Asahi wakes up.
His eyes snap open.
The ceiling—unchanged. The air—still. The weight of time—crushing.
He turns his head. The clock.
8:30 AM.
Same time.
His fingers curl, his breathing steady. But this time… it's different.
He lifts his hands, staring at them. Not just his hands.
Him.
Slowly, his gaze rises.
One hundred times.
One hundred times he has woken up. One hundred times he has fought. One hundred times he has failed.
Not today.
Today, he isn't just trapped in this loop.
Today, he ends it.
Today, they all survive
Asahi sits up.
His body—weak. So weak. Every muscle protests, his limbs heavy, his breath shallow. His vision blurs. His eyes beg for sleep.
But still.
He moves.
He forces himself up, his steps unsteady—but he walks like it doesn't matter. Like his exhaustion is a lie.
He reaches the drawer, fingers trembling as he pulls it open. His eyes lock onto the fabric inside. A white eye patch. Cloth. Old, but familiar.
Asahi: Oh, found it.
He runs his fingers over it, the texture bringing a rush of memories. A distant past.
Asahi (thinking): I have to cover it. My left eye… it's different now. It doesn't look human.
A small, bitter smile forms.
Asahi: I used to wear this when I got hurt playing with Anari…
He holds the eye patch up, staring at it.
Asahi: (smiles) She made this for me. With her own hands.
Slowly, he ties it around his head. Tight. Secure.
He exhales. Then, he leaves the room.
Asahi: GOOD MORNING!
A smile. A fake smile.
Because no one knows.
Because someday… they might die.
Because someday… he might have to kill every Asahi.
A cursed fate.
His mother turns, her cheerful voice cut off the moment she sees him.
Mom: …What happened to your left eye?!
She rushes toward him, eyes filled with fear.
Mom: Show me. What happened?!
Asahi: Mom, just leave it. It's nothing.
Mom: No… no, show me!
Dad: Asahi… show it.
Asahi: NO… come on, it's just a scratch…
His mother's hands tremble.
Mom: You said the same thing ten years ago. When you played with Anari.
His father's brows furrow.
Dad: You still remember that?
Mom: Of course I do! Back then, he refused to show us too… and now…
Silence.
Asahi clenches his fists.
Asahi: …Sorry, Mom. But I can't.
If they see it… they'll be scared.
Am I even human anymore?
He quietly takes his seat at the dining table. His mother sets the food down in front of him, her hands hesitant.
Dad: Eat fast. Don't be late for school.
Asahi picks up his spoon, but the food in front of him feels… distant.
Like everything else in this loop
Asahi picks up his spoon.
His hands shake.
Just slightly—but enough.
His father notices.
For a second, their eyes meet. Asahi clenches his jaw, tightening his grip. He forces his hand to steady.
And he does.
Like nothing happened.
Dad: …Eat fast. Don't be late for school.
Asahi nods, lowering his gaze to the food.
It tastes the same. Smells the same.
But today… he doesn't know if they'll live to eat another meal.
Asahi: (takes a few bites, but stops) …I'm going.
Dad: Come on, eat properly!
Asahi: No… no. Bye! (quickly grabs his bag)
Mom: Oh! This kid… (picks up the plate, sighing)
Dad: (watching Asahi leave) …His steps—weak. His grip—weak. His eyes—sleepless.
And that smile... so fake, Asahi.
Asahi steps out of the house.
His steps—slow. His breath—calm. His mind—unsettled.
Asahi:(This time… I'm not late.)
His fingers graze the eye patch tied around his head.
Asahi:(I have this eye now… but what does it even mean? Can I use it? Can I control it?)
A thought creeps in—a dark, twisted thought.
Asahi:(What if… I travel through every dimension… and kill every Asahi?)
He stops walking for a second. The idea lingers.
Asahi:(No. No. That's foolishness… But still…)
SUDDENLY—
SMACK!
Anari:"HEY!"
A sharp hit to the head—expected, but still annoying.
Asahi:"Ahh…" (barely reacts, like he knew it was coming)
Anari:"Asahi—huh?" (eyes narrowing as she notices the eye patch)
Her tone shifts.
Anari:"…What happened to your eye?"
Asahi:"NOTHING."
Anari:"Nothing? Then why are you wearing this?"
Asahi meets her gaze. He exhales, his voice dry.
Asahi:"Really…?"
Anari doesn't laugh this time. She just stares.
(All the time… he never tells me anything. Why? What is he hiding? …Wait—)
Her eyes widen slightly.
Anari:"Hey, that's—"
A realization hits her like a shockwave.
Anari:"That's the eye patch I gave you ten years ago!"
Silence.
Asahi: (coldly) "Yeah."
Anari: (blushes slightly) "You… still have it?"
Asahi: (glances at her, flustered but hiding it) "It's not like that. It was just in my drawer."
Anari: (grinning) "Yeah, yeah."
Asahi:"Come on, believe me."
Anari smirks, walking ahead.
Anari: (laughs) "Yeah, yeah~"
They reach the school together.
For a moment, everything feels normal.
For a moment.
Because deep down, Asahi knows—this day is different.
Asahi and Anari step into the classroom.
Asahi:"Huh…?"
Anari:"Wait—"
Sensei:"Asahi. Anari. You're late."
Asahi freezes.
Asahi:(Wait… but I thought I was early. Oh… it's because of her.)
Suddenly—
Anari:"Sensei! It's because of him."
Asahi:"Huh?" (confused)
Anari:"His eye got injured, so we had to go to the hospital early this morning."
Asahi stares at her. Did she just—?!
Sensei:"Oh! Asahi… are you alright now?" (concerned)
Asahi:(Oh wow… she's a hell of a liar.)
Asahi:"Yes, ma'am." (plays along)
Sensei:"Alright, take your seats."
They both walk to their desks.
Asahi leans in, voice low.
Asahi:"Yo… you're a hell of a liar."
Anari:"I'm just not as dumb as you." (grinning)
Asahi:"Yeah, yeah."
Sensei:"Let's start the class."
Asahi exhales, but his mind is somewhere else.
This day is already different.
Asahi leans back in his chair, eyes drifting toward the window.
Asahi:(Huh… this day… it feels calm. Almost unreal… like I've come to school after 100 days.)
And the truth is—he has.
Asahi:(Unbelievable.)
Suddenly—
Anari:"Hey."
Asahi:"Huh?" (snaps out of his thoughts)
Anari:"Listen to the class."
Asahi: (laughs silently) "Class? NERD."
Anari: (glares) "Oh, you—!" (grabs a crumpled paper and throws it at him)
Asahi:(dodges effortlessly)"Ahhh—missed! Your aim is so poor!" (laughs)
Sensei:"Asahi?"
Asahi freezes.
Asahi:"Shit." (smiles awkwardly)
Sensei:"Take this!"
A small chalk piece flies through the air—fast.
Asahi dodges, turning his head just in time.
He looks at Sensei.
He smiles.
Sensei:"GET OUT! BOTH OF YOU!"
Anari:"HUH?! ME?!"
Asahi: (grinning) "Yeah, yeah. Come on."
Anari groans, but follows him outside.
Asahi stands outside the classroom, hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall.
Anari:"It's all because of you!" (angrily)
Asahi:(huh?) (laughs)
Anari:"Why are you laughing?!" (annoyed)
Asahi:"Nothing." (still smiling)
He exhales, closing his eyes for a brief second.
(Huh… this is more peaceful than looping 100 times.)
Anari:"What are you even thinking, huh?"
Asahi looks at her. His expression—calm. His smile—real. Just for a moment.
Asahi:"Nothing."
Anari:(blushes slightly)"Huh…" (looks away)
Anari:"Today… I have to go shopping."
Asahi:"So…?"
Anari:"My parents are busy today!"
Asahi:"Okay." (unbothered)
Anari:"I will be alone!"
Asahi: (glances at her) "Okay."
Anari: (angrily) "That's all you have to say?!"
Asahi: (coldly) "Yeah."
Anari:"HUH?!"(annoyed, fuming)
Suddenly—
Asahi stops.
His eyes widen. His entire body tenses.
Asahi:"Wait… you'll be alone?"
Anari:(Y-yeah…? What's with him all of a sudden?)
Asahi's head slowly lifts. His expression hardens.
Asahi:"I'm coming with you."
Anari:"Wha—HUH?!"
Asahi: (firmly) "You're not going alone."
Anari:(blushes, turns away)"H-huh… pervert."
Asahi:"Huh—NO! That's not why!"
Anari:(grinning slightly)"Then why?"
Asahi stares at her. The air shifts. His voice—deeper. Calmer. Absolute.
Asahi:"Because I can't leave you alone… my heart won't let me."
A second of silence.
Anari's face—bright red.
Anari:"W-what…?"(heart racing, brain shutting down)
Asahi:(smirks)"After school. We're going shopping."
Anari stares at him.
(He… he's changed. The way he looks at me. The way he talks. This isn't the same Asahi from before.)
(And… I think I'm starting to like him even more.)
The school day ends.
Asahi and Anari step outside, the golden light of the evening sun stretching their shadows across the pavement.
Asahi:"Huh… so—"
Anari:(grinning)"Let's go!"
They walk side by side.
Asahi's steps are slow, his body weak. His vision flickers between clarity and exhaustion, his eyelids fighting to stay open.
Anari notices.
Anari:"Asahi!"
Asahi:(snaps back to reality)"Huh? What?"
She pauses.
Anari:(softly)"…Nothing."(His body… it's weak. His hands tremble. His eyes won't stop blinking… But still, he came with me.)
The Shopping Mall
They reach the shopping center.
Asahi:(forcing himself awake)"Huh… we're here."
Anari:(cheerfully)"Come on, let's go inside!"
Asahi lets out a long breath. His exhaustion sits in his bones, but he follows her in.
Anari:(excitedly)"This is my favorite shop!"
It's not a high-end store—just a simple, middle-class clothing shop. But Anari's eyes light up like it's the best place in the world.
Asahi:"Alright, let's pick something quickly."
Anari:(grins)"Huh? Why are you following me into the women's section?"
Asahi:"Huh—"
He stops, turns away.
Asahi:"Then I'm not coming." (starts walking off)
Anari:(grabs his wrist, pulling him back)"No, no! Come with me!"
Asahi:(smirks, letting her drag him along.)
Anari walks toward a rack of dresses, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
She picks up two dresses—a red one and a black one.
Anari:"Which one, Asahi? The red or the black?"
Asahi pauses.
Something feels… familiar.
(I've heard this before… this moment… the way she's holding the dresses… it's the same.)
His fingers twitch.
His voice lowers.
Asahi:"Anari… for you, everything will be perfect."
She freezes.
Her breath catches.
Anari:(blushing slightly)"H-huh…?"
Her hands tighten around the dresses.
She turns quickly.
Anari:"I-I'm trying both! Wait here!" (rushes into the changing room)
Asahi sits down on a chair nearby. His body sinks into the seat, his exhaustion weighing him down.
Asahi:(leaning back)"Hahh… I'm so tired…"
He closes his eyes for a moment.
Asahi:(thinking)"She's changing inside."
…
Asahi:(Wait—she's changing inside?)
A small smirk tugs at his lips.
Asahi:(grinning, trying to get up)
Then—
A sound.
A whisper.
Asahi's entire body tenses.
His breath stops.
His muscles lock.
Asahi:"…Huh?"
Slowly, his head turns.
And then—
His vision shakes. His heart pounds.
A figure stands at the end of the hallway.
The Black Man.
Pale. Motionless. White hunter eyes locked onto him.
Staring.
Mouth twitching.
Then—
It speaks.
The Black Man:(whispering)"Help me… help me… help me… help… help me…"
Asahi's breathing—fast. Faster.
His heart races.
His hands tremble.
Sweat drips down his forehead.
Asahi:(shaking his head, whispering to himself)"No… no…"
His vision distorts.
The whispers get louder.
Help me. Help me. Help me.
Asahi grips his head.
The air feels heavy. The walls feel closer.
The Black Man:(stepping forward, voice breaking apart like static)"Help… me…"
Asahi's mind spirals.
Asahi:(panicking, gripping his skull tighter)"NO… NO… NO… NO!"
SUDDENLY—
SMACK!
Anari:"ASAHI!"(hits his head)
Asahi jolts back to reality, his eyes wild, unfocused.
His chest rises and falls too fast. His hands are still trembling.
Anari:(tense, worried)"Why are you sweating so much?!"
Asahi stares at her.
His lips part, but no words come out.
His voice feels stolen.
Asahi:(shaking, whispering to himself)"That… that Asahi… No… no…"
His fingers dig into his head.
(Something is wrong.)
(My hallucinations are getting worse.)
The whispers haven't stopped.
Help me. Help me. Help me.
Asahi clenches his jaw.
Asahi:(trembling, voice breaking apart)"No… no… no…"
Then—
Soft hands touch his head.
His body stiffens.
Fingers gently comb through his hair, slow, careful, almost… protective.
Anari pulls his head onto her shoulder.
Her breath is warm. Her voice is soft.
Anari:"Yeah, yeah… it's okay."
Her fingers trail through his hair again, calming, grounding.
Asahi's breathing slows.
The whispers fade.
His heartbeat—steady.
Asahi looks up at her.
She's staring at him—genuine worry in her eyes.
Anari:"What happened, Asahi?"
She doesn't ask forcefully. She asks softly—like she already knows something is wrong.
She looks into his eyes.
And then—she smiles.
Anari:"Don't worry… everything will be alright."(smiles beautifully)
For the first time in forever—
Asahi blushes.
His eyes widen slightly.
Asahi:"…Huh?"
SUDDENLY—
He jumps up, clearing his throat.
Cough.
He looks at her again.
And—
She's wearing a black dress.
And she looks…
Stunning.
(Asahi stands frozen, his breath caught in his throat. His mind is blank, completely taken aback.)
Asahi: (soft, almost breathless) "I just… wow."
(In front of him, Anari does a slight spin, showing off the dress she just tried on. She grins playfully, eyes twinkling with excitement.)
Anari: (grinning) "How is it?"
(Asahi remains stunned, his eyes fixed on her. For a second, he forgets to blink.)
Asahi: (soft, dazed) "Wow."
(Anari giggles, placing her hands on her hips.)
Anari: (cheerful) "So? Are we buying it?"
Asahi: (snapping out of his trance) "Let's just purchase it!"
Anari: (excited) "Yeaahh!"
(They head to the billing counter. Just as Asahi is about to step forward—he stops. His eyes shift slightly toward Anari, as if expecting something.)
(Anari notices this. Slowly, a teasing smile creeps onto her lips.)
Anari: (grinning) "Hmm? Why'd you stop?"
(Asahi glances at her, squinting suspiciously.)
Asahi:"I dunno… Something tells me… you should be the one paying."
Anari: (gasps, clutching her chest dramatically) "EH?! I thought you were gonna pay for it!"
Asahi: (pauses) "Oh… is it…?"
(His expression changes drastically. His eyes widen as the realization hits.)
Asahi: (dramatic, pointing at her) "NO WAY!"
Anari: (mock gasp, pretending to be offended) "Huh…? When you go out on a date, the boy should buy for his girl." (smiles mischievously)
(Silence. Asahi freezes. Slowly, his gaze sharpens as he processes her words.)
Asahi: (lowering his voice, smirking slightly) "When did it become a date?"
(Anari's face turns crimson in an instant.)
Anari: (stuttering, flustered) "N-No… no…!"
(She immediately starts punching him lightly, her small fists tapping against his chest in embarrassment.)
(Asahi laughs slightly, but his own blush begins creeping in. He turns away, shoving a hand into his pocket, then finally—he pulls out his wallet, sighing as if defeated.)
Asahi: (grumbling, embarrassed) "Alright, alright."(he hands over the money)
(Anari watches him in shock, her mouth slightly open.)
Anari: (in disbelief, internally) "Ahh… He just paid…!"
(Asahi turns toward her, avoiding her gaze, his ears turning pink.)
Asahi: (grumbling) "It's just because… you said…" (blushes harder) "It's a… date."
Anari: (face turning even redder) "A-Ahhh! You dummy!"(she lightly punches his arm again, trying to hide her embarrassment.)
(Both of them step out of the store, the warm evening breeze brushing past them. Anari clutches the bag with her new dress, her heart still racing. Asahi, on the other hand, casually shoves his hands into his pockets, pretending to be unaffected—though his blush still lingers.)