I couldn't shake the feeling that I had witnessed this morning. It was as if a mirage when I saw Rhia speaking and laughing with her classmates.

Rhia's words, her smile, everything was the same as I remembered. Yet there was an air of unreality. 

Paxon didn't come to our class after the bell rang, even though everyone said Rhia and Paxon were a couple.

And that made the situation more strange.

Even after the final bell rang and the school day came to a close, I found myself unable to shake off the peculiar encounter with Rhia.

Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when Jia approached me with a curious expression.

"What happened?"

I hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"... I heard that Rhia and Paxon are a couple."

"I did see Paxon trying to pursue Rhia. Afterward, they suddenly became a couple, even though I never saw any chemistry between them."

Just as Jia said, I also didn't find anything that resembled a couple. The way Paxon spoke to Rhia, even if I saw it for a second, was more like…

“They don't look like a couple at all. More precisely, Rhia acts like a servant waiting for an order.”

I looked at Jia. She thinks the same thing I do. Jia stayed silent for a moment before she continued, 

“You just saw it today. But since last week, I have never seen Rhia walking beside Paxon. She always walks behind him. And…I kind of feel uneasy whenever Paxon is around.”

I stay silent as I listen to Jia. The presence of Paxon becomes unsettling to me too. Being around him creates a sense of discomfort.

However, it wasn't like this in the past. When we were younger, the only time I felt like this was during our last meeting.

As we were talking while walking, I saw Mom's car from a distance.

Today, Mom dropped me off at school. As I approached, I noticed Mom was engaged in a conversation with two figures.

After drawing closer, I saw the faces of Ethan and Auntie Olivia.

Auntie Olivia turned towards me with a warm smile, but her eyes reflected full concern.

"Bian, I am still worried about your health. That's why I decided to come and see you again."

Auntie Olivia's voice was filled with genuine care. I'm touched by her words.

But Auntie, you saw me this morning.

That's what I wanted to tell her. However, I exchanged words with her before bidding them farewell. Afterward, I headed towards Mom's car.

This brief encounter left a lingering sense of comfort in my heart as I settled into the car. While Mom's hands were steady on the wheel, she began to ask a series of questions.

"How was your day? Are you feeling alright?"

Her tone was gentle and soft. Anyone can tell she is concerned and worried about me.

But I know that's not the case. Her voice was forced; there was a subtle distance in her voice.

“It's alright, Mom.”

As I said those words, her body flinched. I slightly turned my gaze towards Mom and silently observed her profile.

Since awakening from the coma, I had noticed that Mom's demeanor had changed more than before.

Sometimes she looked at me with frightened eyes. Despite the facade of normalcy, there was an unspoken tension that hung in the air between us.

I also felt that I knew why this was happening. My eyes wandered to the side mirror.

My once-familiar golden-hued eyes. Now the golden part had increased; it also shimmered with an intensified glow, brighter than before.

Even I was shocked. I found myself grappling with a reality I had never imagined would be possible.

My dad seemed unusually content instead of his cold demeanor. He was exuding a warmth that I hadn't experienced in years. However, I didn't like his sudden change of behavior.

A sense of uncertainty gnawed at my intuition, hinting that these changes could signify either a promising turn of fate or a bad omen.

That's why I'm unable to discern whether the current situation holds the promise of good fortune or misfortune.

For four long months, I had been haunted by the dream, and somehow I had a feeling that everything was happening, even my changed eye color, was related to that.

As Mom dropped me off in front of the house, she departed somewhere. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I saw this.

Mom's behavior towards me has changed quite a lot since I was 8 years old. Now, who knows how much she will change again?

Despite the pang of disappointment, one good thing happened: the elevator is finally working.

After I reached my floor, I saw the door slide open. As I stood in front of the door, confused, my siblings came in front of me.

Did Mom let them know that I'm coming?

Suddenly, all of them embraced me with bright and warm smiles.

“Did Mom tell you guys that I'm coming?”

“Yes.”

“How are you feeling, sis?” 

“Are you feeling any discomfort?” 

Their shower of questions started.

“I'm fine, guys.”

At first, I thought they might behave like Mom. However, to my surprise and relief, their response was far from what I had anticipated. 

Their eyes filled with genuine happiness at my recovery. But only for a moment. 

In the next second, I was taken aback by their sudden outburst. It took me an hour to calm them down, even though I was the patient.

When I saw Mom's apprehension towards me, I cautiously asked them.

“Does that mean you love us less now, sis?”

“What? No, that's not what I mean!”

“Then why does it matter? You are still our big sister. And to us, your eyes have become more beautiful.”

However, their answer transcends any concerns about my changed appearance. I didn't tell them, but their acceptance served as a balm to my soul.

If I have to pinpoint one problem, it is that despite their outward display of joy, I could sense a subtle worry that lingered beneath the surface.

They don't show it openly, but sometimes, in the way they behave toward me, it's clear that they are afraid.

If I sneeze, cough, or just trip a little, they react as if I will fall into a coma now and won't wake up this time.

“Zain, what are you guys doing?”

“...”

Zain understood why I said that. That's why he stayed silent.

Among them, Zain's concern for my well-being was especially palpable. His eyes, a mirror of unspoken anxieties, reflected a depth of worry.

“You guys behave as if something happened to me in the future, or if something is about to happen, you guys will sacrifice yourselves to save me.”

I said those words jokingly. Zain's pupils trembled a bit. He is still a child, so of course, he will get afraid.

“Yes.”

I was completely shocked by his answer.

“What do you mean?”

“It's not just me; all of us would do the same if it means we could save you. We were scared when we didn't see you open your eyes for four months.”

He is not lying. Every word he says reminds me of the dream. It always stings my heart. Now it starts to haunt my subconscious.

As the day waned into night, my mom still hadn't returned. She just informed us she would be late.

In the stillness of the night, as I succumbed to the embrace of slumber, I found myself in my dreams. Everything is the same as usual.

However, my eyes went to one side. For the past few days, this has happened continually.

“You are still here!?”

I looked at a shadowy figure that was sitting on one side of this dream. Their golden eyes are the only things that shine brighter in this shadowy world. 

Although there isn't anything in this place. However, they are looking up as if gazing at the moon.