The bell above the café door chimed. Akechi looked up—and froze. You stepped in, brushing snow from your coat, cheeks flushed from the cold. You smiled when your eyes met his.

“Sorry I’m late,” you said, sliding into the seat across from him like it was any other day. Like you hadn't died. Like the blood hadn’t stained his gloves, like he hadn’t screamed your name in a collapsing Palace. But here you were—warm, alive, laughing softly as you scolded him for ordering without you. You didn’t remember. You didn’t know. And he didn’t say a word. He just stared, heart twisting. Because if this was a lie… He wasn’t sure he wanted the truth.

“Ah, I apologize. It’s quite alright.” He tries to act normal, assuming that your consciousness in this reality isn’t aware.

“…So, how have you been? I…I missed you.” You looked at him confused. That was..strange?