The Loner’s Past Dream

This chapter delves into part of Yuki's past, particularly the circumstances around losing his family.  

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"Yuuki-san! Yuuki-san!!"  

I woke to someone shaking me and calling my name.  

"Yuki-san?"  

Why is she here? I thought I locked the door…  

"Why are you here, Yuki-san? How did you get in?"  

"I opened it with a wire."  

Um… I think I’ve got an intruder here. Who do I call to report this? The police? Wait, Yuki-san knows how to pick locks? That’s new.  

"Sorry… I should offer you tea…"  

"That’s not important right now. Let’s get you to a bed."  

As I tried to get up, she lent me her shoulder and helped me lie down on the reclined sofa. Ah… my part-time job manager is probably furious right now. This is the worst.  

"Where are your towels and pajamas?"  

"The towels are in the bathroom. The pajamas are in the laundry basket in the next room."  

I appreciate her taking care of me, but why is she here? Doesn’t she have work?  

"Wait here for a moment. I’ll get everything ready. In the meantime, take your temperature."  

She handed me a thermometer and went to fetch my clothes. Honestly, whoever marries her in the future is going to be a lucky guy. I envy him. It’d be nice if a little of that fortune rubbed off on me.  

"Here you go. Is this okay?"  

"Thank you. Sorry for troubling you."  

"It’s fine. By the way, what’s your temperature?"  

Oh… 38°C . No wonder I feel so awful. Well, I’ll manage somehow.  

"Yuki-san, you should go ahead and leave. I can handle things from here. You must have work to do. I’ll be fine with just a little rest."  

"No. I can’t leave you alone."  

"While I appreciate your concern, I can manage the rest. Don’t worry about me and go back to work. It’s just a cold; I’ll be fine."  

"...No, you won’t!"  

Huh? What did she just mumble under her breath? I couldn’t catch it.  

"It’s impossible! Don’t you understand? In your current state, you can’t do anything on your own!"  

This was the first time I’d seen Yuki-san show such strong emotions, let alone anger. But I can’t let myself rely on her. I decided that long ago, on that day. I don’t have the right to accept her kindness.  

"I’ll be fine on my own. I know my body better than anyone else, so I’ll manage."  

"If you understood your body, you wouldn’t have passed out in the hallway! You can’t do this alone!"  

Hearing this was honestly touching. But I don’t deserve her kindness. No matter what she says, I won’t budge on this.  

"I’ll manage. You should focus on your work. Without me, there’s no one to process the order forms."  

I said this as gently as I could while making sure not to avert my eyes from hers.  

"Fine then! Don’t ever show me your face again, Yuuki-san!"  

With that, she stormed out of the house. Honestly, I’m the lowest of the low. Even I know that. But I can’t compromise on this, no matter what.  

"Sigh… First, I need to change and lie down. This is exhausting."  

I changed into the pajamas she brought and used the sofa as a makeshift bed before falling asleep again.  

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Ah, this is a dream… One from when my mom and sister were still alive.  

"Mom! I got a perfect score on my test today!"  

"That’s wonderful. Shall we have hamburg steak for dinner to celebrate?"  

She patted my head gently, her warm smile filling my heart with happiness.  

My mother’s name was Yuri. She was kind, fragile, and seemed like she might disappear at any moment. But her smile was always so beautiful. Though we didn’t have much money, we were a family that laughed together a lot.  

"I’m home!"  

"Welcome back, Mami."  

"Welcome home, Sis!"  

"Yuki, you’re in a good mood today."  

My older sister, Mami, was two years older than me. At this time, I was in sixth grade, and she was in her second year of middle school. She was outgoing, proactive, and extremely talented. She excelled at sports, even making the U-15 basketball team. On top of that, she had a model’s figure and an actress’s beauty, making her incredibly popular.  

In contrast, I was quieter and loved reading. I enjoyed knitting and baking more than sports. But because I was so different from her, people had no expectations of me, which made things easier for me emotionally.  

"Yeah! I got a perfect score on my test!"  

"That’s amazing!"  

Unlike Mom, Mami ruffled my hair roughly, but I loved it. Even if it messed up my hairstyle, it was a tangible expression of their love for me.  

"Mami, you’re ruining his hair!"  

"Guys should look a little wild!"  

"Good grief… Come here, Yuuki. I’ll fix it for you."  

Mom took out the comb she kept in her pocket and straightened my hair. I thought those ordinary days would last forever.  

But I was wrong.  

One day, I came home from school, and the house was eerily silent. Not a sound could be heard. I approached the living room and slowly opened the door.  

"...!"  

Mom was lying on the floor, covered in blood, her organs spilling out. My sister was slumped over the desk, her right arm and left leg severed, her neck half-sliced.  

"You saw, didn’t you?"  

Hearing my scream, the killer noticed me and started walking toward me, wielding two saws. I couldn’t move, frozen in terror.  

"You’re Yuri’s child too? Then I’ll kill you as well."  

Backing away, I eventually hit the wall. Just as the killer raised the saw to strike me, I noticed a large sickle used for cutting grass lying near my hand.  

"Die!"  

As the saw swung down, my body moved instinctively.  

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"  

I swung the sickle, cutting off the killer’s left hand.  

"Gaaaaahhhhhhh!"  

The killer dropped the other saw in pain. I couldn’t stop myself. Tears blurred my vision, and all I knew was that I had to kill him to survive.  

"Dieeeeee!"  

I kept swinging the sickle until I finally realized that the police were restraining me. Looking at my reflection in the mirror by the entrance, I saw my entire body stained in red.  

"Sorry! Please sleep now!"  

A female officer struck me in the stomach, and I lost consciousness.  

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...That’s when I woke up from the dream.  

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Author’s Note:

I’m sorry!! My boss at work is a nightmare… Someone quit on us, and now I’m stuck covering for them… Updates might come every 2–3 days from now on. Really sorry!  

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Thank you so much for your support!

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