Episode 1 – Returning to the Past
The night was silent, but inside Chun Yu's mind, a storm raged.
She and Song Lu sat beneath the old maple tree, the lantern between them flickering softly. The guardian's words repeated in her head.
"One of you must choose to let the other go."
Song Lu hadn't spoken much since the guardian left. He sat still, his fingers absently tracing the grooves of the wooden bench.
Finally, he spoke.
"We have to find a way back."
Chun Yu turned to him, her heart pounding. "How? We don't even know when the punishment happened. We only saw glimpses."
Song Lu exhaled slowly, his brows furrowed. "The rain."
She blinked. "What?"
"The rain always brings the loop," he said. "Every time it happens, we find ourselves back in the same place, as if time resets."
Realization dawned on her.
"You think we can use the rain to go back further?"
He nodded. "If we enter the storm with the intention of going to that moment—maybe it will take us there."
Chun Yu swallowed.
It was a risk. A terrifying one.
But it was their only chance.
Episode 2 – The Storm That Shatters Time
That night, the skies opened.
Thunder rumbled in the distance as rain pelted the earth, soaking the streets and filling the air with the scent of wet stone and blossoms.
Chun Yu and Song Lu stood at the edge of the riverbank, their clothes drenched, their fingers interlocked.
"Are you ready?" Song Lu asked, his voice barely audible over the wind.
Chun Yu shivered. "No."
A small smile ghosted his lips. "Me neither."
Lightning flashed.
A strong gust of wind swept around them, and the world seemed to blur. The rain thickened, turning into a curtain of shimmering silver.
Then—
Everything went dark.
For a moment, Chun Yu felt weightless, as if she were floating through time itself.
Then suddenly—
She was standing in a grand courtyard.
The air was warm, scented with incense and fresh flowers. The sound of silk rustling filled the space.
Chun Yu's breath caught in her throat.
She knew this place.
This was it.
This was the day everything fell apart.
Episode 3 – The Moment of Punishment
A golden sun hung high in the sky. Chun Yu found herself dressed in elegant robes, standing among a crowd of people.
And then—
She saw him.
Song Lu stood at the center of the courtyard, facing a group of divine figures. His expression was defiant, yet there was a deep sorrow in his eyes.
She gasped.
This was the moment he was judged.
And she—she was standing among the onlookers.
Her heart pounded as she scanned the scene. It was like watching a play unfold, yet she could feel everything.
Then—the divine ruler raised his hand.
The judgment was about to be passed.
"Song Lu, your love for a mortal has defied the will of the heavens. You have tainted the divine order. Your punishment shall be eternal separation."
Chun Yu's breath hitched.
No—this was it. This was where they had made the wrong choice.
Song Lu had refused to let go. He had fought against the heavens—and that was why they had been cursed.
This time, they had to change it.
This time, one of them had to let go.
Episode 4 – The Choice That Changes Fate
Chun Yu stepped forward, her pulse hammering.
She saw her past self—the other Chun Yu—watching with wide, teary eyes.
And then—
She saw Song Lu make his move.
"I refuse your judgment!" his past self declared. "I will never leave her!"
The divine ruler's expression hardened. "Then you shall suffer the cycle of forgetting and remembering, until the end of time."
No.
Chun Yu clenched her fists.
She turned to the present Song Lu, who had also been pulled into this moment. He stood frozen, his gaze locked on his past self.
They both knew what had to happen.
Song Lu turned to her. "Chun Yu—"
"I have to do it," she whispered.
He looked at her in alarm. "No—"
"I have to be the one to let go," she said, stepping closer. "If I do it, the punishment won't be placed on you."
His hands trembled. "But if you let go—"
Tears welled in her eyes. "Then I will forget you."
His breath caught.
If she let go, if she accepted the judgment, the curse would never be placed. The loop would never begin.
She would return to her world, free of the burden of their past.
But—
She would lose him forever.
Song Lu took a step back, shaking his head. "No. I won't let you do this."
Her voice broke. "We have to end this."
His face twisted with anguish.
Then—before he could stop her—
Chun Yu turned to the divine ruler and knelt.
She lowered her head. "I accept my fate."
The air around them trembled.
The heavens rumbled.
Song Lu lunged forward—"Chun Yu, NO—"
A blinding light erupted from the sky.
And then—
Everything shattered.