“It’s true. The names don’t matter at all. They’re just a set of sounds. An imaginary enemy torturing you: That is the real essence of N.H.K. For example, take that girl from my high school literature club. To her, it could signify the ‘Nihon Hiyowa Kyokai’,[38] as her own weakness continually defeated her. She was weak in both mind and spirit.”

Please, stop trying to slash your wrists. Please, become happy, somehow.

I continued, “In the case of Misaki, N.H.K. means ‘Nihon Hikan Kyokai.’[39] Because of the misfortunes you were born with, Misaki, you saw everything in a pessimistic way. Please, forgive me for being alive. Don’t hate me. You always were self-defeating like that.

“Then, my own N.H.K.…

“Well, it’s actually the N.H.K.’s fault that I became a hikikomori, just as it’s their fault that you suffer, Misaki. That’s the truth. I learned this through a certain technique. I fought with them. I’ve been fighting them for a long time, but it’s no use anymore. I’ve finally fallen victim to them, and they’ll kill me before long. But Misaki, you’re fine. You must live on, in health.”

Misaki clearly was frightened as I kept spewing nonsense.

I released her and took a step back. Now, I would show her a miracle, a great miracle, in order to prove the N.H.K.’s existence. I would reveal my true nature as a strong soldier who battled the N.H.K., and I would defeat them for her.

If I did that, Misaki probably would believe my story. She would live on, smiling. She most likely would stop hating herself, and her pessimistic personality probably would be healed.

That was the answer. I would give her immutable love. You were afraid. You were afraid of being hated by others. You were afraid that others’ feelings might change. But you’ll be okay. My feelings won’t change. I love you, and that feeling absolutely will never change.

And the reason…?

“Ah! I can’t go on! It’s a psychic attack by the N.H.K.!”

I rolled around in the snow.

“Do I look like I’m going crazy? If so, then that, too, is caused by the N.H.K. I’ll be killed soon! I’ll be killed by the N.H.K.! But I’ll return the blow! Just you watch!” I got up and ran, heading for the edge of the cliff.

I started out running slowly.

“Goodbye, Misaki! My legs are moving on their own. I’m going to be killed by the N.H.K. But in the moment that I die, I plan to do something to return their strike. I’ll destroy them!”

My speed gradually was increasing.