《HanaSuki》
Vetaback
HanaSuki
? Volume 1 |
HanaSuki: Ai to uso ni saku hana ; äۤˆD ; HanaSuki: Flower that bloom in love and lies;
Illustration of Natsumi
PROLOGUE
Chapter 0;
Vetaback
???????????????? ??[ X ]
These memories for you cant fade away?
~ Why do you make me wanna love you?
These heart strokes
*Click*
The ending song stopped abruptly as I clicked the close button on my computer screen.
A bright pop-up flashed in the center.
???????????????? ??[ X ]
????? Congratulations!
You are the first person to have beaten Vetaback!
*Click*
The screen flickered, and another window appeared.
?????????????????????[ X ]
As per the terms of service, you are awarded one wish!
*Click*
Please type the wish you want
?.................... [SUBMIT]
Eh!?
My voice echoed in the dimly lit room. The blinking cursor taunted me as my mind scrambled.
I sat frozen, unable to process what I was seeing.
Why?
Why did it feel so surreal?
This this had to be a joke, right?
I had picked up this game because of its notorious reputation for being insanely difficult.
I thought, maybe this time, maybe this game would be the one to
I shook my head.
No, that was too embarrassing to admit, even in the privacy of my own thoughts.
But the truth? The truth was pathetsimple.
I wasnt here because I liked challenges. I wasnt here for the glory of beating the hardest game ever made.
I was here because I wanted something more. Something impossible.
I wanted to escape this world.
Id seen it happen so many times in anime, manga, and light novels. Characters thrown into fantastical worlds, granted powers, given purpose. I wanted that. I craved it with every fiber of my being.
So much so that I
Well.
I tried.
Once.
Twice.
More times than I cared to count.
But reality was cruel. Trucks didnt magically transport you to another world; they broke bones and left you alive to suffer.
Eventually, I gave up.
(It was definitely not because the hospital reported me, and I was forced to promise never to put myself in danger again!)
Not on the dream, no.
But on the methods.
I turned to anime, light novels, and manga. Then to games. If I couldnt live it, maybe I could at least immerse myself in it.
I had beaten every game.
Well not really.
But I had beaten the hardest ones!
I had written 50,000-word complaints about every manga and novel I read, every game I played, every anime I watched. (Of course, I used my alt account for those.)
I had read every novel with one view.
I had watched every obscure anime.
I had devoured every manga.
And then, Vetaback released.
The ultimate game.
The one no one could beat.
It was an opportunity.
Of course, I was drawn to it like a moth to flame. It took me over a million deaths and 10,000 hours of gameplay, but I finally did it.
And what do I get for my trouble?
A flashy pop-up.
A wish?
It was probably some marketing gimmick or an Easter egg.
But still
Even if it was fake, I had nothing to lose, right?
Please type the wish you want:
? Isekai me, please...
? [SUBMIT]
*Click*
For a moment, nothing happened.
I stared at the screen, half-expecting it to explode into sparks or for reality to distort.
But there was only silence.
...Nothing?
I sighed, leaning back in my chair.
It was stupid to expect anything.
But a small, childish part of mesome desperate fragment of hopehad believed.
Believed that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
?? ?????????? ??????????
Still nothing.
I refreshed the game page. Logged in and out. Checked my emails.
Nothing.
???? ?????????? ??????????
My frustration morphed into resignation.
TWO WEEKS HAVE PASSED.
The wish? A scam. A cruel prank.
I sighed deeply, staring at my empty fridge.
The contentsjust a half-empty bottle of water and some expired yogurtmocked me.
Guess I should go shopping
I grabbed my hoodie and phone, shoving my wallet into my pocket.
Before leaving, I glanced at the shelves above my desk.
There they wereawards, trophies, certificates. Proof of my skills. Gaming, writing, art, codingId excelled at all of them.
But why?
Why did it all feel so meaningless?
I bit back the bitterness rising in my throat.
Doesnt matter, I muttered, stepping out into the cool night air.
The streets were quiet, save for the occasional hum of a distant car.
The fluorescent lights of the convenience store glowed faintly in the distance.
I wandered the aisles, picking up cup noddles , bentos, and snacks.
It wasnt like I was starving, but
What was the point of anything?
Even as I swiped my card and walked home with the plastic bag cutting into my palm, the emptiness inside me remained.
Soon. I returned home.
Hah. It doesnt matter anymore, I muttered as I closed the door behind me.
The quiet of the mansion greeted me like an old friend, empty and vast.
I slipped off my shoes, headed toward the kitchen, and started making coffee.
First, I grabbed the kettle from the counter, filled it with water from the tap, and set it on the stove.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
The faint click of the stove igniting filled the silence as the flame licked the bottom of the kettle.
While waiting for the water to heat, I pulled out a clean mug from the cupboard, placing it carefully on the counter. From another cabinet, I grabbed a jar of instant coffee and a teaspoon, scooping out the bitter granules into the mug.
The water began to bubble softly, the sound growing louder with each passing second.
I poured it over the coffee, watching as the dark liquid swirled and settled.
As the faint aroma of coffee filled the air, I turned to the pantry and grabbed a cup of instant ramen.
I pulled out a pot, filled it with water, and placed it on the stove to boil.
While the water heated, I peeled back the lid of the ramen cup and glanced at the flavor packet inside.
Not that it matteredit was all the same to me.
I tore it open and poured the seasoning over the noodles.
Once the water boiled, I carefully poured it into the cup, steam rising as the noodles began to soften.
By now, the coffee was done, so I picked it up and carried both the ramen and coffee to the dining room.
The table was massivefar too large for someone like me who always ate alone.
It was surrounded by empty chairs that hadnt been used in years.
I pulled out a chair and sat down, setting my coffee and ramen on the polished surface.
The first bite of noodles was hot, nearly scalding, but I didnt care.
It wasnt about taste or enjoyment. It was food, and it kept me alive.
I took a sip of coffee, the bitterness biting at my tongue. It didnt matter, either.
The caffeine was the only thing keeping me awake most days.
Sleep deprivation was a constant in my life.
I finished the ramen quickly, tossing the empty cup into the trash bin nearby.
Its pretty lonely, huh, I said, glancing at the empty chairs around me.
I stood up.
My eyes wandered over the expansive dining room.
The chandelier above sparkled faintly, its light highlighting the emptiness of the space.
Why am I always like this?
My forced smile felt heavy on my face as I looked around.
I live alone in this giant mansion. Of course, no ones going to come here.
I sighed, turning away and heading toward the stairs.
My footsteps echoed in the vastness of the house.
The hallway upstairs was lined with rooms, most of which were empty.
It always felt strange walking past them, knowing how unused they were.
But then I remembered something.
I turned on my heel and headed back downstairs, my steps quickening as I moved toward the corridor.
As I neared one of the rooms, an old lady stepped out.
She was carrying a small bag and heading toward the front door.
She noticed me and stopped, bowing politely.
Good evening, Natsumi-sama, she greeted with a warm yet professional tone.
I nodded in acknowledgment. Has everyone gone home?
Yes, Natsumi-sama, she replied. Everyone has finished their work and returned home.
Are you heading home too, Akane-san?
Yes Ill be leaving now, she said with a gentle smile.
I nodded again.
At my gesture, she resumed her walk to the front door. Her quiet footsteps faded into the distance.
The door creaked softly as she opened it, stepping out into the night.
It closed behind her with a faint click, leaving me alone once more.
Hah, I sighed, staring at the door.
And now shes gone.
I stood there for a moment, lost in thought.
If I asked them to stay, they probably would. But that would feel wrong.
The maids working here had their own lives, their own families.
The only reason Id hired them was because I couldnt clean the mansion on my own.
It wasnt like I was any good at cleaning, anyway.
And besides, I was just a second-year college student. What did I know about managing a household?
You might be wondering how someone like me managed to beat Vetaback.
The answer was simple: sleep deprivation. Four hours of sleep a day while attending classes and playing vetaback.
I als
Wait...Why am I even talking to myself? I muttered, shaking my head.
I made my way back to the kitchen and prepared another cup of coffee.
With the freshly brewed coffee in hand, I climbed the stairs again, heading to the top floor.
My room was at the very end of the hallway.
Of course,It was the largest room in the house!
I opened the door and stepped inside.
The space was clean, almost sterile. A large bed sat against one wall, untouched.
My desk was cluttered with monitors, cables, and other equipment.
I set the coffee down on the desk and sank into the chair, letting out a long breath.
The screen in front of me displayed the raw footage of my final run in Vetaback.
With a tired smile, I opened my editing software and got to work.
Four hours later, I finished editing the ten-hour-long video.
The final click to upload it felt satisfying, though not for the reasons most people might think. My gaming channel, ʥĥ?ȩ` ` (Natsumi Tohka Gsuto), had amassed over 500 million subscribers.
Two seconds after uploading, the views began ticking up, faster than I could track. In just two minutes, the video surpassed fifty million views.
It was a familiar sightcomments pouring in from all over the world, each one buzzing with excitement. My English subtitles made the video accessible to everyone, and my custom-animated Vtuber model only added to the allure.
Of course, animating my own model was another thing entirely.
Not because I couldnt afford the technology, but because i could customize my movements, expressions and it most importantly i didn''t liked it!
Totally not because the equipment didnt fit my body properly because of my slender waist and petite frame and the equipment didn''t fit and then i spent six hours crying after the first failed attemthat''s enough!
I closed the computer with a soft sigh and checked the time. Past 20:00.
I headed downstairs, each step echoing faintly in the quiet mansion. T
he kitchen greeted me with its usual sterile neatness.
I opened a cupboard, grabbed a bowl, and poured rice into it.
The cold water ran over the grains as I rinsed them, watching the murky liquid swirl down the drain. Once washed, I transferred the rice to the cooker and set it to cook.
While waiting, I opened the fridge.
Pulling out fresh vegetables, I began cutting them methodically, the rhythmic sound of the knife filling the silence.
Karage came next, frying gently in the pan, and then miso soup simmered on the stove.
The warm, savory smells spread through the kitchen, chasing away some of the loneliness.
The rice finished cooking just as I plated everything. Sitting down at the empty dining table, I quietly ate my meal.
Whatever was left, I packed into bentos, wrapping them neatly.
I grabbed a black hoodie, pulling the hood over my head.
The glasses I wore came off, replaced by contact lenses I kept in my pocket.
The orange lenses tinted my silver-cyan eyes into a warm, unfamiliar hue.
Sliding a knife into my pocket,
I picked up the bag of bentos and stepped outside.
The cold night air bit at my skin as I made my way toward the slums of Tokyo.
The scene was the same as always. Stray cats meowed weakly in the distance. People begged for money on the sidewalks.
And then there were the children.
Their hollow eyes and frail forms always hit me the hardest. Hunger, despair, and emptiness etched onto their facesfaces that no one else seemed to see.
I handed each of them a bento, their small hands trembling as they accepted the food.
Thank you, some murmured softly.
I didnt respond. Words werent necessary.
From there, I walked to the convenience store. I bought more bentos and snacks, piling them into another bag.
The orphanage wasnt far.
Ah, welcome, Kazuki-sama!
The woman managing the orphanage greeted me warmly.
Her voice carried relief and gratitude.
I handed her the food in silence, watching as she called the children over.
Their faces lit up as they gathered around me, their excitement palpable.
They started playing with me, their laughter filling the small space.
Why were they awake at this hour?
Maybe theyd been waiting for me.
A pang of guilt hit me.
My smile faded, but I quickly fixed my expression.
They were getting too attached.
No, that wasnt the problem. The problem was that I was getting too attached.
I knew I should stop coming here.
But no matter how many times I told myself that, I couldnt stop.
It wasnt kindness or altruism that drove me.
It was my own selfishness.
It was loneliness.
I forced a playful tone.
This is the last time, you know~.
Their protests were immediate.
No, youre not!
Yeah!
Youre joking again!
Oni-chan, stop saying that!
Exactly!
I tried to explain, but they only laughed, their small voices drowning out my half-hearted arguments.
Eventually, they tired and returned to their rooms. All except one.
A boy tugged at my hoodie as I was about to leave.
Are you really not coming back?
I hesitated for a moment but after a while.
Mmm, I noded.
He smiled bitterly as he turned and walked away.
I lingered for a moment before heading out.
The city felt colder than before.
Finding a tall building, I climbed to the rooftop. Sitting on the edge of the railing, I let the wind whip against my face.
My hood fell off, revealing my messy hair.
I pulled out my phone.
The video Id uploaded earlier had surpassed 200 million views.
Comments flooded the screen, but i just skimmed through them.
Scrolling through my emails, I searched for any sign of them. That damn company that had promised me the impossible.
Nothing.
With a frustrated sigh, I pocketed my phone.
After sitting there for a while, letting the cold seep into my skin, I climbed down and bought a canned coffee from a nearby vending machine.
Returning home, I replaced my contacts with glasses.
My reflection in the mirror was as empty as ever.
I went to my room, setting the empty coffee can aside.
Turning on my PC, I started my Jobwell Part-time Job actually.
What Job you mask?
It was to make programs.
The work was tedious, but it paid well. In just two hours, I finished and sent the program.
Their reply came almost instantly, offering triple the money for more work. I declined.
600 million yen appeared in my account.
The clock read 01:00.
I spent the next two hours watching anime.
Finally, I took a shower and changed into a new hoodie.
Falling onto my bed, I let sleep claim me.
??
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the faint sunlight filtering through the curtains.
I dragged myself out of bed, my body feeling lighter than usual.
The bathroom mirror greeted me as I splashed cold water on my face.
The reflection staring back at me was the same as alwaysmessy, pure white-cyan hair falling over my eyes.
I pushed it up with my hand and slid on my glasses, the familiar red-edged round frames fitting perfectly on my nose.
My silvery cyan eyes, matching the hue of my hair, stared back at me.
They looked empty and lifeless like always.
I glanced down at my body, slender and petite as always.
My figure was frail, my stature shorter than the average college student.
To most people, I probably looked like a middle schooleror at best, a first-year high schooler.
After brushing my teeth, I checked the time.
10:00.
Pretty early, I muttered to myself.
The silence weighed heavier than usual, but I pushed the thought aside.
I brewed myself a cup of coffee, the scent of it filling the air, and sat down at my desk to start my daily work.
Programming was one of the hobbies i picked.
I opened up a low-quality game to mess with its code, slipping into the familiar rhythm of hacking and reprogramming for fun.
But something''s off.
Huh? I frowned at the screen.
There were no players online. Not a single notification, not even from bots.
I grabbed my phone, scrolling through it absentmindedly, and noticed my latest video had already surpassed 500 million views.
How strange.
I stood up, heading to the kitchen, hoping food might distract me.
Breakfast was simplejust a slice of bread thrown into the toaster.
When I bit into it, the crisp texture was satisfying but didnt erase the unease creeping into my chest.
Umm. Crispy.
I forced a smile, but it faltered quickly.
As I finished eating, I moved to call Akane-san. It was odd that the house felt so empty.
At this hour, the maids shouldve been here, bustling around, cleaning every corner of this massive house.
But the silence remained.
I dialed her number.
The call rang once. Twice. Three times.
No answer.
I tried again, but it was the same.
She never missed my calls. Ever.
Something is wrong.
A cold dread washed over me, my hands trembling as I clutched the phone.
No way.
At that moment, i realized something.
My legs moved before I could think.
I ran.
I ran as fast as i could.
I didnt care about anythingdidnt notice the people around me, didnt notice the biting cold.
My breath grew ragged, my legs burned, but I didnt stop.
My heart beat got faster.
The city blurred around me, the sound of my footsteps echoing loudly in the empty streets.
Before I knew it, I stood in front of the hospital building.
My heart beat got even faster.
My vision got blurry.
My hood slipped off my head, my hair whipping against my face as the wind blew.
My chest heaved as I stumbled inside, the air colder than I remembered.
I glanced aroundand froze.
The hospital staff, the patients, the visitors everyone was still.
Frozen in place like statues.
No!
I forced myself to keep moving, climbing the stairs with shaky legs.
Room 203.
Each step toward it felt heavier than the last, my heart sinking deeper into my chest.
When I reached the door, my hand hovered over the doorknob, hesitation gripping me.
But I had to see.
I turned the knob and pushed the door open.
The sight before me was exactly what I feared.
The hospital bed came into view, revealing a boy sitting upright.
His long black hair framed his delicate face. His blue eyes were open, staring blankly ahead. A small scar peeked out from his wrist, faint but familiar.
Yuki? My voice cracked.
I stepped closer, my movements slow and hesitant.
His figure was frozen, unmoving.
Yuki! I called out louder, desperation creeping into my tone.
No response.
I reached out and touched his shoulder, my hands trembling. His skin was cold, unnaturally so.
Hey, Yuki dont joke around, okay? Look, Oni-chans here now, so you dont have to be scared.
Still, no answer.
Tears blurred my vision as the reality I didnt want to face became clearer.
No
I hugged him tightly, but his chest didnt rise. His heart didnt beat.
It was frozen. Just like everything else.
Author''s Note:This is a light novel, so don''t expect the usual web novel writing.
Footnotes:
` mean ghost.
Karage is fried chicken Japan.
Shattered Real!ty — Dust!
???? ?1????
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??*Your perception of time is slowly disintegrating...
?????
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???
Chapter 1;
Shattered Real!ty Dust!
Na-Na-Na-Na-Natsumi-ni-chan!?
The voice rang in my ears, clear and unmistakable.
My body jolted. My tears stopped mid-flow as I whipped my head toward the hospital bed. Yukis eyesthose vibrant blue eyeswere looking directly at me. His lips moved, and his voice, soft and familiar, reached out to me.
I froze, staring at him, utterly dumbfounded.
Yuki?
He was fine. Smiling, even.
How?
Was it just my imagination?
Or was I hallucinating?
I blinked, trying to shake the doubt from my mind, but my thoughts swirled.
Reality itself felt unstable.
Before I could gather my senses, Yukis small hand reached out and touched my cheeks. His fingers were warm, soft, alive.
Oni-chan were you crying?
His voice wavered, concern evident in his eyes.
I didnt respond immediately. My mind was too clouded.
Why? he asked again, his expression a mixture of confusion and sadness.
I forced myself to breathe, to mask the storm raging inside me. I was just here to visit. I cant? I tilted my head and smiled.
But inside, I was a mess.
Nothing made sense.
How was he alive? Was this real? Could sleep deprivation have warped my reality to such a degree?
No, this wasnt just imagination. It was too vivid, too tangible.
Thats not fair, Yuki pouted, breaking my train of thought. If you smile like that
His words trailed off.
I stared at him, my forced smile still plastered on my face.
If this is my imagination I need to be sure.
Hey, Yuki. I leaned closer, my voice steady despite my trembling heart. Pinch my cheek.
His head tilted in confusion. Huh?
Just do it, I urged him while keeping my tone soft.
After a moment, he nodded and reached out, his fingers gently pinching my cheek.
The sharp sting spread across my skin.
It hurt.
The pain was real.
And so was he.
But
Something''s strange.
My left hand slid behind my back while my right rested gently on Yukis head. His hair was soft beneath my fingers, and as I began to pat his head, he leaned into my touch, his body relaxing.
A soft smile formed on his lips.
With my left hand, I quietly reached into my pocket and pulled out a knife.
I pressed the blade against my wrist, steadying my breathing.
This was the only way.
With a swift motion, I slid the knife against my skin, just enough to feel the sharp sting of metal against flesh.
Then, without hesitation, I turned the blade toward my waist and pierced it into my side, shallow but enough to confirm what I needed.
The pain was excruciating.
The pain is real.
I didnt want Yuki to notice.
But even as the searing pain spread, the world around me remained unchanged.
Everything was still here.
And Yuki he was still here...
Hey, O-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni-ni!#%#$%
Yukis voice distorted.
It wasnt just distortedit was glitching.
My hand stopped mid-motion on his head, my heart sinking.
I turned to look at him, my breath hitching.
His facehalf of itwas no longer human.
The right side was smeared, unrecognizable, like a corrupted digital file.
My mind reeled, trying to comprehend the sight before me.
And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone.
His face returned to normal, the warm, familiar face of my little brother.
But his hair
It wasnt his anymore.
The vibrant black had faded, replaced by streaks of white. His youthful features aged rapidly, wrinkles carving themselves into his skin.
In mere moments, Yuki was no longer a child but an old man, his eyes heavy with sadness and loneliness.
Yuki? My voice trembled as I reached out to him.
He didnt respond.
And then, his aged face began to crumble, turning into fine, gray dust.
No!?
I grabbed his shoulders, desperate to hold onto him, but my fingers met only air.
His entire body disintegrated, scattering into dust that fell through my trembling hands.
Why?
I clutched the dust, tears streaming down my face, only for it to shift and transform.
The gray particles reformed, creating a lifeless replica of Yukis face in my hands.
His expression was hollow, filled with despair.
I hugged the dust close, my tears falling freely, soaking into the remnants of what once was.
The world around me changed.
The vibrant colors faded, bleeding into shades of gray until everything turned monochromatic.
Then, like fragile glass, the monochromatic reality shattered.
A rift formed before me, a crack in the very fabric of existence.
And within that rift was beauty.
Pure, unearthly beauty.
Colors I couldnt name swirled within, drawing me in. It was mesmerizing, intoxicating.
I couldnt look away.
I reached out, my body moving on its own. The temptation was too great.
But before I could step forward, something grabbed my wrist.
The monochromatic world snapped back to normal, the rift vanishing as though it had never existed.
I turned, breathless, and found Yuki staring at me.
Whats wrong? Why are you making that face?
He was fine.
Perfectly fine.
Mmm, I mumbled, forcing a weak smile. Im just not feeling well today.
Yuki didnt seem convinced. His eyes lingered on me, sharp with suspicion, before he sighed.
Go home and rest, Oni-chan, he said firmly.
I nodded, too exhausted to argue.Right.
Take care..
As I turned to leave, I heard him mutter something under his breath.
The words were faint, lost amidst the pounding in my head.
I got up and went through the door.
The hospital staff glanced at me, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. I waved them off, mumbling something vague about feeling unwell. They didnt press further. I just needed to leave.
Once outside, the crisp January air hit my face, and I paused, exhaling a visible puff of breath. For a moment, the world felt normal.
But only for a moment.
A loud crack tore through the sky above me.
I snapped my head upward, my heart racing. A riftfractured and jaggedsplit the sky open, revealing an otherworldly glow. It was the same as before, impossibly beautiful, yet unnerving.
Before I could even process it, everything around me froze.
People, cars, even the windeverything had stopped in place, like a paused video.
I narrowed my eyes, glaring at the rift. Something about it felt wrong, like it was mocking me.
Without thinking, I raised my hand and snapped my fingers.
The sharp sound echoed through the silent, frozen streets of Tokyo.
Nothing happened.
Time remained still, and the rift continued to pulse mockingly.
Damn it! I muttered, clenching my fists.
Maybe maybe I have special powers! Powers to stop time, Why would i even think that.
The words slipped out, and I immediately cringed.
Why the hell would I even think that?
Am I a moron? I groaned, running a hand through my hair.
But then another thought surfaced, more absurd than the first.
No, no. Thats impossible because i have the power of darkness!
A sly grin crept onto my face as I raised my hands dramatically.
Heave before me, my darkness! O you petty mortals, why dost thou command thy pathetic selves? Now, Primordial Darkness, consume thy problems and vanish them to dust!
I struck a pose, fingers outstretched like a conductor directing some cosmic symphony.
....
Silence.
Nothing happened.
The embarrassment hit me like a freight train.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
My face flushed as I put my hand over it, groaning. Ah, what is wrong with me?
I dropped to the ground, curling into a ball as I rolled back and forth in pure humiliation.
Hazukashi! Hazukashi Hazukashi! Hazukashi Hazukashi!
After a few moments of self-inflicted torment, I forced myself to stand.
I took a deep breath, letting the cold air cool my burning face.
Anyway I muttered, brushing the imaginary dust off my clothes. Why is all of this happening?
I glanced at the frozen world around me, frustration building in my chest.
More importantly I scowled at the rift above. Someoneor somethingis messing with time!
The mere thought made my blood boil.
When I asked to be teleported to another world, nothing happened. Nothing! I yelled at the sky, my voice echoing in the stillness.
But now? Now the supernatural decides to kick in and distort the time-space continuum?
I pointed at the rift like it was a personal enemy.
Unforgivable!
I sighed and leaned against a nearby lamppost, crossing my arms. My mind raced with possibilities, each more absurd than the last.
Could it be some sort of divine prank? Or was it punishment for my wish?
No, it couldnt be.
I wasnt just some normal person.
A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as I pushed up my glasses.
Clearly, this is the universe recognizing my potential, I muttered to myself. A mere mortal wouldnt be able to withstand this kind of distortion. Only someone with my unique abilities.
My voice trailed off as the ridiculousness of my words sunk in.
I slapped my forehead, groaning again.
Okay, Natsumi, focus.
You may be different from these petty mortals but lets set our differences aside and think about this logically.
As I was thinking that, the space above cracked again. This time, time began to flow once more.
The sudden movement jolted me out of my thoughts, and thats when I noticed ita truck, barreling toward me at full speed.
I was standing in the middle of the road, completely oblivious until now.
But instead of panic, an absurd sense of excitement bubbled up inside me.
Yes! Finally! I yelled, throwing my arms wide open. Come to me, Truck-kun, and finish me off!
The truck roared closer, its headlights blinding.
Then, the sky shattered.
The shards of reality fell around me, cascading in slow motion like pieces of a broken mirror.
I caught a glimpse of my reflection in one of the shards.
In it, I was lying on the ground, blood pooling beneath me. My body was still, lifeless. It looked like Truck-kun had done its job.
But something was off.
I was still alive, standing, breathing.
The people around me in the reflection ignored my bleeding form. They walked past without so much as a glance. Moments later, I saw myself in the shard take my last breath, the blood seeping into the cracks of the road.
As soon as I "died" in the shard, the pieces reversed, rising back into the air like a rewound tape.
Time itself rewound.
The truck moved backward, retreating to its original position. The people on the street walked in reverse, their movements eerie and unnatural.
And I? I was the only one unaffected, standing still in the midst of this temporal chaos.
The sky darkened, and snow began to fall.
Christmas decorations, once taken down, reappeared on buildings and lampposts, sparkling with newfound brilliance.
Fireworks burst in reverse, unraveling into streaks of light before disappearing into the night sky.
The seasons began to blurautumn leaves reattached to trees, then fell again. Summers warmth gave way to springs cherry blossoms, only for them to bloom in reverse.
I stood at the center of it all, watching as time unraveled.
The left side of my body was consumed by the past, while the right surged forward into the future.
The contrast was dizzying.
Minutes lateror perhaps eonsthe sun grew into a red giant, engulfing the Earth in a fiery embrace.
My perspective split.
From one viewpoint, I floated in the cold vacuum of space, watching as the universe faded into nothingness. From the other, I stood on a frozen Earth, trapped in an eternal ice age.
Both versions of reality collapsed as the Earth ceased to exist.
I was left floating in pure, endless darkness.
But even there, time continued its dance. The reverse and forward motions of time intertwined, looping infinitely.
Reality itself ceased to matter.
At that moment, the perspectives merged.
The past and the future collided, creating a singularity of existence.
The space around me shattered like glass, and I was suddenly back where it all startedstanding in the middle of the road.
The truck screeched to a halt, stopping just inches from me.
The driver jumped out, his face red with anger.
Hey! Young lady, whats wrong with you? Are you trying to get yourself killed?
...Young lady?
I blinked, staring at him in confusion.
He stormed closer, his voice rising.
Hey! Are you even listening? You nearly got yourself run over!
At his blood-curdling shout, I snapped out of my daze.
Ah. I relaxed my expression, forcing a smile.
Sorry~ Sowy~ I said in a playful tone, clasping my hands together. I was so lost in my thoughts I forgot to look ahead.
The mans anger melted almost immediately. His face flushed, and he scratched the back of his head, flustered.
Ah, well just be careful next time, young lady.
Young lady?
I froze, my brain short-circuiting.
Did he just call me a girl?
Normally, Id protest, throw a fit, maybe even deliver a lecture about how not to judge appearances. But at that moment, I couldnt bring myself to care.
I was too tired.
Too mentally exhausted.
The man climbed back into his truck and drove off, muttering something under his breath.
And then, it happened again.
Time stopped.
The world froze in place, leaving me in eerie silence.
I clenched my fists, glaring at the frozen scene around me.
Ugh Im so fed up with this! I shouted, stomping my foot like a petulant child.
Despite my frustration, I made my way back home. The streets were eerily still, the weight of the frozen world pressing down on me.
By the time I reached my house, my body felt heavy, as if the passage of timeor lack thereofwas taking its toll.
I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.
I pulled out my phone and checked the time.
10:30.
What?
Not even an hour had passed since I left the hospital.
A chill ran down my spine, but I brushed it off. Maybe it was just my frazzled mind playing tricks.
I climbed the stairs and headed to my room, shutting the door behind me with a soft click.
I dropped onto my chair, spinning idly as my thoughts spiraled.
Maybe something happened with Vetaback.
They did proclaim to fulfill any wish.
Could this be another world?
Perhaps this is a place where magic exists, and some overpowered demon lord is scheming for world domination. Maybe there''s a brave hero with a tragic ability like Return by Death, doomed to die over and over to save everyone.
The fractured time-space continuum would make sense then...
Wait what if Im the hero?
The thought struck me like lightning.
Am I dying over and over, just like the hero?
I rubbed my temples.
No thats ridiculous
Still, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered What if?
To distract myself, I leaned forward and began checking the logs on my computer.
Logs: Accessing Recent Activity
{ Generating Logs...}
#1 Watched: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Leaf.
A small smile crept onto my face. That one was an underrated gem.
Scrolling further...
#500,253: Posted a video on....
#500,254: Received a comment.
#500,255: Gained a new subscriber on FlowerTube.
#500,256: Gained a new follower on Pinsta.
Nothing unusual yet.
Then...
#7,526,286,691: Logged into Vetaback.
????Time: 05:26 AM
??????? URL: https://vetaback/....
A shiver ran down my spine as the next entry loaded.
#7,526,286,692:New Message from Vetaback:
We are sorry to inform you that your request cannot be fulfilled ????????????????????????????????????????????????? due to . Please type a new wish.
What the...?
The text was garbled, corrupted beyond recognition.
Ceil, I called out to my AI assistant, Restore the text.
You might ask who is ceil?
Well. She is the worlds smartest AI to ever exist created by me.
A cheerful response pinged back.
[^_^ Yes, Master!]
[>Analyzing the text...]
[Error! 0_0]
[Im very sorry, the text cannot be recovered.RnQ]
Even Ceil couldnt fix it? That wasnt normal.
Ceil, what happened? Analyze the computers activity.
[?>??_< Understood!]
Her tone grew more serious as she processed the request.
[:/ Since there are little to no electric signals or electromagnetic waves in the area, this will take at least six hours.]
I nodded. Got it.
I stood up, stretching my arms as I glanced at the timer I set on my phone for six hours.
The world outside was frozenstill and silent.
A dangerous idea began to form in my mind.
Well then, I said to myself, grinning mischievously, Lets explore this frozen world~
I stepped back outside, shutting the door of my house behind me. The frozen world greeted me again with its unnatural stillness. It was almost comforting at firstthe absence of noise, the lack of movement, like a tranquil dream.
But as I walked, a creeping sensation began to gnaw at the edges of my thoughts.
Was I really alone?
I turned down an empty street, my boots crunching on the snow that still seemed to defy the frozen rules of this world. The sound echoed unnaturally, louder than it should have been.
Crunch.
I froze mid-step.
That wasnt my footstep.
Slowly, I turned around. The street behind me was as still as ever. A frozen couple stood near a streetlamp, their mouths locked in silent conversation. Across the street, a man was hunched over his bicycle, fumbling with a chain that wouldnt move.
Nothing.
No one.
I exhaled, forcing a laugh.
Ah, yes! The dramatic delusions of an enlightened soul such as myself, chosen by fate and cursed with power beyond mortal comprehension. This is my moment of reckoning!
As I stood in the middle of the park, my breath forming wisps of vapor in the icy air, I extended my hand toward the shadows stretching between the trees.
Reveal yourself, fiend of the Abyss! Do you think I, the Shadow Sovereign, would not sense your presence?! I declared, my voice echoing through the stillness.
The silence was deafening.
I held my pose, hand outstretched, my crimson-rimmed glasses glinting in the faint light. My silver-cyan hair ruffled slightly as if by a nonexistent breeze.
And then nothing happened.
For a moment, I froze in place, my confidence cracking.
Uh, w-wait a second, I stammered, lowering my hand. I must have recited the wrong incantation.
I scratched the back of my head, heat rising to my cheeks.
Argh! How embarrassing! I muttered, crouching down and clutching my head in shame. Why do I do this to myself?!
But no!
I couldnt let my resolve waver. Not now. Not when the very fabric of reality was at stake!
I shot back up, brushing off my momentary lapse.
This isnt over, unknown entity! I can feel your presence creeping along the ley lines of this frozen realm. You cant hide from me!
I reached into my coat pocket, retrieving my trusty artifacta pocket-sized notebook covered in intricate, self-drawn sigils. Flipping through the pages, I found the one labeled Anti-Paradox Ritual: Version 8.3.
Perfect, I whispered, holding it up dramatically.
I traced my finger over the words, then raised my free hand to the sky.
By the authority of the Chronos Accord and the power vested in me as the Arbiter of Temporal Shadows, I hereby command time touh, to unfreeze and reveal the truth behind this chaotic anomaly!
I stomped my foot, thrusting my hand skyward for added effect.
Still nothing.
The frozen world remained unmoved, and the silence now felt heavy.
Uh, maybe the calibration is off, I muttered under my breath. Right, right, no problem. A mere hiccup!
I flipped through my notebook again, muttering phrases to myself:
Hmm, maybe the fractured echo theory applies here or no! It must be a Riftwalkers Convergence! Of course!
I scribbled something hastily with a pen, pretending it was an arcane correction to a spell.
I extended my hand again, this time narrowing my eyes to show that I meant serious business.
Oh, formless shadow lurking in the rift, hear my call! I bellowed.
Show yourself and face me, the one chosen by destiny to wield the Chains of Eternity!
Still nothing.
I stood there for a moment, hand raised, completely still as realization slowly sank in.
And then I crumpled onto the snowy ground.
Ughhh, I did it again! I groaned, burying my face in my hands. Why do I embarrass myself like this? What if theres someone actually watching me right now?!
The thought made me shivernot from the cold, but from secondhand embarrassment.
I stayed like that for a while, crouched on the ground, feeling like the biggest idiot in the world. But then, a soundfaint, almost imperceptiblebrought me back to my feet.
A whisper.
No, not a whisper. A rustle.
It came from the trees to my left.
I froze, my heart pounding.
W-Whos there?! I shouted, my voice cracking slightly.
I clenched my notebook tightly, holding it out like a talisman.
Dont think you can intimidate me! I have already deciphered the riddle of temporal displacement! Reveal yourself or face the wrath of the Shadow Sovereign!
The rustling stopped.
But the feelingthe presencedidnt go away.
It was there, lurking, watching me.
I adjusted my glasses, trying to steady my breath.
Ha ha so youre going to play it like that, huh? Fine! Lets see how you handle this!
I reached into my other pocket, retrieving what I proudly referred to as the Orb of Temporal Binding.
In reality, it was just a snow globe.
But in my hands, it became a weapon of unimaginable power.
I held it aloft, its glittering contents catching the light.
With this, I shall trap you in an infinite cycle of frozen time! There will be no escape! I shouted.
I raised the snow globe higher, prepared to unleash its supposed power.
But then
The rustling came again.
Closer this time.
And louder.
My bravado faltered as I stared into the dark trees, my grip tightening on the snow globe.
W-Whoever you are, I stammered, dont think Im afraid of you! Because Im not! Not even a little bit!
The rustling grew louder.
Something was moving.
And this time, it wasnt just my imagination.
My breath caught in my throat as a shadow shifted in the distance.
The paranoia, the unease Id been trying to suppress, came rushing back all at once.
What if this wasnt just some delusion?
What if there really was something out there?
Something watching me.
I stumbled back, clutching the snow globe like a lifeline.
My heart was racing, my palms slick with sweat despite the cold.
This this is just a test, I muttered to myself. Yeah, thats it. A test of my resolve! A true hero must face the darkness without fear!
But as the shadow moved closer, I couldnt stop the fear from creeping in.
Stay back! I shouted, pointing the snow globe toward the shadow.
Im warning you! Ill use this!
The shadow paused, its form indistinct but undeniably there.
It was watching me.
I could feel its gaze, cold and unrelenting, piercing through me.
I stumbled again, tripping over my own feet and landing in the snow.
My glasses slipped off, and I fumbled to put them back on, my hands shaking.
I stumbled through the silent streets, each step echoing in the frozen air.
The world around me was like a scene frozen in time, too still, too quiet.
The only sounds that broke the stillness were my own breaths, heavy and labored. I couldnt shake the feeling that something was lurking just beyond my peripheral vision, that something was following meno, not following, watching.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
This was all just a product of my overactive imagination.
Nothing was real.
I wasnt some chosen hero. There wasnt some lurking force trying to control the world.
I was just Natsumi, a mere college student with way too much free time and a penchant for delusions.
But no matter how much I tried to convince myself, the gnawing sense of dread wouldnt leave.
I felt like I was being pulled toward something, drawn like a moth to a flame.
My legs carried me toward a nearby park, the playground equipment standing in eerie silence.
I walked up to an old swing set, the chains creaking as I gently sat down.
The metal was cold beneath me, but I didnt care.
I leaned back, staring up at the sky. The shards of reality from earlier were still hanging in my mind, fragmented and scattered.
It felt like I was trapped in some kind of loop, a world caught between frozen time and the ticking of a clock that wouldnt stop. I had no idea how long Id been walking or what was real anymore.
For a few moments, I just sat there in silence, feeling the cold bite at my skin, the weight of the world pressing down on me. I closed my eyes, letting the soft breeze sweep through my hair.
The peace was unsettling. Was it the calm before the storm? Or was I just losing my mind?
Suddenly, the sharp, shrill sound of an alarm pierced the air, and I jerked up, eyes wide. It was a reminder.
A signal. I had set the timer. My mind scrambled to make sense of what was happening, the sense of paranoia creeping back in.
I stood up, the swing creaking in protest as I pushed off. With a single, hurried step, I began walking back home. Each footstep felt heavier than the last, and the unease followed me every step of the way.
By the time I reached my doorstep, I was almost out of breath. The alarm had stopped ringing, but something else had started. Ceils voice echoed through the empty house, calm and measured as always.
[Master, Ive located the source. The address is ***, Odaiba, Tokyo.]
My mind raced. Odaiba? Wasnt that where I had been before? Where all the strange things had started happening?
A smirk tugged at my lips, a sense of determination returning, mixed with the lingering fear.
Its time for something new
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