Prologue: Awakening to the Days of Youth
“You'll regret it later, so don’t come crying to me!"
"Like I’d care even if you did!"
It was on the way back from submitting the divorce papers at the late-night service window.
Walking along the roadside, I was locked in an argument with my now ex-wife, Yuzuhana.
The divorce had been a sudden decision, sparked by a trivial argument. But truthfully, our relationship had been ice-cold for a while. Even if we’d held back this time, it would’ve only delayed the inevitable.
"I should’ve divorced you sooner! Finally, I’m free!"
"Ha? Don’t make me laugh! Someone chained to their job like you doesn’t know the meaning of freedom!"
"Getting rid of your nagging is freedom enough!"
"When did I ever nag you?!"
"You always pester me with messages while I’m at work!"
"That’s only because you’re slow to reply! I’m the one cooking dinner for you, so the least you could do is respond!"
"Unlike you, I’m busy with actual work! I don’t have time to reply!"
"Stop acting like you’re the only one who’s busy!"
"Your job doesn’t even have overtime!"
"Even without overtime, it’s exhausting! And when I come home, I have to deal with the source of all my stress!"
"You’re the source of my stress!"
Back when I first started dating Yuzuhana, I thought I was the luckiest man in the world.
When we got married, I believed that happiness would last forever.
And yet, here we were—four short years later, at the age of 27, my married life was over.
If I could go back in time, I’d warn my past self. Don’t marry that woman, I’d say.
"If you hate being with me so much, then stop following me!"
"I’m just heading home!"
"It’s my home!"
"It’s my home too!"
"Go stay at a net café! You’re used to that, aren’t you?"
"I only stayed there because I missed the last train! Must be nice for you, getting off work so early!"
"Don’t take it out on me! You’re the one who chose to work for a black company!"
"It’s not like I wanted to work there! My previous company went under, and I couldn’t just stay unemployed, so I rushed into a job and ended up at a black company!"
"I told you to think carefully before choosing a job! You’re terrible at judging companies!"
"And I’m terrible at judging women too!"
"That’s my line! If I could redo my life, I’d never marry you again!"
"That’s my line! If I could time-slip, I’d make sure never to get involved with you in the first place!"
If marriage is the graveyard of life, then I’ve just crawled out of my grave.
In other words, today is the day I’ve been resurrected.
From now on, this second life of mine will be free of Yuzuhana. I’ll forget all about her and live it up.
To do that, I need to get away from her as soon as possible. Sure, conceding here might feel like losing, but I’d rather crash at a net café than put up with any more unpleasantness.
At the traffic signal, I came to a stop.
"If you’re going, then go."
"Don’t follow me."
"As if I’d follow you! Instead, make sure you’ve packed all your stuff and are out by tomorrow."
"Fine by me. Staying in a room that still reeks of you would be unbearable anyway."
Turning her back on me, Yuzuhana crossed the pedestrian walkway.
This would be the last time I’d see her. From this point on, our paths would never cross again.
Or so I thought.
As the memories of my time with Yuzuhana flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern, a fleeting, almost imperceptible feeling of regret welled up.
Just for a moment.
Of course, I’d never suggest we start over. Even if we did, it’d only lead to another divorce—and more unhappiness for the both of us.
"...See you around."
I muttered softly, and Yuzuhana turned back toward me.
The crosswalk was dim, thanks to a broken streetlight, so I couldn’t see her expression clearly. But it looked like she was expecting something.
"...You said something, didn’t you?"
"No, I didn’t."
"You totally did. If you’ve got something to say, just say it."
"I told you, I didn’t say anything. Just hurry back ho—"
It was at that moment.
Out of the corner of my eye, a black object appeared. It closed the distance in an instant, without slowing down even for a second.
The next moment, a jarring impact coursed through my entire body—
"Owwwwwwwwwwww!?"
I jolted upright.
My left cheek was burning! It throbbed painfully!
"Finally, you're awake!"
Looking down at me was a young girl with a childish face.
She was dressed in a sailor-style school uniform, her black hair tied up in a ponytail. She looked exactly like my sister Sana from her younger days... but why was Sana here?
Was she visiting me after I got hit by a car? But if that were the case, why would she slap me? And this… this wasn’t a hospital room, was it? It looked like my room.
Wait—why was I at my parents’ house?
"What are you staring off into space for?"
"What do you mean? Uh… you’re Sana, right?"
"Of course I’m Sana. Stop acting all groggy and get up already."
"Get up? But…"
I was about to say, I just got hit by a car, you know. I’m seriously injured here, but aside from my cheek, there was no pain anywhere else.
Had I miraculously escaped without a scratch? If so—
"H-Hey, what about Yuzuhana? Is she okay? Did she make it out alright?"
"Yuzuhana? Who’s that?"
"And I’m terrible at judging women too!"
"That’s my line! If I could redo my life, I’d never marry you again!"
"That’s my line! If I could time-slip, I’d make sure never to get involved with you in the first place!"
If marriage is the graveyard of life, then I’ve just crawled out of my grave.
In other words, today is the day I’ve been resurrected.
From now on, this second life of mine will be free of Yuzuhana. I’ll forget all about her and live it up.
To do that, I need to get away from her as soon as possible. Sure, conceding here might feel like losing, but I’d rather crash at a net café than put up with any more unpleasantness.
At the traffic signal, I came to a stop.
"If you’re going, then go."
"Don’t follow me."
"As if I’d follow you! Instead, make sure you’ve packed all your stuff and are out by tomorrow."
"Fine by me. Staying in a room that still reeks of you would be unbearable anyway."
Turning her back on me, Yuzuhana crossed the pedestrian walkway.
This would be the last time I’d see her. From this point on, our paths would never cross again.
Or so I thought.
As the memories of my time with Yuzuhana flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern, a fleeting, almost imperceptible feeling of regret welled up.
Just for a moment.
Of course, I’d never suggest we start over. Even if we did, it’d only lead to another divorce—and more unhappiness for the both of us.
"...See you around."
I muttered softly, and Yuzuhana turned back toward me.
The crosswalk was dim, thanks to a broken streetlight, so I couldn’t see her expression clearly. But it looked like she was expecting something.
"...You said something, didn’t you?"
"No, I didn’t."
"You totally did. If you’ve got something to say, just say it."
"I told you, I didn’t say anything. Just hurry back ho—"
It was at that moment.
Out of the corner of my eye, a black object appeared. It closed the distance in an instant, without slowing down even for a second.
The next moment, a jarring impact coursed through my entire body—
•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•
"Owwwwwwwwwwww!?"
I jolted upright.
My left cheek was burning! It throbbed painfully!
"Finally, you're awake!"
Looking down at me was a young girl with a childish face.
She was dressed in a sailor-style school uniform, her black hair tied up in a ponytail. She looked exactly like my sister Sana from her younger days... but why was Sana here?
Was she visiting me after I got hit by a car? But if that were the case, why would she slap me? And this… this wasn’t a hospital room, was it? It looked like my room.
Wait—why was I at my parents’ house?
"What are you staring off into space for?"
"What do you mean? Uh… you’re Sana, right?"
"Of course I’m Sana. Stop acting all groggy and get up already."
"Get up? But…"
I was about to say, I just got hit by a car, you know. I’m seriously injured here, but aside from my cheek, there was no pain anywhere else.
Had I miraculously escaped without a scratch? If so—
"H-Hey, what about Yuzuhana? Is she okay? Did she make it out alright?"
"Yuzuhana? Who’s that?"
"Who? My wife... no, my ex-wife."
"Are you talking about a game?"
"It's reality! Brown hair, sharp eyes, and, well... you know!"
"Looks like you've played too many games and can't tell reality from your delusions anymore."
"Don't look at me with those pitying eyes! I do know the difference! Like how, in reality, girls aren’t as kind as they are in games!"
"Don't worry, the world is a big place! There’s probably at least one girl out there who will be nice to you besides me!"
"One in this wide world, huh..."
"One is enough! I hope you find a good match!"
With a slap on my back as if injecting energy into me, Sana left the room.
In the end, I still didn’t know what had happened to Yuzuhana or why she was wearing a school uniform.
Confused, I got out of bed... and suddenly felt something was off.
"…Wait a second."
This is my room, but it’s not my room.
The bookshelves are arranged differently, nostalgic posters are stuck on the walls, and anime merchandise I’d taken to my new place is still here.
Did Yuzuhana send my stuff back to my parents’ house?
Even if she did, something’s odd. If that were the case, Sana would’ve said something. But instead, she acted like she didn’t even know Yuzuhana, which is strange because they got along well enough to hang out without me. Why would she pretend otherwise?
Unable to make sense of it, I went downstairs and found my whole family gathered in the dining room.
I was at a loss for words.
"What’s the matter, Kohei? You’re just standing there, dazed."
"W-what’s the matter is my line! Mom, why do you look so young!?"
"The makeup just went on perfectly today."
"This isn’t a makeup thing—you seriously look way younger!"
"Oh my, what a flatterer."
"I’m not flattering you! And Dad! Your hair is so... thick!"
"Guess the hair tonic worked well."
"This is beyond the level of hair tonic!"
"Hey, big bro, big bro!"
"What!?"
"Don’t I get any compliments?"
"Fine, the uniform looks good on you!"
"Yay! Big bro complimented me~!"
"That’s wonderful, Sana-chan."
"Kohei’s in a compliment-giving mood today. Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll join in. Mom, breakfast is delicious as always!"
"The way the sausages are cooked is perfect!"
"Stop exchanging compliments and explain what’s going on! Mom, why are you young? Dad, why do you have hair? Sana, why are you in a school uniform!?"
"Because it’s a school day."
"And you, go wash your face. Fix that bedhead. Today’s an important day, you know."
"...Important day?"
Still bewildered, I was hit with another bombshell from Mom.
"It’s your high school entrance ceremony."
Comments
Post a Comment