A sudden chill ran down Yuuta's spine.
The hand on his shoulder—cold, but familiar.
Then—
His vision blurred.
Colors melted. Sounds twisted. His mind was no longer in the present.
---
Flash.
He saw himself—with Airi.
The sun was setting behind them.
They were on a quiet hilltop, the wind gently brushing her hair.
"Oi, Yuuta," Airi said suddenly, staring into the distance.
"If I was in really big trouble… would you help me?"
"Huh? Where did that come from?" Yuuta blinked.
"Don't ask dumb questions. Just answer me," she said, trying to hide her trembling voice.
Yuuta paused, then smiled softly.
"…Of course I would. You saved me once too, didn't you? So… yeah. I'll be there. You can trust me."
Airi turned to him, eyes glistening.
"Yuuta… promise you'll always stay by my side. Don't ever leave me…"
---
FLASH.
A blinding white light tore through the memory.
When Yuuta opened his eyes again, he was somewhere else.
The room was dark. Cold.
His heart froze.
There was Airi—
Airi lay slumped in the corner of the cold, dimly lit room. Rough ropes bound her wrists behind her back, cutting into her skin with every slight movement. Her clothes were torn and tattered, barely clinging to her frame — not enough to keep her warm, but just enough to leave her dignity hanging by a thread.
Her breaths came in shallow bursts, eyes wide with shock, as if the world around her had shattered into pieces she couldn't fit back together. There was no strength left in her limbs — only the echo of betrayal, and the sting of helplessness that clung to her more tightly than the ropes ever could
"Help me… please… Yuuta… save me…"
His legs moved on their own.
"AIRI! What happened?! Who did this to you?!"
He ran toward her—
But before he could touch her—
The memory shattered.
---
Back on the rooftop, Yuuta collapsed to his knees, gasping for air.
"What… what were those memories?! They weren't mine… But Airi… she was—!"
A voice echoed behind him.
> "Only you can save her."
Yuuta whipped around.
Standing in the fading fog was a boy who looked exactly like him.
Same hair. Same eyes. Same uniform.
But his expression… was heavier. Sadder. Like he had seen too much.
"Who are you?! Why do you look like me?! Is this some kind of magic?!"
The other Yuuta stepped forward, gaze steady.
> "I'm you. But from another world."
Yuuta's heart skipped a beat.
> "We're the same person… but with different fates.
You're not in your world anymore.
You're living in mine."
"What are you saying?! I don't understand any of this!"
The other Yuuta's form began to flicker.
> "There's no time to explain everything.
Just remember this—Airi trusted us.
Both of us.
You must protect her."
"Wait! Don't go yet! I still have so many questions!
Who did this to her?! Why am I here?!"
The other Yuuta gave a faint smile.
> "You'll understand soon.
But for now… you have to save all of them."
"All of them? What do you mean?! Stop!"
But it was too late.
The fog vanished, and the other Yuuta disappeared with it.
---
Yuuta dropped to his knees, drenched in sweat, heart racing.
He stared up at the sky.
> "Save them…?"
He clenched his fists.
> "…What's happening to me…?"
It felt like a dream.
> If everything he said was true… then I have to save Airi.
Everything's connected—just like he said.
Our fates are different, yet somehow the same.
In my world, the one who was with Airi was Subaru.
But in this world… it's me.
What does it mean?
No matter the world, Airi's fate always turns tragic.
In my timeline, she broke up with Subaru.
One month later, she went missing.
And Subaru… he his voice trembled.
But if I'm right…
Then in this world, in one month, Airi will go missing again.
And I'll be the one who ends up like Subaru.
But something doesn't add up.
In my world, the day Airi disappeared… was the same day Subaru died.
How could that be?
Just like the other me said…
> I have to save her. Or maybe, I have to save all of them.
Someone is behind this.
But who?
Who would do something like this?
In those memories… Airi was
Trapped.
Crying for help.
Who would hurt her like that?
I don't know yet.
But I will find out.
> And I will save Airi.
Alright then…
From now on—
> My love story with my crush in this world begins.
I realise my chapters are short so I will try to make them long thank you for reading