When I opened my eyes—
There was nothing.
No sky.
No ground.
Only white.
A vast, endless white space stretching in every direction.
A place that i've never seen before.
"…Where…?"
My voice trembled.
In front of me, there was only a table, a chair—
And a man.
He wore a black suit.
Black hair.
But—
No face.
A smooth, empty surface where his face should have been.
An unnatural presence.
It made my chest tighten.
"W-Where is this…?"
I asked, my voice shaking.
The man tilted his head slightly.
Then—
"Kekeke…"
A soft, eerie laugh echoed through the empty space.
"Welcome, new customer."
"Do you remember me?"
"…Remember?"
At first, nothing came.
Then—
A flash.
A dying tree.
Warm blood.
A collapsing body.
"…Ah."
My breath caught.
"You…"
My hands trembled.
"You're the one who gave me that scroll…"
And then—
Everything connected.
My eyes widened.
"Wait—"
I stepped forward.
"Where is Satou-kun?!"
My voice rose in panic.
"Is he here?! Where is he?!"
"How can I meet him?!"
"Please—tell me!!"
"Kekeke… calm down."
The man casually raised a finger.
Then pointed behind him.
I followed his gesture.
A gate.
Standing silently in the white space.
"He's already inside."
"Starting his new life."
"…!"
My heart tightened.
I see…
So that's where he is.
That's where Satou-kun went.
The man leaned back slightly.
"My name is Hans."
"Do you remember the contract we made?"
"…Yes."
I nodded without hesitation.
"My soul now linked to Satou-kun."
"And I can follow wherever he goes."
"Keke… correct."
"That means…"
He gestured toward the gate again.
"You can enter it as well and follow him."
A small breath escaped my lips.
"…Does that mean…"
I looked at him carefully.
"Satou-kun also made a contract with you?"
Hans smiled.
"Yours and his…"
"Are slightly different."
"Kekeke…"
"You'll find out sooner or later."
Then—
He snapped his fingers.
The gate slowly opened.
A number appeared beside it.
002
My eyes fixed on it.
"…What does that number mean?"
"To put it simply…"
Hans replied casually.
"That is his second life."
"When you enter the gate…"
"You will possess another person."
"And inherit a small part of their memories."
I stayed silent for a moment.
So that's how it works.
A different life.
A different body.
A different world.
"…I understand."
I took a step forward.
My heart beat faster.
Not from fear.
But anticipation.
And something deeper.
Hans suddenly spoke again.
"…Tell me."
His voice carried curiosity.
"What will you do in your next life?"
I stopped.
Then slowly placed both hands over my chest.
Like a prayer.
My lips curved into a quiet smile.
"I will live with him."
My voice was soft.
But unwavering.
"In every story."
"As long as he continues to be reborn into new worlds…"
My fingers tightened slightly.
"I will make sure…"
"That he becomes mine."
My eyes widened slightly.
A smile formed—
Twisted.
Beautiful.
Terrifying.
"Ufufu...Ahaha...AHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
"Ahh… just wait for me, Satou-kun."
"My beloved Satou-kun~."
"I'll find you, no matter where u are. Ufufu~."
I took another step toward the gate.
"A future where we are together…"
"…will come true."
Without hesitation—
I walked inside.
The light swallowed me whole.
Behind me—
Hans snapped his fingers.
The gate slowly closed.
"Kekeke…"
He chuckled softly.
"What an interesting human."
And thus—
This is also her second life.