday, I was working on another one of my gadgets. I had a particular idea for my upcoming guerrilla gig, however, it required me making a new friend to join the rest of them.
I’m not one to listen to music as I work, but, yesterday I felt like trying it out again, to see if it’d make me focus. I had opened up my playlist, and found this strange song, the file named “Untitled." I attempted to play the track out of curiosity, however, upon clicking it, I had suddenly been transported to a completely different world. Some place that seemed to not belong on Earth. Rather, it looked like a child’s fantasy. A giant Ferris wheel, clouds on the ground that tasted like cotton candy (now I know it was weird to try tasting them, it was for science), a floating carousel, a train car dashing through the stars, sentient plushies, I had never seen anything quite like it. Despite the late hour, the whole area seemed to be lively and greatly illuminated.
It was bright. Incredibly so. Nauseatingly so. It was beautiful, however…there was this eerie energy about it that would leave me feeling odd.
What surprised me, though, were its human inhabitants (if they are human, that is). Some of which I somewhat recognized. A cat looking Hatsune Miku, a showman KAITO…I knew who these Vocaloids were thanks to Nene’s occasional song recommendation, but, they weren’t real people. Yet, here I had them in front of my face, talking to me.
I thought this world would only consist of Vocaloids, but there was another face I noticed. He didn’t look like a Vocaloid, at least, not one that I recognized. What’s strange to me is that I feel like I’ve seen a face like that before…on a poster somewhere perhaps, years ago. My memory’s a little foggy, so I can’t be certain, if anything it might just be me remembering things incorrectly.
The boy had blonde hair that faded into peach. A little unkempt and grown out. Tanned skin with a lot of freckles. He also wore a completely different clothing style compared to Miku and KAITO. While they wore clothing fit for circus performers, this boy wore a simple button up shirt, an oversized sweater, baggy pants, and I believe either a pair of socks or no shoes at all. I’m not exactly sure, I wasn’t looking there, plus, his pants were long enough to cover his feet anyways.
He looked like a normal person for the most part. The only thing that struck me as off putting were his eyes. They were black. And not black as in a brown dark enough to appear black, no, they were completely pitch black, not an ounce of light shone on them. It was a little scary, I felt like staring into them long enough would end up sucking me into the void that lay inside.
He called himself “Tsukasa." No surname, just "Tsukasa." He had a little bit of both Miku and KAITO in him, with some strange third influence inside. He was quite childish. He had some of Miku’s bubbly energy, and some KAITO’s kindness. I wish I could’ve asked him questions, but, the boy wouldn’t let me speak. All he wanted to do was talk about this world (he had called it SEKAI) and take me around it. And every time I attempted to switch the topic to ask him questions, Miku would glare at me, as if silently telling me to keep my mouth shut. Perhaps I should try when she’s not around…
I wasn’t sure how to leave, and none of them would tell me how. Browsing my phone after some time in SEKAI, I managed to figure out that it was quite simple, all I needed to do was stop playing "Untitled." When I pressed the stop button, it brought me right back to my desk.
Nothing changed when I returned. Time hadn’t stopped, nothing had moved, nothing. It was…strange. I felt confused. Felt like it was a really strange dream. It’s not out of the ordinary. However, checking this morning, "Untitled" remained in my files. I might head back tonight to further investigate.
My priority is getting Tsukasa alone. Away from Miku and KAITO. I need to talk to him. Find out who he is. He seems too different from the others to have originated from there. He’s oddly fascinating.
I’ll write down my findings when I return. For now, though, I think I’ll end it off here.
Hah…I’m writing this like someone’s gonna read this. Haha, who knows, there is a possibility.
Signed,
Kamishiro Rui.