Chapter 18.5: A World Without Exit V


    I would be killed


    Fear colored my thoughts as my vision contracted.


    Often times upon death, it has been said that people would catch a glimpse of their lifes overallption, but nothing like that was reyed in my mind.


    From the tips of my head to my toes, mouth, nose, and ears. Even down to the holes in my entire body. All was awash in despair.


    My consciousness was descending into an immeasurable abyss.


    I felt my life was reaching its end.


    Shortly after


    My consciousness, which was about to drift away, was interrupted by a mundane chime that was so out of ce in this strained atmosphere that it was almostughable.


    The sound of an automatic door operating.


    Did someonee?


    Footsteps did not sound.


    Who


    I was short of oxygen, and tears were clouding my vision.


    I did, nevertheless, behold it.


    Under the door, through the counter, and approaching the back room.


    Something like a white haze.


    Fluffy and drifting, <em>that</em> entered the back room and came to my side, where I was being mounted.


    As the haze gradually took on the form of a human, it edged closer to my face and remained there, radiating dazzling light.


    [Senior]


    A voice broke through the darkness like a thread, a voice so sentimental that my eyes started to well up with tears once more uncontrobly.


    [Senior Masamune]


    My name was called. The one who picked up my arm that was flung on the floor, d in a white light that silently illuminated the darkness, and said my first name, which I hated.


    Hyuga


    [Yes.]


    I hadnt seen her in years, yet she looked exactly the same as she did before she died, my junior in high school.


    My words brought hurt and tears to her eyes. On a torrentially rainy day, she jumped off that rooftop and came to a tragic demise.


    She was in front of me now with the same smile she had back then.


    [Senior, its been a long time. You look a lot more mboyant now, you know.]


    Tilting her head with a grin, her red-rimmed sses slipped down slightly.


    Are you indeed


    [You are the indomitable ace of the baseball team, Hakamada Masamune, ss 2, year 3, type A, Taurus. Banana auit is your favorite drink. Right?]


    I thought that such a thing could never happen, but the warmth of her hand was so warm and reassuring.


    Y-You


    Unable to utter further words, I let arge number of droplets of emotion stream down to the floor.