The year 2021...
I'm inside my room watching an anime with a plot about Time Travel. I grew overly fascinated by the thought of being able to travel through time. The main character is so smart in understanding his limitations and managing to pull off everything just by analyzing the situation.
I wonder if that happened to me, would I be able to do so as well? Nah, I'm not that smart. I'm only aiming to be but, I'm no prodigy.
As I finished watching that anime, I scrolled over lists of genres that I might like. I came across a supernatural genre. Where demons and angels exist. When I started watching it, I got sucked in immediately. The theme, the explanation, the way they integrated the concept of demons into the plot is really cliche yet fascinating. I anticipated what the story could entail as it progressed.
While I was watching, I searched for explanations or studies about demons and angels on the internet. I found out a lot about it and became a sucker for angels and demons.
The year 2007...
After I heard the words from Dylan, "I'm the 23-year-old Dylan", I was both scared and confused.
How in the name of all things good, is he here. Not only his younger self is studying here, also his older self is inside of his young and cute body? Okay, forget about the cute part.
Ah! I'm so conflicted. What am I going to say to him? How does he know, I'm also from the future or from the past. I don't know how time works. I only research demons and angels instead of understanding how time travel works. Stupid me. Again with the rushing in without analyzing anything before jumping into the rabbit hole.
Wait, I remember that that white dude can help me. That guy said he is always watching me right? But does he really? I'm not too sure. I can't trust someone like that. Even though he is like a lightstick, he is some shady dude. Okay, enough joking around in my head. I don't even know how long I was spacing out since he whispered to me.
"Umm, Yohan? Are you okay?" Dylan asked with a confused yet seemingly relaxed.
"Oh, yeah sorry! I was just thinking about what to say". You stupid Yohan, why did you say it so bluntly.
"Oh, it's okay. I was also nervous if I said something so weird not realizing that I was wrong about my presumption of you being someone in the situation like me." Dylan said with a hint of being nervous.
Oh, yeah. I forgot to consider how he found out about me. Did we have the same experience? Did he look for me? Did he remember where me and my brother once studied?
"I was also surprised about you in the same classroom as Andy", He said with a soft smile.
Stop it! You're gonna kill me with your angel-like smile. So, he was also surprised to see me in the same class as him. But, why does it feel like he knows what's going on? He feels different too. I know he was the first-ranked honor student in their class in high school. But, able to predict this? He already recognizes this without a sense of uncertainty and anxiety. The first time I came here I was already flabbergasted. Maybe he time traveled way before too. I might have found someone to talk to about this time travel thing. He might know more about it than I do. Which I lack the knowledge of. If I come across a demon, I might have the knowledge to vanquish it. Ha! Like that's gonna happen!
"Okay class, I'll be going now. Please continue getting along with each other. Don't have a fight okay. I'll leave Yohan to be your temporary leader for now. We will be assigning your class officers tomorrow. Having this first day as your chance to know more about each other will be great to see who you would choose as your president. Farewell children". "Goodbye Teacher!" All the class greeted her as Ms. Carol walked out of the room.
Why did she choose me to be the temporary leader? I'm no born leader.
"Hey! Let's play tag!" A voice coming from the back instigated something I'm not looking forward to. As I turn around I see Liam smirking. Oh, so is he trying to get me in trouble huh?
"Yes! Let's play tag! Tag you're it" Syndey shouted and bursting with laughter as she started to play tag with everyone.
This feels like when we were in charge of handling children in high school. No, please. I am a child too. Don't make my head hurt.
As they were playing tag, most of the students joined, but some were sleeping or talking instead. My brother went back to sleep. And I was busy watching over them all. Dylan was also watching them too. Thank goodness I have someone else to look out for these children. I know they're first graders. But honestly aren't they tired or sleepy? It's still 8:15 AM. I was so sleepy back then when I was a child. I would take this chance to sleep. Why can't you all be like my brother?!
"Hey, Yohan," Dylan said with a quiet voice.
I looked at him and listened to what he is about to say, "Let's meet up during recess, we need to talk about it more"
I nodded and continued watching over them. Hmm, what else could we talk about? I have so many questions too. But I don't know where to start. As I was pondering some questions, I got a glimpse of my peripheral view, seeing Liam at the back of my brother holding a water bottle.
"Liam! Don't you dare do that!" As I yelled at him, everyone stopped playing and was looking both in our direction.
"Try and stop me," He said with the intent of pouring his water on my brother.
I stood up immediately and run toward him but as the water went outside the container, I already know that I couldn't make it in time. Then suddenly, I was able to catch up to it. The most interesting part is the water wasn't moving. Even everyone wasn't moving.
What the fish! Has time stopped?! Uh? White dude are you here? As I looked around and called out for that white dude. I got no answer. I looked at Dylan, but he is also frozen in time. Only I was able to move. But that isn't important right now, what's important is how I could get rid of the water before it pours down his head.
I remember that I was still at that spot. So how can I fool Liam, without him noticing something happened? Oh, I know. I push the water bottle to the side where nothing could get wet and placed an eraser at the water bottle so that he might think I threw that eraser and managed to hit it. I will go back to my current location and pretend I threw something. Now... How do long will it take for the time to go-... Time suddenly resumed. The water bottle got pushed to the side. Some of the water spilled a little but didn't reach my brother. The eraser landed on his head though. My brother woke up and found Liam at his back. Liam's face was in disbelief and also a little bit scared and confused... -back to normal? Oh, wow good timing.
"What just happened?" Liam uttered those words while looking at the water bottle spilling all over the floor.
"Huh? What are you doing?" Andy question Liam with a drowsy and disturbed face.
Liam was still in shock. I sighed with relief then told Liam. "I said don't you dare" Then I smirked. As I was smirking I looked around the room and all of my classmates looking at us were also shocked.
Wait?! Why are they shocked too? Were they fooled or not? Didn't they understand what happened? "I threw an eraser to stop the bottle..." I tried explaining it then Syndey said it with a scared tone, "No, I saw you walk-... umm, what was I talking about? Oh, right who's it" Sydney didn't continue what she was about to say and they continued playing tag as nothing happened. I looked at Liam and he suddenly yelled "Hey, what happened to my water bottle. You!" He walked towards me, then Dylan went in front of me saying, "Liam, please don't fight, the next teacher will come any minute now" Liam was displeased and started clenching his fists and said, "I don't know how you made me lose grip of my water bottle but make sure to clean it up and fill it with water, then I'll stop". "Yes, we will, so please go back to your seat," Dylan said with a nervous yet respectable tone.
Liam obediently did what Dylan asked. Wait a minute. Why did he listen to Dylan and not me? does he have a crush on Dylan?! Oh no, mister, he is mine. Well, technically he isn't but I knew him first. And I thought you have some feelings towards people you are bullying or am I wrong? Wait why am I assuming that he likes Dylan, just because he listened to him. He might have listened to him because he said it with a kind voice. So mister Liam here is weak against kind people huh? Sorry Dylan but, in the future help me tame this wild dog. I looked at Dylan giving him a thumbs up. Then Dylan looked at me and smiled back. Stop! you're gonna make me melt.
I cleaned up the wet floor and used paper to soak all the water. And set it aside. I picked up the water bottle and went outside to clean it and fill it up with water. As everyone continued playing tag in the classroom, the teacher went inside the room with a very tense look. He doesn't look familiar to me, and he seems to be tired somehow.
"Children, seat down!" He yelled with a very angry tone.
"It's early in the morning and you all keep playing. You might've broken something already." He said with a very disappointed face then looked around the room and saw a lot of drenched paper on the side. "What is that?" He asked with a menacing look.
Liam answered him, "Sir, someone spilled my water bottle" Then the teacher asked who it was. As he was talking Liam smirked when I arrived at the door holding the refilled bottle. I didn't anticipate what was gonna happen, so I got surprised when I heard a shout as I went inside the room. "It was him sir" Liam pointed at me as I arrived at the door. "You brat! Why did you leave a huge mess so early in the day!" I jumped in surprise and ended up throwing the water bottle at the teacher and hitting his head.
The teacher massaged his head and was looking at me with a mean look. "You, go at the back and stand for the rest of the class." I was mildly infuriated and also glad that the water bottle hit his head.
The teacher gave the water bottle to Liam. And Liam turned around blew me a raspberry. I ignored him and I stood up for the rest of the class. The teacher's name is Rowell. He teaches History. He made the class read the textbook and gave us assignments then left early with an 'I'm so done with this shit' face.
I gave in to the tiredness of my legs and sat on the floor as he left the room. Later, if I learn how to control my unexpected powers. Maybe I'll ask Dylan if he knows about any of this, but I don't think he would, I'll just ask anyway.
The class session is not over yet. And I have to watch my classmates if they're gonna play again. But they just sat in their seats. I was relieved to see it, and I looked at my back and saw my brother sleeping again. Liam on the other hand was spacing out looking at the ceiling with his feet raised up. At least, he isn't disturbing anyone. Some of my classmates were sleeping, others were doing the assignment and Sydney just slept too. Good. Now I can relax and wait for recess.
Dylan was also doing the assignment. Because of course, he does it. I'm already surprised others were doing it. For me, I don't want to do it now, I'll do it at home instead.
The bell rang and everyone who was sleeping woke up and the others immediately went outside towards the canteen. My brother went with the others. Liam and Sydney also went out. Only me and Dylan left in the room. Dylan then closed the door and we sat down to talk. I started by asking him about his situation.
Dylan said, "After I finished writing my thesis paper, I slept then as I woke up I became a child again. It was last year that I became like this. I was so scared and confused. But I keep hearing your name and I tried to look for you. It was hard because I was just a 7-year-old but I come up with a way to meet you. I asked my mother to enroll me here so that I could find your brother. I remember he went here for his first grade. I didn't expect you to be here. I tried to find a clue why I keep hearing your name, and when you went and introduce yourself, I know for sure you were just like me. the way you move, the way you talk, it's just like how you were when you were older years. And if not, I'll just have to make it sound like a joke when I say I am the 23-year-old me"
As I hear those words. It got me thinking. Who keeps on telling him my name? Who made him time travel? Why did he want to meet me? How come you knew my older self when you only left for abroad when I was 17, and you didn't even know how I really act?
Dylan never knew my true personality. He only knows the shy and dependent me. I know how Dylan looked at me, he never depended on anyone. He doesn't trust anything so easily.
How many times did he hear my name? What does he think that meeting me could do anything? What reason does he have? What purpose? He is smart. If all of this were true, He would not meet me because it is meaningless.
If I am also like him, but, I don't have the knowledge to go back, if that is what he is looking for. If he was the real Dylan he would just accept it and won't cause anyone trouble.
He never asked me to be someone to comfort him. He is independent. This is wrong. Something is wrong. Even before.
After I stopped time, everyone was shocked and Syndey also said something but got cut out and said something else. Like someone controlled her. Like someone controlled them.
Liam also obeyed Dylan so well. He even said to us when we shake hands, we looked like adults. So doesn't that mean he also disliked Dylan? Even though I assumed he liked him. But now I am not sure.
Never mind that, let me test this imposter Dylan. Something even Dylan doesn't know about himself. But I know very well that it hurts.
"Dylan, can I tell you something?"
"What is it Yohan?" Dylan asked with a calm demeanor.
"I'm sorry for what happened to you. I was also shocked at first but, what happened to me, was something I longed for.
If you came to me to ask about how to go back. I don't know. I'm sorry. But, I'm happy I could meet you again. It's been 7 years since we last talked to each other. And in this predicament, I don't even know if asking how you are is alright. But I just want to tell you something that I've been wanting to tell you for a long time."
As I said those words, Dylan had a calm face and waiting for what I was going to say.
"I like you!" I said with a very flustered face.
"I know," Dylan said with calm composure. Those words, now I know for sure.
"Nice try Dylan, or should I say, someone else"
"What are you talking about Yohan, I'm Dylan."
"Dylan never knew I was in love with him. Because the real Dylan would never fall in love with someone like that. You might think he liked me too but that was all from the memories I had with him. You inspected his memories assuming he liked me back when I know already he doesn't love me back" I said with a frustrated voice.
"Are you sure? I don't understand what you are saying Yohan. I am Dylan. I've always known you liked me, I just didn't show it before but, I also liked you back then too. I was too confused and so focused on my studies that I never reciprocated your feelings toward me," Dylan said with a sincere look.
What?! Am I wrong? Was I imagining too much? How could this be? My precaution backfired.
Dylan approached me and hugged me, then said, "I'm sorry, it took long enough for us to realize our feelings. I looked for you because I also missed you. I said I keep hearing your name but in reality, I keep on remembering you and I wanted to see you. That's all."
I watch a lot of anime and movies that made me look like a fool.
"I'm sorry for doubting you. It's just I didn't want you to be stuck like this with me. I know that you didn't want this to happen to you" I said this to Dylan while almost bursting into tears.
"No, honestly it is a relief to be a child again. I don't have to worry about my thesis paper" Dylan chuckled and the end of his sentence.
"Oh, right you're still studying for your bachelor's degree," I said while wiping my eyes.
"Don't worry it's enough to have someone that I already have a history with than trying to befriend my old friends again. I already lived this life. It's not like I lost them. I can also change some things I wanted to change too"
"What do you want to change?" I asked him then he said as he went closer to my face, "I want us to have a relationship this time".
My heart stopped working and made me faint.
"Yohan, Yohan!" Dylan keeps yelling my name trying to wake me up. Then I stopped faking my faint and kissed his cheek. We both blushed and let go of each other.
"Oh, I forgot to mention. I have a superpower... sort of" I told to Dylan, then I looked at his face with a shocked expression saying, "What kind of powers", his eyes were glistening in anticipation.
"I think I can stop time but only for a minute or two"
Dylan nodded and then said, "also me"
I was shocked to hear it and asked immediately just like him, "What's yours?!"
"I can control people's minds" As I heard those words it gave me a realization of what happened.
"So that's what happened," I said while nodding and touching my chin.
"Did you figure it out?" Dylan asked me and I replied saying, "Well, I just assumed, because everything went smoothly so I was conflicted... Wait?! Why didn't you mind control our teacher too?" I responded with a quick change of mood.
Dylan chuckled and said, "Sorry, I wanted to but, I can only mind-control a limited amount of people per day, and they were a lot at that time."
"I understand. So when did you learn about this?" I asked.
"Last month, I found out that when I was with my mother she insisted on enrolling me in her Alma Mater, but then as I told her I want to study in this school. She changed her mind and enrolled me here." Dylan explained.
"At first, I thought she just changed her mind, but I tried to control a dog outside. And the dog ended up listening to everything I said. So, I experimented a lot. How much capacity does it have? How the mind-controlling works. And I found out that I can change the perception of others. It's not really mind-control but just editing how a person perceives something." Dylan explained even more.
"Oh, wow! You have one great power! But I just learned about my powers today" I said with an unconvincing face and rubbed the back of my head and a slight chuckle at the end.
"Then, let's try and understand it," Dylan said with a kind smile.
"Okay, but please stop smiling you might kill me one day," I said as a joke but Dylan responded, "What I have another power?"
"NO-cuff-cuff!" I coughed as I was surprised by his reaction then I laughed in the end.