"Cold Creek?" "Senpai?" "Kohai?" Three voices snapped me out of my daze. "Are you okay? Feeling unwell?"

"No, I'm fine. Just remembering something," I replied with a slight smile to Nanami Hayashi's concern. Should I tell them Yulin High would be destroyed in seven days?

Can I stop this? Changing one middle-aged man's fate cost me ten years. Altering the entire school's destiny—thousands of lives tangled in karma—can I even shoulder that?

Humans, like all things, are vessels of time. A vessel can't hold infinite time. Lifespans average a hundred years—some longer, some shorter. I can steal time from others, but my capacity isn't infinite. I can only hold five hundred years.

A trace of melancholy washed over me. Why so lost after barely two weeks here? The old me wouldn't care if the world ended. I glanced at the girls beside me. Having people to protect changes you. I won't save only myself. I'll shield them first—save as many as I can. The rest? Bad luck. I can't bear all the blame. I'm just human.

"Let's go." I stood and hurried back to class.

Afternoon lessons dragged. I stared out the window, restless. Knowing too much is a curse. What should I do?

"Cold Creek, something's bothering you. Share it—we'll help," Nanami Hayashi said, her eyes full of concern.

"Senpai, you're acting so lame," Rika Dojima added, suddenly leaning close.

Yutangqian, my rare male friend, cut in. "Hey, Cold Creek. Know why I befriended you?"

I glanced up. "My harem potential?"

"You really say that! It's your weird confidence—like nothing phases you. You make others feel safe. So spill your troubles."

Rarely serious, Yutangqian hit the mark. I thought time control made me godlike. But I'm barely above human. Why not lean on others? Even just for support. "Thanks, everyone. I'm better now."

"That's my Cold Creek," Yutangqian said, clapping my shoulder. I turned solemn. "I wasn't going to share this secret. But after school, meet in Classroom 103. I'll tell you everything."

Classrooms 101 to 105 were empty—perfect for secrecy. Panic would ruin everything. Inside 103, just four of us: me, Yutangqian, Nanami Hayashi, and Rika Dojima.

"I'm not ordinary. I manipulate time—but it costs equal time. Rika, remember that大叔 I mentioned this morning?"

Rika nodded. "Senpai changed his fate. I believe you."

I confirmed. "Granting him ten extra years? Time doesn't appear from nowhere. I paid the price."

Shock flashed across Rika's face. "How? I'm sorry, Senpai—I didn't know."

I waved it off. "Don't worry. The old me might've ignored him. But now... my heart changed. Thanks to you all."

Yutangqian grinned, envious. "Knew you were special! Time control beats any anime power. Seriously awesome."

Chuunibyou made explaining this easy.

"But I foresaw Yulin High's end. Our school dies in seven days. Six after today. I can't save every student—that's why I'm lost."

Silence crashed over them. Heavy thoughts filled the room.

Rika broke it first. "Senpai, what causes the destruction?"

I shook my head. "I see time's end—not the future."

Yutangqian slammed his palm down. "Form a club! 'Save Yulin High Club.' I won't just wait to die."

"I agree!" Nanami Hayashi chimed.

"Me too!" Rika added eagerly. "I want to help Senpai and the school!"

We stacked hands. A voice cut in: "Can't leave me out!" Tall senior Mingzi Baishi sprinted over, slapping her hand atop ours—clearly eavesdropping.

Rika scowled. "Saving the school? Fine. Stealing Senpai? I veto that."

Mingzi smirked. "You? With that flat chest, kid?"

"What?!" Rika snapped, face burning. Their rivalry eased our tension like a breath of fresh air.

Seven days until destruction. The "Save Yulin High Club" launched—me as temporary leader, members: Nanami Hayashi, Rika Dojima, Yutangqian, Mingzi Baishi. It wouldn't last a week. We prayed to disband happily, not in grief.

"Investigate the school and suspicious people. If saving it fails, I'll force a day off to avoid casualties."

That was the bare minimum. Truthfully, we all craved peaceful school days.