BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The loud, repeated sound of an alarm and the steady vibration of a phone on the bedside table broke the silence of the dimly lit room. The noise didn't last long. A shaky hand reached out and swiped the screen in frustration, silencing it
"Damn, that sound is annoying."
The tired voice, heavy with sleep, was the first sound to follow the alarm.
It came from a boy–thin and a little tall, with messy black hair that looked like it hadn't seen a comb in weeks. Just under his tired eyes were two small moles, one on each side, matching like a pair.
He stayed still for a moment, staring blankly at the ceiling. Then, with a soft groan, he slowly sat up, running his fingers through his tangled hair. His fingers caught in a knot, and he winced slightly before looking toward his phone.
"6:55? Damn it, I wanted to get up a little earlier."
His voice echoed in the quiet room, still hoarse from sleep. He sounded more annoyed at himself than anything else.
After a few more seconds of sitting there, he forced himself to stand. His movements were sluggish, like someone wading through water. Each step he took was soft, but the sound of his feet touching the floor echoed through the silence.
He reached out lazily and turned the doorknob. The door creaked as it slowly opened, the sound stretching down the empty hallway.
His room was on the second floor. Right across from him was his older brother's room—empty now since he'd gone off to college. His parents' room
was further down, right beside the bathroom, and directly to the left of his own door.
Everything was quiet. Still.
He stood in the hallway for a second, scratching his arm and blinking at the faint morning light slipping in from the living room window downstairs.
Huh… that's odd. It's awfully quiet.
The thought passed through his mind as he stood in the hallway. Usually, he'd hear his mom humming in the kitchen, maybe singing an old tune while frying eggs.
Speaking of frying—he didn't smell anything either.
Guess they left early.
He shrugged slightly as he walked toward the bathroom.
It wasn't super rare for his parents to head out early once in a while, but waking up to complete silence still felt off.
He turned the doorknob and stepped into the bathroom. The light buzzed faintly above him. He walked over to the sink, picked up his toothbrush, and turned on the faucet. After wetting the bristles, he squeezed on some toothpaste and began brushing.
Mom and dad aren't home right now, so I can probably leave out a little later…
He paused for a second, eyes locked with his own reflection in the mirror, toothbrush lazily moving inside his mouth.
Then again, it is Monday.
He frowned slightly, foam building up as he brushed.
Yeah, nah. I shouldn't risk it. It's gonna be a pain in the ass walking through those halls when everyone's already there.
He stopped brushing for a second to gargle, then spat into the sink. Turning on the faucet again, he rinsed the leftover foam and watched the white swirl vanish down the drain.
But I'm gonna have to walk through those crowded-ass halls anyway… Might as well do it before they're too crowded.
He stood still for a moment, staring at his tired face in the mirror, then wiped the leftover foam from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Man, I hate Mondays."
His voice echoed lightly in the bathroom as he let out a long sigh.
He turned off the faucet and placed the toothbrush back down on the sink, stretching his arms slightly as he leaned over.
The mirror fogged slightly from his breath. He wiped it again absentmindedly.
---
A few minutes passed as he stepped out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He had a towel with him to dry his damp hair—he couldn't be bothered to do it in the bathroom.
He moved downstairs a bit quicker than before. The shower had helped wake him up.
He glanced around the living room until his eyes landed on the dining table. Sitting on top of it was a note.
Yep, so they did leave early.
He thought as he walked over and picked it up.
Whenever his parents left early, they usually left a note. It always said something along the lines of:
"Hey Chrono, we're leaving out a bittttt earlier today. If you're hungry there's stuff in the fridge. Love, Mom & Dad ♡."
"Corny as always."
Chrono scoffed, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. It wasn't from annoyance—it was more nostalgic than anything.
He rolled the note into a ball and, without turning around, tossed it behind him.
Thud.
"YES! It finally went in."
Chrono lit up, eyes wide with victory. His grin stretched across his face. Finally, he made a shot without looking.
After his little celebration, he walked over to the fridge and opened it. Inside was his breakfast—or at least something that could pass for one. A single fried egg sat on a plate.
I'm guessing she wants me to make a sandwich? Or maybe she was just in a rush, and this is all she could make?
He stared at the egg for a few seconds, overthinking it as usual.
"Guess I'll make a sandwich and eat it for lunch. I can save my lunch money."
He spoke aloud as he took the plate out of the fridge. He grabbed some tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, and a slice of cheese before shutting the fridge.
As he was putting the sandwich together, he glanced at the clock above the fridge.
7:33 A.M.
"Damn, I'm running kinda late."
He muttered as he added the final slice of bread to the sandwich.
School started at 8:00 A.M., and the walk usually took about fifteen minutes at a normal pace. Even if he made it on time, the crowded halls on a Monday morning would still be a pain to deal with.
Guess it's just inevitable, huh.
He sighed, the same defeated look on his face that many students wore on Mondays.
He finished wrapping his sandwich in some paper towel and slid it into his bag. Slinging the strap over one shoulder, he took one final look around the kitchen before heading to the front door.
He stepped outside and closed the door behind him. He spun the keys around his finger before slipping them into his pocket.
The faint smell of the sea lingered in the air, and a cool sea breeze brushed against his face.
Chrono lived in the city of Aetherreach, a remote coastal hub known for its beaches, seafood markets, and bustling cargo docks. Despite its isolation, the city was a famous tourist spot. The port was always alive—even on quiet mornings like this—as it was the city's main source of income.
He walked alongside the beach, which stretched right beside the main road, the soft jingle of keys echoing from his pocket with every step.
As he continued his steady stride toward school, something caught his attention—a quick flash of blue from the direction of the beach, just in the corner of his eye.
He stopped and turned his head quickly toward the source, but… nothing. The sand, the waves, the sunlight—everything looked normal.
Huh? Could've sworn I saw a flash.
He narrowed his eyes, scanning the shore carefully. What could that have been?
Maybe I'm going insane.
He shook his head and kept walking, pretending to brush it off, even if curiosity still itched at the back of his mind.
"I'll check it out after school,"
he muttered to himself, eyes lifting to the sky. Maybe it was some rare gemstone that washed ashore or some glowing ancient artifact. It was a ridiculous thought, but hey, the odds were never zero.
---
After several minutes of walking, Chrono finally arrived at school.
Aetherreach High.
The most prestigious high school in the city, and ranked number three in the country. Known for its fierce academic competitiveness, the school proudly believed in survival-of-the-smartest. Apparently, it worked.
Another week at this bum-ass school.
Chrono sighed heavily as he stood at the main entrance.
The school grounds were massive—roughly 190 square feet per 2,500 students—but even with all that space, it was still overcrowded. The buildings were green-themed and sleek with modern architecture. It looked more like a college campus than a high school.
Despite the beauty, the sight in front of him soured his mood.
Even outside is hella crowded…
Chrono stared at the sea of students moving in every direction, practically flooding the entrance like a human tidal wave. A common thought crept back into his mind: "How has no one been trampled yet?"
A school with this much funding shouldn't have this much foot traffic. Welp, this is what happens when you cram too many people into one place.
He sighed again and reluctantly stepped forward, walking into the chaos of moving bodies.
Then, suddenly—a weight on his shoulder.
He flinched slightly, glancing over to see a hand resting there. He followed the arm up to see a boy standing beside him.
He had red hair, sharp black eyes, a small scar on the left side of his lip, black glasses, and was slightly taller than Chrono.
"Yo, wazzup Zeph?"
The boy smiled wide. From that alone, you could tell they were close.
"You're way too happy. It's like 7 in the morning."
Chrono replied, his voice unsteady from the sudden contact. He looked up at the boy with squinted eyes and a shaky smirk.
"Not everyone's as gloomy as you, bro."
The redhead chuckled. His smile faded a bit, but the energy in his voice remained.
"Do you see this crowd, or are your eyes just for design? Ain't nothing to be jolly about."
Chrono shot back, gesturing at the moving swarm of students around them.
"Oh, by the way, Xander—where's Chris? He's usually stuck to your side."
Chrono asked, brushing the guy's arm off his shoulder casually.
"Oh, he stayed home. Said there's some big event in one of those gacha games he's always talking about."
Xander replied.
"Oh."
Chrono muttered, sounding mildly disappointed.
"Honestly, I don't get the buzz about gacha games. It's just glorified gambling with extra steps… and cute anime girls."
Chrono added, his voice carrying a blend of confusion and mockery.
"No comment."
Xander mumbled, quickly looking away like someone caught in the act.
Chrono raised a brow, smirking.
"Wait. Don't tell me you're into them too?"
Xander cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses.
"Hey man, I only roll for the art. Strictly for the character design. Nothing weird."
"Yeah whatever you say man, that's what they all say. Just don't start blowing your college funds on 'waifus.'"
They both laughed lightly, the tension breaking as they slowly began moving with the crowd.
As they made their way through the crowd, a few glances were thrown their way—some admiring, some envious.
Chrono never thought of himself as "popular." Honestly, he didn't understand why people paid him any mind at all. He hadn't done anything particularly noteworthy. His grades were just a bit above average, he barely participated in class, and his circle of friends was small.
If anything, he figured it was probably his looks. He was slightly above average in that department—nothing movie-star worthy, but enough to turn a few heads.
Eventually, they reached their usual parting point. Xander peeled off to the right of the intersection.
"See you at lunch, Zeph."
"See ya."
Chrono waved, heading straight down the corridor.
As he continued toward homeroom, he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder. He turned slightly and looked behind him.
A girl stood there, much shorter than him. She had long blonde hair that bounced softly with her steps and striking green eyes that sparkled like she knew something you didn't.
"Zeph Chrono, right?"
She asked brightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"Yeah, that's me… Talia Fenrow, right?"
"Wowww, you actually know my name? I must be, like, super popular now~"
She gave a soft giggle, clearly joking but also pleased.
Chrono turned to face her more fully.
"Do you need something?"
He asked curiously, raising a brow.
"Mhmm~ I kinda need a partner for the two-legged race on sports day,"
she said, drawing out her words like she was sweet-talking him,
"and I heard you were reeaally athletic~"
She leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them.
This is how they draw you in, huh?
Chrono flinched a little at how close she'd gotten. It was a tactic—get too close, too fast, build pressure until the other person caves. He'd seen it before.
"Athletic?"
He blinked in confusion and instinctively took a step back.
"Yup! I heard you used to play football back in middle school."
She took a step forward, keeping the space between them minimal.
You "heard," huh. I'm not buying that.
Chrono thought, his expression stiff as a bead of sweat formed on his temple.
"How'd you hear about that though? I've never told anyone out my circle… and I wasn't even a regular starter."
He looked genuinely confused, maybe even a little uncomfortable.
"How'd I hear?"
Talia placed her finger on her lower lip, tilting her head as if mock-thinking.
"Hmm… I guess you could say I've got my ways~"
Her voice was singsongy, with a teasing lilt, and just a hint of mystery.
Then she dropped her hand and stepped in again.
"Oh so you did a background check on me. You could've just said that, y'know."
Chrono replied, trying to sound casual now that he had a little more footing in the conversation, though he still took a step back.
Well… saying "I did a background check on you" would sound a little off.
He reasoned internally as he studied her carefully.
"You're pretty sharp, Zeph~ I'll give you that."
Talia said with a slightly softer tone, though her expression didn't change. The playful glint in her eyes remained, and—unsurprisingly—she closed the distance once again.
"So, what do you say, Zeph? Are you interested?"
Talia asked, leaning closer—so close, in fact, her hair brushed against his arm. He twitched slightly at the contact.
"I'll think about it."
Chrono replied hesitantly. He wasn't sure if he wanted to associate with her, but he also wasn't the biggest fan of turning girls down.
"Alright then~ Meet me after school at the front gate, okay, Zeph?"
She finally stepped back, brushing her hair behind her ear as she smiled up at him.
Chrono gave her a light nod in response.
"I'll be heading to homeroom now. Don't keep me waiting~"
She added playfully, though her voice carried a tone that made it clear she was in control of the situation.
She turned and walked ahead, giving him a teasing wink before disappearing into the crowd.
She's good. A lot of guys would've caved on the spot.
Chrono thought, watching her walk off.
Maybe I could give it a shot.
He resumed his walk to homeroom, deep in thought.
Still… a background check? And pushing this hard for a two-legged race? That's a bit much.
He stared up at the ceiling as he walked, frowning slightly.
I think I get it though. She probably made a bet with someone else who's also competing. Either that or she's one of those weirdos who treat Sports Day like the Olympics.
He sighed, placing a hand on his chin as he finally arrived at his form class.
He opened the door and walked in, drawing a few glances. Nothing new.
He made his way to his desk, pulling out his chair and swinging his bag over the back of it. But then he paused—feeling a gaze locked onto him like a laser.
Chrono sat stiffly, refusing to look to the side, even though he could feel the pressure of someone staring intently.
"Good morning, Zeph."
A calm yet icy voice cut through the air. Though her tone was composed, there was a noticeable edge to it.
"Morning."
Chrono responded evenly, keeping his face composed—even if the sweat forming on his cheek betrayed him.
Sitting beside him was Iris Aurora—the class rep, top student, and a front-runner for the next student council president. With her long violet hair, crimson eyes, and matching violet glasses, she had a presence that turned heads. Her aura was dignified, elegant… and just a little intimidating.
"I don't like your tone, Zeph."
She said plainly, folding her arms across her chest, eyes still fixed on him.
"My bad."
Chrono replied, confused but calm. Best to avoid provoking her further.
"I'm assuming this is about the assignment? Yeah, I did my part and printed it like you asked."
He reached into his bag and handed her the papers.
Iris accepted the sheets without a word and began reviewing them, her eyes scanning every line with almost surgical precision.
"…You're quite competent, Zeph. I'll give you that."
She finally said, reorganizing the papers neatly in front of her.
"I appreciate it."
Chrono replied with a slight smirk.
Zeph Chrono… He irritates me.
Iris thought to herself, resting her chin lightly on her hand as she leaned over in her seat.
Usually during group assignments, I have to carry the workload because of incompetent partners. But with him… everything flows effortlessly.
She turned her gaze toward the window, watching students entering the building below.
And that's exactly what frustrates me.
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
How can someone so capable settle for mediocrity? He's holding back… and I despise people who hold back.
"Do you need me to do anything else?"
Chrono asked, placing a hand on his chin as he looked in her direction.
"No, I'll handle everything else."
Iris replied coolly, slipping the sheets of paper into her bag without even glancing at him.
"All right then."
Chrono nodded, turning his attention to the front of the class.
Iris Aurora... I can't really find a fault with her, to be honest.
She's such a competent partner, I barely have to lift a finger.
Chrono glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
You can tell why she's at the top—she treats even the smallest assignments like they're life-or-death.
But if you ask me, that's going a little overboard.
He leaned on his desk slightly, hand back under his chin.
Truth is, you don't really have to work that hard to do well in school.
People who just do "enough" end up getting the same chances as those who burn themselves out.
That's why I don't try harder than I have to.
Chrono sighed and looked forward again, but that quiet awareness in the back of his mind lingered.
Still… I get the feeling she hates that part of me.
And honestly, I get it. It's a pretty pathetic way to think.
It's like saying "Oh well" or "This is fine" even when you know you can do better.
But when it doesn't really matter in the end, why bother?
His gaze slid back to Iris, studying her calmly focused expression.
Her family's well known too. She probably grew up with the mindset: "Never settle for less."
So yeah, it makes sense she'd despise someone like me.
I don't like being hated, though. So maybe… I'll try a little harder.
Just then, the classroom door opened.
Mr. Jones strolled in with a clipboard in hand, his voice cutting through the murmurs of early morning chatter.
"Good morning, students. I'll be taking morning registration now."
He sat at his desk and began checking names.
---
The school bell rang out sharply, signaling the end of the day.
Chrono stretched his arms and let out a long sigh as he stepped out of the classroom.
Finally. That dragged.
He slung his bag over his shoulder and began walking through the bustling halls.
Oh, right… I'm supposed to meet Talia.
Might as well just say yes and get it over with.
Chrono weaved through the crowd, heading toward the school gate.
Outside, the afternoon sun greeted him with a blinding beam. He squinted, raising a hand to block the rays. Through the mass of students, he spotted her.
Talia stood by the gate, waving casually to people passing by. Her golden hair shimmered in the light, and she smiled like she didn't have a care in the world.
Chrono walked up to her.
"Heeeeey, Zeph! You actually showed up. I'm shocked~"
She greeted him with her usual bubbly tone, flashing a playful smirk.
"Huh? Why wouldn't I?"
"Wellllll…"
Talia twirled a strand of her hair as she tilted her head.
"You don't exactly scream 'people person.' I kinda figured you were gonna ghost me."
Chrono blinked. "Oh…"
Seriously? I give off that kind of vibe?
He frowned slightly, unsure if she was messing with him or not. Hopefully messing with him...
"Anyways, I'm op—"
"Hold on just a second."
Talia cut him off mid-sentence, placing a finger on his lips before pulling it back dramatically.
"You're not seriously about to give me your answer here, are you? That's sooo lame."
"Huh?"
His face twisted with confusion.
"There's this new café that opened recently, and I wanna check it out."
She said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
"My friends bailed 'cause they didn't wanna wait on me, so you're gonna be my fill-in."
She gave his shoulder a light slap and grinned.
"I guess that's fair."
Chrono said, a little defeated.
Damn it. I just wanted to give her my answer and go home.
She's totally gonna make me pay too. I can feel it.
Chrono sighed and slouched a little.
"Good! Let's go then~ I heard their iced caramel matcha thing is like, life-changing."
Talia chirped as she grabbed his wrist lightly and started walking ahead, almost pulling him along.
Chrono followed, resigned.
She's basically taking me out on a date. C'mon man, we just met.
Chrono thought, sighing internally as he was dragged along toward the café.
After a few more minutes of walking, the café came into view.
Looks pretty empty from here… That's kinda surprising.
He raised an eyebrow, noting the lack of activity. Considering Talia said it was newly opened, he expected at least a small crowd.
"The café looks a little empty from here. Why's that?"
Chrono asked, looking ahead at the back of her head as she still tugged him forward by the wrist.
She turned her head slightly, placing a finger against her lips in faux contemplation before responding.
"Welllll… the prices may or may not be a littleee high~"
She said with a mischievous smirk, her voice dipping into something almost sinister.
"Oh, that makes sense."
Chrono replied with an awkward smile, trying his best to sound chill.
Damn it. I'm gonna get exploited…
He let out a soft sigh, his shoulders visibly dropping.
They finally arrived at the café. As they stepped in, a small bell above the door jingled, announcing their entrance.
The interior caught Chrono by surprise. It didn't look like a typical café—more like a five-star restaurant dressed up in pastel tones and ambient lighting.
Is this really a café…?
Chrono scanned the room as they were led over to a table for two near the window.
They took their seats, facing each other. The polished marble table between them shimmered slightly under the lights.
Soon, a cheerful-looking waitress approached with a welcoming smile.
"Good afternoon, and welcome to Jackson's Café. What would you like to order?"
"I'll have an iced caramel matcha, please~"
Talia responded sweetly, resting a hand under her chin as she smiled up at the waitress.
"And you, sir?"
The waitress turned to Chrono with the same polite smile.
Chrono reached for the menu on the table and began flipping through it.
Usually, I'd grab a slice of cheesecake and a bottle of water…
His eyes scanned the options quickly—until they locked onto the price.
Twenty dollars for a cheesecake? What the hell!?
His heart sank.
"I think… I'm good."
Chrono said with a nervous chuckle, gently placing the menu back on the table.
The waitress gave a courteous nod before walking off.
I can see why this place is empty…
Chrono thought, shaking his head slightly as he slouched into his chair.
"Everything alright, Zeph? You didn't buy anything."
she asked, tilting her head slightly, her voice suddenly soft with concern.
Chrono blinked, surprised at the change in tone.
"Huh? Oh—yeah, I'm good. The prices were just a bit over my budget."
He replied, trying not to make his surprise too obvious.
"Oh, alright."
She smiled gently, seeming reassured by the answer.
"So… can I give you my answer now, or…?"
Chrono asked, leaning forward slightly as he gazed at her.
"Sure, go ahead."
Talia replied with her usual playful tone, resting both hands under her chin as she smirked at him with anticipation.
"Alright."
Chrono said, pausing briefly before continuing.
"I'm open to doing the race with you."
He met her eyes directly, a calm confidence in his tone.
"Oh my God, really? You mean it, Zeph?"
Talia gasped, covering her mouth with one hand like her crush had just confessed. Her voice was full of excitement.
"There's one thing I gotta ask, though."
Chrono raised a finger, his tone lifting slightly, trying to regain a bit of control in the moment.
"Hm? What's your question, Zeph?"
She asked, tilting her head again, curious but still smiling.
"Well… your actions are a bit over the top for just sports day, and you're not a house captain or anything. So I'd like to know your motives behind all of this."
Chrono said, resting a hand against his cheek as he studied her closely. His voice was serious—but not too harsh.
"Oh, uh… that's quite the question,"
Talia replied nervously, twirling a lock of her hair between her fingers as she averted her gaze.
"Well um… there's this girl I really hate losing to, and I challenged her to see who could win more events on sports day… that's all."
She admitted, her voice dropping slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She still wouldn't look at him directly.
So my theory was right… Still, her reaction's a bit unexpected.
Chrono thought, eyeing her expression with mild surprise.
"Alright then, I'll do my best so we can beat her."
Chrono said with a small laugh and a confident smile.
Corny-ass line… I'm never saying that again.
He cringed inwardly, disgusted with himself for sounding like a protagonist in a cheesy sports anime.
Just then, the waitress returned with the iced caramel matcha and gently placed it on the table.
"Enjoy your drink. I hope to see you here again,"
she said with the same warm, welcoming smile.
"Thanks."
Talia replied, giving the waitress a playful wink before the woman turned and walked off.
Talia unwrapped the straw, dropped it into her drink, and took a long sip. Her eyes widened immediately.
"Mhmm~."
She hummed with delight, lips still around the straw. After a second, she pulled back and turned to Chrono with a bright look.
"This tastes amazing! They really weren't lying about this,"
she said excitedly, her voice slightly higher and more energetic than usual.
"You want a sip, Zeph?"
She teased, eyes narrowing slightly as her smirk curled more mischievously. She tilted the cup toward him, her tone daring.
"Huh? Uh… nah, I'm good."
Chrono replied, a bit caught off guard.
An indirect kiss already? Who is this girl?
Chrono thought, trying to hide the smirk growing on his face, shaking his head slightly in disbelief.
"Ohhh, alright. Guess you're missing out,"
Talia replied, sounding a little disappointed but still smirking as she brought the cup back to her lips.
She took another sip, then glanced back at him as if remembering something.
"Oh, by the way."
"Hm?"
"You're paying for this, Zeph."
"Oh…"
Chrono responded flatly, his soul visibly leaving his body.
Talia giggled lightly, her tone playful as ever.
"You totally walked into that one,"
she added, resting her chin in her hand.
I knew it. I knew this was gonna happen… but still—ouch.
Chrono sighed inwardly, feeling the invisible punch to his wallet.
After a while, they finally left the café, the bell above the door letting out a soft jingle as they stepped out.
"We can start training tomorrow after school, if you're free."
Talia suggested, the wind gently blowing strands of her hair across her cheek.
"I think I'll be free tomorrow."
Chrono replied, glancing up at the sky as he mentally replayed his usual routine.
"I'll see you tomorrow then, Zeph."
She stood on her toes and flicked his nose with a playful grin before spinning on her heel and walking off.
Chrono gave a small wave before turning away, heading down the other path.
She has an odd way of getting what she wants,
Chrono thought, slipping his phone out to check the time before sliding it back into his pocket.
Although I do think she's a genuinely nice person, she uses that personality trait to manipulate others into giving her what she wants. It's effective... but I'm not the biggest fan of it.
His footsteps slowed slightly as he stared at the orange-streaked sky, lost in thought.
She probably thought everything went according to plan, but I just agreed to everything so things could flow smoothly. I'm not the biggest fan of enemies.
He stopped walking and turned to face the horizon, where the sun was beginning to dip below the sea.
Now that I think about it… people probably think I can be easily exploited.
The idea soured his mood.
I don't like the thought of being seen as a pushover just because I avoid problems.
He clenched his jaw slightly, eyes narrowing.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to take control of situations sometimes.
Chrono continued his walk, reaching the stretch of sidewalk that ran along the beach—right where he'd seen the strange blue flash that morning.
Oh right, I said I'd check out that flash I saw earlier.
Heturned toward the shoreline, footsteps crunching slightly as he stepped onto the sand.
It could be something rare that I can do research on to see how valuable it is. Then I'll sell it.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, eyes scanning the beach—
Then it happened again.
A sudden blue flash. Blinding. Sharp. Real.
He flinched and raised an arm over his eyes. When the light faded, he lowered it—and saw it.
A book.
A single book, glowing faintly in the sand.
...A book? No way a book can emit THAT much light.
His pulse quickened.
Step by cautious step, he approached. The sand shifted beneath his shoes, but everything else was still—eerily so.
He crouched down, staring at it. It looked... normal now. No glow. Just a perfectly intact book with an ornate blue cover.
He reached out and picked it up.
There's just no way this could generate so much light. It's just a regular book… so how?
Opening the book, he skimmed the inside. The cover was bone dry—but the pages were soaked, as if they'd been dragged from the ocean.
This doesn't make any sense. Not only did this book emit such a bright light, the cover is completely dry but the pages are completely wet. Not only that…
He flipped through more pages.
I can't understand a damn thing. This language is either otherworldly… or hella ancient.
Chrono frowned and shut the book. Swinging his bag off his shoulder, he unzipped it and slid the book inside.
This is worth looking into.
A bead of sweat ran down his face, but a crooked smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Then—everything changed.
A pulse of silence.
Then the world… froze.
The wind stopped blowing.
The waves froze mid-splash.
Birds hung mid-flight like marionettes with severed strings. Cars on the road above were paused mid-motion—some half-turned, some mid-blur. Ships in the distance were as still as stone.
Chrono blinked.
He opened his mouth to speak—but no sound came out.
Not a whisper. Not a breath.
I can't hear my voice?
He looked around, eyes darting from one frozen object to the next, heart racing.
Time stopped completely… for everything but me? How is this possible? This doesn't make any sense. This can't be possible. This shouldn't be possible.
His thoughts spiraled, tangled in confusion and dread.
Calm down. Calm down. Try to make sense of nonsense.
He took a shaky breath. Then his eyes widened again.
Wait… how can I breathe if there's no air blowing?
He looked around—no rustling trees, no rippling water, no flapping wings.
Oh… I think I get it. There's something—or someone—controlling what I can and can't do during stopped time. That's why I can still see… and breathe… but I can't speak.
Then—
Reality shattered.
The birds above flickered between owls, doves, vultures—each frame replacing the last like broken film.
The sand beneath him glitched between metal, concrete, water, and black glass.
The sky warped—bright noon, pitch night, stormy grey, aurora-filled twilight—changing every second.
Cars blinked, swapped colors, shapes, vanished entirely.
The ships melted and reformed.
Chrono stood up in sheer terror, his breath caught in his throat.
What is this?!
He spun around in place, watching the beach distort like corrupted data.
This isn't real—this is like… like a world glitching out. Like something's rewriting the rules in real time.
He looked down at his bag.
The book inside began glowing again.
Brighter.
Brighter.
The glow throbbed, synced with his heartbeat.
I think… I think it's the book. It's connected to all of this. No, it's DEFINITELY connected to all of this.
He took a step back, the ground beneath him flickering between stone and sand. His vision wavered. The whole world around him flickered like a dying screen.
Then suddenly—
Everything around him began to break apart.
The sky cracked like shattered glass, pieces of it splintering and falling upward. The ground beneath him fractured, chunks of it lifting into the air as if Earth had lost all sense of gravity.
The flickering between day and night sped up violently—faster, faster, until—
Everything shattered.
There was no floor.
No sky.
No sea.
Just an endless, suffocating void.
Chrono floated in it.
He couldn't feel anything.
He couldn't see anything.
Everything was black.
Everything. Everywhere.
Then—
he felt it.
Something tight clenched around his chest—something invisible and alive, pulling, twisting, dragging like it was trying to rip his soul straight out of his body.
He tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
He reached for his chest—
but couldn't feel his arms.
He couldn't feel anything.
Then, without warning—
light.
Blinding, pure, endless light.
The floor appeared beneath his knees—smooth and white like polished marble.
The surrounding space—infinite, blinding white.
No walls.
No sky.
Just white.
Chrono knelt there, frozen, his eyes wide and bloodshot.
Hahaha… I'm going INSANE.
He laughed internally, the edges of his mind fraying like worn fabric. A shaky, manic smile twisted onto his face.
"No… not yet."
A chorus of voices—layered, distorted, echoing from one source—rang out from behind him.
The entire space trembled.
Chrono collapsed to his knees, shaking.
What the hell is THAT?
He turned his head slowly.
A figure stood there.
Impossible to define.
Its body glowed brighter than the white world itself.
It looked human, but… it wasn't.
It had no gender, no clear features—just a brilliant white silhouette that shouldn't have stood out, yet somehow did.
Each step it took forward made the air quake.
The infinite world rippled beneath its feet, as if it were walking across the fabric of reality itself.
"You are worthy."
Its voice was clear now—singular, yet impossible to pin down.
Then—
It tapped Chrono gently on the forehead.
And in an instant—
Everything snapped back.
The birds flew.
The ships moved.
Cars honked in the distance.
The sea breeze brushed against his face.
The sun was setting like nothing had ever happened.
What the hell? What the hell? What the hell? What the hell? What the hell? What the hell? What the hell—
The thought looped violently in Chrono's head.
He dropped to his knees, clutching his head with both hands.
"What the hell… what the hell actually was that?"
He muttered aloud, voice shaking, his body trembling, sweat rolling down his face.
That manic, haunted smile remained.
Calm down, Chrono. Try to make sense of this.
Chrono thought, sucking in deep, heavy breaths. Each inhale steadied him slightly, but his body still trembled uncontrollably.
The book… It has to be the book. Or maybe… that figure. Maybe they're connected somehow.
He forced himself to stand, knees quivering like they could give out at any moment.
Easiest way out of this is to get rid of the book and forget all of this ever happened. But… how do you escape something that can stop time itself?
That memory—"You are worthy"—echoed again in his mind, gnawing at his sanity like a whisper from the void.
No… there's no running. If I'm already marked, the best choice is to learn what this book is. Maybe then I'll have a shot at surviving whatever the hell this is.
Chrono staggered off the beach, each step leaving shaky footprints in the sand. He kept looking over his shoulder, half-expecting time to freeze again mid-stride.
Even if I find out what the book is… then what? What the hell am I supposed to do with this knowledge? Fight back against something like that? That thing bent reality like it was paper.
His breathing quickened again. He gritted his teeth.
What am I even supposed to do? Damn it, bro…
He clutched his hair in frustration, dragging his fingers through it like they could pull out answers. The more he thought, the heavier it all felt—like the air itself was closing in around him.
Eventually, the sun faded completely.
The moonlight bathed his face as he arrived at his front door and knocked weakly.
A few seconds passed. The door opened.
"Oh hey Chrono, what took you so long? Did you finally find yourself a lady?"
His mom's voice—cheerful, playful—cut through the silence like a dagger wrapped in warmth. She stepped aside, chuckling.
Chrono opened his mouth to answer—
But then it hit.
That void-like weightlessness.
Like the world had dropped out beneath him.
His body—gone limp.
His vision blurred—then collapsed into black.
Ah… I'm falling.
His thoughts were calm. Detached.
Somewhere, he could faintly hear her calling his name, distorted like it was coming through water. Then—impact.
His face met the floor.
Then—
Nothing.
Just darkness.
I can't see…
My forehead—damn, it hurts. Am I bleeding?
Why can't I move? What's happening? Is Mom alright?
A spiral of thought, panic, and confusion tore through him, echoing into that black void—
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The sharp, grating screech of his phone's alarm tore through the darkness like a gunshot.
Chrono gasped—violently.
His eyes snapped open as he bolted upright, clutching his chest like he'd just survived drowning.
He looked around his room, breath ragged, skin damp with sweat. Slowly, he exhaled.
He blinked. Yawned.
Ran a hand through his hair.
"…Did I get knocked out?"
He muttered aloud, eyes scanning his surroundings. His hand touched his forehead, but—no pain.
That's weird… I could've sworn I hit the floor. Thought I was bleeding.
His fingers ran across his scalp again—no injury.
Then he noticed it.
He was wearing the same white T-shirt and black shorts from yesterday.
Huh? I could've sworn I put these in the wash. Why am I even wearing them?
He frowned, hand settling on his chin.
Mom would've changed me if I passed out. But… why put me in these? It doesn't add up.
He stood, still processing, and opened his bedroom door. Silence.
Again? Two mornings in a row? That's never happened before.
He walked faster. Then ran.
Down the stairs—
The note on the table.
He lunged toward the fridge—
The single fried egg.
His stomach dropped.
No… no, no. This can't be happening. No way.
Panic surged through him as he stormed back up the stairs, three steps at a time,
nearly tripping in his rush.
He darted into his room and grabbed his phone off the bedside table.
His hands fumbled with the power button, screen flickering to life.
His heart dropped.
February 13.
That's… that's yesterday.
That could only mean—
His legs gave way slightly.
His hands were shaking.
His eyes wide—staring at the date like it had personally betrayed him.
Sweat poured down his face. His breath hitched in his throat.
"…I started the day over."
He said it out loud.
But it didn't make it any easier to believe.
His voice sounded far away—like someone else's.
He stared at the glowing screen in silence.
As if saying it made it real.