David had to admit it. The sky looked beautiful in this world.
He stood on the roof of Seiryu Academy again. Same breeze. Same clouds. Same stupid school bell ringing in the distance. But everything was different. Or maybe he was different.
The world had reset.
Reika didn't remember him. The system had confirmed it the moment he woke up.
[Main Route: Reika Saionji - Activated]
Affection Level: 0
Status: Unaware of Previous Timeline
Note: World Stable – Time Freeze Active Outside this Realm
It wasn't just a memory wipe. This was an entirely different thread of fate. Parallel, untouched. Untangled.
David leaned against the railing and closed his eyes.
So this was what it felt like to start over. A second chance with the girl who used to chase him like a predator in heat… now passing him by like a stranger in the hallway.
"Ironic," he muttered.
The system pinged again.
[New Flag Opportunity – Cafeteria: 12:30 PM]
Target: Reika Saionji
Trigger: Shared Meal / Accidental Seat Collision / Milk Carton Interference
Chance of Success: 42%
No Yuuto in sight. No Airi. This world had the same students but none of the attachments. This Reika didn't even glance twice at David when he passed her in the stairwell this morning.
But he had to try.
12:28 PM – Seiryu Academy Cafeteria
David picked a table that had two seats and waited. He wore his glasses this time, hair slightly messy. The hoodie was gone. He looked less like a transfer student and more like a tired barista who read too many manga.
Then she walked in.
Reika.
New route Reika.
Her long hair was in a low ponytail. No tank top or black jeans. She wore the regulation uniform. Clean. Proper. Neatly ironed. She held a lunch tray with rice, miso soup, and a tiny milk carton.
David tensed.
She scanned the room.
No one waved. She had friends, but they weren't here yet.
She turned and looked at his table.
Eye contact.
One second. Two.
Then she walked over.
"Hey. Mind if I sit?"
David blinked. The system hissed.
[Flag Triggered – Cafeteria Interaction]
Affection Level +1
Dialogue Option Unlocked: Friendly Response / Flirty / Mysterious
He smiled. "Sure. I've been told I make decent table company."
Reika raised an eyebrow but smirked a little. She sat across from him and unwrapped her chopsticks. Her presence was the same, but her vibe was… calmer. No chaos. No fire. Just quiet strength and slightly amused eyes.
"I've seen you before," she said, chewing slowly. "You're in Class 2-B, right?"
David nodded. "Transfer student. Name's David. You're Reika Saionji."
She paused. "So you know me."
"A little. Reputation, mostly."
"Let me guess. Saionji family, honor student, judo champion, and possibly allergic to fun."
He laughed. "You said that, not me."
She sipped her soup and watched him over the edge of the bowl. "You're weird."
"Probably."
Another pause.
The milk carton tipped on her tray. She reached to catch it. So did David.
Their fingers brushed.
[Mini-Flag – Physical Contact]
Affection +1
Reaction Chance: 50%
She blinked. Then pulled her hand back. "Fast reflexes."
David shrugged. "Milk-related accidents are my specialty."
She smiled. Slightly.
Then—
A loud crash behind them. A student tripped, spilling a tray. Reika turned. David used the moment to check the system again.
Status: Interest Sparked
Title Gained: Soft Reboot
Side Mission Unlocked: Walk Home with Reika (Chance Encounter)
When Reika turned back to him, she looked more curious than before. "You don't act like a transfer. Most guys would've already tried to impress me."
David raised his hands. "I'm pacing myself."
"Hm."
Her friends entered. She glanced at them, then at David.
"I should go."
He nodded. "Thanks for sitting here."
She stood. "You're interesting."
She walked away.
[Flag Completed – Day 1 Interaction]
Affection Level: 2
Status: Noticed
David let out a slow breath. His heart was beating too fast. It wasn't a dramatic scene. No running through the rain. No accidental groping. Just a normal conversation with a girl who used to look at him like prey.
Now she looked at him like a question.
And that scared him more.
Later – Back at the Dorm
David collapsed on his bed.
The room looked the same, but it felt colder. The system floated beside him, glowing softly.
Progress Saved
World Divergence: 3%
Timeline: Parallel Stable
Airi Kamisaka: Not Present in This World
Yuuto Hirose: Presence Dormant
David stared at the ceiling. "No Airi, huh…"
The system didn't respond. It didn't need to.
He remembered her.
The way she had whispered his name. The feel of her lips. Her voice trembling when she said "don't leave." The way their bodies fit together in that quiet, vulnerable moment.
It had been real.
And now she was gone. Locked in another world. Frozen in a time he'd left behind.
David turned over, covering his face with a pillow.
This wasn't just about Reika. It never had been. He had chased flags. Avoided destiny. Played the system.
And now?
He was starting over.
With someone who had no idea what they'd been through.
And yet…
When she smiled that small, quiet smile…
It still made his chest ache.