When I Was Presumed Dead, They Became Unhinged Unknowingly - Chapter 44

I had finished explaining most of my past in a somewhat haphazard manner and turned my gaze towards them.

“So, after that, my mom committed suicide, and I was passed around among relatives until I could stay at my aunt’s house. So… I tried to save myself by helping five people. And then, I…”

There, I stumbled in my words. I became scared to speak further. They probably didn’t want to hear that I had thoughts of wanting to die, and I didn’t want to talk about it either.

However, hiding things from them any longer would only create further cracks. 

“I…,” but the fear of speaking those words overwhelmed me. I couldn’t take a step forward. Every time I tried to speak, something choked me, rendering me speechless.

At that moment, Kyoka gently placed her hand on mine and looked into my eyes. Her gaze overflowed with affection. She stared at me, assuring me that everything would be okay.

It’s okay. I’ll be okay this time.

“I… thought I wanted to die. I wanted to finish my redemption by helping those five people and then leave this world. I felt that someone like me shouldn’t exist in this world.”

I unintentionally lowered my head. I was scared to see everyone’s faces.

I didn’t want to imagine what expressions they wore. But I had to face it. When I raised my head, they…

…embraced me. They all huddled around me, holding me tightly.

“Satoru, if you said you wanted to die, then I would die too, but I changed my mind.”

“…?”

“I absolutely want you to keep living. I won’t let you die until I do. I won’t forgive a Satoru who helps and then abandons us.”

If you only looked at Misuzu’s words, they seemed a bit strong, but her voice was consistently gentle, melting my brain.

“Satoru-kun is really selfish and helpless, so I’ll stay with him forever. Redemption will never end. I won’t let him go until I die.”

Mika’s voice was sticky, like an inescapable swamp.

“Onii-chan is foolish and stubborn, but I love him. Surely, no one better than him will appear from now on, so I won’t let him die. I won’t allow him to die until I do.”

Her voice, being that of a voice actor, invaded my heart, and I couldn’t resist.

“Satoru, you’re much more foolish and hardworking than I am, so from now on, I’ll keep watching over you, not the other way around.”

Shouko said calmly. I felt like she would find me no matter where I went.

Ah… I may not be able to die from now on.