Chapter 5: The Pact

They slip behind the gym, dodging a pack of noisy first-years. The wall is cool, the air smells like dust and chalk, and neither of them knows how to start.

Ren scratches the back of his neck. “So… we’re really here. In high school. Again.”

Yuki presses her fingers to her temples. “Don’t say it out loud. It sounds even dumber when spoken.”

Their breaths fog the quiet space between them. It’s the first private moment they’ve had since the divorce papers yesterday—or fifteen years from now, depending on how they count.

Ren tries again. “We need to talk about what to do.”

Yuki folds her arms, hugging herself a little. “About what? Our situation? Our kids? The fact we somehow traveled back before smartphones had front cameras?”

He lets out a short laugh. “Honestly… all of it.”

For a moment, they stand like strangers. Two adults trapped in old bodies, carrying memories too heavy for seventeen.

Yuki looks away. “We can’t mess things up again.”

Ren nods. “I know.”

“And we definitely can’t—” she hesitates, the words catching, “—fall back into whatever we had.”

“Right,” he says, even though his chest tightens hearing it.

She straightens her uniform skirt. “Let’s keep our distance. Just live normally this time. No dating. No drama. No… us.”

Ren forces a smile. “Sure. A pact.”

Yuki raises a brow. “A pact.”

They shake hands like two exhausted diplomats.

For a beat, the world feels calm.

Then Ren ruins it. “But what about group work? Clubs? Festivals? Our friends?”

“We don’t need to think that far,” Yuki says. “Just survive today without doing anything stupid.”

“That’s already asking a lot from me.”

She can’t help the tiny laugh that slips out. “Yeah. I know.”

A bell rings. The break is over.

“Let’s head back,” Ren says.

“Separately.”

“Right. Separately.”

They step around the corner—

—only for Haru to wave wildly at Ren from the courtyard.

“Hey, man! Where’d you go? Mina thought you fell in a ditch!”

At the same time, Mina grabs Yuki’s wrist. “There you are! Did you get kidnapped behind the gym or something?”

Ren and Yuki freeze.

Their hands are still suspiciously close, almost touching.

Haru’s gaze bounces between them. “Wait. Why are you two together?”

Ren coughs. “Coincidence.”

Yuki forces a nod. “Very random coincidence.”

Mina frowns. “You two are acting weird. Even for you.”

Ren opens his mouth to explain, but Yuki shoots him a look that says Don’t.

He shuts it.

“Anyway,” Mina continues, tugging Yuki toward the gate, “we’re walking home today. All four of us.”

Ren panics. “Actually, I have something to do—”

“Nope,” Haru cuts in. “You bailed last time. You’re coming.”

Yuki tries her luck. “I have chores—”

Mina gives her a flat stare. “Your mom already told me you’re free.”

Ren mutters under his breath. “Little traitor.”

Yuki barely hides a sigh. So much for their pact.

The four of them spill out onto the street. Haru and Mina chatter like overeager sparrows, arguing about snacks and homework. Ren and Yuki trail behind them at an awkward but identical pace.

They try to slow down. Haru slows too.

They try to speed up. Mina speeds up with them.

They edge away from each other. Haru and Mina push them back together without even noticing.

It’s like fighting gravity.

Ren finally gives in and walks at a normal pace. “We’re really doing this, huh?”

Yuki’s shoulders drop with resignation. “Don’t look at me. I’m trapped too.”

“Guess the universe wants us to hang out.”

“Don’t start with that,” she warns.

He chuckles. “Sorry. Force of habit.”

They fall quiet, watching their younger friends bicker.

Yuki glances at Ren. “You know… this is strange.”

“What is?”

“Seeing them like this. Before everything. Before life hit all of us.”

Ren’s voice softens. “Yeah.”

She doesn’t say more. She doesn’t need to. They’re walking the same street from the past, carrying the weight of a future only they remember.

When they reach the fork in the road, Haru waves. “See you guys tomorrow!”

Mina adds, “And no sneaking behind the gym together!”

Yuki nearly chokes. “We weren’t—!”

But Haru and Mina are already gone.

Silence settles again.

Ren steps back, giving her space. “About our pact…”

Yuki sighs. “We failed in less than an hour.”

He gives a helpless smile. “We’ll do better tomorrow.”

“Yeah,” she murmurs. “Tomorrow.”

They part ways like two people trying not to look at something familiar and dangerous.

But as Yuki walks home, she realizes her hand still remembers the shape of his.

And Ren, staring at the sunset, realizes the world feels a little less lonely than yesterday.