One evening, heavy rain poured endlessly from the dark sky, covering the city with reflections of the lights coming from different buildings. People hurried past one another, carrying umbrellas, eager to return to the warmth of their homes.

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‎But among the crowd, there was a teenage girl who felt life was colder than the rain itself.

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‎Airince Soralene held her folder and papers tightly against her chest as she walked alone in the dark and rainy streets of the city to reach home. Her school uniform was visibly soaked from the nonstop rain.

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‎Inside her folder was the result of her writing competition, which she worked hard for many days and sleepless nights.

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‎Unfortunately, she didn't make it to the list of the winners' names.

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‎Not again.

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‎Airi let out a sigh. She faintly smiled, but contrary to that, her face showed not even the slightest happiness. It's almost as if she's about to cry.

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‎"Maybe I'm just not really good enough..."

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‎She continued walking down the empty and slippery sidewalk while happy memories were replayed in her mind.

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‎Back when she was a child, until growing up, she felt the happiest. Everything she had back then was more than enough; there was nothing more she could ask for.

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‎However, when the pandemic came, that's when her life turned upside down.

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‎The once warm and cheerful home she considered her comfort place suddenly grew quiet and became heavy with problems.

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‎Her parents, who were once her partners in everything she did, became distant from her. They barely paid any attention to her now because they were busy trying to earn enough money.

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‎Even her old friends, with whom she used to share stories about her day, slowly drifted away and became distant.

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‎And the dreams she once held tightly felt as though they were slipping farther and farther away and far from reach.

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‎Writing was more than a hobby for Airi; it felt like the world to her.

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‎Now it only reminds her of failure.

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She continued walking against the rain, but was stopped when her phone vibrated and showed notifications from her classmates.

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‎"Congratulations to all the winners"

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‎"A job well done guys. Congrats!"

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‎Below those messages were smiling pictures of her classmates holding the medals and certificates for the winners.

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‎Tears fell down from Airi's eyes as she quietly shut down her phone.

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‎For some reason, she felt like she was the only one left behind, especially seeing everyone else move forward and achieve what they wanted.

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‎Heavy rain continued pouring down as if it understood her sadness.

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‎She hurried down the street while looking around for some place to stay while waiting for the storm to calm.

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‎That was when she noticed something.

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‎A small cafe that glowed brightly beneath the rain at the end of a narrow alley.

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‎Airi frowned.

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‎She had been familiar with this place for as long as she could remember. This street was not new to her anymore, as she passed this street many times before.

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‎But she didn’t remember ever seeing this cafe.

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‎Airi stood in front of the cafe, looking amazed and curious. She read the sign painted with elegant gold letters that were hung above the wooden door.

"KANAESHI CAFE"

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‎The warm light inside reflected through the windows.

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‎Airi slowly stepped closer. For some reason, she couldn't explain the feeling of comfort in this place, almost as if the cafe itself was calling for her.

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‎The soft ringing of a bell echoed the moment she opened the door.

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‎The atmosphere inside felt quiet, and warm air immediately touched her skin.

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‎Inside the cafe was a soft reflection of golden lights against the wooden walls lined with books and antique clocks. Gentle piano music played somewhere in the distance, a sound that soothed the soul. And the undeniable fragrant scent of tea and coffee filled the air.

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‎There were no other customers in the cafe.

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‎Only two people stood inside. One was her, and the owner.

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‎Behind the counter was him, a man dressed neatly in black, calmly preparing tea.

‎He looked up and greeted Airi the moment she entered.

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‎His eyes were beautiful and as dark as the night sky. They were strangely gentle, yet carried a faint unreadable sadness.

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‎“Welcome,” he said softly.

‎“You must be tired. You can sit here."

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‎Airi stopped for a while and looked around the cafe.

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‎"Excuse me... Are you the owner? Um... sorry. I was just looking for a place to stay until the rain stops, that's why I entered," she explained.

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‎The man smiled faintly.

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‎“Of course, make yourself comfortable while staying here."

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‎Before Airi could ask, he placed a cup of warm tea in front of her.

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‎Steam slowly rose from the cup.

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‎"On the house," he said.

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‎Airi looked at the tea and was hesitating to pick it up.

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‎She thought to herself, that the cafe felt...  different for some reason.

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‎It was very different from the usual cafe she goes to.

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‎This place seemed quiet, but there was something comforting about it.

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‎Like a place separated from the rest of the world.

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‎Curiosity got the best of her, she looked around and her eyes wandered toward the large clock hanging on the wall.

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‎She froze.

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‎The clock was moving backwards.

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‎Tick.

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‎Tick.

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‎Tick.

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‎Airi blinked repeatedly, thinking her eyes were simply tired and imagining things.

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‎But the hands continued turning in reverse.

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‎“You noticed it?”

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‎Her attention quickly turned towards the man behind the counter.

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‎He calmly wiped a glass while watching her carefully.

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‎“Most people don’t notice that clock on their first visit.”

Airi forced out a nervous laugh.

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‎“First visit?”

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‎The man stepped closer.

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‎The soft cafe lights reflected against his black eyes.

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‎"This cafe can only be seen and found by people when they're carrying regrets too heavy for their hearts."

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‎The room suddenly felt colder.

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‎Airi stared at him in confusion.

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‎“What… does that mean?”

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‎The man gently placed another teacup onto the counter.

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‎Unlike the first one, this tea shimmered faintly beneath the light.

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‎“This,” he said quietly,

‎“is the Rebirth Blend.”

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‎Airi looked at the strange tea before her.

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‎“If you drink it,” the man continued, “you will return to the moment your life begins to fall apart.”

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‎The rain outside grew louder as strong winds blew through the curtains of the cafe.

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‎Airi felt her heartbeat quicken.

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‎“You’re joking… There's no such thing as rebirth...”

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‎The man only smiled.

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‎But this time, there was something lonely behind it.

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‎“Everyone who enters this cafe wishes for the same thing,” he said softly.

‎“A second chance.”

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‎Silence filled the cafe.

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‎Airi slowly looked down at the steaming cup in front of her.

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‎A second chance.

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‎If she could go back…

‎Would things finally change?

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‎Would she become someone better?

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‎Someone happier?

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‎Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the cup.

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‎The mysterious man watched her quietly.

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‎Then, for the first time, he spoke his name.

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‎“I am Yuiailen,” he said.

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‎The surroundings felt as though time had stopped, only the clock behind him continued ticking backwards.

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‎And the moment Airi touched the cup ---

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‎The lights inside the cafe suddenly flickered.