Golden Festival Day 38
Chifuyu walked into the living room, still half-asleep, eyes barely open, hair slightly messy, brain running on nothing but instinct.
He didn't walk around the couch.
He decided to jump it.
No thought process.
Just confidence.
Chifuyu took a step, hopped—
And his foot caught the top of the sofa.
He went down instantly.
No recovery.
No balance.
Just a full tumble over the couch and onto the floor.
A loud thud.
Chifuyu shot back up immediately.
He straightened his posture, brushed his shirt off like nothing happened, then casually looked around.
Chifuyu: "…"
Beatrice sat at the dining table.
Chifuyu slowly inhaled. His cheeks puffed out as he held it in, pacing in a small circle like he was trying to physically walk off the embarrassment.
Beatrice looked down at her tea.
She didn't say a word.
Didn't acknowledge it.
Didn't react.
Like it never happened.
Chifuyu glanced at her.
She didn't look up.
She decided to save Chifuyu's dignity.
He took two steps forward.
Then—
THUD.
His little toe met the table leg with perfect precision.
He wanted to yell out in pain, but knew he couldn't. Chifuyu whispered: "…You've got to be kidding me."
A few minutes later, he dropped his phone on the floor.
No big deal.
He bent down to pick it up—
Missed.
Tried again—
Missed.
Third attempt—
It slid slightly through his fingers.
Fourth—
He almost had them.
Fifth—
He finally got them.
Chifuyu stared at the phone in his hand: "…What is happening."
He got back in bed, scrolling through his phone.
Then—
His grip slipped.
The phone fell.
Directly onto his face.
Chifuyu covered his face slowly: "Oh my god."
He got up.
Decided to move on with his day.
He walked toward the door.
Confident.
Normal.
Then—
His belt loop caught the doorknob.
His entire body jolted backward.
Chifuyu stood there.
Processing.
Chifuyu: "…Okay." He looked down at the doorknob. "You did that on purpose."
He stepped outside.
Finally free.
Chifuyu walked a few steps down the street.
Then stopped.
Pat his pockets.
Left.
Right.
Back.
Nothing.
Chifuyu: "…No way, I forgot the big 3?"
He turned around.
Went back inside.
Grabbed everything.
Came back out.
Chifuyu paused: "…Is this a negator ability?" He looked at his hand. "Unluck?" He shook his head. "No."
He started walking again. He thought about riding his motorcycle, but with his luck right now he might get into a horrific accident.
Five minutes in—
It started raining.
Out of nowhere.
Chifuyu looked up: "…Of course."
He kept walking.
Puddles had already formed.
He stepped forward—
A car passed.
Splash.
Chifuyu got soaked.
He took another step.
Second car.
Same puddle.
Splash.
He crossed the street.
Third car.
Perfect timing.
Combo.
Chifuyu stood there.
Dripping wet.
Water running down his face.
Chifuyu: "Alright."
He had resigned himself to his fate.
He kept walking.
Reached a store.
Automatic doors.
He stepped forward.
Nothing.
He stepped close enough to kiss it.
Still nothing.
Someone walked up behind him.
The doors opened instantly.
Chifuyu: "Wow."
He walked inside.
Got a snack.
Paid.
Left.
The rain had stopped.
He walked down the street.
Something felt off.
He looked up.
A bird flew overhead.
Chifuyu narrowed his eyes: "…Not today."
The bird pooped.
Chifuyu moved instantly.
Dodged it clean.
Chifuyu clenched his fist: "Yeah. Keep flying."
He relaxed.
Then—
He was hit.
Then another.
And another.
Chifuyu looked up.
There were multiple birds.
He stood there.
Decorated in bird shit.
Chifuyu: "You called backup..."
He walked back home.
Silent.
Soaked.
Defeated.
Everyone was inside.
They looked at him.
Then looked away.
No questions.
No comments.
Nicholas spoke gently: "Welcome back."
Chifuyu nodded once: "…Yeah."
He walked past them.
Straight to the shower.
Afterwards he got right in bed and pulled the blanket over him, staring at the ceiling.
Chifuyu: "…I'm not leaving again."