The next morning carried an uneasy stillness.
The light through the windows felt colder somehow, the classroom quieter than usual. Shin sat in his seat, head down, replaying the whisper that refused to leave his mind — "Do you remember what you promised?"
"Everyone," the teacher's voice broke the silence, "we have a new transfer student today."
A boy stepped in.
His uniform was perfectly pressed, his hair slightly tousled — calm eyes scanning the room like he already knew every face there.
"My name is Aarav," he said, bowing slightly. "Nice to meet you."
A faint buzz filled the classroom as students whispered among themselves, but Shin didn't move.
When Aarav's gaze finally landed on him, time froze.
That look — quiet, steady, almost knowing.
Ayumi nudged Shin's shoulder. "Hey, he's staring at you."
Shin blinked. "...I noticed."
Aarav ended up sitting two rows behind him. All through class, Shin could feel the weight of his gaze.
At lunch, Shin tried to avoid him, heading toward the old staircase behind the gym — his usual quiet spot. But when he opened the door—
Aarav was already there.
"I thought you might come here," Aarav said casually, sitting on the last step.
Shin frowned. "You've been here one day and already know my hiding place?"
Aarav's smile was faint. "I knew it before."
"What are you talking about?" Shin asked, his voice tight.
Aarav looked at him, his tone calm but cutting.
"Do you still get the dreams? The corridor?"
Shin froze. His throat went dry.
He hadn't told anyone about that.
Aarav stood, brushing dust off his sleeve.
"You're not crazy, Shin. You just forgot things that your body didn't."
Shin's breath hitched. "Who are you?"
Aarav turned toward the door.
"Someone who remembers when you can't."
Before leaving, he dropped something on the step — a small, rusted key.
When Shin picked it up, he felt it again — that pulse in his chest, the same one from his dreams.
That night, as he lay awake, the whisper returned.
But now, there were two voices.
> "Do you remember what you promised?"
"It's time you do."