Sana moved before he could think.
Uniform.
Buttons misaligned.
Shoes half-worn.
Everything rushed—imperfect, uneven—like his thoughts.
He ran downstairs.
The smell of food greeted him first.
Warm.
Familiar.
Wrong.
A woman stood in the kitchen.
She turned.
Relief appeared—then immediately twisted into concern.
"What happened to you?"
Sana stopped a few steps away.
Something in his chest tightened.
Not fear.
Not exactly.
"…I'm sorry."
His voice felt distant, as if it belonged to someone else.
"…but I don't know who you are."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
"…Maybe I lost my memory."
The words landed softly—
and broke everything.
The woman froze.
Completely.
"…What?"
For a moment, her face emptied.
Then—
a smile.
Too quick.
Too forced.
"…You're just tired."
Her voice wavered, but she held it together.
"Yesterday was a lot."
She stepped closer.
"But you need to hurry. You'll be late."
Late.
For something he didn't belong to.
Sana nodded.
"…Okay."
He turned.
Walked out.
The air outside felt sharper.
Colder.
Real.
He took a few steps—
then stopped.
Something pulled him back.
He turned.
"…Mom."
The word felt unfamiliar on his tongue.
"…Where is my school?"
This time—
she couldn't hide it.
The crack.
The fear.
The realization.
It showed.
Just for a second.
Then she told him.
Directions.
Simple.
Clear.
Like this had always been his life.
He ran.
Fast.
Too fast.
His breath didn't match his pace.
His body moved—
but his mind lagged behind.
At the same time, he pulled out his phone.
Google Maps.
Location loaded.
Routes calculated.
[ I don't understand this… ]
His grip tightened.
[ But this isn't a dream. ]
Everything felt—
too consistent.
Too structured.
[ Another world…? ]
The thought should have sounded ridiculous.
It didn't.
[ A second chance. ]
His chest tightened again.
But this time—
not from discomfort.
From something else.
Something close to hope.
His fingers curled into a fist.
[ Then I'll change everything. ]
The thought was clear.
Sharp.
[ I won't waste this one. ]
[ I'll become someone better. ]
A pause.
Then—
quieter.
[ …And find someone who chooses me. ]
He slowed down.
Looked around.
The streets.
The signs.
The language.
[ …Japan? ]
The realization settled in slowly.
In his previous life—
he had only seen this world through screens.
Stories.
Images.
Fiction.
[ Romance… ]
The word surfaced.
Heavy with expectation.
[ Maybe… this time… ]
His gaze sharpened.
[ It won't just be a story. ]
The school gate stood ahead.
Students gathered in clusters, voices overlapping into a familiar noise.
Laughter.
Conversations.
Connections.
[ I made it. ]
He checked his phone.
Class: 10CA.
A list of names appeared.
He scanned quickly—
then stopped.
Alice.
Everything inside him went still.
[ …No. ]
His breathing slowed.
[ That's not possible. ]
A coincidence.
It had to be.
And yet—
A faint smile appeared.
Uncertain.
Curious.
Dangerous.
He entered the classroom.
Noise filled the space instantly.
Groups.
Circles.
People already belonging somewhere.
He walked past them.
Unseen.
Uninterested.
[ I don't need that. ]
The thought came easily.
Too easily.
[ Not again. ]
Then—
he saw her.
By the window.
Light falling across her like it had been placed there deliberately.
Black hair.
Pale skin.
A presence that didn't need to try.
Several boys surrounded her.
Talking.
Laughing.
Trying.
[ …Why does she look like her? ]
Not similar.
Not close.
The same.
He looked away immediately.
[ No. ]
His jaw tightened slightly.
[ Even if it is her… ]
A pause.
[ She won't be the same. ]
He sat down.
The teacher entered.
Introductions began.
Names.
Dreams.
Voices blending together.
Then—
his turn.
Sana stood.
The room quieted just slightly.
"…My name is Sana."
A pause.
"…My goal is to earn enough money to live freely."
Not passion.
Not ambition.
Just—
escape.
The class reacted.
Soft laughter.
Murmurs.
The teacher smiled.
"A practical dream."
Sana sat down.
[ I don't care. ]
His gaze lowered.
[ Last time… I ran away. ]
A breath.
[ This time… I won't. ]
"Next."
She stood.
The girl by the window.
"My name is Alice."
Her voice—
hit him instantly.
Familiar.
Too familiar.
"…I like sweet things."
Simple.
Normal.
But Sana's eyes widened slightly.
[ That voice… ]
A quiet chill ran through him.
[ It's the same. ]
Not similar.
Not close.
Exact.
Math class passed.
Unnoticed.
Unimportant.
Break time arrived.
Noise returned.
Louder.
Closer.
Sana leaned back.
Closed his eyes.
[ I don't want this. ]
Not yet.
Not again.
[ Sleep is easier. ]
And somehow—
he did.
"Hey."
A voice.
Close.
Sana opened his eyes slowly.
A boy stood beside him.
"Class is starting."
Normal.
Ordinary.
Safe.
"…Thanks."
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Time blurred.
Lessons repeated.
Knowledge returned easily.
Too easily.
[ I've done this before. ]
The realization dulled everything.
So—
he stopped trying.
Then—
a shout.
Loud.
Desperate.
"I'VE LIKED YOU FOR A LONG TIME!"
Silence fell.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Sana turned.
Outside.
Behind the building.
A boy stood there.
Shaking.
Waiting.
In front of him—
Alice.
Of course.
[ It's obvious. ]
His expression didn't change.
[ She's that kind of girl. ]
Still—
he watched.
For some reason—
he couldn't look away.
He wanted—
to hear it.
Her answer.
But distance swallowed the words.
Only silence reached him.
Then—
the boy lowered his head.
Defeat.
Clear.
Final.
[ Rejected. ]
Sana stood up.
Picked up his bag.
"…Typical."
His voice was flat.
Detached.
He turned.
Walked toward the door.
[ This world… ]
A pause.
[ It's not that different. ]
But—
just before he left—
his steps slowed.
Slightly.
Unintentionally.
His hand tightened around the strap of his bag.
[ …Then why… ]
A faint pressure spread through his chest.
Not strong.
But there.
Persistent.
[ Why does it bother me? ]
He didn't turn back.
Didn't stop.
But—
the feeling stayed.
Quiet.
Unwelcome.
And growing.