The Beginning of the End

The first morning after the world learned it was doomed felt… normal.

Haruki woke up to the sound of his alarm, the dull beeping blending into the hum of morning traffic outside. His mother was making breakfast downstairs, the smell of miso soup and grilled fish wafting through the house.

If someone had missed yesterday’s announcement, they would have had no idea that everything was going to end in a year.

He sat up, running a hand through his messy hair. His phone buzzed beside him.

[Aoi: Rise and shine, Haruki! Bucket List Item #1—first sunrise of the year! Meet us at the park!]

He groaned, staring at the message.

[Haruki: It's not even New Year’s. What are you talking about?]

[Aoi: Every sunrise counts now! You coming or what?]

He sighed. There was no point in arguing with her. He got dressed, grabbed a convenience store sandwich, and left the house.

By the time he reached the park, Aoi and Renji were already there, sitting on the swings.

“You’re late,” Aoi pouted.

Haruki took a bite of his sandwich. “I didn’t even say I was coming.”

Renji smirked. “And yet, here you are.”

Aoi clasped her hands together. “Alright! Since we’re all here, let’s talk about the plan.”

“What plan?” Haruki asked, already regretting showing up.

“Our one-year plan,” she said. “Since the world’s ending, we have to make the most of it. So, I’m making a bucket list, and you two are helping me check off every item!”

Haruki raised an eyebrow. “Why would I do that?”

Aoi grinned. “Because deep down, you want to.”

“I really don’t.”

“Too bad,” she said cheerfully. “You’re stuck with us now.”

Renji leaned back on the swing, looking up at the sky. “I gotta admit, I like the idea. If we’ve only got a year left, might as well have fun.”

Haruki exhaled. “This feels stupid.”

Aoi poked his shoulder. “If it’s stupid but makes you happy, is it really stupid?”

“...Yes.”

She just laughed. “Anyway! First item—see the sunrise together. And look!” She pointed toward the sky, where the sun was beginning to rise, painting the horizon in shades of orange and pink.

Haruki stared at it for a moment, then muttered, “...It’s just a sunrise.”

Aoi elbowed him. “It’s the first sunrise of our last year. That makes it special.”

He didn’t have a response to that.

Renji stretched. “Alright, what’s next on this ‘bucket list’ of yours?”

Aoi’s eyes sparkled. “That’s a secret! But don’t worry, it’s gonna be fun.”

Haruki sighed. He already felt exhausted.

School felt even more suffocating than yesterday.

Some students pretended nothing had changed. Others sat at their desks in silence, staring at nothing. A few seats were already empty—some students hadn’t even bothered to come.

Haruki dropped into his seat, resting his chin on his hand. Aoi took her usual spot beside him, humming as she pulled out her notebook.

Shiraishi Natsuki arrived moments later, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room before she sat down.

Haruki watched her. She was one of the smartest students in their year—always composed, always serious. But today, she looked… tired.

“You look like you didn’t sleep,” he commented.

She shot him a glance. “And you look like you never care about anything.”

Haruki smirked. “That’s true. But you do care. So what’s keeping you up?”

Natsuki hesitated. Then, quietly, she said, “My parents want to leave the city. They think moving somewhere quieter will make a difference.”

Haruki frowned. “They know the world’s ending no matter where they go, right?”

She sighed. “I know. But people need to do something, even if it’s meaningless. It makes them feel like they have control.”

Aoi leaned in. “What about you? Do you want to leave?”

Natsuki’s fingers tightened around her pen. “No.”

Haruki studied her. “Why not?”

She hesitated. Then, as if deciding something, she muttered, “Because if the world really is ending, I’d rather be somewhere familiar.”

Aoi nodded thoughtfully. “I get that.”

Before Haruki could say anything else, the door slid open, and the teacher walked in.

“Alright, class,” he began, “let’s start today’s lesson.”

Haruki leaned back in his chair. Another normal day in a world that was anything but normal.

After school, Aoi dragged Haruki and Renji to a café.

“Bucket List Item #2—order the most expensive dessert on the menu!” she announced.

Haruki raised an eyebrow. “You just want an excuse to eat cake.”

Aoi grinned. “And?”

They ended up splitting a massive parfait that cost way too much. Renji dug in first. “Damn. If this is the end of the world, at least we’re going out with good food.”

Haruki took a bite. “...Not bad.”

Aoi beamed. “See? You’re already having fun.”

“I never said that.”

She just smirked.

As they ate, a familiar figure walked into the café—Natsuki. She noticed them, hesitated, then walked over.

“You guys are oddly cheerful,” she commented.

Aoi gestured to the empty seat. “Wanna join?”

Natsuki glanced at the parfait, then at them. “…Fine.” She sat down.

Renji raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t peg you as the sweets type.”

Natsuki picked up a spoon. “I just don’t waste time on things I don’t like.”

Haruki smirked. “So you do like sweets.”

She ignored him and took a bite.

Aoi clapped her hands. “Great! Now we’re officially a group!”

Renji snorted. “Since when?”

“Since now.”

Haruki sighed. “I don’t remember agreeing to this.”

Aoi grinned. “Too bad.”

That night, Haruki lay in bed, staring at his ceiling.

His phone buzzed.

[Aoi: Bucket List Item #3—stargazing! Let’s meet tomorrow night!]

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Before he could reply, a whisper brushed against his ear.

“Haruki…”

His body tensed. He sat up quickly, scanning his room. Nothing.

But the uneasy feeling from last night returned.

And deep inside, something told him this wasn’t just in his head.

You have one year.

Haruki exhaled slowly.

“…This year is going to be a disaster.”