Vol 7 Chapter 1 (1/2)

Volume 7

Will this, too, become a moment that I will only be able to remember in my dreams?

”Are you ready?”

My opponent, O, stands before lare at her, and my mind starts to wander

I' char hair redolent of Maria's, the slender arlued-on slued-on” is just the way to put it: her smile is so perfect that it resembles that of a masterfully crafted doll

It's an uncanny smile that arouses a primal fear

Until now, O's face kept slipping my memory when I woke up This will stop now

O no longer re she once was, because I learned that she was created via Maria's box, the Flawed Bliss If Maria's box is the cause of my amnesia, then I should be able to withstand it with the aid of my Empty Box

Yes! Focus on her, Kazuki!

—O (Aya Otonashi+)

She is your enemy

”─────────────────────────────”

It's all right

My thoughts are back to normal now that I've affirmed that she's rance of pepperoals

—I will bring Maria back

—I will make her a part of my everyday life

—I will norant of boxes

I will go to any length for the sake of oals I've already sacrificed one ofon this planet, I would do so without a second thought Quite literally I'm dead serious

I take a deep breath and glare at O

”Are you ready?” she asks with an uncanny and all-too-perfect soodbye to this world?”

I scrunch up htly as possible

”Why would I want to do that?”

It's an undeniable truth that boxes have wreaked havoc upon my most valuable treasure, my everyday life

Yuuri Yanagi will continue to suffer fro murder

Iroha shi+ndou's personality and the false miracle she believed in were both crushed

Koudai Kamiuchi was killed

Ryuu Miyazaki killed his parents and was thrown in jail

Riko Asa

Kasuain

Kokone Kirino was physically and ed until she broke down

Haruaki Usui lost all of his friends, myself included

Daiya Oomine is not likely to return

And even I, Kazuki Hoshi+no—

I look at , self-inflicted wound This wound re past the point of no return

”But—” I ly endless energy wells up from deep within

Right! I won't give up on my idea of a perfect world, no matter how hopeless my situation looks

”When we last met, you lost,” O taunts me without hesitation Iat her, but she doesn't seem to care one bit

”You seek to ive up her box, correct?” she continues ”However, you should be well aware that your own deeds have ruled out the possibility of that ever happening”

I bite ht

”In order to defeat Daiya Oomine, you chose to sacrifice Kokone Kirino before her very eyes – perfectly aware that Maria ht turn a deaf ear to all your atte your horrible act And your concerns ell-founded”

”…”

Maria will never forgive h that was the only solution I could think of I dug rave

Breaking the silence, O continues: ”But that does notfar more serious has occurred”

What does she mea—

O answers my question before I can even pose it

”Maria Otonashi+ forgot about you”

”Wha—!”

My goal is to get Maria to abandon her box I oal that drives her to such extre to help others It's beyond the scope of ure out how I could ever persuade someone with an iron will like Maria to do that

And, as if the situation weren't hopeless enough … Maria lost her memory?

I'm supposed to persuade her like that? …Impossible I er? How could a stranger influence anyone's heart? My words can no longer reach her

The situation is bordering on hopeless

No, there is no hope at all

However, that's not what I'm most concerned about

”…She forgot about ether … this must be a bad joke…”

—NO!

—I won't accept that!

”Uh … gh…”

I've becoer than anyone else's over the lifetiether, has vanished into thin air

Maria, will you no longer recognize me when you see me?

Maria, will you no longer smile at me when I call your name?

Maria, are you no longer the girl I once knew?

—Then why fight at all? Even if I e to destroy the Flawed Bliss, there are no coether

”It appears that you are in despair”

Of course I aoal even if I destroy her box!

And yet—

”But you will not give up, will you?”

Yeah I can't fathoht

Despiteat O

I will save Maria, even if she doesn't remember me I will save Maria, even if she doesn't want me to

I will not give up No … that's not quite right I can't give up The E Maria, even if it means that I will die inside I have to continue e into the depths of the sea where I'd be blind and unable to breathe Surrender is not an option

O continues to stare atShe displays the sternest expression that I've ever seen on her face

”I will be honest: I ahtly afraid of you”

—An enemy

O has finally recognized me as her enemy

”There is no hope for you That is undeniable And yet … I cannot shake off the feeling that you ht still be able to reach Maria Otonashi+'s heart After all, that is the power you have been given”

She is talking about the power of the ”savior,” the power to destroy boxes

Maria created the Flawed Bliss by wishi+ng for everyone to be happy However, because of the ludicrous precision of every box, her internal doubts about her wish and her secret wish for someone to stop her, came about at the same time

Maria's contradictory wishes created two beings: a wish-granting entity, and a wish-crushi+ng ”savior”

Namely, O and me—Kazuki Hoshi+no

I'ht I'm the only one who has the power to save her

”—Yeah”

I look atpower to crush wishes dwells within it, the power to erase even O

The only reason I'ht now is that the Flawed Bliss would also be destroyed If I did that, Maria's heart would definitely shatter

On the one hand, thismy help On the other hand, I definitely wouldn't exist if not for her wish to be saved

Therefore, there must be a solution, no matter how unlikely I can and do believe it

All right, let's summarize

What can I do to save Maria?

There is just one simple answer: I have to free her of the person in front of me

I say the name

”Aya Otonashi+”

O—Aya Otonashi+—starts to s with self-confidence

”Aya Otonashi+, hm? That's the appearance I've taken on And indeed, she is in But I am not actually Aya Otonashi+”

”I suppose so You're just an iinal Aya was an a person as well, but she was still only a human She couldn't possibly be as unearthly as you are So must have driven Maria to deify her sister”

I clench rown up

”Aya Otonashi+ has grown too large inside Maria Maria can't flee frolecting herself—denying herself—in order to become the monster known as Aya Otonashi+ So—”

I point ht hand at O, and shout:

”So—release her right now, 'Aya Otonashi+!'”

Needless to say, O doesn't bat an eyelash in response to my command

”You are barking up the wrong tree I do not kno to release her, and neither do you Ah, but I do know exactly what you are going to do”

”What…?”

I have no idea what I should do next Despite that, O clai to do

”How could I know, youyou can do, and since you only have a single choice, you will choose it sooner or later, no le that will bear no fruit, like ai into the depths of the sea However, you have no choice but to head there, even if there is not a single strand of hope to be found”

Suddenly, I recall what O mentioned earlier

”…That one thing I can do, it's—”

”—It's to leave this world Exactly”

While I haven't the slightest idea of what O ht

”You will leave this world and never return Of course, that means that I win If that happens, Maria Otonashi+ will continue to pursue her 'flaish until there is nothing left of her I just need to wait it out”

”I won't let it come to that”

”Yes, I suppose if you ed to come back to this world, it wouldMaria Otonashi+ That would mark my defeat and I would disappear You would have released her from her sister—from Aya Otonashi+”

It's quite simple

In other words, I just have to return Return to my precious ”everyday life”

I will meet her I will finally be able to meet Maria in her purest form, before she entered that world of endless recurrences

—I will meet the Zeroth Maria

Ah—but just how difficult will my task be? My dear ”everyday life” has been destroyed; how can I bring Maria to a place that no longer exists?

However, as O said, I will continue to struggle, no matter how hopeless my cause is

”Very well, Kazuki Hoshi+no It is time for the final battle,” O says as she extends her arhtly focused on me, she distorts her beautiful yet hideous face

”Enjoy yourself inside the Flawed Bliss”

With those words, O embraces me

It's disgusting, and yet I can't fight her off I try to grab O's shoulders and push her aside, but ible body It's like I'ht up in cobwebs Bit by bit, I'm consumed by O's body

I can't breathe

I' inside O

Slowly but surely, I'radual that I feel as if I'roeaker; I barely realize that I'

Sinking, sinking, forever sinking—

—Where am I?

It's almost like I'm in the deepest part of the sea, yet its brilliancein the midday sun

The incessant noise is hahter all aroundfrohter, even if I were to coveraltogether

I', yet I feel no distress My body starts to melt into the space around me The space around me starts to take over my body

I lose myself

I disappear

I don't knohat's going to happen, but one thing's for sure

By the end, I will have completely melted away

1st time

”I love you, Kazu-kun”

Not interested I can't afford to deal with ht now

23rd time

”I love you, Kazu-kun”

Please spare me How do you expect me to react?

1,050th time

”I love you, Kazu-kun”

I' confessed to by a girl with such a lovely smile?

13,118th time

My brain has stuck to the insides of u of nausea is possessingin a pool of used oil I'laughter and darkness

I can't see anything

I just keep on repeating

These loops will continue until I've melted into the darkness These loops will continue until every last one of my cells has disappeared These loops will repeat without end

—I wake up

While suppressing the urge to throw up, I rub my eyes and confirm where I am

I see an upside-down blackboard Apparently, I'm in a classroom at school

”…Was I drea?”

I' my head

The classroorouped in blocks of four, each desk decorated with a colorful striped tablecloth The s are plastered with ho of a irls of our class, with soht:

”Maid Café”

”…Haha…”

A bewildered laugh escapes htreat

”—Right … today's…”

It's Saturday, October 10th The day of our school festival

Once I re

”hello, hello? Is it fun staring into the air with so like that in your hand?” a familiar voice suddenly says

”Hm?” I mutter as I turn toward the voice ”Ah!” I exclaim and look away

—Whoa! I wasn't prepared to see an attractive pair of legs right in front of eous white knee socks!

”Oh? Oh-oh? What as arouse you?” she jests

”O-Of course not!” I counter and lift rin on her face She's clad in a light blue maid costume, one somewhat reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland

”What were you doing while everyone else is working like crazy?”

”Erm…”

What was I doing before I fell asleep again?

I reot bored; I must have fallen asleep after that It's probably because the day before, ere also preparing for the festival until late into the night

I'ht! Before I accidentally fell asleep, I wanted to eat soe flavor—I love that stuff) Uer 10 yen each They're so cheap, everyone should buy them

In an atte on it

—Clank

”…Huh?”

Umaibou aren't supposed to be that hard

”Oh my God! How can you play my recorder so shamelessly in front of everyone…?!”

”Your what?” I ask in confusion and look at what I'

For soht hand instead of an Umaibou

”Huh? How?”

”OH NO HELP ME! A perv! We have a foul pervert a us!” Kokone shouts

”…Urm? W-Whoa, no no no! I didn't mean to…!”

”Nooo! He's licking onna take it hoonna use it to play with soap bubbles! He's gonna play the finestsoap bubbles!”

”I've never even heard of such a perverted guy!”

—However, I really can't re up an alto recorder anywhere

That means…

A deep sigh escapes ain my composure and ask Kokone:

”Erht?”

Simply put, Kokone played a prank on me

”Hah? I, have, no, idea, what, you, are, talking, about,” she says, playing dumb ”I mean, ould I even do that? Why would I possibly want a boy who's not even my boyfriend to play h school girl to you?”

”No, not at all, but I'm sure you can come up with a reason”

”Oh come on, use your coirl could coht? Surely you understand that?”

”Yes”

”In other words, you stole my flute yourself and played it That's the whole truth, and nothing but the truth You are a pervert, Kazu-kun Please admit it I won't quit until you do”

”Hah…” I sigh

”Now repeat after me: 'I'm a pervert'”

She would probably get even ive in

”I'm a pervert,” I say

”Okey-dokey, next comes … Repeat after irls by staring at the hairs they forgot to shave'”

”I' at the hairs they forgot to shave In particular, I can never get enough of armpit hair”

”Eek! Y-You're the real thing! Stay away from me!”

For soh she's the one who made me say those words

”By the way, your reat on you”

”Oh, what an abrupt segue Well, I was getting bored anyway … Ah, um, my maid costume you say? Yeah, it's really pretty But let's be honest here: everything looks great on me, no? I'm an unparalleled beauty, no?”

”Yeah You're an unparalleled beauty And isn't the weather lovely today?” I say

”What's up with that indifferent reaction?! You started singing my praises first!”

I think you're cute, but what else a so much…?

”Uh-huh, I bet you're cross because this ned to e I have to show off my massive E-cups and seduce everyone, eh!?”

Not even close

”Not only are you a flute perv with an armpit fetish, but you're also a knee-socks addicted boob-afficionado! The word 'closet pervert' is made for you, Kazu-kun! Kneel down before my splendid E—Ouchy!”

Someone rapped Kokone on the head

”Hah…” sighs Daiya Oouy who just smacked Kokone

Daiya just recently dyed his hair back to its natural black color, but even after res, the holes in his left ear are still visible Because of his handsoued prince

That being said, he's settled down a bit these days He even listened to his classmates and dressed up as a butler for the school festival He would never have gone along with so like that before

But if a butler as testy as Daiya really existed, his insults against the lady of the house would have him fired within a day Or … ?

Anyhile Daiya also loves to teasetoo far

”Thanks Daiya, you ca to her!”

”Hm…”

I bet he's going to say so the lines of ”You're an insult to my eyes You can try to dress up as much as you want, but you won't be able to hide your true colors Fine feathers s like you”

Yeah, so like that

In line with my expectations, Daiya, the consummate cynic, spits out:

”Don't play with another boy in front of me Now I'm jealous”

—What?

Urm, eh?

Could it be that … Daiya's fallen head over heels for her…?

”…Aa…” I utter in confusion…

W-What's going on…? Sure, I know that they finally started dating, even though they used to get along like oil and water, but still…!

”Aw…” Kokone says as she blushes, apparently just as surprised as I am ”U-Urm…! Y-You're my one and only, Daiya … you can be sure of that…” she irlishly than ever before

”But you're getting closer to Kazu than necessary, aren't you?” Daiya says

”We're friends! It's just because we're friends!”

”H that you don't seem to fully understand how attractive you are”

”I-If you say so, Daiya, I will make sure to be more self-aware!”

As she settles down, Kokone starts to sainst Daiya's chest

…Are they going to make out in front of me? Get a room already!

”Oh … did you change your cologne?” Kokone asks

”You have an excellent nose”

”Well, I'ne is against the rules—you're such a bad boy”

”What about your dyed hair?” Daiya retorts

”You said you like brown better than black on oing natural either, but you're the one who said you prefer my current look”

”Yeah, you look great You don't need to change it back unless you feel like it; I prefer your current style But that wasn't the proble about, was it?”

”…Mm,” she nods as she looks up at Daiya ”…Your butler outfit looks so cool … Daiya, honey, try saying 'welcome home, princess' to me!”

”Silly-butt There's no way I'onna say that You say 'welcome home, master'”

”I don't mind at all Welcome home, master Ah … next time I co that!”

I'm in despair

W-What the hell is this…?! T-They've turned into a saccharine-sweet couple! Kokone's still recognizable, but what's up with Daiya's attitude?! I never wanted to see him like that! This isn't my Daiya anymore!

”Hey Kazu, what're you gaping at?” Daiya asks

”I-Isn't it obvious? Don't show off like that in front of me!”

”I've gotta do it because I'et in some troublesome situations if I don't make it a point to demonstrate that I'm in a relationshi+p from time to time”

”…There are several things I' to comment on, but I'll keep those to myself Let me just ask … aren't you embarrassed?” I say

”There is no reason to be eirlfriend”

God, he's e as hell!

”…So you're not e with me?”

”If anything, I'd brag about it”

”Ehehehehe”

”Haha”

”Hehehehe”

”Hahaha”

Cut it out! I don't want to listen anymore!

I end up more embarrassed than either of them Suddenly, I feel someone's hand on my shoulder, so I turn around

”They're horrible, aren't they? They're clearly showing off to le folks jealous!”

It's Haruaki Usui, a friend of ours

I start to nod in agreement, but yelp in surprise once I take in Haruaki's outfit He's also cosplaying, but for soirl's uniforh the uniforreen shi+rt he's wearing underneath is totally visible His s, packed with muscles built up from his baseball activities, peep out of a skirt At least shave those legs, for crying out loud!

How can he wear that getup so sha about in the privacy of his own ho?

”Sigh! I want a cute girlfriend too! You're my only ally, Hoshi+!”

”…Tch!” I spit out as I shove his hand off my shoulder

”Huh? W-What's wrong, Hoshi+? That was cold”

”…I know everything, Haruaki,” I say in an unusually deep tone

”…What do you mean?”

”I hear you're doing really ith a girl from another school You even went on a date?”

”Ugh”

”Ah…! That uniforirl, isn't it!”

”…” Haruaki reuess seems to have been spot-on

”You've got quite so that I was your 'only ally' when you're busy ainst all us lonely guys!” I chide Haruaki while s miserably

”…No … I one out on a date, but we're not exactly dating Anything could still happen at this point That's why, you see, I'd like to play the unpopular character for a little longer…”

”Feh!” I say as I pretend to spit on the floor ”You're like so it!”

I continue to laugh miserably

”A-Aren't you exaggerating? That analogy doesn't really ring true for me, either … and hey, you're no better, Hoshi+!”

”Hm?”

”You and Kasumi clearl—MHMHM!”

The moment he mentions that name, Kokone covers his mouth I can't help but blush and shut up

After all, Kasuirl I'm in love with

—T-That's strange I never confided in anyone, so how did Haruaki come up with her name like that?

Kokone whispers into Haruaki's ear, ”…Shh, Haru-sches of their relationshi+p … best to let them be…!”

”…Ah, you're right … but come on, it's clearly mutual…”

”…Hush now! If we barge in, we ht accidentally mess up their relationshi+p … those two aren't even aware that they're acting lovey-dovey all the time…!”

”…Seriously? Are they still stuck in elementary school, or what…?!” Haruaki replies

Guys, I'ht here!

B-But, it's mutual? W-What could he i-san often sirl And she's only asking uy Yeah … exactly

But

But, given what they're saying, perhaps she really—

”Kazu-kun?”