"Her name is… Osanai.
"For a second, silence filled the classroom.Then chaos erupted.
"What the hell, Takari!?" Miko snapped instantly.
"That's an actress! Don't lie! You know there's a punishment for lying!"
Takari leaned back in his chair, a sly smile forming."You said I had to tell my crush's name," he replied calmly.
"You never said she couldn't be an actress."The group groaned."You…!"
Miko clenched her fists.The mood collapsed.Kono shook his head. "You got lucky once, Takari. Don't think you can escape every time.
"Takari shrugged. "Luck may fail. But the brain doesn't."Yeah, yeah," Penso said, spinning the pen again.
"Next turn."
The pen slowed… and stopped.Penso and Aria."Oho… interesting," Jasmine murmured with a smile.
Aria froze , she has a secret crush on penso. Does he know?Does he know I like him?.
No… boys never notice… even if you confess directly…Her thoughts spiraled."Well, Aria," Penso said casually, "tell me your favorite sweet."Everyone blinked."…What?" Kono said."That doesn't even make sense.""It's my question," Penso shrugged. "So?"Aria exhaled in relief. "Chocolate pudding.""Got it," he nodded."Okay, spin again!" Kono said.
The pen turned once more.And stopped.Takari and Miko.The nib pointed at Takari.Miko burst into laughter."Hahaha! Takari! You said earlier that even if luck fails, your brain is always there. Now let's see!
"Takari felt his stomach drop."Same dare," Miko said sweetly. "But new question."She leaned forward.
"Tell us your crush's name.Not an actress.Not a fake name.Not from dreams.Someone from our class.Say her real name.
"Takari's heart pounded.Just say Jasmine.This torture will end.Why am I still hesitating?Everyone stared.Miko smirked.
"Today, September 17th… will become either the greatest day of your life… or the worst.""Say something, Takari," Kono chuckled.Takari looked away, toward the window.A bluebird landed on the rail outside.For a moment, everything felt strangely quiet.
Then—BANG…. A deafening gunshot exploded through the corridor.The entire class froze."What… was that?" someone whispered.Screams followed from outside."Stop him!""Call the police!""Protect the students!"Panic erupted instantly.Students stood, chairs scraping loudly."What's happening!?""Is this a prank!?"Then—The classroom door slammed open.A man stood there.He held a gun.Students screamed."DON'T MOVE!" the man shouted, shaking violently. "I'll kill you! I swear!"The class froze in terror."Sit down!" he screamed. "No one moves!"Takari and his friends were frozen in place.What is happening…?
Footsteps thundered in the hallway.Two police officers appeared at the doorway."Let the children go!" one shouted. "Drop the weapon!""DON'T COME CLOSER!" the man cried, his hands trembling. "I'll shoot someone!"
One officer whispered to the other,"He's unstable. He can barely hold the gun.""Yeah," the partner murmured. "We close distance. I'll shoot his leg."They moved slowly."STOP!" the man screamed. "LAST WARNING!"Another step.Another.The man suddenly spun—And fired.
BOOM.
Blood sprayed across the air.For a second, time stopped.Takari's mind refused reality.Jasmine collapsed.The bullet had pierced her chest."WHAT DID YOU DO!?" the officer shouted.The second officer fired instantly.The gunman fell.But no one was looking at him.All eyes were on Jasmine.She fell into Takari's arms.Warm blood soaked his hands."Jasmine—Jasmine! Stay awake!" he cried.
Miko screamed."JASMINE! OPEN YOUR EYES!""Call an ambulance!" Tiro shouted.Students cried, panicked, retched.Jasmine's breathing was shallow.Blood touched her lips.She tried to speak."Don't," Takari whispered desperately. "Don't talk. Please.""…Takari…" she breathed."I'm here. I'm here!""Tell me… your answer…""What? No—don't talk!
"I don't… have time…" she whispered."Don't say that!" he cried.Her fingers clutched his sleeve weakly."Tell me…"His voice broke.
"I like you… I like you, Jasmine…!"A faint smile appeared on her face."I know… idiot…" she whispered softly."Did you think… I didn't know…?"Her hand slipped from his.Her eyes closed.And she was still.Silence fell over everything.The officer's voice sounded distant."She's… gone."Miko collapsed.Aria sobbed.Students screamed.But Takari heard nothing.After losing his parents… Jasmine had been the only light left in his life.And now—She was gone.
Birds Chirping
"Takari… wake up."A familiar voice.Warm.Gentle."Takari, wake up. Don't you have school today?"His eyes snapped open.He was in his bed.His grandmother stood beside him."…What?" he whispered."You were crying," she said softly. "Did you have a nightmare?"Tears ran down his face."…Grandma why are you here …?" she sighed. "Where else would I be?"He sat up, shaking."…What… happened…?""You said you have a math test today," she said. "It's September 17th, remember?"Takari froze."…What did you say?""September 17th.
At school—Takari walked in a daze.It was a dream…Just a dream…
"Oye, Takari!"He turned.Kono grinned.
"Say Queen!"Takari's heart stopped."…Why?" he asked quietly.
"Now propose to her!" Kono laughed. "Propose to Jasmine!"Takari felt cold."Because you like her," Penso said, arriving. "Just ask her out."Takari's mind shattered.No…This already happened.Everything… is repeating.He stood frozen.
Then—Miko's voice."Hey, what are you guys doing?"Takari's breath stopped.The timeline was repeating, how? But wait something was different.He hadn't said the same lines. Is my actions changing the future…His thoughts raced.But the main event…Jasmine's death can I change that Event maybe this is the 2nd chance for me.His stomach twisted.I'm not a mad scientist who can fight fate…He clenched his fists.But for Jasmine… I will become one.
"El Psy Congroo"
"Takari, what are you thinking?" Miko asked."…Nothing," he said quietly.Then he spoke."Math teacher won't come today.""Yeah," Miko nodded. "He's late already."Jasmine arrived."What are you guys doing?"Takari looked at her.Alive.Breathing.Smiling.His chest hurt."Nothing," Tiro said. "Just wasting time.""Then let's play Truth or Dare," Miko said.Takari stepped forward."No."Everyone blinked."…What?" Kono said."It's childish," Takari said calmly. "I have a better idea.""What?""Let's bunk this period.
Aria blinked. "You're joking… right?""If you're scared," Takari shrugged, "call it a joke. I can't believe someone like you said this but human are truly unpredictable creatures "Penso grinned. "I'm in.""Same," Kono said."Me too," Tiro added."Why not," Miko shrugged.Aria and Hina nodded.All eyes turned to Jasmine."Well…" she smiled, "it sounds fun."Takari exhaled.If she's not in class…The future changes.She lives."Then it's decided," he said quietly."Group bunk."