The café was warm.
Too warm.
The kind of warmth that made the rain outside look distant, like a scene behind glass.
Liya sat across from Ethan, watching the steam rise from her coffee.
Everything felt strange.
Not dangerous.
Not dramatic.
Just… strange.
Because none of this had happened before.
Yesterday—or the first version of yesterday—Ethan never sat across from her like this.
They never talked.
They never shared coffee.
He died before anything like this could happen.
Which meant one thing.
This entire moment wasn't supposed to exist.
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
"So," he said, "if today resets at midnight…"
"…what usually happens between now and my tragic truck-related destiny?"
Liya sighed.
"You go to that café near the intersection."
"The death café."
"Yes."
"You stand outside."
"And then the truck crashes."
Ethan nodded slowly.
"Pretty dramatic way to end a day."
She looked at him seriously.
"You almost sounded excited."
"I'm not excited about dying," he said.
"Just fascinated by the story."
He tapped the table.
"Imagine it."
"A day that keeps repeating."
"Only one person remembers."
"That's either a cosmic glitch… or the universe playing a weird game."
Liya looked out the window.
"Feels more like a punishment."
"Why punishment?"
"Because no matter what I do…"
Her voice softened.
"You still die."
Ethan watched her quietly for a moment.
Then he asked something unexpected.
"Why do you care so much?"
She blinked.
"What?"
"You barely know me," he said.
"Technically we met a few hours ago."
"That's not true."
He tilted his head.
"Isn't it?"
Liya hesitated.
Because explaining it sounded ridiculous.
"In the previous day… we talked," she said quietly.
"Not much."
"But it felt…"
She stopped.
"Felt what?"
"…important."
Ethan studied her expression.
Then he smiled softly.
"Well."
"Guess we should make the most of today then."
"Why?"
"Because according to you…"
He gestured around the café.
"…this is bonus time."
Liya laughed lightly despite herself.
"You're weirdly positive about this."
"I'm alive right now."
He raised his coffee cup again.
"That's already a win."
For a moment, the conversation faded.
Rain continued tapping against the glass windows.
Cars passed slowly outside.
Then Ethan suddenly frowned.
"What time is it?"
Liya checked the clock on the wall.
6:42 PM.
"Still a few hours before midnight," she said.
"Plenty of time."
Ethan nodded.
Then he looked thoughtful again.
"You know…"
"What?"
"If I'm destined to die tonight…"
"…I should probably do something memorable first."
Liya raised an eyebrow.
"Like what?"
He stood up suddenly.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"You'll see."
She stared at him.
"You're suspiciously energetic for someone who's supposed to die in five hours."
He grinned.
"Exactly."
He held out his hand.
"If the universe wants to reset today…"
"…we might as well make it an interesting one."
Liya hesitated.
But something about his smile made her stand up anyway.
"Fine," she said.
"But we're avoiding that intersection."
"Deal."
They stepped outside together.
The rain had almost stopped now.
Only a soft drizzle remained.
The city lights reflected on the wet streets like tiny stars.
Ethan walked beside her with an easy confidence.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll find out."
"That's not helpful."
"Patience."
They walked through the city for nearly ten minutes before Ethan suddenly stopped.
"Here."
Liya looked up.
They were standing in front of a small amusement pier by the river.
Most of the rides were closed because of the rain.
But one attraction was still running.
A Ferris wheel slowly turning against the cloudy night sky.
The glowing lights reflected beautifully on the river below.
Liya blinked.
"You want to ride a Ferris wheel?"
"Why not?"
"Because it's raining."
"It's romantic."
"You just met me."
"And?"
She sighed.
"You're impossible."
He smiled.
"But you're still here."
A few minutes later they were sitting inside one of the small Ferris wheel cabins.
The ride slowly lifted them above the city.
Below them, the streets looked like glowing rivers of light.
Liya watched the view quietly.
Then Ethan spoke.
"You know what's weird?"
"What?"
"I still feel like we've done this before."
Her heart skipped.
"That shouldn't be possible."
"I know."
He looked at her.
"But every time I look at you…"
"…it feels familiar."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The Ferris wheel reached the top.
The city stretched endlessly beneath them.
Beautiful.
Quiet.
Then Ethan said softly,
"If the day resets tonight…"
"…will you remember this too?"
Liya nodded.
"Yes."
He smiled gently.
"Good."
"Why?"
"Because then at least one person will remember that today existed."
Liya looked at him carefully.
Her chest tightened with a strange emotion.
Because for the first time since the loop began…
She wasn't just trying to save Ethan.
She was starting to enjoy the day.
But somewhere in the distance…
A siren echoed through the city.
And Liya knew something terrifying.
Midnight was still coming.
And fate hadn't made its move yet. ⏳