Part 1
Two months later, I saw him. Ryuchi.
I forced a smile.
"Hey—" But his words froze me.
"Last night, the devil whispered to me. He said you trespassed. And now, he wants your soul. In exchange for my sister, Anna." Before I could react, his knife tore into me. Heat. Pain. Blood. He laughed as I fell. The sound echoed like a cruel hymn. I had been nothing but a pawn.
Part 2 Revival
My eyes snapped open.
A classroom. My classroom.
Teacher: "Itsuki, read the next page."
I stood up, trembling.
Shuko's voice: "Itsuki, it's page 34."
Shuko. Alive.
At lunch, she smiled. "How's your day going, Itsuki? You seem worried."
"No. Not really…" And then it hit me. I had another chance. Another chance to save her. To save everyone.
Part 3 A different path
After school, Shuko asked me to walk her to the park.
We sat on a bench.
She chatted about her day.
That's when I saw him.
Ryuchi. Sitting under a tree, notebook in hand. His eyes locked on her.
"Shuko, I just remembered something—I need to go."
She pouted, but let me leave.
I hid nearby a tree.
His eyes followed her every move. Then I heard my name.
Haruto. The quiet kid, always just behind Ryuchi in the rankings.
"What are you doing here, Itsuki?"
"Nothing… just leaving."
Inside, I was burning. Ryuchi was already tracking her.
Part 4 The call
That night, my phone rang.
"Hello? Itsuki? Can I come over?"
Its Shuko.
In the past, I hadn't picked up. She had fallen deeper into despair.
But this time— "Yes. Come over."
Five minutes later, she was at my door. Her expression was sharp.
Angry.
"Are you cheating on me? Sakura said you've been talking to other girls."
Sakura. Ryuchi's girlfriend.
I clenched my fists. This is him. He's twisting everything.
"Shuko. I would never. You're all I have. Don't believe her."
Her anger melted into relief. This time, she believed me. The future had already changed.
Part 4 Future changed
Door opens.
My mother came home, Shuko introduced herself first.
Itsuki who is she?
"Nice to meet you. I'm Itsuki's girlfriend."
In the past, my mother had never even met her. But now she smiled.
"Itsuki, she's beautiful. I'm glad you told me."
The timeline… was shifting. That night, Shuko left in a hurry after reading a message. Her eyes betrayed fear.
In the past, Shuko had died on September 19, 2017. Today was September 9**, 2017**. I had exactly 10 days before history repeated itself. And today 1 day has passed — 9 days remaining.