Rebirth

Chapter 1

Episode 4/Chapter 5
Episode 5/Chapter 6
Episode 6/Chapter 7
Episode 7/Chapter 8

Trigger Warning: Implications of ab*se and a minor panic attack
Spoiler Warning: About Neo's identity

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Noah finally had the chance to redo his life. He awoke in his old bed. Of course he assumed that it was the his life flashing before his eyes, but it felt too real. In case the Armageddon would happen, he prepared.

Maybe this was his chance, his chance to reconcile with Neo. Neo, of course, didn't reciprocate any of Noah's feeling. He promptly kicked Noah out of his room, assuming that Noah was trying to get into his good graces to betray him again.

"Hmp. This is just a wild guess. But could he be pouting?" Li asked.

"Pouting? Neo??" Noah repeated. Neo didn't seem like the type of kid who would pout.

"Kids get pouty when their parents don't remember their birthday. I assume."

"Birthday...? Whose?" Noah's voice trailed off as the sound of echoing footsteps took his attention.

Around the corner, a girl walked toward them. She was wearing a long sleeved navy blue turtleneck under a dark red skirt with suspenders. Her hair was black and stretched down the midsection between the shoulder and elbow. She was also carrying a black backpack.

She looks familiar... Noah thought.

The girl in front of them sighed, "I'm sorry to interrupt," she smiled at Li, but not even batting an eye at Noah, "Good morning, Li."

"Good morning, Miss Yuna," Li greeted.

Yuna? Noah mentally repeated.

She then pivoted on her foot and walked toward Neo's door to knock on it, "It's me."

The door opened and Yuna walked in before it was locked again.

I thought Neo met with her through the apocalypse. They were friends? Noah thought.

"Who's that?" Noah asked, trying to get more information on the girl.

"Miss Yuna? Did you forget?" Li responded.

"Forgot? Who is she?"

"Miss Yuna was Young Master Neo's close friend when they were younger," Li replied, "Miss Yuna used to always come over and play with Young Master."

Noah thought to himself for a moment before the lightbulb brightened, "Oh, I remember."

Flashback

This was a time before Noah was told about Parish's affair. Everything was so much more peaceful. Noah treated Neo like his child. Parish kept her secrets like always.

"Father!" Neo said. He was such a bright kid. Active, friendly, obedient, but a little mischievous.

"Yes, Neo?" Noah said. He was still a young man. A young, yet prideful younger brother.

The two were about to eat breakfast before school. A little father-son time.

"Can I invite a friend over to play?" Neo asked.

"Of course," Noah replied.

"Yes!"

Time Skip

"Father! Father!" Neo called out.

"Yes, Neo?" Noah said taking his attention away from his computer.