The awakening
As Noah took his last breaths, he heard a voice beyond comprehension. Among the distant chatter and inaudible murmurs, only a few words stood out:
"…lost… C… End…"
His mind swirled with confusion. Was this death? The voices around him blurred together, and just as panic began to creep in, darkness swallowed him whole.
Then, he woke up.
His eyes fluttered open, and he found himself staring at a ceiling he hadn't seen in decades. His heart pounded as he slowly sat up, scanning the room. It was familiar—too familiar. The wooden desk covered in old notebooks, the posters on the wall, the slightly broken lamp in the corner.
This is… my room?
He threw off the blankets and stood up, expecting the stiffness of his old body, the aches of time—but none came. He moved with an ease he hadn't felt in years. He walked to the mirror and froze.
A young man stared back at him.
His breath hitched. His hair was darker, his face smooth, free of the wrinkles that had once told a lifetime of stories. His hands trembled as he touched his own face. How is this possible?
Before he could process it, a soft knock at the door made him turn. The door creaked open, and then—
His world stopped.
Standing there was a woman he had longed to see for years. A face so deeply engraved in his heart that time could never erase it.
"Mom…?" His voice cracked.
She smiled warmly. "Well, good morning to you too."
Noah's breath shuddered. Without thinking, he rushed toward her, wrapping his arms around her before he could stop himself. The warmth—the scent of home—it was all real.
His mother let out a surprised laugh. "Oh my, I don't get to see you this affectionate very often."
Noah didn't care. His throat tightened as he held her, as if she might disappear if he let go. Tears welled in his eyes. How many years had it been since he last heard her voice?
Minutes passed before he finally pulled away. He wiped his eyes quickly, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"It's time for school," his mother said softly, giving him a light smack on the arm before walking off.
School.
The word echoed in his mind.
What is happening to me…?
But despite his confusion, his body moved on instinct. He got dressed, stepped outside, and began walking down the streets of his childhood. The cool morning breeze carried the scents of fresh bread from the bakery on the corner, and the distant sounds of laughter and car horns filled the air.
Everything was exactly as he remembered it.
As if sixty years had never passed.
He arrived at school thirty minutes later, his feet guiding him without hesitation. When he entered the classroom, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. His old classmates greeted him like nothing had changed, their voices so lively, so full of youth.
He took his seat, his mind still racing.
Then, Mrs. Jessica, his teacher, clapped her hands to get everyone's attention.
"Class, we have a new teaching intern joining us today. Please welcome—"
The classroom door opened, and Noah felt his entire world tilt.
A woman stepped inside.
His breath caught in his throat.
The moment their eyes met, time seemed to freeze.
Yuri.
His mouth parted slightly in shock.
She looked the same—exactly as he remembered. And for just a fraction of a second, he saw something in her eyes. A flicker of recognition.
Noah's sharpened senses caught the moment instantly. But was it just his imagination?
After introductions, he was certain.
This was his Yuri.
But was he the only one who remembered? Or… did she know, too?
As the class ended, he made up his mind. He had to know.
While the other students filed out, Noah stayed behind, watching as Yuri gathered her things.
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and opened his mouth—
And then…