The night market slowly returned to normal.
People whispered about the tower collapse.
Videos were already spreading across phones.
But the panic was fading.
Because the news confirmed something important.
No casualties.
Emergency crews had evacuated the area in time.
Liya leaned against the railing near the food stalls and exhaled deeply.
"That's… different."
Ethan nodded.
"In the old loop?"
"Thirty-six people died."
"Yeah… I like this version better."
They watched the news update on the giant screen.
The reporter now stood far from the wreckage.
Dust still floated in the air behind her.
"Authorities confirm the building collapse caused major structural damage but no injuries have been reported…"
The crowd around the TV relaxed slightly.
People slowly returned to eating and shopping.
Life moved forward again.
Liya checked the time.
9:43 PM.
Still more than two hours before midnight.
She looked at Ethan.
"So fate still made the tower fall."
"Yep."
"But it removed the deaths."
"Looks like it."
She frowned slightly.
"So what does that mean?"
Ethan thought for a moment.
"Maybe the universe only cares about one death tonight."
Liya didn't like that answer.
"Yours."
He shrugged.
"Statistically likely."
She rolled her eyes.
"You're way too calm about this."
"I've had a lot of practice."
He suddenly pointed toward a brightly lit stall nearby.
"Wait."
"What?"
"Cotton candy."
Liya blinked.
"You're thinking about sugar right now?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
He smiled.
"Because tonight is technically our first real date."
Her brain froze for a second.
"…Date?"
"We closed the shop early."
"We walked through the market."
"We saved my wallet."
"That's basically a date storyline."
She tried to hide her embarrassment.
"That was not a date."
Ethan had already walked to the stall.
"One pink cotton candy please."
The vendor handed him the fluffy pink cloud.
Ethan returned and handed it to Liya.
"For the lady."
She stared at it.
"You're ridiculous."
"But you're smiling."
She noticed he was right.
Somehow…
Despite the time loop.
Despite fate trying to kill him.
Despite the looming midnight deadline…
She was actually smiling.
She took a small bite of the cotton candy.
It melted instantly.
Sweet.
Light.
Normal.
And that word hit her again.
Normal.
For the first time in twenty-seven loops…
This night felt almost normal.
Ethan leaned against the railing beside her.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"If we survive tonight…"
"…we should do this again."
"Eat cotton candy?"
"No."
He looked at her.
"Go on a real date."
Her heart skipped slightly.
The market lights reflected in his eyes.
For a moment…
Neither of them spoke.
Then Liya looked away quickly.
"Let's survive midnight first."
"Fair."
The city skyline glowed quietly in the distance.
But suddenly—
Ethan's phone vibrated.
He pulled it out.
Unknown number.
"That's weird."
"What?"
"I don't recognize this number."
"Spam call?"
"Maybe."
He answered anyway.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then a voice spoke.
Low.
Distorted.
"You shouldn't be alive tonight."
Ethan's expression changed.
"…Excuse me?"
The voice continued.
"The loop is breaking."
Liya felt ice run through her veins.
Ethan slowly straightened.
"Who is this?"
But the call ended.
Just like that.
The screen went dark.
Liya stared at him.
"…Did someone just say the word loop?"
Ethan looked at the phone again.
Then toward the dark skyline beyond the market lights.
And for the first time that night…
He didn't look curious.
He looked serious.
"Yeah."
Which meant one terrifying possibility.
They weren't the only ones who knew about the time loop. ⏳