Kael couldn't move.
Airi's words echoed in his mind.
"It's your punishment."
"You don't remember anymore."
…
—That's not possible…
His voice sounded hollow.
Distant.
Like it didn't belong to him.
Airi watched him in silence.
Calm.
Too calm.
—You're starting to break again, she said.
…
Kael clenched his fists.
—Stop talking like you know everything.
…
Airi tilted her head.
—Because I do.
…
Silence.
The air felt heavy.
—Then explain it!
His voice cracked.
—What did I do?!
…
A pause.
Airi didn't answer immediately.
She stepped closer.
Slowly.
Like she was approaching something fragile.
—You always ask that.
…
Kael's breathing became uneven.
—And you never answer.
…
For the first time—
Airi looked away.
Just slightly.
—Because you never like the answer.
…
Kael froze.
—What does that mean…?
…
Airi looked back at him.
Her eyes were different now.
Less playful.
More serious.
—It means…
She hesitated.
Just a second.
—You chose this.
…
Silence.
Everything stopped.
—No…
Kael shook his head.
—No, I didn't…
…
A sudden pain shot through his head.
💥
—AGH—!
He grabbed it.
Falling to his knees.
—What… is this…?!
…
Images.
Flashes.
Fragments.
A voice.
Not Airi's.
Not the man's.
His own.
…
"I don't care what it costs."
…
"Send me back."
…
"Even if I have to die again and again…"
…
Kael's eyes widened.
—No… no…
…
"I'll fix it."
…
The memory shattered.
Gone.
Like it was never there.
…
Kael gasped.
His entire body shaking.
—That… that wasn't real…
…
Airi said nothing.
She just watched him.
…
—Tell me that wasn't real!
…
Silence.
…
Kael's breathing broke.
—Tell me!
…
Airi closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
—It was.
…
Something inside him cracked.
—No…
His voice trembled.
—Why would I say that…?
…
Airi stepped closer.
—Because something happened.
…
Kael looked at her.
Lost.
—What…?
…
Airi's gaze softened.
Just slightly.
—Something you couldn't accept.
…
Silence.
The world felt distant.
Unreal.
—What did I lose…?
…
Airi didn't answer.
Not directly.
Instead—
—Why do you think you keep coming back?
…
Kael froze.
—To… survive…?
…
Airi shook her head slowly.
—No.
…
A pause.
Then—
—To fix something.
…
Kael's mind went blank.
—Fix… what…?
…
Airi stepped back.
Creating distance again.
—That's what you need to figure out.
…
Silence.
…
Kael slowly stood up.
His body still shaking.
—And if I don't?
…
Airi looked at him.
Straight into his eyes.
—Then you'll keep dying.
Forever.
…
Cold.
Everything felt cold again.
…
Kael clenched his fists.
Hard.
—Then I'll find out.
…
His voice was still shaking.
But now—
There was something else.
Determination.
—No matter what it takes.
…
Airi watched him quietly.
…
Then—
She smiled.
But this time…
It wasn't creepy.
It wasn't mocking.
It was something else.
—Good.
…
A pause.
Then she whispered—
—That's exactly what you said last time.