I really don't want to be reborn.

This was the longest night.

It was so long that he didn't know how many memories were contained within it.

It was also the shortest night.

So short that in the blink of an eye, everything will be back to zero.

Rebirth...rebirth.

What is the meaning of rebirth?

With strange thoughts in his heart, Kousaka Kyosuke lay down again, hugged the person next to him, and couldn't help but want to kiss her, kiss her eyebrows, cheeks, and lips.

"Well……"

Kasumigaoka Utaha was slightly awakened, her eyes opening a crack: "What are you doing? I'm so sleepy."

"Little Poem".

"..."

"I love you."

"..."

She didn't hear it and fell into a deep sleep.

Kyosuke Kosaka smiled happily, nuzzling against her neck, his body trembling, letting out a low laugh that was short and abrupt, like dense snowflakes falling, utterly devoid of warmth.

It should be returned.

My story.

Four years and eight months ago—

Would we be happier if we didn't have these memories?

He slowly stretched his body, relaxing his tense nerves. Everything from the past four years flashed through his mind, every person, every event, and he felt that this was probably what life was all about.

if you can.

I want to start over.

He slowly closed his eyes.

A fierce blizzard swept in from outside the window.

……

……

Loading save file.

Save file loading failed, game restarted.

Beep beep beep, restarting...

"Reboot failed, please uninstall—"

Spring, 2005.

When Kyosuke Kosaka opened his eyes again, it was already broad daylight. He looked at the ceiling, yawned boredly, and glanced at the alarm clock on the bedside table: "It's eight o'clock... Did I stay up all night playing games last night? To think that I, a dignified transmigrator, would one day be addicted to a game like 'The Witch's House,' is truly shameful."

I got up, got dressed, and went downstairs. My mother was discussing something with my father. When she saw me coming down, she waved to me and said, "Go wash up quickly, or your food will get cold."

"Oh! What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Kirino... That girl got up very early this morning and was talking nonsense, saying something like 'time has gone backwards, time has gone backwards.' I think she's possessed."

Kyosuke chuckled to himself, "Kirino... she's reached that chuunibyou age too."

After washing up, he sat down at the dining table and ate slowly.

His younger sister, returning from her morning run, gave him a strange look as she went upstairs. After hesitating for a long time, she timidly spoke, "Brother..."

"...!!!"

What's wrong with this guy?

The siblings had been in a cold war, and after he entered high school, their relationship plummeted to a freezing point; they wouldn't even exchange a single word.

Onii-chan?

Kyosuke Kosaka looked up in surprise: "What did you just call me?"

Kirino ran upstairs, her face flushed, her voice a mix of panic and excitement: "No...nothing at all!"

The parents exchanged a knowing smile at the awkwardness between the siblings.

Now, life is peaceful and serene.

------

Ahhh, it's over! It's over! It's finally over!

Although it's less than 800,000 words, it's the book I've written with the most care and the one I'm most proud of, at least for now.

Although my grades weren't good... no, to put it bluntly, although they were garbage, I managed to survive for several months thanks to everyone's donations and threats.

Thank you very much, and I wish you all a happy summer vacation.

July 20, 2018.

North Yoshihide.