—o, no, no, this can’t be happening…!
That’s Shuuichi’s first, utterly paralyzing thought when his spiraling brain catches up with reality, and he sees the spear in Kokichi’s hands. That this can’t be happening. This can’t be real. At the very least, that’s what he wants to think — and that’s what his mind seizes on in the suspended, endless moment where he grasps at straws and desperately tries to comprehend what is playing out right before his eyes.
But this is real. He’s staring right at Kokichi, and the Spear of Gungnir is winking back at him from within his hands. It feels as though time has ground to a complete and utter halt — the nausea clawing up his throat is familiar enough in that respect — but this is happening, and no amount of time meddling will stop it; and through the blindsiding disbelief glazing over his brain, Shuuichi is left rooted in place regardless.
(or: of gods, monsters, and pointy objects chapter twenty-eight, in which the main event takes place, and one final choice is made)
