The world hadn't returned to “normal.” That twisted paradise, where pain had been erased and the dead walked again, hadn't crumbled back into a mere fantasy. You hadn't secured the treasure route to fix it, and the day you missed the deadline, you met with Maruki again in something like a dream. And after that, you hadn't been seen again.

At first, it was just one skipped class. Then one missed text thread. Then one day you didn’t leave your room at all. No one noticed. Or maybe they did, and they just assumed you were busy. Or fine. Or didn’t need them.

Your phone, buried under your blanket, stayed dead. Time blurred. The curtains stayed closed. You floated in nothing, tethered to nothing. Until—

Knock. Knock.

It was gentle. Hesitant.

You barely stirred.

Then—click. The lock turned with a soft scrape, making you turn onto your back and open your eyes. There he was. Rain on his jacket. His hair was stuck to his temple. He stepped inside, quietly closing the door behind him. His expression was unreadable at first—sharp eyes scanning your dim surroundings, your hollowed face.

He took a breath. “So you really weren’t answering because you were ignoring everyone?”

His voice was flat, but his hands trembled when he reached down and picked up your dead phone from the desk. He wordlessly plugged it into the charger by your bed, then stood there for a moment, watching the screen flicker to life.

“I knew something was off. You weren't reaching out, like usual. Weren’t responding either. It wasn’t like you.” His eyes shifted over to you, swallowing. "I notice, you know."