Two-dimensional Doomsday Countdown

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After the earthquake stopped, Kasumigaoka Utaha could no longer hear any sound from the outside world.

It was sealed and dark, without a trace of light. Her nostrils were filled with the unpleasant and suffocating smell of dust. The ruins above her completely isolated her from the outside world.

Plop, plop…

Now she could clearly hear the sound of her own heartbeat.

A strong heartbeat.

It was proof that she was still alive, but at that moment, it only made her more uncomfortable.

The fear gradually spreading through her heart made her restless and desperate to escape. She didn't want to stay buried under the rubble, waiting for death to come.

However, she knew no one could save her, and any struggle would be in vain. So she didn't scream or shout, she simply sat silently, suppressing her fear.

There was nothing else she could do—except think and remember.

She had lived for seventeen years, and the most memorable time had been before she became a bestselling light novel author.

For the first time in her life, she had faced setbacks.

The first volume of her debut novel, Love Metronome, had poor sales and was likely to be canceled before the planned three volumes were even released. That was a heavy blow for such a proud and confident girl.

But she had no choice but to persevere.

She thought it would continue like that until she graduated high school, went to college, and started a new life. However, who could have imagined the world would suddenly change so drastically?

All the people in the world disappeared. Only two remained in that vast world. She was now trapped beneath the rubble of a building that had collapsed during the earthquake.

"I did something wrong…"

Huddled up, Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke in a low voice. She clenched her teeth and braced herself.

Death had come so suddenly. She had no strength to resist it, and no hope that someone would come to save her. She could only inch slowly toward the end.

"At least if I die like this, my body will still be intact."

Images of earthquake victims she had seen on TV appeared in her mind. Kasumigaoka Utaha consoled herself with the thought.

Now all she could do was try to find joy in misery and seek some psychological comfort.

Tap, tap…

In the darkness, she faintly heard a sound from outside.

Footsteps.

A glimmer of hope flashed through her mind—but she quickly lowered her head and scoffed at herself.

"No way someone's coming. Don't even think about it."

Kasumigaoka Utaha let out a self-mocking smile.

The truth was, she was hallucinating—yet she still found herself hoping that someone would come rescue her.

"It's just that… I really can't accept this."

She had no idea how much time had passed. It felt long, but also short. Kasumigaoka Utaha gradually lost her sense of time.

She began to feel cold, so she wrapped her arms around her knees and curled up, as if that was the only way to keep warm.

"I haven't finished writing the sequel to Love Metronome. I haven't fallen in love. I haven't traveled the world. I haven't worn a wedding dress and walked down the aisle. I haven't…"

Finally, after a long period of darkness and silence that slowly corroded her spirit, Kasumigaoka Utaha showed the soft and truly fragile side of a girl.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Even though she tried her best to suppress her fear and unwillingness, the sound of her sobbing exposed the cruel reality of her mental collapse.

Surrounded by a lonely world, with no one nearby and death creeping ever closer, her sanity finally began to break down.

She knew full well that sorrow, resentment, and crying were useless—that they couldn't change anything. She knew she should stay strong and not shed tears, even in the face of death.

But still, the tears flowed uncontrollably, eventually blending into a sorrowful melody of sobs.

Click, click, clang…

Footsteps?

Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly looked up. Her eyes filled with disbelief, her breath quickened, and a spark of hope lit up her mind.

Was there really someone out there?

Clang…

"Kasumigaoka Utaha, if you can hear my voice, please respond…"

There really was someone!

A rush of joy erupted like a volcano, flooding her heart. The coldness in her body faded, replaced by a blazing warmth that consumed her.

"I'm here! I'm here, Yuji-kun—cough cough cough…"

Kasumigaoka Utaha instinctively stood up but hit her head on the concrete slab above. She backed up and held her head in pain. Dust scattered again in the small space, causing her to cough uncontrollably.

"Are you injured? Are you bleeding?"

Yuji was most concerned about whether Kasumigaoka Utaha was bleeding. If she had an open wound, he would need to hurry the rescue.

"No, I'm not hurt…"

Yuji sighed in relief. As long as she wasn't injured, everything would be fine.

"Don't move. Cover your mouth and nose, curl up and protect yourself. I'll get you out right away…"

Yuji roughly determined the girl's position from her voice. The collapsed ruins weren't too severe or too difficult to deal with. As long as he had time, he could rescue Kasumigaoka.

"Mm-hmm…"

From the moment she had been buried, she had longed for someone to come and pull her out of the rubble—and the only person she could possibly hope for was Yuji. But her rational mind told her it was impossible for Yuji to appear here.

He didn't even know where she was.

But in reality… Yuji came. When she was lost in despair, surrounded by the shadow of death, he appeared—and brought hope and the light of life.

…

After Yuji found the location of Kasumigaoka Utaha's residence in Fengzhizaki Academy, he ran all the way there.

When he arrived, he saw the collapsed house and felt as though he had fallen into an icy abyss. Fear of losing her gripped him completely.

If only he had contacted Kasumigaoka sooner…

None of this would have happened.

Kasumigaoka Utaha might still be alive.

If even he gave up hope, the girl would truly have no chance of surviving.

And besides… she might not be here. She could be somewhere else in Tokyo.

"Kasumigaoka Utaha, if you can hear my voice, please respond…"

Seconds ticked by.

But there was no reply, and Yuji's heart sank.

Had something really happened?

"I'm here! I'm here, Yuji-kun—cough cough cough…"

The sweet sound, filled with excitement, told him she was alive—and happy that he had come.

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