December 25th.
Christmas morning.
The air in my room felt colder than usual, like the winter outside had seeped through the walls during the night. I opened my eyes slowly, staring at the faint outline of steam rising from my breath. For a moment, I lay completely still, letting the silence wrap around me.
Then the memories returned.
The party.
The punch.
Souta's breakdown.
Miyuki screaming.
Students' phones recording everything.
My calm expression reflected back in their cameras.
I exhaled deeply, rubbing a hand across my face.
"…What a mess."
Pulling the blanket away, I stood up and stretched. The bruise on my cheek throbbed faintly, barely noticeable now. I had taken harder hits in that other future from stress, from life, from exhaustion so one punch from Souta felt like nothing.
After getting dressed, I headed downstairs.
The warm scent of tea and fresh morning air greeted me.
Dad was sitting at the table silently, reading the newspaper with his legs crossed, a steaming cup beside him. Mom was on the sofa, watching a morning news show while humming softly.
Normal.
Peaceful.
Something I wasn't used to feeling for a long time.
"Good morning," I said.
Dad lowered his newspaper and smiled. "Morning, champ."
Mom turned toward me. "Good morning, Haruto. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah," I replied. "Pretty well."
Even though I'd fallen asleep in my party clothes.
I walked into the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and let the cold water run down my fingers for a second longer than necessary. It grounded me.
After that, I stepped outside.
The air was crisp, biting against my skin, but it felt refreshing. A clean cold the kind that wakes you up rather than weighs you down.
I pulled out my phone and tapped Yui's contact.
She picked up quickly.
"Haruto? Merry Christmas," she said, her voice soft, still sounding half-asleep.
"Merry Christmas," I replied. "Did you… hear anything about Miyuki or Souta?"
She hesitated. I could picture her sitting up, pushing her hair back.
"…Yeah. I heard a bit."
"What kind of 'bit'?"
"Souta isn't coming back," she said. "His parents are withdrawing him from school. They said it was because of… mental strain, but everyone knows why."
I nodded to myself. "His pride."
"Mm. And as for Miyuki… I don't know. She hasn't replied to anyone."
"I see."
"Haruto…" she added quietly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You don't sound fine."
"I'm just thinking."
"I'll call you later," she said. "Just… don't isolate yourself, okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Yui."
When the call ended, I let out a long slow breath and went back inside.
Dad looked up from his newspaper. "Oh, Haruto. Just remembered your grandmother is coming today. Along with a bunch of relatives."
Mom turned from the TV. "She said she'll arrive around noon."
"That soon, huh."
I didn't mind. I actually liked my grandmother… even though she didn't particularly like Mom.
Mom clapped her hands suddenly. "Breakfast is ready!"
We all sat around the table.
And for the first time in a long time actually, maybe for the first time since my original life before the regression I ate breakfast without feeling anything heavy sitting in my chest.
No anxiety.
No paranoia.
No fear that Miyuki and Souta were somewhere together behind my back.
Just… food and quiet.
I watched my parents talk about random things groceries, TV shows, work and the simple happiness between them was strangely comforting.
"So peaceful…" I murmured under my breath.
Mom glanced at me. "Hm?"
"Nothing," I said with a small smile. "Just thinking."
By noon, the doorbell rang.
My grandmother.
I could recognize her voice even from upstairs.
"Haruto! My beloved grandson, where are you?"
I hurried down.
"Grandma!"
The moment she saw me, she opened her arms wide. "Ah, my handsome boy! You've grown taller again, haven't you?"
I hugged her, feeling the familiar scent of her perfume something floral and expensive.
Behind her was a mountain of suitcases.
Dad blinked. "Mom… why did you bring so much?"
"These are gifts," she said proudly. "For everyone."
Dad and I carried the luggage inside while Grandma removed her coat.
Mom approached her but Grandma barely looked at her.
"Ah. You're here too," Grandma said lightly.
Mom forced a smile. "Welcome, Mother."
Dad coughed awkwardly. "Mom, how was the trip?"
"Tiring," she said dramatically. "But worth it to see Haruto."
Grandma motioned for me. "Come here, Haruto."
I stepped forward.
She opened a small box inside was a luxury platinum watch, the kind that looked like it belonged in a display case somewhere.
My eyes widened. "Grandma, this is way too expensive. I don't need"
"Nonsense," she said, grabbing my wrist and fastening it herself. "Wear it. It suits you."
"But—"
"No buts."
I sighed… and accepted it.
Next, she handed Mom a beautifully wrapped dress but her tone was cold.
"For you."
Mom bowed her head. "Thank you."
Then she gave Dad a golf set and an expensive suit.
We spent the next hour laughing, opening gifts, drinking tea, talking in the living room. It was a warm scene full of chatter and holiday cheer.
A scene I had almost forgotten existed.
Maybe… things are finally calming down.
Then
Knock. Knock.
Someone was at the door.
"I'll check," I said.
I walked to the entrance, opened the door…
And froze.
"…Miyuki."
Her eyes were red. Her face pale. She was breathing hard as if she'd run all the way here.
The moment I tried to close the door, her foot jammed into the gap.
"Haruto wait."
Her voice cracked.
"I need to talk to you. Please. Just five minutes."
My chest tightened not with sympathy, but with a dull, tired disappointment.
Still… I stepped outside and closed the door behind me.
Mom peeked around the corner. "Haruto? Who was—"
"It's Miyuki," I said bluntly. "I'll be right back."
Her expression stiffened, but she nodded.
Outside, the cold wind blew between us.
"What do you want, Miyuki?" I asked.
She didn't answer.
Instead, she grabbed my hand and tugged me along, pulling me toward the nearby playground. I followed silently, not resisting.
Once we reached the bench, she let go and whispered:
"Sit."
I sat.
She stood in front of me, hands behind her back, staring into my eyes with trembling lashes.
"How much do you know?" she asked.
"…About what?"
She swallowed.
"About me and Souta."
I looked away. "Enough."
"No." Her voice shook. "How much, Haruto?"
"…Maybe everything. From the beginning."
She closed her eyes.
Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Then…" she whispered, "…why didn't you ask me anything? Why didn't you confront me? Why why didn't you try to talk to me even once?"
I didn't respond.
She stepped closer, her tears falling freely.
"I know Souta liked me since middle school," she said, smiling painfully. "I knew it. I really did."
"But I chose you, Haruto. Because I admired you. Because you were gentle… sincere… because you were someone I believed I could trust with my heart."
Her voice suddenly rose.
"But you changed!"
She shouted, her words trembling violently.
"The reason I ended up with Souta… the reason everything happened… was YOU!"
I blinked slowly, but my heartbeat stayed calm.
Miyuki dropped to her knees, covering her face.
"Only if you cared about me," she choked.
"Only if you listened when I was struggling."
"Only if you knew how much I was being pressured."
"Only if you weren't always with Yui."
"Only if you showed me love the way Souta did…"
Her words cut deeper than that punch ever did.
Because memories started to resurface.
Times she wanted to talk and I brushed her off.
Times I walked home with Yui while she stared after us.
Times she messaged me late at night and I replied with short answers.
Times she cried in secret and I didn't notice.
"…I see," I whispered.
Maybe I wasn't as innocent as I believed.
Her voice became small. Broken.
"I didn't want to betray you… but Souta was always there. He listened. He understood. He held me when I cried. You didn't."
My chest felt heavy.
Not painful.
Just… heavy.
Before she could say more, I quietly leaned forward and wrapped my arms around her.
She froze.
My chin rested against her shoulder. "I'm sorry."
Her breath hitched.
"I'm sorry for ignoring you. For not noticing. For letting you feel alone."
She slowly melted into the hug, crying quietly against my chest.
But even as I held her…
Another memory surfaced.
My future self.
Overworked.
Exhausted.
Forgotten anniversary.
Destroyed marriage.
Destroyed family.
And Miyuki… holding Souta's children.
Even understanding my mistakes…
She shouldn't have chosen betrayal.
Not when I was working myself to death for her.
Not when she knew it.
But I didn't say that out loud.
Not yet.
After a long time, she finally calmed down.
We talked quietly, honestly about everything.
Then she stood up, wiping her eyes.
"…Haruto," she said softly. "I'm transferring schools."
"…What?"
"My mother found my photos online. She doesn't know it was Souta who leaked them… she just thinks staying here is bad for me."
Her voice shook.
"She's sending me to live with my grandparents. New school. New life."
I nodded. "I see."
"Haruto…"
She gave me a weak smile.
"…I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," I said.
We stood there for a moment, just staring at each other.
Then she turned to leave.
But after walking a few steps, she looked back at me.
Her smile was small. Trembling.
"Haruto…" she whispered.
"I still love you."
And then she walked away.
Her figure slowly blending into the cold white mist of winter.
I stood there silently.
The wind brushing against my skin.
My breath hanging in the air.
My platinum watch ticking faintly in the quiet.
"…Goodbye," I said softly.
"Goodbye, Miyuki."