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

Chapter 138: That Dream Resembled a Flashing Lantern

It was a type of dream where I recognized that I was in a dreama so-called lucid dream.

Wait huh?

Faced with this incredibly strange dream, I couldnt help but groan.

First of all, it was just so dark. It felt like being inside a tunnel, surrounded by nothing but pitch-black darkness.

Moreover, it felt oddly soft, like being in water, and even my own existence felt unstable.

(What is this? I cant see anythinghuh?)

In this darkness, a thin band of light suddenly passed before me.

Upon closer inspection, it wasnt a band of light at all, but rather a collection of tiny lights, like stardust, flowing slowly from left to right.

Though it was as thin as a ribbon swaying in the wind, it was impossible to measure its entire length, as both ends seemed to stretch infinitely far.

Huh? A miniature Milky-way?

While I was somewhat taken aback by this strangely different scenery, I hesitantly reached out to touch the bright, stardust-like band.

Then

!?

The dark space suddenly transformed into a sunlit grassy square, as if Id been teleported there in an instant.

Lush trees, blooming flowers, fluttering butterflies, families picnicking on spread-out mats, elderly people jogging, housewives walking their dogs.

I was left dumbfounded by this utterly unexpected sight.

It felt like Id been momentarily transported into a moviejust as I thought this, I noticed something unbelievable.

Just a few meters away from me, a boy of about six was energetically running around the park. His innocent face was familiar from the cherished album my mother kept.

(Th-this could it be a younger me!?)

Upon closer inspection, my young mother and my departed father were standing a little further away, watching over their child with smiles on their faces.

Beside young me, there was also a young Kanako, full of smiles just like me. The siblings were playing together happily without any trace of discord.

Innocently happy, without a care in the worldthis time of pure bliss stretched out before me.

It disappeared!? But could this possibly be

As if a video had ended, the surroundings abruptly returned to the original pitch-black space.

Then I realized the strangeness of it all.

(Somewhere in a park? But I dont smell soil or grass, and even though the grass is swaying in the wind, I cant feel anything)

It felt as though Id been thrown into a movie.

And then, I was left speechless as I noticed something even more unbelievable.

Just a few meters away from me, a boy of about six was energetically running around the park. His innocent face was familiar from the cherished album my mother kept.

(Th-this could it be a younger me!?)

Upon closer inspection, my young mother and my departed father were standing a little further away, watching over their child with smiles on their faces.

Beside young me, there was also a young Kanako, full of smiles just like me. The siblings were playing together happily without any trace of discord.

Innocently happy, without a care in the worldthis time of pure bliss stretched out before me.

It disappeared!? But could this possibly be

As if a video had ended, the surroundings abruptly returned to the original pitch-black space.

Then I realized the strangeness of it all.

(Somewhere in a park? But I dont smell soil or grass, and even though the grass is swaying in the wind, I cant feel anything)

It felt as though Id been thrown into a movie.

And then, I was left speechless as I noticed something even more unbelievable.

Me and Haruka touring the cultural festival, both of us smiling amidst the hustle and bustle.

Kanako and I going shopping, tackling a jumbo parfait together and panting for breath.

Me being invited to the Shijouin family, sweating nervously in front of Tokimune-san during the intimidating interview, and sharing tea with Haruka in her room, creating a slightly pleasant atmosphere

(Could it be this branch represents a new flow created by my time leap?)

If this Milky Way truly represents the flow of time, then the first rounds world is the original flowessentially the official history, and the second rounds world is a parallel world branching off from there.

But in the end, what is this dream trying to say Oh!

Despite not touching it this time, the scene started playing on its own.

It depicted a future state even beyond the times I had viewed until now.

Hey, wait of all things, it had to be scenes from around this time

To put it in a nutshell, it was a black hell. Scenes kept increasing of me, in a suit, running around feeling sick as a wretched corporate slave in a detestable company.

Late-night chugging of energy drinks for overtime, habitual verbal abuse mixed with personality negation from the boss, life deteriorating to the point where my eye bags grew darker.

Andbeing worked to death, exhausted and buried by work, a pitiable death from overwork.

It was so horrifyingly cruel that I couldnt help but let out a bitter self-mocking laugh.

If my school days were gray, then this is nothing short of murky

Just then, the scene switched to a place I wasnt familiar with, leaving me speechless.

The scene was so brutal, far beyond anything comparable to how I died. I wanted to cover my eyes.

Haruka

For some reason, I was certain that the figure with its back turned to me in what seemed like an office space was an adult Haruka dressed in a suit.

Perhaps because it wasnt from my own memory, the image had quite low resolution, and the figure of Haruka in her twenties wasnt very clear.

Yeteven so, the scene that unfolded there struck my heart with uncanny precision.

Grinning female coworkers piled paperwork on Haruka in the dimming hours. Their faces, as they instructed her to work all night, twisted in a way that seemed genuinely joyful.

Personal belongings like a shattered smartphone screen, soiled slippers, and a torn notebook were tossed into the trash bin, while Haruka tearfully collected them.

From behind her, voices from those who werent much different from garbage, saying things like It fell on the floor, so I mistook it for trash, could be heard.

After numerous such grotesque sceneswhat I saw last was the grief of the Shijouin family.

I heard nothing, felt nothing.

Before the Haruka whose mind had been broken over time, both Mrs. Akiko and Mr. Shizuki wept bitterly, blaming themselves harshly for not seeing their daughters suffering.

But even in front of such parents, Haruka showed no reaction as if she had lost all perception of the world.

The gentle and innocent presence of Shijouin Harukahad been completely extinguished.

(Why like this)

Being confronted with that scene once again, I found myself shedding big tears and sobbing uncontrollably. The feeling of helplessness and the emotions with no outlet swirled in my chest.

Why did things turn out like this?

How can something like this even happen?

How can one hurt others and still laugh?

What on earth is so enjoyable about it?

I had thought the scum at my former company were terrible, but why are these people, who seem like their personalities have completely collapsed, still alive and breathing so easily?

(In order to avoid this future, Ive always been by Harukas side, doing various things but it seems that, rather than prevention, I have to directly change the future.)

No matter how difficult it may be, since theres no other way, I have to do it.

And the only one who can do it is probably me in this world.

(Ah is the dream ending)

Suddenly, I felt my consciousness flickering.

It seemed the time of the dream had come to an end, and it was time for me to return to my reality.

(I have to go. Back to that world I never wanted to return to. I have to fight as an adult once again.)

But for that ticket, no matter what, I couldnt reach it.

Thats why all I can do is pray.

That when I wake up next timeplease let it be in that familiar hell.

TLN: These dark chapters.. I didnt sign up for this~