Arrival at the Mall – The Calm Before the Storm
11:30 AM.
We finally arrived.
The moment we stepped out of the car, I had to tilt my head back—almost 90 degrees—just to see the top of the building.
It was huge.
Towering over us like a monument of endless possibilities.
Inside, the place was packed.
Stores of every kind. A sea of people. The constant noise of footsteps, chatter, and distant music.
Anari's Excitement
Anari:(Eyes wide, sparkling.)"Ooooh! Woooow! It's so big!"
She spun around, completely in awe.
(Writer: Yeah, I know that…smiles freakily.)
I couldn't help but smirk at her excitement.
Asahi:"Wow… I didn't expect it to be this massive."
(you know what else is MASSIVE!)
Mom's First Move – Clothing Stores
Mom:(Eyes lock onto something like a sniper.)"Honey, that's a clothing store! Let's go!"
Dad:(Shit.)
His face visibly darkened.
He looked at the store. Expensive brands, fancy designs.
Dad (thinking):(It looks expensive as hell… I can already hear my wallet crying…)
Then—he turned to me, a desperate expression on his face.
Dad:"EVERYTHING HERE COSTS MORE THAN MY MONTHLY SALARY!!"
Dad:(Shouts.)"ASAHI!! SAVE ME!!"
(Joking, but also not joking.)
Asahi turned to his dad.
His father's pleading eyes screamed for mercy.
The weight of a dying wallet could be seen on his face.
But Asahi—a warrior of fate, a time traveller with a mission—
Could only say:
Asahi:"Sorry, Dad."(Apologetic face.)
His father visibly deflated.
Dad (thinking):(I raised a traitor… My own blood…!)
Anari:(Eyes sparkling.)"Let's go to the dressing section!"
Before Asahi could even react, she grabbed his arm and pulled him forward.
Asahi:"Yeah, let's go—"
Then, he remembered.
The weight of the Dimensional Dream.
The haunting deaths of his parents.
The enemy lurking in the shadows.
His expression hardened.
His grip tightened.
Asahi:"Everyone—STAY NEAR ME."
A sudden shift.
The air changed.
Anari blinked, slightly confused.
Anari (thinking):(What's with him…? He's acting weird… Is he even sleeping?)
The dressing section was a battlefield of luxury.
Clothes everywhere.
Rows of brands. Endless racks. Colors clashing.
It was like stepping into a different dimension.
For a moment, even Asahi—a man who had seen death itself—
Felt overwhelmed.
Dad's Financial Nightmare
Dad (thinking):(This place smells expensive… My money… my poor, poor money…! )
His face visibly aged ten years.
Then—the final blow.
Mom:(Cheerful.)"Kids! Buy anything you want!"
A single tear rolled down Dad's cheek.
Anari:(Excited.)"Yay!!"
Asahi turned.
His father's soul was leaving his body.
Their eyes met.
A silent conversation took place.
Dad (telepathic):"Son, please. Stop this madness."
Asahi (telepathic):"There is no stopping it now, Father. Accept your fate."
Asahi:(Whispers.)"Sorry, Dad."
His father collapsed emotionally.
Anari:(Holding up a red dress, eyes shining.)"How is it?!"
Asahi froze.
For the first time today—he was truly stuck.
His brain entered a paradox.
(Huh…? Think… think… what should I say? )
The dress looked good… but…
In his mind, he saw her wearing something else.
A light pink dress.
With a brown coat.
That was it. That was the perfect choice.
So—
Asahi:"Nah."
Anari's face dropped.
The light in her eyes dimmed just a little.
For a split second, Asahi felt FEAR.
Then—
Before she could react, he quickly grabbed another outfit.
A short black skirt.
Asahi:"How about this one?"(Cool and casual.)
Anari's cheeks turned slightly red.
She looked at him.
Then at the skirt.
Then back at him.
Anari (thinking):(Why did he pick that so fast? Did he imagine me wearing it…?)
For a moment, Asahi thought she'd reject it.
But instead—
She smiled.
And that moment, for just a second—
The nightmare of time loops, the fear of death, the weight of his mission—
Didn't exist.
Just him, Anari, and a black skirt.
Anari:(Huh? Looks down.)"The skirt is… short…"
(Writer: It would be perfect. (Smiles freakily.)[1]
Asahi:(Annoyed.)"Hey! That's my line!"
Back to the story.
Asahi cleared his throat.
Then, with a totally normal, not at all suspicious smile—
Asahi:"It would be perfect."
The Changing Room – Asahi's Growing Paranoia
Anari:(Excited.)"Let me change, then!"(Heads into the dressing room.)
Asahi:"Oh! Yeah—"
Then it hit him.
The second the door closed.
Asahi (thinking):(Wait… what if she dies in there? What if something happens the moment I look away?)
His heartbeat spiked.
He couldn't see her.
He couldn't protect her.
His breath shortened.
Asahi (thinking):(I can't go inside like that… but… she's completely out of my view… What should I do…?)
The heartbeat in his ears grew louder.
Then—
A sinister thought.
Asahi:(Whispers.)"One peek won't hurt… right?"
His hand twitched.
Then—
The door swung open.
Anari:(Bright smile.)"How is it?"
Asahi's brain shut down.
Oxygen? Gone.
Motor functions? Not responding.
Ability to speak? Error 404.
She looked…
Perfect.
His thoughts?
(Fuck… I should've peeked earlier.)
Asahi:"Oooo—"
Then, a wave of panic.
Asahi (thinking):(Wait, what am I thinking?!)
Anari waved her hand in front of his face.
Anari:"Hey…?"
Asahi:(Snaps back.)"Sorry! I was spaced out…"
A deep breath.
Then, with a genuine smile—
Asahi:"It looks stunning."
Her face turned slightly red.
Then, she smiled back.
Anari:"Let's go to the food section! Or maybe accessories!"
Asahi:"Yeah, let's g—"
Then—
His body stopped.
His eyes widened.
Something was wrong.
His parents.
He hadn't seen them for a while.
Asahi (thinking):(Wait… I haven't seen my parents… where are they?)
The mall was crowded.
But his parents were gone.
A deep sense of dread filled his chest.
Asahi:(Sharp breath.)"Anari."
Anari:(Confused.)"Huh?"
Asahi grabbed her hand.
And started running.
The Search Begins – Then It Happens
Asahi (thinking):(Look carefully. Where are they? Focus. Don't panic.)
His eyes scanned the crowd.
Anari:(Panicked, shouting.)"What happened?!"
Then—
A hand reached out.
And someone stopped him.
Asahi: (Huh?)
Dad: "Where are you going? Are you trying to run away with her?"(Grinning, teasing tone.)
Anari: (Blushes, flustered.)"No! It's not like that!"
Asahi: (Stern, eyes sharp.)"Always stay near me… both of you… please."
The sudden seriousness in his voice made the air shift.
Dad: "Yeah, yeah."(Glancing at him.)(What's going on with him…?)
Mom: (Smiling, but observant.)"Oh my~"
They walked into an accessories store, the bright lights reflecting off glass cases filled with jewellery and trinkets.
Asahi's eyes never stopped scanning the area.
Every reflection.
Every shadow.
Every movement.
Something was wrong.
Dad: (In thought, watching Asahi carefully.)(There's something he's trying to do… He's struggling alone… but not saying anything. Why…?)
Mom: (Soft whisper to Dad.)"Honey… just leave him alone. He knows what he's doing."
Dad: (Frowning, arms crossed.)"..."
Asahi's grip tightened into a fist.
(I have to keep them safe… No matter what.)
Something was coming. He could feel it.
And he wasn't sure if he was ready.
Mom:(Softly, watching Asahi.)"He's trying very hard for something we don't know… Looks like he won't tell us."(Smiles.)
Dad:(Arms crossed, nods.)"Mmm…"
Anari's eyes sparkled as she suddenly pointed ahead.
Anari:"Look at that necklace! A blue one!"
Asahi:(Flat tone, no expression.)"Yeah, let's go there."
Anari's smile faltered slightly.
(Is he even enjoying this…?)(She wondered.)
She picked up the necklace, letting the cool metal rest in her palm.
Anari:(Soft smile.)"How is it?"
Asahi's gaze flickered toward her.
His voice was hollow.
Asahi:"Yeah, it's good."
No reaction. No warmth.
Just blank emptiness.
Anari frowned.
Meanwhile, Asahi's mind was somewhere else entirely.
(I have to stay alert… My brain needs to keep working… Eyes on both of them at all times… No distractions… No mistakes…)
His fingers twitched.
His breathing slowed.
His instincts screamed.
Something was off.
The mall felt too normal. Too perfect.
Anari's eyes lowered slightly.
(His eyes… they're always moving… Is he bored with me?)
She swallowed, her chest tightening.
(Does he even like walking with me?)
Then—
Anari:"Hey! Asahi!"
Asahi's head snapped toward her.
His expression? Blank. Emotionless.
Asahi:"What?"
Anari hesitated.
Then, her voice shook just a little.
Anari:"Are you even… ENJOYING YOURSELF?"
A pause.
Asahi blinked.
Asahi:(Huh?)
Anari:"Your eyes are always moving… What are you even searching for?"
Her fingers clenched around the necklace.
Anari:"Are you… bored?"
Asahi's Internal Collapse
His body stiffened.
Asahi (thinking):(Shit!)
His heartbeat spiked.
(She's right… They don't know what I'm going through… But I didn't even give her any attention…)
A dull ache settled in his chest.
(I'm a fool… She must be feeling sad, right?)
He inhaled sharply.
Then—he smiled.
But it wasn't real.
It was a mask.
Asahi:"You know what… I was looking at the girls."
Anari's eyes widened.
Asahi:"They were like GOLD."
A pause.
Anari's hands shook.
Her lips quivered.
Her eyes—glossy.
(She's about to cry.)
Then—
Asahi:"But I was lucky…"
He reached out.
Gently, his fingers brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
Asahi:"Because I got a shining diamond like you."
His smile didn't reach his eyes.
But his words—hit like a truck.
Anari.exe Has Stopped Working
Anari:(Huh?)
Her brain froze.
Her face—red.
Her heartbeat—skipping beats.
Anari:"Ah. Ah…"(Eyes darting left and right.)
Then—
Anari:"YOU DUMMY… DUMMY!"
She covered her face with both hands.
Then—died from blushing.
Asahi's Mask Slips For A Moment
He reached out.
Pats her head.
Asahi:"This is the best day of my life."
His voice—gentle, yet forced.
Asahi:"Because of you."
Then, with a forced but convincing smile—
Asahi:"Thank you."
Anari, still covering her face, peeked at him through her fingers.
Her chest tightened.
(What happened to him…? Until yesterday… he was just a kid… but now… he feels like a man.)
She bit her lip.
(Did something happen to him?)
Asahi's True Thoughts – A Mind Still in Battle
He glanced at the necklace in her hand.
Then, without thinking—he took it.
But deep inside, the weight in his chest never faded.
His eyes flickered toward his parents, scanning the area again.
Something was coming.
No matter how much he smiled.
No matter how much he acted normal.
He knew.
The day wasn't over yet.
And neither was the nightmare.
Asahi moved slowly.
His fingers brushed against Anari's skin as he clasped the necklace around her neck.
The cool metal rested gently against her collarbone.
He stepped back.
Then, forcing a smile—
Asahi:"Perfect!"
Anari blinked.
Then—she smiled beautifully.
Anari:"THANK YOU!"
Her eyes shone with happiness.
For a second—just a second—Asahi felt a warmth in his chest.
But it was gone before he could hold onto it.
A Mask That's Starting to Crack
Asahi's lips curled into another forced smile.
Asahi (thinking):(They're worrying about me… I have to hide my feelings. I have to do better. Smile better. Act normal. Make them think I'm enjoying this trip.)
He inhaled deeply—then exhaled.
Asahi:"Yeah… let's purchase it."(Smiles forcefully.)
Meanwhile… A Father's Worst Nightmare
His dad stood behind them.
Tears streaming down his face.
Dad (thinking):(My money… my soul… my existence… it's all gone…)
Then—the final attack.
Mom:"Honey! Buy me this ring!"
She pointed at a ring with a deep red stone.
His father stiffened.
Then—he turned.
His pupils shrank as he looked at the price tag.
Dad:(In horror.)"N-No… N-No no no… NOOOOOO!!"(Shouts echo across the store.)
After what felt like a financial execution, Asahi's father ended up purchasing everything they suggested.
Asahi stood silently, glancing down at his watch.
5:30 PM.
The day was ending.
But something still felt off.
The air felt too light.
As if the weight of fate hadn't arrived yet.
Dad:(Wiping tears.)"So… let's go home."
His voice shook with emotion.
Not because of the beautiful memories.
But because of the horrific damage to his wallet.
His father held the shopping bags close, torn between suffering and satisfaction.
Dad:(Sniffles, forcing a smile.)"I bought so much… Haha… I'm happy…"
Asahi stared at him.
(He's dying inside…)
Anari turned toward Asahi, her eyes shining.
Anari:"I really enjoyed myself today… Thank you, Asahi."
Asahi paused.
For a moment, his chest tightened.
Then—he forced another perfectly crafted smile.
Asahi:"Yeah… I enjoyed myself because of you."(Smiles forcefully.)
Anari blinked.
Then, she lowered her gaze.
Her hands clenched slightly.
(That smile… why does it feel so fake?)
His mother's eyes lingered on him.
Asahi:(Noticing.)"What?"(Smiling, but his voice is slightly tense.)
Mom:(Quickly looking away.)"N-Nothing."
She knew.
Asahi was hiding something.
But she didn't know what.
Dad:"Alright, let's go."
Everyone entered the car.
The doors closed.
The engine roared to life.
Dad:"Alright, first we'll stop at Anari's house to drop her off, then we'll head home."
Anari:(Smiling.)"Thank you, Uncle!"
Asahi sat silently.
Then—his heart stopped.
(Wait… If she goes into her house… she'll be out of my vision.)
His fingers tightened.
His thoughts spiraled.
(I should tell her to stay at my house… But—)
His throat dried.
His lips parted slightly.
But the words wouldn't come out.
Asahi (thinking):(No… Nooo… I can't say that… No, I'm an idiot! What am I even thinking?!)
His heartbeat thumped violently.
(There must be another way…!)
His eyes darted toward the window.
The streets blurred past them.
Asahi (thinking):(The distance between her house and mine is only five minutes… So basically, I can't sleep. I should stay awake, stay alert… and visit her house at the dead of night… Then return to mine. And repeat.)
His hands trembled slightly.
(But the problem is…)
(There's still a five-minute gap.)
A gap where anything could happen.
A gap where he wouldn't be there.
A gap that could mean the difference between life and death.
His stomach twisted.
They finally reached Anari's house.
She turned around, her smile soft but full of warmth.
Anari:"Thank you for everything. I really enjoyed today… Thank you, Asahi."
Asahi simply waved his hand.
Asahi:"Bye."(A small, forced smile.)
She waved back as the car pulled away, disappearing into the night.
The car rolled to a stop.
They had reached his house.
His father stretched, letting out a deep sigh.
Dad:"I'm exhausted. I'm heading straight to bed."
Mom:"Yeah, me too…"
Asahi nodded.
Asahi:"Yeah, me too… Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad."(Smiles forcefully.)
They both walked to their rooms.
Doors closed.
The house fell into silence.
The Sleepless Man Rises
Asahi sat on his bed.
His breathing steady.
Then—his eyes snapped open.
His fingers curled into fists.
Asahi (thinking):(This is my chance…)
He slowly got up.
The room was dimly lit by the streetlights outside.
His movements were silent, calculated.
He stepped toward the door.
Then—he left his room.
The night had only just begun.
Slowly, he opened the door.
His breath was steady.
His body tense.
His sharp gaze scanned the area.
Asahi:"Mm… clear."
Then, with silent steps, he slipped out of the house.
Asahi:(Glances at his watch.)
Time: 10:00 PM.
He inhaled deeply.
Then—he ran.
His feet slammed against the pavement.
His breath came out in short bursts.
His destination—Anari's house.
He arrived, panting.
His eyes darted across the area.
Asahi:(Breathless.)"Everything is… clean."
A sharp turn.
A deep inhale.
Then—he ran back home.
He arrived at his house.
His gaze swept across the surroundings.
Nothing.
No movement.
No danger.
Asahi:"Mmm… clean."
He glanced at his watch again.
Time: 10:10 PM.
Run.
Back to Anari's house.
His legs burned.
His chest ached.
But—
Asahi:"Mm… clear."
His body felt heavy.
His stamina was dropping.
But he couldn't stop.
Time: 10:15 PM.
Again.
Run.
Again.
Check.
Again.
Breathe.
Again.
AGAIN.
AGAIN.
4 Hours Later – A Body Pushed to Its Limits
His legs felt like lead.
His vision blurred.
He stood, swaying, outside Anari's house.
His breath came out ragged.
His lungs burned.
His entire body trembled.
A sharp nausea clawed at his stomach.
Asahi:(Voice weak.)"I… I feel dizzy… I can't even… think straight…"
His stomach lurched.
His vision darkened.
His vision wavered.
His body felt like it was sinking into the earth.
Asahi:"My… vision…"
His breath shook.
His stomach twisted.
Then—
A sharp, gut-wrenching realization.
The door to Anari's house creaked open.
Slow.
Too slow.
And from the darkness—
A figure emerged.
Dressed in a black suit with white strips.
Something dangled from his fingers.
A chain.
A familiar chain.
A necklace.
Anari's necklace.
The one Asahi put on her with his own hands.
Asahi's heartbeat slammed into his chest.
A violent chill crawled up his spine.
His fingers curled into weak fists.
Then—his voice cracked.
Asahi:"Oi…"(Breath heavy, eyes wild.)
His teeth gritted; his jaw clenched so tight it hurt.
Asahi:"Who the HELL ARE YOU?!"
His eyes darted everywhere—reading every movement, every breath.
Then—
The man stopped moving.
His head tilted slightly.
Then, for the first time—he looked at Asahi.
The Man with the Hunter Eyes
The moonlight hit his face.
And what Asahi saw—
Was not human.
His eyes—
Completely white.
Not a single trace of pupils.
Just pure, endless void.
Like a hunter staring at dying prey.
The Black Man:(Voice deep, inhuman.)"Ah… You found me."
Asahi's body froze.
His skin prickled.
His mouth opened, but his throat felt dry as dust.
Then—
A single question left his lips, trembling with rage.
Asahi:"What…?"
Then he snapped.
Asahi:(Screaming.)"WHAT DID YOU DO TO THEM?!"
His voice echoed through the night.
His rage drowned out the pain in his body.
His breath grew ragged.
His fingernails dug into his palms, shaking.
And in front of him—
The man in black smiled.
The man in black stood motionless.
His white hunter eyes locked onto Asahi.
Then—his body began to fade.
Like smoke dissolving into the night.
Black Man:(Deep, distorted voice.)"Why are you even trying…?"
His disappearing hand slowly raised.
A single finger pointed at Asahi.
His smile widened.
Black Man:"JUST GIVE UP."
Then—
He was gone.
Vanished.
Like he was never there to begin with.
Asahi staggered forward.
His breathing hitched.
His body refused to stop shaking.
Then—
A realization clawed into his brain.
Anari.
Where is she?!
Asahi:(Huh? Eyes darting wildly.)"AAAAAARRRRRI!!! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
His scream cut through the night.
No response.
Just dead silence.
His chest tightened.
Asahi:(Shaking, voice raw.)"FUCK!!!"(Shouts.)
His body felt cold.
But rage burned in his veins.
Asahi:(Panting, trembling.)"Did he just… disappear…?"
His mind couldn't process it.
His body moved on instinct.
A slow, unsteady step.
Then another.
Then—
He was standing at the entrance.
His fingers twitched.
His breath grew uneven.
But still—
He reached for the doorknob.
Inside The Darkness
The door creaked open.
A gust of cold air met his skin.
His lungs felt heavy.
He took a step inside.
The house was dark.
Too dark.
His eyes strained to see.
Then—
A shadow.
Something on the floor.
Something still.
Something wrong.
Then He Saw It.
A hand.
Small.
Delicate.
Fingers barely moving.
Asahi's stomach twisted violently.
A bitter, acidic taste rose in his throat.
He stumbled back—
Then—
He vomited.
His throat felt dry.
His breath ragged.
His eyes locked onto the brutal sight before him.
A hand.
Not just any hand.
A hand so mangled, so destroyed, he couldn't even tell who it belonged to.
Asahi's body shook.
His hands twitched violently.
His vision blurred.
Then—his throat tightened.
A small, broken voice left his lips.
Asahi:"He… he… h—"
Then—
Asahi:"AAAAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!"(Screams.)
His voice tore through the silence.
Touching the Nightmare
His body moved on instinct.
His trembling fingers reached forward.
Then—he grabbed the hand.
His grip tightened slightly.
But the moment his skin touched it—
A sharp wave of nausea slammed into him.
His mind went blank.
(I… I can't even recognize who this belongs to…)
The skin.
The shape.
The texture.
Everything about it felt wrong.
Unnatural.
Beyond brutal.
Beyond words.
Asahi couldn't even describe it.
It was just—
A piece of someone who was once alive.
Running From The Truth
His breath hitched.
His grip loosened.
Then—he let go.
He couldn't do this.
He wouldn't do this.
His body moved on its own.
Asahi turned—
And he ran.
The cold night air hit his skin.
His steps were slow, dragging.
His body felt like it was floating—like he wasn't even real anymore.
His vision blurred with tears.
His voice shook.
Asahi:(Whispers.)"Why… why… Just leave me alone…"
His hands curled into fists.
Then—
His legs collapsed.
His knees slammed onto the pavement.
His whole body shook uncontrollably.
Then—
He cried.
Not small, weak sobs.
Not silent tears.
But a deep, ugly, uncontrollable cry.
His voice cracked, raw, painful.
His shoulders shook violently.
Asahi:(Sobbing.)"I don't want to loop the time… I don't want to…!"
His hands clawed at his own hair.
His head lowered to the ground.
His voice grew hoarse.
Asahi:(Screaming.)"I JUST WANT TO SLEEP PEACEFULLY!!!"
His voice echoed into the empty night.
Asahi:(Screaming, voice raw.)"JUST LET ME SLEEP!!!"
His voice echoed into the empty night.
His lungs burned.
His body was barely holding itself together.
He tilted his head toward the sky.
His gaze locked onto the stars above—
Beautiful. Cold. Distant.
Tears slipped down his cheeks, tracing lines against his dry, cracked lips.
His sunken eyes held nothing but pure exhaustion.
His skin, slightly shriveled, pale under the moonlight.
He was alive.
But barely.
His legs dragged forward.
His body moved on instinct.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Until finally—
He stood before his house.
Then, he noticed.
THE DOOR.
It was—
ALREADY
OPENED.
A sharp wave of nausea hit him.
His stomach tightened painfully.
His breathing slowed.
His hands curled into weak fists.
His throat dried.
He already knew.
Deep down, he already fucking knew.
But still—
His feet moved forward.
One step.
Then another.
Until he was inside.
Inside the Silent House
The air was thick.
Unnaturally cold.
His footsteps echoed softly.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
He walked slowly toward the living room.
His body already knew what was coming.
His mind was preparing itself.
But nothing could truly prepare him.
For what he was about to see.
He opened the door to the living room.
The moment he stepped inside—
His breath stopped.
His mind shattered.
The floor.
It was soaked in blood.
Deep, dark red.
Dripping.
Pooling.
A foul, metallic stench filled the air.
It was everywhere.
It stained the walls.
It painted the ceiling.
It was as if the house itself had bled out.
And then—
His eyes moved up.
His Parents Were Hanging.
Lifeless.
Swinging slightly.
Like puppets with their strings cut.
His mother—her hand was missing.
His father—his legs were gone.
Just empty, brutalized flesh dripping onto the floor.
A Soundless World Before The Storm
Asahi stood there.
His body didn't move.
His mouth didn't open.
For the first time—
His mind was completely blank.
A silence so deep, it felt like the world itself had stopped.
Then—
A single breath.
A single thought.
And then—
Asahi.
He inhaled.
His hands twitched violently.
His pupils shrunk into nothingness.
His lips curled—
Into something twisted.
Something not human.
Then—
He laughed.
A dry, breathless, broken laugh.
Then—
Asahi:"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRHHHHHHHH!!!!"
His scream shook the house.
His hands clawed into his own skin.
His breath came out in violent bursts.
His eyes—
They weren't searching for answers.
They weren't searching for hope.
They were searching for him.
The Birth of Pure Murder
His fingers curled inward, trembling.
His nails dug into his palm.
His hands—
They were starving.
They ached.
They twitched violently.
They wanted to rip.
To tear.
To plunge into flesh and rip out a beating heart.
They wanted him.
The Black Man.
His voice turned hoarse.
His throat felt raw.
But he couldn't stop.
He wouldn't stop.
Asahi:(Muttering, shaking, grinning through the madness.)
"I will kill you."
"Kill you. Kill you. Kill you."
"I will kill you with my own hands."
"AAARRRHH!! KILL YOU! KILL YOU! KILL YOU!"
"YOU WILL BE KILLED BY ME!"
"I SWEAR—NO MATTER WHAT—"
His voice rose into pure, untamed insanity.
His breath quickened.
His mind roared.
His eyes, wide, shaking—
And then—
A final whisper.
A promise soaked in blood.
Asahi:"I WILL KILL YOU."
Asahi staggered up the stairs.
His breath was shaky.
His mind blank.
He reached his room.
His body moved on instinct.
He opened the drawer.
His hands didn't hesitate.
A small bottle of sleeping pills.
He popped the lid off.
Poured out ten.
Without thinking—
He swallowed them all.
No water.
No hesitation.
No fear.
He collapsed onto the bed.
His vision dimmed.
His breath slowed.
His body sank into the sheets.
As if the world itself was dragging him down.
Asahi (thinking):(I will loop the time… No matter how many times it takes… I will not GIVE UP… until the end…)
His eyelids grew heavy.
His mind slipped away.
And then—
Darkness.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
The kind of quiet that reminded him—
Everyone was DEAD.
Then It Began.
THUMP.
A heartbeat.
THUMP.
Louder.
THUMP.
Faster.
THUMP.
The sound echoed into the void.
Surrounded By His Own Failure
His mind snapped open.
But he wasn't in his bed.
He wasn't in his house.
He was floating.
Surrounded by memories.
No—
Not memories.
Timelines.
The wasted loops.
The timelines where he slept.
Where he failed.
Where everything was lost.
Where his parents died.
Where Anari died.
Where he couldn't save anyone.
Asahi:(Eyes darting around, voice shaking.)"What's… happening?"
The timelines swirled around him.
Like a graveyard of his own mistakes.
Dimensional Dream – The Return
Then—
His eyes snapped open.
He was back.
Sitting.
In that white, endless void.
The Dimensional Dream.
FA stood before him.
Watching.
Expression unreadable.
A New Kind of Calm
FA:(Casual, raising an eyebrow.)"Huh. You came back."
Asahi:(Silent.)
He didn't react.
Didn't move.
Didn't even breathe heavily.
Just sat there.
FA tilted his head.
FA:"..."
Asahi's mind felt different.
Something had changed.
Asahi (thinking):(Why… do I feel calm?)
Everything in him should be screaming.
But he felt nothing.
His heart wasn't racing.
His hands weren't shaking.
His mind—
Was clear.
FA stood before him.
Expression unreadable.
His white void eyes scanned Asahi's face.
No rage.
No fear.
No desperation.
Just calm.
A disturbing, unnatural calm.
FA's lips curled slightly.
Then—he spoke.
FA:"You don't feel anger right now… do you?"
Asahi blinked.
His fingers twitched slightly.
His mind processed the words.
Then—
Asahi:"Ahhh…?"(A tired, slow realization.)
FA's gaze darkened.
He took a step forward.
His voice—low, unreadable.
FA:"This dimension…"
A pause.
A small smirk.
FA:"Can limit your feelings."
Asahi's breath hitched.
His pupils contracted.
His body tensed.
Asahi:"What…?"
His voice shook slightly.
FA tilted his head.
His smile widened.
A small, casual shrug—
Like it was nothing.
Like it was just another rule in a game.
Asahi's fingers curled into a fist.
His breath slowed.
His mind—piecing everything together.
Then—
A whisper.
A revelation.
Asahi:"I have to calm down. Yes…!"
Recalling The Nightmare
His eyes narrowed.
His memories flashed before him.
Every loop.
Every failure.
Every death.
Asahi (thinking):(They were killed… by a man in a black suit.)
His hands tightened.
His voice grew sharper.
Asahi:"Who is he…?"
A Disturbing Realization
Asahi's mind raced.
Something was wrong.
Something didn't add up.
Asahi:"It's weird… I'm a time leaper. And yet—he still managed to kill them."
His breath hitched.
His heartbeat quickened.
Asahi:"In the second loop… Dad was killed in the morning."
His eyes darkened.
FA watched him closely.
FA (thinking):(Yeah… think… crack it…)
Asahi's voice grew more serious.
Asahi:"In the third loop, the timing was different."
A deep breath.
Then—his conclusion.
Asahi:"So even if I loop… I don't know when he'll come."
His fists trembled.
His body tensed.
But Then—A Clue.
His lips parted.
A realization crawled into his mind.
A single truth.
A single thing he was certain of.
His voice barely above a whisper.
Asahi:"But… I know one thing."
Asahi's breath slowed.
His thoughts—racing.
Then—
A terrifying realization.
Asahi:"No matter what I do… he always comes on this day."
His fists tightened.
His heartbeat slammed in his chest.
A Fixed Date, A Changing Time
Asahi:"So basically… he can appear at any time in the next loop… but—"
His fingers tensed.
His voice lowered.
Asahi:"He will always appear on that day."
A pause.
A bitter realization crept into his mind.
Asahi:"If he could appear anytime… then he could have shown up the next day… or the day after that…"
His teeth gritted.
Asahi:"But no… he keeps appearing on the same day… over and over… but at different times."
His breath hitched.
Then—
A horrible thought.
A horrifying, soul-crushing idea.
Asahi:(Whispers.)"Wait…"
His body froze.
His eyes widened.
His nails dug into his palms.
Then—
Asahi:(Eyes shaking.)"What if he… knows I'm a time leaper?"
His stomach dropped.
A bitter chill crawled up his spine.
Does He Know? Can He Know?
His voice shook slightly.
Asahi:"Hey… can someone know that I'm a time leaper?"
FA's expression didn't change.
His cold, empty gaze met Asahi's.
Then—he spoke.
FA:"If a person realizes on their own that you are a time traveler…"
FA's voice lowered slightly.
His words felt heavier.
Like they carried a hidden weight.
FA:"Then our connection… will remain unaffected."
FA stepped forward.
His movements—slow, deliberate.
Then, without warning—
He raised a hand.
And placed it on Asahi's head.
Asahi:(Tensing.)"What are you doing?"
FA closed his eyes.
His fingers pressed slightly.
A faint, unreadable expression crossed his face.
Then—
A whisper.
A single word.
FA:"Mmm… done."
What?
Asahi blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Asahi:"What?"
His brows furrowed.
FA slowly opened his eyes.
A calm, unreadable gaze met Asahi's.
Then—
A revelation.
FA:"He doesn't know."
Asahi's heart skipped.
His breath hitched.
Asahi:"(Huh?)"
FA crossed his arms.
His voice remained calm, neutral.
FA:"I collected all your memories… and checked every single one. Then, I connected them with my own memory."
Asahi's eyes narrowed.
Something felt off.
Then—
Asahi:"(Huh…? Wait… you have memory?)"
FA let out a small chuckle.
His voice—almost amused.
FA:"Yeah, of course."
A short pause.
Then—his gaze darkened slightly.
FA:"But it's scattered."
The Truth About FA's Past
Asahi stiffened.
His hands curled slightly.
Asahi:"(What do you mean… scattered?)"
His thoughts raced.
His voice lowered slightly.
Asahi:"(What are you… a robot?)"
FA laughed softly.
But it wasn't humor.
It was something else.
Something tired.
FA:"Nah. It's because of this dimension."
Then—silence.
A heavy, suffocating silence.
Asahi's fingers twitched.
Then—
FA spoke again.
The Dimension's Curse
FA:"This dimension scattered my memories."
His tone—low, distant.
FA:"Some are erased."
His lips curled slightly.
But his eyes didn't match the smile.
FA:"And some… I have to find."
Asahi's body froze.
His mind stalled.
His lips parted slightly—
And then, a single, stunned whisper:
Asahi:"Ooooooo…?"(Eyes wide, completely frozen.)
FA crossed his arms, expression unreadable.
Then—he dropped a bombshell.
FA:"According to my memory… and yours…"
A small pause.
Then, his next words shattered everything.
FA:"He is not from your universe."
A World That's No Longer Normal
Asahi's heart skipped.
His stomach twisted violently.
His mind screamed at him to reject the idea.
Asahi:(Shaking his head.)"What?! No way… What's going on…?"
His breath quickened.
This wasn't just some nightmare.
This wasn't just a time loop gone wrong.
This was something else entirely.
Something bigger.
Something he wasn't prepared for.
The Black Suit – A Clue Hidden in Time
FA rubbed his chin, eyes narrowing in thought.
Then—
FA:"The black suit…"
He tapped his temple.
His voice dropped into deep concentration.
Then—
FA:"Mmm… Do one thing."
Asahi:(Snaps back.)"Huh?"
FA's gaze sharpened.
A clear order.
A direct command.
FA:"Collect."
Asahi blinked.
FA:"Try to collect more memories of him."
FA:(Looks straight at Asahi.)"I might know him."
A New Lead – A Forgotten Past?
Asahi's body tensed.
Then—his blood rushed with adrenaline.
Asahi:(Smirking slightly.)"Yes! Now you're talking!"
FA nodded.
Then—his eyes darkened.
A hint of something… unnatural.
FA:"That black suit… I've seen it somewhere before."
Asahi's breath hitched.
His fingers curled.
Then—
FA:"Try to collect the details of his appearance. His face. His posture. His hands."
Asahi:(Clicks tongue.)"Tch…!"
His mind was working overtime now.
But then—
Another truth was revealed.
A truth far more terrifying.
The Man in Black Has a Power
FA's expression shifted.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Then—he dropped it.
A truth colder than death.
FA:"He also has some sort of power."
Asahi's brain short-circuited.
His body locked up.
His heart slammed in his chest.
Asahi:(Eyes wide.)"What if… it's teleportation?!"
FA's face remained still.
Then—
He shook his head.
Slowly.
Firmly.
FA:"No."
A pause.
A slight narrowing of his cold, sharp eyes.
Then—
FA:"It's something worse."
A Power Designed for One Purpose
FA took a step closer.
His voice—calm, but suffocating.
Like an unavoidable truth.
Like a sentence already passed.
Then—
FA:"A power that's designed to kill our family."
A Name That's Been Marked for Death
Asahi's throat closed up.
His fingers twitched violently.
His heartbeat—a pounding drum inside his skull.
Asahi:(Whispers, realization sinking in.)"Shit…!"
His eyes snapped toward FA.
A sharp breath.
A desperate question.
Asahi: *(Huh?) (Looks straight at FA.)"But… I got you."
A small, confident smile.
But his voice was weak.
FA didn't answer.
Not immediately.
Then—
A small, barely noticeable smile.
But not bright.
Not happy.
Just… there.
A shadow of a real one.
The Loop Begins Again
Asahi:(Breathes in.)"Now… loop!"
His eyes sharpened.
His determination returned.
No matter how many times it took—
No matter how much it broke him—
He would hunt the man in black.
And this time… he wouldn't lose.
FA closed his eyes.
A deep breath.
A silent thought.
FA (thinking):(Be careful… This time, the loop will not be easy…)
His fists tightened.
His expression—unreadable.
But deep inside—
A creeping sense of unease.
FA (thinking):(If I'm correct… I might know him.)
His jaw tensed.
His heartbeat slowed.
A terrifying truth hovered just beyond reach.
FA (thinking):(To verify that… please, survive this loop.)
Suddenly—
A sharp, violent pain exploded in Asahi's head.
His vision flashed red.
His pulse roared in his ears.
His body felt like it was being ripped apart.
Asahi:(Gritting his teeth.)"Tch…!"
His fingers clawed at his temples.
His body collapsed forward.
His world spun.
His mind screamed.
But through the pain—
A single, burning thought.
Asahi:(Breathing heavily.)"This time… I'll collect all the memories of him…"
His eyes sharpened.
His will solidified.
Asahi:"I'll find out who he is."
The Loop Begins
Darkness consumed him.
His body dissolved into time.
The world collapsed.
The loop—
BEGAN.
[1] HEAR ME OUT!