This Isn’t the End

Original work, all rights reserved to the Author 'Pili', until we get an adaptation contract

(Notice Before Reading: Italic dialogues represents character inner monologues [We also tried some new style])

(Artwork Coming Soon…)

…

The hallway was completely silent.

Hiroki walked slowly through the second floor of the P.H.G, heading toward his room.

That day was quite draining.

But then, something caught his eye.

The soft night lights illuminated the second-floor corridor, showcasing the view of the circular balcony roof.

A familiar girl stood up there.

"…Ayuri?"

She didn't turn immediately. She was leaning on the wooden railing, with her arms folded, and her hair drifting softly in the breeze.

"…Oh."

She looked back over her shoulder as she noticed him.

"I didn't expect to see anyone this late."

Hiroki stepped closer.

"You're still awake?"

"I just wanted to take a breath of cold air." Her voice was calm.

"Look at the sky."

She pointed gently with her left hand.

"There are so many stars up there. So many…"

Her voice dropped lower.

"We don't know anything about them. They just… sit there. Watching us."

A soft wind blew by, causing their clothes to flutter.

"I wonder…" she continued. "Is there something beyond them? Some other world…? Or is this all we have?"

Hiroki stood next to her, his hands resting on the wood.

He glanced upward as well.

"I don't really get what you mean…"

"But…"

His gaze lowered again.

"I wanted to ask… about Yoru."

Ayuri's eyes shifted toward him slowly as he spoke.

"You two don't seem to get along well lately."

"…Was it because of yesterday?"

A longer silence passed this time.

Only the wind spoke.

Ayuri exhaled lightly.

"It's not like a big deal between us."

She looked away.

"It's just… bad timing. I overlooked her feelings."

"…I should probably apologize to her soon. We're all having a rough time currently."

She closed her eyes for a second.

"I'm sorry. I haven't done my best."

Hiroki looked at her, surprised.

He wasn't expecting such an honest answer.

"N-No… it's not your fault. You've done a lot for us already."

He fumbled with his hands, stuttering a bit.

After telling her those words, he turned his head down slightly.

"…Yoru said you were untrustworthy."

"Back then, I didn't know what to say."

“I don’t understand why she thinks Ayuri was hiding something from us.”

"I mean… why would she… Nevermind"

He clenched his fist slightly, then loosened it again.

"But for what I see now…"

Ayuri blinked. She noticed him zoning out.

"You okay?"

"Y-Yeah… I'm good."

She smiled softly.

Then, she took a few steps away, her hands still behind her back.

"…Hey, Hiroki."

He raised his head.

"W-What?"

She glanced back at him.

"What are your real goals?"

He paused.

"My… goals?"

Her eyes were calm and curious.

"Your true ambition. The thing you actually want to do."

He didn't answer right away.

His gaze dropped.

"…Indeed. Why did I come into this world in the first place? Since arriving in this world, I've been only reacting to everything I face. Just following whatever was in front of me. I didn't even think about what I had to do. I didn't even consider the consequences…"

His inner voice trembled slightly.

"Was it just to survive? Or there is more…?"

He glanced up slowly.

"Well…"

His voice was dry as he replied to her.

“I… don't have any clear purpose right now.”

A hush descended.

"I see. Okey then."

Ayuri was about to turn her face forward again.

Before—

"Actually…"

She stopped mid-air as he spoke.

"…What I really wish for…"

Hiroki spoke slower.

"…Is to make the world a better place."

He looked straight ahead.

"One that is not corrupted. A world without class divides… or cruelty. Something different to what I saw in my old life."

Ayuri turned again, staring into him. Her eyes gleamed with interest.

"You…"

"I know. It sounds foolish. Probably Idealistic, isn't it?"

"But after everything I've been through…"

He exhaled deeply.

"…I really want to change things… From the bottom of my heart."

She remained silent for a while.

"It's not like that."

She smiled gently.

“That’s not foolish at all.”

Hiroki's face appeared somewhat surprised.

"You're not wrong for thinking that way. You just want to do the right thing."

Ayuri stepped closer.

"Everyone in this world does what they see as right from their own view."

"But… if you see what you think about is something this world desperately needs—"

She paused.

"…Then, I hope you keep chasing it."

He looked at her quietly.

"…T-Thank you."

She smiled again, more sincerely this time.

"You’re welcome. Im returning back now.”

“Don't give up, Hiroki."

She turned and walked away down the corridor, with her silver white hair glimmering faintly under the wall lantern light.

He stood there a few seconds longer.

"…No."

His eyes narrowed, shining with a glint.

"I won't… of course"

He looked at his palm and whispered,

“I wouldn't have given up even if you told me so.”

He turned slowly, and began to walk down the corridor… towards his room.

Minutes Later. On the room

Hiroki sat down heavily on the bed.

He slowly raised his hand, opening his palm.

Then he leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

"All these stuff…. it all came in an instant."

His thoughts spiraled.

"Since I came to this new world… I haven't noticed that much of difference."

"I thought it may be better, but… what a crap. This place has its own darkness too."

He closed his eyes.

"The world… really does need change."

"But, am I really the one capable of doing it?"

“If only I could understand why I'm here in the first place.”

"And also…"

"I've thought about this before, but…”

“Do I even want to find a way to return back to my world?"

"If I die here… would that be the end?"

He opened his eyes slightly.

"That girl from my dreams… is she the one responsible for all of this"

“Was she really Ayuri, or just an illusion by the book itself…? “

"Speaking of the book… Why did it appear in our world?"

"Ahhh… There's so much I still don't know."

He turned to the side, pulling the pillow closer.

“…I wonder if people in my world found me dead, or just missing."

“…What am I saying. I doubt anyone will even care or ask about me.”

“This is not evading reality; it is reality itself.”

Silence fell for a moment.

He turned again to face the ceiling up.

"…Mom"

"If you saw me now… what would you say?"

“…Where are you now anyway?"

Hiroki wrapped his head in the pillow and turned to the side.

Then, a soft breath left his lips.

"I feel quite helpless. But, this isn't acceptable to me at the moment. Staying like this would worsen things.”

"As Ayuri said in my dreams, I have to be patient."

"…But, patience for what?"

"I wonder…"

…

Deep Inside the Forest - Same Night

Far away, in a secret mountain facility…

A dimly lit room under the ground. Utterly quiet.

There was a chair, and on it…

Amaya… was sitting there.

A single lamp hung above her.

Her wrists were raw from struggling against the bindings.

Her lips were trembling.

"…That's wrong… That's wrong… That's wrong…"

She repeated it, over and over.

Her voice was faint.

She raised her gaze slowly, her lifeless eyes wide open.

"It can’t be… Everything is wrong… Hiroki… He can't… Please…"

"Stop this…"

Suddenly, she gritted her teeth.

Her hands began pulling hard against the cloth tying them.

Tighter…

Tighter!

Redness overtook her skin.

And then…

*RIP—* (sound)

Her breath shot up in panic and strength combined…

Meanwhile – In Another Far Room

From a distance, a girl emerged at the vast, cave-like entrance, walking in.

It was Renne. Soaked from the rain. Her boots thudded across the floor.

Inside a dark old facility lit with bluish lamps.

Eldarion was already sitting, his fingers tapping on his chair.

"Seems you're late," he spoke without turning.

"Again."

Renne just walked on with a slight smile, not looking at him.

"Oh come on. It's not that late."

"Renne… You've changed lately."

His voice was colder now.

"You hesitate more. Your reports are delayed too."

She took off her black coat, then sighed.

“Well, you could say I’m doing it my way.”

"Still… this isn’t convincing." Eldarion turned fully.

"Your procrastination would get us into trouble.”

“We all work under the Big Boss. And you probably don't want to make that crazy man upset with us."

Renne lowered her gaze.

"…Yeah Yeah… I get it."

She crossed her arms.

“It's not like it's a big deal. Just the wind hasn't reached our ships yet.”

"So don’t worry, I already have a plan for everything."

"I'll handle it… Myself."

Eldarion watched her for a moment.

"…Ehh… Just don't mess this one up."

"…Don't be silly. I won't."

Then, she turned, facing the table on the wall opposite the exit. She started approaching it. While deep in thought.

("It’s not like I care about your Big Boss.")

("I work for myself and my reasons. That's the only truth here.")

("Always has been.")

Moments Later

Renne got set to leave again. She walked down the same tunnel leading to the exit.

Outside, the rain seemed to have become heavier than it had been before.

“Oh dear, that'll make the job more difficult.”

She finally made it out. The clouds rumbled above her.

Her thoughts kept lingering on Amaya.

("That girl… She’s a kind girl. Stronger than she looks.")

("But I had to do it. No choice anymore.")

("Actually I’ve got used to it. Well, my life sucks anyways.")

She exhaled and looked up at the sky.

"…Time for the next tragedy. As usual."

Lightning flashed above her as she pulled a soaked paper from her coat.

Drawn on it…

Three children.

Their average age seemed like 11 to 14.

The same ones… who met Hiroki and Ayuri in the capital.

Renne's features were noticeably dark. The only thing that showed was her eerie smile.

In this moment — P.H.G. Residential Area

Lightning flashed once more over the forests, casting its light over the P.H.G.

Far off, through the rain-streaked window, a figure stood still inside.

Only the silhouette appeared.

It was a boy.

Silver hair.

A twisted smile on his face.

For just a moment.

Then…

He vanished immediately into the night's darkness.

The rain continued to fall.

The wind whispered only silence.

…

Will the world be prepared… for what is coming next?

[End of Arc 4.1 and Arc 4]

[Arc 05… Soon!]