This is Just a Game...Right?

Chapter 13 + Epilogue

Chapter 13: Afterwards...

(Rei P.O.V.)

We were returned from the game, as promised. Keiji is alive again. But...it's all different without the only reason I lived in this world; Lyrica Aoki. She's gone, and I couldn't do anything about it. Her death haunts my dreams everyday. I always ask myself, "Why? You could've saved her. Taken her place. Why did you stand by and let her die?" Keiji tries to comfort me, but his comfort isn't the same as Lyrica's. It's colder, more distant. My life just isn't the same without her.

"Rei, are you alright?" Keiji asks, and I nod slowly.

"Yeah..." My voice surprises even me. It sounds dead, without life.

"Okay." He turns away, going back to studies. He's different now. Cold and unfeeling, he would always comfort me, but now he's putting study before family. I can't take this anymore.

(Lyrica P.O.V.)

Floating, drifting, flying. I don't know what I'm doing. So many different feelings. Regret, remorse, happiness, sadness, anger...I see glimpses of the real world sometimes. I see Mayumi and Yuka, laughing together, a family once again. That makes me happy. A peek at Lily and Darren reveals the same happiness. Only my family...broken apart. How's Rei doing? I wonder. Is Keiji happy? Are they happy? I hope they are. I wish I didn't die. Maybe I could've started dating Rei. We could be happy. But I can't change the past. I'm happy that at least Rei and Keiji could survive. And suddenly, a bright light shines through the murky darkness that I'm floating in.

"You poor, poor child. You sacrificed yourself for your friends and family. That's enough to come to heaven. Unfurl your wings and fly, child." An angelic voice sings down from the light. I blink twice in confusion, and look behind me. A pair of beautiful silver wings are folded on my back. I unfurl them, and fly upward, guided by the angel's voice.

"Child, live happily in heaven! Watch over your loved ones from afar." And then I land down, bare feet touching down softly onto the fluffy clouds.

"Rei...are you finally happy?" I whisper, and smile down at the sights I see before me. My friends and family laughing. They're happy now. And I guess I'm happy too.

(Rei P.O.V.)

Zombie. That's what I feel like, drifting through days. I can't move on, can't forget her. The light of my life. And that's when I make my decision. I want to be with her. Whatever the cost. I want to go. I want to see her. And that's what leads me to snatch one of Keiji's "self-defense" guns. I write a note, telling Keiji that I'm going to Lyrica. He should know what it means. I stand in her room, next to her bed. I press the muzzle to the side of my head, a smile on my face. I get to see her soon.

"I'm coming to you, Lyrica. Wait for me." I whisper into the empty room, and then I pull the trigger. The shot resounds through the house. My lifeless body collapses to the floor.

(Lyrica P.O.V.)

I guess I'm happy now. I can see them happy. But it's boring. Always just...watching, floating, flying around. I have nothing to do. All the other people are nice, sure, but there's nobody who I can talk to, nobody I can relate to. Days pass like minutes, and I get tired of it all. Occasionally, I check up on my friends and family, but all I see is happiness. One day, this all changes.

"Hey, Lyrica." I hear a voice I shouldn't hear. I whip around, hoping it's just a memory. But I recognize the person immediately. Tears well up in my eyes, and I just stand there, frozen.

"Rei...? Wh-...how...are you here?" I ask, even though I already know the answer. He's dead.

"Ha, you can probably guess why."

"But...it's too early! How could you just..." I cry out, and he smiles sadly.

"I couldn't handle a life where you weren't there for me. I just couldn't. I killed myself." He replies, and I throw myself at him, and he wraps his arms around me, giving me a hug. I cry into his shoulder.

"Why did you...it's too early for you to die. Why?" I sob, and he hums softly, rubbing my back, and planting a soft kiss on the top of my head.

"I'm finally home, Lyrica. I'm finally here with you." He whispers softly, and I feel drops hit my head. He's crying as well. "I'll always be here with you. I love you, Rica." I pull away, and smile sadly.

"Forever. I love you too, Rei."

And I guess that's where my story ends. Happy end or not, I'm with Rei. And that's all that matters.

Epilogue

A lone figure stands in front of a computer, eyes closed. Blonde haired and tall, it stays silent, standing still.When it opens them, a dim glow emanates from the shimmering scarlet eyes. Then suddenly, a voice chimes through the house.

"Come back, pet. You'll cause more misfortune for unlucky people." It speaks, and then the figure changes shape, turning into a shapeless blob. Nodding, it disappears in a flash of light.

~End~