{Hachiman's Perspective}
'Youth is a lie; it is nothing but evil. Those who sing its praises are merely deceiving themselves and everyone around them, perceiving their surroundings through rose-tinted glasses as if the world were some wonderful place— isn't that right? I might have said something like that in the past. But... after spending some time in the Service Club a club I was coerced into by a certain teacher who couldn't stand my pessimistic essays things began to change. Yet, you can't deny that at least a part of what I said, perhaps even most of it, is the absolute truth. I've opened up more since then, I suppose. Nevertheless, I never lowered my guard. I knew all too well that if it were to happen again, I might never be able to stand on my feet again.'
On the main road, today marks the start of a new semester. I, Hikigaya Hachiman, am on my way to school. It is spring, a season better suited for walking than any vehicle. The blooming cherry blossoms feel like the unveiling of a new world, their faint scent offering a rare sense of tranquility. Moments like these are few and far between. As I thought—being alone with nature truly is the best. Come to think of it, this situation feels eerily similar to my very first day of high school. Back then, I headed to school earlier than usual, inspired by the fresh air and the hope of a brand-new start to my youth. Halfway there, the unexpected happened: a dog was about to be hit by a car, its leash apparently snapped. In that instant, my brain didn't process a thing; my body moved before my mind could react. Because of that recklessness, I ended up with a broken leg and a three-month hospital stay... Of course, that was all settled later. As it turned out, that dog belonged to a fellow club member of mine.
(Sighs) "I just hope an incident like that never happens again. No... even if it did, it's not like I'd go charging in without thinking twice like I did back then—"
The words had barely left my lips when...
"Kid, get out of the way!!"
"Erin!!!"
"Huh?"
A middle school girl was crossing the street on the crosswalk, and it appeared the oncoming car couldn't brake in time. In that split second, my body moved before my brain, just as before. It could be said that I had never exerted myself this much in my entire life. Just before the car could strike the girl, I shoved her far enough to be clear of the vehicle's path. And then....
"Screeeeeech—! THUD!!"
The sensation was akin to being struck squarely in the ribs by a gargantuan iron sledgehammer. The entire world spun violently until the horizon and the asphalt blurred into one. Agony surged through my body for a mere heartbeat before being replaced by a chilling, leaden numbness. The faint fragrance of cherry blossoms vanished, usurped by the acrid stench of burnt rubber and the metallic tang of blood. The final image I caught was the girl, safe and sound...
"Cough—! Cough—ugh...!"
"Big brother! Are you okay?! Big brother!!"
"Kid! Hey! Stay with us! Someone call an ambulance, quick!!"
It hurts. It hurts... it hurts like hell! I can't... I can't breathe...!
Heh, how laughably pathetic. Despite all the warnings I gave myself, I'm still that same fool who never learns. I doubt it's just a broken leg this time... Yet, seeing that the girl is safe... instead of regretting my own idiotic actions, I find myself feeling relieved. My consciousness is fading. Darkness is slowly creeping in to swallow everything whole. Ah... Komachi is definitely going to cry her eyes out once she learns of my death. I never expected a "good" ending for myself, but now that it's actually happening... I guess I'm still disappointed.