[Scene: Oceanfront Fence – Flashpoint of Fate]
The wind howled across the cliffside, the waves below crashing in rhythm with the chaos unfolding above. The same ocean. The same fence. The place where the tragedy once began.
Aqua pressed through the wall of screaming bystanders, their phones raised high, streaming the nightmare live to the world. Blood-curdling tension filled the air like static.
Akane knelt on the ground, Hikaru Kamiki holding her tightly, a knife pressed to her throat. His smile was manic—too wide, too calm.
"Don't come closer!" Hikaru roared at the crowd. "I'll kill her!, if you try to interfere!"
The gathered mass of people froze, too afraid to act, too fascinated to look away.
Aqua stepped forward, undeterred.
"You've finally come," Hikaru said with a sneer. "I thought you'd be smarter than this. I must've overestimated you."
Aqua didn't answer. His eyes were locked on Akane, whose body trembled but whose gaze burned with fear—not for herself, but for him.
From phones, cameras, and drones, the moment was broadcast live.
---
[Scene: Various Locations – Watching the Broadcast]
Ruby's knees hit the floor of the dressing room.
"No…" she gasped, tears bursting from her eyes. "No, not again… Sensei—"
Kana and Memcho rushed to her side, startled by the word. "Sensei?" Memcho whispered.
Kana's breath caught in her throat.
No… this can't happen. Not now. I just saw him smile. I want to be the star he looks at with pride… I want to be near him… even if it can't be as his lover.
Her fingers curled into fists. Her heart ached with dread.
---
[Scene: Back at the Fence – Police Arrive]
Several officers rushed in, weapons drawn. One called to Aqua, "Stay back! He's armed. You could be killed too!"
Hikaru shouted back. "This is between me and him! This is between father and son—a love so twisted it ended in death!"
Akane gasped. "Aqua, don't come closer—he'll hurt you!"
But Aqua stepped forward anyway. His voice rang with steady defiance.
"You think you've won? You've exposed yourself. You've dug your own grave."
Hikaru chuckled. "You still don't get it. You're just a pawn. A puppet in the goddess's twisted game. But you— you—will save me."
Aqua frowned. "What do you mean?"
Hikaru's grin widened. "If I kill you here, the world resets. Again. You go back. Ruby dies. You fail. You suffer. Again, and again, and again."
Aqua's blood turned cold.
"That's what she said to me. That goddess. Tsukuyomi."
"She won't help anymore. But she's an idiot. Her own rules are my trump card."
He turned his gaze to Akane. "You seem close to him. Do you love him? It won't matter. He'll die, and you'll forget. Just like before."
Aqua's heart pounded. He glanced behind Hikaru—at the cliff, the same vantage point Hikaru once watched B-Komachi's final performance. Could he…?
No. He clenched his fists.
Not this time.
I won't die again. I won't abandon the people who need me.
He took another step.
Hikaru shoved Akane aside—she hit the pavement, wincing—and lunged at Aqua.
The knife gleamed.
Aqua dodged, then swung a punch.
It landed—but not strong enough. Hikaru retaliated.
The knife plunged into Aqua's stomach.
"Guh—!"
Aqua gasped, staggering as pain exploded through him. Hikaru pulled the blade free, and blood poured out. Aqua fell to his knees, then collapsed into Akane's arms as she scrambled toward him.
"No—Aqua, stay with me!"
He tried to speak, but his voice faltered.
Not again… I don't want to die…
I want to see Ruby become a star… support Kana… tell Akane…
"I… love you… Akane…"
Her eyes widened. "Aqua…"
"Don't worry," Hikaru said, walking toward them. "He'll say it again in the next timeline. Let him rest now."
He raised the knife again—
Then—
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: "The End of Regret"