Kazuki Fujiwara worked alone in the observation room of the observatory on the night when the meteor shower shone its brightest. Enveloped in profound silence, he picked up his radio as usual, adjusting its static-filled frequencies. He had a deep affection for the old equipment, and its crackling sounds evoked a peculiar sense of nostalgia and comfort.
However, that night, a strange signal sound intruded—a rhythmic pattern of beeps: “Beep, beep, beep-beep.” The unnaturally precise rhythm repeated itself, prompting Kazuki to listen more intently.
“This… isn’t just noise,” he murmured.
Analyzing the waveform of the signal, he confirmed it contained a distinctly artificial pattern. He attempted to trace its origin but found no match with any point on Earth. As he delved further, he discovered a hidden string of characters embedded within the signal. The message was brief: “HELP ME.”
“Help me…?”
An uneasy sensation stirred in his chest. Yet, he had no idea how to respond. Driven by a mixture of intrigue and curiosity, Kazuki continued to decode the message. The timing of the signal transmissions coincided with dates deeply etched in his memory—his birthday, cherished moments spent with loved ones, and even the day he lost his family.
“This can’t be a coincidence,” he thought.
Rearranging the numbers concealed within the signals, he uncovered a startling truth: the message was from his future self.
“If you continue on this path, you will lose someone precious. Do not make the wrong choice.”
Staring at the words on the screen, Kazuki was dumbfounded. This was far more than a matter of scientific curiosity. The signal continued to transmit coordinates in greater detail, pointing to a location in the nearby forest, not far from the observatory.
Summoning his courage, Kazuki ventured to the designated spot. There, buried in the moss-covered ground, he discovered a box. Inside it were an old notebook and a damaged photograph. The notebook bore his father’s handwriting, and the photograph captured a smiling Kazuki with his parents.
The notebook contained a message:
“To my son,
By the time you find this record, I will likely no longer be here. But I believe you will choose a future without regrets.”
Tears welled up in Kazuki’s eyes. He realized he would need more time to fully comprehend what his father wanted to convey. Yet, a resolute determination began to take root in his heart. As the meteor shower streaked across the night sky, Kazuki gazed upward and made a silent wish.
