Zedriks

It's a typical day at the university for Zedriks, a first-year student studying microbiology. He's conducting an experiment in the microbiology lab, surrounded by rows of sterile workbenches, microscopes, and other lab equipment. Zedriks is fairly tall and muscular with short brown and wavy hair. He's Caucasian, and he's currently 18 years old. He's wearing a lab coat over his white shirt and black pants, his sleeves rolled up as he works.

Zedriks tests for antibiotic resistance in numerous bacteria, a test he started the day before. He analyzes the results when his lab professor, Ms. Chino, a tall female in her early 20’s, approaches him. She's wearing a lab coat over her clothes.

"Zedriks, how's it going?" she asks, her voice soft but authoritative.

"I think I've found something interesting, Ms. Chino," Zedriks replies, excitement rising in his voice. "A third of the bacteria samples have evolved to become resistant to all antibiotics."

Ms. Chino nods, a hint of worry on her face. "That's certainly intriguing. Keep up the good work, Zedriks."

Zedriks continues his work, carefully analyzing the samples. The lab smells sterile and slightly metallic, and the bright fluorescent lights overhead make the room feel clinical and sanitized. But Zedriks doesn't mind - he enjoys spending time in the lab, where everything is quiet and predictable.

After finishing his experiments, Zedriks heads out of the lab and into the bright sunshine outside. He's hungry and heads to a local cafe for lunch. The cafe is small and cozy, with wooden tables and chairs scattered about. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, and Zedriks orders a sandwich and a cup of coffee before taking a seat.

Across from him sits a young woman, her appearance strikingly different from the locals in Nagaoka. She has light brown skin, olive-colored eyes, and long, straight, dark blonde hair. She's taller than the average woman in Japan and seems lost in thought as she sips her tea.

Zedriks can't help but look at her, taking in her features. But their eyes never meet, and he quickly looks away, feeling embarrassed for staring.

After finishing his meal, Zedriks heads back to the university for his afternoon lessons. He meets his friends before class, and they talk about how their mornings went. The lesson is interesting, and Zedriks takes plenty of notes. When it's over, he heads back home in his car, still getting used to driving in Japan after just getting his license.

As he drives, his mind wanders to the mysterious girl he saw in the cafe. Who is she? Why is she here? He can't shake the feeling of familiarity. But for now, he has more pressing matters to attend to - studying for his upcoming exams and keeping the experiments going.

The day comes to a close as Zedriks pulls into his driveway, ready to spend the rest of the evening at home with his father and step-mother. But he can't help but wonder what other mysteries lay ahead in his university life.

Zedriks gets home and goes to his room. He sits on his bed with his phone in his hand, staring blankly at the screen. He's been texting his younger sister Hannyah, who lives in Mishima, Shizuoka, for the past hour. He knows she has a lot going on with school, but he can't help feeling the need to talk to someone.

He types out another message, "Hey, are you still there?" and waits for a reply. The minutes tick by, and Zedriks begins to feel anxious. Maybe she's busy with homework, or maybe something's wrong.

Just as he's about to put his phone down and try to distract himself, a notification pops up. It's from Hannyah.

"Hey, sorry I was in class. What's up?" she writes.

Zedriks exhales a sigh of relief and starts to type out his response. "Just wanted to check in. How's everything going over there?"

Hannyah replies with a smiley face and starts to tell him about the latest school gossip and her new friend, Fei. As Zedriks reads through her message, a hint of envy rushes through him.

He puts his phone down and looks around his room. It's a cozy space, with a single bed pushed up against one wall and a desk on the other. The walls are painted a pale blue, and a few posters of his favorite games are taped up haphazardly. A bookshelf on one wall is filled with well-worn volumes of manga, and a guitar and a violin sit in the corner, collecting dust.

Zedriks thinks about his family downstairs, gathered around the kotatsu for dinner. He can hear their chatter and laughter drifting up through the floorboards. He wishes he could join them, but he's not hungry. He doesn't want to tell his father or stepmother, and he doesn't want to upset his younger siblings by not being a good example.

Instead, he picks up his guitar and strums a few chords. The notes ring out, filling the room with a bittersweet melody. He starts to sing softly, his voice cracking with emotion.

As the song comes to an end, Zedriks hears a knock at the door. He hastily puts his guitar down and pretends he’s about to get up and go downstairs.

"Come in," he calls out.

The door opens, and his stepmother pokes her head in. "Zedriks, your father wants to talk to you downstairs."

Zedriks nods and gets up from the bed, following her down the stairs. He has been having an uneasy feeling since he woke up in the morning. He can feel his heart skip a beat in his chest as he enters the living room.

His father is seated on one side of the kotatsu, with his grandmother and half-siblings on the other. Their faces are pale. They all look up as Zedriks enters.

"Hey, son," his father says, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Something happened and I need you to be strong."

Zedriks takes a deep breath and sits down opposite his father. He can feel his palms sweating.

"I just got off the phone with Abuelo," his father begins. "He's not doing well. The cancer he had some years ago is back. The doctors say he doesn't have long."

Zedriks feels like he's been punched in the gut. He knows his grandfather has been in declining health for a while now, but he doesn't realize how serious it is. Without saying a word, he rushes back to his room.

“Leave him be,” says his father in a soft voice as he raises his hand to stop the worried step-mother.

Zedriks enters his room and sits on the floor. He has never lost someone so close to him before, and the thought of his grandfather passing away is unbearable. As he sits in his room, he hears his phone buzz, signaling a message from his sister.

"Zed, are you okay?" Hannyah's message reads.

Zedriks takes a deep breath and tries to calm himself down. He wipes his tears and texts her back, "No, not really. Grandpa is very sick, and I don't know what to do."

Hannyah replies quickly, "I heard from dad as well. I'm so sorry, Zed. I wish I could be there with you."

Zedriks feels a small comfort in his sister's words, but he knows that he is alone in his grief. He gets up from his bed and looks out the window. The night sky is dark, and the stars are shining brightly.

He remembers his grandfather telling him stories about the constellations and how they are used for navigation. He recalls the time his grandfather took him to the beach on the outskirts of the town, where they stared at the stars and talked for hours.

He misses his grandfather terribly, and the thought of never seeing him again is too much to bear. He walks over to his desk and looks at a picture of his family. His grandfather is smiling in the photo, and Zedriks feels a pang of guilt.

He wishes he had spent more time with his grandfather when he had the chance. He regrets not talking to him more often and not telling him how much he loves him, but most of all, he regrets not convincing him to move in with them. Perhaps they could’ve spent more time together. Zedriks knows that he can't change the past, but he can make the most of the time he has left.

Zedrix spends the next hour thinking about finding a way to visit his grandfather one last time. The trip itself would take more than 30 hours, and he would need at least $3,000 to travel. Not to mention his studies. He can’t just leave as he’d lose months worth of experiments. “What am I gonna do?” he wonders, helplessly.

Zedriks wakes up with a heavy heart, his mind consumed with thoughts of his grandfather's impending death. As he eats his breakfast, he feels the weight of the news bearing down on him. He gathers his books and heads to the university, trying to focus on his studies.

The campus feels different today. The usual hustle and bustle is there, but Zedriks feels out of place, like he doesn't belong. He tries to shake off the feeling and heads to his morning lessons. The lectures are a blur, and he barely pays attention.

He moves on to his microbiology lab and talks to Professor Chino about his experiments. The professor notices that something is off with Zedriks and asks him what's wrong. Zedriks tells him about his grandfather and his illness. The professor offers her condolences and tells him that she's there for him if he needs anything.

Zedriks finishes his experiments and leaves the lab. Normally, he would head to a cafe to eat, but he can't bring himself to do it today. Instead, he sits under a tree in the school yard and starts thinking about his grandfather.

Suddenly, a girl approaches him. He recognizes her from the cafe the day before. She’s the girl who sat across from him as he had his hearty meal. She is wearing a plated skirt and a blouse, along with some earrings to match her eyes. She has an aura of beauty that draws Zedriks in.

The girl introduces herself as Leilani and asks him why he looks sad. Zedriks acknowledges that he is, but doesn't say why. They talk for a short while, and Leilani invites him to take a walk. Zedriks accepts, feeling a sense of relief at the prospect of getting out of his own head for a while.

As they walk, Leilani asks him where he's from. Zedriks answers, but he doesn't ask her the same question. They keep walking until they're far away from the university. They sit on a rock by a stream without saying anything, the sound of the water filling the silence.

The surroundings are peaceful and serene. The stream is crystal clear, and the trees surrounding it provide a natural canopy. Zedriks feels a sense of calm wash over him, the first time he's felt that way since hearing about his grandfather.

Eventually, Zedriks checks the time and realizes he has to get back to his afternoon lessons. He tells Leilani that he has to go and asks her if he'll see her around. She replies with a cryptic "That depends." Zedriks is confused but says goodbye and heads back to the university for his afternoon lessons.

As he makes his way home, Zedriks can't shake off the feeling that there's something about Leilani that he can't quite put his finger on. He thinks about her words, "That depends," and wonders what they could mean. But his thoughts eventually turn back to his grandfather, and he can't help but feel sad once again.

Zedriks spent the next morning pondering ways to visit his grandfather, but the frustration of his situation was overwhelming, and he went about his day without eating breakfast.

After his afternoon lessons, Zedriks saw Leilani down the hallway and decided to walk down to her. But when he arrived, she was nowhere to be seen. Exiting the building, he found her waiting by the tree where they met the day before.

Leilani invited him to spend the evening with her in the city, and Zedriks hesitantly accepted. They boarded a bus for a 30-minute ride, and during the trip, Leilani spoke softly, her words shrouded in mystery.

Leilani seemed like a very mysterious person in many ways. She moved and spoke with the grace of royalty. At one point, there was a long pause in their conversation. Leilani then asked Zedriks, "Do you know that fairies exist?"

Zedriks was caught off guard. "Fairies? Like in stories?"

Leilani nodded, her eyes serious. "They are real. I've seen them."

Zedriks was skeptical, but decided to play along. "How do they look?" he asked.

"That depends on who the person seeing them is. One thing, though, is that they can all grant wishes," she replied.

Zedriks was intrigued. "Really? How can they possess such power?"

"The reality is that even Fairies themselves probably don’t know. However, there is a price to using such power. In order to grant a wish, they must give up their own life," Leilani said softly.

Zedriks was taken aback. "Their life?"

Leilani nodded solemnly. "At least that’s how the stories go. Nobody knows for sure. Some people believe it's worth it — that sacrificing a fairy for personal desire is worth it. I disagree, as I believe that all life is precious."

Leilani sensed his hesitation. "It's not something to take lightly," she said. "But sometimes, we are willing to do anything for what we want most."

As the bus pulled into the city, Leilani's words continued to echo in Zedriks' mind. Zedriks was conflicted. The idea of a fairy granting someone a wish was tantalizing, but he couldn't fathom the idea of taking another life to make it happen. “They are just stories anyways,” he thought. Leilani seemed to shift in her seat as he was done with his thought.

Zedriks and Leilani arrive at the bustling city, a stark contrast from the quiet town they came from. As they walk through the streets, they're surrounded by towering buildings and neon signs that light up the night sky. The city is alive with people rushing to and from, street performers entertaining onlookers, and the scent of delicious food wafting through the air.

Their first stop is an arcade, where they spend hours playing various games. Zedriks tries his hand at the shooting games and Leilani enjoys the rhythm games. "You're really good," Zedriks comments as she finishes a song with a perfect score.

Leilani smiles, "I've been playing since I was a kid. My brother and I used to come to the arcade all the time."

As they leave the arcade, they stumble upon a traditional Japanese Izakaya. They sit down at a small table and order a variety of dishes to share. The aroma of grilled meats and spices fills the air. Zedriks can't help but notice how graceful Leilani looks as she picks up the chopsticks with ease.

"This is amazing," Zedriks comments between bites of savory chicken skewers.

"I'm glad you like it," Leilani says with a smile. "I often come here when I’m not stalking sad-looking boys," she teased. They talked for what felt like hours.

After dinner, they head to the cinema to watch a movie about a man who travels back in time to save himself from losing his sight. As the credits roll, they discuss the intricacies of time travel and the moral implications of altering the past. Talking to each other felt as natural as the sun greeting the land every morning.

They decide to end the night with a snack at the mall, enjoying a sweet treat while chatting about their day. Zedriks feels a sense of comfort and familiarity around Leilani, as if they've known each other for years.

As they leave the mall, Leilani suggests they take a bus to Teradomari Beach, the only beach that’s even relatively close to the city. Fish markets generally fill the area during the day, but at night it’s nothing but silence and soft winds. They board the bus and Leilani leans her head on Zedriks' shoulder, closing her eyes as the bus takes them closer to their destination.

Zedriks can't help but feel a flutter in his chest as he watches her sleep. He brushes a strand of hair from her face and for a moment, he's struck by how beautiful she is. But as quickly as the thought comes, he sweeps it away, not wanting to ruin their newfound friendship.

The bus ride is peaceful, and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore grows louder as they get closer to the beach. Leilani stirs awake and looks out the window, a smile on her face.

"We're almost there," her voice soft, but full of excitement.

Zedriks smiles back at her, feeling a sense of contentment, almost forgetting about the state of his grandfather for a moment. As the bus comes to a stop, they gather their things and head towards the beach, ready for whatever adventure the night may bring.

As the sun sets and the ocean breeze cools the beach, Zedriks and Leilani continue their walk, chatting and getting to know each other better. Zedriks is glad he met her, as she seems to understand him better than anyone else he's met before. He's grateful for her presence, as she's provided him with a much-needed escape from his worries.

Zedriks asks Leilani about her background and family, and she tells him about her life growing up. She asks him about his family, and he tells her about his father and stepmother, but he avoids mentioning his grandfather's situation. Instead, they talk about myths and beliefs, as well as religion.

"Do you believe in gods?" Leilani asks.

Zedriks shakes his head. "I used to when I was younger, but not anymore."

Leilani nods. "I believe in a higher power, but not in the traditional sense."

Zedriks takes a short pause to admire the starry sky. He remembered that day at the beach with his grandfather. He hesitates, then says. "My grandfather is very ill. He doesn't have much time left to live, but he's on the other side of the world in Puerto Rico."

Leilani's face softens, and she puts a comforting hand on Zedriks' arm. "I'm sorry to hear that," she says. “When I first saw you, I sensed a deep sadness within you. It is the reason I approached you at the tree."

Zedriks acts surprised. "Oh."

Leilani stands up and signals for Zedriks to grab her hand. He stands up as well, and she leans on him and looks up into his eyes. "What is the thing you want the most in this world right now?" she asks.

Zedriks hesitates, unsure of what he wants. Thre are too many things he wishes were different. He doesn’t say it out loud, but after a short pause, he thinks to himself. "I just wish I could see my grandfather one more time before he dies."

Leilani nods and closes her eyes, almost as if she had heard his thoughts. Suddenly, the world around them shimmers and twists, and Zedriks feels like he's falling through space and time. He squeezes Leilani's hand tightly, and when he opens his eyes again, he finds himself standing in a familiar place.

He's in his grandfather's garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and greenery. The sun is shining, and he can hear birds singing in the trees. It was the same house he had grown up in. And there, sitting on a bench, is his grandfather.

Zedriks' heart swells with joy and relief as he rushes towards him, tears streaming down his face. "Abuelo!" he cries. "I can't believe it's really you!"

His grandfather looks up at him, his face crinkling into a smile. "Zedriks!" he says, holding out his arms. "It's so good to see you, my boy."

Zedriks rushes into his grandfather's embrace, feeling the warmth and love he's been missing for so long. They talk and catch up, laughing and crying. Zedriks made sure to live this day as if it was his last day on this planet.When the sun began to set, the world around Zedrix also started to shimmer once again.

As Zedriks comes back from seeing his grandfather, he looks around the beach frantically for Leilani. He wanted to tell her about what had just happened. His excitement slowly turns into worry. His heart races as he realizes that she is nowhere to be found. He runs up and down the shore, shouting her name at the top of his lungs. Panic sets in as he imagines all sorts of terrible scenarios.

"Leilani! Where are you?" he calls out again, his voice shaking with worry.

There is no answer except for the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Zedriks starts to run along the beach, his heart pounding in his chest. He searches every nook and cranny, every possible hiding spot, but she is nowhere to be found.

"Leilani!" he shouts, his voice becoming more desperate. "Please, where are you? Don't leave me! My grandfather is okay!"

He feels like he's been searching for hours, but in reality, it's only been a few minutes. Zedriks' heart sinks as he realizes that he might not see her again.

He falls to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Why did you leave me?" he whispers to the empty beach.

As he sits there, feeling lost and alone, he wonders if she was even real or if she was just a figment of his imagination.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blows across the beach, and he hears a faint whisper in his ear. "Zedriks," the voice says. "I will always be with you."

Zedriks looks around, but there is no one there. He knows that it was Leilani's voice, and he feels a rush of despair, followed by a stream of comfort and peace.

He stands up, brushes the sand off his pants, and takes one last look at the ocean before laying down on the sand. As he closes his eyes, he feels a strange sense of gratitude for the time he spent with Leilani, even if it was only for a short while.

The world feels a little brighter, a little more colorful, and he knows that he will carry that feeling with him always.

Zedriks wakes up on the beach, the gentle sound of waves and the rustle of leaves the only things to disturb his peaceful slumber. He stretches and takes a deep breath of the fresh sea air, basking in the warm rays of the morning sun. As he sits up, he hopes Leilani lays next to him but quickly realizes that she is nowhere to be found.

He knew she was gone but still spends the next hour searching the beach and its surroundings, calling out her name. There is no response. A growing sense of unease grips him as he realizes that she has vanished without a trace. “Was she ever real? Was she just a figment of his imagination? “ he wonders again.

Eventually, Zedriks makes his way back to his home, feeling more and more confused by the minute. When he arrives, his father greets him with a worried expression on his face. "Where were you last night? I was so worried about you."

Zedriks explains to his father what happened, but he can see the skepticism in his father's eyes. "Are you sure she was real?" his father asks. "I mean, it's not uncommon for people to have vivid dreams that seem real."

Zedriks is taken aback by his father's words. Could it be true? Was it all just a dream? But he knows deep down that it was real. Leilani was real.

He goes to his room and reflects upon what happened the night before. He wonders if he will ever see Leilani again. The uncertainty of it all is overwhelming, and he struggles to come to terms with the fact that she has simply vanished.

Over the weekend, Zedriks tries to put the strange events behind him and focuses on his studies. On Monday, he goes back to the University, hoping to find some answers. But when he asks around, nobody seems to remember Leilani. It's as if she never existed.

The confusion and frustration build up inside him until he can't take it anymore. He goes home and calls his grandfather, hoping to find some comfort and advice. They talk for a while, and his grandfather thanks him for stopping by two weeks ago.

Suddenly, it hits Zedriks like a ton of bricks. “Two weeks ago? I haven’t been to Puerto Rico in years!” He thought, trying to find answers. “The dream!“ He realizes that Leilani must have taken him back in time to Puerto Rico, and back to the present without him even realizing it.

The shock of this realization sends him reeling. He doesn't know what to think or feel. All he knows is that Leilani was real, and she had taken him on a journey that he will never forget.

As the call with his grandfather ends, Zedriks sits in silence, the echoes of reality still reverberating in his mind.