"If only I could go back in time, I would fix everything."
That sentence… used to be a hollow wish.
Now, it has become a reality too vivid to deny.
—
Warm sunlight filtered through the old bedroom window, brushing my face with a kind of gentleness I had almost forgotten. Not because I'd never felt warmth before—
—but because this world greeted me differently now: young, again.
My eyes blinked open slowly. The wooden ceiling above me, the familiar scent of aged furniture, and the distant chirping of birds outside... this wasn't my city apartment.
This was my room from middle school—my parents' house.
I jolted upright. My eyes scanned the entire room wildly. The worn-out poster of an old game still on the wall, the torn-up textbooks from 9th grade stacked on the shelf, and a dusty old flip phone resting on my desk…
"Is this… a dream?"
My hands trembled as I reached for the phone. The physical buttons felt so real. The screen lit up with a faint blue glow. No fingerprint scanner. No Face ID. Just a lock pattern I remembered drawing in muscle memory.
200X. That year… when I was still naive. Still believed the world only revolved around school, games, and innocent love.
But now, I knew better. I knew how fast the world could fall apart.
Footsteps echoed outside the room.
"Ren, wake up! You'll be late for school!"
It was Mom's voice—soft but firm. A voice I had once taken for granted… before I had to live without it.
I froze. A lump formed in my throat. My eyes burned.
"Y-yeah, Mom…!" I replied, trying to sound casual despite the crack in my voice.
The footsteps moved away. I sat back down on the bed, my heart pounding.
This isn't a dream. It's real. This is… a time leap.
The question now is—why? And how far back have I returned?
I stood and walked to the mirror near the wardrobe.
My reflection—much younger, skinnier, untouched by betrayal. Eyes that hadn't seen the darkness of heartbreak.
I smirked bitterly.
"Look at you, Ren. You have no idea what's coming."
—
After showering and putting on my middle school uniform, I went downstairs. Dad was already at the dining table, reading the newspaper, while Mom was packing lunch.
"Morning," I greeted awkwardly.
Dad nodded. "Morning, Ren. Don't be late—there's a flag ceremony today."
I gave a small nod. Mom handed me a lunchbox, wrapped neatly in a patterned cloth.
"Here, don't forget to eat. And don't waste money on snacks, okay?"
I stared at the box. Then at her face.
So many memories surged in all at once.
I almost wanted to hug her. But I held it back.
"Thank you, Mom."
A simple sentence, but it felt so heavy now… because I knew these moments wouldn't last forever.
I grabbed my old bicycle, still parked by the porch, and began pedaling down the familiar street.
Morning mist still clung to the road. The air was fresh. Quiet. No honking, no city noise. Everything felt slow—peaceful.
I've been given a second chance. But what am I supposed to do with it?
—
The school gate loomed ahead. Students in white-blue uniforms were streaming in. Some chatted, some yawned, others ran in panic.
And then… I saw her.
Ayaka.
Standing there with two of her friends, laughing while adjusting her pink backpack. Her hair tied to the side, exactly the way I once adored.
Ayaka, at this point in time… wasn't mine yet. She hadn't betrayed me. She was just an innocent girl, unaware of the wreckage waiting in her future.
My eyes lingered on her.
Not out of love—
—but out of the chaos brewing within me.
Half of me wanted to scream. The other half… wanted to protect her. Or maybe… protect myself from her.
Before I could move, a familiar hand clapped my shoulder.
"Ren! You finally showed up!"
That voice.
I knew it too well.
I turned and saw Reiji—my childhood friend. My future backstabber.
Smiling like he had never broken anyone's trust.
The irony. That smile used to make me feel safe. Now, it just makes me want to vomit.
"H-hey," I replied briefly.
He patted my shoulder again. "Come on! The boys' line for Class 9 is forming!"
I walked toward the courtyard, still in a daze. The world around me moved normally. Too normally.
But only I knew the truth.
Everything has changed.
I came back. But for what? To fix things? To take revenge? Or to find peace?
—
First period: Math.
I sat third row from the front—same as always. Next to me was Riku, my talkative but loyal deskmate.
"Hey, Ren. Did you do the homework?" he whispered, already pulling out his book.
I nodded. "Yeah."
"Phew, let me peek later, okay?"
I slid my notebook over without a word. Riku chuckled in relief.
The math teacher, Miss Natsuki, entered moments later. Stern face, sharp eyes. The class fell silent in an instant.
She began the lesson. But my mind… wandered far from algebra.
I need a plan.
Who should I trust? Who do I avoid? How should I face Ayaka… and Reiji?
But I knew I couldn't act too different. I had to blend in. Pretend I was still the old Ren—for now.
—
Recess.
I sat alone at the canteen, sipping iced tea like I used to. A few classmates passed by, talking about games, jokes, and homework. All so light… too light compared to the weight pressing on me.
As I expected, Ayaka approached.
"Ren, you're alone?" she asked with a soft smile.
I nodded. "Yeah. My seatmate went to buy food."
"Mind if I sit here?"
That smile. The same smile I once fell for. The same smile that later destroyed me.
This time, I answered calmly, "Do what you want."
We talked—briefly.
About class, teachers, and silly school gossip. But I kept watching her. Her eyes, her tone, her thoughts…
Searching for a hint of the future in her.
And for a second…
I swear I saw something.
A flicker of doubt. As if a part of her was silently asking:
"Why do you feel… different?"
Maybe… she feels it too.
Maybe I'm not the only one carrying fragments of the future.
—
The bell rang. Classes ended. I refused Reiji's invitation to the internet café. Said I was tired.
Truth was—I needed time.
Time to think. Time to breathe. Time to prepare.
Because I knew…
Today was just the beginning.
This new journey… would be long.
But this time,
I won't let everything fall apart.
I'll rewrite my ending.
With my own hands.
---
> "If time gave me one more chance… then I will write a different story. No matter what it takes."<
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[END OF CHAPTER 2]
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