Kael gasped.
Air rushed violently into his lungs.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
—No… not again…
The ceiling fan spun above him.
The classroom.
The same voices.
The same day.
Again.
…
His hands shook as he stared at them.
Clean.
Unharmed.
Alive.
—This is real…
His chest tightened.
—It's actually real…
Memories flooded back.
The man.
The blade.
The pain.
The voice.
"You always make it this far."
—Damn it!
Kael slammed his desk.
A few students glanced at him.
Then quickly looked away.
Like nothing mattered.
Like nothing was real.
…
Slowly…
He lifted his head.
Something in his expression changed.
The fear was still there.
But now—
There was focus.
—If it happens the same way…
His voice was low.
Steady.
—Then I can change it.
…
A presence.
Kael turned.
Airi was already looking at him.
Silent.
Observing.
—You're different this time, she said.
Kael didn't look away.
—Yeah.
A pause.
—Because I remember.
Not everything.
But enough.
Airi's eyes narrowed slightly.
—Oh?
Kael stood up.
—There's someone out there.
—There always is.
—He kills me.
Silence.
For a moment—
Airi didn't respond.
Then she smiled.
But this time…
It was different.
Interested.
—So you reached that point.
…
Kael clenched his fists.
—Tell me something.
—Depends.
—Can I avoid him?
Airi tilted her head.
Thinking.
—You've tried.
…
Kael's jaw tightened.
—And?
—You die anyway.
…
Silence.
But this time—
Kael didn't panic.
He exhaled slowly.
—Then I'll do it differently.
…
Airi watched him closely.
—You always say that.
—Not like this.
His eyes hardened.
—This time I know he exists.
—And that changes everything.
…
For a moment—
Airi said nothing.
Then—
—Maybe…
She stepped closer.
—This time might be interesting.
…
Kael turned away.
Walking toward the door.
—I'm not dying again.
…
The hallway felt longer.
Colder.
Empty.
Each step echoed louder than it should.
—Think…
Last time:
He left school
Walked normally
Got attacked from behind
…
—So I change it.
He stopped.
Then turned.
Walking toward the back exit instead.
—Different path… different result.
…
The air grew heavy.
That feeling again.
Watching.
Waiting.
…
—No…
His breathing slowed.
—He's still here.
…
Footsteps.
Behind him.
Slow.
Steady.
Unhurried.
…
—You changed your route.
…
Kael froze.
That voice.
Again.
Right behind him.
…
He turned.
Slowly.
The man stood there.
In the shadows.
Watching him.
Like always.
—Good.
…
Kael didn't run this time.
—Who are you?
The man tilted his head slightly.
—You're not running.
…
A pause.
Then a faint smile.
—That's new.
…
Kael clenched his fists.
—Answer me!
The man stepped forward.
Calm.
Controlled.
—You're improving.
…
Kael's heart pounded.
—Stop talking like you know me!
…
The man stopped right in front of him.
Close.
Too close.
—Because I do.
…
Kael's breath caught.
—What…?
The man leaned slightly closer.
—Every version of you.
…
Silence.
The world felt like it cracked.
—Then tell me…
Kael whispered.
—Why are you killing me?
…
A pause.
Then—
The man smiled.
Cold.
Empty.
—Because that's what you asked for.
…
Kael's mind went blank.
—What…?
💥
The man moved.
Fast.
The blade flashed—
But this time—
Kael reacted.
He stepped back.
Barely avoiding the strike.
—!
His eyes widened.
—I dodged it…?!
…
The man stopped.
Watching him.
—You've never done that before.
…
Kael's breathing shook.
But a small smile appeared.
—Yeah…
His eyes hardened.
—Because this time—
He took a step forward.
—I'm not the same.