Samsara - Chapter 6: The End

Bathed in light, Reiji's heart trembled.

Waves of memories surged—Mina's voice, the villagers' laughter, the warmth of those days—all crashing into him as if blaming him for their loss.

In that moment—he heard her.

Not just her voice.

The soft, undeniable warmth of being embraced from behind.

He had felt Mina's presence with his own hands.

And yet—

What remained in him was only deep confusion and a hollow sense of loss.

Before him now stood Gaia.

"...Pitiful," Gaia murmured coldly, expressionless.

"She abandoned her role and defied the will of the Earth. As a result, even her existence could not be sustained."

Reiji raised his head in disbelief.

"That's… that's not…"

"She let emotion rule her and chose individuality. The result is what you see—a guide who made the most foolish choice possible."

The words pierced his chest like ice.

"You thought you were protecting her—but you erased her."

Those merciless words silenced Reiji. He collapsed to his knees.

"…No…!"

His fists struck the ground. Blinded by rage and confusion, his vision blurred.

Then—

『Reiji…』

A quiet voice echoed in his heart.

Warm, yet fragile.

『Don't cry anymore. I'm still here.』

He gasped.

In his heart, he could clearly see her—Mina. Her voice, her image… not illusions, but proof that she still remained inside him.

"…Mina… you…"

As his breath settled, Gaia began to speak.

"This planet has long lived only to protect itself—taking, destroying, grieving—yet refusing to change. But now, that age is ending."

"What do you mean…?"

Reiji asked hoarsely.

"This planet lives. It has a soul—and it seeks growth."

"The Earth… wants to change?"

"Yes. To evolve, to ascend to a higher dimension. But to do that, the existence known as 'human' must be tested."

Gaia's gaze locked onto Reiji.

"A soul like yours—one that retains memory, knows pain, and connects with others beyond the self. You are the key."

Reiji gave a bitter laugh.

"A key? Me?"

"Precisely. Only those who have known pain can open the door."

Then, Gaia revealed Mina's sleeping body before Reiji.

His eyes widened.

Days shared with Mina, idle chatter in the village, laughter with children…

—What if all of that had been prepared by someone?

That thought twisted his heart.

"…So everything was part of some setup…?"

The words spilled out in a whisper.

"My time there, her smile, the kids… all just to see if I'd change? For the Earth's sake?"

As if everything—even his life—had been in someone else's hands.

He felt sick.

"…Don't screw with me…"

He clenched his teeth.

Were those days fake?

The hope he'd believed in? The warmth he'd held?

If all of it had been just a test, then what was he?

"Then why—!"

Exploding with sorrow and rage, Reiji shouted:

"Why let me feel that happiness?! Laughing with Mina, messing around with the kids—was all of that just to test me?!"

His fists trembled.

More than the pain or the sadness—it was the thought that what he'd believed in might have been a lie that hurt most of all.

Then—

A gentle voice echoed from deep within his soul.

『—That time wasn't a lie.』

Mina.

『I loved those days. The villagers did too. And… did you?』

He was stunned.

Then the answer came, soft but sure.

"…It wasn't a lie. All of it… was real."

His voice trembled with conviction.

Gaia's reply came calmly—but carried weight.

"You still have a choice. For example—you could choose to live with Mina."

Reiji gasped.

"That is a natural, sweet desire. To live with the one you love. Anyone would wish for it. But…"

The following words were heavy.

"That is happiness only as an individual. That choice may delay the awakening of many souls and halt Earth's evolution. A single drop of sweetness can cloud an entire stream."

Reiji caught his breath.

"…That's too much… I can't—"

"No. You are already the chosen key. Your choice shapes the future."

Gaia added:

"Right now, Mina's soul resonates deeply with yours. But if left this way, her presence and memory will fade. However, if Earth evolves and all souls return to their true state—you and Mina may become one for eternity."

"Forever…"

A sharp pain pierced Reiji's chest.

But in his heart, Mina's smile emerged.

She had reached out to him—not as a guide, but as herself.

Mina's voice returned once more.

『If choosing me brings more suffering to others… then that's not right. And if it means you'll carry a heavy sin—I don't want that.』

『Even if I disappear, it won't be because someone told me to. I chose it. I faced you… as a human. That alone is proof that I lived.』

Reiji slowly raised his head. Tears lined his cheeks—but a faint smile emerged.

"—Shut the hell up, all of you!"

He suddenly roared.

"Evolution? Saving someone else? I don't give a damn! If Mina's not here, none of it means anything!"

The cry was raw—reminiscent of his past self.

"…Heh."

Mina's laughter echoed in his heart.

"You've gone back to the old you."

"Shut it! I've always been this way!"

Their souls blazed together in harmony.

As the resonance faded, Reiji took a deep breath and turned to Gaia, his voice steady.

"Hey, Gaia. You talk big—but aren't you just another cog in this damn world? I won't be one of them. And you… didn't feel anything watching Mina?"

Gaia looked down in silence.

Reiji raised his head to the sky and shouted—his voice carrying both their wills:

"I decide my path. I take orders from no one. Least of all—you!"

He broke into a run toward the sealed monument.

His face no longer reflected the past or the future—it was the face of someone choosing to live in the now.

Not for anyone else. Not for some idea of righteousness.

He chose… because he wanted to.

"I choose!"

He stopped before the monument.

The wind blew—cold, yet gentle.

Reiji stared at it.

"I won't be controlled by the past. I don't need saving. I'm here… to live alongside Mina."

At that moment, the seal engraved on the stone began to glow faintly.

The air trembled, the forest fell silent.

But Reiji did not flinch.

"Bring it on, Earth. I won't bow to you."

His voice bore no shadow of anyone else.

He was no longer the chosen, no longer the pawn.

He was simply—himself.