Pursuing The Unknown[1]

【SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2025–MONDAY】

“Find me within seventy-two hours, if you succeed, I’ll show you the answer”

Yesterday, I confronted that guy. While his name and face are still unknown. But that's exactly what I need to find now.

That strange message was probably sent by him. Looks like he needs me to play his little game. If I succeed…

I'll know my answer, huh?

How he knows about my nightmares, why he's following me– still remains a mystery. To solve this equation, I need to get through this game.

Seventy-two hours…

In other words, Three days is all the time he has given me. 

And the time right now is…

<<02:16 AM>> 

It's practically Monday already. Almost 7 hours have passed since then. Which means…

I ONLY HAVE 65 HOURS ON MY CLOCK.

But how am I supposed to identify him without any leads?

I've been racking my brain ever since then, even in the middle of the night I'm still thinking about him. Honestly I have no idea how to deal with this.

But more importantly. I'm worried about the aftermath.

Assuming that I've identified him, then what? Just what was I expecting that I accepted his proposal. Is it only the answer? Or something else…

But if I fail to meet the deadline…if I lose this race against time.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

And besides what does he mean by last chance? 

I still don't know, there are too many questions.

But I know that something is bound to change. If it's a good thing or a bad thing for me, these 72 hours will show.

My heart is still racing, in the face of the unforeseen future what can I do? The answer is already determined. Right now, I only have one choice…

This is a battle against that change. That's why, 

I'll definitely find him. 

【1:02 AM–LIBRARY】

“By the way, what happened to that book? Origins of Dreams, or something,” Aoki asked, tapping her cheek. “Did you finish reading it?”

“Oh… ah. No, it’s the opposite. Turns out it didn’t have the information I was looking for, so I’m done with it now.”

“I see. And who’s that girl who confessed to you the other day?”

Casually, once again Aoki sneaked her real question in our normal conversations. Does she even realise that her patterns are growing way too obvious. 

“Sigh… you’re still asking that? Give it up already.”

“But it’s been two weeks! What kind of maniac keeps a girl in suspense for two whole weeks?”

“Yeah, yeah, like I care. Besides, I told you it wasn’t anything important. You probably figured out what happened already.”

“Well, you’re right. Knowing you, you probably broke her heart in the worst way possible.”

…Well, she’s not wrong.

“I’m glad you figured it o—yaa,” I yawned.

“Huh? Another all-nighter?”

“Just another late sleep.”

“...”

That's weird, I thought she’d chew me out, but she’s surprisingly calm. Or maybe… was that worry in her eyes?

“Are you still… suffering from those nightmares?” she asked softly, her expression turning serious.

“...” I remained silent. 

“That reminds me,” she continued after a pause, “I looked into that girl… but no luck. I asked my friends in Class 1, but apparently, they had no idea. Well, not like I have that many friends outside my class anyway, so I'm guessing she's probably from class 4. Should I ask one of my friends to look for—”

“It’s fine, Aoki,” I cut her off. “You don’t need to look for her anymore. Besides… it’s my problem to deal with.”

“...”, Aoki fell silent “Araki-kun, you've been acting weird lately…it feels like your mind’s somewhere else. What’s wrong? If you’re feeling unwell, you can tell me.”

“It’s nothing like that. Everything’s fine. I’m just being my usual sel—”

“...Liar.”

Huh?

“I can tell…you always act tough and appeal that nothing bothers you, but deep down, you’re hurting, aren’t you?” Aoki's eyes met mine, “So, tell me…Did something happen?” 

I have thought of this before too, I don't know why but Aoki…she understands me very well. Is my behaviour that obvious or is she perceptive. Probably it's neither.

She just knows. 

“…Something happened, huh?”, I whispered.

Sure did. It’s like I’ve fallen into an abyss. No map, no light… just an endless maze of unknown puzzles.

The time I have left is only 56 hours. But I can't tell Aoki about this. I am on my own, until now and here on too. I need to find him by myself…

So this is what a dead end feels like.

Maybe I shouldn’t have come to school today. But…that person won't tolerate it. 

Besides, I don't seem to be getting any clues either. 

He followed me again this morning. I could feel his presence behind me. But every time I turn back he quickly vanishes from my sight. 

Even if I tried to chase him, I doubt I could catch. 

This isn't getting anywhere…

At this rate…

“Hey Aoki…” I called out “suppose you are tasked with finding the answer to a question you can't comprehend. What would you do?”

“You mean?”

“A question you have no clue about, yet you must answer it. There might be countless variables or it could be something completely unrelated. In which case, what will you do?”

“Is this…related to your problem?”

“More or less, yeah”

“Mm…” Aoki closed her eyes, deep in thought “a question even I cant comprehend huh”

“It doesn’t matter which” I leaned back, eyes narrowing. “It has to be answered.”

“In that case, I will try to re read the question as many times as possible and try to understand I guess”

“That's…it?”

“If it’s a question, then there has to be an answer. Whoever made it… wouldn’t make it impossible. Even if it’s a maze with a thousand dead ends—there’s always a way out. Sometimes, you need a take a step back and think again”

Take a step back and think again…huh.

“If the way you’re trying doesn’t work, just start over. Try a different route. Same with questions. Sometimes, you have to start over from the very beginning to find the right answer—no matter how many times it takes.”

…that's right. Why didn't I think of it before? It's what I usually do. If you find a dead end then just go back and start again. 

Aoki's words made me realise once again, it's always too soon to give up.

I don't have any leads? No time? None of that mattered in the first place. As long as the probability is not zero, there's still a chance. All I have to do is–

I NEED TO START OVER FROM THE BEGINNING.

September 5th is the day when yuzu called me, that's also the day he started following me. The person is a man, age is unknown.

If my memory from the last night serves right, his hair is black… unless that’s a disguise. Compared with the pole, his height is around 5 '9. 

And strangest of all… he knows about my nightmares.

How?
Who exactly is he?
Still unknown.

What’s this “answer” he keeps talking about?

Why does he always follow me to the T? Why does he want me to find him? And lastly…

Why did he invite me to play his game?

I should just think from the very beginning. At surface it might be impossible to solve but there’s always an answer.

One more clue is all I need to break this puzzle…

“...Splendid answer. No wonder you’re so popular.”

“Eh—? I-I’m not any popular!” Aoki waved her hands, her face turning slightly red. “Besides, anyone could’ve said that! W-wait—why am I even flustered… tehe…”

“I don’t think so. It’s because you’re Aoki that you can answer like that.” I paused for a moment, then asked quietly, “Hey, Aoki…It's random but have you ever experienced being… stalked?”

“...Huh?” Aoki’s eyes widened. “Why…would you ask that?”

“It’s just… since you’re popular, I thought, do you ever face such kind of troubles?  You know… having a stalker.”

That was supposed to be a casual question, at the moment I am happy to hear any answer that contributes to my search. Then why…

Why does the atmosphere shift suddenly? And…

“...Um..Aoki?”

Why…does she look terrified?

“Aoki? Are you alr–”

“Sorry” Aoki stood, “I think I have to…go”

“A-alright”

Is it my imagination… or was she trembling just now?
She was acting fine until a moment ago. What’s gotten into her—?

BAM!

The sound echoed across the silent library.

“HEY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?” The librarian shouted.

Instinctively I turned back, and hurried over following her call.  As I made my way to the entrance, Aoki’s bag lay sprawled on the floor—its contents scattered across the tiles.

The next moment completely left me frozen on my feet. As my eyes followed the trail, there I found…

AOKI WAS COLLAPED ON THE FLOOR.