Tia stood before the bathroom mirror.
His reflection stared back.
Seventeen years old.
Unscarred.
Alive.
Slowly...
his fingers brushed across his ribs.
They should've been broken.
They weren't.
"...I'm really back."
"But how?"
His gaze lingered on the mirror.
"Could it really be... that legend?"
"No."
"Impossible. I didn't—"
"Tia."
A knock.
"Tia?"
His mother's voice came.
His heart nearly stopped.
Hide the bruises.
The thought landed.
Instinctively—
he grabbed the towel beside him.
Too late.
The bathroom door opened.
"You've been in there for almost thirty minutes."
She paused.
"...Why are you shaking?"
No reply.
"What's wrong?"
She folded her arms, eyes fixed on him.
"You've been acting strange since yesterday."
"I'm fine,"
Tia replied almost immediately.
Too quickly.
Now she stared holes into him.
Tia darted his eyes sideways.
Thoughts overlapped.
She can't find out.
It will be trouble if she does.
"Tia."
His mother called.
"Turn around."
He froze.
"M... m... Ma."
he stammered.
"I..."
"I said turn around."
His mother's voice was firm this time.
"...Why, Ma?"
"There is nothing behind me."
Then—
she walked closer.
Her hand moved toward Tia.
She touched his arm.
"Ouch!"
He flinched.
"Ma!"
Her suspicion peaked.
She grabbed one side of the towel and pulled it toward her.
Of course, Tia did the opposite.
He tightened his grip.
"Ma!"
he blurted in a panic.
"I'll tell you the truth."
She finally released it.
Silence.
"I... I started building my muscles. That's why my arm hurts."
He looked at his mom's face.
Clearly unconvinced.
She gave him a look that seemed to say:
Tell one more lie and you're gone.
Tia took a step back.
A very awkward smile appeared.
"Ma, I'm really fine."
A pause.
"The country exams start today, right?"
"I want to go."
"Tia."
His mother watched him quietly.
"...The exam."
"What changed your mind?"
Silence.
Tia lowered his head.
How could he explain it?
That he'd already lived an entire lifetime...
That he'd watched everything fall apart...
That he'd lost her once already.
He couldn't.
His fingers curled into a fist.
"...I just don't want to regret anything anymore."
She blinked.
Then smiled.
A small one.
One that reached her eyes.
The same one she had worn the night she disappeared.
"I'm glad."
She stepped forward.
Gently brushed his hair aside.
"You've always overthought everything."
"So..."
"Whether you pass or fail..."
"You're still my little Ming Ming."
Tia froze.
Those simple words...
hit harder than anything else.
His throat tightened.
"...I will."
She nodded.
"I'm heading to work."
"Don't be late."
Click.
The door closed.
Silence.
Tia stood there for several seconds.
"...This time..."
he whispered.
"I'll protect you."
---
11:45 AM
Tia arrived at school.
Fifteen minutes before the exam.
The hallways were unusually quiet.
Almost empty.
As expected—
everyone had already gone to their assigned classrooms.
Tia walked calmly through the corridor before eventually stopping in front of one of the classroom doors.
His assigned room.
He pushed the door open.
And stepped inside.
Several pairs of eyes turned toward him briefly.
Curious.
Observing.
But none lingered for long.
Thankfully, none were from his class.
He made his way toward an empty seat.
Every desk was occupied.
Every face looked nervous.
Except Tia.
He had already lived through this day once.
He already knew...
half of these students would never reach graduation.
Then—
the classroom door slid open.
An unfamiliar man stepped inside.
Neat formal attire.
Cold expression.
The whispers disappeared instantly.
Several students straightened unconsciously.
One girl near the window swallowed nervously.
The man stepped forward slowly.
No greeting.
No smile.
"Today..."
His voice spread through the classroom effortlessly.
"You will be evaluated."
"Classified."
"Assigned."
Tia's eyes lifted slightly.
"Your results today will determine your future."
"The academy."
"Support divisions."
"Higher institutions."
A pause.
"...Or Waste Class."
Silence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
No one spoke.
The teacher's gaze swept across the room slowly.
"This examination..."
"...cannot be retaken."
A quiet laugh escaped Tia.
Short.
Dry.
"The exam wasn't difficult."
"Their futures were already decided."