– Chapter 37: The Thing That Followed Me Back

The wind howled against the shattered windows of Shirogane High.

Hiragi stood alone in the dim classroom, still clutching the small black orb that pulsed in his hand—the Eye of Eden.

It shouldn't exist. Not here. Not outside the system.

"Why are you still with me…?" he whispered.

No answer. Only a hum. Like a heartbeat made of data.

He stepped into the corridor.

Everything looked normal—

…but too normal.

No dust on the floor. No flickering lights. Every locker closed perfectly. Every wall too clean.

"This isn't the real world."

He reached into his pocket—found his Void Knife still intact.

Then he heard it.

Steps.

Not echoing behind him…

but mirroring his own.

Exactly. Perfectly.

He froze. So did the steps.

He took one step forward—so did the sound.

Then from the window's reflection…

He saw himself.

But it wasn't him.

It was a copy. Void-black eyes. Slightly twisted smile. Same uniform, but bleeding shadows from the seams.

"You didn't leave alone."

The copy grinned. "Eden never ends, Hiragi. You brought me with you."

Hiragi gripped his Void Knife.

"Then I'll carve you out."

To be continued...