"Was I dreaming… or what?" Lucian wondered quietly.
He slowly raised his hand—only to find it small… childlike.
Had he… returned to the past?
Suddenly, his bedroom door swung open.
"Come on, Lucian, it's time for breakfast!"
The voice was so familiar to him.
Lucian turned—and froze.
It was his father, calling him to breakfast??
Overcome by shock, Lucian leapt out of bed and threw himself into his father's arms, bursting into tears.
"Dad!!!" he cried, his heart aching with sorrow, for he hadn't seen his father in nearly seven years…
His father trembled slightly at the sudden outburst of tears.
"What's wrong, Lucian? Do you just want to skip school again?"
Lucian looked up at his father, eyes brimming with tears:
"No… it's nothing, I just… missed you so much!"
His father didn't quite understand, but he knelt down to his son's level and hugged him back.
"Kids these days cry so easily… but your tears make me feel your fragile heart…"
Memories flooded Lucian's mind—especially the painful memory of his father's departure. Yet now, at last, he had returned to a time where he could see him again.
"Dad…"
Before he could say more, his father pulled away and interrupted gently:
"You need to eat breakfast, or you'll be late for school!"
Lucian's eyes widened… but he nodded and followed him to the kitchen.
There, his mother had just woken up. She looked at him, then came closer and playfully touched his cheeks.
"You're so cute, my little one…" she said softly.
Lucian still couldn't believe it—
both his father and mother together?
It felt like a dream come true…
After breakfast, Lucian headed to school alone.
The town of Merwan looked so different seven years ago—especially with the snow covering the green fields and parts of the streets.
As he passed by the Clock Tower, he noticed it was still shining, its hands moving steadily.
Lucian stared at it, his thoughts heavy:
"Is this… the time before the explosion of the Clock Tower?"
Lost in thought, he suddenly saw Uncle Rafid approaching—wearing the uniform of the town guards, still young and full of energy.
"How are you, nephew? Did your father give you pocket money?"
Realizing he hadn't, Lucian checked his small pockets, then looked up with an annoyed tone:
"No… he didn't."
Uncle Rafid laughed at Lucian's cute, frustrated expression. He pulled out a bit of money, handed it to him, and whispered:
"Don't you dare tell your father!" He gave Lucian a playful wink before walking away.
Lucian continued on until he reached the elementary school. But once inside, he realized he couldn't remember which class—or even which seat—had been his.
Luckily, he ran into his childhood friends, Jude and Anya.
Jude waved enthusiastically, shouting:
"Luuuuucian!!!"
Anya smacked his shoulder, scolding:
"Don't shout, you idiot!"
Despite his unease, Lucian couldn't help but smile.
But both Jude and Anya were small—nine years old, just like him.
As he stepped into the classroom, memories returned: the familiar desks, the spotless seats, the teachers who once taught him…
After the fourth lesson, break time came. Lucian sat quietly in the schoolyard, lost in thought.
"So this is before the explosion of the Clock Tower… My first step must be to find Lisa."
Determined, he headed to the teachers' office and approached one of them.
"Um… excuse me, teacher. Is there a girl named Lisa?"
The teacher raised an eyebrow but smiled warmly.
"Yes, she's in class 4-B. But why do you ask?"
Lucian blushed, careful not to draw suspicion.
"It's just… we're friends, but she hasn't come to see me much lately."
The teacher nodded, relieved by the explanation.
"Oh… I see. I thought she was lonely, since she often sits by herself."
Lucian was startled by that, but simply replied:
"I… I understand. Thank you, teacher."
Wanting to end the conversation quickly, he made his way to class 4-B. None of the students paid much attention to his presence, and Lucian wasn't sure how to find her among them.
Then, his eyes landed on a girl who seemed strangely familiar.
He walked up to her and asked:
"Excuse me, do you know a girl named Lisa in this class?"
The girl looked at him, her eyes widening for a moment before she quickly composed herself.
"I… I'm Lisa. Why are you asking?"
Lucian had expected it to be difficult to find her—but here she was, in the same school he had attended as a child.
His tone grew serious, as if something very important was at stake:
"I need to ask you something… But could you come with me?"
Lisa hesitated, nervous, then finally nodded.
"Alright…"
**
A gentle calm lingered in the air…
Sunlight streamed through the branches of the ancient trees, spilling like silky threads over the soft green grass. Wild red and blue flowers swayed with the light breeze, as if whispering secrets only the wind could understand.
On an old wooden bench, Lucian and Lisa sat side by side. Between them stretched a warm silence, broken only by the chirping of sparrows darting through the branches and the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.
Lucian sighed, then asked quietly:
"L… Lisa, do you know what will happen seven years from now?"
Lisa raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then replied:
"They'll invent flying cars?"
Lucian blinked at her response, then spoke more seriously:
"I'm not joking… Do you know anything that might happen in the future?"
Lisa stiffened, unsettled by the strange question. She leaned back slightly.
"You're weird! How am I supposed to know what happens in seven years? I don't even know your name!"
Lucian froze, then pressed his hand to his forehead, whispering to himself:
"Ugh, how stupid of me…"
Lifting his gaze, he said politely:
"Alright… my name is Lucian Renji, from class 4-A. I'm asking you these questions to confirm something."
Lisa's curiosity stirred.
"And what is that 'something'?"
Lucian answered in a low, mysterious tone:
"I can't reveal it… and I'm sorry for bothering you with my questions."
As he stood to leave, Lisa called out in a childlike voice:
"Are you just going to leave me like that?"
Lucian turned back and found a quiet sadness in her eyes.
He thought to himself:
"So she really doesn't have any friends… No wonder the teacher seemed surprised."
Returning to her side, he spoke gently:
"Alright… we'll meet again after school."
Lisa's eyes widened, and a smile lit up her face before she walked away softly.
Lucian remained, deep in thought:
"Ah… I'd forgotten how children think. But it seems she knows nothing about the future. That means I have to change the fate of her death myself."
Then, in a whisper:
"But… how?"