Prologue

It’s finally Sunday, the day of the week when I can laze around in my room all day. My precious day off from school and personal life. I ensured I finished all my chores yesterday, leaving me free to read manga or play video games to my heart's content.

Or so I thought...

"Rein-kun, can you run to the grocery store to buy some ingredients for today's lunch?" my mother called from the kitchen, shattering my hopes of an uninterrupted leisure day.

Great, can't catch a break, can I? There's always something to disrupt my plans. Sighing, I decided to stop sulking and get the errand over with. I quickly changed out of my casual clothes, grabbed the shopping list, slipped on my shoes, and dashed out of the house towards the store.

At a crossroad, I impatiently waited for the traffic light to turn green. Just as I started crossing, I heard a screeching sound followed by a shrill horn, and then everything suddenly went dark.

What's happening? Where am I?

Is this... death?

I can't see anything, just darkness.

Maybe this is the end...

Amid the darkness, I noticed something—a timer counting down from 24 seconds.

24... 23... 22...

I wonder what will transpire when it reaches zero...

15... 14... 13...

Perhaps, I'll transition to heaven or hell...

9... 8... 7...

Almost there... Not that I can alter the outcome...

1...

I hope no one discovers the books I've hidden beneath my bed...

0...

Sayonara...

As I opened my eyes, I found myself in my bed, drenched in sweat and tangled in my blankets.

What a nightmare. It's been a while since I had one like that, if I ever did. It felt more like a cruel joke than a dream. At least I was alive, though I needed a shower to calm my nerves.

Thankfully, today's Sunday, giving me something to look forward to, or so I thought as I got dressed to head for the shower.

"Rein-kun, are you up?" My mother's voice echoed from the kitchen.

This feels like déjà vu. I hope she doesn't ask me to go shopping again; that'd be awkward.

"Yeah, I just woke up and I'm about to take a shower," I replied, opening the bathroom door.

"Hurry up or you'll be late for school. Breakfast will be ready once you're done."

Wait, what?

Isn't today Sunday?

"What do you mean? I don't have school on Sundays. Are you sure?" I hesitated, holding my breath.

"What are you talking about? Today is Monday. I think you're the confused one."

I threw my change of clothes onto the floor outside the bathroom and rushed to my room to grab my cell phone. Turning on the screen, I checked the date. And there it was...

Monday, October 8th...