"Sorry?"
Arceus tilted his head slightly, confusion settling across his face as he studied the woman in front of him, his eyes searching for something familiar, something that could connect her reaction to his memory. "Do we know each other?"
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
The air between them held that strange pause where recognition existed on one side but not the other, stretching just enough to feel awkward.
The girl leaned lightly against the doorframe, folding her arms in a relaxed manner that seemed almost deliberate. The shift in her posture drew his gaze for a fraction longer than he intended, his eyes flicking down to her bare legs below the shorts before he quickly looked away, clearing his throat faintly.
"It's me," she said, a hint of amusement threading her tone. "Celia. From Class 3… Averton No.2 High."
The name hit.
Not softly.
Not gradually.
It landed like something breaking open inside his head.
His eyes widened, his posture straightening almost instantly. "Wait… Celia?" His voice rose slightly in disbelief. "Class Monitor Celia Cruz?"
She nodded, the corner of her lips lifting just a little, as if she had expected this exact reaction.
And just like that—
The past rushed in.
Short hair.
Oversized glasses that always slipped slightly down her nose.
A girl who sat in the front row, correcting teachers without hesitation, chasing down late assignments like it was her personal mission. Always among the top ranks. Always focused. Always… distant.
The kind of person you noticed—
But never really knew.
Arceus blinked again.
Then looked at her properly.
And the disconnect hit even harder.
Because the woman standing in front of him now…
Was nothing like that girl.
Her hair was long, tied back casually, framing her face in a way that carried an effortless confidence. The glasses were gone, replaced by sharp, clear eyes that seemed far more aware of the world around her. Her outfit was simple, light homewear, but it fit her naturally, giving her the kind of presence that didn't need effort to be noticed.
She didn't look like someone buried in books anymore.
She looked like someone who had stepped out into life—and claimed it.
Arceus rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, his gaze betraying him for a second before he pulled it back up. "I honestly… didn't recognize you," he admitted. "You changed a lot."
"You've changed too," Celia replied, her eyes scanning him briefly, something unreadable flickering through her expression. "You've become more… Ahem."
She didn't finish the sentence.
Instead, she stepped aside, opening the space for him.
"Anyway," she said, gesturing inside. "Come in. I'll show you around."
***
The apartment welcomed him with light.
Not harsh.
Not overwhelming.
Just… clean.
The living room opened wide, a large couch placed neatly in the center, a game console blinking quietly in rest mode like it was waiting for someone to pick up where they left off. In one corner, fitness equipment was stacked with surprising order, hinting at routines that were actually followed.
It felt lived in.
But not messy.
Balanced.
Celia led him further in, her steps unhurried.
The kitchen passed by next, warmth radiating from it, the faint scent of spices lingering in the air like a quiet promise of actual meals, not instant noodles eaten in silence.
"Your room's here," she said, opening a door along the hallway.
Arceus stepped in.
The room was simple.
But complete.
Bed.
Desk.
Storage.
An attached bathroom.
Functional.
Comfortable.
More than enough.
"Wi-Fi's already set up," Celia continued, leaning lightly against the doorframe again. "Monsters are allowed, as long as you can carry them in a container and register them in the database."
She paused.
Then leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice just a notch, a playful glint flashing in her eyes.
"Though honestly… you don't have to be too strict about that," she added, giving a small wink. "The landlord is my aunt. I can handle her. Just make sure your pet doesn't destroy the place."
Arceus nodded immediately. "Don't worry. I'll follow the rules."
"Good."
He turned slightly, taking in the room once more, mentally measuring it, fitting himself into it, imagining the days ahead—
When—
A door across the hallway opened.
Softly.
A girl stepped out.
Earphones rested loosely around her neck, her expression neutral, almost detached, as her gaze flicked toward him.
"This is Serestia Moon," Celia said casually. "My friend from college. She's a certified monster trainer."
Serestia gave a small nod. "Hey."
And that was it.
Simple.
Brief.
Normal.
But for Arceus—
The world tilted.
His body stiffened where he stood, his eyes widening just a fraction too much, his lips parting slightly before he forced them to move.
"H-Hello…"
His voice didn't quite come out right.
Too tight.
Too controlled.
Serestia didn't seem to notice.
Or didn't care.
She turned away just as quickly, retreating back into her room, the faint clicking of a keyboard resuming almost immediately behind the half-closed door.
Celia glanced at him, a faint grin forming. "She's usually like that. Don't mind her."
Arceus didn't respond.
Because his mind—
Wasn't here anymore.
It was somewhere else.
Somewhere tangled.
Her.
Out of everyone.
Out of all the places.
Out of all the possible paths—
He had run into her.
The girl he had once loved.
The one who had stood at the center of a chapter he never truly closed.
His chest tightened slightly.
His thoughts spiraled.
But outwardly—
He remained still.
Breathing.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Arceus… relax, he told himself silently, forcing his mind to settle, to stop racing ahead. She doesn't know anything.
A pause.
And this… this is just coincidence.
Another pause.
Or—
Was it?
Meeting her… and Celia… at the same time…
A faint, dangerous thought slipped in.
Maybe this is a chance.
A real one.
To do it right this time.
The idea lingered.
Tempting.
Fragile.
He took a slow breath.
Then another.
And let it settle somewhere deep inside him.
***
They returned to the living room.
Celia handed him a glass of water, the cool surface grounding him as he sat down, his throat suddenly feeling drier than he expected.
"There are two others living here," she said, taking a seat opposite him, crossing her legs comfortably. "A couple. They work odd hours, so you probably won't see them much."
She spoke casually, like someone who had already settled into this rhythm.
"He works at a call center. She's a receptionist at LanTang Burgers. They've got the third room."
A small shrug followed.
"You'll get to know them if you stay long enough."
Arceus nodded, taking a sip of water, the coolness easing the dryness in his throat.
"I see."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Celia looked at him again.
More directly this time.
"So," she said, her tone softer now, but more focused. "How have you been… these past five years?"
The question hung there.
Simple.
But not light.
Arceus leaned back into the sofa slightly, the cushion sinking beneath him as he exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting for a moment before returning.
"It's… nothing much, honestly," he said quietly.
He thought back.
High school.
Then after.
"I didn't go to college," he continued. "I took over my dad's business."
A faint, humorless smile touched his lips.
"And… it kind of went to hell."
He didn't dress it up.
Didn't soften it.
He spoke plainly.
About the mistakes.
The decisions.
The slow collapse.
About how everything he tried had somehow made things worse.
The words came out easier than expected.
Maybe because she was an old classmate.
Maybe because he needed this.
Or maybe—
Because he had already lived through losing everything.
What was there left to hide?
Eventually, his gaze dropped to his hands.
"Had to sell everything," he said. "The house. The store."
A small pause.
"I wanted to clear the debts and start over."
His fingers tightened slightly around the glass.
"But I don't have a degree. Haven't had a proper job in five years."
A quiet breath.
"I doubt anyone would hire me… except maybe department stores."
He looked up again.
"So… I'm planning to go back to selling pets," he added. "Find a small place nearby. Try again."
The words settled.
Honest.
Bare.
Unfiltered.
Celia didn't interrupt.
She listened.
Quietly.
And when he finished—
Her expression had softened.
"You've had it rough," she said gently, a faint sigh escaping her.
Arceus gave a small smile.
"Yeah," he admitted. "But I'm still here."
Still standing.
Still trying.
Still not done.
She studied him for a second longer.
Then—
She stood.
"Well," she said, her tone lightening slightly. "You're here now."
She gestured around casually.
"Rent's cheap. Meals included."
A small pause.
"As long as you don't cause drama… which I doubt you will…"
Her gaze lingered on him just a moment longer.
"If you're still the same Arceus I knew…"
She trailed off.
Then shrugged lightly.
"You'll be fine."
Arceus blinked, tilting his head slightly, confusion slipping back in.
"Uhh…"
He looked at her.
"The same Arceus you knew…?"
The question formed silently in his mind before reaching his lips.
Since when…
Did you ever know me?