6. Found a Girl from the Apocalypse 6

It was mid-September of the year 2023, and I had awakened my supernatural abilities back in early April of 2019. Nearly four and a half years had passed since then. At that time, I was in the second semester of my third year in middle school, still at an age brimming with fantasies.

Though people around me now still called me a dreamer, I was far more naive back then. So, after awakening my powers, I no longer doubted the existence of supernatural forces and devoted myself wholeheartedly to seeking out those mysterious phenomena that others deemed impossible.

Legends of fairies, demons, and deities might very well be true. Undoubtedly, individuals like me—those with supernatural abilities—also existed somewhere in the corners of this world.

I never believed I was the only one with such powers. If there was one, there had to be more—such a simple truth. Though I had no idea what kind of absurd stroke of luck had led to my awakening, even if it was a one-in-a-hundred-million chance, with a global population of eight billion, there should be at least dozens of people like me. If I broadened my search from “superpowered individuals” to “supernatural forces,” who knew how many there could be. My reasoning shouldn’t be wrong.

Yet, over four years had passed, and my search yielded nothing.

Only my abilities continued to evolve at a breakneck pace.

—

This time, Masao did not fall into a deep sleep as she had the last time.

Only minutes passed before she groggily opened her eyes, still seeming caught in a dream as she looked at me.

I offered her reassurance.

“You must still be very tired. It’s okay—you can rest a bit longer.”

She said nothing, silently observing me, her gaze growing clearer. After a moment, she threw off the blanket, got out of bed, and staggered toward the door.

“Where are you going?” I stepped in front of her.

“Move aside,” she said, glaring at me like a wounded young wolf.

“Do you really want to leave now?”

“I told you, I’m fine. I came to see you.”

“But I have concerns. After all, I risked arrest by the police to shelter you. I can’t just watch you act recklessly now,” I gave my reason.

She ignored me and tried to walk around me quickly.

But after a step, her body wavered involuntarily; her knees buckled, and she was about to fall.

I hurried forward to support her, but she stubbornly shook me off and retreated two cautious steps, keeping a safe distance.

“What can you do in this state?” I pressed on. “You can barely walk properly and could pass out anytime. Besides, you’re covered in blood and wearing that ragged hospital gown—any time now, the police will catch you out there.”

“I won’t tell anyone about you. That’s enough, right?” she replied, frowning.

“I mean... why not take a shower first?” I wracked my brain for ways to convince her to stay, “You can toss that outfit aside. You can wear my clothes, and I’ll get you fresh underwear.”

“A shower?” Her expression first showed confusion, then as if recalling something, she stepped back two more paces, her eyes sharper. “You don’t mean...”

“Don’t misunderstand.” I quickly dispelled her suspicion. “If I had intentions toward you, I would have done something by now.”

“Fair enough...” Though she said so, she checked her body again and reluctantly agreed. “A shower... you’re right. I can’t just wander outside like this.”

After some coaxing, she finally followed my advice, stepping into the bathroom with cautious glances back every few steps.

I fetched spare slippers for her, then handed her my clothes, fresh underwear, and a towel from the bedside table, trailing her to the bathroom door and watching as she closed the frosted glass door behind her.

Behind the door came the rustling of plastic wrapping being torn open, then the sound of clothes being removed. A faint, small shadow appeared through the frosted glass as she seemed to examine the bathing supplies, the faint clinks of bottles being picked up and set down audible.

The shower started, water splashing loudly on the floor. At first, it was surely cold water; she let out a brief, startled, yet endearing little cry like a frightened animal.

—

Soon, the water must have warmed, and she quieted, breathing out a sound of comfort.

Just a door away stood a living, breathing, naked young woman. I belatedly realized I shouldn’t stand so close and moved to sit on the living room sofa, pondering my next steps while pulling out my phone to request leave from university.

At that moment, I noticed several unread message notifications from the only friend I had at university. They were from last night, asking if I was free that evening. I had been too occupied with Masao’s situation to notice.

Was there an emergency for him to contact me so suddenly?

I replied promptly, explaining I wouldn’t be attending school today and then formally requested leave.

Not long after, the water stopped running in the bathroom.

Maybe survivors of an apocalypse developed a habit of conserving water out of necessity. I had assumed that since she was a girl, she’d take a long time showering, giving me ample opportunity to think up ways to persuade her to stay. But Masao was no slower than me, a rough and ready type; she soon donned my clothes, clinging to the wall as she staggered out of the bathroom.

I had prepared a gray long-sleeve T-shirt and long pants for her, with black boxer briefs as underwear. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any upper undergarments suitable for a girl her age, and I wasn’t sure if that would bother her.

The shirt, originally mine, was obviously too large; the sleeves covered her hands, and the hem hung like a short dress. She rolled up the sleeves and pant legs, revealing her pale, slender forearms and calves.

I led her back to the bedroom. The dirty sheets and blankets had already been removed. She sat on the bed, still carrying the warmth of the water and the faint scent of lemon shampoo.

It was strange—though the lemon fragrance was the same as my usual shampoo, now it emanated from her and created an entirely different, intoxicating atmosphere.

The clothes too—just ordinary garments, yet once on her, they exuded a curious charm.

Perhaps this was what the internet called the “boyfriend’s shirt” feeling, though we weren’t in that sort of relationship. Even entertaining such thoughts felt like wishful thinking.

“Thank you. I can’t even remember the last time I had such a comfortable shower,” she said quietly.

Maybe the hot water had softened the spines of this “hedgehog,” for her attitude now was gentler.

Then she asked me to return her handgun.

Without hesitation, I refused.

“By the way, why do you have a gun? Did you bring it with you when you crossed over?”

“That’s none of your business,” she said, still uncooperative but with a softer tone. “Since you won’t give it back, keep it yourself. I’m leaving.”

“You want to investigate the cause of the apocalypse, right? But do you have any clues?”

“No. But the apocalypse didn’t happen suddenly; there were signs and preludes that people haven’t paid enough attention to. Unbelievable phenomena, strange monsters—such things must already be appearing openly in this era.” She grew more patient, then warned, “You must be careful too. If you encounter suspicious signs, don’t hesitate—stay as far away as possible. And…"

“And what?”

“Don’t come near me anymore.” She seemed consciously to speak in a flat tone. “I… am different from you. I’m a curse.

“Those who are with me or involved with me always tend to get caught up in bizarre, inexplicable events and meet tragic ends.

“If you value your life, don’t keep chasing after me.”

Huh? Was there such a thing?

I perked up.

“That won’t do,” I said firmly. “I told you from the start I saved you because I couldn’t ignore a ragged girl collapsed in the night. Now you want me to forget about you? Isn’t that killing me mentally? If I do that, would I still be myself?”

“Anyone can say noble things, but when death is close, you’ll regret your choices,” she said more heavily.

“Don’t underestimate me. I won’t regret it, and you’re the one who should reconsider yourself. You can’t use your powers now, can’t move freely, and need rest, yet you want to run around outside? That’s just making things worse.

“Instead, stay here and recover your strength. That way, you can better serve the mission to stop the apocalypse. Or is satisfying your pride more important to you?”

“Besides, even if you really are a terrible curse bringing disaster to those around you, it can’t be so immediate that calamity strikes within mere days, right?”

“Well…” She seemed moved by my words. “If it’s just a few days…”

“How about it?” I tested.

“...” She fell silent.

My heart pounded as I awaited her answer.

If...

If I couldn’t persuade her, then frankly, I’d have to break her legs and chain her up in my home.

Though imprisoning a minor illegally was both criminal and perverse, even to avoid the authorities discovering my misdeeds, it would be necessary. I wasI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.