Junichi
“Where are we?” Tomari asked me. “Trust me, If I knew, I would tell you.” In each corner of the white room was a capsule. “What do you think those are for?” Tomari asked me. “I don’t know that either…wait, what is that inside that one over there?” I walked over to it and peered inside. “No way.” “Hmm, what is it Junichi?” Tomari walked up behind me. I saw her eyes widen when she saw what was inside. “Mizuki-sensei!?” Inside the capsule was our teacher, frozen in time.
Misaka
“Die…?” “Yes. You see, I’ve brought you here because the world is ending. I have chosen a select few of you to survive it. However, to do so, you must pass a test. It’s a stupid, simple test that will take something you care about and put it in harm’s way. You have 18 minutes left.” The voice told me. “A-alright! I’m going! Geez!” I left the room and headed down the long corridor. The end of the world? But what about my father and my money!? Am I going to end up…poor!? Back at school, I was always the most popular girl because I had all the money and because I’m the most beautiful girl In the school. It’s only natural that I was popular. Though I guess my prudish behavior did cost me many things…like friends. I don’t have many friends. I show off at school that I can buy anything with money, even people to follow me around and talk to me! However, money can’t buy you everything. Especially friends. And anyway, why should I even care about Junichi and Tomari!? Those two are just normal students! Why were THEY chosen to be saved from the end of the world too!? Shouldn’t it be left to those with the most money?! Where’s the reasoning behind all this!? What did THEY do to deserve this!? All of this went through my mind as I came to the end of the corridor and stepped into the next room. “Alright Misaka. It’s time for your test.” The voice said. “In the middle of the room are two buttons. Do you see the wall? Pay attention to the wall.” After this, the wall flickered and then showed two items hanging above the flicker of fire. “What in the hell is going on!?”
Mizuki
“I’m…I’m here!” I gasped for each breath. ‘I’m way too out of shape,’ I told myself. But then again, I’m an English teacher, not a Gym coach. “Did…you hear me! I said I’m…I’m here!” I yelled at the ceiling, I could have yelled anywhere. The ceiling just seemed like a better area to yell towards. “Mizuki-sensei, you care for your students, do you not?” The voice said. “Yes, of course. More than anything!” I really did. They were all I had left to live for after all. I had no kids, no boyfriend or husband. All I had were those kids. They were, sadly, my main source of happiness. “Would you risk your life for a student?” The voice asked me. “Of course! I’d do anything for a student of mine!” I would. These students…they all have so much potential for this life. It is my job to help them know and show that potential, lest I be reincarnated as a bug. “Then you have to choose. Do you save yourself, or do you save a dying student?” What kind of question is that!? It’s obvious isn’t it? Save the dying student! “But you said I could save him! The stud-“ But the voice cut me off, “Before you answer, let me explain something to you. Junichi is dying. By that I mean, no matter what, you cannot save him. If you save him, he will die. And…so will you. You will die knowing that you could do nothing for your precious student. That everything up until now has been meaningless. You will die…and no one will ever know what you did or how much you cared for your class.” The voice paused. What in the world is going on? “Your other choice is simple. Go on living. Save yourself, let the world know that you tried to save Junich but you couldn’t. Yes, you may be scorned by some, but others will see you for who you truly are. You will be able to bring the rest of your class to its full potential. And, yes, you may live with a feeling of guilt that you could do nothing, and you may think it all your fault. However, you are still alive. Which one do you choose to do?” The voice got quiet. I was all alone now. Alone to think for myself what to do. I don’t want to live with any more guilt than I already have. Either way, I end up feeling horrible. On the one hand, I end up feeling horrible and dying, but isn’t that better than living with the guilt? Isn’t that one better than having people hate you for something you couldn’t have prevented? Isn’t dying the best choice? I couldn’t live with myself…I just couldn’t. “Mizuki-sensei…I need your answer.” But I just couldn’t. I couldn’t bring myself to answering such a question where neither answer seemed to be the correct one. Do I take the selfish one? But then again…they’re both selfish in their own way, aren’t they? Which one do I choose? I quickly let myself think for myself, release all thoughts of anything and let myself choose. “Myself…” I mumbled. “You’re going to have to speak louder.” The voice crackled through the unseeable speakers. “Myself!” I yelled. There were tears in my eyes. It’s not the choice I wanted to make…but it’s the choice I had to make. “Mizuki-sensei, please walk into the next room and step into one of the open capsules.” The voice kindly commanded me. I made my way into the next room. In it were four capsules and a body. “Heh!?” That body…I knew who it belonged to. “Sukenobu-san!” I ran over to him and kneeled down beside him, ready to pick him up. “Mizuki-sensei, he is already almost dead. Touching him will only bring him more pain.” The voice said this right as I was about to slide my arms under him. I wanted to hold him and tell him that everything would be alright. Tell him…tell him that he couldn’t die. “Sensei…please, get into one of the capsules.” The voice asked me again. Tears were streaming down my face. I didn’t like the position I was in. One where I could do nothing. I felt betrayed and lied to. The voice told me that by getting here, I could save him. But now that I’m here, I can do nothing. “Please…sensei, get in the pod. You are running out of time.” The voice said I was running out of time. “I don’t care! Please, just let me be with him for a little while longer!” I begged. The voice did not respond. I felt like killing myself at that moment. What good is a teacher who cannot protect her own student…? But then, I realized something. What the voice had said was right. Even though I couldn’t do anything for this one student, for Sukenobu-san, I could still tell the world about him and have him live on in the other students. I could be the one to raise those students and have them live the best lives they could. I could be that person. Even if I am scorned or cast aside like a dirty rag, I will be the best person I can be. I wiped the tears from my eyes and face and stood up. “I’m sorry, Sukenobu-san.” I said before turning to one of the capsules. As I was about to get in, the voice returned, “Mizuki-sensei. Can you tell me why you chose to save yourself, even if it means suffering for the rest of your life?” That was an easy question. “Because no matter how harsh life is…there is still so much beauty and potential left in the world.” Silence. “That sounded kind of cool, didn’t it?” I didn’t expect an answer. “Yes, it really did.” The voice agreed. I stepped into the capsule and took a deep breath of relief. I didn’t know what would happen to me next, but I wasn’t afraid of whatever would come. I had finally come to terms with my life, whatever happens, happens. After I had stepped into the capsule, the voice came back on once more. “And Sensei? Thanks for being such a great teacher.” That was the last thing I heard before the capsule closed on me, a small smile on my face.
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