Snow on Stone

The next day arrived.

Noel, who woke up early like usual, had already prepared himself.

He was ready to go to university.

Should he drop out too, like his simulated self?

The thought drifted through his mind for a moment, but in the end, he rejected it.

It was still a little early for that.

With these thoughts circling in his head, Noel stood at the door.

He gave his room one last glance, checking that everything was tidy and clean, before finally stepping out.

'Today, it seems Lilith isn't going to school,' he thought, as he passed by her quiet room.

Or… was she not even here?

The silence behind that door made him pause.

Then, curious, he turned and reached for the handle.

Without any hesitation, he pushed it open — unbothered by the chance of waking her.

And there she was.

Sprawled across the bed, barely dressed, the blanket tossed aside and forgotten.

Her hair was messy, her arm dangling limply over the edge.

Just seeing her there — safe, not missing, not out there somewhere — eased something deep inside him, and his expression softened without him realizing.

Quietly, Noel walked closer, then gently pulled the blanket over her again.

The soft fabric rustled as it slid across her skin.

Yet Lilith didn't stir.

He lingered for a moment, eyes resting on her face.

So quiet. So still.

So utterly defenseless… in this kind of world.

Shaking his head, Noel turned away and finally stepped out.

He didn't know it, but had it been anyone else who entered that room, Lilith would've noticed. She would've woken instantly.

It was only because it was him… that she remained asleep.

Back on Noel's side, he went downstairs with steady, calm steps.

The cool air of the lower floor brushed against his skin as he made his way toward the front door.

But before he could leave the house, he came across Linda.

A woman with a composed look, neat attire, pencil skirt, and formal shirt, someone who appeared too young to be called mother.

And someone who, somehow, didn't seem to have aged at all in the last twelve years.

At the sight of her, Noel paused slightly, his eyes flickering with something unknown.

Then, as if nothing had changed from before, he smiled and greeted her, "Good morning."

Linda smiled back warmly and said, "Good…"

As she began to speak, her voice caught just a little — midway, she paused.

Her expression didn't change, still composed and calm, but inside, something tightened.

What she saw — what she sensed — left her quietly shaken.

Even so, she quickly covered it up, her tone seamless again as she finished with, "morning."

They exchanged a few words after that.

Noel asked about Ryan, and Linda told him he had already left for work earlier.

She, too, was just about to head out.

Noel didn't dwell on the conversation.

He gave a small nod, said a brief goodbye, and took his leave.

But Linda… she remained where she stood.

Her eyes still on where he had been, staring at the spot where he stood.

Even long after he was gone, she stayed there.

Still.

Unmoving.

Struggling to believe what she had just felt.

Finally, in a low murmur, almost to herself, she whispered.

"What's going on?"

--------

Arriving at the east gate with time to spare, Noel adjusted his coat collar against the crisp morning air and stepped onto campus.

Snow clung to the stone edges of the buildings, a thin, stubborn layer that hadn't melted since last week.

The weather… the cold air, actually, no longer affected him like it once did. Not with his current body.

But naturally, there was no need to advertise that.

It was just another quiet difference he carried with him.

By the time he made it ten steps, a few students had already greeted him.

Someone from his research group waved from the library steps.

He nodded back to each one with that familiar warmth — eyes focused, smile just right, practiced but never forced.

Inside the cafeteria, the low hum of voices and the clatter of trays echoed beneath the high ceiling, while pale winter light slanted across the tile floor.

Noel wove through clustered tables and stepped up to the counter, setting his tray down in front of Avery.

Without missing a beat, she placed a steaming mug and a warm sesame bagel in front of him.

"You remember this even on Monday mornings?" he asked, meeting her gaze over the rim of the cup.

Avery gave a half-smile and tapped her name tag with the back of her finger. "Someone's got to, right?"

Then she glanced at her watch. "Thesis workshop at noon — don't bail on me, please."

Noel chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I'll be there."

Tray in hand, Noel moved and claimed a metal chair by the window.

Outside, soft footsteps slid over the grounds beneath a tall, leafless oak.

Noel sipped his black coffee as he flipped through the printed lecture pages.

Professor Lang, passing by, paused at his table.

"Don't forget to add that recent study," she said in a calm tone.

And Noel, without missing a beat, nodded and slipped the detail into his notes before she moved on.

Ten minutes before class, Noel strolled up toward the psychology hall, backpack snug on his shoulders.

Amanda, one of his classmates, jogged alongside him, wool cap pulled low and a grin teasing at her lips.

"Thompson's summary ready?" she asked, flipping a thin folder under Noel's nose.

Noel caught it, unfolding the paper. "Right here — methods on page two, results highlighted."

Just then, Elise slipped in beside them.

"Seriously, Noel, you save my life every week."

He offered a small smile. "Happy to help."

Amanda leaned in a bit closer. "Pet therapy tonight — come meet the rabbits?"

Noel paused at the door and gave a short laugh. "Tempting. But I've got a review deadline."

She answered with a mock sigh. "So responsible. It's tragic."

Noel kept laughing softly as he pushed the heavy door open.

Voices and locker slams spilled into the hallway, wrapping around him as he stepped inside.

His psychology class was held in a small lecture hall with tiered seating and bright white walls.

Noel greeted a few classmates on the way in, then slid into a seat in the front row.

He looked like someone who belonged there — and everyone knew it.

The lecture came and went.

Students lingered afterward to ask questions, to joke about internship placements and upcoming deadlines.

Noel packed his things slowly, nodding along to bits of conversation, and then stepped into the hallway — just as the sunlight began to break through the fog outside the windowpanes.

And there she was.

Selena.

Already waiting.

Coat sleeves tugged over her hands, hair tied in a lazy bun.

When she spotted him, she didn't wave — she just started walking.

There was no hesitation in her steps, no need to speak.

Her eyes said hello from fifteen steps away.

And Noel stopped, letting her come.

She closed the distance fast.

Then, without a word, she dove into his arms — completely unbothered by the people watching.

By now, most of the students already knew that it had been a week since the two had officially started dating.

Somehow, the news had made its way around.

And so, no one interrupted them.

Some smiled.

Some looked on quietly, as if they were watching something that made sense… while some were jealous.

When Selena finally pulled back, she leaned in first — stealing a quick kiss, barely a breath between them.

And then… she paused.

Her smiling eyes flickered, and her gaze lingered longer than before.

Something about him had changed. And she finally noticed that.