JUSTIN'S ROOM
Justin stood in front of the mirror, staring at his school uniform as if it were his greatest enemy.
Justin:
"By the way, Sister… Is it really compulsory for us to go to school?" 😅
Amber raised an eyebrow.
Amber:
"It's not us, Justin."
She picked up his schoolbag.
Amber:
"It's YOU." 😎
Justin:
"Sis…" 😩
Amber completely ignored his dramatic expression and began checking his schoolbag.
Amber:
"Mathematics textbook. Notebook. Pens. Water bottle…"
She paused and glanced at him.
Amber:
"And one troublemaker."
Justin:
"HEY! I'M FIFTEEN!" 😤
Amber:
"Exactly. Fifteen years of trouble."
Jonathan, who had just entered while adjusting his tie, quietly chuckled.
Jonathan (thinking):
(At least someone else is suffering from her today.)
Justin puffed out his cheeks.
But then his expression slowly changed.
Justin:
"Sis… can I ask you something?"
Amber looked at him.
Amber:
"Hmm?"
Justin:
"What would you do if you had to start school again from the beginning?"
Amber paused.
Amber:
"What do you mean?"
Justin lowered his eyes.
Justin:
"Imagine you've already finished your studies, graduated from college, built your own business, and started living your adult life."
He took a small breath.
Justin:
"Then someone kills you… and somehow, you're reborn as a fifteen-year-old."
His fingers tightened around the edge of his shirt.
Justin:
"You have to study everything again, make friends again, face the same problems again… and start your entire life from zero."
Silence.
Amber stopped checking the schoolbag.
Jonathan's hand froze against his tie.
Both looked at Justin.
Amber and Jonathan: 😶
Justin:
"…Sis?"
Amber narrowed her eyes.
Amber:
"Which novel did you read?"
Justin:
"Ah… a new novel! Very new! Freshly released! Nobody knows about it!" 😅
Amber gently covered his mouth.
Amber:
"Don't read strange novels. They're not suitable for fifteen-year-olds."
Justin removed her hand.
Justin:
"BUT I'M NOT A CHILD! And answer my question!" 😤
Amber studied his face.
She understood that this wasn't an ordinary question.
There was something behind those words. Something Justin wasn't ready to explain.
She knew he was carrying memories he couldn't easily share.
But instead of questioning him, she decided to answer.
Amber:
"I would do it."
Justin blinked.
Justin:
"Really?"
Amber:
"Of course. I would study again. I would work again. I would fight again. I would build everything from the beginning."
She gently placed her hand on his head.
Amber:
"Because if I'm alive, then I still have something worth living for."
Justin's expression softened.
Jonathan silently watched them.
Amber:
"And if I had someone precious to protect, I wouldn't hesitate to start a thousand times."
She smiled.
Amber:
"Even if I had to begin as a fifteen-year-old student."
Justin stared at her.
For a moment, her words felt strangely familiar.
He had spent so much time thinking about everything he had lost that he had forgotten he had been given another chance.
Justin:
"Even if everything became difficult again?"
Amber:
"Especially then."
She tapped his forehead lightly.
Amber:
"Life isn't supposed to be perfect, little champ. You'll make mistakes, lose things, meet people you dislike, and probably fail your mathematics examination."
Justin:
"Why did mathematics enter this conversation?!" 😭
Amber smiled innocently.
Amber:
"Because I know you."
Jonathan almost laughed.
Then Amber's expression suddenly changed.
Amber:
"But if someone tried to kill me again…"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Amber:
"I'd make sure they regretted being born." 😈
Jonathan: 😨
Justin: 🥺
Amber: 😎
Jonathan slowly looked at his wife.
Jonathan (thinking):
(Fifteen years ago, I married a beautiful woman.)
(Now I'm standing beside a beautiful disaster.)
TO be continued...