For several seconds, Rio simply stood in the doorway.
She couldn't move.
She couldn't speak.
Her attention was completely fixed on the girl sitting beside the classroom window.
Sayanaki.
The crimson-haired assassin who had spent the past few weeks becoming one of the most important people in Rio's new life was now sitting inside their classroom as though this were the most ordinary thing in the world.
Except she wasn't crimson-haired anymore.
In the real world, Sayanaki's black hair fell naturally around her shoulders, framing a face that looked considerably more ordinary than the dangerous assassin avatar Rio knew from Evermount. Her school uniform was neat and properly arranged, and she rested one arm against the windowsill while calmly watching the morning sky.
There was no dagger at her waist.
No assassin equipment.
No Fenrir's Fang.
No battle-hardened expression.
No murderous aura.
She simply looked like an ordinary student enjoying the quiet moments before class began.
For anyone else, she would have looked completely harmless.
Rio knew better.
After everything they had experienced together, it was almost strange seeing Sayanaki without the equipment and abilities that had become so familiar in Evermount.
Eventually, Rio's surprise faded.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She stepped into the classroom and approached the window.
"Sayanaki."
The black-haired girl immediately turned.
Her crimson eyes met Rio's.
For a brief moment, her expression remained perfectly neutral.
Then a familiar smile slowly appeared.
"Rio."
She raised one hand and gave her a casual wave.
"Morning."
Her eyes shifted toward Ryota.
"And good morning to you too."
Ryota raised a hand in greeting.
"Morning."
Rio finally reached the desk.
She stopped beside Sayanaki and glanced at the empty seat beside her.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
Sayanaki tilted her head.
Then the corner of her mouth lifted.
"What?"
She leaned slightly closer and lowered her voice.
"The other-timeline version of me wasn't that close to you?"
Rio's expression immediately became awkward.
She scratched the back of her head.
"That's not what I meant."
Sayanaki's smile widened.
Rio sighed.
"Most of my high-school days were spent focusing on Evermount."
She glanced toward the window.
"I was always thinking about grinding. Levels. Guilds. Events. Equipment. Strategies."
She gave a small, embarrassed laugh.
"Honestly, I barely remember most of my high-school life outside of Evermount."
Sayanaki listened without interrupting.
Rio continued.
"You were probably there."
She looked back at Sayanaki.
"I just don't remember."
For a moment, Sayanaki didn't tease her.
Instead, her expression softened.
There was something unexpectedly gentle about the smile that appeared on her face.
Then she lifted one hand and gestured toward the empty seat beside her.
"Well..."
Rio raised an eyebrow.
Sayanaki pointed at the chair.
"Because of that, your punishment is to sit next to me for the rest of the school year."
Rio blinked.
"That's my punishment?"
"Absolutely."
Sayanaki smiled mischievously.
"That way, you'll remember me this time."
Rio stared at her for a moment before laughing quietly.
"That sounds more like a reward."
Sayanaki's smile widened.
"Then we're in agreement."
Rio nodded.
"It would be my honor."
She pulled out the chair and sat beside Sayanaki.
Ryota glanced around the classroom, looking for another place to sit.
After a moment, he simply pulled out the chair beside Rio.
Sayanaki looked at him.
"You're sitting there too?"
Ryota shrugged.
"Where else would I sit?"
Sayanaki looked toward Rio.
Then toward Ryota.
Then back toward Rio.
A faint smirk appeared on her face.
"Interesting."
Rio immediately narrowed her eyes.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were thinking something."
"I always think things."
"That's exactly what worries me."
Ryota quietly laughed.
Sayanaki merely smiled as she turned back toward the window.
The three eventually settled into their seats.
For a little while, the classroom remained relatively quiet.
A few students entered through the door.
Then a few more.
The peaceful atmosphere gradually disappeared as the room filled with voices.
Students greeted old friends after the summer vacation. Some compared stories about where they had gone, while others complained about having to wake up early again. A few students were already talking about homework they had forgotten to finish before returning to school.
Rio quietly watched all of it.
There was something strangely nostalgic about the scene.
Not because she remembered it.
Because she didn't.
That realization was almost painful.
This was a part of her life she had once lived through.
She had attended these classes.
She had sat in rooms like this.
She had walked these hallways.
She had listened to teachers explain lessons.
She had waited for the school day to end.
Yet fifteen years of Evermount had buried most of those memories beneath something much louder.
Raids.
Guild wars.
Tournaments.
Dungeons.
Boss battles.
Levels.
Skills.
Victories.
Defeats.
Betrayals.
She remembered the game.
She remembered almost every major event that had shaped Evermount.
She remembered players who had influenced its history.
She remembered weapons, skills, strategies, hidden quests, and places most players would never discover.
But she had forgotten something as simple as sitting inside a classroom on a summer morning.
She had forgotten what it felt like to talk to classmates before the teacher arrived.
She had forgotten the sound of chairs scraping across the floor.
She had forgotten the feeling of looking through a classroom window while waiting for the day to begin.
Rio slowly rested her chin against one hand.
Maybe this was what she had been missing.
Not another victory.
Not another level.
Not another piece of equipment.
Just life.
"Rio?"
Sayanaki's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Rio turned toward her.
"Hm?"
"You look nostalgic."
Rio smiled faintly.
"Maybe I am."
Sayanaki studied her for a moment, as if trying to understand what Rio was feeling.
Before she could ask another question, however, the classroom door opened.
A woman entered carrying a stack of papers.
She appeared to be in her early thirties, with dark hair neatly tied behind her head. She wore a simple professional outfit beneath a light cardigan, giving her a warm but respectable appearance.
She walked toward the teacher's desk and carefully placed the papers down.
Then she looked toward the classroom.
"Good morning, everyone."
The conversations gradually faded.
A number of students greeted her at once.
"Good morning, Ms. Shenaki."
Rio froze.
Her eyes widened.
Then, slowly, a genuine smile appeared on her face.
Ryota noticed immediately.
He turned toward her.
He had never seen Rio react to a teacher like that.
He leaned slightly closer.
"Who is she?"
Rio continued looking toward the front of the classroom.
"Ms. Shenaki."
"Obviously."
Ryota lowered his voice.
"I mean, why are you smiling like that?"
Rio's smile remained.
"Because..."
She paused.
"Even though I hardly remember most of my high-school days..."
Her eyes remained fixed on the teacher.
"The memories I do remember are mostly because of her."
Ryota looked confused.
"Really?"
Rio nodded.
"She made those two school years memorable."
"She wasn't just our homeroom teacher."
"She actually cared about us."
Rio's voice became softer.
"She remembered everyone's names. She noticed when someone was struggling. She would stay after class if someone needed help."
A small smile returned to her face.
"And somehow, she made school feel fun."
Sayanaki had been quietly listening.
Her eyes shifted toward Rio.
"Two years?"
Rio nodded.
"Yeah. She was with us for our first two years."
Sayanaki looked toward Ms. Shenaki.
"What happened to her?"
Rio's smile faded slightly.
"She had to leave during our final year."
Sayanaki frowned.
"Why?"
"She had a child and needed to leave her teaching position to take care of them."
Sayanaki's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh."
She looked toward the teacher again.
Rio's expression became strangely warm.
"Truth be told..."
She smiled.
"I was actually looking forward to having another two years with her."
Sayanaki glanced toward Rio.
"You really liked her."
Rio nodded.
"Yeah."
There was no embarrassment in her voice this time.
"She was one of the few good memories I had from school."
At the front of the classroom, Ms. Shenaki tapped the stack of papers against the desk.
"All right, everyone."
The remaining conversations slowly disappeared.
"Since today is the first day of the new school year, I'd like everyone to introduce themselves."
Several students groaned.
Others laughed.
Ms. Shenaki smiled.
"Come on. It won't take long."
She began calling students one by one.
Names were announced.
Students stood at their desks and introduced themselves.
Some kept their introductions short and simple.
Others seemed determined to tell the entire classroom about themselves.
One boy enthusiastically explained his love of basketball.
A girl introduced herself while nearly hiding behind her hair.
Another student proudly announced that he wanted to become a doctor.
The classroom slowly became more relaxed as everyone got through their introductions.
Eventually, Ms. Shenaki looked down at her list.
"Next."
She paused.
"Ryota Asahi."
Ryota froze.
Rio immediately looked toward him.
Sayanaki turned as well.
Ryota slowly stood.
His chair scraped against the floor as he rose.
He looked toward the classroom.
Dozens of unfamiliar faces stared back at him.
His mind suddenly went completely blank.
For a few seconds, he simply stood there.
"..."
Rio covered her mouth.
Sayanaki's shoulders began shaking.
Ryota swallowed.
"Uh..."
He glanced toward Ms. Shenaki.
Then toward the class.
"...I'm Ryota Asahi."
Silence.
He waited.
Nothing else came to mind.
"...Nice to meet you."
He immediately sat down.
Rio stared at him.
Sayanaki stared at him.
Ryota lowered his voice.
"Don't."
Sayanaki was already smiling.
Rio leaned closer.
"You could've said something else."
"Like what?"
"I don't know."
"You asked me to introduce myself."
"I didn't expect you to forget how."
Ryota sighed.
"At least I said my name."
Sayanaki suddenly leaned toward Rio.
She whispered.
"So..."
Rio looked at her suspiciously.
"What?"
Sayanaki smiled.
"Rio Asahi."
Rio's eyes widened.
"What?"
Sayanaki glanced toward Ryota.
"You're going to be Rio Asahi in the future."
Rio's expression immediately hardened.
"We're dating."
She emphasized every word.
"Not married."
Sayanaki's smile became enormous.
"We'll see, leader."
Rio's eyes narrowed.
"Don't start."
Sayanaki quietly laughed.
"Maybe you accidentally jinxed yourself."
"I did not."
Ryota leaned toward them.
"Can I point out that I'm sitting right here?"
Neither girl paid attention.
Sayanaki was clearly enjoying herself.
Rio, meanwhile, looked increasingly annoyed.
Finally, Ms. Shenaki called another name.
Her gaze moved toward Rio.
"Next."
She smiled.
"Riona Shiranui."
Rio stood.
Ryota immediately blinked.
Sayanaki's eyes sharpened.
Rio walked calmly toward the front of the classroom.
Unlike Ryota, she didn't hesitate.
She stood before the class with a composed expression before offering a polite smile.
"My name is Riona Shiranui."
A few students looked interested.
Rio continued.
"But my close friends and family call me Rio."
She gave a small bow.
"I look forward to meeting all of you."
Her eyes briefly shifted toward Ms. Shenaki.
"And I hope we can have a wonderful school year together, Ms. Shenaki."
Ms. Shenaki smiled warmly.
"I hope so too, Shiranui."
Rio bowed once more before returning to her seat.
The moment she sat down, Ryota leaned toward her.
"Wait."
Rio glanced at him.
"What?"
"Your name is Riona?"
Rio blinked.
"Yes."
"Since when?"
Rio frowned.
"Since I was born."
Ryota stared at her.
"I've never heard Akari or your mom call you that."
Rio sighed.
"That's because Rio has been my nickname since I was little."
Ryota still looked confused.
"You never told me."
"You never asked."
"I thought Rio was your actual name."
Rio folded her arms.
"You never asked for my full name."
She leaned slightly closer.
"I thought you knew already."
Ryota raised an eyebrow.
"How was I supposed to know?"
Rio's expression suddenly became mischievous.
"You're the idiot who proposed to me on that bridge when we had just met."
Ryota's face immediately changed.
"You're never letting that go, are you?"
"No."
"Seriously?"
"No."
Ryota sighed.
"I don't even remember you publicly stating your name."
He lowered his voice.
"All I knew was that the Silver War Goddess was called Rio."
Rio nodded.
"Exactly."
"Everyone knew me as Rio."
She shrugged.
"My family knew me as Riona."
Ryota stared at her.
"Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Because I never bothered to tell the public my full name."
Rio smiled faintly.
"And you never asked."
Ryota shook his head.
"That's unbelievable."
Rio leaned closer.
"And for the record..."
She lowered her voice.
"You will never hear the end of me calling you an idiot for proposing to a girl from your previous life without even knowing her full name."
Ryota looked away.
"...I was desperate."
"You were an idiot."
"I was romantic."
"You were an idiot."
"I was brave."
"You were an idiot."
Ryota sighed.
"Fine."
Sayanaki, who had been listening to the entire exchange, suddenly covered her mouth.
Her shoulders shook as she tried to suppress her laughter.
Rio noticed.
"What?"
Sayanaki finally laughed.
"You two..."
She wiped the corner of her eye.
"You're arguing more like a married couple than people who claim they're dating."
Rio immediately puffed out her cheeks.
"That's because he's being an idiot."
Ryota pointed toward himself.
"Again?"
Sayanaki waved dismissively.
"He's your idiot."
She looked at Rio.
"You deal with him."
Rio opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
Her face slowly turned red.
Sayanaki's grin widened.
"Besides..."
She leaned toward Ryota.
"What kind of idiot proposes to a girl in their previous life without even knowing her full name?"
Ryota looked defeated.
"I didn't know this was going to become a classroom intervention."
Sayanaki laughed.
"You deserve it."
Before the conversation could continue, Ms. Shenaki looked down at her list again.
"Sayanaki Chizuki."
Sayanaki's smile remained.
She stood from her seat.
The entire classroom turned toward her.
She walked toward the front casually, her hands relaxed at her sides. Unlike Ryota, she seemed completely comfortable with the attention.
She stopped in front of the class and smiled.
"My name is Sayanaki Chizuki."
Her crimson eyes moved across the classroom.
"It's nice to meet all of you. I hope you guys are interesting enough to make me remember your names."
She gave a small, polite bow.
The class responded with scattered greetings.
Sayanaki turned and walked back toward her seat.
As she passed Rio, she leaned down slightly.
Her voice was barely audible.
"This is going to be fun."
Rio glanced up at her.
"Don't cause trouble."
Sayanaki smiled.
"No promises."
She returned to her seat.
For a moment, she looked out the window again.
The morning sunlight reflected softly across the glass, illuminating the classroom in a warm golden glow.
The school year had barely begun.
Yet Sayanaki already knew one thing.
Being classmates with Rio and Ryota was going to be interesting.
Very interesting.
She had spent the past few months getting to know Rio as the leader of Crowned Era.
She had watched her command battles, plan strategies, make decisions, and carry the weight of knowing the future.
But now she was going to see something completely different.
Rio the student.
Riona Shiranui.
The girl who had once lived an ordinary life before Evermount consumed so much of it.
And perhaps that was what made this moment so strange for Sayanaki.
The reset hadn't only returned Rio to the beginning of Evermount.
It had returned her to a part of her life she had almost completely forgotten.
A part of her life that still contained people who mattered.
People like Ms. Shenaki.
People like Akari.
People like the friends she might have once known but no longer remembered.
Sayanaki glanced toward Rio.
Rio was quietly listening to Ms. Shenaki as the teacher continued the introductions.
For the first time since meeting her, Sayanaki wondered what Rio's life might have looked like if Evermount had never consumed so much of it.
Perhaps this was the opportunity the reset had given her.
Not simply another chance to change the game.
A chance to experience the life she had missed.
A chance to make memories that weren't connected to levels, guilds, battles, or betrayal.
And Sayanaki intended to make sure she remembered this time.
Especially with Ryota sitting nearby.
Especially with Rio already getting embarrassed about the possibility of becoming Rio Asahi.
Sayanaki smiled quietly to herself.
Perhaps the reset had given all three of them something none of them had expected.
A second chance at school.
A second chance at friendship.
And perhaps, most importantly, a second chance to create memories that would survive long after Evermount had become everything else.
For the first time since returning to the past, Rio wasn't looking toward the future.
She was sitting inside the past.
And this time, she intended to remember it.