Chapter: 158. A World Line That Should Not Exist
In the original game of “Star Pull 2”, the male protagonist “Tsukimi Kanade” is given a setup that breaks the fourth wall.
In the game, there exists an extraordinary item that the protagonist eventually obtains, providing a reasonable explanation for the protagonist’s ability to inherit powers upon opening multiple routes. This item is called the “Kaora Box,” with the name “Kaora” derived from the engine used to create the “Star Pull” series.
The Kaora Box is an extraordinary item that is not limited by time and space; regardless of whether you obtain it from the past, present, or future, you can use its abilities at any time. In other words, it is a “destined” extraordinary item, selected for individuals, referred to as “players” in gaming terms and “the protagonist” in the story setting.
In “Star Pull 2,” there are many similar settings where “games” and “stories” merge.
For example, the “retrace” effect and setting provided by the Kaora Box corresponds to the data that the “player” chooses to inherit from the previous route when opening multiple routes—
“……How many times have I been here already…..”
After rewriting his own “character,” Kanade’s mind breaks free from its shackles, finally able to comprehend what this white space is and what the circular tree diagram beneath the black flames represents.
It is the “possible worlds” he has traversed in countless works, simply put, “parallel worlds.”
【The number of times already conducted: 6424617···】
What the Kaora Box reveals is an unimaginably astronomical figure. Each time there exists a “player” in the world who opens “Star Pull 2” and chooses the male protagonist “Tsukimi Kanade” to start the game, this count increases by one. Subsequently, during the course of the game, every save, the use of previous route powers, restarting after a GAMEOVER, etc., all enter the Kaora Box and are counted.
This staggering number represents “all possibilities” of “Tsukimi Kanade” up to the present, as he enters this hidden route.
Of course, from Kanade’s perspective, his “all possibilities” are merely the “ability” granted to him by the Kaora Box.
For the number reported by the Kaora Box, Kanade is momentarily at a loss for how to react. Perhaps that astronomical string of digits is the embodiment of what is known as “destiny”?
“…..Are there countless parallel worlds there?” Kanade decides to focus on other matters.
His gaze falls on the tree diagram made up of the black flames beneath him.
Whenever he gazes into the flames, his consciousness enters a familiar yet strange world, where he is still Tsukimi Kanade but experiences things he has never encountered before.
After the “character positioning” has shifted, Kanade now gazes at these “possibilities” without feeling dizzy; he can even observe them unemotionally, as if existing independently of these worlds.
But what concerns Kanade is that among these “possibilities,” he has yet to find that familiar black-haired girl.
【No, that is merely the calculation process of all possibilities.】 The Kaora Box gives a different explanation than Kanade’s speculation.
【Before the ‘ending’ arrives, everything is merely a possibility that may occur.】
From a gaming perspective, until you officially clear the ending and reach END, regardless of how many saves you have made, what routes you have played, or even if you have seen all the content in a certain route, before the END appears, everything is just Schrödinger’s cat—existing in a state of superposition and chaos. Only by opening the box will you know which possibility it will ultimately collapse into.
“Why is there no existence of Konomi among these possibilities?”
【……】
For the first time, the Kaora Box fell silent.
Clearly, this question was outside its scope of answers.
However, Kanade was also not overly concerned about the answer to this question and instead shifted to the topic he truly cared about:
“Can I go back to the past through you? Since everything is just one of the possibilities, I should be able to return to the past—”
Now Kanade finally understood Kurokawa’s strange behavior at the amusement park.
Setting aside why Konomi is the protagonist, Kurokawa obviously had foreknowledge of this information because Midelash, due to its uniqueness, had glimpsed events that had already occurred in other possibilities.
【Yes, can we do it again?】
But the response from the Kaora Box left Kanade momentarily stunned.
“I….. If I choose to do it again, can I go back to the past with my current memories?”
【Request error.】
“Is that so…..”
Even if he could return to the past, without memories, no matter how many times he restarted, he would likely face the same outcome.
Because each world line is completely independent, and without any external intervention, it can only lead to the same result, unless—
“…..Rewrite.”
Kanade looked again at the black flames in front of him.
If “rewriting oneself” is an enhancement targeted at the individual, then the “rewriting of the world” previously mentioned in relation to the Kaora Box represents—
“…..Keeping oneself unchanged while the surrounding world changes?”
Normally, retracing through the Kaora Box would result in losing memories and powers, but if combining the power of “rewriting the world” with the Kaora Box to retrace, one could retain all memories and current powers—this could work.
Kanade reignited hope, but just as he reached this conclusion, the black flames suddenly expanded and contracted violently.
【Warning.】
【Rewriting the world line will invite the unique.】
“Unique?” Kanade was taken aback.
【Warning.】
【Changing the world line will plunge everything into chaos.】
This was Kanade’s first time seeing such a strong reaction from the Kaora Box, and he could sense how dangerous the actions he was about to take were.
“Is it the kind of setting where world line changes make other worlds unstable?”
Now that the “character” had been rewritten as the independent “player” outside of possibilities, Kanade naturally thought of many settings related to time travel.
【Warning.】
【Rewriting the world line will invite the unique.】
Unfortunately, the Kaora Box did not answer Kanade’s question, merely repeating its previous statements.
“…..I don’t care about that.” Kanade closed his eyes, the smile of that black-haired girl appearing before him.
“As long as I can save Konomi, I am willing to accept any cost.”
Once the words fell.
The Kaora Box also ceased its warnings; as an extraordinary item, everything follows the will of its holder.
Its current tranquility represents Kanade’s resolution.
“When can you take me back to the past? Can I return to before I met Konomi?”
When Kanade opened his eyes again, the light of hope had returned.
But the first time he envisioned the time point, it was when he intended to cut all ties with Konomi.
Since his meeting with Konomi brought her so much misfortune, as long as the two had never encountered each other from the very beginning, she would not be caught up in these disasters.
As for what Kurokawa previously mentioned about Konomi being the protagonist, as long as he could return to the past with his current powers and memories, he would have ample time to prevent all of this from happening.
【Request error.】
【Cannot retrace to a collapsed possibility.】
But the answer from the Kaora Box shattered Kanade’s plan.
“A collapsed possibility?”
【At critical time nodes, everything that has occurred in the past will collapse.】
Following the Kaora Box’s words, Kanade focused his attention on the circular tree diagram beneath him.
What is referred to as key nodes are those circular rings.
【The first time I came to Kawano City】
【The first time I met Tsukimi Yukino】
…..
…..
【Returning to Kawano City as myself】
【▍▍Konomi▍’s death▍】
【▍▍▍▍▍▍▍▍▍▍】
…..
From these circular rings, Kanade discovered something of concern.
Although he did not know how these key nodes were established, if it were the case that once he reached these moments, the possibilities would collapse—
“Is there no way to return to the past before Konomi died?”
【The possibility of this node has not yet collapsed.】
The Kaora Box provided an unexpected answer, as it seemed to have seen through Kanade’s question and proactively explained:
【Only the act of observation itself will cause the possibility to collapse.】
【You have yet to witness the death of Hoshimi Konomi with your own eyes.】
Upon hearing this, Kanade finally understood why there was a smudged portion on this circular ring.
It is because Konomi’s death has not yet been observed.
“I see, no wonder Kurokawa…..” Kanade finally understood why Kurokawa did not let him see Konomi’s corpse in the end.
Since his contract beast Midelash can to some extent peep into the world of possibilities, he likely has a certain understanding of this.
“…..I got it, then can I retrace back to the time point of ‘I returned to Kawano City’?”
【Request received, would you like to do it again?】
“…..Yes, again!” As soon as Kanade finished speaking, brilliant golden light burst from his eyes.
【Rewrite——World】
Kanade, according to plan, activated his powers at the moment of retracing—
But at that moment, the Kaora Box issued another warning.
【Warning】
Kanade thought it was merely reminding him that his forthcoming actions would be taboo.
However, it spoke an entirely different message.
【If you personally witness the death of Hoshimi Konomi, you will no longer be able to retrace to time nodes before her death.】
—————–
Tick-tock—tick-tock—
When Kanade once again opens his eyes to a familiar yet strange sound.
The surrounding environment is the inn he is familiar with, where he and Konomi stayed before returning to Kawano City from Kawanishi City.
And at this moment, what greets his eyes is Konomi’s figure, grasping his hand and lying beside him.
“Ah, Kanade-kun, good morning~”
The gentle voice of the girl leaves Kanade stunned.
A possibility that should not exist is changing once again—
