831 You have died long ago (1/2)

The world after death was completely white, just as if it was filled with snow.

There was nothing here. One wouldn't need to think about anything. There was only quiet; there was only silence; there was only the void.

Death… if that was how it was, then it was alright.

Koutarou kept feeling this as he continuously sunk lower…

But just as he thought he would eternally remain in this white location, he heard a voice.

”Kou…

”Koutarou… is that you…

”Wake up… you can do it…”

The voice calling out to him seemed unknown yet also familiar. He felt like people addressed him by that name in a certain incredibly long dream he had.

'I am… Koutarou?

'That's right, I'm…

'Who's calling me?'

”It's me… Harano…”

Harano… Koutarou remembered some things once he heard this name. Chaotic scenes, voices, and feelings came back into him as if they were falling snowflakes, making him simultaneously feel chilled yet warm.

'I'm… still alive?'

Koutarou slowly opened his eyes.

He saw a handsome face right in front of him, looking directly at him.

”Welcome back.” Seiji smiled gently.

”Harano…” Koutarou blinked. ”Didn't I… already…”

”Yes, you indeed vanished at that time. I also thought that you had died. However…” Seiji paused for a moment. ”At any rate, why don't you get up first… Can you get up?”

The coal seller grabbed onto Seiji's extended hand, and stood up. He then noticed the environment around him.

”Where… is this?”

This place was filled with thick mist, and had all sorts of colorful orbs floating around. Koutarou was rather surprised by this scene.

”This is the Soul Room, a special space that's capable of saving spirits and souls. The orbs you see are all remnant souls, or other people's soul shards,” Seiji explained. ”You were also in such a form before I woke you up.”

”Remnant souls… Soul shards…” Koutarou had a confused expression. ”I don't understand…”

”Actually, I don't understand it that well myself. Still, judging from your situation… it's highly likely that there are people you know among these remnant souls, or even your relatives,” Seiji told him cautiously.

”Relatives…” Koutarou muttered as he then recalled even more memories. ”My younger sister… my mom… my younger brother… are they all here!?”

”It's only a possibility. I can't make any promises,” Seiji clarified. ”You can try to touch and call out to them. But, you need to be careful. The remnant souls are really weak.”

Koutarou nodded as he walked over to an orb that he carefully touched.

”Fuyumi… Mom… Jirou…” He tried calling out for his family members, but there was no response.

Koutarou took his hand back in disappointment as he moved on to touch a different orb.

”Is this really alright?” a voice spoke up next to Seiji.

This was Natsuya.

Seiji knew what she meant with her question.

He had awakened someone who had died already. Not only that, Koutarou wasn't actually someone with a ”human identity” to begin with. Was this really alright?

”I don't know,” Seiji told her honestly. ”It's impossible for me to judge if this is alright or not. But, I couldn't help but do so when I found that he was the first one I might be able to wake up.”

If Koutarou had been a real human, it would obviously have been good to revive him. However, ”Koutarou” wasn't a real human.

The spirit town that Koutarou had lived in was destroyed. This was the only place he could now stay at. And even if Seiji discovered some method in the future to take him back to the real world, it would be difficult to have ”Koutarou” live a normal life like a human.

Koutarou believed himself to be a human. But, he wasn't actually human. Choosing this type of revival from the dead, or letting him die as a human… It was impossible for Seiji to determine which would really be better.

It was just that Koutarou's previous ending had been far too sad. As long as he could save this kind coal seller, Seiji would definitely do so!

He decided to think about what might happen afterwards when it came.