Chapter 7:

Find the singularity.

Akihabara DEEP.

As I approached my apartment door after the Akiba Idol Festival, my mind was swirling with a mix of emotions.

The events of the last few days had left me shaken, to say the least. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was seriously off.

When I reached for the doorknob, I froze in my tracks.

Standing right in front of me was Nanase Yamada, the green member of Komugitan's idol group.

I raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Nanase wasn't the type to show up unannounced at a fan's doorstep.

"Nanase-san?"

I said, trying to mask my surprise with a hint of humor.

"What brings you here?"

Nanase seemed nervous, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Takumi-kun, I... I needed to talk to you,"

she said, her voice barely audible.

I couldn't help but let out a nervous chuckle.

"Well, this is unexpected," I remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Feels like I'm in one of those cheesy romance games."

But before I could say anything else, something flew past my head and embedded itself in the doorframe with a loud thud.

My heart skipped a beat as I stumbled backward, my mind racing with a million questions. What was happening? why was she attacking me?

Then, out of nowhere, someone stepped between Nanase and me, blocking her attack with remarkable speed.

It was Komugitan.

I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this some kind of dream? It had to be. But the adrenaline coursing through my veins told me otherwise.

"Komugi..."

I breathed, my voice barely a whisper as I struggled to make sense of the situation.

But there was no time to dwell on it.

Nanase was still coming at me, her eyes blazing with fury.

With a surge of panic, I backed away, trying to process what was happening.

How did Nanase know where I lived? And why was she attacking me?

But amidst the chaos, one thing became clear: I wasn't safe, not yet.

Komugitan stepped forward, facing Nanase with a determined look in her eyes.

My heart raced as I watched, trying to comprehend the impossible.

That thing I was reminded of ever since AIF.

The memory of Komugitan's lifeless body flashed before my eyes.

I had seen her die. I had mourned her loss.

And yet, here she was, standing before me, alive and well.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks, sending shockwaves of disbelief through my body.

How was this possible? How could she be here, after everything?

But before I could wrap my head around it, Komugitan turned to me, her eyes burning with urgency.

"We need to go,"

I hesitated, my mind racing with confusion and fear.

Nanase interjected,

"But he—"

Komugitan cut her off, her gaze unwavering.

"Takumi has seen the truth. He knows I tried to kill him before, and it is futile. You can't hurt him."

As Komugitan's words sank in, I felt a mix of emotions.

Turning back to me, Komugitan's eyes flared with intensity.

"If you want to live, you have to fight. Find the singularity, delete the errors, and turn the singularity to zero. But just know, your life will never be the same."

As Komugitan urgently urged us to leave, my heart raced with fear and confusion.

Nanase's presence only added to the chaos, and I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.

Amidst the madness, I couldn't help but think...

"Shit."

With trembling hands, I reached for my apartment door, fumbling with the lock in a desperate attempt to escape the chaos unfolding before me.

"Wait, Takumi-kun!"

Nanase's voice called out behind me, her tone pleading.

But I couldn't afford to stop and listen.

Not now.

Ignoring her pleas, I pushed open the door and stumbled into my darkened apartment, my mind spinning with questions and uncertainty.

Komugitan followed close behind, her presence both reassuring and unsettling.

I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye, that behind her serene facade lay secrets I couldn't begin to comprehend.

As we entered the apartment, a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me, threatening to pull me into the depths of unconsciousness. But I fought against it, forcing myself to stay awake, to confront the reality of the situation head-on.

My eyes fell upon Komugitan, and memories of the errors flooding my mind. The chilling image of Komugi's lifeless body flashed before me, a stark reminder of the stakes at hand.

"I can't let this happen again," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper as I turned to face Komugitan. "We have to stop them."

Komugitan's expression softened, understanding flickering in her eyes.

"I know, Takumi-kun," she said softly. "And we will. Together."

Her words were a lifeline in the darkness, a promise of hope in a world consumed by chaos.

"But how?" I asked, my voice tinged with desperation as I searched her eyes for answers.

Komugitan's gaze held mine, unwavering in its resolve.

"Takumi-kun,"

she said softly, her voice a soothing balm to my wounded soul.

"I know this is hard, but we can't give up. We have to keep fighting, no matter what."

I collapsed into her embrace, my sobs echoing in the empty room.

Pathetic. That's what I was. A pathetic otaku, crying in front of two girls who, just a few days ago, I had only dreamed of meeting outside of events.

What chance did I have against a freak of nature like the errors?

None.

As I clung to Komugitan, a sense of dread settled over me, a dark cloud that eclipsed any glimmer of hope.

I wasn't a hero.

Akihabara DEEP.

Author:

Pyoko

Find the singularity.

Akihabara DEEP.

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