A single shot caused Shinji Takamiya to lose his life.
However, in this reality...
That boy survived and was able to see the future that awaited him.
Unique Part
The sun finished setting, and the moon replaced the place of the sun.
This should have been just another night in the lives of Shinji and Mio in the company of Mana; however, that idea had been completely destroyed.
In the middle of an alley, an ashen-haired man in a black suit with his two bodyguards, dressed just like him; blocked the way for Shinji and Mio. Previously, they had escaped from more men in black suits; one of them had even let them escape, but now it seemed that both of their luck had run out.
—Long time no see, spirit.
Mio let out a sullen expression. However, the man paid no attention to that and simply redirected his attention to the boy.
—This is the first time we've met, isn't it? —The man let out a light smile as he spoke. —Thank you for taking care of our spirit. I'm very grateful to you.
Hearing those words that seemed to treat Mio like a pet, the boy couldn't help but raise his voice.
—Don't give me that! I'm not going to give you…!
—We have your little sister in our custody.
Without letting him finish, the man, who seemed to be the boss of the other two, changed his expression to a completely serious one.
―What?!
Hearing what the man had just said, Shinji and Mio gasped for a moment.
―Let's return each of them to where they belong, okay?
―You bastard! If you ever hurt Mana, you'll pay for it!
―Wow, her name is Mana. What a curious name. No wonder, the spirit "flowed" like "mana" towards you.
When he finished speaking, the two men standing at his sides advanced with their weapons in hand, pointing at Shinji and Mio.
Shinji had thought he was lying about kidnapping Mana. However, seeing the men approaching threateningly, they probably had Mana with them.
But unlike Shinji, Mio advanced forward with a serious expression.
―Promise me that if I go with you, you will return Mana.
―Of course, I promise.
―Mio?!
The boy let out a surprised voice; however, Mio turned around, slowly.
―It's okay. I should never have been here in the first place. ―Tilting her head slightly, Mio smiled. ―I was very happy to be able to spend a little time with you, Shin.
As she finished saying that, Mio turned to the men and walked towards them, while Shinji could only watch as she walked forward.
―Welcome back, spirit. I'm glad to have you back where you belong.
But, at that very moment, all the things they went through together since the moment he brought her home came to Shinji's mind, causing his teeth to clench.
―Tch... It can go fuck that!
Giving her his name, going with her to buy ingredients for dinner, the date on the beach they just had a few days ago; he just couldn't, he couldn't let her be taken away after everything they'd been through together.
―I won't let it!
With strength infused into his trembling body, Shinji took a step forward and grabbed Mio's wrist, as he ran to the opposite side.
―Shin, what are you doing?!
Shocked for a few seconds by Shinji's act of bravery, the pursuers pulled out their guns and began firing; a large amount of sparks flew as the bullets ricocheted off the wall.
―Come on! Do you really think those guys are trustworthy?! Even if they have you! There's no guarantee that they won't kill me or Mana next!
―That's it...
―As long as you're here with me, they won't be able to hurt Mana! ―Shinji shouted as he ran back and forth in an attempt to avoid the bullets. ―So it's best to run away and think carefully about how to counterattack!
However, at that very moment...
―Ike, that's enough!
A scream echoed in the alley, at the same time that a last bullet was fired from one of the guns.
―Gah!
A groan of pain left Shin's lips, and he immediately let go of Mio's wrist, bringing his left hand to his shoulder as he felt a sharp pain.
―Shin!
Mio saw how the bullet pierced Shin's shoulder, causing a large amount of blood to shoot out in several directions from that part of his body.
―Get out of this place now!
Before Mio could help Shinji, they both heard that voice from a few seconds ago again. Mio didn't hesitate to turn around, seeing the same man who had let them escape minutes before.
―You didn't hear me! Go away now!
As he shouted at the two, he struggled to take the gun from the other ashen-haired man, who looked surprised to see him. Despite that, the two guards did not intervene in the struggle. Their faces showed that they did not know what to do at that moment.
―We will not kill innocents to fulfill our wish, Ike!
And, in the blink of an eye, both of them disappeared, leaving two circular amulets with strange designs on the ground, which seemed to be made of stone or some similar material.
―T-They... Disappeared?
Covering the wound with his hand, Shinji turned around in time to see them disappear. However, when he wanted to see Mio, she picked him up in her arms and ran out of the alley at full speed, not allowing the two guards to react in time, leaving them behind.
―Mio...
With one eye closed in pain, Shinji whispered the spirit's name, while she ran at high speed, moving further and further away from the alley with each passing second.
―Shin, hold on! I'll heal your wound when we're somewhere safe!
―O-Okay... ―Feeling his pain increasing, Shinji nodded. ―Thank you for saving me again, Mio.
The spirit looked at Shinji's wound and frowned as she continued to run, but suddenly, a gentle breeze surrounded her and her speed increased. Shinji couldn't help but notice it; Mio was going much faster than before, it was as if the wind was pushing her. No, it was better to say... She seemed to be able to manipulate it.
―...
Despite wanting to ask Mio how she could handle the wind like that, Shinji remained silent and waited patiently for Mio to take him to a safe place.
However, he was unable to get out of his mind what had happened a few minutes ago.
Deep down, he knew it, but he didn't want to admit it.
He refused to do so.
This was not his future; his life should have ended in that alley at the hands of that ashen-haired man in a black suit. Shinji Takamiya should not have been able to see another sunrise with his own eyes.
But, right now... That boy was living a future that did not belong to him; a future that was not his; a future that should never have happened.
A future where Shinji Takamiya survived.