[EN] MLQC Chapter 18 – Time’s End

[Main Story 18-01]

The endless wind swallowed me.

The darkest abyss clutch at me.

I was asleep floating at the end of the world,

without destination, without direction.

Who illumined the only source of light?

Moved the second hand.

“Wherever you are, I’ll come to find you.”

Confined in the giant cell for too long,

I opened my eyes.

I opened my eyes, tears streaming down. Pitch darkness gave me my only sense of safety.

My body was numb from being curled in a ball all night, and I couldn’t stretch my limbs. I just sat in a strange posture on the ground until feeling returned.

My mind was a muddled mess, constantly replaying what “Me” from the dream had said.

“Me” : Calamity has begun to take shape. Civilization must meet its end. Sacrifice doesn’t have to mean death, but new life. Will you sacrifice yourself, or sacrifice them?

She wasn’t a dream or a hallucination. I was absolutely certain she was real, but I couldn’t explain why I felt that way.

Fragments from the past surged in my mind, reeling and combining into a familiar face–

{{mc}}, {{mc}}…

In the moment between drops of summer rain, I heard a familiar sound amidst a piercing whistle.

In an empty alley, in a flash of a knife glinting in the sunset, I saw a blur of a face go by.

As I wandered countless streets, I saw me from childhood running by, clear and vivid.

It turned out, from the very start, she had always been by my side.

Did these dreams come from her? When she spoke of my destiny and duty, was that true?

I don’t know, and I don’t want to know.

Then I dreamed this dream. In the dream, I pushed her away and ran off toward the unknown.

I didn’t know where I was and couldn’t make any sound.

I saw a light source and heard the spinning of a second hand, but I couldn’t sense my own existence.

And there was those familiar words of certainty. Every time I thought of them, a strange feeling of grief came over me.

Could this be the future that the other talked about? An empty void, a future without life…

Because I refused her, and refused to accept my destiny and duty?

I hugged my legs. I wanted to hide from the world, for the rest of my life. I couldn’t face it…

I thought I was falling asleep, but in my daze, I saw Dad. He was smiling at me, just like before when I’d go pour my heart out to him.

{{MC}}: Dad…

To my surprise, I felt a pair of warm hands softly pat my head. This vast space wasn’t so forbiddingly cold anymore.

{{MC}}: Dad, can you tell me what to do…

{{MC}}: I feel like everything’s on my shoulders, but now I know how weak I am.

{{MC}}: Why do I have to bear this fate?

Something was crowding out my consciousness. I could feel a warmth throughout my body, like being held tight in Dad’s arms. His smiling face appeared before me.

It was that companion that stayed up through the night with me when I was sick as a child, and offering his most sincere of blessings upon becoming an adult.

??: My darling, Daddy wishes eternal happiness for you. Don’t regret anything. Do what you truly want to do in your heart.

??: I won’t worry too much about you, and you’ll always have my blessing…

??: You don’t have to try so hard at every little thing, but you should always stay loving and brave. Choose to have faith, even after seeing the evil in this world… Daddy’s proud of you.

I was worn out from crying. I leaned on the wall and thought of the last time I’d seen Dad.

He told me he had an important interview to do and didn’t have time to celebrate my birthday. I was so disappointed at the time, but now I think I understand.

{{MC}}: Dad, if I can’t be as brave as you, will you be disappointed in me?

Grandpa Chuck: No, I’m sure your dad will respect any decision you make.

A light suddenly appeared in the space. I turned away hurriedly and wiped my tears.

{{MC}}: Grandpa Chuck, what are you doing here?

Grandpa Chuck squatted down with some difficulty next to me and handed me a handkerchief.

Grandpa Chuck: Girl, I saw you enter this space long ago, and I’m worried about you. Is… something the matter?

{{MC}}: N– no… I just miss Dad. Grandpa Chuck, what kind of person was my dad?

Grandpa Chuck: …Your dad, he wasn’t much of a father. Just look at all the different birthday presents he’s stored away here these years.

Grandpa Chuck: But still, he’s a man I admire. It was him who made me think life was worth living, that tomorrow was worth looking forward to. Really something.

I looked at Grandpa Chuck’s face and broke into a smile.

Dad, I’m proud of you. No matter what decision I make, please watch over me.

I took a deep breath and blinked back my tears. Before leaving the space, I took a last look back.

Before I make my decision, please lend your courage to me.

[Main Story 18-03]

When I stepped out of the space, it was sunset.

There was a constant chirp of cicadas, warm, summer night breeze, and a flickering twilight left by the sun on the leaves.

And also… a blurry, familiar silhouette.

*Ba-dump* My heart fluttered, and the handkerchief fell suddenly to the ground.

That person stood in the doorway, not huffing and puffing or sporting an angry look, just standing there mildly and quietly.

Just like he’d never been away.

{{MC}}: Victor!

I ran up excitedly and grabbed his hands, but they were pulled back from my hands immediately.

Victor looked off reflexively to the side, as if he didn’t want to see me this way.

Why did Victor seem strange today?

{{MC}}: How did you come back? Why does your face look so white?

{{MC}}: It’s so wonderful you’re back! You know something, I’ve been really worried for you all this time…

Victor cleared his throat and cut me off, then took my hand and started walking out.

Victor: Come with me somewhere.

{{MC}}: Where to? How did you come back so suddenly? What about that important matter? You…

Victor: When did you become so talkative?

{{MC}}: Haven’t I always been talkative?

Victor: Really? Guess I’ve forgotten.

{{MC}}: …Are you really okay?

Victor ignored me and walked faster, not seeming to notice the steepness of the mountain path.

An intense feeling of estrangement welled up in me. Not from not having seen each other in a long time, or from being separated in time, but just that he seemed like a stranger.

An inexplicable doubt crept into my heart.

{{MC}}: Victor, did the time travel make you stupid?

He listened to me, and after some thought he nodded.

Victor: Perhaps I haven’t yet recovered.

I immediately pulled my hand away, rubbing my reddened wrist.

{{MC}}: You’re not Victor! Just who are you? Why are you trying to impersonate him?

Victor: What do you mean I’m not Victor? You’re being too sensitive. Let’s go.

His voice rose, sounding forceful and threatening, and he grabbed my wrist again.

We were only a short distance from Grandpa Chuck’s house, and I shouted with all my might–

{{MC}}: Let go! You can’t be Victor! Grandpa Chuck… Help…

As I shouted, his expression changed and he dove at me. I closed my eyes, ready to push him off–

Suddenly I felt a warm body nearby. I stumbled back and felt two hands holding me by the waist.

I opened my eyes. Between me and the impostor Victor was a towering figure.

In an instant, he had the other man’s arm twisted, and taking a hand off me, he grabbed the other man by the neck.

??: Speak. Who are you?

That voice I’d been missing for so long. It really was him!

{{MC}}: Victor!

He turned to look at me. A hint of tenderness flashed in his narrowed eyes.

With a loud banging sound, the ground began to split. Countless people seemed to suddenly surround us. Victor took my hand.

Victor: Stay close to me.

The sky went black, and all I could feel was his steady heartbeat through his hand.

A few seconds later, the sky lightened, and that impostor had vanished into thin air.

All that was left was the rustling of trees in the mountains, like it was all a dream.

Victor stared intently into the thick woods on his right, fist clenched tightly.

My heart raced, and before I could turn around, Victor was holding me tightly from behind.

I was blanketed by the sound of his heartbeat and his scent.

Victor: I’m back.

Those two little words made my eyes start to turn red.

I suddenly didn’t know what to do or where to put my two hands hanging by my side.

He didn’t speak, and neither did I. We just stayed like that in silence.

After several minutes, his muffled voice sounded in my ear–

Victor: Don’t you recognize me?

As I shook my head unconsciously, Victor spun me around by the shoulders and gazed into my eyes.

How could I not recognize him… My nose tingled. He was thinner, paler, but I still recognized him.

I leaned closer to his chest and hesitantly reached out and hugged Victor.

His jacket seemed wet with rain, and his collar was wrinkled. A scent of sunshine and sweat seemed to spell out a familiar name.

{{MC}}: Victor…

Victor: How did you know he wasn’t me?

{{MC}}: Because when I called him stupid, he didn’t call me an idiot back… I knew it couldn’t be you.

Victor seemed to chuckle, and his hand around my waist drew in tighter.

Victor: Right, well done.

{{MC}}: And how do you know I’m not an impostor?

Victor: Who would pretend to be a dummy?

{{MC}}: Already with the name-calling!

Victor: …When I call you a dummy, it’s not name-calling.

{{MC}}: Then what is this?

Victor: It’s confirmation.

He spoke softly, and suddenly before me was the scene of him walking alone in a strange city, a look of confusion and concern on his face.

Is this… the future that he went to?

[Main Story 18-04]

I wanted to see if I was in this future, but I couldn’t tell, and finally Victor pulled me away.

Victor: What is it?

{{MC}}: I…

I didn’t know what to say. Should I tell him about the choice I was facing? Or ask him how he appeared so suddenly?

Last time we were here, we’d come clean with each other, but this time… things had changed.

I didn’t feel optimistic and decided to find an excuse to dodge the question.

Victor suddenly spread out his palm.

Victor: If you want to see the future, just say so. You can see the future, can’t you? Put your hand here.

I nodded and placed my hand solemnly on his, then closed my eyes.

In my mind there were row upon row of large buildings. Loveland City didn’t seem to have changed much, but it had definitely changed.

LFG was still standing tall in the city center. Our office building was now a shopping mall. Central Park had some more wetlands and fountains.

I seemed to see Anna in a crowd of people that flashed by.

{{MC}}: This… is 10 years from now?

Victor: Yes. Everything’s normal in the future.

{{MC}}: So this virus incident got resolved? How?

Victor: Like I said, it’s 10 years from now. I didn’t see anything related to a virus incident.

Victor: Which means, it must have been resolved long ago, with no long-lasting effects.

{{MC}}: Then how come I can’t see myself in the future? Didn’t you say I’m doing even better than now?

A flash of doubt flickered in Victor’s eyes, but they quickly returned to normal.

Victor: Yes, great. If I wanted to see her, I had to make an appointment three days in advance.

{{MC}}: I– I’m that powerful? So, how did you find me?

Victor: I realized that this powerful, successful person still loved to eat at Souvenir.

As he said this, his mouth perked up in a smile, and his slender eyes rippled with light.

{{MC}}: Just like that?

Victor: If you’re curious, I can tell you about how she tried to steal pasta Bolognese from Mr. Mills.

{{MC}}: That’s okay! That’s okay!

His words were making me feel bashful. I turned my blushing face away.

From what Victor described and I saw, the future seemed to be running as normal. I was myself, he was himself, and the world was the same as always.

I didn’t doubt him, but I totally didn’t imagine this virus incident would end up like that.

That immediately made me think of Lucien’s research! He said he was going to develop a reagent to resist the virus. Perhaps that’s the turning point!

Maybe I don’t need to sacrifice myself, and the world will still be saved…

I had a feeling of narrow escape, like suddenly being thrown a lifesaver while adrift in the ocean.

I didn’t notice that a rare look of loneliness and grief slipped out on Victor’s downcast face.

But he quickly shrugged off that expression and knocked on my head.

Victor: Where is your mind wandering off to now?

{{MC}}: N– nowhere. My mind’s not wandering…

I shook my head and stuffed down my feelings of unease. I wouldn’t just submit to destiny so willingly. If there was even a little chance of turning this around, I would give it my all.

I always have before, so why not this time too?

Victor: Answer me this, why are you here?

{{MC}}: I…

After a long pause, I still decided not to tell Victor about the choice facing me. He’d think I was losing my marbles.

And if things really were coming to this, I didn’t want to get him wrapped up in it.

{{MC}}: I came here to ask Grandpa Chuck something about my dad…

I tried to speak confidently. Victor looked at me frowningly for awhile, seemingly believing me.

{{MC}}: And how did you come back so suddenly? How did you show up here too?

Victor was dazed for a moment. He tightened his right hand inside his pants pocket and then smiled.

Victor: I don’t know either. Basically, some dummy all of a sudden called my name.

His smiling face melted into the light of the setting sun.

In that moment, a vast universe appeared before me. As he was traversing time and space all alone, he heard my voice, and he appeared.

He really had appeared!

I warmly took his hand in mine.

{{MC}}: Victor, welcome back!

And also, thank you.

Thank you for saving me, and thank you for telling me this world still has a chance.

Thank you for returning to me right before I almost made that decision.

Victor: Next time don’t yell for me so loudly. It’s embarrassing.

{{MC}}: Then how would you hear me?

Victor: I can hear everything.

Victor: Alright, I’ve got something to do now. You just stay here and don’t stray from my sight.

{{MC}}: Yes.

Victor thought for a moment and went into Grandpa Chuck’s house. As he did, a serious expression had returned to his face.

Grandpa Chuck: The girl’s not coming in too?

Victor: With some things, the less she knows, the better.

Grandpa Chuck walked over and opened the window, letting in the setting sun’s rays.

Grandpa Chuck: A lot of time has passed. Last time it was noon. That girl, she can see brief snatches of the future, and she really trusts what she sees…

Victor: She just needs to trust me. Nothing else is important.

Grandpa Chuck sighed and walked over to Victor.

Victor took out the sundial watch from his pocket, long ago soaked in sweat, and placed it in Grandpa Chuck’s hand.

Grandpa Chuck delicately picked up the watch, now as lacerated as a spider’s web, and then shook his head helplessly.

Grandpa Chuck: Sorry, I can’t help you…

Hearing that, the light in Victor’s eyes dimmed, and his fingernail bit deeply into his palm.

Then he took back the watch and gave Grandpa Chuck a nod.

Victor: No need to apologize. I appreciate all that you’ve done.

Grandpa Chuck: The most constant thing in this world is time, but it’s also the cruelest. This old man’s been down too many roads. Now all I can do is sit by and watch.

He shuffled slowly inside, like a rusty old clock. Victor was left alone in the room.

In the lush summer evening, a cold wind blew, hitting his face, cutting his gaunt cheeks.

Victor just stood there, looking at the girl, for a long, long while.

[Main Story 18-06]

On the way home, sitting in Victor’s car, I looked out at the desolate city, my heart like lead.

There weren’t even any stray cats or dogs, only sounds of construction of the quarantine zone.

Along the way, I recounted the whole month’s events to Victor. It seemed he really didn’t know much about what had been happening.

In two short weeks, the virus had broken out everywhere. There was widespread infection worldwide, and the death toll spiked. People were even going missing on a large scale.

The medical world had no answers. This virus was the greatest threat to humanity since World War II.

Everything was spiraling out of control. Was the lifeline I hoped for really going to pan out?

I leaned on the window, watching the scenery go by, my mind a big, murky mess.

The car quickly reached our destination.

The gate of my apartment complex was cordoned off, and all around there were workers in hazmat suits as residents filed out of a side door.

{{MC}}: What’s this?

Victor: Stay in the car.

Victor pulled the handbrake, opened the car door, and walked toward those people.

I watched on anxiously, my heart beating like a drum.

All I could do was pray, please, please don’t let anything happen…

After a long while, Victor returned.

{{MC}}: What happened?

Victor gave me a look but didn’t answer. He just stepped on the gas and sped off.

Victor: There’s been an infection in the complex, so all residents are being quarantined.

My heart froze. Would I have to be put under quarantine too? Victor looked at me and slowed the car.

Victor: You’re coming back with me. You’ll stay at my house for now.

I stared at him in shock. Suddenly I’d gone from living under quarantine to staying at his house!

Victor: Unless you want to live in the quarantine zone? I can take you back right now.

{{MC}}: No, not at all… Thank you…

I didn’t ask Victor why, but I’m sure he had a reason for taking me with him.

In the rear view mirror, I saw those people under quarantine. The security guard that greeted me every day, the old lady who always gave me fresh fruit…

Their faces hung with unwilling despair. Even from so far away, it was clear to see…

They’d been forced from their normal lives and were in for a lot of upheaval.

But I could do nothing except watch them as they receded farther and farther from me.

And there would be more and more people like them in the days to come…

I leaned on the seat, my back to Victor, gripping the seat belt, finding nowhere to focus my gaze.

A constant pain and feeling of powerlessness weighed on my heart, like a giant boulder, making it impossible to breathe.

In the cramped space, the only sound was music coming in fits and bursts over the radio. It was an old song, something I think Dad sang to me in a dream.

He sang: Don’t be afraid.

Don’t carry the world upon your shoulders.

If only everything could be like it was in the song.

A mist gradually formed in my eyes, and the road stretching out before me seemed to go on forever.

The quarantine zone receded behind us, but up ahead, was it really a sanctuary?

The night grew deeper and quieter. In a few hours, it’d be a new day, and I’d still be out to sea.

The car drove on for a long time. After passing countless lights, it finally came to a stop.

One second, two, three… five minutes, ten minutes…

I leaned on the seat, not moving, and Victor didn’t move either.

I finally snapped to attention and turned my head. There he was, hand over the steering wheel, just staring forward, the star light twinkling in his jet black eyes.

Was he… waiting for me? Why was he just blithely sitting there, waiting with me in silence?

Sensing that I’d stirred, he turned his head and looked at me silently.

Victor: We’re here. Get out.

{{MC}}: I…

Victor went ahead and shut off the lights, then he walked around to my side and opened the door.

{{MC}}: I just want to sit awhile… I don’t feel good.

Victor: {{mc}}.

Victor: Tomorrow will be better. The rain always stops eventually. Is that what you want to hear?

{{MC}}: …No.

Victor: Good. You’re not completely stupid then.

I looked at him, and his calm gaze under the moonlight that seemed to have been through so much.

Victor: Some things don’t have to be said. I understand.

A thousand emotions flashed in Victor’s downcast eyes in that moment.

Then, he threw the car keys into my hands.

Victor: The only person who can decide who you are, is yourself.

Victor: If you want to keep sitting here, I’m fine with that.

With that, he turned and walked ahead without another look at me.

A cool wind blew by where Victor was standing, hitting my face and waking me up quite a bit.

I took a deep breath, cast aside all my wild doubts, and ran out of the car to catch up with Victor.

[Main Story 18-07]

As I entered the house with Victor, I saw that Mr. Mills was also there. He took my bag with a smile and told me some clean clothes had already been prepared for me.

Mr. Mills: The boss made me come stay here. My home has been quarantined off too.

Mr. Mills spoke gently, but I could see a hint of sorrow deep in his eyes.

{{MC}}: Oh, Mr. Mills…

Mr. Mills: Miss {{mc}}, don’t feel bad. This will all pass. What would you like to eat? I’ll make it for you.

He lovingly patted my shoulder, and I nodded emphatically and mustered a smile.

{{MC}}: I’d like to make it with you.

Mr. Mills: Well…

Victor: Let her.

With Victor’s permission, I went off to the kitchen with Mr. Mills.

Victor: Don’t blow up the kitchen.

{{MC}}: I wouldn’t!

I seemed to hear a chuckle and looked back to see Victor ascending the stairs, head down laughing.

The kitchen in Victor’s home had a very lived-in feel, more so than I’d imagined, suffused with the smell of cooking.

It had all the pots and pans you could need, and the fridge was stocked with all kinds of food.

I took some mushrooms from Mr. Mills and started chopping diligently.

The sound of vegetables chopping and oil sizzling filled the spacious kitchen.

It slowly smoothed out the wrinkles of sorrow in my heart and gave me a reprieve from the world.

Mr. Mills: Miss {{mc}}, what made you want to help with the cooking?

{{MC}}: Actually… I just want to keep occupied. When I have nothing to do, my mind starts running wild.

Mr. Mills: Feeling better now?

{{MC}}: Yes! I’m feeling much better now, thank you.

Mr. Mills: Well that’s good. The boss’s efforts haven’t gone to waste.

{{MC}}: Huh?

Mr. Mills: This evening I was all packed to go to the quarantine zone. I called the boss to let him know, and he told me to move in here.

Mr. Mills: I know he doesn’t say much, but he certainly always thinks of everything.

Mr. Mills gave me a laugh and then walked off carrying a plate.

As I looked around the messy yet cozy kitchen, a surge of appreciation warmed my heart.

If it weren’t for Victor, where would I be right at this moment?

I leaned on the counter, thought a moment, and then carved letters into the chopped mushrooms. Looking at my handiwork, I couldn’t help but laugh.

??: What are you giggling about all by yourself?

A voice sounded abruptly behind me. I whirled around to see Victor looking at the cutting board.

I hurriedly turned around and frantically tried to cover my crudely-shaped letters.

{{MC}}: How do you not make any noise when you walk…

Victor gave a sidelong glance at my odd demeanor and frowned.

Victor: Why the guilty look?

{{MC}}: Who’s guilty?! I was doing creative cooking…

Victor: Oh? Then lift up your hands.

I shook my head and covered them more tightly.

A doubting look flickered in Victor’s eyes. He eyed me, and then his gaze paused at my foot.

He leisurely squatted down and picked up a slice of mushroom, upon it carved a big letter: “R”

Victor: Quite creative. This is the first time I’ve seen a mushroom with a letter on it.

My face went red as I snatched it from his hand.

{{MC}}: I’m not finished yet…

Victor’s gaze fell naturally on the cutting board. One letter at a time, he read out:

Victor: V-I-C-T-O-R… T-H-A-N-K… U

Victor: This is what you wanted to say to me?

{{MC}}: Yes… Thank you for letting me stay in your home. If not, I’d be in the quarantine zone now.

Victor: Well anyway I–

{{MC}}: Anyway, you took in stray cats and dogs all the time before, right? I know what you’re gonna say.

I looked at Victor, and he didn’t argue back. He just looked quietly and steadily at me.

{{MC}}: And thanks for letting Mr. Mills stay here. I know you’re doing all you can to help others.

{{MC}}: Even if you never say it…

{{MC}}: Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to keep my mind from running wild.

{{MC}}: But I want to do my part too. I don’t want to be like a turtle always hiding in its shell.

Victor said nothing and just looked at me with his piercingly cold, jet black eyes.

{{MC}}: You won’t disagree, will you?

Victor: Do you remember what I said?

{{MC}}: Huh?

Victor: When I return, you won’t have to be so cautious and patient. You just need to be yourself.

Then a smile formed on his face, sure and direct, making you feel like he was telling the truth.

Victor: Leave everything to me.

Behind him, stars sparkled in the deep night sky.

If he said he would come back, for sure he would.

Across tens of millions of years, spanning long ages, how lucky I was to reunite with him.

I nodded emphatically as I held back imminent tears.

Victor walked to the entrance, but suddenly stopped.

Victor: {{mc}}, what made you think to compare yourself to cats and dogs?

{{MC}}: Well… what else would I be?

Victor: An elephant.

He said this word in a spry tone, matching his relaxed, cheerful demeanor.

Victor: More specifically, a “Dumbo”.

I was both angry and laughing at the same time, but my tears were completely gone. That Victor!

He could always make me angry, but also… always help me relax and give me courage and confidence.

I lowered my head, looked at the mushrooms, and laughed.

(Breaking news: Quarantine Decreed for Escalating Outbreak! A Real Truman Show?)

[Main Story 18-08]

After dinner, it was late. Worn out from the day, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The whole house gradually fell asleep, aside from the cicadas and Victor standing by the window.

It was the shortest night of the year. A blood-red dawn seemed just over the horizon.

Victor went out into the night. His step was fast and definite, without an ounce of hesitation.

He came to a halt before a house hidden behind a thick cover of trees.

It was a very unassuming building, and also the only place in the whole city with its light on.

Just like the person’s heart, never stopping.

Victor stood at the door and deftly pushed buttons on a keypad. Within a minute, the door opened.

As he looked up, he was looking into a pair of calm eyes.

Lucien stood there, a distant look on his face, as if not at all surprised to see him.

After a brief silence, Victor strode inside, and the door closed softly behind him.

The two men looked at each other without speaking, with only the sound of machinery in the air.

Victor: In 1909, the survivors of the White House explosion disappeared, and their existence was forgotten.

Victor: The box you speak of– just what is it?

Hearing Victor’s words, Lucien’s brow gradually wrinkled into a frown.

Lucien: Perhaps you should tell me where you learned of this matter.

Victor: I saw it with my own eyes.

Lucien suddenly looked up, his subdued eyes firing at the man before him like a deadly arrow.

But Victor’s face remained unchanging, calm and sure.

Seeming to suddenly get something, Lucien chuckled and walked over to Victor’s side.

Lucien: I understand. The box I spoke of, perhaps has already been opened.

Lucien: When we were all completely unaware.

The light overhead swayed a bit, and Victor’s eyes drew back suddenly–

Victor: The reason?

Lucien: I have only conjecture.

Lucien turned and looked at Victor’s taut profile, as if seeing the coming dawn in the distance.

Lucien: In 1908, a comet hit the earth, and a mini-blackhole appeared over the Atlantic. It’s said that at the same time, Wardenclyffe Tower also made a wireless transmission.

Lucien: But this all just points to a single conclusion: an energy explosion.

Lucien: And then, this cat started to breed and multiply.

In that instant, a lightning bolt flashed in Victor’s eyes.

Lucien: Do you want to close the box?

Victor: I don’t just want to…

Lucien: Those survivors all disappeared.

Victor: But you’re forgetting to add: a year later.

Lucien: And what if, outside of this box, there is another box?

Victor: Whether or not this is true, there’s one thing you got wrong from the start.

Victor: I will not be boxed in.

Victor turned and strode away, without pause or hesitation, walking into the future of his making.

He didn’t even stop to hear these words uttered by Lucien and scattered to the wind:

Lucien: Did you really see it all with your own eyes?

The only answer was the rustling of leaves and the faint sound of a violin.

Lucien did not notice the flash of a black figure in a concealed corner, leaving only a pure white petal where he was just standing.

On the quiet street, that regular, mechanical music seemed to keep time with Victor’s step.

Victor turned his head, and the music stopped. On the broad street there wasn’t a single person.

He tensed his jaw, and a blood-red dawn showed in a corner of his eye.

Victor: So… you’ve appeared.

Violin strings glistened, and fingers paused on the fretboard as a pair of stiff eyes turned.

??: I didn’t think I’d see you this early.

Victor didn’t turn, and his face was obscured in the shadow of a tree.

Victor: Time Observor. We finally meet.

[Main Story 18-10]

It had been a long time since I’d woken up naturally like this. I opened my eyes to a sunlit room.

I got out of bed and went into the living room. Mr. Mills already had breakfast prepared.

Mr. Mills: Miss {{mc}}, breakfast is ready. Come and eat.

{{MC}}: Thank you, Mr. Mills.

Seeing two places set at the table, I couldn’t help but wonder–

{{MC}}: What about Victor? Is he not eating breakfast?

Mr. Mills: The boss went out. He said he won’t be back to eat.

The clock on the wall showed 8:45. Where could he have gone this early?

I didn’t follow up and just absent-mindedly ate my breakfast.

Mr. Mills: Miss {{mc}}, I have to run some errands. Is there anything I can get for you?

I thought a moment. I didn’t need to work, or go out, or do anything. I seemed to need nothing.

I shook my head and curled up on the sofa.

I know I said I would do my part, but faced with saving the world, I didn’t know where to start.

Feeling a bit frustrated, all I could do was turn on the TV.

The news was still constant updates about the virus situation, with their frontline reporters getting swapped out left and right.

The new quarantined zones couldn’t keep up with the streams of new infected relocated there daily.

Humanity was on the brink of death, with no way to fight back.

But time marched on without so much as a look back, not even a second’s reprieve.

I lay on the sofa and suddenly noticed a jacket of Victor’s lying around.

I was going to fold it up for him, but the instant my finger touched it, my mind went blank and a pain shot through my heart.

“No matter where you are, I’ll always find you”

This familiar line rang in my ears. I couldn’t find the speaker, but I felt as if I’d been pushed, or the ground was shaking under me.

I fell into a world of white.

Far away was a familiar figure, wearing a white shirt and with a stubborn, pained look on his face.

It was Victor.

A car abruptly thrust itself into view.

Then I saw clearly the following scene, the ground covered with blood.

My heart stopped for a full second.

I leapt up from the sofa, pulled out my phone, but I couldn’t get through to him.

With that scene in my head, I rushed out the door without hesitation.

There was no sign of Victor on the empty street. There were no passers-by to ask and no way to contact him. All I could do was run around blindly.

A mechanical violin sound hit my ears, and my heart seized up without warning.

{{MC}}: Victor… Victor…

A heart-rending pain spread in my chest. I stood panicked at an intersection, tears streaming down.

This was the feeling… that piercing feeling in my dream just now!

Victor, just where are you?

Sweat mingled with tears. I paused and then ran on. I had to stop that vision from becoming reality!

The edges of my world became a blur. Across the street I saw a familiar figure.

A white shirt, a rumbling public bus, it was like a slow-motion scene in a movie.

A tear fell at that moment, silent and still.

{{MC}}: Victor!

I shouted forcefully, but I was too far. He couldn’t hear.

My eyes were completely blurred over. Ignoring the steady stream of cars going by, I took a step.

I slipped through the gaps, not daring to stop a second, my heart about to jump out my throat.

I went along step by step and suddenly got a strange feeling.

I felt like I had run like this before. It was raining, and that same man was standing before me, my heart even more in pain…

The ground started to feel funny underneath me, and tears fell in large drops.

Why was this all so familiar?

[Main Story 18-11]

An ear-splitting car horn rent the air, and my arm was yanked as I lost all sense of direction. The next second, I was being held tight in Victor’s arms.

Victor: You just keep getting braver and braver!

Victor’s breath was uneven, anxious and severe. His body was also a little chill.

He’s scared. He’s angry.

The rushing car brushed past behind him, not a centimeter away.

Victor: What’s gotten into you?

I held Victor tight, my whole body trembling. Oh, thank goodness… thank goodness…

Because in my vision, that blood-covered person on the ground– was him.

{{MC}}: You’re alright. Thank goodness…

I lifted my head and mustered a smile through my sobs.

{{MC}}: I just had a dream you were in a car accident. I couldn’t get you on the phone, so I came looking…

Before I finished, I was taken tightly into his arms once again.

Victor let out a long sigh and swallowed, as if fighting back some emotion I didn’t understand.

Victor: I should never have let you toss aside caution and prudence.

{{MC}}: Huh?

Victor: Yet again I see you in imminent danger right in front of me.

Victor: Do you have no faith in me?

{{MC}}: It’s not that. Lately all my precognitions have come true. I was scared…

Victor: {{mc}}, let’s make a bet.

Victor cut me off smoothly. I lifted my head and saw his eyes fixed on the intersection.

Victor: In five minutes, a mother and daughter will cross the street, holding a red umbrella and wearing a blue dress.

He spoke with certainty, never loosening his tight grip around my waist.

Victor: Wanna bet?

{{MC}}: …What are we betting?

Victor: If I win, from today on, you have to put your full trust in me.

{{MC}}: And if you lose?

Victor didn’t speak. He just looked forward, a faint smile on his face telling me: he wouldn’t.

I began to calm down and started surveying the empty street too.

Since the outbreak, there’s been hardly anyone on the streets. Will someone really come along?

The afternoon summer sun was scorching. Not daring to blink, I stared at the road.

A pair of black sandals came into view. My heart tensed up, and I squinted my eyes…

Then I saw a skipping little girl wearing a blue dress, her mom behind her holding a red umbrella.

They… they really showed up!

I looked in shock at Victor, who still had a smile spread on his face.

If he said he wouldn’t lose, you could believe it.

Victor: Now do you believe me?

I was speechless. I felt moved and also incredulous.

Victor: You lost fair and square. From now on, forget all your precognitions.

Victor: The only thing you can believe is me.

As cicadas chirped, the mother and daughter walked by. The little girl even gave me a sweet smile.

Looking at Victor’s self-assured face in the sunlight, the sorrow in my heart slowly melted away.

I nodded emphatically and gave Victor a big smile.

A hint of relief flashed in his eyes, and then his face went neutral again.

Victor: You look worse smiling than crying.

{{MC}}: You! That was because I was worried about you…!

I wiped my face and suddenly noticed that Victor’s shirt was already wet with my tears.

In his wrinkled shirt with his furrowed brow, he looked just like that snarling cat on his cup.

The sun was shining, he was fine, why shouldn’t I trust him?

Victor: What are we still standing here for? You want everyone to see your crying face?

I looked around us. There were no people anyway. Then I just hurried after him.

Maybe it had been too long since I’d taken a walk outside, but I was feeling much better.

Awhile passed and we still hadn’t gotten back home. Things looked different than when I’d come too.

{{MC}}: Did I really run this far…

Victor: And what made you think it was okay to run out all by yourself?

{{MC}}: I was worried for you…

Victor: Didn’t Mr. Mills tell you I’d be coming back?

{{MC}}: That’s not the same.

Victor: What’s different?

{{MC}}: Once when I was little I played hide-and-seek with my dad.

{{MC}}: I waited so long I was about to fall asleep, and he still hadn’t found me. I thought he was so dumb.

{{MC}}: Later I found out he thought he’d lost me. He was so worried, he even called the police.

{{MC}}: But actually, I was just hiding in a little attic in our house.

Without realizing it, Victor had slowed his pace, in step with me.

{{MC}}: When someone’s important to you, especially if you think they’re in danger, you can’t help it.

I prattled on, and when I looked up, I realized Victor was looking down at me with his head tilted.

I spaced out for a moment and missed a step in front of me.

As I stumbled, Victor already had a tight hold on my hand.

Victor: Sometimes I really don’t get how you can be so bold.

{{MC}}: I get it from you.

Victor: Nonsense.

{{MC}}: Really. You told me to be myself, and I just knew that I would find you.

Victor: Was this another of your precognitions?

{{MC}}: Right. I think my dream said no matter where you are, I’ll always find you.

{{MC}}: So I went out…

The sound of footsteps ceased. Victor’s deep eyes were right up close to me.

*Ba-dump* My heart suddenly started racing.

{{MC}}: What is it…

Victor swallowed, and he looked at me a long time, many emotions flashing through his eyes.

Victor: What else did you hear in your dream?

{{MC}}: I think… nothing.

Victor: …I knew I couldn’t count on that head of yours.

Victor: Alright, let’s go home.

Victor didn’t say another word. He just slowed his pace and walked home with me.

[Main Story 18-13]

In a town very far from Loveland City, a red-eyed boy stood on a debris-strewn street, an explosive energy emanating from his body in intense waves.

Both fierce and dangerous, each wave of light shot out like a blade in every direction.

All buildings, people, and trees around him fell instantly, kicking up clouds dust.

Behind him, a tear-stricken woman wanted to get close to him, but she had been cut down by the deadly blasts waves and lay in a puddle of blood.

The boy turned his head, the red in his eyes growing more savage. He howled as his face contorted in pain, like the most mournful monster in the world.

He covered his eyes, and countless heavy objects rose up under his control and smashed into him.

The objects were pulverized, but the boy didn’t have a scratch on him.

A wail of despair echoed down the deserted street. Tears mixed with blood stained the boy’s cheeks.

A flurry of sirens sounded, and countless soldiers in camo descended around the boy.

At the head of the troop was Gavin’s grave face.

The boy’s eyes flashed to black, then turned red again. He let out a sob and shuffled toward Gavin.

Gavin raised a hand, calling off the combat troops preparing to attack. He walked alone to the boy.

??: Please, please… s–save me…

??: I’ve killed people. I didn’t want to, but I couldn’t control it…

Regret, helplessness, despair, the boy’s pain was in each heavy step, stepping on Gavin’s heart.

Gavin’s hand dropped. Under his black leather glove, his hand tightened again into a fist.

??: Thank you, Mister Gavin. You saved me before… Promise you’ll kill me now…

As the boy kept pleading, a storm of sand surged around him, expanding like a cyclone, enveloping the entire town in an instant.

Gavin thought of his past with the boy, the smiles and the tears, and the conviction-filled promise he’d made to the boy’s father.

Thick blood oozed out of his clenched jaw. As he stood there, the veins standing out in his neck made him look like a tightly-drawn bow.

Gavin: No… you can’t die!

The devil’s bargain he’d signed with his father flashed in his mind, along with the pain he felt laying on the operating table as they transformed him.

The gears of fate were turning forward, and everything from the past was ground to dust that day.

But this day… why did it come so early!?

The boy before him stopped pleading. He knelt before Gavin, his tear-streaked face devoid of hope.

??: Thank you. You saved me before… Now death is my final request…

He spoke in starts and fits.

??: Please help me protect… my dad. Thank you…

Gavin closed his eyes and slowly raised his hands.

Gavin: I promise you. I will protect everything dear to you.

Gavin: I’m sorry.

His trembling words and tears disappeared into the dust, in silence.

[Main Story 18-15]

After a rollercoaster of a day, I put down my warm glass of milk from Mr. Mills and looked out at the empty city, my mind spinning with thoughts.

Without all those lit up houses, the world looked like it did in the beginning, and also the end.

I wasn’t passively waiting for the apocalypse anymore. I was doing my part. Even though it was the future, I still changed it.

I breathed deep and pulled my blanket over my head so I could fall asleep.

The moment I closed my eyes, a face flashed in my mind that I’d never seen before.

He was wearing a shirt exactly like Victor’s and was the same size as him.

He turned, gave me a look of chilling indifference, and then fell into a puddle of blood.

I bolted upright, gasping for breath, beads of sweat on my forehead.

Who… was he? Why did he appear in my dream?

I closed my eyes and tried to see more, but nothing came. Not even one little vision.

After who knows how long, in the quiet room, a long, slow breath was heard.

That wasn’t my breath.

The hair on my neck stood up. I lifted my head, and before me was a face just like mine.

It was her again. The other me.

She smiled at me, looking like the purest of angels even in her all-black dress.

??: Thank you for taking me out of there.

??: I didn’t really know the way. I searched a long time till I found you.

Her voice was soft, as if it had magic power, and my heart gradually settled down.

I wanted to ask her about the new life she mentioned last time, but the words wouldn’t come out.

??: I know you want to ask me something.

She walked to the window, sat down quietly, and drew a design on the window with her finger.

??: I used to be like you, thinking I could change the world.

??: But later, I realized I was wrong.

She reached out and gently rubbed my hair.

My head once again had a large, clear image of that strange man’s bloody face.

??: His name was Evan. This afternoon when you were saving Victor, he had a car accident on Moon Street. His wife had just given birth to a baby girl…

My mind buzzed, as if I’d been struck in the temple by some blunt instrument.

The exact same clothes, the exact same silhouette…

Did my changing the future cause the death of another, innocent person?

Tears burst forth. I felt weighed down by a thousand pounds.

{{MC}}: It can’t be… I saved Gavin too, in the fire!

A look of pity came over my counterpart’s face.

??: And because of it, he lost his Evol.

This short little sentence shattered the last hope I had.

Gavin’s pained face by the seaside played in my mind again. Even though he regained his Evol later, I was still the cause of that one.

It turned out… everything was because of me! It was all my doing!

A deep despair came over me. My body shook, and despite the summer evening, the room was frigid.

??: The future cannot be changed. I understood that too late. Perhaps you’ll see the truth sooner.

??: At 19:17 seven days from now, humanity will go extinct.

??: The research you’re hoping on won’t make it in time. It takes 10 days to recover from the virus.

??: Everyone who’s passed through our life will disappear with us too. This world is going to end.

??: But don’t worry. You’ll reawaken to a new world, taking their memories with you, like I have.

I kept shaking my head. No… it couldn’t be! How can I stand quietly by while everyone vanishes?

All of my friends, family… even the people I’d just passed by, they were all going to die?

??: Nothing can save them, except you.

??: I will come back to find you.

Sorrow and compassion showed in the eyes of the other “me”. She wiped away my tears and then, bit-by-bit, disappeared in front of me.

*Crash* A crisp, clear sound resonated in the still of the night.

Shaking, I turned my head. The cat cup had shattered. Just its eye were still intact, staring at me.

It broke the peaceful silence, coming completely out of nowhere.

I was so frightened and kept closing and opening my eyes, hoping it was just a dream.

But the glass fragments still lay there, taking everything I’d believed and turning it to dust.

Through the open window, a bone-chilling wind streamed in.

It filled my heart that was cracked open by the shattered glass so that it wouldn’t close back up.

[Main Story 18-16]

I found myself out of bed, frantically picking up those shards, trying to put the cup back together.

Is this the way I can reverse the events of this evening?

Does it have to be this way?

I gripped the shards, and blood ran from between my fingers. My hands were all numb.

It wasn’t… so painful after all.

Suddenly, a pair of scalding hands covered mine.

??: Let go.

The next moment, I had fallen into the arms of someone behind me.

Victor: Do you understand? Let go.

I kept trying to get free, but I was trapped in those arms by a powerful force, unable to move.

{{MC}}: You let me go…

I gritted my teeth and flailed, not wanting to look at Victor for fear of breaking into tears.

He didn’t speak, but his heavy breathing seemed to drown out everything in the night.

Victor: I will not.

He seemed to say this through gritted teeth, as if I’d disappear if he let me go.

I kept trying to pry his fingers open, but I couldn’t make them budge…

Victor: Don’t be stubborn.

I had no more strength. I lay on his shoulder and let all my sorrow and pain out in heaving sobs.

I knew I shouldn’t cry, but all the stress built up over time finally erupted.

In the end, I couldn’t even accomplish this one little goal.

I couldn’t save anyone, I couldn’t change the future, I couldn’t even save a cup.

{{MC}}: I just wanted to put the cup back together… that’s all…

{{MC}}: Why can’t I even do such an ordinary thing like that…

Victor squatted down, not moving, and just held me tight and hard.

They say in the face of adversity, you have to stay hopeful, but I was totally defeated.

Perhaps… I was wrong from the start?

I was crying so hard I could barely breathe, and I stayed like that for a long time, until I could start to feel the earth spinning–

I was picked up by Victor and placed gently on the bed.

In the black night, I couldn’t see if his eyes were red or not.

I could only hear his unsteady breathing and feel a warm bandage covering my fingers.

I pulled back my hand, turned away, and curled up in my blanket.

I’m sorry. I know I promised you today, so I don’t want you to see me like this, weak and stubborn.

Victor sat by my bed, not moving a muscle as he looked at me.

Time seemed to go at a crawl, and even seemed to have stopped altogether.

The pain in my heart suddenly became intense.

I struggled to stop crying and make myself look like I’d fallen asleep.

Then I felt a pair of hands tenderly wipe away my tears.

On the gentle night wind, I heard a low voice filled with an irrepressible grief.

Victor: Tomorrow is a new day.

Victor: I will bring back your past self.

Victor then looked out of a window for a long time, then gently closed it and left.

When his footsteps had faded in the distance, I opened my eyes, tears streaming out.

I bit down on my fist to hold back the sound of my sobbing.

It turned out all those clever decisions I’d made, all my struggles and valiant attempts, they were all done in the face of a foregone conclusion.

It turned out I couldn’t hold on to anything.

With hollow eyes open, I lay there helplessly. All of my recent joys and celebrations had turned into a sharper blade, cutting away my soul.

Outside the window came the pitter and patter of a light rain starting to fall.

But I had no more tears to cry.

[Main Story 18-18]

At some point, I must’ve fallen asleep. The piercing sun hit my eyelids. A new day had come.

I also became acutely aware that there were six days left to the extinction the other me spoke of.

I didn’t want to explore again whether it was really true or not. I was too tired.

*Knock-knock-knock* Mr. Mills was at the door–

I hurriedly wiped away tears and opened it.

Mr. Mills: Miss {{mc}}, have you seen the boss? I can’t find him.

{{MC}}: I just woke up. He’s not in his room?

Mr. Mills: No, I’ve looked all over. It’s fine. You get some rest. You didn’t sleep well last night, did you?

I felt my puffy eyes and felt a little embarrassed.

Mr. Mills: Oh, the boss hasn’t been looking well lately either. And I don’t know where he went to…

I was a little stumped too. Where could Victor have gone?

After some thought, I decided to go find him. First I washed my face so it didn’t look so puffy.

Bedroom, study, library, kitchen… he wasn’t in any of them. I was getting anxious.

Last night he said he’d bring back my past self… where did he go?

I stood in the empty hall, unable to think of anything.

Suddenly, a light blue shard appeared before me, lying on the floorboard, glinting in the sunlight.

I looked up. The ceiling was the same, but there was a little button on the wall.

I pushed it lightly, and a wooden staircase slowly descended.

I climbed up, and through dust and light, I saw Victor sleeping against a wall, all alone.

His tall frame was hunched over in the little attic, still wearing the same wrinkled shirt.

One hand hung down at his side, and the other was placed carefully on his leg.

In that hand was the glass cup, glued back together piece by piece.

Victor held it tight, as if scared of it dropping again.

I felt choked up, and tears started to fall.

I tip-toed over to the window and squatted down beside him.

Victor slept soundly, his head lowered, his bangs seemingly longer. I realized he’d gotten a lot thinner since coming back from the future.

It seemed every time I saw him, he was quite a bit thinner than the last.

The dark circles under his eyes were an unmistakable sign of how weary he was.

That busted cup looked totally out of place next to him.

Victor said he was going to bring back the past me, but did I want to see him like this?

The former Victor was proud, severe, a spring in his step, and always on point.

Not like this person today, wasting a whole night sitting in here.

It shouldn’t be like this.

If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have to be so hard-put and haggard.

As I looked at him, countless scenes flickered before me like a movie.

His sudden appearance in the mountains at dusk.

The way he held my hand on the street that afternoon.

How he sat by me through my night of despair.

And all the little interactions I’d had with him in this time–

I felt so bad for him, but I also couldn’t bear to wake him up.

I just squatted by him, took out a bandage, and taped up a wound on Victor’s finger.

This is all I can do.

I gently took Victor’s hand, and the next moment, a scene appeared before my eyes.

In the shaky vision, I saw a tear streak down from Victor’s red eye, slowly and solemnly.

I saw his trembling hands and pained face.

Behind him was a white light, like the final moment before the apocalypse.

Why would someone as self-confident and proud as him have a look like that on his face…

It was a mournful sorrow I’d never seen before.

I took back my hands, not wanting to see any more.

Victor’s eyes were still closed, but his brow was knitted and his body taut, huge beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Helplessness and despair suffused his face, as if he was scared of something in a dream…

I turned away and bit down on my hand, unable to hold back a torrent of tears.

I clearly knew the decision I had to make…

But people weren’t so simple. When it comes to others, we always know what’s right and moral.

But when it comes to ourselves, we tell ourselves: I’ve got to look out for me, forget the world.

Before any hero becomes a hero, who ever asks them if they’re willing or not?

But the people around me, some were beset by disaster, some had lost their way and lost their faith… many more have had their whole lives turned upside down.

The future couldn’t be changed. I didn’t have any more weak excuses to justify running and hiding.

I didn’t want to be a superhero, but I wanted to protect those around me, everyone.

Sometimes, people just don’t have a choice.

No matter how attached I was, how much I didn’t want to let go, I couldn’t look back.

If my sacrifice could restore peace, then that was a price worth paying.

Tears fell on Victor’s hand. The next second, his slender eyes had opened.

A pair of gentle hands climbed up my cheeks, and my tears were wiped away one by one.

I looked at him, unable to say anything, just staring in silence.

Victor took away his hands and straightened his wrinkled shirt.

Victor: …What are you doing here?

His voice was a little hoarse.

{{MC}}: I- I found my past self…

As I spoke, I rubbed back tears and gave Victor a big smile like before, free and open.

Victor was taken aback a moment, then he looked away awkwardly.

Victor: That smile is…acceptable.

I laughed. Things seemed to be looking up. That was good.

{{MC}}: Victor, I think I understand. What you said was right, tomorrow is a new day.

{{MC}}: Lately my emotions have been all over the place. I’m sorry!

{{MC}}: This time, I really mean it. I won’t keep going like this.

Victor: Can I trust you?

{{MC}}: I’m not crying wolf this time!

Still seemingly a little doubtful, Victor raised his eyebrows, but in the end he said nothing.

Victor: Here.

He gave the glass cup back to me.

{{MC}}: Thank you. You did a nice-looking job.

As if there was sunshine in his voice, Victor started to sound a little cheerful.

Victor: It wasn’t easy.

He seemed to have more to say, but he just stood up and walked out.

Victor: I know you’re worried about something. Don’t underestimate yourself. And don’t underestimate me.

His back was straight, and in the sunlight he looked tough and persistent.

This was that same, forever-proud man I knew.

I laughed as a tear ran down my cheek.

As he walked away, I mouthed the word: thanks.

Victor, you’ll never know how you gave me the courage to keep on living.

And I don’t regret the decision I made today.

This time, put everything on my shoulders and let me be your hero one last time.

[Main Story 18-20]

Close to evening, the hottest part of the day had passed.

But summer this year was hotter than ordinary.

There wasn’t a single ripple on the sea, and even the mountains in the distance seemed asleep.

There was only the mechanical sound of a violin swirling in the air.

Fingers drifted across the violin strings. Before the open case, a pair of black shoes appeared.

That utterly forgettable face looked up and saw Victor, a stern look on his unmoving face.

Time Observor: Why didn’t you listen to my warning. You will be punished.

Victor stood with arms folded, not making a move.

Victor: Zero, our goals are the same.

Time Observor: But that was before today.

Victor’s eyelid finally twitched, and then grew even more still.

Time Observor: This world is facing collapse. I won’t linger here too long.

A surging tide crashed on the beach, splashing the hem of Victor’s shirt.

He finally loosened his pursed mouth.

Victor: I’m afraid you can’t go back.

Another high wave crashed toward them, hitting the violin and making a tense noise.

The Time Observor’s eyes suddenly shook.

Time Observor: It was you who made me come out ahead of time! Was today you too? What do you want anyway?

Victor: Partner with me.

Time Observor: I can’t do it.

Victor’s face grew chillingly cold. A taut violin string snapped.

Time Observor: No one in this world can. It only exists for one thousandth of a second. It can’t be paused.

He looked at Victor, seemingly hoping Victor would accept it and move on.

Victor: Go on.

Time Observor: I can tell you when it will appear, but know this: everything lost will be repaid by you.

Time Observor: Unlimited repayment.

Time Observor: You could’ve become one of us…

Victor: That’s enough.

Victor: I’ve only ever had one goal. It will not change.

The sunlight reflected off the waves into his face, hazy and calm. In his jet black eyes, there was a determination and fierceness deeper and colder than even the sea.

Time Observor: All times have been wrong from the very beginning…

The Time Observor shook his head and walked away from the beach.

Victor looked up. A scattering of stars had appeared in the night sky, each twinkling and alone.

[Main Story 18-22]

Now that my decision was made, I had a lot to do in the week before the end.

I came to the empty office, running my finger over a flower on a desk.

Post-its next to my computer still reminded me of upcoming work. I arranged them on paper.

Then I wrote down the name of every employee.

Anna, always by my side.

Kiki, that happy little nut.

Willow, bursting with energy.

And that silly Minor…

I seemed to hear the laughter from days gone by, the fights, the nights spent in the editing bay…

They were just ordinary days, so ordinary, but because of those people, I cherished them.

I silently wrote messages to all of them and then had one more look around the office–

If you can, please help me keep this dream of ours alive. Please.

On the street, I walked into the only automated convenience store open. As I grabbed a bag of chips, I fantasized about whether another hand would reach for it with mine.

Then a voice would speak, and I’d turn my head and see those eyes beaming with pure sunshine.

{{MC}}: This time, I wouldn’t give in to you. These chips are all mine.

I muttered to myself, then grabbed all the chips and left the store.

I left just one bag printed with a batman design on it, sitting all by itself on the shelf.

{{MC}}: I guess I’ll leave you one bag. So if we meet again, don’t go stealing mine.

I stopped at the gate of the orphanage. It was now an asylum taking in lost children.

New walls, new flowers in the trees, the only thing the same was the laughter of the children.

I handed out the bags of potato chips to them–

{{MC}}: This is a little gift from your favorite star, Kiro. Keep it a secret!

{{MC}}: He wanted me to tell you, don’t be afraid. Everything’s going to get better!

The children’s eyes went wide, and they held up their fingers making a “hush” sign.

Before I left, a shy little girl tugged on my clothes.

Girl: Miss, will you come back again? No one’s visited us in a long time.

I lightly patted her head. Tears unexpectedly formed in my eyes.

{{MC}}: When everything is better, I’ll come back and see you all. It’s a promise.

Carrying that guilty lie with me, I came to the campus of Loveland High.

The place hadn’t changed at all since last year. The only thing that had changed perhaps was me.

The campus was empty. I walked along the familiar stone path toward the piano room.

In my memory, it was a summer day like this. I stood at the podium reciting a commencement address, seeming to see a face in the very back shining in the piercing sun.

That day, the green ginkgo leaves swirled all along the path from the piano room to the chapel.

I eased open the door to the piano room and tapped out the melody that connected me to that boy.

Emotions ran through me. Our first encounter on a rainy day. Snatching glimpses of his athletic body during P.E. class. My tears being gently swept away by the wind.

If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have known how big and roomy it felt wearing a man’s shirt, wouldn’t have known how fresh and bright youth could be.

I turned my head. I could almost see the gingko leaves were drifting outside the window, and one small one carrying a paper plane made so lovingly by the boy.

All songs have an end. No matter how much you want it to go on, you have to bring it to a close. Before leaving, I folded a paper plane and placed it on the piano.

{{MC}}: Gavin, this time it’s me saying goodbye to you. But I hope you never see it.

After that, I wandered off and found myself at Forest Park.

“If the apocalypse comes, I bet it won’t be during summer.”

It turns out I had started to get things wrong way back then.

I held out my hand. The sunlight filtered through my fingers, drying away my tears.

I circled the park, finally finding a kite stand in a little out-of-the-way corner.

There was a white-haired old man there, engrossed in his work of hand-painting the kites.

Old Man: Young lady, do you want to paint something?

{{MC}}: I… No, just write something for me.

I paused a moment–

{{MC}}: All the best.

Old Man: Short and sweet. The simplest words are the most sincere…

The old man nodded, took up his brush, and wrote out the words.

Holding the kite, I walked on a hillside.

A boy sat under a Camphor tree, holding his legs, like the loneliest person in the world.

I walked forward and sat beside him.

{{MC}}: Were you talking to the cat that just went past?

Little Boy: Animals don’t understand human language.

He didn’t look at me and just kept staring silently at the ground.

I laughed. As my mouth curled up in a smile, tears also came trickling down.

{{MC}}: This is for you.

Little Boy: What for?

{{MC}}: It’s… to thank you, for telling me that animals don’t understand people.

The boy looked up calmly, took the kite from me, and softly said thank you.

I stood up and said goodbye to the boy.

Little Boy: Miss, you don’t want to fly it?

{{MC}}: Spring is over. Let’s fly it next year.

Without looking back, I left the park.

Too bad I didn’t have until spring next year.

(Gavin’s call: Goodbye)

[Main Story 18-23]

At very last, I finally found the house where Dad and I lived when I was little.

The mottled walls still had the lines on it marking how tall I was each year.

I passed my finger lightly over it, as if I was passing through all those years of my life.

{{MC}}: Dad, we’ll see each other again soon.

When I left, a light rain was falling.

It seemed like every time something big happened in my life, it rained.

I let the rain fall on my hair and shoulders. I’d never felt so at peace as I did in that moment.

I couldn’t keep anything– my dad, my friends, even the sunshine. But in that moment, I suddenly had everything– freedom, courage, and acceptance.

That’s it then. I’ve said goodbye to the past. Now go forward, and don’t look back.

*Pit-pat, pit-pat*

As I slowly raised my head, a shadow had covered me entirely.

A soaking-wet Victor stood before me.

He just stared at me, and time seemed to stop.

My heart quickened, then I held out my umbrella to him.

Victor: You went out without your phone.

{{MC}}: …I forgot…

Victor: Don’t wander off where I can’t find you, got it?

I nodded and walked away with him.

The August weather changed constantly. The rain died down. Our faces reflected in the puddles.

It seemed like the sun was going to come out–

{{MC}}: Victor, wanna make a bet with me?

{{MC}}: If I win, then you… you have to go back to the old you, ruthless and decisive.

{{MC}}: I bet that the future will change soon, because of me.

I could feel Victor halt for a moment.

Victor: What are you babbling about now?

{{MC}}: I’m just saying. Would you take the bet?

Victor: You seem pretty sure you’ll win.

{{MC}}: Because I am pretty sure.

Victor let out a laugh.

Victor: You won’t win.

{{MC}}: Why?

Victor: Did I ever say I’d take the bet in the first place?

{{MC}}: …You!

Victor: First, remember to take your phone with you when you go out, then you can make bets with me.

Without another word, we walked home in the sunny afternoon weather.

The days slipped by one after the other, and I felt better and better each day.

Every day was good. Every night I slept well. I just waited for the dream me to come find me again.

I thought that was how I’d spend the last week of my life, up until I received that letter.

As always, it appeared out of thin air on the coffee table, in a white envelope.

A foreboding of extreme danger crept up my chest.

Letter: The curtain is rising on humanity’s last battle royale, and you will witness the final endgame.

The location: Loveland City’s largest quarantine zone. The time: Tonight at 6 p.m.

My heart froze. The other me said in 7 days the world would end, there was still one day left!

So why this letter now?! Was someone throwing fuel on the fire before it all went up in flames?

And, he was putting the lives of all those people in the quarantine zone at risk.

I fell silent a long time, looking at the clock on the wall. It was 5 p.m.

As if holding out hope, the second hand didn’t keep turning– it was out of battery.

I hid the letter, put my phone at the head of the bed, and slipped out of Victor’s house.

At this moment, I had nothing, but I also feared nothing.

If he wanted me to step forward, then I would bravely answer the call.

I wasn’t dragging anyone into it, but I also wasn’t going to let this kind of thing happen again.

This was my first time coming to the central quarantine zone. It was at least a dozen floors high and looked forbidding and austere surrounded by a shell of dark grey rebar.

I got the sudden feeling that I had been here before.

Probably for the “battle royale”, there were no guards, just an automatic gate slowly closing.

I took a deep breath and was about to step inside–

??: {{mc}}.

In the howling wind, someone called my name.

A large hand grabbed my wrist as I was turning my head back.

Victor: You’d just go back on your word like that?

I opened my mouth but didn’t know what to say. The gate was about to close in front of me–

With a push, I freed myself from Victor and stepped inside.

{{MC}}: I’m sorry. I have to–

Before I could finish, the cicadas stopped, the wind stopped, the closing door stopped.

And me, I had stopped too.

I watched as Victor stepped through the crack in the gate and plodded toward me.

His jet-black eyes stayed locked on me as he marched forward.

I was anxious and uncomfortable, but I could move a muscle.

Don’t… please don’t come in here!

When he’d stopped in front of me, motion finally returned to the world.

{{MC}}: Why did you have to come in?

I shouted at him in frustration and ran back to the door, trying to force it open.

Victor pulled away my hand–

Victor: Is your bet still on the table?

{{MC}}: Huh?

Victor: Listen closely: I’ll make that bet with you.

He looked at me, his eyes piercingly cold.

Victor: Furthermore, I can guarantee that I’ll win.

[Main Story 18-25]

I was pulled inside behind Victor into a spacious lobby.

On all four sides were grey and white walls, and in the center of the space hung a gold cube.

Footsteps came down each hallway. Groups of people wearing quarantine uniforms came streaming into the lobby in endless procession.

I stopped a little girl passing by.

{{MC}}: What’s happened? Why is everyone coming here?

The girl kept going like she didn’t hear me. Her face was numb, like a walking corpse.

When the last person had entered the room, the doors were shut.

In this sea of people, Victor and I were in the very center. Everyone I could see stared around guardedly with an empty look in their eyes.

*ZZzz–* The sound of an electric current was heard. Everyone looked up at the noise.

??: The final performance has begun at last.

It was a hoarse voice that had been run through a modulator, with an evil glee to it that made it hard to discern if it was a man or a woman.

But still I felt an inexplicable, familiar feeling.

With a *bang*, the metal box in the center popped open and the sides lowered, revealing a transparent cube inside.

Four spotlights lit up on the box, illuminating a clear test tube placed inside– no, not just a test tube. Inside was half a vial of a clear liquid.

??: In front of you all, is the world’s one and only virus antidote.

My heart jumped into my throat.

I wasn’t the only one. The eyes of everyone there lit up like beasts awakening in a gloomy forest, their faces full of ravenous hunger.

??: But which lucky person shall receive it and be saved?

??: You all have five minutes– oh, heck, ten minutes. Use brute force to win it for yourself.

Before the voice had finished talking, Victor and I had been pushed to the edge of the lobby.

The packed crowd rushed forward, some falling, some shouting, stepping over each other in a frenzy.

Without weapons, they tore at each other with bare hands, which was even bloodier and more savage.

Children sobbed, the elderly cried for help, and flesh struck against flesh, all before my eyes.

Victor: I can’t… stop time right now.

I was locked in Victor’s arms, and his face was tense and cold.

Little Boy: Mama, help me! I’m hurt…

A little boy fell in front of us. His mother was pushed to the side and could only cry out in panic, but no one noticed or cared.

Seeing a group of people barreling the boy’s way, Victor pushed away the person stepping on him.

Victor: Outta the way!

The man that was pushed cursed and raised his fists, but Victor quickly put him in a wristlock.

{{MC}}: Are you okay?

I hastily helped the boy up.

Everyone around seemed to stop for a few seconds, but then they went back to scrabbling, and the people up ahead didn’t even notice the little incident.

{{MC}}: Everyone, settle down! I have a way…

{{MC}}: This vial only has one antidote. It can only cure one person. But I can ask the best scientist to research it…

I tried to convince the crowds, but no one paid any attention to me. My voice was like a drop of water in a raging river.

Stampeding feet were the cruelest of battle cries, signaling a war without gunfire.

Now I understood the true significance of this so-called battle royale.

This faceless person incited the most primitive desire in people with the greatest ease, and I was powerless before it.

All I could do was watch the bloodshed, the crying, and the looting unfold before me.

I didn’t fear danger or harm, but what if one day, that danger and harm was called humanity?

A feeling of deja vu came over me, fear, panic, despair…

Right now at this moment, there was absolutely nothing I could do.

A twisted cheer arose amidst the throng. A man was holding up the antidote, and the crowd erupted.

Victor and I exchanged looks and helped up people around us. Had it finally come to an end?

The piercing voice sounded again right on cue.

??: Congratulations. It’s yours.

Middle-Aged Man: Hahahaha, I’ve finally–

That moment, his eyes went wide as a knife slid into his stomach.

A knife-wielding younger man quickly snatched away the vial.

??: Why should only he get to have it! Kill him!

Someone shouted, and everyone rushed the young man as an even more savage brawl broke out.

People tore at each other. This war would never end!

I gripped Victor’s hands tightly as he placed them over my eyes. Tears covered my face.

{{MC}}: This was all by your design, wasn’t it?!

Ignoring everything, I shouted loudly in the direction the voice had come from.

??: You’re wrong. I never designed anything. This was all inevitable.

That person laughed, the shrill sound like fingernails on a chalkboard.

??: Look at these people. Some are writers, philanthropists, even movie stars. But in the face of desire, they’re no better than dogs.

As I swept over their faces devoid of anything but desire, something toppled in my heart.

??: This is the essence of humanity. Who would want to save people like this?

The voice laughed louder, a taunting tone mixed with endless malice and dread.

*Crash* The vial fell to the floor, and everyone crawled toward it, trying to get even a few drops.

The situation was becoming absurd, but it was all really happening!

I felt the world start spinning, and everything before me blurred as black and white lights strobed.

In that moment, all the fragments of the past flashed crazily in my mind…

Is this the humanity I want to protect?

Victor: {{mc}}, open your eyes. I’m by your side.

Victor: These people are who they are. And you’re still who you are.

I turned and looked despairingly at Victor. He held my hands tight.

??: Are these humans slaughtering themselves truly worth your compassion?

I closed my eyes and drew in Victor’s warmth and strength.

{{MC}}: These people…

I took in this grim and terrifying scene. My body was shaking, but I tried to keep my voice firm.

{{MC}}: They may not be, they may even be utterly contemptible, but this world still has people in it that I think are worth protecting!

{{MC}}: I won’t give up on my goal because of these people!

??: Then take a look at the kind of people your so-called righteous companions really are.

A clear image appeared on the wall.

{{MC}}: Gavin!

In the image, Gavin’s face was pained and mournful. Standing before him was little Perry!

Gavin raised a hand, covering the boy’s face. Where the hand touched, the boy’s body disintegrated.

Despair and pain came over the boy’s face, and the next second, he was completely annihilated.

Gavin knelt to the ground. I couldn’t see his face, only feel his overwhelming despair.

A pair of black boots appeared before Gavin.

It was him! The silver-haired man who looked just like Kiro!

He lifted his chin and spoke.

??: I need your strength.

The brief scene ended, leaving me speechless. It felt like something in me was slowly fading away.

[Main Story 18-26]

??: This is the true face of the world. Everyone you trust will hide from you, betray you. Only I won’t.

{{MC}}: Who are you?

*Bang– bang– bang* Gunshots rang out. Everyone in the lobby hit the floor like dominoes!

Victor covered me up in his embrace.

In a few seconds, the ground was covered with people, eyes wide and breathing heavy.

A thundering sound of footsteps came from outside, orderly and disciplined.

*Pow–* The door was busted open, and STF agents in full battle gear quickly surrounded the scene.

{{MC}}: Eli! What are you doing here?

Eli: STF received an alert that an Evolver was causing a deadly incident here. Seems we were too late.

{{MC}}: An alert?

I looked at Victor, and he shook his head at me.

Could it be that one of the crowd called the police?

Then, the lights went out, and the windows all locked shut. The whole lobby plunged into darkness.

I could just feel Victor’s tense breathing next to me.

Then a colored light lit up, then another, and another…

Before us appeared a high stage, dazzling like a kaleidoscope under the colored lights.

*Tap, tap, tap*… Slow, steady footsteps sounded exceptionally clear in the darkness.

I saw Eli turn around and give a look to his squad, and they all raised their guns.

Victor pulled me back a few steps out of their firing range.

Victor: No matter what happens next, you’re not to leave my side.

I nodded, but my eyes didn’t leave the stage. A crazy idea sprouted in my head–

The familiar tone and way of speaking, even so exaggerated– then that black dress appeared in view.

My thoughts froze in that moment.

It’s her… It’s really her… How could that be?!

As I looked at that familiar, 20-something-year-old face, I started to cry.

It was her. And she was me.

She was wearing an all-black dress, along with an angelic smile on her face.

She told me the world was ending, that I’d be reborn, that as Queen, I had a duty and a destiny.

Then that meant the plan I’d decided follow… was all a lie?

Eli looked at me in utter shock. He raised his gun, not knowing whether to stand down or not.

??: Finally, no one’s late. You’re all here.

That other me smiled and lifted her hem, making a curtsy.

{{MC}}: Who are you?

She looked at me, an innocent look on her face.

??: I’m you!

Victor: You are not her.

His voice was cold and resolute. I could feel his steady heartbeat through his grip on my hand.

A look of loathing flashed through the other me’s eyes.

??: I know what you’re trying to do. But I’m sorry to inform you, we are one and the same.

Then she looked at me with gentle eyes. I couldn’t feel an ounce of malice.

??: Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you, because you are me.

??: I know you made your decision. I really am proud of you. But really, you don’t want to die, right?

??: Now, I’m going to wipe out these normal humans and restore you to my side.

??: You see, if they’re all gone, then there’s no one to get in our way. Don’t you understand me?

She bit her lip and made a pathetic face.

{{MC}}: What do you mean?

??: Don’t worry. When they’re all exterminated, we’ll reawaken. Soon, all will come to an end.

She laughed and twisted up a frozen white ball of light with her finger.

The people on the ground suddenly arose, with grey complexions and lifeless eyes, just like zombies!

{{MC}}: What are you doing?

??: I said I wouldn’t harm you. Everything you’ve been through, I’ve been through too.

??: At first, we both chose sacrifice, but in the end, no one thanked me or remembered me. They even thought it was owed to them.

??: After being saved, they saw that the existence of Evolvers was a monster and a threat.

??: Since they were of no use, humanity thought, just exterminate. That started a widespread slaughter.

??: When you want humans to make war, just tell them there’s something more precious than life. When you want them to stop, just say nothing on earth is more precious than life.

Her face grew thick with grief. A pain swelled in my heart, as if I could feel her despair then.

??: Then I knew, love and faith are the falsest currencies in the world.

??: This world isn’t worth saving one bit, because humanity will always be sordid beasts.

??: When you’ve already made your decision, and you’re suddenly told this, it must hurt, right?

??: I just want you to know, sacrifice is useless. Killing them is the only way.

I couldn’t speak, and my body kept shaking. Victor was standing in front of me.

??: You still haven’t given up? Your plan is sure to fail. It will only open tomorrow. The Time Observor was quite clear on that.

Victor suddenly laughed, then turned his head and looked deeply in my eyes.

His gaze was like an unfathomable galaxy, calming my fiercely trembling heart.

I watched his hand hanging at his side slowly lift up–

What was he going to do?!

{{MC}}: Victor, you…

He gave me a deep look, then turned his head toward the other me.

Victor: You’re not her.

Victor: Your face and your body are the same, but there’s one place where you can’t match her.

??: What?

Victor: Her eyes.

A black look flashed in the other me’s eyes, then she chuckled and twiddled the pallid light ball–

??: No matter, it will be the same soon enough.

In a flash, the light on the stage contorted, and the girl’s light ball fell to the ground–

*Bang-bang-bang* Bullets rained down on the girl. I was pushed to the floor by Victor.

Amidst the gunfire, I could hear Eli’s intermittent words.

Eli: Sorry, {{mc}}. We got an order. We have to shoot her down!

Before I could answer, piercing pain exploded across my body, spreading quickly.

What was happening? Why did… I feel like I was getting shot too…?

I couldn’t speak. I could only clutch Victor’s clothes and bite my lip till I drew blood!

Shooting pain came one after another until I couldn’t think, or grasp that crucial truth–

Suddenly scenes from the past appeared before me.

I saw Victor sitting on the bed, wiping my tears away.

I saw Victor walking toward the attic to diligently put the cup back together.

I saw Victor following behind me, getting soaked in the rain, and holding an umbrella for me.

I also saw…

…his pained expression, how he let go of the broken sundial. The world suddenly turned to ashes.

In that moment, my heart was even more torn than it would be from ten thousand bullets.

I closed my eyes.

The sound of guns firing stopped. Victor helped me to my feet.

I saw the other me lying in a pool of blood, her body riddled with bullet holes.

She… she’s dead?

Then, a sudden, intense feeling of separation exploded in my heart.

{{MC}}: Careful!

Countless bullets paused mid-air along their trajectories. Thick smoke spread in the lobby.

Stop… Stop!

I gasped for breath and looked at Victor beside me, his body tensed up.

??: Heh.

The crisp voice sounded full of pity. In an instant, the gleaming metal objects reversed their direction, speeding towards us!

I hit the floor again. Everything was dark before me.

*Splat* The distinct sound of a bullet penetrating flesh sounded in my ear.

It was blood, spreading over my dress.

{{MC}}: Victor!

As if I had a gun to my temple, all the light drained from my world.

Victor winced, and his face went pale. Blood spurted from his stomach, staining his black jacket.

His hand fell to the side, cold as ice.

For a moment, I wished the bullet had gone through my body instead.

I trembled as I flipped him over, pressing on his stomach, my vision blurred with tears.

{{MC}}: Victor… Victor…

{{MC}}: Wake up… Victor…

As the blood gushed out, his face became almost transparent–

My heart felt like it was in a vice, and I couldn’t get a breath of air.

Fingers clutched my wrist, and then tenderly slipped away.

Victor: …Dummy, you’re pressing too hard.

He was almost laughing, but his mouth hadn’t formed a smile.

{{MC}}: Victor!

I wanted to hold his hand, but a strong impact laid me to the floor. A bloody-sweet liquid flowed from the corner of my mouth.

I saw the other me slowly stand up, not a scratch on her, and all around her were fallen soldiers.

??: You can’t kill me. After all these times, you still don’t understand?

She looked at me, and her tone became much gentler.

??: That hurt a lot just now, didn’t it? Do you finally believe that we are one?

Then she walked over to Victor, squatted down, and put her mouth next to his ear.

I couldn’t hear what she said. All I could see was Victor’s brow twist.

When will this catastrophe end?

I clenched my fists. The chaos was like the end of the world. I had no time left, nowhere to run.

[Main Story 18-28]

{{MC}}: Enough!

I looked at the girl and forced myself to stand up.

{{MC}}: You couldn’t be me. And I will never, ever become you.

??: We’ve come this far, and you’re still this stubborn.

{{MC}}: People who do wrong should be punished.

{{MC}}: But you don’t have the right to judge them. Nor do I. Only the law can do that.

{{MC}}: If I feel despair now, it’s because I’ve experienced love countless times before, from the humanity that you despise.

{{MC}}: Even if this world has many people not worth being saved by me.

{{MC}}: There are always some I want to protect, that make me think it’s all worth it.

I turned to that boy and his mother that we’d just helped up, now lying on the floor, hand in hand.

{{MC}}: See? Those people you see as filthy insects still have a shred of something you don’t understand.

{{MC}}: That is a bond, a karma binding them together.

{{MC}}: You’re not me, so you would never understand.

{{MC}}: Instead you must perpetrate your evil sins in your own name.

An indifferent sneer crept over the other me’s face. Then she elegantly walked beside me. Her body slowly became transparent, and she put her hand lightly on my shoulder.

??: My sins are yours as well, are they not? Then let’s start now.

??: This might hurt a bit. Brace yourself.

Before I could react, a flesh-tearing pain started penetrating my brain–

I could almost see her proud face melding into my body–

??: I will make you return to my body, and then destroy all of humanity.

Countless black-and-white images suddenly flashed before me…

She and I grieving together, crying together, lying on an operating table together, facing a car accident together, bleeding together…

That instant, an utterly terrifying thought consumed me.

She is me… I am her… I can feel all of her emotions and pain…

Victor knelt on one knee, gritting his teeth, and slowly– so slowly– stood up.

A silver light flashed in his right hand– it was the sundial watch.

The thing that would never change in every precognition.

I don’t know where I got the strength, but as if I’d used a lifetime’s worth, I grabbed Victor’s hand.

{{MC}}: Victor, I have a way, and I know it will succeed. Will you listen?

Victor: No need.

His black eyes seemed filled with too much he wanted to say.

My eyes moistened, and the tearing in my body seemed to pause for a second.

{{MC}}: You never let me finish talking. This time, you have to promise me.

An icy air spread over Victor’s face. If this was before, I would be apologizing in fear to him.

{{MC}}: Kill me.

I couldn’t look at him. I didn’t know how I even said those words.

Victor: SHUT UP!

{{MC}}: She’s entering my body now. If she succeeds, there’s no going back.

I wiped away a tear and tried to muster a smile.

{{MC}}: Don’t worry, I won’t die. Every other time, fate has snatched me from death. This time it will too.

{{MC}}: I’m begging you, don’t let the me that I was slip away. Will you?

Victor: Don’t even think about it!

His face grew whiter, and then he gripped my shoulders, his knuckles turning white.

{{MC}}: But in the future, you kill me! This is an unalterable fact!

I finally said it.

Because this is the future, the future you experienced.

That time in the attic, just now on the floor, I saw that scene you wouldn’t tell me about.

I saw you kill me.

I also saw your watch break, and your body get annihilated with everything.

The things that I see can never change.

So please, I’m asking you, kill me.

Give this world a beautiful future.

Please allow the people I want to protect to live on.

Blood blurred Victor’s shirt. He gritted his teeth, and his gaunt face twisted in anguish.

As he lifted the watch, I stepped forward, leaned on his chest, and hugged him.

A familiar, reassuring, caramel-scented air enveloped me.

I could feel his body stopped in place.

{{MC}}: You always ask me, why am I so bold, why so self-confident.

{{MC}}: I remember, the first time I saw you, I yelled in your face.

{{MC}}: But really, I’m timid. Often I’d rather hide from the world than face the truth.

{{MC}}: I’m afraid I’ll lose everyone around me, that I’ll end up alone.

I lifted my head and gave him my most tender look. Then I snatched the watch from his hand.

{{MC}}: You’ve never lost before. But this time, Victor, you lose.

{{MC}}: And I don’t want to be the dummy anymore.

Victor: Give that to me.

I put my hand behind me and shook my head stubbornly.

Victor: Give it to me. Come on.

{{MC}}: I finally beat you once.

I spoke in fits and starts. Inside me, the most intense fire seemed to be burning my heart.

{{MC}}: Victor, in the future, you need to smile more. Don’t always be alone.

{{MC}}: I’m really in pain now. Please, kill me. I beg you.

I had no more strength to speak, and no more strength to cry.

It would all end soon, right? Everything would go back to the way it was.

My company would keep going, right? Anna would surely take them to #1 in Loveland– no, the country.

Kiro would come back, right? He’d keep being the brightest star and the baddest hacker. I’d so like to know if he sees that bag of chips I left for him.

Lucien’s research would succeed, right? It must. He’s so smart, he can solve any crisis. I just have to postpone that date to fly kites for a lifetime.

Gavin… Gavin would definitely have it hard.

I don’t believe he killed the boy. In my heart, he’s that boy that’s always just and accepting. What must have happened to him…

I didn’t have time to find out, and never would.

Dad, I’ll see you soon. I wonder if I can make you proud now.

I now truly understood my choice. It wasn’t to be a hero, nor for so-called justice or grand love.

It was for that unbreakable karma between us.

Right now I was so happy I could only see the futures of others and not my own fate. It let me be surprised, prevented me from running away, and made me accept it willingly.

That consciousness kept pouring into my body. I felt like I could no longer fully control myself.

I didn’t know how I looked in Victor’s eyes. I could only see his red eyes and distraught demeanor.

I also saw scenes of each time he traveled through time.

I saw him break the watch and return to the past.

I saw him lean in my ear and tell me, tomorrow was a new day.

I didn’t want to see any more. It turned out, I was a fool to the end, and all those familiar feelings were real, that I’d been through countless scenes like this.

It turned out, I’d given him pain so many times.

Victor stepped toward me, alone and forlorn.

Behind him, a white light in the air shone in all directions.

Victor: {{mc}}, I don’t admit defeat. I’ll still win that bet.

Victor: I always do what I say I will.

Then he raised a dagger tremblingly, tears falling from his bloodshot eyes.

I closed my eyes, struggling to lift the corners of my mouth and give him one last smile.

{{MC}}: Victor, carry my memory, and live on.

It turned out, death wasn’t that painful.

In the last second before my consciousness dissipated, I heard these surreal words:

Victor: No matter where you are, I’ll always find you.

I opened my mouth and disappeared into the air.

That person, was you all along.

It was a white sky, and streams of people wearing white, their faces brimming with happiness.

It was a re-opened amusement park, a school back in session, a beautiful world without me anymore.

I laughed, turned my head, and saw my still face. Beside my body was the other me.

I reached out but didn’t feel her breathing.

I floated for days in a pure white world, aimless, watching my hair grow longer and my skin wrinkle.

Time didn’t seem to move forward, and cruelly, it also wouldn’t let me go.

*Tick-tock* It was the sound of a second hand moving.

??: If I were still a little kid, I definitely wouldn’t let you have the last bag of chips.

??: You should watch yourself. Someone can’t come to your rescue every time.

??: Looking for Lucien? What’s your business?

??: Surprised? You probably thought I would be in a jail rather than a police station, right?

*Drip* A bead of water fell on my eyelash.

I saw two of me open their eyes.