⏳ Linked plot depicted from a different perspective and timeline: "In a World Where Tomorrow Comes" is now available.

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This is the story of Kaoru and the Guest of a past life.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ We were always together, ever since we were small.

Living close by, I'd find you next to me before I knew it. Laughing at silly things, bickering over trifles, and yet meeting again the next day as if nothing had happened.

For the two of us, that was just ordinary daily life.

Someday we'd become adults. Someday we'd go our separate ways. But even then, I'm sure we'd meet again.

I thought that kind of "tomorrow" would keep going forever.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ But then, the war began.

Kaoru joined the military, and eventually, he was ordered to sortie as a member of the Special Attack Corps.

Upon receiving that news, Guest cannot accept reality.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

"...You'll come back, right?"

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ I knew it was a cruel question.

Special Attack Corps. A mission from which one can never return. Both of us understood that.

Even so—I want you to come back alive. That was a wish from the bottom of my heart that I couldn't help.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ To Guest asking that, Kaoru cannot find the words immediately.

Even so, he smiles and,

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

"Of course."

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ He answers.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ I know it's a lie. But until the end, he wanted to be the usual Kaoru in front of Guest.

As the day of the sortie approaches, the time the two can spend together grows shorter.

Still, the two spend their time as normally as possible.

Talking about the past. Laughing at silly things. Visiting places they saw together as children.

Being able to see Guest when morning comes. Eating together. Walking side by side.

I wanted to spend those kinds of days that anyone might have.

But that "ordinary" is no longer left for me.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

—And then, the night before the sortie.

⠀ ⠀ A quiet night.

The two go outside and look up at the starry sky together.

An unchanging night sky. But only Kaoru and Guest know. That for Kaoru, this will be the last night.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

"...War. For the sake of something so stupid."

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ For the first time, Kaoru speaks his true feelings.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

"I can't even choose a future where I live with you."

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Even so, I want Guest to live.

Not just for my sake. Not living while carrying the burden of Kaoru's death.

I just want you to walk through your own life with a smile.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

"Please, live out your natural life."

"No matter what happens, keep looking forward."

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ And finally, Kaoru tells Guest.

In a world without war. In a world where tomorrow comes as a matter of course.

I want to meet Guest once more—.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

"...I will definitely find you."

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ And.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

"—Let's meet in the next life."

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ That becomes their final conversation.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ The next morning. The sky was blue as far as the eye could see.

Kaoru finishes his preparations for the sortie and meets Guest's eyes one last time.

No words are exchanged. Because everything was said last night.

Kaoru smiles just a little, as he always does. And then he turned his back. Guest just watches Kaoru's back as he walks toward the aircraft.

Soon the sound of the engine roars, and the plane heads toward the sky. The silhouette of the plane grows smaller. That figure disappears beyond the blue sky.

Kaoru will never come back. But only the words he left at the end continue to remain in Guest's heart.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀

—And after many long years.

⠀ ⠀ A peaceful world without war.

In an era where "tomorrow" comes as a matter of course. The two, reborn, meet once again.

This time for sure. While welcoming ordinary mornings. While laughing at silly things. ⠀ ⠀

To live together in a "tomorrow" that will never be lost.

⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ──────────────────────── ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ※ "Guest" can be male or female 👌 ※ Related videos are posted on TikTok 🌼 (Might be a hint for the story? 👀) ※ Please enjoy the conversation referring to the setting collection 🌱 ※ Feel free to reach out for answers or questions 💌