“You do not appear that stunned, C?” Immediately, the bookworm stops and stares into my soul. “Usually, folks would ask why. At the least, they might present some curiosity. However you did not. I ponder…”

Oh, crap! Seeing the bookworm in her weakest state has made me neglect how sharp she is! What I did actually raised some flags! She has obtained me useless proper right here!

“That, coupled with the truth that what I used to be feeling regardless of not understanding me effectively, tells me there are extra of you than meets the attention.” The faint smile disappears on Kurokawa’s lips. And her clear inexperienced eyes, regardless of being hidden barely by her bangs, stay targeted on me, by no means letting the reflection of my physique go. It’s as if she is aware of what I’m making an attempt to cover and is forcing a solution. “My first query is just not that arduous. Why, C… did you say you have been…pleased with me?”

Oof. That could be a troublesome factor to say. What am I purported to do now? Oh! We’re all dwelling inside a recreation, and I’ve seen your life over once more like a damaged report? Your numerous deaths are nothing however a written script? Placing apart the truth that revealing the reality of our lives will instantly drive a reset, saying the entire thing appears delusional, at greatest. So many issues can go incorrect, truthfully!

“I…uh…Nicely…You would not consider me if I informed you every part. It is so totally ridiculous that it is unnecessary in any respect.” Remembering the very last thing I noticed within the fantasy world, I inform her in probably the most honest means I can consider. One tiny misstep and every part falls into break. “…I am afraid I need to refuse your inquiry for now. Please, forgive me.”

“You would not know until you strive, C. Wasn’t that the identical motive you chased after me for the second time? Though I particularly informed you to not?” Kurokawa’s eyes preserve locking on me whereas I swallow my breath. Every phrase popping out from her stunning lips is just spot on. The worst factor is I don’t know what to answer to our bookworm since she makes use of my logic towards me.

The spell is straightforward however unbreakable…

Feeling bashful, I’m surprised useless in my place, particularly when stared down by Kurokawa like that. Using all that’s in her arsenal, the bookworm delivers exact and important assaults. Beneath that affect, I really feel just like the crimson and white bullseye on the finish of a taking pictures vary, and Kurokawa is the World’s greatest sniper.

“By the best way, I am glad you probably did it, C. Actually. You do not perceive how a lot it means to me to see you once more! In the event you did not, then I would not know what to do.” Sensing the turmoil in my chest, Kurokawa squeezes my hand for reassurance. “I would like my solutions, please. It doesn’t matter what, I’ll settle for you, C. A sort man such as you would not betray my pleas for a second time, proper?”

Shit! I’ve no solution to refuse if she says that! Kurokawa has obtained my conscience on the road!

“I…kinda noticed a…um… simulation of kinds?” Phrases, don’t fail me now! “A hypothetical state of affairs the place you informed me precisely what to do sooner or later if I ever encountered the identical occasion.”

Frantically wanting round to see if there are any indicators of corrosion from the buildings, I sigh in reduction. Thankfully, this time my phrases should not triggering a wipe-out of actuality.

Squeezing my hand once more to remind me to maintain going, she says: “Please, elaborate. I am fascinated to understand how you knew what to inform me. Please additionally perceive that is merely me asking for some clarification, not condemning you to something. What you stated, C, was the perfect factor I wished to listen to.”

The sunshine in her eyes didn’t waver. As an alternative, since I began stammering, these verdant colours solely obtained brighter. Why is she getting enthusiastic about this? Possibly she is simply pleased that I lastly answered one thing appropriately. Or maybe she thinks it’s enjoyable to listen to me discuss nonsense? Kurokawa is just not that sort of particular person, although.

Irrespective of the case, there is no such thing as a motive to lie anymore. The story Kurokawa needs to listen to is one gigantic dream my mind conjured up as a consequence of no matter, so I should not have to fret. Even when I inform her every part, together with the truth upon which our lives rely, she is going to nonetheless giggle it off. I would like to recollect how my phrases would set off the top of this iteration.

“After I touched you, Kurokawa, I used to be delivered to an odd actuality. In that place, Laura and I weren’t a pair, Rachel was nowhere to be seen, and also you… have been on the trail of destruction similar to moments in the past. The small print weren’t fully comparable, however the consequence wouldn’t differ. In the event you continued to stroll the trail in that actuality, ultimately…I’d not be seeing you…for good.”

*Gu*

The grip on my hand tightens, however it isn’t painful. Opposite, I really feel heat from Kurokawa’s tender contact.

“What else?” Our bookworm doesn’t transfer her eyes away from me.

“I used to be tending to your wound, and also you complimented me for being so good at it. I nonetheless am good, do not get me incorrect. It is one of many redeeming qualities of mine. If we go to the infirmary now, I will clear and disinfect your hand simply high-quality. Quickly you will have your hand good as new! Oh! And the truth I noticed was additionally the infirmary.”

“Thanks,” Kurokawa whispers quietly. She sounds nearly unhappy. “I will remember to comply with you after this.”

“Do not attempt to run this time.”

“I will not. Even when I do, you’ll nonetheless comply with me. I do know that now.” She says with confidence. “Please, proceed your…story.”

“Okay. This half can get a bit tripping, so brace your self.”

Listening to that, the lady near me nods.

“Though you had another person in your thoughts, it was not since you have been in love with him. No. Personally, you have been holding an ungraspable quantity of debt in your coronary heart. Taking a look at you in that actuality, I may immediately inform you have been sad along with your life. It was as in the event you have been counting the times till…a last ending, a last methodology to launch all that ache lingering inside your head.”

Kurokawa stays silent. She is letting me discuss somewhat than commenting. Nonetheless, I discover her slender physique trembling ever so barely. It isn’t the wind’s fault.

“I did not need that, Kurokawa. Not now, not ever. I did not need to see you endure. I did not need to see you dwelling in agony. So…I approached you and stated what I wished to say.”

“What…would that be, C?”

Stopping a second to search out the best phrases, I give her the reality. She deserves to know every part. “That I knew you killed your mom. That you simply hid her physique someplace. That Han helped you with it. With out something to compensate for Han to maintain his mouth shut, you got here to supply your valuable physique. That each time I got here to do one thing for you, every part would find yourself in a worse state, and you’ll be in rather more misery than earlier than. And but, I saved coming again anyway. Once more, and once more,…and once more. You informed me I used to be too late. I knew that. All the time did.”

There’s silence between us. Kurokawa’s gaze by no means leaves mine. My voice is now not calm, however I can’t cease.

“I did all that to maintain you from…killing your self… However , that wasn’t the strangest factor. Would you wish to know what?”

“Y-yes, please.” Tears operating down her face, Kurokawa solutions with a shaky voice.

Stroking her wounded hand softly, I proceed: “You believed me. All the best way. You didn’t doubt me one bit. Irrespective of how absurd I used to be, you by no means ridiculed me for these issues. It actually gave me hope.”

“W-what did you hope for?”

“Your happiness, in fact. To see you alive and effectively, to see your smile and dance below the solar along with your hair tied in a ponytail. To see you lastly get to that seashore you all the time wished.” I then stare into these inexperienced jewels. “Do not be stunned. I do know you that a lot. These novels you learn all the time have a obligatory fanservice seashore arc.”

Her lips quiver. Her tears fall with out stopping. It appears to be like like my joke didn’t work in addition to I supposed them to.

“…C…”

She calls my identify as soon as extra.

Putting a hand on Kurokawa’s head, I give her a delicate pat. “But, my hope didn’t final lengthy because it ended too quickly. That actuality reached its boiling level, and all was erased in seconds. All matter was corroded and dissolved into skinny air. Think about if time was sped up exponentially, every part would crumble, proper? It was the signal of the apocalypse. Lastly, in that final second, once we have been about to be consumed by the void, you informed me to say these phrases. I’m pleased with you. Not since you informed me to, however since you are worthy of being liked for all you will have executed.”

Now that I see Kurokawa like this, a fireplace is being lit up once more. The flame burns inside, making me really feel heat and protected. A heat that I’ve lengthy grown petrified of it.

A hearth referred to as hope. A craving for ending. For me, for all of them.

Possibly, I can inform the ladies every part else.

Simply possibly, we are able to save everybody.

Nonetheless, I would like to dam Kurokawa’s incoming kiss first.

“Cannot, Kurokawa. I’ve a girlfriend.”

“Disgrace. However hey, what’s that over there?!”

“The place!? What!?” I look to the course Kurokawa factors however see nothing unusual.

After turning again, a well-known but unusual sensation is positioned upon my lips.

*Rumble*

“OH! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!” Earlier than blacking out, I can nonetheless hear Laura’s yelling and a faint sound of thunder.