The days after my conversation with Mizuki felt increasingly heavy. Although I tried to maintain peace at school and around my friends, the feeling that I was being watched and observed grew stronger. Whenever I walked through the school corridors, I often noticed someone watching from a distance. Whether it was Aoi, Mizuki, or even some girls I didn't know, I felt as though there were eyes constantly following my every move.
But I tried not to think too much about it. Most of the time, I chose to live as usual—going to school, studying, and spending time with Aoi. I even began to enjoy our time together more than I ever imagined. Aoi didn't know what was really going on in my life, and I wanted her to stay in this peaceful world, far from the darkness that threatened me.
But that feeling... that something larger was moving behind the scenes, became harder to ignore.
One afternoon, after class ended, I decided to go to the garden behind the school. That place always gave me peace, away from the hustle and bustle of school and the crowd of my friends. I wanted to rest for a while, calm my mind, and try to find answers to the questions that had started to fill my head.
When I arrived at the garden, I saw Mizuki sitting on a bench near a small pond. Her face looked serious, but this time, she didn't seem like someone who was just watching me. Instead, she seemed like she was waiting for someone.
I hesitated for a moment, but finally, I walked over and sat beside her. "Mizuki... what's going on?" I asked in a soft voice.
Mizuki turned to me and gave a slight smile. "I know you have a lot of questions, Haruto. About yourself, about this world, and what's really going on."
I looked at her with suspicion. "What do you mean? What do you know?"
She sighed deeply, as if trying to find the right words. "I'm not someone who can reveal everything at once, Haruto. But I know that the power inside you can't be contained for much longer. Over time, this world will force you to face your destiny."
I was silent. Those words reminded me of a reality that I could no longer ignore. Perhaps my new life wasn't just a coincidence. Maybe there was a reason why I was reborn, and that reason involved more than just being an ordinary student.
"What should I do?" I asked, even though I knew there was no easy answer to that question.
Mizuki looked at me seriously. "First, you need to accept the reality that this world isn't like what you think. You're not just Haruto Kisaragi. There's a part of you that's stronger than that, and this world is starting to sense it."
I took a deep breath. "What do you mean by 'this world'? What's really happening?"
Mizuki was silent for a moment, then turned her gaze to the bright afternoon sky. "This world, Haruto, is part of something much larger. There are more worlds connected, and there's a balance that needs to be maintained. You were reborn with a greater purpose, and your destiny cannot be avoided."
I felt as though my body froze, as if everything was starting to become clear, yet still so vague. "So, what should I do now?" I asked, growing more impatient.
Mizuki turned to face me and looked into my eyes with a meaningful gaze. "You need to prepare. The world you know will soon change. There are forces greater than you that want to dominate it, and you are the key."
I felt as though the whole world was collapsing around me. What I was hearing wasn't something I could just accept right away. The world I thought was ordinary—school, friends, and a peaceful life—was just a small part of a much larger, more terrifying picture. I was reborn with a greater purpose, one that involved powers and responsibilities that couldn't be avoided.
"I'm not ready for this," I muttered, feeling the weight grow heavier.
Mizuki nodded slowly. "No one is really ready for their fate, Haruto. But one thing's for sure—you're not alone in this. There will be people who will help you, and there will be others who try to stop you."
I was silent, thinking about her words. I didn't know who would help me or who would try to stop me. But one thing was clear—this normal life I wanted was slipping further and further away from me.
"Do I have to fight?" I asked, my voice filled with doubt.
Mizuki shrugged. "You could try to avoid it, but in the end, your fate will catch up to you. Your power won't let you live peacefully. This world is much bigger than you think, Haruto."
With those words, Mizuki stood up and walked away, leaving me with a lot to think about. I could only sit still on the garden bench, staring at the sky that was beginning to darken. The world I thought was simple was filled with mysteries, and I had to face the reality that my life would never truly be normal.
The desire for a peaceful life was quickly fading. My fate was waiting, and I couldn't run from it.