Outside, a roar like festival fireworks erupted. A massive explosion boomed in my ears. I still couldn’t stop it all.

The teachers’ apartment remained untouched—probably Liushen Ke avoided harming innocents. “I don’t care what you do,” I said. “But this isn’t the school’s fault. You didn’t destroy a lifeless building. You shattered a gathering of hearts!” Ignoring Liushen Ke, I stepped out. The classroom building and teachers’ office had collapsed into rubble.

Damn it. What now? I asked myself. Should I tell everyone I did my best? Or admit I missed my chance because I feared death?

Truth is, I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid of loss. When I was alone with nothing, death felt like an end. Now, with people I care about, I fear losing them. I fear my existence vanishing. Should I retreat? I’ve done enough. But this burning不甘 in my chest—what is it?

Heh. Screw the cost. When did I become so timid? I vowed to save the academy. I must do it—no excuses.

Can’t activate Time Reversal during Time Travel? Then I’ll amp up the time output. Only half an hour since the blast. Just reverse the school to that moment. Time should suffice.

No response. No response. Damn it, reverse already! My time finally began rushing away. Time Reversal flickered to life. Good. I grinned. Amp it up again. My fleeting time accelerated wildly. Ahead, the rubble started rewinding. Push through—now.

Why am I doing this? No time for doubts. My only goal: reverse this school to half an hour ago.

Drowsiness crept over me as time flowed. Not yet. Almost there. I can’t sleep. The thought deepened my exhaustion. My time neared zero. No one could replace me. No one could help. I didn’t care anymore.

My time gauge had hit zero long ago. Yet the school wasn’t fully restored. Of course. One person’s container is too small against a massive building.

Done. Strange—I hadn’t vanished. Maybe sheer will kept me clinging on. Finally, I twisted time: swapping the school’s destruction with a distant moment. No one would suspect a thing.

So sleepy. I collapsed on the ground, too weak to return to my time node. Whatever. I just want to sleep. This nap might be eternal. But I kept my promise. I protected the school.

I used to steal time from “villains,” erasing them. Once, I thought I was a justice god. Now? Just chuunibyou fantasy. Karma’s here. I’ll disappear with them.

Wait! Warmth flooded my body. What is this? But my eyelids felt leaden. Whatever. I just need good sleep.

Ah, slept deeply. I opened my eyes. Huh? Why am I alive? Where am I? I scanned the room. Nanami Hayashi’s place—where I was staying. Something gripped my hand. Nanami Hayashi, still asleep. Her sleeping face was cute. Though her chest was a bit small. Haha.

I tried sitting up slowly, easing my hand free. The slight movement woke her. “Morning,” I smiled, waving. Nanami Hayashi beamed, then pounced on me. “Cold Creek! You’re awake! Thank goodness!” Her hug felt nice, but I worried about the school. “Nana, how’s the academy?”

Her face darkened. So it was all a dream. Then her expression flipped. “Totally fine!” Heh. She tricked me—her acting was convincing. “What’s the date?” She checked her phone. “March 20th. You’ve been out two days.” Two days? I’m back in the original timeline. But my time was gone. Why am I unharmed?

I summoned the Silver Clock. What?! My time hadn’t just recovered—it had grown. My storage capacity felt larger too. Why? I always thought running out meant vanishing. Yet I not only survived—I improved. How?

My guess: during Time Travel, when time hit zero, my body stole time from the surroundings. Since it wasn’t my native timeline, I shouldn’t have vanished there. I don’t know if this is right. But living is great.

“Call all club members. Let’s throw a party,” I told Nana. Nanami Hayashi nodded. “Yeah. Our victory!”

“Cheers!” In Japan, adulthood starts at 20—underage drinking’s banned. We drank juice. Honestly, I never liked alcohol’s bitter taste anyway.

A hot pot party like this? I hadn’t imagined it in ages. Superhuman power warps humanity. I won’t deny I’m not normal. To others, I’ve lost fear. Humans dread the unknown. But I’ve died many times. Death isn’t pitch-black terror to me.

“You brat. Passing out like that scared us,” Yutangqian said, picking up duck intestine. Bro concern filled his voice. Rika Dojima clung to me. “Senpai’s safe! I was so scared!” I stuffed Chinese sausage into her mouth. Her moe act gave me goosebumps. Miko Senpai shot me a look. “Oh dear, kouhai. Beauties on both sides? Senpai’s jealous.” I’m not surrounded—they’re crowding me! Nanami Hayashi blushed, turning away. Rika Dojima glared defiantly at Miko Senpai.

Honestly, anime harems look easy. But smoothing their relationships? Tough. This isn’t a wish-fulfillment story—you can’t accept everyone. Pull a “deal with it later,” and picture Makoto Itou’s ending.

This week was brief, yet it felt like an endless battle.