---
<-Reading tip for this novel, for better understanding.->
Text - Main character's thoughts / First-person narrative.
"Text" - Character's speech.
Text - Third-person narrative.
---
"Enji, I am gonna buy some bandages."
Enji is shocked a little, by his mother's sudden response.
Seriously..., stop scaring me like that.
She is always unpredictable.
"Sure Mom."
I think I should watch some news.
Now where's the remote? Ah, here it is.
...
Still.. No further news about the incident. And no news about any missing person.
I might as well make another appointment with the therapist.
"Enji, I will be gone for some time."
"If someone knocks on the door or rings a doorbell, don't open it."
....
"Okay, Mom."
Although she's clumsy and unpredictable, she still worries about me.
That incident broke both of us mentally. And I don't blame her.
All I do is to cause more trouble for her.
.....She's gone.
Let's see what's going on with today's news.
.....
Boring....
Most news is repetitive, before the "Big Flash" Incident.
The crime rates dropped significantly—hardly any cases of theft, kidnapping, murder, or drug abuse.
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense.
Someone knocks on the door.
Looks like someone's here. But my Mom told me not to open the door.
I should wait till they leave.
.....
But....
I think there's more to this.
He opened the door.
A guy with a black suit, behind him there are 5-6 cops. Hiding their faces with caps.
"Who Am I talking to?"
I have to be cautious.
"Hello, let me introduce myself. My name is Ryuji Nakamura and those are my subordinates. We're from the investigator department of this resident area. We have a few questions for Mister Enji Sakurai."
This is bad. If they discover that I am connected to the incident, I will become the national enemy.
"Yes, that's me."
I have to play it safe.
"As you know, there have been some unusual suicides. Before their deaths, they weren't depressed at all. I think it must be well-planned murder."
"So, I think the next target of the murderer must be YOU."
...
Are you kidding me? This guy is dumb.
How did he conclude that I would be the next target?
I am gonna punch that guy.
"I had to inform you personally. After all, the murder takes place at all of the victim's house."
"It's better not to open the door when there's a stranger in front of your house."
Ah, I think it was a warning message for everyone.
And I was worried for no reason.
"Yeah, I will keep that in my mi-"
....
Wait. The suicides they mentioned happen not only in houses but also in other places.
And speaking of which, what "victims" are they mentioning about?
..Hold on. I never saw the news about the murder he mentioned.
It's been almost 6 months since I've seen the new crime news.
Something is wrong.
"If what you're saying is true, then why haven't I seen the news about it?"
He's muttering...?
Looks like I triggered him a little.
"W-Well, It is confidential after all. We don't want to make the public panic from this absurd news."
I think the bigger parties were involved. Of course, the public will panic.
"Then the victims must be politicians, businessmen, Yakuza, and many more."
The investigator replied, "Yes, you are correct."
....
Now I see.
I was naive to even trust them.
"Then what does it have to do with me? You did tell me that I would be the next victim. I mean what do the bigger parties and I have in common?"
Talk, you dipshit.
"I don't know, but based on our intel it led to you. I came here just to warn you."
"And sorry, I have other things to attend to. Before we leave, Can I ask you some questions? Just for security purposes."
Yes, I will answer your last few questions.
"Sure."
When I was little, I was gullible and kind.
People around me didn't take advantage of me. Yet I felt alone and betrayed.
Q1 - "Are all the doors in your house locked up properly?"
"Yes, except the front door."
I thought I could improve myself by going to the therapist.
Yet it didn't help me at all.
Q2 - "Are all the windows locked up too?"
"They are."
I always believed that one day, my life will get better in this world.
But....
Last Q - "Did you hide your kitchen knives?"
Here we go again.
"No."
Ryuji smirked, "Too bad. If the murderer gets your knives, they can kill you with it and frame it as suicide."
"I am sorry, but I have to confiscate all those knives."
"And since there's a witness here, I will have to take care of it"
"Personally."
A suspicious guard was approaching fast towards Enji from behind, with his kitchen knives.
Wake up, Enji.
The world we know doesn't exist anymore.
Enji picked up a pocket knife from his sleeves and stabbed his throat without looking behind.
The cop behind him started to melt.
And the atmosphere is filled with blue tint color.
I was right, They are clones.
All of these cops are clones too.
And that means...
Enji in his cold attitude, "You are Epsilon. You're not going anywhere, without my permission."
Ryuji went aggressive, "YOU MOTHERFUC-"
Before he could finish, Enji rushed towards him, grabbed his head, and slammed through the wall.
The blood splashed all around him, and the wall was damaged and tinted with blood.
"You're next", Enji said to the remaining cops.
Before he could react, all the cops started screaming aggressively.
The cops slowly melted in agony.
Well, that's been taken care of.
The atmosphere turned normal and the corpses disappeared.
There are not even bloodstains on the walls anymore.
I should head back before someone sees me like that.
"Enji, is something wrong?."
Ah, a neighbor of mine.
"Nothing Miss Arita, I felt like there has been an earthquake. So I ran outside."
Miss Arita nodded, "I did feel some shockwave. It could be."
Must've been the impact I caused when slamming the Epsilon.
"Anyway, It didn't cause any damage. I should head back. See ya, Miss Arita."
...
What a Pain, I never expected an Epsilon standing in front of our house like that.
Huh, The TV is on. I forgot to close it.
Breaking news? Looks like someone died again.
Someone said behind his back, "The billionaire businessman committed suicide by jumping off from the 19th floor of his tower. What a poor soul."
Enji got scared, yet again.
Seriously Mom, not again.
"You know Mom, you should've knocked or responded before entering like that."
"The door was fully open.", Said his mother.
Ah.... Busted.
Mom:- I told you not to open the door when there's an unknown visitor.
Enji:- It was an earthquake, I had to run outside.
Mom:- Still, don't open the door like that. What If someone other than me entered our house?
Enji:- Sorry. By the way, you came early.
Mom:- I remembered in the middle of the road to the shop. Today's Sunday and the shop is closed on that day.
Mother sighed, "Anyway, I am still worried about you. I don't want you to end up like the businessman."
"Today, you will feel like that you're the happiest person in the world. But Tomorrow, everything can happen. There was no case of depression or sadness at the Businessman's interview, yesterday. And Look what he did today."
"I hope one day, you will understand." as she gets sad.
She left quietly to her room.
Don't worry Mom, I can manage. I don't want you to take my burden.
And there's one thing you got it wrong.
He didn't commit suicide.
I know it, because...
I killed him.