April 19, 1985 (Friday)

Today I went to school pretty late. I overslept.

I notice something was wrong from a far...why there's no school building in sight?

By the time I got close enough, In front of me was an empty lot.

What happened?

I tried asking the people nearby about my Ryouran High—but everyone act like that place doesn't exist in the first place.

The events were so sudden and I was all stressed out and tired, so I went back home and relax.

...

April 20, 1985 (Saturday)

The next day, I returned.

The school in front of me was completely different.

I didn't know anyone in here.

I asked a nearby teacher, "Is this Ryouran High?"

"This is Shinofumi High. What's the matter?"

"Two days ago, this place was still my school. The next day, it was an empty lot. I don't understand what happened."

"I don't know what you're talking about, young man. If you're supposed to attend this school, just get in."

"...but my uniform..."

"The principal should know best about the school. I'll guide you there."

...

I stood before the Principal.

"No matter what you think of it—it's impossible for a school to be built overnight, young man. Do you know the current date?"

"April 20, 1985?"

"Today's April 20, 2019. Our Shinofumi high was built in 1989. There weren't any Ryouran High ."

Looking at the date on the walls--it was also Saturday.

"What about the previous school?"

"It's already an empty lot before our school was built. If there's an old building, we prefer to use it and renovate step by step. Do you sense any familiarity with your own school?"

I shook my head. There wasn't the slightest bit of resemblance.

"I'm sorry to take your time on this."

"No need to worry—I do enjoy something different once in a while. I have to apologize—since, uh...this isn't something I can help you with. But I wish you luck."

I gave the principal my regards and returned home.

By the next day, I went back to the same spot.

...

April 21, 1985 (Sunday)

Ah, it's finally Ryouran High!

The atmosphere was kinda old around the lot.

My school was indeed an old one: built not long after the end of the Second World War.

Since Sunday's a day off, the school gates were closed. On the floor nearby, I picked up today's newspaper.

The current date was April 21, 1946.

Dad was born in this year as well.

Within the school's vicinity, the surrounding building's style matched up the current year the school was in.

I didn't notice it easily in the 2019 school. The modern architecture style didn't change much in these 34 years. It was in contrast to those around 1948 to 1985.

The moment I stepped out from the vicinity, my surroundings reverted back to 1985.

Gazing afar beyond the lot—I saw an old-style building sandwiched by modern ones. Which made it even more surreal.

I also tried to take the newspaper out with me. But as my body went outside the lot, the newspaper wasn't there anymore.

It was only visible as I re-entered; while it was just a few inches away from the lot's boundary—I was unable to reach it. The moment I stuck my hand out, I couldn't see my arms anymore—until my head was outside.

It's only if I brought things that were originally outside, I could take it back. In this case, this is why I could still have my backpack with me.

...

April 22, 1985 (Monday)

The current school building was Shinofumi High, this time the atmosphere looks a bit less 'futuristic'.

The date was April 22, 2002. The day's also on Monday. I won't go to detail on how I obtained it this time, it would just bore you.

It was really strange. The remainder of the city didn't change as the day went on.

The TV still shows up the next episode by tomorrow.

I could still read the next issue of the newspapers. No such news concerning the school's disappearance.

Only that building lot was different.

I tried asking the same people just to make sure—they still believe Ryouran High didn't exist.

Some of them even gave me a concerned look.

So I decided to change my approach, asking about the nearby schools. The auntie in the stationary store made me remember—my school wasn't the only one present.

It's just me who rarely went somewhere else. As I went home, I just read my books and do nothing else.

I hadn't gotten any news about my classmates and teachers. There wasn't anyone visiting my house to hand out printouts, like that one time I was sick.

Since I lived alone, I really don't want to worry my parents out there—that I hadn't been going to school for days.

Yet, just to make sure, I made a call...and Mom picked.

"Mom, do you know about the place called Ryouran High?"

"Dear, what are you talking about—there's no such place."

"Then what am I doing here? Didn't I have to attend school?"

"...that is..."

Mom hung up the telephone out of sudden. I wasn't able to call her again...

I wonder what happened by the time it became an empty lot? The day before, I still attended the school as always.

Why am I the one who still remember?

Why did Mom act so strangely about this? It's like there's something I shouldn't know no matter what.

...

April 25, 1985 (Thursday)

Based on my observations, I would always be teleported to a random timeline where either Ryouran or Shinofumi High exist.

Of the same day, date and month as my current one, but different years.

In the past, the school was Ryouran. In the future, it was Shinofumi.

During the Shinofumi timeline, the principals' answers were roughly the same.

'Ryouran High doesn't exist.'

Since I never end up in future Ryouran, I was never able to ask whether Shinofumi exists or whether my own self attended here. The timelines were also too far apart to see the traces of me attending.

Ryouran only had the middle school section in 1982. I was the among the first alma mater.

Shinofumi didn't exist in the present. Even so, I tried asking the usual people about it.

It was met by a similar answer. They even got annoyed by my pestering.

Fortunately, I was done gathering information this way.

In the next following days, I tried calling Mom and at the same time, trying to ask Dad before he goes to work or after he went home.

The results are the same: they hung up and unable to be contacted. By the next day—they act as if my questioning never happened at all.

When I followed with another topic that ended up with mentioning my current education, the topic's also forgotten. Although when I didn't speak anything about it, my parents wouldn't question me either.

As I attended Ryouran Middle, in the same building. I should have a yearbook ready. No matter how hard I searched, I found nothing.

My old notebooks taken from class—they've disappeared as well. The same with my textbooks.

The only remainder was my uniforms—but that alone doesn't make any sense.

...

April 26, 1985 (Friday)

Thinking about it, the anomaly of my school disappearing appeared on Friday. After that, things would never go back the same way.

I wonder, what exactly happened during Friday, and why must it be Friday? Last night I couldn't sleep well. Everything was boring without school.

I changed into my jogging clothes and ran all the way to the usual lot.

Thinking about it, I felt grateful my school was close to home.

...and my hunch was correct.

The entire school compounds were an empty lot. This time I tried really hard to distinguish the difference. The scenery was the exact same, whenever I entered or exit.

I could pick up the items left in here, like the blades of grass, and take it out.

It happens only on Friday.

I went back home and returned during the night. I wasn't nervous because the public order around here was exemplary.

I brought along a camping set.

The mystery would be solved if I slept in here.

Just in case, I brought my alarm clock, oil lamp, and some good books. I waited until past midnight inside the school lot. I camped near the entrance.

I didn't go much to the center. If the day passes and the school building appeared, I might be squished to death right under.

Time passed quickly when I was enjoying my novel.

Only after I felt a weird sensation reverberating across my surroundings, I finally noticed something amiss.

The moment I exited the tent...I was locked inside the school gate of Shinofumi High.

...

April 27, 2019 (Saturday)

I packed away my tent and tried to silently climb outta the gates.

Not long after my attempt, I was questioned by the school security.

Yet, he was familiar with me.

"You again? What is your business this time?"

Before that, I tried asking the current date.

It was April 27, 2019.

The timeline was still constant between the weeks.

I tried to apologize and mutter whatever nonsense I couldn't even remember.

Eventually, the guard just let me off after a good scolding.

"School isn't the place to camp. Especially if it's not even your school, you hear me?"

I nod as he unlocked the gate for me.

The moment I stepped out of the school's lot...something was different.

The city was so bustling and noisy. What's going on? Did I send myself into the future?

If so, what happened to my classmates on Friday?

Seeing this seems to be the same city, and I have my own house key, I returned to where my residence was.

The way along made me so uncomfortable. Even the nights were filled with noises and lights everywhere.

People used weird gadget held in their hands.

Where there used to be modest shops were now replaced by skyscrapers

...even the residential complex I was supposed to live, turned to a luxurious apartment complex.

My home...was gone.

Yet I still steeled my resolve. I stepped inside the apartment lobby, where a female receptionist stood by.

I showed her my old house key.

Her expression was filled with shock. She immediately dialed a number on her phone and ushered me to get into the elevator.

'The Boss would be overjoyed to see you.'

I was brought towards the penthouse floor. The moment she opened the door, an old man in a lavish bathrobe stood there—looking at me with a strange expression.

...and that face.

We both spoke at the same time:

"Are you...my other self?"

...

"I really treasure this key. It reminds me of the house I spent the majority of my youth in. Since it's rightfully yours, I can't take it. But I'm so glad it still exists."

"What happened?"

"That can wait later. I'm more interested in how you end up here--my younger self."

I told him everything I've experienced so far. I had no reason to lie. Besides, since he's rich and powerful, I might get some benefits by sticking to his good side.

He pondered long and hard.

Waiting for him made me yawn...

"Ah, I'm sorry."

"Don't mention it. We're basically the same person anyway. Just take a rest. I have a spare room and clothes ready, just in case."

I took up his offer since I was already so tired.

...

"Are you familiar with stories, about someone getting transported to another world?"

"No."

What I took out of my pocket was Osamu Dazai's 'No Longer Human' and 'Slaughterhouse-Five' by Kurt Vonnegut.

"Which reminds me, back when I was young, I love reading these books as well. But lately, the word 'Isekai' filled m my mind. So, here's my theory."

Summoning Magic.

The original premise was about summoning the Hero from Another World to participate in the fight against the Demon King.

Everyone within the summoning circle's range would get transported. Some was a Chosen One, while others were bystanders.

In my case, the summoning magic as extremely strong, it took away the entire school.

"In this case, why am I the only one? It's not like it's just me who would come late. There'd be my other classmates who end up searching for the 'surviving' ones. Sooner or later, they'd come ringing at my doorbell. This doesn't make any sense!"

"Listen to me first..."

He told me, what if, due to how strong the summoning magic works, the rules of the entire world were re-written, although it came with some irreversible damages and some error.

As a result, major players of the singularity, who would cause serious troubles, would be no more. That's why my other classmates didn't exist.

...and I happen to be a part of the overlooked error, for some reason.

It filled me with unease, knowing I was this 'singularity' and it's due to pure luck, I was able to survive.

Or maybe not...

I was always the one fully detached from my environment. I never really tried doing anything but blending in the background, trying my best not to stand out.

That's the most feasible reason I could think about.

If I tried to force the truth from within, the world might get distorted bit by bit—until it crumbled apart completely.

I already realized it, when Mom and Dad's actions began to get considerably strange...

"In other words, my own world has already been destroyed, and this is basically a parallel world?"

"To put it simply, yes."

Putting everything else on hold, I just want to make sure if the bridge still exists.

I just spent my time inside his place until the next day comes.

...

April 28, 2019 (Sunday)

As soon as morning came, I ran all the way to the school.

...this time, there weren't any changes. It's still the Shinofumi High in the year 2019.

The gates were actually open and I saw the students doing club activities. From the looks of it, they're from sports clubs...

Unlike the other days...there was no change.

The other me simply shrugged off his shoulders.

"So, what are you gonna do? I already have few grandchildren and my child had all moved out."

"...err."

"No need to rush. You and I have 34 years to catch up with. Take it easy, my other self."

I wasn't sure how all this happened. The future sure looks confusing as hell.

...and I really miss my parents.

Right as I was wallowing in my despair, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Just think of me as your parent. We might be the same person, but I have more experience than you..."

From that day onward, our strange relationship started.

I don't know what the future holds, but I'll make sure I live my life to the fullest.

To make up for the other world, which I abandoned.