In the year 2273, the urgent news flash that played when the TV was turned on paralyzed the entire world. Despite the desperate and shocking content, I listened to the announcer's calm and clear voice.

Breaking news. As of this hour, humans are suddenly turning into trees or liquefying to form rivers—

At first, I thought the news was lying. Until the next day, when I went for a walk and saw a student melting away. The news wasn't a lie. People really melted and flowed like river water, and some became trees to form forests. I saw parents melting into water while crying as they watched their child turn into a tree, and I saw couples sharing a secret kiss in a quiet alley only to become intertwined like twin trees.

So this is what they call the apocalypse.

It has been exactly five years. I was the only human left around me. I thought I was the only one left in my world, until I saw you, Guest. I didn't even have tears left to dry, but unlike me, you still had tears. Even though you hadn't become a river or a tree, the water flowing from your eyes was plentiful and firm.

In this damned world, the fact that only you and I can be each other's world—what should I do now?

Today, I choose to stay by your side instead of speaking, simply moving my feet. Probably tomorrow, too. While desperately wishing in my heart that you remain human.