❀•°❀°•❀

Emerging from the abyss of unconsciousness, I found myself bathed in the sterile glow of ceiling lights, their brightness reminiscent of the clinical illumination one might find in a hospital room.

My senses were met with the sensation of dampness—a coolness that clung to my skin. Blinking away the remnants of my slumber, I noticed a wet towel draped over my forehead. With a faint sigh, I lifted it and let it fall aside and notice the change of my clothes.

I sat up, the surroundings came into focus—curtains enveloped me, their pale fabric creating a cocoon-like enclosure. A sense of disorientation lingered, my mind grappling with the unfamiliar scene. I tried to piece together the fragments of my consciousness, realizing I must be in some sort of medical facility—a clinic, perhaps.

The weight of reality settled over me, a somber realization that the vivid experiences I had cherished were now confined to the realm of dreams. My heart ached as I remembered the warmth of my mother's embrace and then seeing Riee again even just once. Both of them, dear to my heart, were no more than ethereal wisps in the waking world.

A sense of melancholy enveloped me, a heavy fog that seemed to muffle the very air around me. I longed to hold on to those precious moments and keep them alive.

I wished, in that fleeting instant, I could slip back into slumber and continue the dream that had brought me solace. It was a dream that defied the boundaries of time and space, a dream where my deepest desires found life.

As the dream's tendrils lingered in my thoughts, a murmur of voices reached my ears from beyond the confines of the curtains that enveloped me.

I strained to listen, and recognition tugged at the edges of my consciousness—it was a voice I had encountered recently, though in a different context. "Nurse, is he awake?" The familiarity of that voice sent a shiver down my spine.

"The fever went down already and I think he's fine now" came the nurse's reply, her voice a soothing balm to my bewildered mind.

The footsteps drew nearer, heralding an impending presence. My heart raced, and I watched as the curtain was pushed aside, revealing the figure behind it.

A gasp escaped my lips as my eyes locked onto a face that felt impossibly real yet utterly bewildering. It was Lian, the same Lian who had been a part of my dream, who had shown hostility and anger towards me.

I blinked, unable to reconcile the dream with the reality before me. Instinctively, I reached up and pinched my cheek, a simple test to discern whether I had truly awoken.

My gaze remained fixed on Lian as I spoke, my voice laced with uncertainty and a tinge of urgency. "Are you real?" I questioned, searching his eyes for a glimmer of truth.

His response was curt, laced with the same hostility I had encountered before. "What are you talking about bastard? You got some loose gears on your head?" A spark of understanding flared within me—I had to be certain, for my sanity.

My next question was a litmus test, a question that held a key to unlocking the answers before me. "Do you know Riee? Riee Ming?" I asked, holding his gaze unflinchingly.

Lian's reaction was immediate and visceral; his anger boiled over, and he seized my collar in a fierce grip. His threat hung in the air, a palpable warning that chilled the room.

But I remained undeterred, my determination unwavering. "If you ever come close or talk to Riee again, I will kill you", Lian's whispered words were a venomous snarl, yet I held his gaze with a sense of resolve.

Holding his gaze, I could sense the tension crackling in the air between us. In that charged moment, I reached out and grabbed Lian's hand, my fingers closing around his with an almost desperate intensity. His resistance was palpable, but I didn't let go. I forced his grip away from my collar, and my eyes locked onto him in a silent challenge.

The room seemed to hold its breath, the standoff between Lian and me interrupted by an unexpected intrusion. "Hey! Lian! Is the crazy guy awake?" The voice was familiar, and I turned my gaze toward the doorway. It was Kai Shen.

Lian immediately pulled his hand away from my grip as Kai approached us with a grin plastered on his face. "Oh, he is awake," Kai announced cheerfully, his eyes flickering between Lian and me. "Hey!" he greeted me with a friendly nod, and I nodded back in response.

My mind is spinning with a whirlwind of confusing thoughts and emotions. The pieces were slowly falling into place. Lian, Kai, and me.

If they were here, it meant that Riee is also a part of this reality. A reality that was far more intricate and convoluted than I could have ever imagined.

I looked away, lost in my deep contemplation, a sense of realization flowed over me. The questions that had plagued me seemed to lose their urgency. This intricate reality, whatever it might be, is allowing me to see Riee and my mother once again. And for now, that was enough.

Kai's voice brought me back from my thoughts, and I felt a slight jolt as he waved his hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my reverie. "Hey, you there?" he said, his friendly smile making me feel more at ease. I nodded awkwardly, a faint flush coloring my cheeks.

"I heard you're our new classmate," Kai continued, extending his hand toward me.

A new classmate, huh? That's the reality now. I've returned, but it's like the threads of familiarity have unraveled. I am an outsider here, a stranger among these walls. The weight of my vow has manifested itself, and its form is now clear – a shape of regret that I carry.

There's no shared history, especially not with Riee. The absence of our connection gnaws at me, an anxious feeling taking root. In this altered reality, I'm just a kid who arrived at this school after the new year, with no traces of the past that once existed.

I was snapped back again as Kai's voice rang in my ears once again, "My name is Kai Shen; what's yours?" His introduction was warm, and I took his hand with a grateful smile.

I looked at Kai, and a realization dawned on me. Despite the twists and turns of this bewildering reality, Kai was still the same Kai I had known. It was a small glimmer of familiarity amid uncertainty, and it offered a thread of connection to him.

"I'm Xian Yu," I replied, feeling a tiny spark of connection with Kai's friendly demeanor.

"Nice to meet you, Xian," Kai said with genuine warmth. His attention shifted to Lian, and he playfully pointed a thumb in his direction. "This grumpy guy over here is Lian Hu. I suggest not talking to him."

Lian stomped on Kai's foot, earning a yelp of surprise from Kai. "Ow, what's that for?" Kai exclaimed, looking at Lian with a pained expression, but Lian remained steadfast in his cold aura, seemingly unfazed by the interaction.

Lian then exited the clinic, but Kai stopped him. "Hey, where are you going?" Kai questioned, his voice tinged with curiosity. Lian turned his head slightly, his back facing us in the doorway.

"If you want to talk to him casually, then stay here". Lian's words were stern and direct, and with that, he left.

Kai let out a sigh and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't mind him; he's always like that," he said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. I nodded in response, my gaze still lingering on the spot where Lian had been.

The nurse, who had been observing the exchange, approached us. "Are you feeling okay now?" she asked, her voice gentle. I nodded, feeling a lot better than before.

"Yes, thank you," I replied sincerely.

The nurse jotted down some notes on a piece of paper. "If you're feeling better, you're free to go," she said, handing me a small packet of medicine wrapped in paper. "These are in case your fever returns. Make sure to take them if you need to," she advised, and I expressed my gratitude once again.

"By the way, our teacher asked us to check on you and guide you back to the classroom if you're feeling up to it," Kai chimed in.

"Thanks, Kai," I responded with a small smile.

Slowly, I swung my legs off the bed and stood up, feeling a bit wobbly at first. I quickly changed back into my cleaned and dried uniform that was hanging on the bed rails, then turned to the nurse and gave a slight bow. "Thank you for cleaning and drying my uniform," I said appreciatively.

The nurse waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it wasn't me who did that. The guy who left earlier took care of it for you; he was also the one who carried you here and removed your uniform to change you with dry clothes", she explained, leaving me surprised.

I absorbed the nurse's words, a realization washed over me. Maybe Lian wasn't as bad as I initially thought. Perhaps it was just his demeanor that gave off a cold impression.

After all, if Lian truly hated me, he wouldn't have bothered to take care of me and my uniform. The thought lingered in my mind, and I felt a sense of gratitude and a newfound understanding toward him.

With a nod of thanks to the nurse, I turned to Kai, who was waiting patiently. "Ready to head back?" he asked his friendly smile back in place. I returned his smile with a small one of my own and nodded.

"Yeah, let's go." Together, we left the clinic and headed back toward the classroom, where the complexities of this new reality awaited me.

❀•°❀°•❀

As we walked back to the classroom, Kai suddenly let out a chuckle, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Feeling nervous, Xian?" he asked, a playful smile on his face. I raised an eyebrow in response.

"Nervous? Why would I be?" I retorted, trying to sound nonchalant.

Kai's grin widened. "Come on, man. You did create quite a scene back there," he remarked, his voice full of amusement. My steps faltered for a moment as the memory of my impulsive actions flooded my mind. I resumed walking, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. How could I have been so reckless?

"Yeah, I did cause a scene," I muttered to myself, the realization sinking in. My heart raced as I continued down the corridor.

Trying to regain my composure, I reassured both Kai and myself, "But I am okay with it." Deep down, uncertainty gnawed at me. How would I face my classmates, especially Riee, after what I had just done?

Kai's laughter reverberated through the corridor, and he shot me a good-natured grin. "Best of luck in there, buddy," he teased, clearly finding the situation amusing. I managed a weak smile in response, grateful for his lightheartedness amidst the chaos in my mind.

We arrived at the classroom, and a wave of apprehension washed over me. I could feel the weight of their curious gazes piercing through the window, and my throat tightened in nervous anticipation. With a deep breath, I mentally prepared myself for the moment I had been dreading.

Kai knocked on the door, and I could sense the shift in the room's atmosphere as everyone's attention turned toward the entrance. "Teach, he is here," Kai announced, his voice ringing in the air.

Avoiding direct eye contact, I stepped into the room, acutely aware of the many eyes fixed upon me. The sea of stares felt both overwhelming and intimidating. I saw Teacher Lu, our math teacher, her encouraging voice break through the tension: "Oh, come in and introduce yourself to your new classmates.

My heart pounded in my chest as I walked to the front of the classroom, my feet heavy with unease. Of course, I am just the new kid in this class. I know them but they don't know me.

"Don't worry, Teacher Po already told all the teachers what happened, it's uncommon that a new transfer student missed all his morning subjects on his first day", Teacher Lu reassured me, her words carrying a soothing tone.

Chuckles rippled through the classroom, a mixture of understanding and amusement at the unusual circumstances, and that me feel more comfortable.

Kai tapped my back and settled into his seat, and next to him was Lian. My eyes locked onto him, the enigmatic figure who seemed to harbor a strong distaste for me. He had taken my former seat in this new reality, his gaze a mix of scrutiny and suspicion.

As I scanned the room, my gaze found her—Riee, sitting by the window where she always sits, just as beautiful and captivating as I remembered.

I looked outside where she was staring, a solitary cherry blossom tree stood on the slope of a distant hill, its delicate petals swaying in the breeze. The sight of that tree was a bittersweet reminder of our shared memories and moments etched into my heart.

Gathering my courage, after the sight of that cherry blossom tree. It symbolized the second chance I had been given—a chance to rewrite our story and reclaim the echoes that had been erased.

With newfound determination, I whispered to myself, "I am here now, Riee. I won't squander this special opportunity again."

Finally, I stood before my classmates, my voice steady yet brimming with emotion. "I apologize for my actions earlier", I began, my gaze sincere as I made eye contact with each person. "I truly didn't mean to cause any trouble or discomfort".

"My name is Xian Yu, and I hope we can create wonderful memories together from now on. Thank you for having me." I bowed deeply. I could feel the weight of the moment—my earnest plea for forgiveness and a chance to be a part of this class once more.

I raised my head, and unexpectedly our eyes locked together—mine and Riee's. It was a gaze that transcended time, reconnecting us in a way that words couldn't express. My heart raced as I held her gaze, and at that moment, it felt as if the world had faded away, leaving only the two of us.

"And . . ." I continued, my voice soft but resolute, "And I'm sorry, Riee Ming, for startling you earlier. I didn't mean it." I could feel the lump in my throat as I spoke those words, the weight of my regret and longing carried in each syllable. To my relief, I saw her nod, a reassuring gesture that told me she understood.

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as a sense of hope and possibility blossomed within me. It was a small step forward, a chance to mend the rift that had unknowingly formed between us.

With that smile, I silently promised myself that I would do whatever it took to rebuild the connections that had been erased.

Teacher Po Zhong's voice rang out. "Xian Yu, please take the empty seat at the back."

My heart raced as his words reached my ears, and I turned my attention toward the back of the classroom. There it was—an empty seat, perfectly positioned behind Riee. It felt like a sign, a twist of fate orchestrated by unseen hands. A rush of happiness surged within me, almost overwhelming in its intensity.

With a grateful nod to Teacher Lu, I stepped down from the podium and moved toward the back of the classroom. Every step brought me closer to that empty seat, and the butterflies in my stomach fluttered uncontrollably.

It was as if the universe itself was conspiring to bring me closer to Riee again, to offer me a chance to make things right.

I reached the vacant seat, I couldn't contain the joy that swelled within me. I subtly tucked my lips into a contented smile, unable to believe my luck. This was more than just a seat—it was an opportunity, a fresh start that I had never dared to imagine.

With a final deep breath, I lowered myself into the seat behind Riee. From this vantage point, I could see her clearly, her presence casting a warm glow that chased away any lingering doubts.

I stole a glance at Riee, her hand rested against her cheek, a gesture that was both familiar and endearing. In that fleeting moment, it was as if time stood still and the world around us ceased to exist.

However, the tranquility was shattered by a sudden disruption. Lian stood up abruptly, his expression tense and his tight grip on his bag. His voice cut through the air, demanding attention. "Riee, change seats with me," he commanded, his gaze locked onto mine.

Riee, ever composed, faced him with an unreadable expression. "Why?" she inquired calmly, her voice betraying nothing.

Lian's frustration was evident as he spoke: "Are you not creeped out by him after what he did to you?" The accusation hung in the air, a reminder of what I did earlier.

But then, to my surprise and relief, Riee's response was unwavering. "It's fine; I'm not bothered by it," she stated matter-of-factly. Riee, ever composed, faced him with a poker expression. "I know he is a good guy," she replied calmly, her eyes meeting mine briefly before returning to Lian. Her words held a sense of conviction that seemed to hang in the air, challenging any doubt.

Lian's skepticism was evident as he looked between Riee and me, clearly taken aback by her response. His eyebrows furrowed as he fired back, "How do you know that?"

Riee's response was unwavering, her gaze steady as she held Lian's gaze. "I just know," she replied with quiet confidence. "Now, go back to your seat; class is starting." Her words held a finality that left no room for further argument.

Lian's frustration was palpable as he looked between Riee and me, clearly torn between his feelings and her directive. With an irritated huff, he returned to his seat, stealing one last glance at me that carried a clear warning.

Riee's unwavering confidence and her ability to stand her ground were unchanged. She remained the strong and composed person I had known. It was a comforting realization that, amidst the shifting sands of time and reality, some things remained the same.

A soft smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I continued to watch her, my heart swelling with affection. Despite the years that had passed, the essence of the girl I had once loved still radiated from her. Her calm demeanor, and her resolute nature—these were all familiar traits that had drawn me to her in the first place; she was still the same Riee I had loved back then.

The girl who once held my hand under the cherry blossom tree, who once shared special memories and dreams with me, was not far away anymore. She was here, just within reach, the echoes that once have been lost are now back in my palms. I am ready to absorb it all once again, even if it hurts.

❀•°❀°•❀

End of Chapter