chance save rin

Kaito (narrating):

I tried to jump to end this dream, but someone grabbed me from behind and pushed me back. It was Misaki.

Misaki: What do you think you’re doing, you idiot?

Kaito: I was just trying to look out the window.

Misaki: And you think I’ll believe that? Speak up.

Kaito: I tried to jump out the window. Do you have a problem with that?

Misaki: And why did you try to jump?

Kaito: No reason. Well, now that you’ve stopped me, you’ve ruined it. I’m leaving.

Misaki: Wait! I don’t know why you tried to jump, but I’m going to keep an eye on you to make sure you don’t try it again.

Kaito: That was the only time I gathered enough courage. I don’t think I’ll do it again.

Misaki: Good. As for you shouting that you hate this damn school, I’m taking you to the teachers’ office to talk about it.

Kaito: What? Just for that line? Can’t we forget about it?

Misaki: No. Especially because you shouted it in front of the whole school. So you're coming with me to see Miss Reis.

Kaito: Miss Reis? No thanks! I’d rather not.

Misaki: Then I guess I’ll have to drag you there by force.

Kaito (running away): No thanks!

Kaito (thinking):

Miss Reis is one of our teachers, but she’s known for two things: One, she’s Misaki’s mother, and two, she’s “The Iron Teacher.” If I go to her, I’ll die! My relationship with her is terrible, and I usually end up flat on the floor from one of her punches.

(he bumps into someone)

Kaito: Ah, I’m sorry... Huh? Rin?

Rin: Who are you?

Misaki: Rin, grab him!

Kaito (running): Sorry, but I gotta go!

Kaito (thinking):

I escaped her, but now Rin is chasing me too! I’ll hide in the music room... I hear something... Who is it? Oh no, it’s Rin.

Rin: I’m sure I saw him here... Alright, I’ll look around.

(the room starts getting darker)

Rin: Ugh, it’s getting dark in here...

Kaito (narrating):

Rin slowly backed away from the darkness. She was hiding a secret she never told anyone. When she was a child, an accident nearly cost her her sight.

Doctor: Are you Rin’s mother?

Rin’s Mother: Yes.

Doctor: I’m afraid the accident affected her eyes. She may lose her vision.

Since then, she’s been afraid of darkness — the kind where she can’t see anything. Even after she recovered, the fear never left her. That’s why I promised myself I’d help her overcome it.

I slowly walked toward her, placed my hands over her eyes, and held her hand.

Kaito: Rin, don’t be scared. Just walk slowly with me to the outside. There’s nothing to fear.

Rin (after stepping outside): How did you know about that?

Kaito: Well...

Misaki (panting): Good job, Rin! You caught him!

Miss Reis: So, you’re the student who shouted. What’s your name?

Kaito: Kaito Iruma.

Miss Reis: Kaito, huh? I also heard you tried to jump out the window?

Kaito: About that...

Miss Reis: I’ll let you off with a warning this time. But next time... trust me, you don’t want to know what I’m thinking.

Kaito: No, no! I don’t want to know!

After school ended, I went home and fell asleep, hoping to wake up from the dream. But... that didn’t happen.

(next morning)

Kaito (eating): Why am I still in this dream?

Kaito’s Mom: Come on, eat quickly. You’ll be late for school.

Kaito: Okay...

On my way to school, I met Rin.

Rin: Kaito, right? I’m Rin Tsugumi.

Kaito: I’m Kaito Iruma.

Rin: Aren’t you the guy who ran into the pole and ended up in the nurse’s room? We didn’t really get to know each other. Nice to meet you.

Kaito: Yeah, I— Wait, what did you just say?

Rin: I said: nice to meet you.

Kaito: No, I mean about the pole.

Rin: Oh, you don’t remember? Maybe something happened to your brain. That’s why I carried you to the infirmary.

Kaito (thinking):

What’s going on? Nothing happened on the first day of school. It was just a normal day. In the past, there was no accident. Could it be... that what I thought was a dream was actually real?

Rin: Hey! Are you listening?

Kaito: Ah, yeah.

Rin: I don’t know how you knew about me, or how you calmed me down that time, but... thank you.

Kaito: I didn’t do anything. No need to thank me.

Rin (smiling): Alright, let’s head to school.

Kaito (thinking):

If this is real, and I really went back in time... then I’ll change a lot of things. First of all: that shop.

(after school, Kaito goes to the ramen shop)

Kaito: Hello, sir. One ramen, please.

Old Man: Alright, here you go.

Kaito: Itadakimasu... Let’s dig in. Mmm, just as delicious as I remember!

Old Man: I’m glad you like it.

Kaito: A lot! But I wish more people appreciated this amazing food.

Old Man: They do appreciate it.

Kaito: I see more customers at that new place.

Old Man: Yeah, people always like new things.

Kaito: I think if you changed the shop’s appearance a bit, it’d become the best one around.

Old Man: I don’t want to change it. My wife and I built it together, and it’s dear to me.

Kaito: Yeah, when we lose someone we love, we cling to memories. We don’t want to change them. But sometimes... we just need to wipe off the dust, so they stay bright and live on in our hearts.

Old Man: You’re right...

(Kaito leaves and finds Misaki at the crosswalk)

Misaki: So, after running out of options, you're planning to die by getting hit by a car now?

Kaito: No! I’m just heading home.

Misaki: So you’re done with the suicide idea? That’s good.

Kaito: Yeah, I remembered a painful memory and thought this was a dream... so I tried to end it.

Misaki: A dream?

Kaito: Yeah, I thought all of this was just a dream.

Misaki: So you tried to kill yourself because you thought it was a dream?

Kaito: Yeah.

(suddenly, Misaki gets very close, their lips nearly touch, then she stops)

Misaki: See? This isn’t a dream. So... don’t try to kill yourself again, okay?

Kaito: O-Okay...

Misaki: You thought I’d kiss you, huh? Don’t worry. I’d rather save my first kiss for someone who deserves it, not a suicidal idiot!

Kaito: Idiot?! I’m not an idiot! And you’re the one who got close!

Misaki (laughing): It’s written all over your face... But seriously, don’t be weak again. Face your problems. Deal?

Kaito: Deal.

(next day, Kaito wakes up to his friends’ voices)

Wang: Kaito! Kaito! Wake up!

Maya: Leave it to me! Hey, you! Wake up, you idiot!

Song: Don’t you think you’re being too rough?

Maya: Nope, this always works. See? He’s awake!

Kaito (thinking):

When I woke up and saw my friends... I felt like I had truly come back. But they said they’d been trying to wake me up for a while... I’m still not sure: did I really return to the past?

Wang: Come on, let’s go to college.

Song: How about we grab some ramen after class?

Wang: I know a place nearby.

Maya: What’s it called?

Wang: “The Century Bowl.”

Maya: Century? That’s older than all of us! Is it even safe to eat there?

Wang: Maya, don’t say that! Their food is amazing!

Kaito (thinking):

“The Century Bowl”?! I can’t believe it! Did I actually change that? Then... I really went back in time. And I have a chance to save Rin.