Chapter 5: Second Chances and Cosmic Promises

Savannah’s POV:

There’s a secret I never told Autumn: I was given a second chance with a system.

It sounds crazy, even to me. But after everything that happened, I know it’s true.

In my previous life, I had a crush on Autumn, but because we were both women, I never confessed, not even when she died.

I spent years regretting it, wishing I’d been braver. When she was gone, I realized I’d lost my chance forever.

So when I found out she liked me this time, I was shocked and regretful. If I’d gotten close to her sooner, would things have been different?

I promised myself I wouldn’t waste this second chance. I’d do anything to protect her.

Last time, Lillian was stalked, slandered, deepfaked by AI—fake videos of her were everywhere. People believed them, shared them, and the rumors got worse and worse. Around that time, her beloved mother died. By the time I found the culprit, Lillian had already taken her own life. I collapsed to the floor, devastated.

The pain was unbearable. I blamed myself for not acting sooner.

Especially when I found out the culprit was a woman. I was so angry I wanted to scream.

I couldn’t understand how anyone could be so cruel. It broke my faith in people.

Damn it. How can a woman be so cruel to another woman? She knew exactly how much harm she was causing, but did it anyway. Women know best how to hurt each other. She didn’t deserve to live—why couldn’t it have been her instead of Autumn? Autumn, who was always kind and sincere to everyone.

Autumn was the best person I’d ever known. She didn’t deserve any of it.

She grew up in a single-parent family, so she always donated to others in need. She’d been through hard times, so she knew how to help others. You know what she always carried? Cat treats—for the stray cats around the studio lots. She never stopped caring.

She was generous, thoughtful, and quietly heroic. I admired her more than anyone else.

But someone like her had to suffer all that. I just don’t get this world.

It felt unfair, but I was determined to change it this time around.

I didn’t go to Autumn’s memorial. I refused to believe she was gone. When I fainted from grief, a system appeared. It said it could send me back to before Autumn’s tragedy. If I wanted to stay, I had to complete its missions. I agreed without hesitation.

I would’ve done anything for another chance. The system was my lifeline.

At first, the system made me antagonize Autumn. I was so mad I wanted to bash its head in. But for her sake, I endured. Later, it stopped giving me weird tasks, and our relationship improved. The system faded away, leaving me with one last mission: "Love her forever."

I promised, swearing I’d never let her go again.

It felt like a loop, but I nodded firmly.

I didn’t care how many lifetimes it took—I’d choose her every time.

The system smiled and said its final words:

"You earned your second chance. I’m a system that collects love. Because your love was so pure, the universe sent me to you. Loving someone is like growing flowers—you need patience. But to speed things up, I gave Autumn a gift: the ability to hear your thoughts. It’s my way of making up for teasing you two at the start. Now, other girls need me. Farewell."

I watched as the system faded away, leaving me with nothing but my own heart.

From then on, I was free of the system, able to stay in this world for good.

The relief was overwhelming. I finally had a future with Autumn.

Even though I always called it useless, I kind of missed it when it left. But only for three seconds.

I shook off the nostalgia and focused on the present. Autumn was all I needed.

Now I could finally run straight to my Autumn.

And when I saw her, I ran.

She opened her arms, and I fell into them, laughing. For the first time, I felt truly, completely happy.

(The End)