The next morning came too soon.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting golden lines across my desk. I hadn't slept a single hour. My hands still tingled from last night's fight—the first in this new life.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.
"I really did it," I whispered. "I changed something."
In my last life, those punks had gone on to become Kaito's first enforcers. By breaking them early, I'd already twisted the path. A small victory—but it felt good.
Then the memories came rushing back again: Airi's tearful face, Kaito's mocking grin, the sound of the pipe cracking my skull.
I clenched my fists.
"This time, you won't win."
At school, everything felt too normal. The laughter, the gossip, the smell of chalk—it was all too bright for someone who had already seen death.
When I walked into class, Airi waved, her smile soft and genuine. "Good morning, Ryo! You look tired. Studying again?"
I froze for a second. Her voice… it carried no guilt, no darkness. Just warmth.
"Something like that," I replied, forcing a small smile.
She tilted her head. "You're acting weird lately. Usually, you're half-asleep at your desk."
"Guess I'm trying to change," I said.
Her eyes sparkled. "That's good. You used to skip class a lot. Maybe you're finally growing up."
If only she knew.
When she turned away, I caught myself staring. In my past life, I'd loved her so blindly I never noticed the shadows gathering behind her. This time, I couldn't afford to be naïve.
Still… part of me wished I could believe in that smile again.
During lunch, I sat alone on the rooftop, the wind tugging at my hair. I took out my old notebook—the same one from high school—but now I used it differently. Each page was filled with names, dates, and events that would happen in the future.
Kaito's rise. His drug ring. His first victims.
And the night he took Airi away.
Every page was a roadmap to vengeance.
"Fifteen years old again," I muttered. "And already plotting murder. Guess I never really changed."
The door creaked open. I turned—and there she was.
Airi stood there, holding two bread rolls.
"I thought I'd find you here," she said. "You always hide up here when something's bothering you."
I frowned. "You remembered that?"
"Of course. You're terrible at pretending." She sat down beside me, handing me one of the breads. "Eat. You look like you're starving."
For a moment, the warmth of the sun and her gentle smile felt… normal. I almost forgot that she was the one who'd once betrayed me. Almost.
"Thanks," I said quietly, taking it.
As we ate, she looked up at the sky. "You ever wonder what the future will be like, Ryo?"
I stared at her, my throat tight. "Every day."
She laughed softly. "I just hope we all stay friends forever."
The words stabbed deeper than any knife.
After school, I slipped into the back alley near the convenience store—a place where Kaito's older brother, Ren, used to hang out. If my memories were right, he'd soon start recruiting kids for his illegal fights.
But when I got there, something was off.
The alley was empty, except for a man leaning against the wall, smoking. He wore a black coat and dark glasses despite the daylight.
"You're early," he said without looking up.
I froze. "Do I… know you?"
He smirked. "Not yet. But I know you, Ryo Tanaka."
Every instinct screamed danger. I stepped back, my muscles tensing. "Who are you?"
He took a drag from his cigarette, then exhaled slowly. "Let's just say… someone who doesn't belong here either."
"What?"
He turned his face toward me, and for a split second, I saw something in his eyes—a flicker, like static. It was the same hollow emptiness I'd seen in my own reflection after death.
"You think you're the only one reborn?" he said.
My heart stopped. "What did you just say?"
He smiled faintly. "There are others. People like you, who died and came back. Some want redemption. Others want chaos. The line between the two… is thin."
"Why are you telling me this?" I demanded.
"Because," he said, flicking his cigarette to the ground, "the moment you changed the past, the world started watching you."
"Watching me?"
He turned to leave. "You'll understand soon. Just remember—revenge has a price. Don't let it consume you before you reach your target."
"Wait!" I shouted, but he was already gone, disappearing into the crowd beyond the alley.
I stood there, frozen. My mind was spinning.
Others like me? Watching me?
This wasn't just about me and Kaito anymore. Something bigger was at play.
That night, I couldn't focus. Every shadow outside my window felt like it was moving. Every sound made my skin crawl.
I sat at my desk, staring at my notebook, the words blurring together. The stranger's warning echoed in my head.
Revenge has a price.
I slammed my fist against the desk. "I already paid that price once. I won't stop now."
But even as I said it, doubt crept in.
What if changing the past only made things worse? What if Airi wasn't the only one fated to betray me?
Suddenly, my phone buzzed. A message.
Unknown Number:You shouldn't have interfered with Ren.
My blood ran cold.
Another message followed.
Unknown Number:Let's see if you can protect Airi this time.
I jumped from my chair, adrenaline flooding my veins. Someone knew. Someone was already moving against me.
I grabbed my jacket and ran out into the night, the city lights blurring around me.
If this world wanted to test me again, fine. But this time, I wasn't the same naïve boy who trusted everyone.
This time, Ryo Tanaka was ready to fight back.