Distant screams and the rumbling of the ground roused Kenjiro from unconsciousness. A constant ring intruded his ears. His vision was unfocused, a blurry sky tinted with white spots was the only thing he could see. Kenjiro's body was heavy, he tried to turn his neck but he couldn't. He tried using his limbs but to no avail, his bones seemed to scream in protest.

A shadow moved and partially blocked his sight, a distant voice talked alongside the constant ringing. Kenjiro couldn't make a word out of whatever the person said. Kenjiro laid there, his chest rose and fell as he panted for air. Something warm dripped down from his head. He began to feel light-headed. The shadow shifted and Kenjiro felt something. A hand pressed against his chest, something was caught beneath the hand.

Kenjiro's body jolted, and a sharp pain ran throughout his body. His mouth opened to let out a pained scream but his muscles tightened and all he could do was grit his teeth. Tears pooled at the corner of his eyes. Kenjiro shut his eyelids down. He ground his teeth as the pain started to overwhelm his senses and soon darkness consumed his sight.

...

The chatter of a huge crowd roused Kenjiro from his slumber. A white canopy greeted Kenjiro as he opened his eyes. He felt his headache and he reached towards it, finding bandages wrapped around it. He felt a certain ache and took a moment to stabilize himself. He then patted the blankets and found his bloodied bag.

The realization of the disaster that had fallen on them all flashed through Kenjiro's mind. Akiko wasn't anywhere near him. He needed to ask him a lot of things. He opened the flap of his bag, unzipped it, and he fished around for his phone. There was still some charge left. Kenjiro sighed in frustration at the 'x' mark on the signal bars. Kenjiro shut his phone down and craned his neck to look at his surroundings.

All sorts of people moved about, words that Kenjiro couldn't understand went in one ear and out of the other. He could pick up some words over his stay in Japan, however, he's still not knowledgeable enough to understand it all. They were located in an open area in front of a fancy-looking building. Several buildings surrounded him, all had varied looks. Confusion filled Kenjiro's mind as the structure looked European. He took a moment to admire the buildings. He thought that the architect had fun designing this place. All sorts of people lay on mats and blankets on one side of the courtyard. A row of canopies protected them from the harsh afternoon sunlight. People in good condition either stayed in one section or helped the medics who were stationed on the opposite side along with the health workers, volunteers, and policemen. Many more injured were brought in, some were on stretchers, and some were carried by hand.

People were packed like sardines, varied emotions seen on their faces; worry, grief, and confusion. Despite the language barrier, Kenjiro could sympathize with them. A mother craddling her exhausted daughter. A man taking care of his injured father. Students huddled up together, trying to uplift the mood.

Among the field of strangers, Kenjiro saw a familiar face. Akiko walked through the sea of people, carrying a plastic bag in one hand. Akiko sat in front of Kenjiro and sprawled out his limbs. The limited space didn't give much room, other injured and unconscious people lined up on the mats beside them.

Various questions circulated in Kenjiro's mind.

"Where are we?" Kenjiro knew they were at a school's courtyard, however, he was unfamiliar with where the place is.

Akiko ignored him and handed him the plastic bag.

"Here, eat up."

Kenjiro picked up a lunch box from the plastic bag and opened up the lunch box. It was a simple bento, a luscious sauce glazed over fried pork cutlets that lay on top of steaming white rice. A portion of a vegetable salad and pickled radish were laid on the side. Hunger quickly intruded Kenjiro's mind, a soft grumble came from his stomach. But there were important things to discuss first, he stared at Akiko and waited for an answer.

"We're in Keio Uni, in Minato City."

"Oh, so that's why this place looks completely different. I thought they'd use a shabby place as an evacuation center.

"Yeah, but most of the designated sites were damaged and this is one of the places large

enough to house the injured."

Akiko paused and looked at Kenjiro all over, "I think you should ask the better question which is

'what day is it?'"

Kenjiro put two and two together, "Why? How long have I been out?"

"Two days."

Kenjiro mouthed a curse and digested everything that's been discussed so far.

"What happened?" Kenjiro asked, he only vaguely remembered what happened before he

fainted.

Akiko pointed at the bento box.

"Eat first."

Kenjiro followed. He took the chopsticks and split them in half. He began chowing down, only then did Akiko entertain his question.

"Tokyo is in ruins. A massive earthquake struck us. Strong enough to topple some of the disaster-proof structures Japan was proud of..." Akiko held out his hand and drew apostrophes on the words disaster-proof.

Kenjiro slowed down his chewing, he remembered the earthquake. At least some parts of it. It was an earthquake he had never encountered before. There was one thing that was imprinted in his head. Literally.

"I was hit on the head."

"Yeah, a chunk of cement right on the top of your skull."

"How bad was it."

Akiko whistled, "It was a mess. You looked like crap. Good thing you're hard-headed, the cement smashed into pieces." Afterward, a mocking smirk formed on Akiko's lips. Kenjiro chewed on edamame which was saltier than usual. There was something amiss, Kenjiro fought the urge to touch his bandaged head, instead, he recalled something else.

"There was a huge rift in Tokyo, right?"

Akiko nodded. Kenjiro wore a confused expression.

"What caused it?"

Akiko shook his head and shrugged. He didn't know. Akiko stared off into the ceiling above them. The lights turned his usual black-colored pupils into a color similar to mahogany. It seemed like he was contemplating the disaster.

"Was it a sinkhole?"

"It's... something, but it's not a sinkhole."

Kenjiro's expression became more warped. 

"What do you mean?"

"It might be related to the earthquakes all around Japan."

"All around?"

Akiko faced Kenjiro with a perplexed expression.

"That earthquake we survived through, it wasn't the only one... Every prefecture had an

earthquake. An earthquake with a magnitude averaging around nine point two."

Eyes wide, Kenjiro exclaimed, "The whole country?!"

The nurses and volunteers all stared at the source of the sudden yell.

Flustered, Kenjiro hurriedly apologized in Japanese, his accent was still unpolished and thick with his American accent.

He turned to look back at Akiko and switched back to speaking in English. 

"How could the whole country experience an earthquake simultaneously at that scale?"

Akiko shrugged, "I only overheard it from the authorities."

 

Akiko glanced forward, Kenjiro followed his gaze and saw the policemen chatting amongst themselves.

"People are theorizing it might be the Big One but we'll have to wait and see.

Kenjiro recalled geography lessons he had years ago, the disaster proving to be a hard thing to swallow. 

"Is that even possible?"

Akiko replied nonchalantly.

"Who knows? Maybe, if it's the end of the world then it's possible." 

"What now?" Kenjiro lost his appetite, he slowly placed the bento on the mat. Akiko turned his gaze back towards Kenjiro and saw his actions.

"Finish it."

Kenjiro obliged. He used the chopsticks to scoop up whatever was leftover into his mouth. Akiko closed his eyes as if to contemplate. A lengthy silence was stretched out between them. Finally, Akiko opened his eyes and spoke.

"We should return to the estate."

"Now?"

"No, we can't leave until the authorities declare that it's safe. Afterward though, the sooner we leave and head to the estate, the better."

Kenjiro nodded. "Then we play the waiting game."