Preface
I'd never given much thought to how I would die - though I'd had reason enough in the last few months - but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this. I stared without breathing across the long room, into the dark eyes of Bern, and she looked emotionlessly back at me. Surely it would be a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I couldn't stand. A bitch, even. That ought to count for something.
I knew that if I'd never gone to Rokkenjima, I wouldn't be facing death now. But, terrified as I was, I brought myself to totally regret the decision. When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it's reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end.
Bern smiled in a mocking way as she sauntered forward to kill me.