Chapter 1: Prologue

Translator: Soafp

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What is it…

When did it start, and where did it come from?

If I were to compare it to something, it would be like a crystallization of wishes.

Wishes made at a New Year’s shrine visit, small everyday wishes, or wishes squeezed out in times of hardship…

Whether it’s the work of the gods or the work of humans, “it” had certainly gathered there, formed by hundreds, thousands, or even billions of wishes.

On a night with a beautiful full moon in the sky, “it,” the culmination of wishes, drifted like a dance in the air.

In a corner of an ordinary office, the time had already passed 10:00 PM.

“I did it… I finally finished today’s quota… I can finally go home…”

My junior colleague, Nakanishi, slowly got up and started getting ready to leave.

“Senpai, are you still working?”

“After finishing this much, I’m going home for today…”

I grabbed a stack of documents that still seemed far from finished.

“Good luck.”

Nakanishi replied like a broken robot and then smiled dryly.

I returned to my desk, giving Nakanshi a pat on the back, and started tidying up the remaining documents.

“Well then, see you later.”

After giving me a brief glance, Nakanshi walked briskly down the hallway, as if he had been released.

Amidst the clattering sound of keyboards, I could finally see the end in sight, so I took a sip of my half-empty coffee.

With a furrowed brow, I looked around, and I noticed that the lights on the floor had already been dimmed, leaving only my corner illuminated.

“They’re even cutting back on the lighting… In the past, the whole floor used to be brightly lit when there were people… Is this just the way things are nowadays?”

The subtle darkness seemed to strain my eyes and make my shoulders ache. I leaned back in my chair, thinking about taking a short break.

“Haa, I’m already 34, and still single, no girlfriend, parents are doing well, I have one older brother, and I’m just an ordinary person among many.”

There’s no woman who catches my eye. My close friends and acquaintances have all gotten married and drifted apart… I’m not on bad terms with my parents, but it feels like I’m just a burden. Especially since my brother had a child, going back home doesn’t feel quite right…

Leaning back in my chair, I stared into the empty space without any specific thoughts.

“I used to have so many things I wanted to do… I wish I could start my life over in a different world, like those reincarnation stories. I have no attachments to this world, so I’d be the perfect candidate, wouldn’t I?”

Even I thought it was a silly thing to say as I muttered it, but I couldn’t help but chuckle dryly.

[As you wish.]

It wasn’t spoken words. It resonated directly in my heart.

“What?!”

I managed to stand up, nearly falling off my chair, and looked around. There was no one there, as expected. I should be the only one in the office.

My heart was pounding in my chest, and it felt like the temperature had dropped a few degrees.

I cautiously scanned for any presence, but how much time had passed…

“Is it just my imagination…”

I relaxed and was about to sit back down when suddenly, “Crack!” My chest creaked! I couldn’t breathe!

“Cough!”

I collapsed, reaching out with my hand…

“S-Someone…”

But there was no response to my voice, no reaching hand. My consciousness was fading.

As my consciousness faded, I thought about something silly: “I didn’t finish those documents…”