The world felt different the moment Kael stepped outside.
Too quiet.
Too still.
Like something was waiting.
He walked down the school stairs slowly, his mind racing.
Airi's words echoed in his head.
"You always die."
His fists clenched.
—No… not this time.
Students passed by him.
Laughing.
Talking.
Living like nothing was wrong.
Like the world wasn't broken.
But Kael could feel it.
Something beneath the surface.
Watching.
Waiting.
…
He stepped out into the street.
The sky was gray.
Clouds hung low.
Heavy.
The air felt thick.
Hard to breathe.
—Think…
He stopped walking.
—If I died before… then it must happen again.
His heart began to beat faster.
—Same day… same place…
That meant—
—It's going to happen soon.
Cold sweat ran down his neck.
—Then I just have to avoid it.
…
A shadow moved.
Kael froze.
—…what was that?
He turned slowly.
Nothing.
Just people walking.
Cars passing.
Everything normal.
Too normal.
…
Step.
…
Step.
…
Step.
Kael's breathing slowed.
—Get a grip… you're imagining things—
—You're earlier than usual.
…
His body locked.
That voice.
Low.
Cold.
Right behind him.
Kael turned slowly.
And saw him.
A man stood a few steps away.
Tall.
Dressed in black.
His face hidden in shadow.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Focused.
Like a predator.
—W-who are you…?
The man tilted his head slightly.
—You don't remember.
Not a question.
A statement.
Kael's heart pounded violently.
—Remember what?
Silence.
Then—
The man smiled.
Cold.
Empty.
—Good.
…
Kael stepped back.
—Stay away from me.
The man didn't move.
—It always starts like this.
…
Fear crawled up Kael's spine.
—What are you talking about…?
The man reached into his coat.
Slow.
Calm.
—You run.
…
Kael's eyes widened.
—And I catch you.
The man moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Kael barely reacted—
A sharp pain exploded in his side.
—AGH—!
He stumbled back.
His vision shook.
—W-what…?!
He looked down.
Blood.
Spreading.
A blade.
The man had already stepped back.
Like it was nothing.
Like this was routine.
—Too slow.
…
Kael's breathing broke.
—No… no—
He turned and ran.
Panic exploding inside him.
—This is real—THIS IS REAL—!
Footsteps behind him.
Calm.
Steady.
Not rushing.
Not worried.
Because he didn't need to be.
—Help—!
No one reacted.
No one even looked.
Like he didn't exist.
Like this moment wasn't real.
—Why…?!
Tears blurred his vision.
—WHY IS NO ONE HELPING ME?!
—Because they can't see it.
…
That voice again.
Right behind him.
—What…?
Kael turned—
Too late.
The blade pierced through him.
Clean.
Precise.
Deadly.
His body froze.
His thoughts stopped.
…
The man leaned close.
Whispering:
—You always make it this far.
…
Kael's vision darkened.
—W… who… are you…?
A pause.
Then—
—Someone you should have never met.
…
Everything went black.
…
Kael's eyes shot open.
He gasped.
Air burning his lungs.
The classroom.
The fan.
The same day.
Again.
…
His hands shook violently.
—No…
His voice cracked.
—No… NO—
…
A voice spoke calmly.
—So…
Kael froze.
Slowly turning.
Airi.
Watching him.
Smiling faintly.
—You died again.