"That day, I had no idea the events about to unfold would change the course of my life forever. Even now, I wish it had never started... because then, no one would have had to die."
***
Ding! Dong!
The school bell rang sharply, signaling the start of the afternoon session. Yet amidst the bustle of students settling into their seats, a head remained firmly on his desk.
"Ryu... He..."
"...Dude…"
'Who's calling me?'
"Wake up, Ryusui!"
"Eh…?"
Ryusui stirred, lifting his head groggily. His dark brown eyes blinked against the harsh classroom lights as he turned toward Haruto Asahi.
"Sleeping in class already? It's the first day back, for crying out loud,"
Haruto teased, his tone playful but edged with concern.
"Cut me some slack,"
Ryusui mumbled, rubbing his temples.
"I just feel… off today."
Haruto folded his arms. "Don't tell me you pulled another all-nighter on that science project."
Ryusui offered a sheepish grin, and Haruto sighed, shaking his head.
"You're going to burn yourself out. You need to take a break sometimes, you know."
"I can't afford to slack off,"
Ryusui replied firmly, sitting up straight.
"Dreams don't chase themselves."
For a moment, Haruto simply watched him, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
'You haven't changed at all, have you?'
Soon the professor's voice broke through the classroom's murmurs, snapping Haruto out of his thoughts.
"Ryusui, care to explain Einstein's theory of relativity?"
Ryusui stiffened as all eyes turned toward him. Clearing his throat, he stood up.
"From what I've read, it suggests that if you could move close to the speed of light, it might be possible to travel into the future. But going back in time? That's a whole different story—maybe even impossible."
The class fell silent. Haruto, sitting nearby, looked at him with admiration.
"Ahem, correct,"
the professor said, adjusting his glasses.
"Now, Haruto, can you explain Time Dilation?"
Haruto froze, his face blank.
"Uh… um…"
Ryusui smirked, sliding him a piece of paper under the desk. Reading it aloud, Haruto explained.
"Time dilation means that time isn't constant. It changes based on how fast something is moving or how much gravity is present. If something's moving really fast, time seems to slow down for it compared to someone standing still."
The professor nodded approvingly.
"Correct. Well done, both of you."
As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, Haruto leaned over.
"Thanks for the save, man."
"Don't mention it," Ryusui replied.
Soon both of them walked out of the classroom.
***
Later in the hallway, as the golden afternoon sunlight filtered through the windows, Haruto hesitated near the science lab door.
"Ryusui," he called out, nervously fiddling with his fingers.
Ryusui glanced back, raising an eyebrow. "What now?"
"Well… you know Asuna, right?"
Haruto began, his voice unusually timid.
"Yeah."
Ryusui turned back to his workstation, organizing his supplies.
"What about her?"
Haruto took a deep breath, his cheeks tinged with color.
"I've finally decided—I'm going to confess to her today!"
The words hung in the air for a moment. Ryusui froze, slowly turning to face his friend.
"After six years of pining for her, you're just now deciding to confess?" he said dryly.
"Better late than never!"
Haruto replied, puffing out his chest as though trying to mask his embarrassment.
Ryusui sighed, rubbing his temple. "You're hopeless. A fool who waits six whole years to confess is the epitome of absurdity."
Haruto frowned. "You're not exactly being supportive here."
"I'm being realistic. You'd better not embarrass yourself in the process." Ryusui replied.
Haruto grinned. "I won't. Just wait and see. Drinks are on me after school at Kozue—I'm inviting her too."
"You simpleton, we're not even old enough for 'drinks"
"Not those kinds of drinks!"
Haruto snapped.
"I meant Lunch! You're coming, right?"
Ryusui gave him a tired look.
"Fine, I'll be there. But don't expect me to cheer for you."
"Thanks, Ryusui!"
Haruto said with an excited grin before bolting out of the lab.
***
The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting golden streaks across the dim hallways. The usual chatter of students leaving the building seemed muted, as though the school itself was holding its breath. Ryusui walked with deliberate steps, the faint echo of his shoes bouncing back at him.
Something felt… wrong.
A shiver crawled up his spine, and he glanced over his shoulder. The hallway stretched empty behind him, bathed in the orange glow of sunset. He shook his head, pushing the unease aside.
As he entered the science lab, the faint tremor beneath his feet made him pause. It was so subtle at first, like the distant hum of a train. But then it grew stronger.
"What the…?" he muttered.
The vibrations turned into violent shaking. The glass beakers on the shelves rattled before shattering onto the ground. Desks slid across the floor as the room heaved like a ship caught in a storm.
"Ryusui!" Haruto's voice pierced through the chaos, raw and urgent.
Ryusui bolted toward the door, only to have it slam shut in front of him as the walls cracked and groaned. The tremors intensified, and the building seemed to twist around him.
"Haruto! What's going on?!"
Ryusui shouted, his voice trembling.
Haruto burst into the room, his face pale with terror.
"We need to get out—now!"
The two darted into the hallway, weaving between falling debris. The screams of their classmates echoed around them, desperate and haunting.
A deafening crash stopped them in their tracks. The exit was blocked, buried beneath a mountain of rubble.
"It's blocked!"
Ryusui gasped, panic clawing at his chest.
"We'll find another way!" Haruto grabbed Ryusui's arm and pulled him down another corridor, but the ceiling above them groaned ominously.
The lights flickered violently, casting jagged shadows across the walls. Another tremor shook the ground, and Ryusui stumbled, his ankle catching on a piece of debris.
"Haruto!" he shouted, falling hard onto the floor.
Haruto spun around, his eyes wide with fear. Without hesitation, he rushed back and hoisted Ryusui up, supporting him as they staggered forward.
"I'm not leaving you!" Haruto shouted, his voice resolute despite the panic etched into his features.
But the ceiling groaned again, louder this time. Cracks spread like veins, and chunks of plaster rained down.
"It's coming down!"
Ryusui's voice broke as he tried to push Haruto away.
"Go! Just go!"
"Shut up!" Haruto snapped, tears brimming in his eyes.
"I'm not leaving you behind, you idiot!"
The ceiling buckled.
Haruto didn't hesitate—he threw himself over Ryusui as the structure collapsed, shielding his friend with his own body.
The world became a cacophony of crushing concrete and shattering glass. Dust filled the air, suffocating and blinding.
Ryusui could barely breathe. He felt the weight pressing down on him, but Haruto's voice broke through the haze.
"Ryusui… are you okay?" Haruto's breath was labored, his voice faint.
"You… you idiot…" Ryusui choked out, tears mixing with the grime on his face.
"Why didn't you just run?"
Haruto coughed, a weak laugh escaping him.
"Because you're my friend… That's what friends do, don't they?"
The weight above them shifted. Haruto's arms trembled, his strength fading.
"You still have your dream,"
Haruto whispered, his voice cracking.
"Live for it, Ryusui."
"No!" Ryusui screamed, his voice raw.
"Don't you dare say that! You think I'm going to let you die for me?!"
But Haruto just smiled, his lips barely moving.
"You… really are a simpleton…"
The weight finally gave way. Ryusui's world went dark.
***
Far away, in the Prime Minister's office, chaos reigned. The elegant room, once a symbol of power and control, was now shaking violently under the strain of the earthquake. Documents and pens scattered across the mahogany desk as cracks splintered the walls.
"Is this an attack?!"
Prime Minister Hayato barked, his voice strained as he gripped the edge of the desk to keep from falling.
"No, sir!" an aide shouted, barely managing to stay upright as a chandelier swayed ominously overhead.
"Reports are coming in—it's everywhere! Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo… the entire country is shaking!"
Yamaguchi's eyes narrowed, his mind racing.
"Send word to the Self-Defense Forces! Begin evacuation protocols immediately!"
Another violent tremor sent books tumbling from shelves, and a framed photo of his family crashed to the floor, the glass shattering.
"Prime Minister!" another aide screamed, panic in their voice.
"The building's structural integrity—"
Before they could finish, the floor beneath them groaned loudly. Yamaguchi turned just in time to see a section of the ceiling collapse, crushing the conference table nearby.
"Get out! Everyone, get out now!"
he bellowed, his voice nearly drowned out by the deafening roar of destruction.
But there was no escape. The ground split open with a thunderous crack, swallowing aides and furniture alike. Yamaguchi staggered, his knuckles white as he held onto his desk for dear life.
"I can't die here,"
he muttered, his voice trembling.
"Not yet… There's still so much—"
The floor beneath him gave way, plunging him into the darkness below. The last thing he saw was the chandelier crashing toward him, its jagged crystals glinting like knives in the dim light.
***
Above Earth, aboard the International Space Station, the atmosphere was tense. Kazuto Nakamura floated near the observation window, staring down at the planet. What he saw made his blood run cold.
"Elena… come look at this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Elena Volkov pushed herself toward him, grabbing onto the handrails to steady herself.
"What is it?"
Kazuto pointed.
"The Earth… It's moving."
"What do you mean, moving?" Elena asked, frowning.
She peered out the window, her eyes widening in horror.
"That's not possible…"
Kazuto turned toward the console, his hands shaking as he brought up readings.
"Gravitational anomalies are spiking… This isn't normal. The planet's magnetic field is destabilizing."
The alarms blared suddenly, red lights flashing across the control panel. Objects began to shift unnaturally, floating in irregular patterns.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Elena shouted as she grabbed a nearby handle to steady herself.
Kazuto's voice was grim.
"The gravitational field… It's pulling us in."
Elena's face paled. "Pulling us in? That's impossible! The ISS is in low Earth orbit. This shouldn't—"
Before she could finish, the station shuddered violently. Tools and loose objects flew across the cabin as the station began to descend. The friction of reentry caused flames to lick at the observation windows, and panels began to peel away.
"We're losing altitude!"
Kazuto shouted over the deafening noise.
Elena's breathing quickened, her knuckles white as she gripped her seat.
"This can't be happening. Tell me this isn't happening!"
Kazuto closed his eyes briefly, his voice steady despite the chaos.
"Brace for impact"
The ISS spiraled, fragments breaking apart as it hurtled toward the planet. Moments later, it slammed into the Pacific Ocean with a fiery explosion that sent shockwaves rippling across the seas.
When the dust settled, silence reigned.
No rescue came.
The Earth stood still, battered and broken.
And the world as it was… had ended.
***
Character Profile
Name: Haruto Asahi
Date of Birth: 12th Dec 2007
Age: 17 Years
Gender: Male
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Height: 172 cm
Build: Sturdy, athletic, moderate strength. (Mesomorph)
Alignment: Chaotic Good