"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry.."

faintly he heard a voice. Someone.. is sobbing.

That someone held Rei's hand tightly. His hand is cold.

Don't cry...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Beep beep

The clock alarm awakened Rei. With half closed eyes, Rei turned off the clock that was placed on the lamp table beside his bed. Groggily he sat down.

Sunrays pierced through the curtain that still drew closed.

"Rei, wake up! You said you got morning class today!"

It's still morning and he already started his day with his mother's nagging.

"Yes.. yes.. mom. I'm awake."

"Good. Take a bath then have a breakfast."

She leaved the room just like that. Rei sat still for awhile.

He checked his phone. 6.00 AM.

Rei just started his college life. A week ago he has attended the reception ceremony. As a freshman, he knew he should not be late.

Lazily, he got off the bed and walked towards the bath room. From the mirror reflection, he could see his more matured face. The usual fat on his cheeks has disappeared. He also could feel his body getting taller. He even gained some muscles that added to his attractiveness.

"Stop admiring yourself, you narcissist!" Rei slapped his face, then started cleaning his body. In fifteen minutes, he already sat down on the dining table.

"Tomorrow is the day. Would you go to visit him again?" His mother asked. Her gaze was full with concern.

The spoon on his hand stopped. His eyes were covered with his bang.

"Yes. He will be lonely if I not come."

Rei lost his appetite.

"I'll go now. See you, Mom."

Then he leaved the dining room, leaving his mother who stood beside the father that was reading newspaper.

"It's already a year since that incident."

"Rei will be fine." The father reassured his wife.

But he isn't.

Rei stood outside the house. The sky was blue.

The wind blew his hair.

"I miss you."

Aimlessly he walked in opposite direction with the train station. Unconsciously, he already stood in front of a two level house. This house looked tidy, with clean veranda.

"I come again, Al."

Since Alden passed away, he frequently come to his house to clean it.

He remembered since entering high school, Alden bought a house. He said that he didn't want to bother Rei and his family anymore. At first they tried to persuade Alden to stay with them. However, since Alden persisted, they allowed him, with terms that he should live near them. It was to make sure that he was okay and have a decent meals.

Then Alden bought this house, only 10 houses away from Rei's. His parents planned to payed the house, but Alden refused. He said that he got saving from his works in IT. At that time, Alden was already a genius in that field. Buying a house or two was not a problem for him.

He pulled out a small key from his pocket. This key always followed his body.

He entered the gate, and inserted the key into the door lock. After a click, he opened it. The living room is still the same. No couch. Only a tatami with two cushions.

He laughed when he asked why he only bought this. Alden confidently said, "There's no one who will come, but you, anyway. So, why bother?"

Rei smiled sadly. The house basically is near empty, save from the bedroom in the second level of the house.

He opened the room and saw a bed tidily wrapped in black and white cover. The curtain was drew on the locked window.

He walked towards the window and unlocked it. A morning breeze entered and touched his face.

Tomorrow is Alden's one year death anniversary. He remembered how at that day, he entered this house to celebrate his 17th birthday, only to see his face lying on his work table, with computer still switched on. At first he thought that Alden just overslept. However, when he stood beside him, he saw some blood oozed from his fourth apertures, eyes, nose, mouth and ears.

Then everything was a blur.

He only remembered some fragments in which he was in hospital. Then the doctor said that his head has a severe trauma and cannot be saved. He didn't really understand. They just met the night before. But.. in the morning of his birthday.. he was gone. No goodbyes.

Nothing.

Then he knew that the System really has changed his past, present, and future.

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