Meeting My Father

Mom's arms were warm. So fucking warm.

I didn't want to let go.

But I had to. My tears would make her worry. I backed off, wiping my face like nothing happened.

She turned to me with a gentle smile. "What's wrong? Are you sad because I couldn't come to your graduation ceremony?"

I froze. "No, that's not it—"

"I'm sorry," she said before I could finish. "I wasn't feeling well this morning."

That hit me like a slap. I straightened up instantly.

"Wait—what happened? Are you okay?"

She waved her hand. "It's nothing. Just tired, that's all."

Bullshit.

Her face was pale. Her eyes were sunken and dull. Her hands had small tremors.

Even her breathing—off rhythm.

She was lying through her teeth.

"You need to rest."

"I'm fine, Ian." She turned back to the chopping board. "I have to finish dinner. Who else will cook if I don't?"

"I will," I said. "Just go lie down for a bit."

She stopped cutting.

Turned.

Gave me that classic 'mom' glare.

"You'll ruin the rice like last time," she said. "Just go change your clothes, and let me do this."

"But—"

"No buts. Go wash up. And after dinner… we'll go visit your father."

My heart stopped.

My body locked up. My throat tightened.

"…What?"

She smiled softly, like she'd said something casual.

"It's been a while. He'll be happy to know his son's graduated."

My legs were already moving before my brain caught up.

I rushed to the bathroom, stripping my school uniform off like it was on fire.

Every motion I made felt mechanical, like I was moving underwater.

He was alive?

Dad was alive in this world?

I turned the faucet and splashed water on my face, letting the cold shock me out of the daze.

As I changed into a clean shirt, my mind was racing.

"What do I say? How do I talk to him? Should I hug him right away? Should I act casual? What if he's different? What if… he doesn't feel like the dad I remember?"

But what did I even remember?

I was nine when he died.

My memories of him were hazy at best. A blurry face. A deep voice.

Faint laughs. Big, calloused hands.

If it weren't for the old pictures, I wouldn't even remember what he looked like.

"I don't care. I just want to see him."

I stared at the mirror.

"I'm going to see my dad again."

My chest ached with excitement.

Mom called out. "Ready?"

I grabbed my shoes and stepped out.

We walked side by side through the dim streets.

The sky had cleared. The red apocalypse hue was gone, replaced by a calm blue. Birds were chirping again, like nothing had happened.

But inside me?

Everything was chaos.

My mind wouldn't stop spinning. So many questions. So many emotions I couldn't name.

I wanted to ask him so much.

I wanted to tell him so much.

But more than anything…

"I just want to hug him once."

A while later, we finally reached the place.

I followed mom through the narrow path. Trees surrounded us. The wind was cold and quiet.

And then—she stopped.

I looked up.

And saw it.

I was standing in front of my father, but I couldn't do anything. I couldn't talk or hug him. 

I was standing in front of his grave.

A small, clean grave. Fresh flowers placed beside it.

Father's name carved into stone.

I blinked.

Then blinked again.

My lips trembled.

"W-What…"

Mom stood silently beside me, placing the flowers down.

"I visit every month," she said. "But this time… I thought you'd want to come too."

I couldn't move.

I couldn't speak.

I stood there, frozen, staring at the stone that shattered my heart all over again.

"He's… still dead."

In both timelines.

Different worlds.

Same ending.

I couldn't even cry.

I just stood there like an idiot, wondering why the universe gave me hope—only to crush it seconds later.

I couldn't speak.

I couldn't cry.

I stood in front of my father's grave like a ghost, unable to move.

The stone was clean. Fresh flowers. Incense.

My mom had clearly been taking care of it. Visiting often. Keeping it warm with love.

Unlike me.

I hadn't even known.

"This world... wasn't supposed to be the same."

Mom knelt down and folded her hands in prayer.

I didn't. I couldn't.

After a long silence, she finally spoke.

"I still remember that day," she said quietly. "Felt like the whole world stopped turning."

My lips parted, but no words came out.

Mom sat back on her heels. Her voice was calm, but I could hear the years of pain buried under it.

"Your dad was… a hero, you know?"

I blinked.

"What?"

"He used to come home with bruises and jokes, like it was all part of the job. Never complained. Not once."

She kept talking, voice soft and tired. "He ran a guild. Not just any guild. One of the best in the country. Top ten."

My eyes widened.

"Guild…?"

"He started it with a few friends back in his youth. And over time, it grew. They became a force. A real powerhouse. Took on high-level portal clears. Dungeon raids. All of that."

I clenched my fists.

"Then… what happened?"

She lowered her head.

"Three years ago… there was a raid. A high-danger portal opened near Sector 17. Your father led the strike team personally."

She paused.

"But he never came back."

A chill ran through me.

"Who told you?"

She sighed. "The vice-captain of the guild. He said your father went in with a team of six. Only two returned."

I looked up at her. "The vice-captain. What was his name again?"

She raised a brow. "You forgot?"

"Yeah… I've been a mess lately," I forced a chuckle. "Graduation nerves."

She looked at the grave. "His name was Raymond Keller. He said he and your dad were like brothers. He personally came here with the news."

My heart stopped.

"Raymond…"

Crack.

Something inside me snapped.

But I kept my face still. Just nodded.

Raymond Keller.

That name.

That fucking name.

In the world I came from…

He was my dad's business partner. The snake that screwed him over.

The same bastard who vanished when it all went down.

The one who pushed my family into the abyss and walked away clean.

Now he was here. Again.

And my dad still ended up dead.

Coincidence? Bull. Shit.

This whole thing stunk. And I wasn't gonna let it slide this time.

DING!

A soft chime rang inside my head. The now-familiar system screen flashed.

[New Quest Received]

[Quest: Make up with your sister – "Elina Rover"]

[Description: The bond is broken. Heal what's left before it rots forever.]

[Reward: Telepathy – Gain the ability to mentally link with those close to you.]

[Time Limit: 7 Days]

Elina.

My breath hitched.

At least, she was still alive.

Here. In this world.

Not gone. Not in a coffin. Not reduced to memories and regret.

But the system wasn't sending me to hug her.

It was telling me something was wrong. Something big.

I didn't know what happened between us in this timeline.

But I had seven days to fix it.

But what would happen if I fail?

I didn't even want to think about it.

I stood up and looked at my father's grave again. Still couldn't say a word.

Not yet.

But I made a promise.

"I'll make it right this time."

To Elina.

To Mom.

To him.

And when the time comes…

To Raymond fucking Keller.