Chapter: 159. Second Chance
“Kanade, Kanade? What’s wrong?”
Nagi stared blankly at Kanade, who suddenly embraced her, a hint of surprise appearing in her eyes.
“…I’m so glad.” Kanade’s voice trembled slightly, as if he was struggling to suppress some emotion. “I’m sorry, I thought… I had lost you forever.”
He held Nagi tightly in his arms, as if trying to merge their existences into the reality of this moment.
He could clearly feel her warmth, her heartbeat— the most undeniable proof of existence— she was still alive.
“What’s going on? Did Kanade have a nightmare or something?”
Nagi gently laughed, her palm slowly caressing the back of Kanade’s head, her fingertips passing through his hair, soothing him lightly.
From a perspective that Kanade couldn’t see, her expression momentarily froze, as if she realized something, and she unconsciously bit her lip.
“Be good~ be good~ I’m here, I’ve always been here~”
—So that day has truly come after all?
—This reaction… is this the first time Kanade has rewritten the world?
Nagi pondered quietly in her heart.
For Nagi, she had already made plans to welcome her own death today.
She had long anticipated that Kanade might “rewrite the world” to “load a saved game.”
That was why she had held Kanade’s hand tightly that morning, quietly waiting for him to awaken.
Because she knew— if Kanade awakened his second ability “Rewrite the World,” it was highly likely that the world line would be reverted to this day.
Therefore, by observing Kanade’s first reaction after awakening, Nagi could deduce whether Kanade had indeed “rewritten the world,” and what might have occurred in the previous world line.
After all, for someone who had just “loaded a saved game,” the first reaction was often the most genuine.
To others, everything that Tsukimi Kanade had gone through before rewriting the world was merely one possibility of an unrealized future— he was unable to retain memories from the past when returning, only a very few individuals with related authority could maintain their original cognition in the face of the world line’s reversion.
In Nagi’s perception, today was her birthday.
They had just returned to Kawano City near Kawanishi City the night before, simply finding a hotel to stay in, that was all.
From Kanade’s panic after he had just woken up, which felt almost like something had been regained, she guessed that she had already died in the previous “possible” world line.
Although she didn’t know what kind of scene he had witnessed, one thing was certain— her plan to live with regret had already begun.
Kanade had successfully awakened his second ability.
Only, it didn’t allow him to witness her death firsthand; otherwise, it should have been impossible to revert to this moment.
In the original game “Star Draw 2,” the male protagonist Tsukimi Kanade could force a load of a saved game with “Rewrite the World,” provided that he cannot witness the female protagonist’s death. Otherwise, the “possibility” would collapse into a fixed outcome due to observation, and the Box of Kaola along with rewriting the world could no longer intervene.
—I’m sorry, it must be hard…
Nagi gently stroked Kanade’s back, gradually tightening her embrace, pulling him deeper into her arms.
If she wanted to know what had happened to her within infinite possibilities, she would have to harness the power of Midrash.
Only through His chaotic authority could she glimpse the world lines of those “possibilities.”
And for herself, obtaining Midrash’s assistance wouldn’t be difficult.
Nagi believed she had established a good relationship with Midrash at Ark Academy before.
Additionally, during this escape, she had deliberately exposed her movements to Midrash, with the intention of allowing Him to keep up with her and provide assistance when necessary.
Right now, Nagi only needed a heavy rainfall that could simultaneously cover herself and Midrash, so that the power of Garuda could deliver her wishes to Him, allowing her to glimpse what she had experienced in the previous world line under the influence of chaotic authority.
Although Kanade had already completed his second awakening, this was merely the start of the plan to live with regret, far from its end.
Because—
“Little Nagi, I’m sorry… I seem to have… had a nightmare…”
Kanade seemed to have finally calmed down, his voice low and somewhat weary.
At the same time, Nagi keenly caught— a flicker of extremely subtle magical brilliance flashed in his eyes.
She did not miss this.
Kanade realized he was confirming his number of rewrites.
Tsukimi Kanade’s “Rewrite the World” was not limited by the number of uses like “Rewrite Himself.”
Hidden, in a sense, the moment he awakened, he had already “paid the necessary times.”
The ability “Rewrite the World” was like the save feature in a game, capable of being used infinitely.
However, even in the notorious and poorly received game “Star Draw 2,” even a simple “loading a save” action came with costs.
Just as in certain notoriously difficult games, if players accumulate too many GAME OVER deaths, special penalties would be triggered.
“Star Draw 2” innovated upon that, achieving an even more inhumane aspect— it didn’t even require the premise of “too many death counts.”
So—
She had to make Kanade “accept” this result.
Only then would it not attract the intervention of the only “unique” character in the original “Star Draw” series.
…
…
“Kanade, you fool~ Didn’t we promise to always be together? How could you let a nightmare scare you like that…”
“…Yes, yes, I’m sorry.”
Kanade looked at the girl in front of him, that familiar brilliant smile seemed to indicate that time had never changed.
However, precisely because everything had remained unchanged, Kanade was even more sure— he had successfully used the Box of Kaola to revert the world line, and the power of “Rewrite the World” did allow him to retain his memories and abilities.
If it weren’t for the fact that he had just felt that “the number of rewrites” had indeed decreased by one.
This tranquil scene before his eyes would perhaps make him mistakenly believe that the tragedy that happened in the amusement park was merely a nightmare.
“And, Kanade~ is there something you forgot to say?”
Nagi puffed up her cute cheeks like a hamster, pretended to be pouty.
Upon hearing this, Kanade suddenly remembered that, by time, today was Nagi’s birthday.
From Kanade’s perspective, so much had happened in the past that he regarded Nagi’s birthday as an unimportant matter.
But for Nagi, this should have been the day they had been looking forward to for a long time.
This misalignment in perception made Kanade feel an uncomfortable sensation for the first time.
As if… he had stepped into a completely unfamiliar world.
—Is this what it means to “change the world”?
“Um, er, happy birthday, Little Nagi.”
“Mm, thank you~”
Just as Kanade remembered, Nagi displayed a brilliant smile, and her eyes sparkled with a glow of happiness.
Following that, just like last time, Nagi made her customary “big sister declaration.”
Everything was proceeding along the trajectory of what had occurred “last time.”
If he hadn’t brought his memories back to this world line, would the outcome also have been the same as before?
(“Mm, Tsukimi Nagi… is your girl.”)
A phrase suddenly flashed in his mind, the last words from Kurokawa from the previous world line.
Kanade’s heart skipped a beat.
He suddenly reached out his hand, grabbing her wrist just as Nagi turned to change clothes.
“Mm? Kanade?”
Nagi looked back in surprise, her beautiful eyes revealing a hint of confusion.
Kanade’s throat tightened slightly; he remained silent for a moment before finally speaking:
“I… have a gift I want to give to Little Nagi.”
Upon hearing this, Nagi blinked, then put on an expectant expression.
Kanade took a deep breath, reached for his coat hung on the rack, and pulled out a small box from his pocket.
Inside was a ring.
Kanade had originally planned to kneel down like last time—
—No, no, he must make a change.
Kanade froze in place, recalling last time, when Nagi hesitated in response to the sudden proposal and the brief separation that followed.
So, he adjusted his breathing and tried to speak in a relaxed tone:
“This is a gift for you, Little Nagi.”
This time, instead of opening the box and taking out the ring, Kanade handed the box with the ring inside directly to Nagi.
To avoid bringing about the same ending as last time, Kanade actively conceded to the “already agreed upon proposal.”
He would rather give up on Nagi accepting his proposal than allow her to face the same danger again.
“Thank you~ Can I open it!?”
As Nagi took the box, her face radiated a joyful smile, her eyes shone with excitement, and the way she hopped around eagerly was adorable enough to tug at one’s heartstrings.
“Mm, you can.”
After receiving Kanade’s reply, Nagi couldn’t wait to open the box.
The next second, a silvery light reflected in her pupils, and she paused for a moment, the smile on her face freezing momentarily.
Then, a flush quickly crept up her cheeks.
“This, this is… could it be—”
She anxiously shifted her gaze away from the ring to Kanade, her eyes revealing a trace of subtly complex emotions.
However, Kanade quickly interrupted her before she could speak:
“It’s a birthday gift for you. Do you like it? I heard this kind of accessory is popular among girls lately…”
He held back the stirrings in his heart and uttered a disingenuous excuse.
“Is, is it…?” This fool of mine thought it was…
Nagi was momentarily stunned, then she displayed a shy and awkward smile, quietly murmuring something at the end.
“Thank you, Kanade. I will cherish it for a lifetime and won’t let it be like last time…”
What Nagi referred to as “last time” was the star bracelet Kanade had given her before.
That bracelet had been taken from her during her kidnapping and ultimately lost in the vast ocean near Ark Academy.
Kanade remembered how long Nagi had been sad about that bracelet.
“When we go back to Kawano City today, I want to look for a chance to buy a necklace to hang it on~”
Nagi smiled as she examined the ring lying in her palm.
Her words reminded Kanade.
—They couldn’t return to Kawano City.
Waiting for them there was the ambush from the Special Ring SEMA and an attack from the End.
Although Kanade was very concerned about what Kurokawa had said about “Tsukimi Nagi being the true protagonist,” he absolutely did not intend to let her fall into danger again after having lost her once.
“Um, Little Nagi, today’s plan might change.”
Kanade’s voice was somewhat low.
“I’m afraid we won’t be able to return to Kawano City today.”
“Eh?”
Nagi’s expression brightened with surprise, followed by a hint of disappointment.
But it seemed she quickly adjusted her mindset, forcing a smile.
“Is, is that so… I understand…”
Nagi’s reaction pained Kanade’s heart.
For this gentle and kind girl, today was probably the day she had looked forward to the most, to return home and celebrate her birthday with her family?
At this moment, Kanade couldn’t help but feel grateful that Nagi was a well-behaved and understanding girl.
Her acceptance unconsciously filled the loneliness he felt after “changing the world,” a solitude that no one understood and to which he had no one to confide.
“Then, where are we going today? Are we staying in Kawanishi City?”
“…No, it’s best if we leave here as soon as possible.”
Since the End and the dark dragon had appeared in Kawano City last time, that meant they could be lurking in the surrounding areas of Kawano City.
And Kawanishi City, being the closest city to Kawano City, was clearly not a safe place.
“Mm, I understand.”
Upon hearing this, Nagi began packing her bags.
Throughout it all, she never asked Kanade why he suddenly changed his mind.
It was as if she genuinely trusted her childhood friend.
As the two started packing, Nagi discreetly moved closer to the window and casually glanced outside.
In less than a moment, the previously clear sky was now filled with dark clouds.
Seeing this, Kanade felt a slight heaviness in his heart.
He realized— he was about to continue fleeing in the rain.
