Chapter 1

Prologue I can hear the sound of a heartbeat. When I wake up in the morning, I lie in bed and place my hand on my chest. Under my palm, I feel life pulsing over and over again in the same rhythm. It’s precious and dear, pumping energy into my frail body. Oh, I get it now. I’m alive. I get to live again today. I sit up and take a deep breath, then let it out. Once I’m out of bed, I walk to the full-length mirror. One step, two steps, three, until I see myself reflected from head to toe. Anyone would see me as a “normal” girl—and a cute one at that. A really cute one. If you asked me what I’d wished for since I was little, what I wanted to be, I think I could answer faster than any other girl in the world. I wanted to be a normal high school girl. I wanted mornings when I’d run into friends on the way to school, and we’d walk the rest of the way chatting about everything and nothing. Afternoons when I’d run around the schoolyard in sneakers until I’m soaked with sweat. Evenings when we’d get bubble teas together in our matching uniforms, taking pictures and goofing around. Nights when I’d fall asleep talking to my crush from my class. I bet no one wanted a collection of those moments more than I did. This whole “life” inside me longed to be a high school girl. I wash my face, eat breakfast, and put on just a teensy bit of makeup. I slip my arms into my prized school uniform, tie my hair with my favorite red ribbon…… There, I’m looking perfect again today! Right now, I’m the cutest high school girl in the world! With my schoolbag in my hand and school-issued loafers on my feet, I place my hand over my heart one more time before leaving the house and whisper: “Thank you for letting me live another day.” I open the door to a beautiful blue sky unrolling above me, as vast as the ocean. As the sun smiles brightly down on me, I have a feeling today is going to be an amazing day. My name is Nagisa. Nagisa Natsunagi. I’m just a high school girl who hasn’t become anything yet.