[Experiment Subject 281]
A male, 57 years old, with minor injuries and no mental history. He underwent genetic mutations, DNA reconstruction, and skeletal deformation, all in pursuit of regeneration. He succumbed after 261 days, his brain fully paralyzed.
"He survived quite a long time," Ren exclaimed, his mouth full of bread slathered with glistening jam, a book balanced in one hand. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the pages and making the text easier to read.
"I still have no idea what I'm looking for," he mumbled, stifling a deep yawn, morning tears brimming in his eyes, dark circles forming beneath them—a testament to the little sleep he had gotten the night before.
"All the deaths are completely unrelated; there's no connection between them," he grunted, stretching his arms behind his back. His gaze shifted to the translucent slab resting on the table beside him—his phone.
"It's already 8 AM," he muttered, hastily tucking the book under the futon as he began preparing for class. He donned simple attire—a plain maroon shirt and blue jeans.
"Ren," a voice called from outside his room; it was Elara, waiting for him to head to university together.
In his rush, Ren had forgotten to make an important adjustment.
He opened the door to find Elara absorbed in her phone. As the door swung open, her gaze lifted to meet his, and surprise flickered across her face.
"Did something happen?" he asked, puzzled. She struggled to suppress her laughter, her cheeks flushing as she tried to contain it, her eyes fixed on Ren's hair.
It was a chaotic mess, tousled and curly, a wild bedhead that was an understatement in style.
"Is something on my face?" Ren asked, misinterpreting her stare. As he spoke, Elara burst into laughter, turning her face away to hide it.
"Y-your hair," she managed between giggles. "My hair, oh, wai-Wait a minute!" he exclaimed, dashing back inside, embarrassment flooding him as Elara chuckled at his startled retreat.
***
"That's how motor induction works," the professor with sunset-colored hair concluded her lecture, signaling the start of break time for the students.
"Finally," Ren sighed, a saintly expression on his face; he had found the enchantment of his life.
"You love breaks, huh?" teased a blonde-haired boy, his glasses slipping down his nose.
"Says the boy already standing by the exit door," Ren shot back, a grin spreading across his face. "Alright, everyone, don't start it again," Darren chimed in, appearing from behind and patting Ren's shoulder to quell the banter.
"Are you heading to the cafeteria?" Darren asked, glancing at Ren and Elara.
"Yeah," Elara replied, and Ren nodded in agreement. "Oh then let's go together."
As they walked toward the cafeteria, Ren's phone buzzed with a message notification. He pulled it out, his expression shifting as he read the message, sweat forming on his brow. Elara noticed the sudden change in his demeanor.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice.
"No, um, something's come up, so I have to go. See you," he said hurriedly, retracing his steps with urgency.
"Something's wrong," she pondered, watching him disappear down the hallway. Darren and Ricchie exchanged glances, noticing her expression was dimmer than usual.
"So, how far have you both gotten?" Ricchie asked suddenly.
"What do you mean?" Elara replied, a look of confusion crossing her face.
"I mean, your relationship," Ricchie clarified.
"No, we're not like that," she protested, shaking her head vigorously, both hands waving in denial.
Ricchie and Darren exchanged surprised looks. "But you two are always together; everyone thinks you're a couple," Ricchie said without hesitation, while Darren ducked his head, chuckling.
"Don't mind him," Darren added.
"A couple?" Elara stammered, her ears turning red, cheeks warming, her eyes darting around as her lips trembled into a smile.
The expression was enough for Ricchie and Darren to understand: Ren is dumb.
***
The bell echoed through the hallways, its metallic ring marking the end of another class. Students poured out of their rooms, the corridor filling with chatter and footsteps. Some lingered behind, attending the optional lectures that awaited them.
"Leaving already, Elara?" Darren called out, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Don't you have Terraforming as your elective?"
"Yeah," she replied quietly, her tone distant. "Just… don't feel so good today."
It was a lie — the truth being she simply didn't want to attend the class alone.
She offered a small wave and slipped into the moving crowd. Darren and Ricchie exchanged a look, both sighing in unison.
"She couldn't be more obvious," they muttered almost simultaneously.
Outside the university gates, the cool breeze brushed against Elara's face. Her thoughts swirled like a storm — all of them circling back to Ren. His strange behavior earlier, the way he seemed… different.
Lost in thought, she failed to notice the man in front of her until they collided.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking," she blurted, stepping back.
"It's alright," the man replied, his voice calm and composed, a gentle smile softening his face.
Elara's eyes lifted — and for a moment, her breath caught.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with messy, golden curls and eyes darkened with a faint brown hue — almost identical to Ren's. The resemblance was uncanny, enough to make her freeze.
"Is something wrong?" he asked lightly, his tone eerily similar to Ren's.
"No, it's just…" she stammered, eyes narrowing in disbelief. "You look exactly like someone I know."
"Then he must be a handsome man," the stranger chuckled.
"Handsome…" she echoed without thinking, the image of Ren flashing before her eyes. Her cheeks flared red as she waved her hands. "N-no, I didn't mean it like that!"
He smiled faintly, studying her with kind but curious eyes. "Seems like you're confused about something."
Elara hesitated, her gaze lowering to the ground. "Maybe… I don't know what this feeling is," she admitted softly. "Whenever I'm near him, my heart races. His smile calms me — but it also drives me crazy. I like being alone, but now… I can't stand studying without him."
A quiet laugh escaped the man's lips — warm, understanding. "You'll figure it out soon," he said gently. "Though, to be honest, I think you already know."
Before she could respond, a voice shouted from across the street.
"RYU!"
She turned to see Ren, sprinting toward them with fury — or was it panic — written across his face.
"Uh… him," Elara said, pointing awkwardly toward Ren.
"Oh," the man chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "That's my brother. I came to see him."
His smile lingered — pleasant and scary.