Resonant Rewrite

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the pale blue curtains of the hospital room. Rin blinked awake, her body aching but functional. As her eyes adjusted, the door creaked open, and a familiar face peeked in.

"Oh, good, you're awake, Aria!" said the girl from the day before, her voice filled with relief. She stepped into the room, carrying a small bag and a warm smile. "When you collapsed again yesterday, I was really worried about you. They wouldn't let anyone stay overnight, so I had to leave. I hope you got some rest."

Rin groaned softly, her head still pounding. "Not completely," she muttered under her breath.

The girl's smile faltered for a moment before she continued. "Well, at least you're doing better now. That's what matters."

As Rin sat up slowly, clutching her head to steady the dull throb, memories of the night before came back in hazy fragments.

The girl from last night—Lila, was it? —had spoken cryptically before disappearing through the window.

"We'll meet again," said, her voice steady but tinged with urgency. "Until then, I hope you recover well and stop being so cautious of me. I'm not your enemy. Our goal is the same."

Before Rin could even process that, Lila had added, "You can't trust everyone and everything around you. Be careful next time."

Rin frowned at the recollection. The words made little sense, and the sudden departure through the window only added to the surrealism.

"What nonsense was that, anyway?" Rin thought to herself. "I don't have time to dwell on her gibberish. I need to focus on what's in front of me."

The girl standing by her bedside, however, was a different mystery altogether. Rin studied her carefully. She had shoulder-length, slightly wavy hair and a gentle expression tinged with worry.

Rin's internal monologue kicked in. Who is she? I don't recognize anyone in this world except the characters I wrote. And since I haven't gotten Aria's memories—thanks for nothing, system—I have no clue who this person is.

The girl interrupted her thoughts. "Is something wrong? You're looking at me like I have two heads," she said, laughing nervously.

Rin hesitated for a moment before deciding to address the elephant in the room. "Who… are you? I don't think I recognize you. Have we met before?"

The girl's smile faltered, and her eyes widened in shock. "You… don't recognize me?"

"Well, that's why I'm asking," Rin said matter-of-factly, rubbing her temples. "Ow… And my head still hurts."

The girl's expression softened into one of concern. "Do you at least remember my name? Elyn? That's what you've always called me."

Rin blinked. The name didn't register. "Elyn…" she murmured. Not one of my characters.

She shook her head. "Sorry, no. I don't remember anything about you."

Elyn gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "You… you really don't remember?"

Rin felt a twinge of guilt at the look of heartbreak on the girl's face, but she steeled herself. "No. I'm sorry, but I don't."

Elyn took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. After a long pause, she managed a shaky smile. "It's okay. I guess it's not surprising, considering what you've been through. Don't worry about it. You can call me Elyn. That's what you've always called me, anyway."

Rin nodded, though her mind was racing. Why does she care so much? And why does she look so hurt?

Elyn continued, "The caretaker from the orphanage called me when you collapsed. She didn't know who else to ask for help. When I arrived, you were unconscious, and the children were all crying. The caretaker explained everything to me."

"The children!" Rin exclaimed, sitting up straighter. "Are they okay? They didn't get hurt, did they?"

Elyn smiled warmly. "They're fine. They were just worried about you. No one was hurt."

Rin sighed in relief, leaning back against the pillows. "That's good. Really good."

Before they could continue their conversation, Elyn excused herself and returned shortly with a doctor. He examined Rin thoroughly, shining a light in her eyes and checking her pulse.

"Well," the doctor said after a long pause, "it seems you've suffered from a temporary amnesia. Most likely a result of stress combined with the wounds that affected your system. But don't worry—it should return in time."

Rin nodded quietly, her outward calm masking the whirlwind of thoughts inside her.

Elyn escorted the doctor out, thanking him politely. When she returned, she sat at Rin's bedside, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "Don't worry," she said softly. "You'll be fine. You always bounce back."

Rin gave her a small smile, more out of politeness than reassurance. "Thanks."

Their Resolve

After a few moments of awkward silence, Elyn excused herself, promising to visit again soon. As she walked down the hospital hallway, tears welled up in her eyes.

Her mind replayed the moment she found Rin—or rather, Aria.

The sight of her pale, lifeless body lying on the ground had been terrifying. Her skin was ice-cold, and for a moment, Elyn had been certain she was already gone. Even after rushing her to the hospital, there had been no sign of improvement for hours. It was as if Aria was teetering on the edge of life and death.

But somehow, miraculously, she had pulled through.

"I was so ready to scold you for being reckless," Elyn whispered to herself, wiping her eyes. "But now you don't even remember me. What am I supposed to do with that?"

Her hands clenched into fists. "You're always like this. Always throwing yourself into danger for others and never asking for help. Strong, but foolish."

She paused at the window at the end of the hall, staring out at the city below.

"This time," she whispered fiercely, "I'll protect you. I won't let you die in vain."

Back in the hospital room, Rin stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.

Her mind was still trying to piece everything together.

So, the system says I'm stuck here because of a gate anomaly. I have to fix it to return home. But what does that even mean?

The memory of the system's last message flashed in her mind.

"Rewrite the story you created to fix the anomaly."

"How am I supposed to rewrite a living, breathing world?" Rin muttered to herself.

She sighed deeply. The mystery of Lila, the strange behavior of the system, Elyn's apparent closeness to Aria… everything felt like a tangled web of confusion.

"Well, at least the death penalty isn't hanging over my head for now," she said, trying to console herself. "I guess I can take my time dealing with all this."

Her gaze drifted to the window. But first, I need to figure out who Elyn is.

For the rest of the morning, Rin mulled over her next steps. With no memories of Aria's relationships, allies, or enemies, she had to tread carefully.

Her first priority, however, was regaining her strength. The hospital food was bland but nourishing, and she forced herself to eat every bite, knowing she'd need energy for whatever lay ahead.

By midday, Elyn returned with a fresh change of clothes and a cheerful demeanor. Rin studied her carefully, still trying to piece together her connection to Aria.

"Here," Elyn said, handing over the neatly folded garments. "These should fit you."

"Thanks," Rin said, offering a small smile.

As Elyn busied herself tidying the room, Rin decided to take a gamble.

"So," she began casually, "how long have we known each other?"

Elyn froze for a fraction of a second before answering. "A long time," she said with a soft laugh. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious," Rin said, watching her closely. "You seem really worried about me."

Elyn's expression softened. "Of course I'm worried. You mean a lot to me, Aria."

Rin nodded, filing the information away. Okay, so she's someone close to Aria. But why don't I recognize her name?

After Elyn left for the evening, Rin sat by the window, staring out at the city lights.

"This world…" she murmured to herself. "It feels so real. The people, the places… everything."

A Temporary Refuge

The day of Rin's discharge came quickly. After a brief examination, the doctor declared her stable enough to leave but recommended taking it easy for the next few days.

Elyn arrived promptly to take her home, carrying an air of quiet determination. She handed Rin a set of fresh clothes—a simple shirt, pants, and a long coat that seemed practical for the cold weather.

"Let's go," Elyn said, her smile warm and reassuring.

Rin followed her out of the hospital, her thoughts swirling. She still wasn't sure how to navigate this strange world, but sticking close to someone familiar with it seemed like a smart move. For now, at least.

Elyn's place was a cozy apartment nestled in a quiet neighborhood, just a few streets away from the towering Hunter Association building. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and a faint scent of herbal tea lingered in the air. The decor was simple but inviting, with a soft couch and a small dining table set by the window.

"Make yourself at home," Elyn said, gesturing to the couch. "You can rest here for as long as you need."

Rin looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. She couldn't deny the place was comfortable, but she felt a gnawing unease. She didn't belong here—not in Elyn's home, and not in this world.

"Thanks," Rin said, sitting down on the couch. "But I don't think I'll be staying long."

Elyn frowned. "What do you mean? You just got out of the hospital. You need to recover."

Rin shook her head. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't impose on you like this. Besides…" She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I have my own things to figure out."

Elyn sat across from her, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Aria, I know you're stubborn, but this isn't something you can handle alone. Whatever you're dealing with, you don't have to push everyone away."

Rin looked away, guilt flickering in her chest. She doesn't understand. I'm not the Aria she knows. I'm just someone borrowing her body.

"It's not about pushing anyone away," Rin said firmly. "I just… I need to handle things on my own for now."

Elyn's brows furrowed in frustration, but after a long pause, she sighed. "Fine. If you're so determined to go off on your own, then at least let me help you in another way."

Rin raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

A Proposal

Elyn leaned forward, her eyes serious. "Join my team."

"Your team?" Rin echoed, puzzled.

"Yes," Elyn said. "I'm part of a hunter squad. We operate out of the association. If you join us after your evaluation, you'll have people watching your back. And if you don't remember anything, becoming colleagues will help you adjust to things faster."

Rin considered the offer. A hunter team, huh? That might not be a bad idea. If they work with the association, there's a chance I could learn more about the gates. And having a group could help me figure out how to survive in this world.

"I don't know," Rin said, feigning hesitation. "I've never worked with a team before."

Elyn smiled, sensing a crack in her resolve. "There's a first time for everything. You don't have to decide right now. Just think about it while you rest."

Rin nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll think about it."

For the rest of the evening, Elyn helped Rin settle into the apartment. She showed her the guest room where she could stay and left some clothes and basic supplies.

"Are you sure you'll be okay here by yourself?" Elyn asked, lingering at the door.

"I'll be fine," Rin said, offering a small smile. "Thank you for everything."

Elyn hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Get some rest. I'll come by tomorrow to check on you."

As Elyn left, Rin let out a long sigh, finally alone. She sat on the bed, her thoughts racing.

A New Direction

Rin stared at the ceiling, replaying the conversation in her mind. Joining Elyn's team might actually work in my favor. I need information about the gates and the system. If I can stick close to her without raising suspicion, I might be able to figure things out.

She clenched her fists, determination hardening her resolve.

"Alright," she muttered to herself. "I'll join her team. But not because I need help. I'll do it to find a way out of this mess."

Her gaze shifted to the faint glow of the Hunter Association building visible through the window.

"Whatever it takes," she whispered. "I'll fix this. And I'll get back home."

For now, her path was clear. It was time to become a hunter.