The afternoon sky was covered with thin grey clouds when Claire stepped out of the house.
The air felt cooler than usual, carrying the faint scent of rain that hadn't fallen yet. The streets were quiet, only the distant sound of traffic humming somewhere far away.
Claire walked slowly along the sidewalk, her phone still in her hand.
A few minutes earlier, she had sent a short message to Randy.
Can we meet? I want to ask you something.
He had replied almost immediately.
The café near the park. I'll be there.
Claire slipped her phone into her pocket.
Her steps were steady, but her mind wasn't.
Ever since last night, a single question had refused to leave her thoughts.
Why Randy?
Why would he suggest to her mother that she study at the same university as him?
Claire watched the fallen leaves scatter across the pavement as the wind passed through the trees.
She remembered him appearing occasionally during school events or competitions. She remembered hearing that his family had quietly helped her during a difficult incident years ago.
But university?
No.
Randy had never been there.
Claire frowned slightly.
Which meant something had changed.
Or someone had changed it.
The café came into view at the end of the street, a small building with glass windows facing the park. Warm yellow lights glowed softly inside, contrasting with the grey sky outside.
Through the window, Claire immediately spotted him.
Randy sat at a corner table, one arm resting lazily on the back of the chair, a cup of coffee untouched in front of him.
He looked exactly the same as always—calm, composed, as if nothing in the world could truly disturb him.
Claire pushed the door open.
A small bell chimed softly above her head.
Randy looked up.
Their eyes met.
"You came," he said.
Claire walked toward the table and sat down across from him.
"You already ordered?" she asked.
"Just coffee."
The waiter approached briefly, and Claire ordered something simple before the silence returned.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Claire stirred the drink in front of her absentmindedly, the ice clinking softly against the glass.
Her eyes remained fixed on Randy.
"Why did you tell my mom to register me at the same university as you?" she asked again.
Randy didn't seem surprised by the question.
Instead, he leaned back in his chair slightly, watching her with a calm expression.
"You already know the answer."
Claire frowned.
"No, I don't."
He lifted an eyebrow.
"We're dating, Claire."
"That's not the point."
Randy chuckled quietly.
"I thought couples usually want to stay close to each other."
Claire sighed softly.
"Yes, but this is different. High school we weren't even in the same place most of the time. You had your competitions, your training, and your own circle. We managed fine."
"That's exactly why," Randy replied.
Claire blinked.
"What?"
He leaned forward slightly, resting his arms on the table.
"In high school, I couldn't stay near you," he said calmly. "Different schedules. Different activities. Sometimes I didn't even see you for days."
His gaze softened just a little.
"I don't want that again."
Claire was silent for a moment.
That explanation sounded reasonable.
Maybe even sweet.
But something still felt… off.
She studied his face carefully.
"Is that really the only reason?"
Randy didn't answer immediately.
Claire leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.
"Randy… are you hiding something from me?"
He looked at her quietly.
The café noise faded into the background as the silence between them stretched.
Claire suddenly felt the same strange feeling she had noticed earlier.
The way Randy looked at her.
Like he already knew something she didn't.
"You're overthinking," he said lightly.
"I don't think so."
Randy exhaled softly.
For a brief moment, his calm expression shifted into something more serious.
Then he said quietly,
"I know what will happen to you."
Claire froze.
Her fingers tightened around the glass.
"What… does that mean?"
Randy held her gaze steadily.
"I know what will happen," he repeated.
Claire felt a chill creep down her spine.
Her mind immediately filled with questions.
Does he know about my rebirth?
Does he know about the future I remember?
"Randy," she said slowly, "what are you talking about?"
But instead of explaining, he simply said,
"Just stay with me, Claire."
His voice was low but firm.
"Stay where I can see you."
Claire's heart began to beat faster.
"Why?"
Randy's expression softened slightly, but he didn't elaborate.
"Because if you don't," he said quietly, "things will go wrong."
Claire stared at him, completely confused.
His answer only made everything more mysterious.
And the question she feared the most slowly formed in her mind.
Does Randy know… what is happening to me right now?
Outside the café window, rain finally began to fall.
The car slowed as it turned into Claire's quiet street.
Night had already settled over the neighborhood, soft and dim. The street lamps glowed like distant stars, casting pale circles of light on the pavement. Trees along the road swayed slightly in the night breeze, their shadows stretching across the asphalt.
Inside the car, silence lingered.
Claire sat beside Randy, her hands folded on her lap. She had been staring out the window for the entire ride, watching the dark houses pass by one after another. Her mind was still tangled with the words he had said at the café.
"I know what will happen with you… so just stay with me, Claire."
The sentence repeated itself in her mind like an echo that refused to fade.
How could he know?
The car finally stopped in front of her house.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
The engine was still running, humming quietly in the background. Claire could hear the faint chirping of insects outside, blending with the low vibration of the car.
She reached for the door handle.
But before she could open it—
Randy's hand suddenly caught hers.
Warm.
Firm.
Claire froze.
Slowly she turned her head toward him.
Randy wasn't looking at the road anymore. His eyes were fixed on her, dark and serious in the dim light inside the car.
"Claire."
His voice was low.
She didn't answer.
For a few seconds, he simply held her hand, as if making sure she wouldn't pull away.
Then he spoke again.
"My love for you… it's real."
Claire's brows slightly tightened.
"I'm not staying close to you for some hidden reason," he continued quietly. "Not because of your family. Not because of anything else."
His fingers tightened around hers.
"It's because I want to."
The wind outside rustled the leaves.
Claire still said nothing.
Her silence made the air between them feel heavier.
But Randy didn't stop.
"So don't try to go far from me."
Claire's eyes lowered to their hands.
His grip was gentle, yet there was something almost desperate in it.
"Stay with me," he said softly.
Then, after a brief pause, his voice became even quieter.
"And don't try to love someone else."
The words made Claire's heart skip.
She finally looked up at him again.
His expression wasn't angry.
It wasn't pleading either.
It was something deeper.
Something that felt like fear.
Claire slowly pulled her hand back.
But not roughly.
Just enough to free herself.
"I'm going inside," she said quietly.
Randy didn't stop her this time.
She opened the car door and stepped out.
The night air was cooler than she expected.
For a moment, Claire stood beside the car, staring at the ground as if gathering her thoughts.
Behind her, Randy still hadn't driven away.
She could feel his gaze from inside the car.
Claire finally walked toward the gate.
When she reached the door of her house, she stopped.
Her mind returned to the conversation earlier.
I know what will happen with you.
The words didn't sound like a guess.
They sounded like certainty.
Claire slowly clenched her fingers.
Something about Randy felt strange tonight.
Not threatening.
But mysterious.
What do you know… Randy?
She pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Behind her, the car engine finally started moving.
But Claire didn't look back.
Because even without seeing him—
His words were still echoing inside her mind.