Love Beyond Time
Seth
It's been a week since we graduated. I'm glad I passed the exam, even after everything that happened. I'm now at the café where we usually hang out, waiting for the others. The afternoon sun makes the small café feel warm and cozy. I'm sitting at our usual table by the window, nervously playing with the ring on my finger. The place is quiet, with only soft sounds of cups and people talking.
I kept glancing at the door, waiting for the others to arrive. We had all planned to hang out here today, but it seemed like none of them knew how to be on time. As I stirred my coffee, the soft chime of the door caught my attention. I looked up, expecting to see Ivan, but my heart skipped a beat when it was someone else.
It was Mr. Reiji—the one who gave me the old watch, which I had also brought with me today. When he saw me, he walked over with that same mysterious smile. His presence, like always, felt calm but also a little unsettling. Without saying a word, he sat down across from me. I felt myself tense up as my heart began to race.
He smiled calmly at me. "It looks like you've made good use of the chance I gave you."
I took the old watch from my bag and gently placed it on the table. "Thank you, Mr. Reiji. If it weren't for you, I don't think I'd be this happy," I said, my mind still drifting back to everything that had happened.
I smiled without even realizing it. Then Mr. Reiji spoke again. "You don't need to thank me, Seth. I only gave you the chance—but you were the one who chose to take it and make something out of it."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Like I said before, you can change what happens in the past, but the future will always keep moving forward." His words left me a little confused.
Seeing my expression, he continued gently, "All I did was return the memories you had from the future—the one where Ivan was gone. That version of the future will still continue on, because time can lead to many different outcomes."
Hearing that made my chest tighten, and I felt tears start to form.
"But you saved Ivan in this timeline," he said with a soft smile. "So, everything that happens from now on will depend on the choices you make. I just hope that in the future, you'll be as happy as you are now."
"So, the Seth in that future will still continue his life?" I asked, still trying to process everything. Mr. Reiji nodded and gave me a gentle smile.
"You don't need to worry about that future Seth," he said. "You already broke free from the pain you carried back then, before I gave you the old watch. That means he's already come to terms with what happened in his life and has chosen to keep moving forward."
He paused for a moment, then added, "In fact, I spoke to that Seth not too long ago. He's changed. He's slowly learning to live in the world he's in now, and no matter how hard it gets, he's doing his best to move forward."
Hearing that made me feel strangely calm, like a heavy weight had been taken off my shoulders. I looked down at the watch on the table, its surface shining under the warm afternoon light. Even though I knew I couldn't fully change the past, it was comforting to know that a part of me in that future had found peace. Maybe we're both learning how to move on in our own ways. I took a deep breath, finally feeling ready to face whatever comes next.
I held the ring tighter as I looked out the window. "I miss him," I whispered. "I always will. But I've learned that I don't have to lose Ivan again. The Ivan in this timeline... he's real. He's here. And that's enough for me."
Mr. Reiji gave a small nod and stood up. "You've learned what you needed to. Take care of this life—and take care of him."
Before I could say anything, he turned and quietly walked away, leaving the old watch on the table. I picked it up and held it for a moment, feeling its weight in my hand. Then I smiled and gently placed it back into my bag, feeling calm and at peace.
Just as he disappeared, the door chimed again, and my heart lifted when I saw Ivan walked in. He smiled and looked around the room until he saw me. His grin grew wider as he made his way over.
"Hey," Ivan said as he sat down beside me. "Sorry I'm late. Got caught up with some family stuff." I smiled, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "It's okay. You're here now."
"Now, we just have to wait for the others," I said. Ivan chuckled. "Still late as always, aren't they?" he joked, and I laughed along with him.
And as if on cue, the others walked in.
They spotted us right away and headed over, their voices filling the quiet café with laughter and energy. It felt just like old times—easy, warm, and familiar. As they pulled chairs around the table and began chatting about random things, I looked around at all of them. For the first time in a while, I felt whole again. This moment, with all of us together, was something I knew I would treasure forever.
**********
Reiji
In a quiet room full of old books and forgotten stories, I sat alone at my desk. Papers and half-finished notes were scattered in front of me. The only light came from a small candle in the corner, its soft glow making gentle shadows dance across the walls.
I leaned back in my chair and closed the book I was holding. Its leather cover was worn but still lovely. The title—Love Beyond Time—shimmered softly in the candlelight. I ran my fingers over the gold letters and smiled. Each page had told part of Seth's journey, and his story had ended just the way it should.
"It's a beautiful story," I whispered. "Seth really made the most of his second chance."
I stood and walked over to the tall bookshelf that lined the wall. Every book on it held a different life—a story I had quietly helped along. Some were full of adventure, others were quiet moments that still mattered deeply. But all of them were meaningful.
I placed Seth's book beside the others. I knew that someday, someone like me—a Watcher, a Keeper of stories—would read it and understand its purpose.
But my work wasn't done yet.
I opened a drawer and took out a small keychain. It looked plain, just a simple silver charm, but I knew it held something special. Soon, it would reach someone who needed it—someone whose story was about to begin.
Holding the keychain in my hand, I smiled. It was more than just an object. It was a message—a sign that something important was coming.
I slipped it into my coat pocket and turned back to the bookshelf, my eyes resting on all the lives I had watched unfold. There was something eternal in those stories. Something true.
"It's time for the next one," I whispered. The candle flickered gently, then went out. Then the room fell into darkness.