Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/822139838626691253/episodes/822139838626962642
The Grim Reaper was real.
As that summary article probably stated, it’s likely true that humans possessed by the Grim Reaper will die soon.
Had I continued walking along that path laid out on the road, I would have undoubtedly died.
As a result, I avoided my fate of death, and the Grim Reaper departed from me.
I learned two things.
First, that death’s fate can be avoided.
And second, that I’m not the only one who can see the Grim Reaper.
The thread starter compiled in that summary article was probably someone who could see the Grim Reaper just like me.
I wonder how many people can actually see the Grim Reaper.
“Hey, Ren. You were late this morning.”
“…Was I?”
“You look pale. Are you okay?”
“…Yeah, just a bit sleep-deprived.”
I gave my friend, who was peering at me with concern, a vague smile.
“Hey, did you hear? Apparently there was a road collapse nearby.”
“Huh.”
“See, photos and videos are already circulating on social media. I think it was on your way to school, right?”
“…I took a different route today.”
“That’s good. I was worried something might’ve happened to you. Hey, Ren?”
The classroom before homeroom started looked like any other morning.
About eighty percent of the seats were filled.
Students chatting and laughing with friends.
But something foreign had mixed into this usual morning scene.
“A Grim Reaper… Why is it here…”
“Huh? What? Did you say something?”
A Grim Reaper stood at the front of the classroom.
Its entire body was wrapped in bandages, black wings visible.
It held a large cauldron, its face a skull.
Its hollow eyes stared down at the students.
This was a different Grim Reaper than the one that had possessed me this morning.
“Hey, Ren. You okay?”
“…Huh?”
Aiba’s voice snapped me back to reality.
“Where’ve you been looking? Talking to yourself?”
“No…”
Aiba followed my gaze.
Then the corners of her mouth twisted into a smirk.
“Ah, I see. You were looking at Shiraishi-san.”
Aiba seemed to have mistaken me for staring at the group of girls chatting near the front of the classroom.
He started grinning at the girl talking at the center of the group… Shiraishi Mio.
“I get it. She’s cute, isn’t she, Shiraishi-san?”
“…No, that’s not—”
“Don’t hide it.”
His expression screamed, I know exactly what you’re thinking.
I decided to let him keep his misunderstanding because it was too much trouble.
“Shiraishi Mio. She’s cool, huh? Cute face, great figure. Our class’s Madonna. That aloof attitude is actually kind of appealing, you know? I get it. You like her too, right?”
“…”
“I was in the same class as Shiraishi-san back in first year, so I think I understand her appeal.
You know? Shiraishi-san is said to dislike men, but actually…”
Ignoring his rambling monologue—which I hadn’t asked for—I observed the Grim Reaper standing at the lectern.
The Grim Reaper didn’t move a muscle.
Holding a large scythe, those hollow eyes fixed on a single point.
For now, I couldn’t tell who the Grim Reaper was possessing.
But one thing was clear.
Someone in this classroom was going to die soon.
Apparently, miraculously, no one died in this morning’s road collapse.
One worker fell into the hole, but they were rescued afterward.
He was injured, but his life wasn’t in danger.
Videos of the worker being pulled from the hole were circulating on social media.
During class, I kept my eyes on the Grim Reaper.
He stood motionless at the front of the classroom, watching someone.
His presence meant someone in this classroom would die soon.
Who could it be?
Judging by the distance to the Grim Reaper, it probably wasn’t anyone sitting in the back half of the classroom.
I tried to think which student in the front half might die, but there were too many candidates to narrow it down.
What would the cause of death even be?
It’s hard to imagine some accident at school directly leading to death.
Terrorists suddenly storming in, taking over the classroom, and shooting us?
That’s ridiculous.
This isn’t some middle school boy’s fantasy.
So then, death by illness, suicide, or murder?
I’ve never heard of any student in the class having a serious illness.
Illness seems unlikely.
That leaves murder or suicide as the possible causes of death.
I can’t think of any student who seems capable of murder.
Suicide seems the most likely possibility.
Adolescence brings endless worries.
Even if it doesn’t show on the surface, there might be a student in this class burdened with troubles severe enough to consider suicide.
Who could it be?
With the Grim Reaper showing no movement, it seemed impossible to narrow down who it was possessing.
“Alright, that’s all for today. Make sure to review today’s material before next class.”
The teacher wrapped up the lesson and left.
Recess began, and a relaxed atmosphere flowed through the classroom.
“Oh crap. I might’ve forgotten my gym clothes.”
Aiba peered into her bag and buried her face in her hands.
Come to think of it, the next class was PE.
Boys were supposed to change in the classroom, while girls changed in the locker room.
If the one who dies is a boy, the Grim Reaper will stay in the classroom, right?
Yeah, if it’s a girl, it’s highly likely it’ll make a move.
“What should I do? Should I borrow one from someone… Did Class 2 have PE today? Damn. This is seriously bad…”
Aiba was muttering something, but it didn’t register at all.
The girls started moving toward the changing room with their gym uniforms.
I carefully observed the Grim Reaper’s movements.
“Hey, Ren. I forgot my gym uniform. What should I do? Any chance I could fake being sick or something…”
“…!”
The Grim Reaper moved.
As the girls froze and left the classroom, the Grim Reaper followed right behind them, sticking close.
“Hey, Ren. You listening?”
I couldn’t tell who the Grim Reaper was possessing.
But one thing was clear.
The person who was going to die was among the girls.
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