IN ANOTHER WORLD

The night was suffocatingly hot, yet Sou couldn't make sense of the unease spiraling in his chest. The stories of the "Sun King" still lingered in his mind, circling endlessly like shadows on a wall. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling woven from interlocking vines. If he focused too long, it felt as though the vines were writhing, tangling and untangling in a flamaboyant dance.

Beside him, Dr. Ren snored loudly, the sound bouncing against the silence yet oddly pressing. Despite the rhythmic noise, the room felt claustrophobic, the oppressive heat and his racing thoughts making it impossible to rest.

Sou sighed, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and stood. The floor creaked faintly beneath his weight. He opened the creaky wooden door, stepping into the veranda-like open space outside. The contrast was startling—the air was brisk and carried a sharp chill that prickled against his skin. The night had a peculiar serenity, and the cold breeze seemed to sweep away his worries, leaving his mind clear and calm.

As he stood there, letting the tranquility wash over him, his gaze drifted to the garden in front of the residence. That's when he noticed her—Rema. She stood alone, her figure silhouetted against the pale starlight, her shoulders trembling as she silently wept.

Sou's brows furrowed, concern flickering in his chest. He walked toward her with measured steps. "Hey, silly girl," he called out teasingly. "What are you doing? Counting the stars?"

Rema stiffened at his voice, hastily wiping her tears as if to erase any last bit of evidence of her vulnerability. Her voice, though steady, carried an proof of defiance. "No. I'm not idle like you."

Sou smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stopped beside her. Rema always tried to show him her brave, witty side—a shield she had honed through years of struggle as a single woman navigating a world that often felt hostile. Sou understood this about her, recognizing her efforts to hide her weaknesses, and so he played along, pretending not to notice when her walls cracked.

"Ren always says you don't work hard enough," Rema added with a slight tilt of her chin, as if to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Yeah, right," Sou replied. "As far as I remember, I did more work on the thesis than anyone else in the group."

"And yet," Rema quipped, a faint smile tugging at her lips, "here we are, stuck in this mess. All because of your brilliant time machine sketch that turned out to be useless."

"Hey!" Sou exclaimed, feigning indignation. "Are you mocking me?"

Rema raised an eyebrow. "You doubt it?"

"That's why you don't have a boyfriend," Sou teased, grinning mischievously.

Rema narrowed her eyes at him, her voice sharpening. "Say that again, and I'll—"

"Relax, relax," Sou interrupted, waving his hands in mock surrender. "I was just thinking that in a moment like this, you'd act more like a cute girl."

The playful banter between them faltered, replaced by a weighty silence. Rema's voice, when it came, was softer, almost fragile. "I'm scared," she admitted, her eyes fixed on the ground.

Sou blinked, his teasing demeanor fading. "Scared of what?"

"Can we really go back?" Rema asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze lifted to meet his, vulnerability shining through despite her efforts to mask it.

For a moment, Sou was silent, the gravity of her question hanging between them. Then he stepped closer, his voice steady and resolute. "Don't doubt it, Rema. We'll go back. No matter what."

Rema studied him, as if searching for reassurance in his expression. Slowly, she leaned into him, her head resting against his shoulder. The tension in her body melted away as exhaustion took over, and within moments, she was asleep.

Sou stood there, unmoving, the weight of her trust settling over him like a solemn vow. He gazed at the stars, their distant light offering a fragile hope.

Neither of them could foresee what lay ahead—the trials, the adversities, and the unexpected bond that would grow between them. But in that quiet moment, under the vast expanse of the night sky, a journey began. One that would change them both forever.