A new morning

Ren's eyelids felt heavier than usual. The digital glow of the alarm clock read 7:43 AM. His heart lurched. The blaring beep from the device had clearly been silenced — maybe in his half-asleep stupor. Panic surged through him as he shot up, the sheets tangling around his legs.

"Damn it," he muttered, stumbling toward the window. The sun was already high, casting its golden hue over the city. How could he have overslept? But then the memory hit him.

1:36 AM.

He'd stayed up far too late. Kira and Sora had kept him company in the group chat — their conversation ranging from nostalgic stories to light-hearted teasing. Hours had slipped by without notice. For the first time in ages, Ren hadn't been afraid of time.

A sliver of a smile tugged at his lips. This is what normal felt like.

"Yuki!" Ren called, rushing out of his room.

The silver-haired maid greeted him in the kitchen, already setting down a plate of toast and eggs. "Good morning, Master Ren."

"You didn't wake me up?" he grumbled, grabbing a slice of toast in haste.

Yuki's expression remained unreadable, though a faint amusement glinted in her eyes. "You seemed quite peaceful. I thought you deserved the rest."

He checked his phone. It was 5th of march, 8:45 AM.

Ren scoffed. "I'm going to be late."

"Yet the world hasn't ended," Yuki responded calmly.

Her words lingered as Ren darted out of the house. The world hasn't ended.

Leaving his house, the neighbor greets him, "Good morning, Ren! It's warmer today, isn't it?"

"Yeah it is", Ren exclaimed hurriedly as he was late for school.

*At School*

The school gates loomed as students poured through, their chatter blending into the background. Ren jogged past them, adjusting his slightly disheveled uniform.

"Late today?" a familiar voice called.

It was Kira, standing by the entrance with Sora. Her auburn hair glinted in the sunlight, the breeze catching stray strands. She smirked, though there was a softness to her gaze.

"Let me guess," she teased. "Stayed up binging some trashy anime?"

Ren panted, feigning insult. "It wasn't that bad."

Sora giggled. "Oh, we know. We were there, remember?"

Ren's grin faltered. They were there — chatting with him, laughing as though nothing else mattered. The warmth of that memory clung to him, making the chaotic rush of the morning feel insignificant.

"Still," Kira continued, "you're lucky the teacher isn't in a bad mood today."

"Thanks for the encouragement," Ren shot back, though there was no bite to his words.

The three of them walked together. It felt right.

*Lunch Break*

The breeze carried the faint aroma of cafeteria food, mingling with the laughter of students scattered across the courtyard. Ren leaned against the wall as Sora animatedly recounted her latest club antics.

Kira's gaze often lingered on him. Not in a way that made him uncomfortable, but as if she were studying him. Observing.

"You're too quiet today," Kira remarked.

Ren blinked. "Just… enjoying the peace."

Kira nodded, though her lips twitched into a faint smile. "That's rare for you."

She didn't press further. But something about her words struck Ren. She noticed.

Still, he brushed it off. Today wasn't meant for overthinking. It was meant for embracing the rare, quiet joy that settled around him.

*Back Home*

Ren barely stepped through the door before the familiar scent of herbal tea reached him. Yuki stood with a tray, her poised demeanor unwavering.

"Welcome back, Master Ren."

The house was calm. The echo of footsteps, the gentle hum of appliances — everything was as it should be. Ren's shoulders loosened. The day had passed without incident.

"Tea?" Yuki offered.

Ren nodded, sinking into the chair. "Yeah. That sounds good."

As Yuki poured the tea, a memory flashed in his mind. The loop. How many times had he returned home like this, only to find that time would steal it all away? But not today.

Not anymore.

Yet, amidst the comfort, a small thought clung to him. A question that refused to leave.

Is this really the end?

But as Yuki set the cup before him, her familiar presence grounding him, Ren chose not to chase that thought. Not tonight.

The tea was warm. The world had moved forward.

And for now — that was enough.