Reborn Together, Separate Ways

I was reborn in my senior year of high school.

I found myself in a noisy classroom. The students had their textbooks wrapped in their arms and were waiting for the teacher to assign seats to them.

The moment I made eye contact with Enya, I realized she had been reborn as well.

I knew because the way she looked at me was completely different from the way she looked at me in our previous life.

Her gaze was icy and wary. She regarded me with the hostility of a stranger.

“Dominic Kubert, you will be sitting with Enya Heathfield. Help her with her math homework. Exams will be starting soon, yet her grades haven’t seen much improvement!”

Enya and I looked at our teacher at the same time.

In my past life, I remember I immediately rose and assured the teacher that I would do as instructed.

After all, I have always wanted to get a chance to spend time with Enya. It was my sole desire in my schooling days.

It was the first seed that would eventually blossom into a romance.

This time around, I frowned faintly and refused without hesitation.

“My grades haven’t been doing well lately either, and my family got me a tutor. I don’t think I have time to help her with her homework.”

A dreadful silence fell over the classroom.

Enya abruptly turned toward me. She instinctively scrunched the cover of her textbook.

She must be taken aback by the sudden change in the man who spent his past life chasing after her and doing everything he could to spoil her. This time, I cut off ties with her by my own choice.

Since the teacher was fond of me, she did not insist.

With that, she nodded and made arrangements for another student to help Enya. That was the end of the matter.

During recess, Enya intentionally bumped into my shoulder.

“Is this your idea of getting revenge on me? How much more childish are you going to get, Dominic?”

I shot her a look. "Revenge? You’re not even worth something like that."

Her expression dropped.

“Quit playing dumb! Meet me in the alleyway after school.”

I did not think much of it and agreed to meet her anyway.

Now that I had a second chance at life, I wouldn’t have to worry about her grades. I wouldn’t have to take notes for her or fix her mistakes.

That afternoon, I got to enjoy the classes without pressure for once.

When the bell rang for the second time, I leisurely strolled to the alleyway to meet her.

As soon as I showed up, Enya seized me by the strap of my backpack.

“Explain! Were you reborn, too?”

I replied straightforwardly, “Yes.”

She released me as if her hand had been burnt.

“I had a feeling… Perfect. We’re going to be strangers in this life. You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours. Deal?

I watched as she gallantly tossed her hair and kept her distance from me. I had to admit I was slightly hurt by the sight.

However, it was only a very faint headache.

After spending decades together in the past life, I was more than aware that we were not compatible.

I nodded.

“Deal. Is there anything else you wanted to talk about? If not, I'm going.”

She must not have expected me to agree so heartily because I recognized a tinge of shock in her eyes.

She hid her surprise with a smug smile.

“You're not trying to get my attention out of spite, are you?

“I advise you to give up while you still can. I already agreed to be with Klay Bernhard. After we graduate, I’m going to Halo City with him.

“We’re going to be in different social classes from now on, so don’t you hatch any ideas about me.”

I remember Klay. He was a good-for-nothing brat who was born into wealth.

Even though I wanted to have nothing to do with her anymore, I still asked about her plans for the future out of the kindness of my heart.

“Right after graduation? Aren't you going to university?”

She looked at me like I had said something stupid and scoffed.

“Why would I bother with that? I’m going to be rich! You’re saying it as if studying had given me a better life!”

I knew she was mocking me for not giving her a life of luxury in our past life.

I was done bickering with her and turned to leave.

Before leaving, I offered one last word of advice.

“I just think a woman should value their independence and not rely on another person too much…”

“Shut up!” Enya sharply cut me off, “Are you jealous because I’m going to live a better life than you?

“Or are you angry that I didn't want to be with you and am going to run off with another man?”

Knowing that I had nothing in common with Enya anymore, I wisely kept my mouth shut.

Suddenly, the deafening blare of a horn interrupted us.

It was followed by a red BMW pulling up to the side of the road. Klay leaned out of the window and cried out, “Let’s go, Enya!”

Enya's expression changed instantly. She ran to the car, but not without issuing me one last warning.

“Remember what I said!”

I watched as the BMW sped away. Then, I took the phone out of my pocket and deleted all her pictures from my phone.

Conveniently, a message happened to pop up from the class’s group chat.

“Here is the list of students with guaranteed admission to the National University.”

I couldn’t find the words to describe the mix of emotions within me.

In my past life, I ended up giving up on the opportunity after giving it countless thoughts. The main reason I did so was that Enya claimed she would feel insecure if we were in a long-distance relationship.

This time, things would be different. My fingers were trembling when I called Mrs. Crosby.

“Hello, Mrs. Crosby. I changed my mind about not enrolling.”