"She seems to be in good health," the doctor said as he packed up his bag. "There are no signs of drug use, and mentally, she's stable as far as I can tell. My suggestion is to let her rest for today. Please call me if anything changes."
"Thank you, doctor," Ren replied, his tone still laced with worry. He glanced over at Sakura, who sat quietly on the bed, her expression unreadable.
As the doctor left, Ren turned back to her, softening his voice. "Get some sleep, darling. I'm sorry you have to miss the first day of college, but it's only one day, and it's not like it's your first year." He leaned in and kissed her forehead and left.
That was the last thing on Sakura's mind right now. First she had to find out what year she was in and how she managed to go back in time.
Her hands shook as she reached for her phone. She unlocked it, and the first thing she saw was a wallpaper she hadn't used in years: a picture of her and Mia, smiling with iced coffees in hand.
Her brows furrowed. That couldn't be right. She hadn't had this phone for years.
Sakura opened the calendar app, her stomach tightening with every swipe. When the date loaded, her heart skipped a beat. September 7th. Nine years ago.
She stared at the screen, the words blurring as her breath quickened. "Nine years?" she whispered. "I went back nine years?"
Before Sakura had the chance to compose herself, her phone rang with Mia's name on the screen. Hesitantly, Sakura answered.
"Hello."
"Hey, Sakura! Are you okay? Why didnt you come in today?" Mia's voice was bubbly, just as Sakura remembered it from their college days.
If I've really gone back nine years. I need to play the part of a college student in Tokyo.
"Hey, Mia. Thanks for calling. I did not come in today because…unfortunately I am not feeling well." Sakura replied.
"What's wrong? And why are you so formal, girl?"
"The doctor said I'm fine, and I just need some rest. And…uh sorry for being so formal. I'm just tired" Sakura felt uncomfortable talking to Mia so casually, especially after what happened during the wedding, so the words just didn't fit right with her.
"Yeah, I can tell by the robotic way you're speaking. Anyway, I hope you get better and I'll text you everything you need to know for today. Byeee!"
"Bye."
Sakura got up from her bed and looked at herself in the mirror in her pink pajamas. Her younger self stared back at her, bright-eyed and wrinkle-free. The years of stress, heartbreak, and life lessons were gone.
"I'm nineteen again," she whispered, her voice breaking. She touched her face, tracing her cheek with trembling fingers. This wasn't a dream—it was too vivid, too real. She had definitely went back in time.
Sakura did not know how she had managed to time travel nine years back in the past. However, either way, she was back in Tokyo, and she had to continue her life, so it would not impact her future.
Later that evening Sakura spoke to her parents about attending college the following day, and how she was feeling much better, and she just had a nightmare. Even though Sakura knew it clearly wasn't.
She hadn't found an explanation as to how she managed to walk back in time, but she knew that it had happened and she couldn't tell anyone about it.
…
The next morning, Sakura stepped onto the grounds of Historia University, feeling a wave of nostalgia mixed with nervousness. The campus felt familiar, like an old friend welcoming her back—but it was also different now. The buildings with their sandy-coloured walls seemed timeless, elegant, and welcoming.
It was one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and it had always been a place full of memories for her. But now, stepping back into it, Sakura felt the weight of being back in time, unsure of how to act or what to do.
She adjusted her bag, trying to focus as she walked past students chatting and rushing to class. Her heart raced—this time, she wasn't just a college student, but someone who had already lived through this chapter of her life, and she needed to figure out how to make it all work.
Turning a corner near the library, she was so distracted by her thoughts that she didn't notice the person heading her way until they collided.
"Ah!" Sakura exclaimed, stumbling slightly as her books tumbled to the ground.
"I'm so sorry!" a deep, warm voice said.
She looked up, in recognition of that voice as her gaze met the boy in front of her. Dark, slightly messy hair framed his face, and his kind gray eyes locked on hers with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat.
Haru.
"It's okay," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper, as they both knelt to gather her things.
Their hands brushed against each other, and Sakura felt a strange jolt, like the universe itself had paused for just a moment.
"I should've been paying more attention," he said, handing her a notebook. His sheepish smile only added to his charm. "Are you alright?"
Sakura nodded, her words catching in her throat. "I'm fine. Really."
"I'm Haru," he said, standing and offering her a hand.
"Sakura," she replied, taking it. His grip was warm, his touch lingering just long enough to send a shiver through her.
"Nice to meet you, Sakura," Haru said, his voice soft yet unforgettable.
She nodded again, unsure of what else to say, her heart still racing as he turned to leave. "Hopefully, I'll see you around?"
"Yeah," Sakura murmured, remembering the kisses they shared on that stormy night.
Sakura stood there for a beat longer than necessary, watching him leave. It felt familiar. A flashback of when he left her that night appeared. Then, realisation struck like lightening.
"Iwishyou'dtoldmethetruth,Sakura. Evenonce. Maybethen... noneofthiswould'vehappened.' Haru'svoicerepeatedinhermind."
"IwishIneverhelpedyou, Mia. IwishIcouldgobackandfixeverything. I wishI hadasecondchance." She recalled saying to herself.
The wishes that she and Haru said that night.
The wish she made at 11:11.
This was her chance to fix everything that happened in the future. This was her second chance.