“I guess it was a bad idea to clear the bad ending last.”

Like an auditory hallucination, I then started to remember what my classmates have said.

“The Crown prince’s route is said to be the hardest but most popular route of the game and boy they are right!”

Slouching like I had no energy left in my body, I opened the game on the big TV screen and went to the CG section where all the CGs or still images have been saved.

A wide variety of CGs then entered my vision as soon as I opened the CG section.

The colorful arrangements of each CG evoked numerous memories and experiences, thus recounting the events made me talk like some ‘glasses’ character.

“In the bad end the Crown prince abolished the engagement and framed his Fiancée for treason, either the Crown prince dies or the Saintess dies due to the rebellion”

I started mumbling while staring at the still images of different endings on the Crown prince’s route, clicking the next CG I started my silent commentary again.

“In the good end the Crown prince falls in love with the Saintess and thus clouding his judgement turning him into a simp and just called off the engagement with his Fiancée without any reason”

‘..Leading him to be banished by the King’ that’s pretty dumb but it’s more lenient than the bad end, I still can’t believe that a capture target can die…

“Anddd! FINALLY in the happy end the Crown prince remains as friends with the Saintess and ruled the kingdom fairly blab la blaa blah—so on and so forth haaa…”

Sighing as I ran out of breath… 'I haven’t spoken like that since grade school haha…'

Admitting defeat, I then collapsed on the sofa like some drifting seaweed.

Click

I switched the radio channel as the news kept getting repeated again and again. I then focused my attention on the cold milk on my table and began to down it all in one go.

Finishing the glass of milk, I made my way towards the sink that is filled to the brim with water.

I soon noticed my reflection and saw an unfamiliar silhouette for a brief second, blinking my eyes I quickly plopped the mug onto the sink causing it to ripple and distort the reflection.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Ah I almost forgot… I need to make that locket today.” I smiled at the thought of doing my hobby again.

Energy quickly filled my body as I made my way to my workshop.

Opening the door to that haven, the smell of coal, metal and other refreshing metallic smells reached my nose.

Proceeding inside, I stared at my tools and finished products while walking proudly.

Finally making my way to my work bench I turned to the wall and saw the design that I am trying to remake.

A picture is then seen, taped to the wall in front of my work bench. The design is clumsily drawn using crayons like a kid had made it.

Well it is made by a kid, specifically my younger self has drawn it.

I say remake but I don’t even know if I did make a prototype on the get-go.

‘That’s how long it must’ve been… as everything… is hazy.’

Pausing for a bit as I stare at the drawing in deep thought, like static my brain refused to let me think further as imaginary steam went up from my head as if I fried it from overthinking.

“Oh well, time to get to work.” Giving up on thinking, I then focused my all into my work.

Being so absorbed in my work I didn’t even feel the rumbling that was going on and the screams outside were all muffled due to the soundproof walls I have installed in my workshop.

After all, I didn’t want to be a bother to my neighbors while I’m working loudly.

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I think a few hours have gone by and I have finally completed it, now I just have to attach a chain to it in order to complete the locket.

“And… done! Now what to put in it? There must be something in here” I then took out a little container.

It was also where I happened to find the design of the locket I have just finished making.

All of a sudden as if emotions were evoked, my body suddenly froze when I saw something in the container.

I don’t know why though but my head started to also hurt badly, making me stumble.

‘I need to pull myself together, it’ll go away soon’ I leaned on a table and waited for my nausea to subside.

Once I’ve calmed down enough I glanced at the object in the container again, it seems to be a stone that is missing its other half.

I then decided that it’s at the right size to be placed in the locket.

At the exact moment I placed the stone in the locket I felt the ground shaking violently, leading me to abruptly close the locket in surprise.

“An earthquake?!” I immediately ran towards the door and made my way up to the living room which I have previously been to.

Maybe it was due to my bad luck that I couldn’t see the bookshelf falling right behind me.

Getting buried by it and its contents I happened to stare at the game I have left open, the CG displaying the Good end of the Crown prince’s route.

Rrrrr…Bzzt…Bzzzt…

Static noise soon caught my attention as I try to get free from the bookshelf’s weight.

<”7 years old mysterious disappearance case finally closed as the missing girl was reported to have been found!”> The radio kept on airing the news I have switched to earlier.

‘I should’ve listened to the earthquake report… haa…’ The only thing I could do was sigh as I stare at the radio noisily repeating the news.

Then numerous collapsing sounds were heard and I blacked out.

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