Mirai Tokito, Pt. 2

My prophecies fell into one of three categories.

The images I received from time to time looked like they were being projected onto a TV screen. It felt as if someone was recording these future events and sending them back in time.

I noticed that the border of the screen came in three different colors: namely, red, blue, and yellow.

Those colors indicated whether it was possible to change the course of the future and how difficult it would be to do so.

Visions in red were prophecies that were unalterable.

My prophecy of Ryo being the sole survivor had been framed with a dark, blood-red border.

Blue meant that the future could easily be changed or avoided.

Itsuko, who was pretty much a walking disaster, had escaped death six times so far by altering future events.

Then there were the ones that showed up with a yellow border. 

Changing these prophecies was possible, but at a great sacrifice.

The first time I saw this type of vision, Futoshi had been shot by Yayoi. I had tried to change the outcome when I got a glimpse of a different future.

The alternative meant not only Futoshi but everyone in Section Eight, aside from Ryo, would also die.

I’d known what would happen to Futoshi. I’d kept that fact to myself, though.

What else could I have done?

The “yellow prophecy” this time showed me Hironobu and Shizuka being mauled to death by monsters.

I immediately thought of rushing to their aid when I had another vision.

Doing so meant both Section Two and our rescue unit would die. If we wanted to save those two, we’d have to pay the price.

Not telling everyone might’ve been wiser.

Regardless, I couldn’t help sharing this fact with the group.

I was sure I’d regret going to Section Two’s rescue if I didn’t at least inform the others.

I knew Ryo would, too.

“Is there no way we can save both groups?”

I shook my head in reply to Ryo’s question.

“If we try to save everyone, we all die.”

A long silence fell, and it was as though time had stopped. No one said anything.

However, time was running out.

If we didn’t act soon, we’d lose the members of Section Two and Shizuka and Hironobu.

“... Let’s go help the guys in Section Two.”

Ryo said hoarsely.

Up until now, Shizuka and Hironobu’s prophecy had had a yellow frame around it. The edges were now turning red.

Their future was about to become set in stone.

“Oh, dear. What’s wrong? You all look terribly glum.”

Charlotte joined us, humming without a care in the world.

How did she come all the way here? She couldn’t possibly have walked.

“None of your business.”

“My, you’re heartless.”

Charlotte said in mock indignation, but continued to smile.

I wonder what kind of expression I had on my face just then?

Something unexpected was happening.

The image of Shizuka and Hironobu’s deaths was turning from a deep red back to yellow.

I’d thought that visions in red couldn’t be altered. Could it be that Charlotte had the power to rewrite them?

“Charlotte!”

I called her name for the first time.

Everyone whipped their heads back, shocked at my sudden outburst.

“I want you to help us!”

Not just Shizuka or Hironobu. Maybe, just maybe, she could change the outcome of Ryo’s future as well.

I shouted, louder than I ever had in my life.

Charlotte stared at me with a look that I’ll never forget.

A shiver ran down my spine at how empty and devoid of emotion her eyes were.

“Hmm. Let me think about it.”

The next vision came in a flash. It was the first time I’d received a prophecy with a pitch-black frame.

The image on the screen showed me some kind of laboratory.

Dozens of my classmates sprawled out on the floor, drenched in blood. No one moved an inch.

Soldiers armed with guns stood around them, and Charlotte stood amidst the bloodshed, laughing. She twirled and pranced about, cackling like a lunatic.

She won’t help us. That much became obvious to me.