𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 | 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐣𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐚

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

You still couldn't sleep, and something was bothering you that you couldn't sleep well.

"Hey, Mr. White, are you there?" you questioned through the air.

When the air temperature changed, you expected his arrival.

As Mr. White finally arrives, he asks, "Something is bugging you, isn't it?"

You sat up from your sleeping position.

"Yeah, do you know what it may be?"

'Perhaps it has something to do with Ayumi?'

"Yes, it's about Ayumi, and do you wish to see it?" You nod.

You are now in a different location—a hospital—after his finger snap.

Mr. White restores your vision, and you see a young girl sobbing alone in the hallway; it breaks your heart when you recognize her.

'Ayumi has grown...'

You haven't seen her in two years, and seeing her again has you in tears. Your lovely sister, whom you adore, is your only relative who appreciates you.

You start walking towards Ayumi and are now facing her. You attempt to touch her, but you can't; she can't even see you; you're nothing more than a ghost.

Something catches your attention as you glance around. In a wide-open door, behind Ayumi, you see yourself laying unconscious on the hospital bed.

"Oh, I forgot to mention that you're in a coma," Mr. White stated behind you. You turn around to face him.

"I'll vanish if I can't complete this mission, right?"

"Yeah, but there's something in our contract that you didn't read," Mr. White said as the paper appeared in his palm and he handed it to you. You accept it and read the contract.

You started trembling after reading it. You couldn't believe what was written on the contract. As you clench firmly at the paper, tears start to come out of your eyes. You wanted to hurt yourself because of what you had done.

You glare at Mr. White, and seeing his face irritates you. He is even the reason you are carrying out this mission. Nothing would happen to you or Ayumi if you refused his offer. You should perish and not be granted a second chance. Everything has a consequence, and it leads to suffering.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

You just started punching the wall once you returned. You couldn't control your emotions any longer, and you don't care whether anyone hears you. 

"Why does Ayumi have to be involved in my task? Please leave her alone!"

You no longer have the strength to punch. You sat on the floor and covered your mouth with both of your hands to keep the sound of your sobbing at bay. Shiba stayed next to you to comfort you.

"I can't take it any longer... I just want to be happy, but why doesn't fate want it? I want to live a normal life with her."

You cry from midnight to sunrise.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

You're on your way home from the clinic where you went to get your bruised knuckles checked out. Shiba is with you this time, and you need him. You don't have the energy to walk and are exhausted. You have the feeling that you are carrying something heavy. All you want to do is go home and sleep.

You are having trouble finding the apartment door key, and it seems that fate is conspiring to cause you additional problems. You simply want to rest right now, relax, and forget about everything.

"Y/N, is there a problem?" Your neighbor showed up.

"I just can't seem to find my key..."

"Let me assist you," your neighbor says, searching through your bag for your key.

While she's looking for it, she says, "Are you doing well, Y/N? You seem devastated. Last night I heard a huge bang from your place." 

She eventually found your key and gave it back to you. "You're welcome to chat with me if you're not feeling well, okay?"

"Thank you," you say as you unlock your door and walk into your apartment with Shiba. You leaned against the door after you shut it.

'I'm not okay... If only I could tell her about my problems.'

You stroll and immediately go to your bed to sleep.

'I wish I could sleep forever...'

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

You awaken from a long sleep when you hear a knock on your door. You instantly get to your feet and make yourself presentable. Shiba isn't making any noise, so you presume he's in deep sleep right now.

You approach your door and open it.

"Hello, Y/N! Sorry for disturbing you, but I want you to take this." Your neighbor took your hand and handed you three cookies wrapped in plastic wrap.

"It's a cookie," she said with a smile.

You're wondering why she handed you food and ask, "What is the occasion?"

"Well, I have to move away, so I brought you cookies, and it's wonderful to be your neighbor; I hope to see you around," she says, cheerfully shaking your hand.

You smiled back at her and said, "Thanks for the cookies, and take care of yourself," feeling somewhat at ease with what she had said to you.

You returned to your room after a brief conversation. Open the wrapper and take one cookie out to eat.

'It's good...'

You take another mouthful of the cookie, appreciating its delicious flavor. And then something came to your mind.

"I think I should get a part-time job."

𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄𝐃