Chapter 3

enveloped in a space of pure white light, incredibly warm and soothing, making me feel light and at ease. I was in such a place... The warmth and drowsiness were so intense that it felt like my brain was melting, but then I remembered something.

"Right, I... had an accident."

It had been a long time since I had a break from the company where I worked, really a long time, eight months since I last had a vacation (I had to cry and threaten to commit suicide and haunt my boss every night to get it). I went on a motorcycle trip to rest my mind. And then I had an accident. The last thing I remember is slipping on a rainy night and crashing into a guardrail. The reason for the accident was simply that I had to reach the next town by tonight to finish my vacation, so I insisted on going on a night ride in bad weather. It was such a ridiculous reason that I was amazed at how foolish I had been.

The problem here is whether I am dead or in a vegetative state...

"I can speak..."

My voice, muttered casually, disappeared into the white space. If I can speak, does that mean I'm not dead? Then, am I in a vegetative state?

No, if that were the case, wouldn't I be unable to think? I remember someone saying that in a vegetative state, you can't think or even breathe on your own because your brain waves are flat. I might be wrong, but...

Then, where am I?

Calm down, me. Really calm down. Whether I'm dead or in a vegetative state, I am still me... So I shouldn't worry... huh? Hmm? Hmm?

"Who am I, anyway?"

Well, it's me. After a while, I gave up on thinking. You see, I have memories of the accident and the moments leading up to it, but nothing else! I can't remember my name, my face, my family's names, or my girlfriend's name.

I vaguely remember someone being in my PC, but that's impossible, so it must be a confused memory. However, I remember everything else clearly, from basic math like 1+1=2 to advanced math I learned in college.

I was surprised that I could speak Russian fluently, even though I couldn't remember much English. I also had a lot of general knowledge and specialized knowledge in a particular field. It seems I was a researcher or something similar. Maybe it doesn't matter now...

However, normally, if I had forgotten my name and my family, I would feel sad, but because my emotional range is so small, I don't feel anything. Because of this, I don't even feel extreme anxiety, so I can rest comfortably in this warm and pleasant space every day.

"Damn! Again!!"

When I was spacing out, the surroundings suddenly started to shake. After being in this space for a while, I realized that it shakes irregularly. At first, the shaking was so slight that I couldn't tell if it was happening, but recently it has been severe. It usually stops after a while, but it seems to be happening more frequently lately.

"Could the collapse of this space be near?"

I said the thought that made me shudder. I don't want to, I don't want to leave this place... I don't want to go anywhere from such a comfortable place! But at the same time, I feel like it's finally over... It was all over so quickly...

"Well, considering I caused the accident, it was a pretty good vacation, wasn't it..."

The moment I said that, the white space suddenly became even whiter, enveloped in a light so bright I couldn't keep my eyes open.

Is this the end...

Then my vision exploded.

"Congratulations! It's a healthy baby boy!"

It was the beginning!!

March 4th, editing complete