Chapter 13

I remembered everything. It all connected. Or more accurately, I remembered that I ended up in an accident and that I had traveled back in time. And now, I realized that Aki-Kun is time leaping, creating loops in the process. I had forgotten everything, but now I know that this was the third tragedy. And that each time I end up in this state, I will remember it all.

Listening to what the doctor and my family said to piece it together, I apparently was shot. The perpetrator was a graduate of our university. Unable to find a job after graduating, and with no lover to live for, he became tired of his life, self-harming and violent, and then stole a gun from a police officer. The perpetrator was caught and confessed, saying "Since I didn't get to live a fulfilling life, I wanted to raise hell at my former university. Anybody would have been fine, but I happened to spot a man and woman who looked like a shitty couple, so I got pissed and shot that bitch."

However, it was already too late for me. A traffic accident, getting crushed by a steel beam, and getting shot…the causes were all different, and yet I ended up in the exact same situation. Something doesn't add up. It's like some mysterious power is at work, which forces me into this state. That power…could it be that voice? Whatever it was, there was nothing I could do. I was simply locked in everlasting darkness, unable to move by myself, as I heard Aki-Kun muttering 'I'm sorry' over and over.

And this time continued for what felt like forever.

*

It felt like I had a long nightmare, barely amounting to any proper sleep. When I woke up, my throat felt like it was on fire, as I fought back the urge to vomit. I prayed and grabbed my phone to check the date. But alas—July 7th, Wednesday.

"I…I'm back…"

After that shooting at the university, I spent around a month without looping back to this day. Once I fail, the loop doesn't immediately repeat. That was just wishful thinking. And as the loop never arrived, I had almost assumed that it was all over. Every time I went to bed, I prayed that the next time I woke up, I would be given a second chance. And yet, I was greeted by despair as time simply passed. However, that endless repeat was finally over.

"This time…! I'll never let anything like that happen again…!" I stormed out of my house and rushed to Ayaka.

"Ayaka…!"

Opening the door, she greeted me.

"Wah, Aki-Kun?! What happened…?"

Ayaka…is there. She stood on her own feet. Her eyes were open. And…she was talking with me.

"S-Aki-Kun?!"

Before I realized it, I was already crying. The sight of Ayaka bedridden in the last loop was still burned into my retinas. But being able to speak with her…having her in front of me like this…I was just so happy.

"Ayaka, I'm sorry…I'm really sorry…!"

"Huh? Huh? What are you apologizing for? And why are you crying?"

"Ayaka, I…I…!"

She tightly embraced me. My face was buried in her chest, as she gently caressed my hair.

"Um…I don't really get what's going on, but it's okay. It'll all be okay." When I raised my head, Ayaka showed me a warm smile. "You didn't do anything that you would have to apologize for. So, calm down. Everything will be okay, yeah?"

She doesn't remember a thing. She probably thinks I just woke up from a nightmare, as her smile was heavenly innocent. But, it wasn't a dream. I would never be able to forget that one month. When she was shot and never woke up again…That's right! This isn't the time to be crying!

"Ayaka."

"Yeah? What's wrong?"

"I beg you…Don't leave the house. Not today, not tomorrow," I said, and just as I had hoped, Ayaka agreed without asking a thing.

Like this, one day passed, a second day passed, and even though I was mentally prepared for disaster to strike any minute, everything was peaceful, as if to betray all my worries. But, as if to portray my mental state, the usual clear blue sky was filled with dark clouds.

"…Hey, Aki-Kun, are you okay? You've got bags under your eyes…You haven't gotten any sleep, right?"

"…Don't worry…about me…"

Nothing happened. I can't do anything, either…And I haven't even found a way out of this. A mixture of relief and sheer terror mixed inside of me, leaving me unable to rest properly, as I was slowly drained of my physical and mental strength.

"…Hey, Ayaka. Can you stay inside again today…?"

"O-Okay. I'll do as you tell me…But please, get some rest, Aki-Kun?"

"…Thanks. But, I'm okay."

I wasn't okay. This was the third day I haven't even stepped out of Ayaka's room. I've practically gone rooted to the floor. Are we…forced to stay in her room forever? That won't work…No, if this is the only method to save her, then I can live with that. That being said, Ayaka's parents…and even mine, they're slowly growing suspicious. They don't think too highly of the fact that I'm forcing Ayaka to take time off uni and work, and I'm slowly starting to run out of excuses. That being said, they won't believe my circumstances either. And eventually, night arrived, forcing me to return to my own home.

"Ayaka…I told you yesterday and the day before, but don't go outside. No matter what, you hear me?"

"Yeah, I promise. But…please, get some rest. You're going to die if you keep going like this."

"…I can't sleep. I will never know when it'll happen next…"

I meant to keep my weakness to myself, but as I was physically and mentally exhausted, I blurted out what was on my mind. Yet, Ayaka took my hand and showed me a warm smile.

"…Then you should get some sleep. You're…trying to protect me from something, right? If you can't even move in your current state, then I'll be helpless. That's why you really have to get some rest." Surprisingly enough, Ayaka spoke in a harsh tone, using herself as an excuse. "So please…sleep, okay?"

Ayaka knew that I wouldn't be able to say no after that. She's…really amazing. Despite me telling her not a thing, she easily gave me the words I needed to hear. And that is exactly why I want to protect her…which requires me to take a rest.

"…Okay. But, really…Don't leave your house. If there's anything you need, I'll buy it for you. And even if someone comes to see you, don't carelessly open the door. Keep your windows closed, too. If anything happens, contact me. We're neighbors, so I'll come running immediately."

"Yeah. Thank you, Aki-Kun."

Even as I live through this hell, Ayaka's smile is always a saving grace. She genuinely believes me and is worried about me. This made me realize that I had to work harder. I had to get some rest so that I'm back to full health and ready to protect her—But why did I think that and actually go to bed? Even after the second tragedy, I was still naive.

I was reminded that even the most absurd of misfortune—does exist. When I woke up the next morning, I learned that Ayaka had ended up paralyzed after lightning struck their house while she was taking a bath.