Mr. Jones stopped at the board and turned towards the class. May followed closely, standing a step behind him.
She glanced at Chrono briefly before shifting her gaze over the rest of the class. That fleeting moment of eye contact was enough to send a shiver crawling down his spine. It was as though an invisible weight pressed against his chest, suffocating, making each breath feel like a struggle.
Mr. Jones clapped his hands, the sharp sound cutting through the early morning chatter. The voices died down, and dozens of curious eyes snapped to the front, drawn by the sight of the unfamiliar girl.
"Now that I have everyone's attention." He gestured toward May with his open palm. "This is your new classmate. I expect you all to treat her with care."
He turned to May. "If you don't mind, introduce yourself to the class."
May nodded, taking a hesitant step forward. She tried to steady her posture, but the slight tremor in her hands betrayed her. To the rest of the students, she looked shy, anxious even. But Chrono knew better—he could see the faint cracks in her performance, a mask no one else would notice.
Her eyes fell to the floor, and she shifted awkwardly on her feet.
"...Um… my name is… May Jackson. I uh… I like reading…" Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her face flushed a soft pink.
Mr. Jones blinked at her, momentarily surprised, though his composure quickly returned. "Is that all?" he asked, tilting his head.
May nodded timidly.
"Alright then…" Mr. Jones scanned the room. "Your seat will be beside Zeph. That guy right there." He pointed directly at Chrono.
Beside me? Huh? There's no free seat beside me. What is he on about?
Chrono turned to his side—and froze. His eyes widened, breath catching in his throat. A desk now sat neatly aligned beside his, as though it had always been there.
You're kidding!?
That was never there before. What the hell?
May made her way toward him, her every step drawing glances from other students. Some whispered under their breath, others simply stared. She ignored them all, sliding into the seat with quiet grace.
Chrono flinched at the scrape of her chair against the floor. His gaze flicked toward her in the corner of his eye. Instantly, that crushing weight returned, heavier than before, pinning him down in his own skin.
This… this loop isn't right.
Why…
Why is she here? She shouldn't be here.
Why is it different?
He began tapping his foot beneath the desk, trying to ease the unease clawing through him, but the rhythm brought no comfort. The person who had killed him just one loop ago now sat close enough to touch. She wasn't supposed to be here.
This doesn't make any sense…
Has the loop been tampered with?
Is it because I died?
Or is this a play by the white figure…?
Damn it…
Why her? Why May?
His tapping quickened, louder, more erratic, as the pressure grew.
No… death shouldn't change anything.
Unless… unless there's a rule. A hidden condition that if I die, the next loop gets altered.
But why May, of all things? There are countless possibilities, so why her?
Why place the one person out for my head right beside me?
It has to be intentional. A hurdle.
…Which means it's the white figure's work, not a consequence of dying.
Maybe the white figure gains something out of me failing the challenge, and placed May as an obstacle to slow me down?
No… that doesn't track…
May is only this way because she touched the book and died. That's the cause of everything.
So it wasn't the white figure's plan to slow me down from the start.
But… that doesn't mean that rules out the possibility of gaining something out of me failing.
Maybe its methods are indirect, or maybe it thrives on my mistakes?
But this theory doesn't make much sense either. What could the figure possibly get out of me failing?
It's a being that can control time, space and reality itself, so why?
Is it entertainment? No… if it were entertainment, it'd want me to go through as many challenges as possible.
So… am I wrong for assuming the figure is plotting against me, and May is just a pawn in its game?
Chrono's tapping grew so sharp and rapid that nearby classmates began casting him annoyed looks.
It's a case of schrodingers…
You can't confirm if the cat is dead or alive if you don't open the box.
In this case, I can't confirm if the white figure is plotting against me or not without opening the box.
But… how exactly am I going to open the box? I can't just go back to the white dimension…
How am I—
A sharp jab to his shoulder cut the thought short. Chrono blinked, snapping out of his spiral.
It was Iris. She had her arms crossed, her cold gaze piercing into him.
"Cut it out with your foot tapping, Zeph." Her voice carried a sharp edge, laced with authority.
Chrono swallowed and forced a sheepish smile.
"My bad," he replied quietly.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. I'm such a dumbass!
Calm down, and think this through.
I'm not gonna get anywhere panicking.
May being in my class right now, and the seat appearing, is proof the loop has been tampered with.
So it's more than likely the work of the white figure.
I've already established there are two reasons for this. One: the figure wants me to fail, and is intentionally putting hurdles in my way because it benefits from me failing the entire challenge. Or two: it's a result of me dying.
I've already concluded that it's the work of the figure… but I can't rule out the possibility of the loop being altered because I died.
I can't prove either, so both are valid and invalid at the same time.
But let's say the figure is messing with me. What does it gain out of me failing? It can do anything, so why—
Chrono's eyes widened. He suddenly remembered his conversation with the figure. When it said it couldn't see Chrono's future if he was holding the book.
Does that confirm it can't do anything?
So there's a limit… and the limit is the book.
But then again, it could've been a bluff.
But… what does it gain out of me failing?
What does it want from me?
And why do I need to do the challenge for it to get it from me?
I'll have to put this off for now, and focus on May.
Her intentions can't be good, and she's clearly an intentional hurdle placed in my way to slow me down.
I have to find out her motives… and a way to best her.
I'll have to confront her some time during school.
A few minutes passed, and the bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom. Chatter rose as students began filing out of the classroom.
Chrono watched May nervously get out of her chair and slowly walk towards the classroom door. He studied her every movement, eyes narrowing.
"New girl caught your eye?" Iris asked coolly, balancing a stack of papers under her arm.
Chrono shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah… guess you could say that."
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm disgusted."
"Don't get this twisted."
Iris turned fully towards him, eyes narrowing. "Don't you find something strange about her?" she asked, her voice lowered.
Chrono raised a brow. "Something strange? How so?"
Iris scoffed. "I'm pretty sure you're smart enough to figure it out, Zeph."
"Well yeah… but I just wanted clarity."
Iris scoffed again, a mocking smile tugging her lips. "It's best you don't ask for clarity if it makes you sound like a fool."
Chrono's eye twitched, though his tone stayed calm. "Sorry I can't read your mind."
Iris flinched at that, annoyance flickering before she regained composure and adjusted her glasses. "I feel like she's more dangerous than she lets on."
"There's something disgustingly sinister about her—like that of a murderer. I just can't shake it off…" Iris murmured, her hand slipping under her chin.
Chrono's eyes widened slightly, a smirk tugging at his lips.
She's spot on.
No idea how she guessed that.
I suspected May was faking her shyness earlier, but if Iris feels the same… that almost confirms it.
Still… it's hard to say.
After all, the "original" May Jackson is dead. There's no way she'd just randomly come back.
So this has to be fabricated.
"So you're saying she's faking her personality," Chrono asked, tilting his head as he studied Iris.
Iris' gaze locked with his, and she gave a firm nod. "Yes. I feel she's hiding something. I don't know why… but I just have this feeling she's putting on a front."
"I get your suspicion, but… why are you telling me this?"
Iris raised a brow, her tone sharpening. "Do you have a problem?"
Chrono nodded. "Yes."
Iris flinched.
Chrono shrugged casually. "For starters, you literally never want to talk to me. So when you go out of your way to share your thoughts, it feels… off. I don't like it."
Her eyes widened in genuine surprise, a bead of sweat slipping down her cheek. "B...Be quiet. I thought you would also be interested in figuring out who she really is. That is all."
It's because I was staring at her huh?
Well, she isn't wrong about that. I am interested in finding out who she really is.
Chrono lazily stood up, pushing his chair in. "Are you sure you want to find out about her? That's a pretty deep rabbit hole."
"You say that as if you already know about her."
"You'd be surprised. Though, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
Iris' eyes narrowed, anger flashing. "If you know something about her, tell me!"
Chrono raised a finger. "There's one thing I can confirm, but… are you sure you really want to dive into this?"
Iris smirked. "Oh, I'm absolutely sure."
She doesn't know what she's getting into…
"Alright then."
Chrono pointed at her, his tone dropping low, his eyes sharp. "Your suspicions of her putting on a front are correct."
Iris scoffed. "And I'm just supposed to believe that?"
"Take what you want from it. Like I said, you don't have to believe me." Chrono slung his bag over his shoulder and walked toward the classroom door, one hand in his pocket.
"H-hey! Where are you going? We aren't done talking!"
May is far too dangerous to get Iris involved. I don't know what she might do to her, so I won't risk it.
Though I am worried Iris is going to investigate her alone.
I can't allow that to happen. But how exactly am I going to stop her from doing that?
I need to find a way to make her lose interest completely. I have to try convincing her that her suspicion is wrong.
But damn it… I blundered telling her that her suspicions were right.
She doesn't fully believe me, but I've already given her the idea that I know more than I let on.
Do I play into it?
Or will it just motivate her more?
A spark of clarity ignited in his mind. His eyes widened, glinting with sudden resolve.
That's it!
Chrono turned, his movement deliberate, revealing only half his face to Iris, who stood across the room, her silhouette framed against the whiteboard.
His voice was smooth, calculated, carrying a hint of challenge. "Tell me, Iris, what do you realistically get out of this?"
Iris blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"
Her hand drifted to her chin, fingers brushing against it as she mulled over his words. "What do I realistically get out of this…?" she echoed, her voice a soft murmur, barely audible in the quiet classroom.
She lifted her gaze to meet his, her eyes gleaming with confidence, though Chrono could see the flicker of uncertainty beneath her poised exterior. "It's simply my duty as class rep," she declared, her tone firm but tinged with hesitation.
Chrono tilted his head, his lips curling into a faint, skeptical smile. "To suspect a girl based on a whim?"
"Huh?" Iris's brow furrowed, her composure wavering.
He turned fully toward her now, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, piercing through her defenses. "You're placing suspicion on her because you think she's faking her personality. But does that really matter in the long run?"
Iris crossed her arms, her expression hardening, a spark of defiance flashing in her eyes. "You're saying my suspicions don't matter?"
Chrono nodded, unfazed. "Uh-huh."
"Your theory ignores too many variables," he continued, his voice steady, almost patronizing.
"For starters, it's just a hunch. A whim. That means it's not right or wrong, but you're overlooking simpler explanations. Maybe she's putting on a 'shy girl' act to avoid attention. Or maybe she's genuinely that way, and you're reading too much into it."
Iris's lips parted, ready to retort. "But my theory can't be proven wrong if there's no evidence to disprove it completely."
"My point still stands," Chrono pressed, stepping closer, his voice low and deliberate.
"How does her putting on a front affect us? Let's say you're right, and she's hiding something sinister. How does that impact us? If you leave her alone, she won't bother you. But if you keep digging, you're the one who'll end up in trouble. It's not worth it."
Iris's eyes narrowed, her fingers tightening around her arms. "Your theories are just hypotheticals too. How can you be sure she has no ill intentions if left alone?"
Chrono let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as if weary of the argument. "I won't stop you from thinking she's hiding something. But if she is, the worst thing you can do is poke around. She's hiding it for a reason. Ignore her, and she'll ignore you. Push her, and you'll make yourself a target. Trust me, it's not worth it."
"But…" Iris's voice wavered, her resolve cracking. "I can't just let someone potentially dangerous roam free in our class. It's… it's my duty!"
Chrono's voice boomed, slicing through the air like a blade. "You're no detective, Iris!" The words echoed in the empty classroom, reverberating off the walls. Iris flinched, her wide eyes locking onto his before dropping to the floor, her confidence shattered.
"That's not your job," he said softer now, but no less firm. "If you have suspicions, let the professionals handle it. Don't pry into things you don't understand."
He turned his back to her, his silhouette stark against the fading light. "Then again, I'm not stopping you. Do as you please, but remember my words."
With that, Chrono strode out of the classroom, his footsteps echoing in the silence, leaving Iris alone with her tangled thoughts.
Damn it, that wasn't the best performance.
At most all I've done is shake her, but I didn't discourage her completely. She might still have the drive to investigate May, but she'll have second thoughts.
But it's effective for now, I guess.
---
The shrill ring of the school bell pierced the air, signaling the end of another exhausting day. Chrono stifled a yawn as he shuffled toward the classroom door, his mind heavy with unease.
There's something off.
I tried finding May all day but she was nowhere to be seen.
It's almost as if… she never existed…
He stepped into the bustling hallway, weaving through the crowd of students, his thoughts spiraling.
Could that mean… She only can "exist" for certain periods of a day?
No… that doesn't track.
When she didn't exist in the library, I could still see her. So it's definitely not that.
Maybe… she can go into a state similar to the Nocturne's fog, where she can make herself visible to whoever she wants whenever.
That or she can only exist for a period of time. Can't rule that out..
But none of those are good. I can't keep tabs on her location so I don't know her location.
I still don't know her motives either.
This isn't good…
Emerging from the school, the late afternoon sun bathed his face in warmth, and he raised a hand to shield his eyes. His gaze drifted to the school gate, where Talia stood, her vibrant energy cutting through the crowd. Her eyes locked onto his, and a radiant smile spread across her face, tugging at her cheeks. "Heyyy, Zeph! You actually showed up~!"
Chrono smirked, his tension easing slightly. "Would be rude to ditch when I made plans."
Talia's laughter was bright, like wind chimes in a breeze. "Hmmm~ I guess you're right."
She reached out, playfully tugging at the hem of his blazer. "C'mon, there's something I realllly wanna try~!"
"Iced caramel matcha?" he guessed, his tone teasing.
Talia's eyes widened, then narrowed, her voice dropping to a cautious murmur. "Y-yeah…?"
She released his blazer and spun on her heel, striding forward without another word, expecting him to follow. Chrono trailed behind, a bead of sweat sliding down his cheek.
Well it's natural she's suspicious of me.
I nailed her café order and picked the exact place she wanted to meet. Too perfect to be a coincidence.
Chrono placed a hand under his chin, rubbing it thoughtfully.
The café…
Now that I think of it, that café is linked with May.
A relative of hers runs the café.
So far I haven't seen her at the café, but since there's an unknown reason for stuff being altered in a loop, it's not entirely impossible she'll be there right now.
That… that wouldn't be good.
---
The café's cozy warmth enveloped them as they settled into a two-person table by the window, the soft hum of conversation and the clink of cups filling the air. The waitress jotted down Talia's order and glided away, leaving them in a bubble of tense silence.
Chrono clapped his hands, breaking the quiet. "Alright, let's talk about the two-legged race."
Talia's gaze was sharp, her eyes narrowed as she propped her chin on her hand, studying him like a puzzle she couldn't solve. She said nothing, her silence louder than words.
Silent treatment is the last thing I expected from Talia…
He raised a finger. "I'm open to doing the race with you, but there's something I want in return."
Talia's head tilted slightly. "Something you want in return?" she echoed, her voice laced with curiosity.
"Yeah, I'd like you to—"
"Just a second," she interrupted, her tone suddenly playful as she stretched across the table, pressing a finger to his lips.
"I'd like to say something~." Her finger slid from his lips to a strand of his hair, twirling it playfully.
"You coincidentally picked the place I wanted to meet at, and you guess my exact order. How do you know this?"
This is good. Just what I wanted.
Chrono's lips curved into a sly smile. "How do I know? You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"C'monnnn, Zeph, don't play games," she teased, leaning closer, her voice dripping with mock desperation.
This is her "get" close tactic. Little does she know, telling her benefits me more than it benefits her.
His tone grew serious, almost grave. "I know… because I'm looping."
Talia froze, her eyes widening as she leaned back, her hand slowly retreating. "L-Looping? Like… you're reliving the day?"
"Uh-huh."
Her voice trembled, laced with disbelief. "B-but that's not possible. You can't loop a day.
"Still don't believe me? Alright then."
Chrono cleared his throat, his gaze steady. "You did a background check on me. Found out I played football in middle school and figured I'm athletic. But I'm not your only option for the race. I don't know who else you're considering, but that's what I've got."
Talia's jaw dropped, her expression a mix of shock and awe. A slow smirk tugged at her lips. "Alright~," she said, her voice softening.
"I believe you. The only way you'd know that is if you had prior knowledge. So, you're looping, Zeph."
She raised a finger, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "But I've got questions. Mind answering them~?"
Chrono's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp yet cautious, like a predator sizing up its prey. "Nah, not at all. Shoot."
Talia propped both hands under her chin, her fingers delicately framing her face as she leaned forward, her eyes glinting with intrigue, like a cat toying with a thread. "How exactly did you start looping?"
Chrono froze, his breath catching as a bead of sweat traced a slow path down his temple, glistening in the soft light.
There's a risk that comes with telling her how I started looping.
For starters, it could have a similar outcome like when someone unworthy touches the book.
I can't make the same mistake.
His jaw tightened, and he leaned back in his chair, arms stretching slightly as if to distance himself from the question. "Sorry, I can't tell you…"
Talia's brow furrowed, her lips parting in genuine confusion. "H-Huh? Why not?"
"It's taboo," Chrono said, his voice low, almost a whisper, as if the words themselves carried a curse.
"I can't tell someone else how I started looping, or they might die. I can't have you dying, so I'll have to pass on that one."
Well I can't be too sure if I'm right, but I don't want to risk having another May. So this truth stands for now.
Talia's eyes widened briefly before a sly smirk curled her lips. She spun a finger lazily on the table, her gaze never leaving his. "Oh… I see. You're working with something dangerous, huh~?" Her voice was teasing, but there was an edge to it, like she was testing the waters.
Chrono shrugged, his expression carefully neutral. "I guess you could say that."
"Anyway," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table, "I need your help to break out of this loop."
Talia's face lit up, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she mirrored his movement, leaning in so close their faces were mere inches apart. "My help to break out of this loop~?" Her voice was almost giddy, drawing a few curious glances from nearby patrons.
"Yeah," Chrono said, his voice steady despite the intensity of her gaze. "It turns out, to break this loop, I need to convince one thousand people I'm looping, and they have to fully believe me. Now that I've got you, that leaves nine hundred and ninety-nine to go."
Talia's eyes gleamed, her smile widening as she leaned even closer, her voice rising with enthusiasm.
"So you want my help to convince nine hundred and ninety-nine more people you're looping? Really? Really~?" Her excitement echoed through the café, earning more stares.
She's a bit too excited...
His lips twitched into a faint smile. "Y-yeah… I doubt I could do it alone. You seem like you've got a lot of connections. That explains the background check on me. That'll be useful for dealing with so many people."
"You're not wrong about that~," Talia sang, leaning back in her chair with a playful flourish, her voice lilting like a melody.
"There's something else you should know before we move forward," Chrono said, his tone growing heavier.
"Hm~?" Talia tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.
"Whoever I convince also starts looping with me. Also, I have twenty-eight loops total, and this is my third one."
Talia's eyes widened, her smile stretching into something almost manic. "Oh, so I'll start looping with you too?"
Chrono nodded. "Uh-huh."
"Now that you know that much, here's my plan." He cleared his throat, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he laid out his strategy. "First, we need to pick nine hundred and ninety-nine specific people, not just random ones."
Talia tilted her head, resting a hand on her cheek, her nails lightly brushing her skin. "Why's that?"
Because one thousand people isn't just a number for show.
I have a gut feeling they're linked to the next game, whatever it is.
Picking random people would be suicide if I don't know who they are in the next challenge.
But I can't tell her that.
He shrugged casually. "It's easier if we know our targets, rather than grabbing randoms off the street."
Talia nodded twice, her eyes bright with understanding. "Hm, hm. That makes sense~."
Chrono raised two fingers. "Second, all nine hundred and ninety-nine people have to be students at Aetherreach High."
"Oh, I see," Talia said, her voice tinged with admiration. "It's easier to keep tabs on them in a school setting. That's pretty smart, Zeph~."
"Smart?" Chrono chuckled, brushing off the compliment.
"It's nothing special. If a student's tasked with convincing a thousand people, it's easier to work with schoolmates than strangers passing by."
"Hm… that makes sense," Talia murmured, nodding thoughtfully.
Chrono raised a third finger. "Third, I'd like to use something as leverage over the nine hundred and ninety-nine students."
Talia snapped her fingers and pointed at him, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Like blackmail?"
Chrono nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah… it'd be easier to get them to comply if we have something to hold over them."
Talia nodded, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "Hmm, I see."
Chrono raised a fourth finger, his voice dropping lower. "Lastly, I want to convince them without giving them the chance to loop with me."
"Oh!" Talia's eyes sparkled with realization. "So you want to get it all done in one go?"
"Yeah," Chrono said, his tone firm. "It'd be a nightmare trying to convince others if a few are looping alongside me. Too many variables."
Talia's smile was radiant, her enthusiasm infectious. "That's a decent plan, Zeph. I'll give you that."
Before he could respond, she raised a hand, cutting him off. "But~," she said, her voice teasing, "being my partner for the two-legged race isn't enough for me to comply. That's not a fair trade-off."
Sweat beaded on Chrono's brow, his fingers tapping nervously on the table as his expression grew troubled.
I feared she'd say this…
"So… what else do you want me to do?" he asked, his voice cautious, his eyes searching hers.
Talia placed a finger on her lips, her expression mock-pensive as she tilted her head. "Hmmm~. You should take me on a date after all this is done." Her smile turned teasing, her eyes dancing with playful challenge.
A date…?
Chrono blinked, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Huh? For real? I thought you'd make me your personal slave or something…"
Talia laughed, her voice bright and melodic as she shook her head. "Why would I do that? I'm not a sadist. Unless…" Her voice dropped, low and teasing, almost flirtatious. "You want me to be~."
Chrono flinched, a nervous chuckle escaping him. "Nah… it's fine. I like you as you are now." He cringed inwardly at his own words, his cheeks warming slightly.
Before Talia could respond, a sudden weight pressed against her shoulder. She froze, her breath catching as she turned, her eyes widening in shock. Chrono's gaze snapped to the source, his mouth falling open, his heart lurching in his chest.
When did she…!?
"Heyyyy thereeee!" The voice was a chilling singsong, dripping with mockery and false curiosity.
A figure loomed behind Talia, their presence an abrupt shadow in the café's warm light. A deranged smile stretched across their face, their eyes glinting with something unreadable—something dangerous. "What are we discussing today?
The air grew thick, the café's cozy hum fading into an oppressive silence. Chrono's pulse thundered in his ears, his mind screaming one question:
How did May find us?