L
April 2.
Again.
---
Ren stood in the plains behind his house and watched the sunrise.
This time, he didn't feel dread.
Not because he believed it would work.
But because he was finally **ready** to try without fear.
---
The day began as always.
Yuu met him at the crossroads.
"Yo, Ayato! You look way too serious for morning class."
Ren smiled. Not forced. Not hollow.
"I'm glad to see you."
Yuu blinked. "Dude, you okay?"
Ren nodded. "Better than I've been in a long time."
---
They walked to school together.
Ren didn't avoid Serika in the halls.
He nodded once as they passed. She didn't nod back. But she didn't look hostile either.
That was enough.
---
In class, Ren wrote a note to Yuu:
> *After school, meet me under the lone tree in the field.
> Don't tell anyone. Don't bring anyone. Just you and me.*
Yuu gave him a thumbs-up.
Ren had written that same note in other loops.
But this time… there was no fear behind it.
---
During lunch, Ren sat alone on the rooftop.
He looked out at the field. He didn't scout for threats. He didn't watch for shadows.
He simply *sat*.
Let the sun warm his back.
Let the breeze move his hair.
He whispered aloud, to no one:
> "If this is the last time… I want to remember it like this."
---
When the final bell rang, Ren made his way to the tree.
The field was quiet. Empty.
Just grass, wind, and light.
He waited five minutes.
Then ten.
Then—
Footsteps.
Yuu.
Grinning, soda can in hand.
"You're getting kinda mysterious, man."
Ren chuckled. "Sorry. Just wanted to talk. Really talk."
Yuu raised an eyebrow, but sat beside him anyway.
---
They talked for hours.
About nothing.
About everything.
Old memories.
Weird dreams.
Their first fight in middle school.
That time Yuu spilled ink on the math teacher's pants.
Ren let himself laugh.
It didn't feel borrowed.
It felt earned.
---
As the sun started setting, Ren finally spoke:
> "You've always been the kindest person I know."
Yuu blinked. "What's this, a death flag?"
Ren smiled softly. "No. Just… wanted you to know."
A pause.
Then Yuu pulled something from his bag.
It was a tiny keychain.
A small white **feather**, frayed at the ends.
"Figured I'd give this to you," Yuu said. "For good luck or whatever."
Ren held it gently in his palm.
It was warm from Yuu's pocket.
> "Thank you."
---
They sat until the sky went dark.
Until even the insects grew quiet.
Then Yuu stood.
"Same time tomorrow?"
Ren looked up at him.
"…Yeah."
---
They parted at the gate.
Ren watched Yuu disappear down the road, humming to himself.
Then he turned to face the field once more.
No police.
No screams.
No blood.
Not yet.
---
He returned to his room and placed the feather keychain on his desk.
Beside it, he wrote one line in his journal:
> "No one died today."
He sat back in the silence.
Waited.
Nothing happened.
No voice.
No reset.
He curled into bed and let sleep take him.
---
And for the first time…
It was **dreamless**.
---
**April 3.**
---
Ren sat up.
Eyes wide.
Sunlight poured through the window — new sunlight.
The calendar had changed.
April **3rd**.
He stared at it for minutes.
Breath held.
Then—
A whisper.
Soft.
Almost proud.
> "You did well."
---
He smiled.
And cried.
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