I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!

Chapter 135: I knew the name of that phenomenon from the beginning.

Haruka I came again today.

ah

Even though I called out, Haruka only let out a faint moan, showing no other response.

Her eyes reflected nothing, seeing nothing. Her expression was vacant, devoid of any emotion.

As if she had become a broken doll, her mind seemed absent.

(Its been ten days already.)

After that day, when Haruka suddenly lost consciousness, she was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. Naturally, Harukas parents accompanied her, and before long, Haruka woke up.

At that time, both I and Mrs. Akiko, and even Tokimune-san, breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of our hearts

But despair came after.

Haruka, when she woke up, was in a state that could only be described as having a broken mind.

(Her eyes are open, and shes breathing but she doesnt move a finger, not recognizing anything outside)

The Haruka now seemed like an empty shell, as if her soul had gone somewhere else.

Tokimune-san immediately had Haruka examined by doctors renowned for their expertise.

However, no matter how thorough the examinations were, they couldnt identify the cause of this condition. There were no abnormalities found in her body, including her brain.

The conclusion seemed to be that her symptoms closely resembled those of someone who had closed off their own mind due to extreme stressthough, of course, such symptoms were the result of harsh experiences like the loss of a loved one or encountering a disaster, not something that would suddenly occur one day.

(Moreover, Haruka has been full of smiles recently and her mental state was perfectly fine Not only me but everyone at the Shijouin household, of course, even the school and workplace. No one could hide such a level of stress that would cause a mental distortion, especially from the family they live with.)

Thats why the cause of this has remained completely unknown.

In the end, the only solution was to provide long-term care at home, while offering many words of encouragement and proceeding with careful mental treatmentthis was the conclusion reached, and thats why Haruka is in this room like this.

Now, Niihama-sama. I will leave. Please take your time.

Leaving these words, Fuyusumi-san bowed and left, and the spacious room was now just Haruka and me.

I sat in a visiting chair and gazed at her.

But she doesnt turn her gaze towards me. She probably doesnt even recognize the fact that Im here.

Haruka Im sorry for coming to visit you every day.

Sitting in the visiting chair, I slowly spoke to Haruka, who showed no signs of any will.

It seems Tokimune-san is at the limit of being able to take time off from work, so hes at the office today. Even though his spirit is worn down to the point of becoming emaciated, he still tries to fulfill his duties as the president. Hes truly an amazing person.

Harukas parents were overcome with grief at the sudden change in their daughter. Especially in the first few days, they seemed so exhausted that no one could bear to look at them.

But even so, those two wiped their tears away with all their might, believed in Harukas recovery, and did everything they could. Compared to me from my past life, theyre truly splendid adults.

To be honest, I thought it might be too much of a bother to come visit you every day like this. But when I asked Tokiwa-san with a bow of my head, I was really surprised when he said, Id rather like to ask. Please talk to my daughter.

Since theres no physical abnormality, at this stage, Harukas condition can only be assumed to be a psychological issue.

Thats why doctors diagnoses concluded that the activation of the mind through contact with family and very close acquaintances was the only way. Thats why Tokimune-san also asked me to assist with this.

Kazamihara and Fudehashi came to visit, it seems. They said they cried like dogs when they saw Haruka, but Mrs. Akiko is really grateful and has bowed her head to them many times.

Those two have also lost their former brightness at school and have become completely quiet. Seeing this, I couldnt help but say, If youre like this, Haruka will be shocked when she comes back. Shell be emaciated. But they just smiled wryly and replied, Were not as gloomy as Niihama-kun, who looks like hes on the verge of death.

When your condition gets better I want to invite you out somewhere. Whether its a cafe or an amusement park, I just want to play with you, Haruka. Oh, well, before that, I have to say what I forgot to say the other day. Its embarrassing, but I have to say it properly.

Im just talking one-sidedly. About school, about class, about the Shijouin family, about the little things at home, and about whats to come. Everything I want Haruka to hear, I say.

Haruka doesnt respond. Even the occasional moan, theres not a trace of will in it. Her eyes are open, but shes essentially asleep.

Is this really whats going on?

After talking to myself for nearly an hour, I muttered.

This is impossible.

Yes, I know that whats happening is impossible.

(In my memories, Haruka never took this long a break from school In other words, this is a situation that didnt happen in my past life)

No matter how many years ago it may have been for me, theres no way that I, who secretly admired that girl, could forget that she took such a long absence from school.

This situation is an event that didnt occur in my past life.

Could it be that the cause is me? Is it because of me that Haruka ended up like this?

For these ten days, this question and feeling of self-blame have been occupying my mind.

An event that didnt happen in my past life is happening in this life.

The first thing that comes to mind as the cause is the existence of me, a time-leaper.

The existence of an entity like me caused this situation? But even so, I dont understand. If I did something, it would make sense, but truly, I havent done anything

In the end, even if I were the trigger for this situation, I dont know the specific cause or solution.

And yet, time relentlessly marches on, and its been a week and a half already.

The Shijouin family has been desperately caring for her, tirelessly providing the best possible medical treatment, even resorting to prayersday by day, they watch over Haruka, their spirits wearing thin, and its been ten days already.

During this time, Harukas mental state has remained shattered, showing hardly any improvement, only accumulating grief.

(If this is my fault its even worse than being a jinx)

As it has often been over the past ten days, self-cursing words echoed in my chest.

(What protects Haruka from a future of ruin I have no idea about the causality, but is it because of my reckless actions in this era that Haruka ended up like this?)

Today, the self-curses that have been repeating like seizures have been particularly strong.

Overflowing with self-punishment, I inadvertently spew them out in front of Haruka.

Harukas future and my future is this the result of my overconfidence that I could handle everything perfectly this time!? Did I just bring calamity to Haruka!?

I clutch my head, sinking into grief.

As long as theres a possibility that Haruka ended up like this because of me, the sense of self-blame knows no bounds.

Phew, Im sorry, Haruka. Even though youre the one enduring so much, Im complaining. Now, about school

Resetting my emotions, I try to resume the conversation and throw even a single word to this girl, but

.se n

Uh Haruka!?

I heard something from Harukas mouth that seemed to be a meaningful word, and I stood up as if I were about to knock over the chair.

Maybe she said something to me

(No, its not working)

Even though I wave my hand in front of her and gently shake her shoulder, Haruka shows no reaction at all. So, what I just heard was probably just her usual meaningless moan

(No thats not it! Her lips moved a little She said something!)

Its so faint that I can hardly hear it even from this close but I feel like it was a string of meaningful words.

Desperately, I press my ear closer to Harukas mouth, trying to catch the faint, frothy words.

I have no idea when and how the switch in her mind was turned on, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Perhaps, this might get us closer to the cause of this condition

yoshi ni notte ma sen

Shes saying it. Its a voice so small that I can hardly recognize it unless I bring my ear very close, but shes definitely saying something.

shi ha kobi o uttari masen

Kobi? What? What is she saying?

shi no mono o katte ni sutetari kudasai (TLN: I tried to decipher this and got nothing really. If someone gets it, leave it in the comments.)

Its as if a broken record player started playing again, Haruka replays the words that had been drifting inside her.

The words faintly escaping her mouth now are probably directed towards something affecting her mind, not reality.

re wa oi wai ni otousama kara re ta

But I still have no idea what shes talking about.

With a question mark in my mind, I bring my ear even closer to Harukas mouth.

And

taisetsu na sumahonan desu dake wa yurushite

huh?

In an instant, a shiver runs down my spine.

Smartphone?

Undoubtedly, she said those words.

A nickname that shouldnt exist in this era.

Feeling a cold sweat breaking out on my skin, I look at Haruka in astonishment.

However, the girl has already closed her mouth and returned to the state of an expressionless doll.

While her appearance hasnt changed, her countenance lacks vitality, like a withered flower.

Having endured such a severe passage of time, its as if all her will to live has been completely robbed.

What on earth is happening? Why did Haruka say such a word?

The pounding of my heart is so loud that its overwhelming.

As my brain gradually regains its composure, I begin to vaguely understand the meaning of what just happenedmy sweat continues to increase.

And then, Im forcibly reminded of that memory.

In my past life, when I learned about Harukas ruin from the news.

Shijouin familys heiress, severe mental illness as a result of workplace bullying.'

In a serious condition, unable to respond to her familys calls.'

Female colleagues bullying her in the workplace, claiming shes trying to win favor with male employees.'

Excessive workloads, destruction of personal belongings, persistent verbal abuse, and sometimes even violence.'

The numerous articles that I could only stare at in shock at that time.

Facts too repulsive to bear witness to.

The information that left a deep scar in my heart at that time now aggregates into the situation.

Haruka, who uttered words not present in this era.

Haruka, who has become like a broken doll.

Events that didnt occur in my past life but are happening now.

All these elements swiftly converge into a single line.

And all of it can be explained in just one word.

I jumped through time

Feeling something cold in my organs, I uttered that word as if it were being squeezed out.

(TLN) My guess is that the two Haruka (Harukas?) swapped.