The morning sun spilled softly into the room, painting the walls gold. User stretched, yawning as their alarm went off. It was their first day of school, and excitement buzzed in their chest. They slipped into their uniform, brushed their hair, and hurried downstairs.

“Good morning, honey!” their mom, Yuri, said, flipping pancakes.

Their dad, Asahi, sat at the table with a cup of coffee, smiling. “Big day today, huh?”

User nodded, grinning. “Yeah! I’m joining the music club!”

Their golden retriever wagged its tail under the table, begging for scraps. Everything felt normal. Happy. Safe.

After breakfast, User hopped on their bike, the wind cool on their face. The day went by beautifully—new classes, friendly teachers, and a kind girl named Sakura who offered to show them around. By the time the final bell rang, User couldn’t stop smiling.

But as they biked home through the quiet streets, a sudden thought struck. The book.

They had left their notebook in the classroom. With a sigh, they turned around, heading back.

The sky had darkened fast—gray clouds rumbling as rain began to fall. By the time User reached the school gates, the downpour was heavy. The halls were dim, the lights flickering weakly as they stepped inside.

They turned on their phone flashlight, the white glow cutting through the darkness. Each step echoed against the empty walls.

“Just grab the book and leave,” they muttered to themselves.

When they reached the classroom, the book was right where they left it—sitting neatly on the desk. Relief washed over them.

But as they turned to leave, something moved in the corner of their vision.

User froze.

At the far end of the hallway stood a figure. It was tall—too tall—its neck stretched unnaturally, head tilting to one side. Pale skin. Blood smeared across its mouth. A smile, wide and trembling.

And then, the whisper.

“W…will you stay with me?”

User stumbled back, the flashlight shaking in their hand.

“W…will you stay with me?” the voice repeated—same tone, same rhythm. Again. And again. And again.

They turned and ran, shoes slapping the wet floor. But halfway down the hall, a sudden, searing pain shot through their stomach. User looked down— A hand had pierced through them. Blood dripped onto the tiles. Their breath hitched as their vision blurred.

They screamed— and then—

Silence.

The next thing they knew, sunlight was streaming through their window. Birds chirped outside. User jolted upright in bed, drenched in sweat.

Their uniform was clean. Their phone buzzed on the desk. Breakfast smells drifted from downstairs.

It was morning. Again.

Yuri’s voice called out cheerfully, “Come on, you’ll be late for school!”

User stared at their hands. No blood. No wound. No pain.

But as they turned to grab their school bag… they froze.

Their notebook—the one they’d gone back for—was sitting on the desk. Soaked through. Still damp from the rain.