"—Let's call it 'rebirth.'"
The insect in the form of a young exorcist laughed.
As he laughed, an overwhelming force blew my consciousness away.
My mind was thrust backward, the echo of the insect's laughter ringing in my ears.
And when I opened my eyes—I was back in the audiovisual room.
…Did I return?
I looked forward, and standing in front of me, looking concerned, were Aya-chan and Shirayuki-sensei. The familiar scent of air conditioning filled my nostrils as I inhaled.
Outside, the sound of cicadas echoed, and from the school grounds, I could hear the voices of my father and the apprentice exorcists participating in the summer training camp.
Nothing had changed.
It was the same scenery as always during the summer camp.
And yet, despite everything being the same… despite it all being exactly as it should be…
"…Why is he outside?"
