regreting

Ethan regretted his decision five minutes later.

He stood in the middle of his apartment with a black garbage bag in one hand and an old T-shirt covering his nose.

"This place wasn't this bad yesterday."

"It was," the system replied. "You've simply become aware of it."

"I preferred being unaware."

"That's obvious."

Ethan rolled his eyes and stuffed another empty noodle cup into the bag.

For the next half hour, the apartment was filled with the sound of rustling plastic, running water, and Ethan complaining.

"Why do I even own three broken umbrellas?"

"You keep telling yourself you'll fix them."

"I was going to."

"You've been saying that for eleven months."

"...Do you really know everything about me?"

"I know enough."

Ethan didn't answer.

It was unsettling.

The system wasn't making things up. Everything it said was true, even the things Ethan wished weren't.

By the time he finished washing the dishes, sunlight was shining through the kitchen window.

The sink was empty.

The table was clear.

His bed was made.

For the first time since moving into the apartment, he could actually see the floor.

He looked around in silence.

"...It feels bigger."

"That's because it is no longer buried under your bad decisions."

Ethan ignored the comment.

A soft chime echoed in his mind.

Task Complete.

He waited.

Nothing happened.

"No reward?"

"You expected one?"

"You said you were a system."

"I am."

"Aren't systems supposed to give money or superpowers?"

The system was quiet for a moment.

"You watched too many fantasy movies."

"So... nothing?"

"You gained something."

"What?"

"You completed something you had been avoiding for months."

Ethan frowned.

"That's the reward?"

"For now."

He clicked his tongue.

"This system is cheap."

Before the system could respond, his phone rang.

The caller ID showed Mark.

Ethan answered.

"What's up?"

"Are you coming?"

"Coming where?"

There was a long pause.

"...Please don't tell me you forgot."

Ethan's stomach dropped.

"What day is it?"

Mark let out a dramatic sigh.

"The career networking event."

Ethan slapped his forehead.

"Oh."

"'Oh?' That's all you've got?"

"I completely forgot."

"I know. That's why I'm calling."

Ethan glanced at the clock.

"I can still make it."

"Barely. Wear something decent for once."

The call ended.

Ethan opened his wardrobe.

Most of his clothes were wrinkled.

Some still had the price tags attached.

Others... should have been thrown away years ago.

"This is hopeless."

The system spoke.

"Third shelf."

"What?"

"Third shelf. Left side."

Ethan frowned but reached for it anyway.

Hidden beneath a pile of old sweaters was a dark navy shirt he had completely forgotten buying.

"...I didn't know this was here."

"I did."

He changed quickly, grabbed his backpack, and left.

—

The university auditorium buzzed with conversation.

Students in formal clothes walked from booth to booth, introducing themselves to company representatives.

Ethan slipped inside just as Mark spotted him.

"You actually made it."

"Barely."

Mark looked Ethan up and down.

"You clean up surprisingly well."

"Don't sound so shocked."

"I am."

Before Ethan could reply, the host stepped onto the stage.

"Welcome, everyone. Today we are honored to have representatives from some of the country's leading companies."

Polite applause filled the room.

Names of famous businesses appeared on the large screen behind the stage.

Ethan wasn't paying much attention.

Until one name caught his eye.

Hart Technologies.

The lights dimmed.

A woman walked onto the stage.

She wore a tailored black suit that matched her composed expression. Every step was calm, confident, and effortless.

The entire room fell silent.

Even the professors straightened in their seats.

Mark leaned closer and whispered,

"That's Evelyn Hart."

Ethan blinked.

"The CEO?"

"The one and only."

He stared at the stage.

Then something clicked.

Black suit...

Calm expression...

Rain...

His eyes widened.

"...She's the woman from yesterday."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing."

Evelyn stepped up to the microphone.

"I won't keep you long."

Her voice was steady and clear.

"I'm not here to tell you success comes easily."

She paused, looking across the audience.

"It doesn't."

"Talent matters. Opportunity matters. But neither will take you very far if you refuse to improve yourself."

Ethan couldn't explain why, but those words lingered in his mind.

For the first time since the system appeared...

It didn't interrupt.

Not once.

When the speech ended, the audience erupted into applause.

As Evelyn stepped down from the stage, her eyes swept across the crowd.

For a brief moment...

They met Ethan's.

She hesitated.

Just for a second.

Then she continued walking.

The system finally broke its silence.

"...Interesting."

"What?"

"I believe she remembers you."

Ethan laughed softly.

"You're imagining things."

"...Perhaps."

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