"Kyle."
I still remember that day.
[ Tuesday, October 2, 2046 — 4:37:12 PM ]
The 135th day since we became a couple.
There she stood...
Looking at me like I was the only person in the world.
I got so lost in her eyes that I couldn't even get a word out.
Almost two minutes passed before she finally tilted her head.
"Hello?"
The younger Kyle blinked.
"..."
He was still staring.
Amelia raised an eyebrow.
"Kyle?"
"...Yeah?"
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah."
"Then why aren't you saying anything?"
"I..."
He looked away.
"I forgot what I was going to say."
A small smile appeared on Amelia's face.
"You forgot?"
"Yes."
"Because of me?"
Kyle stayed quiet.
That was answer enough.
She laughed softly.
Kyle couldn't help but look back at her.
Even after all these years...
He still remembered exactly how she looked that day.
Her long silver hair rested over her shoulders, shifting slightly whenever the breeze moved through the garden.
She wore a simple but elegant dress, picked carefully for the occasion. Nothing flashy—just perfect for her.
Her eyes were the same as he remembered.
Clear.
Warm.
And whenever she looked at him...
Everything else just faded away.
Back then, Kyle had no idea why that happened.
Now...
He understood.
He had just fallen completely in love with her.
Amelia stepped closer.
She reached out and gently fixed the collar of his shirt.
"You dressed nice today."
"You told me to."
"I know."
She smiled.
"That's why I'm complimenting you."
Kyle looked away again.
Amelia laughed.
"You get embarrassed so easily."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I don't."
"You do."
"..."
Kyle finally gave up arguing.
Amelia smiled like she'd won.
Kyle quietly watched the scene from where he stood.
It was weird.
He remembered this day so clearly.
The little arguments.
The awkward pauses.
The way Amelia smiled whenever she knew she'd won.
Back then...
They were only sixteen.
They had no idea what the future would bring.
No idea how much everything would change.
They just knew they liked being together.
And for the younger Kyle...
That was enough.
Amelia suddenly looked toward the nearby bench.
"Come on."
"Where?"
"You'll see."
She grabbed his hand.
Kyle froze for half a second.
Then quietly followed her.
Their fingers naturally slipped together.
Kyle looked down at their hands.
A small smile showed up on his face.
He remembered that feeling too.
The warmth of her hand.
The slight squeeze of her fingers around his.
Something so simple...
But somehow impossible to forget.
Amelia pulled him toward the bench under the tree.
She sat down first, then looked up at him.
"Are you just gonna stand there all day?"
Kyle sat beside her.
For a moment...
Neither of them said anything.
The afternoon breeze moved through the branches above them.
Leaves rustled softly.
Amelia leaned her head against his shoulder.
Kyle's expression softened right away.
He remembered thinking this was probably the most peaceful moment of his life.
Looking at it now...
He got why.
Nothing big was happening.
No event.
No celebration.
No reason to remember it after all these years.
And yet...
He remembered every little detail.
The weather.
The place.
Her voice.
Even the way she leaned on his shoulder.
Some memories...
Just don't go away.
Amelia spoke quietly.
"Kyle?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think we'll still be together when we're older?"
The younger Kyle looked at her.
"Of course."
No hesitation at all.
Amelia smiled.
"You answered way too fast."
"Because it's obvious."
"Is it?"
"Yeah."
He looked up at the sky.
"We've already been together for 135 days, 6 hours, and 12 seconds."
Amelia blinked for a moment—then burst into a soft giggle.
"You… you actually remember all of that?"
Kyle nodded slightly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Yeah."
She stared at him, still smiling, a little stunned.
"Do you really love me that much?"
Kyle didn't even hesitate.
"Yep. I very much."
That was all it took.
Amelia let out a bright laugh and, before he could even react, she suddenly pounced on him—arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders as she pulled him into a firm hug.
"I love you too," she said softly, her voice warm against him. "Let's be there for each other forever."
Kyle froze for a second… then slowly relaxed into the embrace, a small, quiet smile forming as he held her back.
"Yes, forever."
...
Kyle remained silent, watching them.
So certain about each other. So certain about the future.
Yet that future never happened.
His gaze lowered.
Just days ago, they had still been together—talking, spending time, being the same two people he was watching now.
And then everything changed.
He still didn't understand it, but after seeing this memory, one thing became clear.
Amelia couldn't have simply stopped loving him.
Not after the way she had looked at him, held him, or the promise they had made.
"...There has to be something," Kyle muttered, not angry or desperate—just unable to accept it.
Evelyn had said the same thing. People changed, situations changed, but feelings like theirs didn't just disappear.
Kyle looked at Amelia again, more serious now.
Maybe there was something he hadn't seen. Something she couldn't say. Or something beyond their control.
He exhaled slowly.
Whatever it was, he wanted to know.
"I'll ask you myself."
"If there's a reason… I'll find it."
He watched Amelia smile at the younger version of himself.
For the first time since the breakup, his thoughts felt clearer.
He wouldn't assume her love had simply vanished.
He would talk to her.
And clear it up.
His determination only grew stronger, and the world around him began to fade.
The warm afternoon, the rustling leaves, even Amelia's voice—all slowly disappeared.
Kyle looked around. "...Is it ending...?"
The garden blurred before his eyes.
Maybe... he was finally waking up.
He looked at Amelia one last time; her figure was already faint.
"...I'll see you soon."
Then everything went completely dark.