Tick. Tick. Tick.The clock mocked him.The silence pressed down on him like a coffin.
FA's breath hitched.His eyes darted around the room—his room, Asahi's room—familiar and wrong all at once.
"…Am I… in Asahi's dimension…?"
No answer.Only the suffocating hum of stillness.
Then it came.
A sound.A voice.
So sweet.So warm.So unreal that his heart nearly stopped.
A voice he had died for.Looped for.Suffered centuries for.
"…Asahi… Asahi!"
The world cracked.His chest caved in.
"Wake up!"
His heart pounded like thunder.His lips trembled. His body shook.
(No… it can't be… it can't…)
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Wake up, Asahi! It's time for school!"
His vision blurred. His knees wavered."…Is that…?" His voice was smaller than a whisper.
His throat closed. His breaths shattered.
And then—
The door creaked open.
Light poured in.Warm. Blinding. Alive.
And she stepped through.
A woman.Older, yet still beautiful.Wrinkles carved by years of smiling.Her hair slightly untamed.A cup of coffee in her hand.
Her expression—slightly irritated.But so familiar… it broke him.
"Honestly… what were you doing in here?" she sighed."Come down already! I made you the best breakfast."
She smiled. Playful. Teasing.
FA's chest cracked open.His lips curled into a broken, trembling smile.
"…The best…" he whispered."I know, Mom. The best…"
She blinked. Confused."Eh? What's with that tone? Are you teasing me, Asahi?"
Her brows knit. She puffed her cheeks."You little brat… making fun of your own mom!"
That was it.That was enough.
The dam broke.
He rushed forward—arms flying—And he collapsed into her.
"…MOM!!!"
He clung to her. Tight. Desperate.Like if he let go, she would vanish forever.
Tears exploded down his cheeks.Ugly. Endless.
"I… I wanted to see you… for so long… Mom…"
His sobs shook the room.His body trembled like it would fall apart.
She froze. Just for a moment.Then—her hand rose.
Gentle. Warm. Soft.
She patted his head.
"Hey… hey… what's wrong?" she whispered softly.Her voice was honey. Her smile unshaken."I'm right here, Asahi. I'm hugging you. I'm here."
"YESSS!!" His cry cracked the air.
His tears drenched her clothes.His fingers dug into her back.
"Don't let go, Mom… Please… just hug me… I want to see you… every day…"
He buried his face in her chest, weeping like a child who finally found home.
She held him tighter."I'm here, Asahi… every single day. Always."
FA's lips trembled.His smile twisted—beautiful and hopeless.
(No, Mom… I won't be here every day. Not me…)
But he hugged her tighter anyway.
Because in this moment…He was her son.
And she… was his whole world.