The house was finally quiet.
Aanya was already asleep, holding onto the blanket like it might run away. Kaito lay beside her, eyes closed, breathing steady—at least on the outside.
Ren stood near the doorway for a moment, watching both of them.
"…They fell asleep fast…"
He turned off the light halfway, leaving only a dim glow in the room, then walked out slowly.
The living room felt different at night.
Too quiet.
Too empty.
Ren sat down, resting his head back.
"…Something feels off…"
He looked around.
Nothing had changed.
Everything was normal.
And yet—
"…It feels like something is missing…"
His eyes shifted toward the wall.
A Nepali calendar hung there.
The new year marked clearly.
2083.
Ren stared at it silently.
"…So it's started…"
A slow breath escaped his lips.
"…Another year…"
For a moment, his expression softened.
"…Every year…"
"…teaches something…"
His voice slowed.
"…Some happiness…"
"…some pain…"
"…some people leave…"
"…and some new ones enter our lives…"
He stopped.
Silence.
His brows furrowed slightly.
"…Where did I hear that…"
The words felt familiar.
Too familiar.
But—
He couldn't remember.
"…Who said that…"
His eyes slowly lost focus.
And then—
A faint image appeared in his mind.
Blurred.
Like fog.
A road.
Evening light.
Someone walking beside him.
A girl.
School uniform.
Or maybe college.
He couldn't tell.
Everything was unclear.
Even her face—
Completely blurred.
"…Wait…"
Ren leaned forward slightly.
"…Who are you…"
The image flickered.
The girl turned slightly—
As if she was about to say something.
But her face—
Still not visible.
"…Why can't I see you…"
His voice dropped.
"…Why am I remembering this now…"
The memory broke.
Gone.
Just like that.
Ren leaned back slowly.
"…Who were you…"
"…And why do your words feel like mine…"
No answer.
Only silence.
After a while, he let out a small breath.
"…Whatever…"
"…I'm tired…"
He stood up and walked back into the room.
Without thinking—
He lay down between the two kids.
Aanya instinctively moved closer in her sleep.
Holding onto him.
Kaito didn't move.
But he didn't distance himself either.
Ren closed his eyes.
A small smile appeared.
"…This is enough…"
"…for now…"
And soon—
He fell asleep.
---
Far away—
In a dark room—
A screen glowed faintly.
Static.
Movement.
Then—
Clear visuals.
Ren.
Sleeping.
The kids beside him.
---
A girl sat in front of the screen.
Only her lips visible in the dim light.
They curved into a soft smile.
Tears rolled down her cheeks silently.
"…So you still remember…"
Her voice was soft.
Shaking slightly.
"…At least my words…"
She wiped her tears slowly.
"…I always dreamed of this…"
Her eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
"…You… and our children…"
"…living peacefully…"
"…laughing like this…"
Her voice cracked for a moment.
But then—
She laughed softly.
A mix of happiness and pain.
"…But…"
Her smile changed.
Slightly twisted.
"…You still haven't found me…"
A pause.
Her fingers tapped lightly near the device.
"…There are still too many traps…"
"…Can you reach me, Ren…?"
Her voice dropped into a whisper.
"…If you can…"
"…then come find me."
---
Suddenly—
Ren's eyes snapped open.
A sharp breath.
"…Hah…!"
His heart was racing.
He looked around.
Dark room.
Quiet.
Normal.
"…What was that…"
His hand slowly touched his head.
"…Why do I feel like…"
"…someone was just talking to me…"
Silence.
---
Beside him—
Kaito's eyes opened slightly.
Just a little.
Watching.
Quietly.
---
Then—
They closed again.
---
Deep inside Ren's mind—
Something small.
Something hidden.
Something he didn't know existed—
Was active.
Listening.
Watching.
---
Every word.
Every breath.