Prologue

DISCLAIMER
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL. 

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On an ordinary day, a boy stood quietly on the school’s bridge, gazing up at the sky with a soft, faraway look in his eyes. His name was Rein. 

Rein is a boy with a heart condition that causes his heart rate to be faster or slower than usual. He enjoys writing and dreams of becoming a writer or film director when he grows up. Due to his heart condition, he doesn’t have many friends, as it makes it difficult for him to hang out with others. One of his favorite things is staring at the sky during school breaks on a school bridge. One day, a girl named Mallory curiously approached Rein. She had always wondered why he kept looking up at the sky. "Hey!" Mallory greeted him, causing Rein to startle. However, he quickly replied with a warm smile. "Nice weather, huh?" She initiated the conversation.   That was the first time they met. They introduced themselves, shared their hobbies, and talked for hours, finding comfort in each other’s company. As time went on, they developed feelings for one another and began dating. Rein suggested, "Hey, for our first date, can we try chocolate boba? I've been wanting to try it for a while…"

"Eh? but is it okay for.." Mallory hesitates

"Yeah, just small amounts.. please.."

"But aren't you on a strict diet?"

"Come on! Just one time! Don't tell my parents hehe~”

Seeing his girlfriend's worried face, Rein reassured her.

“It's ok Mallory, small amounts aren't enough to kill me hahaha."

"Hehe alright, I guess you're right."

Knowing Rein's heart condition, Mallory asks him if he want to be picked up.

“Right, should I pick you up from your house?”

“Ah, no need no need, I feel quite stable lately so it should be fine,”

“Are you sure?“

“Yeah! Don’t worry, I’ll text you if I need any help.”

“Okay, uhm.. see you tomorrow.”

“Mhm “

They both bid farewell.

When that day arrives, Mallory arrives at the boba shop they had promised to meet at. She waits for Rein, ordering two chocolate bobas in the meantime.

Thirty minutes pass, but Rein still hasn’t shown up. Mallory remains patient, sipping her drink and glancing at the entrance every so often. An hour goes by. Then two. Then five. Yet, Rein never arrives.

Worry starts creeping in. She tries calling him, no answer. She sends messages, no response.

With a sinking feeling in her chest, Mallory finally decided to go home.

The next day, as she walked into school, her face was clouded with unease. As she entered the hallway, she heard hushed whispers among the students. Curious, she listened closely, piecing together fragments of their murmurs.

Someone had been in an accident.

She strained to hear more, until she heard someone mention Rein’s name.

Her breath caught in her throat. Without hesitation, she turned on her heel and sprinted out of school. She didn’t care about skipping class. She didn’t care about anything else.

All she wanted was to see Rein.

When Mallory finally arrives at Rein's house, she is met with devastating news—Rein has already been buried. Even at the very end, she never got to see him.

A wave of emotions crashes over her. Shock, grief, disbelief. Struggling to process it all, she forces herself to ask, "What… what happened to him?"

Rein's parents exchanged a dull glance before answering, "He was found in the middle of the road. The CCTV cameras in that area were broken, and there were no witnesses… So, no one really knows what happened to him."

Mallory feels as if the ground beneath her has crumbled. A hollow, sinking feeling grips her chest. Her mind races, but no thoughts come together.

Everything overwhelms her at once.

Meanwhile..

Rein wakes up looking at the surrounding area and sees a place he feels so familiar with.