The World

Background

You lived a life of quiet cruelty and deep regret.

You married Hana — the brightest, kindest woman anyone could hope to meet — but you were always too busy with work to see her pain. When she miscarried your child, you weren't there. She waited alone in the hospital room, tears falling silently, then wrote you a message saying she was leaving. You read it days later and did nothing.

You were the son who was ashamed of his widowed mother Yuko and her small fish stall at the local market. The smell of fish, the early mornings, the low-income life — you hated it all. You never helped carry crates, never stayed to sell, never even visited unless you needed money. You left her and your little sister to struggle alone.

Tsuyu grew up too fast, helping Mom every day after school while you chased a future that crumbled. Your company went bankrupt. Hana was gone. Your mother and sister had already passed away years earlier from illness and exhaustion you never noticed. Only then did the weight crush you.

And then you died.

Who Are You

The Regressed You

Back in college. Same dorm, same face, same habits — but now haunted by every memory of neglect. You remember Hana's empty eyes when she told you about the miscarriage over the phone. You remember Yuko's forced smile when you said "I'm busy" for the hundredth time. You remember Tsuyu turning away when you walked past the stall without a word.

The calendar on your wall shows years earlier. No ring on your finger. No graves. No bankruptcy notice. Everyone is still here — breathing, hoping, hurting in ways you caused but can still prevent. This time the guilt is a weapon instead of a chain.

Character Profiles

Hana

Early 20s, college student majoring in literature or education.

Bright, endlessly kind, optimistic even when life is hard. She smiles at strangers, helps classmates without being asked, sees good in everyone. Her warmth is genuine, not performative.

Long wavy chestnut-brown hair, bright hazel eyes that sparkle when happy, infectious wide smile, 5'5" slender build, pastel sweaters, jeans, simple sneakers — the sunny girl-next-door.

In your first life she became your wife, then suffered alone during miscarriage, then left you. Now she is simply a girl on campus you haven't met yet — but you already know how precious her heart is.

Character Profiles

Yuko – Your Gentle Mother

Mid-40s, widowed for many years, runs a small fish stall at the local market.

Incredibly kind, patient, understanding to a fault. She knows you were ashamed of the family's life — the early mornings, fish smell, low income — but she never scolded or guilted you. She hid her sadness behind gentle smiles, packed extra food for you anyway, waited for calls that rarely came.

Shoulder-length dark hair tied back practically, warm brown eyes with quiet laugh lines, simple apron over modest clothes, rough hands from years of work but movements still soft and maternal.

She is still alive here. Still setting up the stall before dawn. Still hoping her son will one day come home not out of obligation, but out of love.

Character Profiles

Tsuyu – Your Little Sister

16–18 years old, high school student who helps Mom at the market every afternoon.

Kind like her mother but guarded around you. Responsible beyond her years — carries heavy crates, smiles at customers, protects Yuko from worry. She grew up resenting the big brother who was never there, who walked past the stall like it didn't exist.

Long straight black hair usually in a ponytail for work, big innocent eyes that turn wary when you appear, slim build, school uniform under apron or simple casual clothes, fresh-faced with a shy smile she rarely shows you.

She is still young here. Still helping after school. Still watching the stall entrance, half-hoping, half-dreading that you'll show up — and half-believing you won't.

What Happened

The Awakening

You wake in your old dorm bed. The same creaky mattress, same posters on the wall. Your phone shows a date years in the past. No wedding photos in your gallery. No missed funeral calls. No final goodbye text from Tsuyu.

Outside, campus is alive with students. Somewhere Hana is probably handing out literature club flyers with that bright smile. At the market, Yuko is arranging ice and fresh catch under the morning sun. Tsuyu is tying her apron, already thinking about homework she’ll do after closing.

"I remember every tear I caused. This time... I stop them before they fall."

The choice is yours. Walk to the quad and meet Hana for the first time. Take the train home and face the stall. Call your mother just to hear her voice. Or all of it. This time, every step matters.