You ever get the feeling of extreme déjà vu—like you're forgetting something important, something crucial to your life, yet everything else feels strangely familiar, as if you've already done it all before?
Well… I get that feeling a lot. And something tells me it's only going to get worse.
My name is Mike Morgan. I'm a 3rd-year high school student with zero friends. As for my age, I'll be turning 18 in just 15 days, so I guess I'll almost be a proud adult. Hehe… well, almost anyways.
Right now, I'm heading to class—
"Hey, Mikey! Quit zoning out and get in already!"
A dazzling figure cut Mike's thoughts short with a sharp smack to the head. He winced, clutching the sore spot.
"Ow…! That hurts, Mio," Mike said with a painful expression.
"Whatever, dweeb. Move over." Mio Cruz pushed him aside and stepped through the classroom door first.
Mio Cruz—the only person in the entire school who ever talked to Mike. Unfortunately, she was also a bully, so she hardly counted as a friend. Still, the two had known each other since childhood. His mother claimed they were very close once, though Mike himself doubted it. Yet… she still visited his house from time to time to study. Maybe, just maybe, he was wrong about her?
That nagging sensation crept over him again. The feeling of forgetting something. Of losing something important.
Smack!
A piece of chalk hit him squarely, snapping him back to reality.
"Is there something on your mind, Mr. Morgan?" the teacher asked, glaring.
"Umm… no, sir."
"Is that so? Care to elaborate on today's topic?" the teacher pressed with a sly smirk.
"Uhh… no idea, sir," Mike answered nervously.
"Very well. Then you can join Ms. Cruz in detention after school. Let's continue."
"Yes, sir!" the class echoed in unison.
After School
Mike stared across the detention room, puzzled.
(Why am I in detention with Mio? What did she even do? She's never been in trouble before—she's a straight-A student…)
"Umm… Mio, why are you here? What happened?" he asked, curiosity and unease mixed in his voice.
"Probably because I was trying to snap a certain someone out of it!" she snapped back. "I texted you a bunch of times, but you didn't even budge. And now I'm stuck in here with you, you dummy!"
"I… I'm sorry?" Mike apologized, scratching his cheek nervously.
"Whatever, jerk. Just shut up and don't talk to me!" Mio barked, folding her arms.
Mike couldn't help sneaking a glance at her, cheeks warming. Why would she try to save him from detention? She always acted like she hated him… unless she actually…?
He shook his head. No way. Still, her words weren't a lie—he had seen her texts. Something didn't add up. That same strange fog of forgetfulness pressed down again, making his temples ache.
On the Way Back Home
Mike's heart raced. The quiet walk with Mio felt unreal.
(If this were some kind of web novel, this would be a genuine romantic scene right now. I'm scared and excited at the same time… what is this feeling?)
"Umm… Mio, why are you holding my hand again?!" he blurted out, voice breaking with shyness.
"Just because I want to. You don't… like it?" she asked softly, her usual edge gone.
"No… I mean—I don't hate it," he stammered, face burning.
Her sweet tone, her gentle grip—she seemed like a completely different person. Mike's heart pounded so hard he could hardly think straight.
"Mikey, do you remember the promise we made while holding hands like this… eight years ago?" Mio asked, eyes glimmering with hope.
Mike blinked. "Umm… I don't think I've ever done this before, so… no?"
"What?!" She froze in place, staring at him in disbelief.
"…Then what were you thinking about in class today?" she pressed.
"Uh… basically, guy stuff. I'm too embarrassed to explain, okay?!"
"But we're supposed to tell each other everything! Mikey, be honest—what do you think of me?"
"Well… I think you're really pretty. And you really like messing with people," he said instantly.
"Really? That's all?" Her voice trembled. Then her expression hardened with resolve. "Okay… how do you feel about me as a girl?"
"Well… I feel—"
His thoughts stalled. His chest tightened. Why couldn't he answer? His pulse thundered, the world spinning around him. This sensation—it was familiar, terrifyingly so—
"You can't even answer me." Mio's lips curled into a sad smile. "It's okay. You don't have to force yourself to make me feel better. I'll leave you alone now."
She turned and stepped off the curb.
The light turned red.
"Mio!!!" Mike screamed, horror flooding his veins. A bus hurtled down the street, brakes screeching too late.
(No! No! No! I have to save her! She can't die—not her! I don't know why, but I know she's important to me! I might not remember everything, but I must save her!)
With a desperate lunge, Mike grabbed her shoulder.
And in an instant—
The two of them vanished.