Episode 9, Lost

TAKUMI TSURUGI

As Kenji led me away from the supermarket, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might be doing something wrong, something that'd hurt Mrs Fujimoto, but my purpose of life was to destroy Ryujin Kuroba, that was the reason Rei Kokoro gave me a second chance at life.

As we proceeded, I noticed the evening sky growing darker, and the streets filling with the usual hustle and bustle, but I was too distracted to notice much of it. We turned down an alley and then onto a narrow road, which seemed to lead away from the city lights.

I looked around, my confusion growing. “Where are we going? This can't be the way to the school.”

Kenji stopped and turned to face me. His eyes were steady and calm, yet there was an intensity that made me uneasy. “You need to trust me. If you want to see the school, you’ll need to take my hand.”

My skepticism flared. “Are you serious? If this is some kind of joke, I swear—”

Kenji chuckled softly. “The vengeful spirit is still within you, I see. No need for threats. Just take my hand, and you’ll see the school.”

Despite my reservations, I found myself reaching out and grabbing his hand. The instant our skin touched, everything around us began to change. The streetlights and buildings dissolved into a swirling maelstrom of fire and brimstone. I could feel the heat searing my skin and the acrid smell of sulfur stinging my nostrils.

Panic surged through me. “What is this? Where are we?”

Kenji’s voice cut through the chaos. “Don’t let go. Keep holding on.”

Before I could process his words, the ground beneath us cracked open. I felt a powerful force pulling me downward, and I began to fall, the fiery abyss stretching endlessly in every direction. My screams echoed in the void, and I flailed my arms desperately, but the sensation of falling never seemed to end.

After what felt like an eternity, I suddenly landed with a jarring thud. I laid there, gasping for breath and trying to make sense of my surroundings. The air was heavy and thick, and the ground was uneven, scorched and cracked.

I struggled to my feet, my heart pounding in my chest. Kenji was already standing beside me, looking remarkably unfazed.

“Where are we?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear that gripped me.

Kenji’s gaze was calm, almost serene. “We’re in a place that exists between worlds—a passageway to where you need to go.”

I looked around, my mind reeling from the shock of the experience. “This can’t be real. How is any of this possible?”

Kenji stepped forward, his expression serious. “Sometimes, to achieve our dreams or seek justice, we have to confront realities beyond our understanding. Just remember, the school you want to see is closer than you think. You need only take the next step.”

"What are you saying?" I asked, confused.

"Open your eyes, Takumi Tsurugi, open your eyes!"

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