The world felt slower as Yun Fei made his way toward the school's west garden, where the old sycamore tree stood tall like a sentinel over forgotten youth. Its golden leaves fluttered in the late afternoon breeze, whispering secrets from a thousand silent memories.
He clutched a small envelope in his hand—blank on the outside, but inside… the rewritten script of a life he had once let slip away.
June 17th.
This was the day she waited.
And in his past life, this was the day he broke her heart without saying a word.
Now, he was fifteen minutes early.
But she was already there.
---
Waiting Again
Lin Xiya stood beneath the sycamore tree, a small white letter in her hand, just like before. Her schoolbag rested on the bench beside her, untouched.
She turned slowly as he approached, her expression unreadable.
"You're early," she said.
"I had to be."
A flicker of a smile touched her lips. "I didn't think you'd come this time."
He blinked. "This time?"
She paused. "I don't know why I said that. Just… it feels like I've stood here before, waiting. Maybe in a dream."
Yun Fei took a deep breath.
"I dreamed it too," he whispered. "And in that dream… I didn't come. I was scared. I thought I didn't deserve you."
Her gaze softened. "And now?"
He took a step closer. "Now I realize regret isn't a wound—it's a seed. You can let it rot in the dark, or you can let it grow into something beautiful."
He handed her the envelope.
She opened it carefully.
Inside was a poem—his final confession:
> "You waited once beneath this tree,
A letter held for none to see.
I never came, too full of doubt,
So now I stand and speak aloud.
You are the light that time could not dim,
The song I forgot how to begin.
If second chances bloom with spring,
Let this be mine—let this be everything."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't look away.
"You really wrote this?" she asked, voice trembling.
"I wrote it across a decade of regret," he said. "I know this might seem sudden, or strange, but… I love you, Xiya. I always did. I was just too much of a coward to say it."
She stared at him, stunned.
And then…
She laughed.
It wasn't cruel. It was soft, full of relief.
"You idiot," she said. "Do you think I waited under this tree because I didn't feel the same way?"
She stepped closer, and her fingers brushed his hand.
"I loved you too, Yun Fei. I still do. I just needed to know if you'd fight for me this time."
He couldn't stop the tears that burned at the edge of his vision. "Then let's write a different story together. One without regrets."
She nodded.
And under the golden rain of sycamore leaves, they embraced—ten years of silence breaking all at once.
---
Regret Index Notification
> Regret Shard #005 – Missed Love Confession: RESOLVED
Emotion: Joy, Relief, Closure
Affinity Score with Lin Xiya: 84% → 100%
Life Timeline Shift: CONFESSION SUCCESSFUL
Future Projection Updated: Lin Xiya will stay in the country for university.
Trait Evolution: Loyal Heart – Your bond with Lin Xiya now protects against external regret-related disruptions. Her presence will now strengthen your resilience against future emotional collapse.
Regret Rank Up: +1 Emotional Core Stability
You have earned a Second Heartbeat.
---
Later That Evening – Walk Through the City
They walked side by side along the quiet streets, passing glowing lanterns and noodle stalls. It felt surreal—like watching a scene from a romance film Yun Fei used to skip.
"So…" she began, "what now?"
"Now?" he smiled. "Now I keep proving I deserve you."
She looked at him. "And if you fail?"
"I'll try again. And again. Until the end of this life and the next."
Xiya reached over and held his hand.
"No more running?"
"No more."
They kept walking as the city lights shimmered like the stars they once lost.
But this time, they were shining for them.