Chapter 1: The End Of The Universe

“Phew! Hey, Z, that was a nice workou-HEY! I thought you promised to stop smoking, dammit!” Yuki shouted.

Z looked up.

“Yuki, I’m not smoki-” Z started.

“Hand them over. Now.” Yuki said sternly, a frown on her face.

Z pulled a package out of his pocket and placed them in her outstretched hand.

“...The fuck are these?” Yuki asked.

“They’re candy cigarettes. Jeez.” Z said.

“Oh. Sorry, I thought…” Yuki said.

Z sighed.

“It’s fine, Yuki. You don’t need to apologize for worrying about me anymore.” Z said.

“Y-Yeah…” Yuki said.

She rubbed her arm and sat next to Z.

“...How long has it been?” Yuki asked, grabbing his hand.

“What are you talking about?” Z asked.

“When did all of this begin?” Yuki asked.

“When? You’re not going to ask why? How?” Z asked.

Yuki smiled and shook her head.

“That’s not important anymore. But I don’t want us to lose our sense of time, too. Do you remember?” Yuki asked.

Z clasped his hand in hers.

“A long time, Yuki. A long time.” Z said.

A tear ran down Yuki’s cheek.

“And it’s about to end, right?” Yuki asked.

Z nodded, tightening his grip.

“Yeah.” Z said.

“I don’t want to be alone, Z.” Yuki said.

Z nodded.

“I’m here. I’ll stay with you. I promise.” Z said.

“We’ll always be together, right?” Yuki asked.

Z nodded.

“I don’t want to die.” Yuki said.

“I’m sorry. I love you, Yuki.” Z said.

He hugged her tightly and smiled. 

There was a white flash. 

As though someone had decided to take an eraser to the world, all color faded. The blue of the oceans disappeared, the green of life vanished and the land turned pure white.

The planets disappeared and the stars blinked out of existence.

All that was left was empty space, an infinite abyss of darkness.

A bright light shone through a large crack that began to widen, dispelling the abyss.

Yuki blinked.

“Where… Am I?” Yuki asked.