Hisui stood in front of the full-length mirror, unmoving.
Her long, straight black hair fell neatly over her shoulders, untouched, unfamiliar in its perfection. Dark green eyes stared back at her—steady, emotionless, as if they belonged to someone else.
Fifteen.
She knew that face.
Too well.
Outside, her mother's voice rang through the hallway, bright and ordinary. "Breakfast is ready!"
Hisui didn't respond.
Her fingers twitched slightly at her sides. The fabric of her pajamas felt wrong—too light, too soft, like something from a memory she wasn't supposed to return to.
"What on earth just happened…?" she murmured, her voice barely louder than a breath.
But the girl in the mirror didn't answer.
Hisui, now dressed in her pristine high school summer uniform, stepped quietly down the stairs.
The faint clatter of dishes and the warm smell of breakfast filled the air—ordinary, comforting… almost too normal.
As she entered the kitchen, her eyes immediately landed on them.
Her mother stood by the counter, gently fussing over her twin brothers.
Both were thirteen. Both in their middle school uniforms.
Yet they couldn't have been more different.
One had black hair and striking crimson eyes. His face was calm—empty, almost identical to Hisui's usual expression. Silent. Still.
The other had soft brown hair and bright green eyes that curved warmly as he noticed her. His entire presence felt lighter, warmer—alive.
"Good morning,!" he chirped cheerfully.
Hisui paused for a fraction of a second.
Then she flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder, her dark green eyes settling on them without a flicker of emotion.
"…Good morning."
Her voice was flat. Controlled.
Familiar.
But something about this moment—this exact scene—felt like it had already happened.
Or perhaps…
It was happening again?
Midori leaned forward slightly as he watched Hisui take her seat.
His brown hair caught the morning light, and his green eyes sparkled with easy excitement.
"Are you excited about being a high school student, Hisui?" he asked with a bright smile.
Hisui lifted her chopsticks, pausing for just a moment before taking a bite.
"I think so," she replied.
Her voice was even. Careful. As if the answer had been chosen rather than felt.
Across the table, Shu sat in silence. His crimson eyes lowered to his plate—he ate methodically, without a word. His expression didn't change, not even slightly. If anything, he felt like a mirror… one that reflected only stillness.
At the counter, their mother Kana turned toward them, drying her hands with a cloth.
"You'd better hurry," she said. "All of you will be late."
Midori laughed lightly, already standing up. "Right! First day for Hisui—we can't be late!"
Hisui didn't move right away.
Her gaze drifted, just for a second—taking in the table, the voices, the morning light.
Everything was exactly as it should be.
Hisui stepped through the gates of Crimson High School, her pristine uniform untouched, as if she didn't belong to the flow of students around her.
Her long black hair swayed gently with each step, catching the morning breeze. Voices filled the air—laughter, chatter, footsteps—but they all felt distant. Muted.
Her dark green eyes moved quietly, observing.
So… I really am fifteen again.
She walked forward without hesitation, her expression as composed and unreadable as ever.
Is this a chance… to rewrite my life?
The thought lingered—heavy, uncertain.
Behind her, footsteps echoed at a steady pace.
Not hurried.
Distracted.
A male student walked just a few steps behind her. His presence didn't blend in like the others.
Ashen gray hair. Gray eyes—sleepy.
He wasn't looking around.
He was as if sleep walking.
Hisui slowed ever so slightly.
Just enough to notice.
Just enough to confirm.
Someone… is familiar.
But she didn't turn around.