Yuiga Nariyuki wakes from a nightmare he can't shake—because it wasn't a nightmare. It was a memory. Five years from now, he died. And before he did, he watched every person he cared about slip away, one by one, into darkness he couldn't reach.
But when he opens his eyes, it's April of his third year of high school. He's been given a second chance.
Armed with a battered notebook recording the future he's desperate to prevent, Nariyuki accepts the role of education supervisor for three brillian
We Cannot Change Fate - Dawn in the Forest of Literature — The Three-Way Conference Retry and a New Door
Morning light fell across the hallway.
Fourth floor of the main building at Ichinose Academy. Yuiga Nariyuki stood frozen before the door to the headmaster's office.
(Here it is.)
(Today's the moment of truth.)
He drew a deep breath. Something heavy settled in his chest.
Yesterday, the headmaster had summoned him. "Tomorrow, we'll retry the three-way conference. Furuhashi Reiji will be present as well."
In other words—face that man again.
His position as tutor had been suspended. The recommendation letter, on hold.
Even so, he couldn't back down.
Nariyuki clenched his fist.
His nails bit into his palm.
"...All right."
He spoke aloud, steeling himself.
Three knocks on the door.
"Enter."
A low, calm voice.
Nariyuki opened the door.
The headmaster's office was quiet.
Strong June sunlight poured through the window.
A heavy wooden desk sat in the center of the room.
Behind it sat the headmaster of Ichinose Academy.
White hair. Gentle eyes. But behind them, an authority that brooked no argument.
The absolute power of this academy, who had supported Ichinose for sixty years.
"You've come, Yuiga-kun."
The headmaster gestured with his hand to the chair across from him.
"Have a seat."
"...Excuse me."
Nariyuki sat.
He straightened his back.
The headmaster gazed at him steadily.
"Furuhashi-san will arrive shortly. Before that, I want to confirm one thing."
"...Yes."
"Do you wish to continue as tutor?"
Nariyuki's words caught for a moment.
(Of course I want to continue.)
(But it's not just that.)
(I have to save them.)
"...I do."
Nariyuki looked straight into the headmaster's eyes.
"I'll teach Rizu, Fumino, and Uruka. I won't hand them over to anyone."
The headmaster narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I see. Don't forget those words."
Then—
Without a knock, the door opened.
Furuhashi Reiji appeared.
Fumino's father.
Education critic. University professor.
A man in his mid-forties, immaculate in a black suit, silver-rimmed glasses.
His eyes were cold.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Headmaster."
Reiji glanced at Nariyuki.
Like looking at an insect.
"...So you're Yuiga Nariyuki."
His voice carried clear contempt.
"Yes."
Nariyuki stood and gave a slight bow.
Reiji sat in the chair across from Nariyuki.
With the headmaster between them, Nariyuki and Reiji faced each other.
"Then let us begin."
The headmaster spoke.
"Today, we've arranged a discussion regarding Furuhashi Fumino-san's future path. Furuhashi-san, your thoughts."
Reiji straightened his back.
"My thoughts were decided from the start."
Reiji's voice was cold and sharp.
"Fumino will go to medical school. There is no other option."
"Have you confirmed Fumino-san's own wishes?"
"A child's wishes are irrelevant. She's not old enough to judge her own future. A parent shows the correct path. That is what education means."
Something hot smoldered deep in Nariyuki's chest.
(The correct path?)
(Is ignoring Fumino's feelings and forcing his own views what education means?)
"Yuiga-kun."
The headmaster looked at Nariyuki.
"As her tutor, what do you think about Furuhashi Fumino-san's future?"
Nariyuki drew a deep breath.
His heart raced.
His fingertips were cold.
But he wouldn't run.
"Fumino-san says she wants to study literature."
Nariyuki's voice didn't waver.
"She's ranked in the top zero-point-five percent nationwide in humanities subjects. That talent shouldn't be crushed at medical school."
"Talent?"
Reiji snorted.
"Literary talent is worthless. Can you eat off it? Face reality. Become a doctor and you're guaranteed stable income and social standing. A literature department is a hobby."
"It's not a hobby."
Nariyuki looked Reiji straight in the eye.
"To Fumino-san, literature is as precious as life itself. She chose it because of her late mother. She said she wants to write words that move people's hearts, like her mother did."
Reiji's brow twitched.
"...Don't bring my wife into this."
Reiji's voice dropped.
"What would a commoner like you understand?"
Reiji glared at Nariyuki.
"You're just a high school student. You know nothing of society's harshness or the weight of life. For you to speak of Fumino's future is absurd beyond measure."
Nariyuki clenched his fist.
His nails bit into his palm.
It hurt.
But the pain, paradoxically, cooled his heart.
"...Yes, I'm ordinary."
Nariyuki spoke quietly.
"I wasn't born with talent. I'm clumsy. I've worked several times harder than anyone just to reach average grades. That's the kind of ordinary person I am."
Reiji snorted.
"That's exactly why I understand."
Nariyuki continued.
"How much resolve Fumino-san has, pursuing literature. How much feeling she pours into her words. Because I'm ordinary, I can see how extraordinary her talent is. And I can imagine the pain of having that talent crushed by a path she didn't choose."
Nariyuki didn't look away from Reiji's eyes.
"Fumino-san's life belongs to Fumino-san. Being a parent doesn't give you the right to decide it for her."
Silence fell.
A heavy silence.
Reiji's face slowly twisted with anger.
"...You—"
Reiji started to rise.
Then—
"Father."
A voice came from beyond the door.
Everyone turned to look.
Standing there was Furuhashi Fumino.
Navy long hair. A headband. A mole beneath her left eye.
Fumino, in her Ichinose Academy uniform.
Her face was pale.
But her eyes looked straight at her father.
"Fumino..."
Reiji's voice was stunned.
"Why are you here?"
"...The headmaster called for me."
Fumino spoke with a trembling voice.
"If it's about my future, it doesn't make sense without me there."
The headmaster nodded quietly.
"Furuhashi Fumino-san. Come here."
Fumino stepped into the room.
She stood beside Nariyuki.
Her hand trembled slightly.
Nariyuki almost reached out to touch it.
But he stopped.
Now was the time for Fumino to fight for herself.
"Fumino, go home. This is a conversation for adults."
Reiji spoke in a low voice.
"...No."
Fumino shook her head.
"This is my conversation. I'll speak."
Fumino looked straight into her father's eyes.
"Father. I want to continue with literature."
Reiji's face went rigid.
"I want to become someone who moves people's hearts with words, like Mother. That's my dream."
Fumino's voice trembled.
But she spun her words clearly.
"Going to medical school is your dream, Father—not mine. I will live my life by my own will."
Reiji stared at Fumino for a while.
The color drained from his face.
"...Fumino."
Reiji's voice was hoarse.
"You can't listen to what I say?"
"I can't."
Fumino said firmly.
"If I live as you say and regret it, it's me who suffers. Not you. So I'll walk my own path."
Silence.
A long silence.
Reiji's shoulders trembled slightly.
Was it anger?
Or something else?
Nariyuki couldn't tell.
Eventually, Reiji rose slowly.
"...Headmaster. I'll take my leave for today."
Reiji's voice was flat, emotionless.
"Regarding Fumino's future, we'll discuss it another day."
Reiji didn't look at Fumino.
He didn't look at Nariyuki either.
He simply walked toward the door.
"Furuhashi-san."
The headmaster called after him.
"One thing I'll say. This academy's educational philosophy is 'independence and self-reliance.' Respecting students' will is our duty."
Reiji stopped.
But he didn't turn around.
"...Understood."
With that, Reiji left the room.
The door closed.
The click echoed in the quiet room.
Strength drained from Fumino's body.
She nearly collapsed.
Nariyuki caught her arm instantly.
"Furuhashi!"
"...I'm okay."
Fumino smiled weakly.
"I said it. I defied my father."
"Yeah."
Nariyuki nodded slightly, supporting her arm.
"You said it well."
Tears spilled from Fumino's eyes.
"...I told my father my feelings for the first time."
Fumino wiped her tears and smiled.
"I could say it because you were there, Yuiga-kun. Thank you."
Nariyuki couldn't say anything.
His chest burned.
(Thank goodness.)
(It's different from the future.)
(Fumino stood by her own will.)
"Yuiga-kun."
The headmaster called to him.
"About the tutor position—I approve its continuation."
Nariyuki raised his head.
"However, the recommendation letter depends on summer grades. Show me you can raise all three of their scores."
"...Yes!"
Nariyuki bowed deeply.
"Thank you very much!"
The headmaster's lips softened slightly.
"I'm counting on you."
Afternoon sunlight cast long shadows in the hallway.
Nariyuki walked beside Fumino.
"...Yuiga-kun."
Fumino spoke softly.
"Am I really okay not going to medical school?"
"You are."
Nariyuki answered immediately.
"You're a literary genius. Believe in that talent."
"...Yeah."
Fumino smiled through her tear-streaked face.
"Thank you. I'm glad you're my tutor, Yuiga-kun."
That smile was the one Fumino should have lost in the future.
Warmth spread through Nariyuki's chest.
(I protected it.)
(This time, I protected it.)
(But it's not over yet.)
Nariyuki parted ways with Fumino and headed to the courtyard.
He sat on a bench.
Exhaled deeply.
Strength drained from his whole body.
(Exhausted...)
But it didn't feel bad.
"Yuiga-san."
A voice.
He looked up. Ogata Rizu stood there.
Apricot short hair. Glasses. Ultramarine eyes.
A math genius, her small frame wrapped in the Ichinose Academy uniform.
"...Ogata."
Nariyuki started to rise from the bench.
"What's up?"
"I have something to discuss."
Rizu sat beside him.
A little close.
Nariyuki's heart skipped slightly.
(Close...)
(No, that's not what this is.)
"...Um."
Rizu spoke, looking down.
"I want to properly finish the Star-Crossing Board. Once and for all."
Nariyuki looked at her face.
Her profile was serious.
"I'll tell my mother my true feelings too. That game-making is my dream. That I want to complete Grandmother's board."
"...You mean it?"
"I mean it."
Rizu raised her head.
Her ultramarine eyes looked straight at Nariyuki.
"Until recently, I thought I'd handle it alone. But... because you were there, Yuiga-san, I felt I wasn't alone."
Rizu's voice softened slightly.
"So I decided. I was going to decide alone. But... I'm glad you were there, Yuiga-san."
Rizu smiled faintly.
The smile was a little awkward.
But it was definitely a smile.
Something tightened in Nariyuki's chest.
"...Yeah."
Nariyuki nodded.
"I'll help too. We'll definitely finish it."
"Yes."
Rizu nodded happily.
"There's one more thing I want to tell you, Yuiga-san."
"What is it?"
"The Star-Crossing Board has a missing rulebook. Apparently, on the missing pages, Grandmother's message to her family is hidden."
Nariyuki caught his breath.
(Missing pages...)
(That rumor Usami-san mentioned.)
"I want you to search for those pages with me."
Rizu's eyes were serious.
"...Got it."
Nariyuki nodded firmly.
"Let's search together."
Evening.
Nariyuki parted with Rizu in the courtyard.
Her back disappeared into the school building's shadow.
Nariyuki sat on the bench again.
The sky was dyed crimson.
"Nariyuki!"
A cheerful voice rang through the courtyard.
He turned. Takemoto Uruka came running.
Tanned skin. Red-purple medium hair. An ahoge bouncing.
The swimming club's ace.
"Uruka."
Nariyuki stood.
"What's up, at this hour?"
"I have something to tell you, Nariyuki!"
Uruka stood before him, slightly out of breath.
"The study abroad is officially decided!"
Nariyuki's heart pounded.
(Here it comes.)
(The study abroad that ruined Uruka's life in the future.)
"...I see."
Nariyuki nodded, feigning calm.
"So when do you leave?"
"September. After summer break."
Uruka said with a smile.
Nariyuki's chest went cold.
(September...)
(In the future, right before the study abroad, Uruka quit swimming and vanished.)
(Will she follow the same path this time?)
"...Nariyuki?"
Uruka peered at his face.
"Your face looks dark. Do you hate the idea of me studying a
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