Transmigrating to Heal His Heart

The crisp autumn air greeted Joey as he stepped out of the library. His mind replayed the conversation with Ethan, a slow smirk curling on his lips. It wasn't much, but it was progress. Ethan was confused, uncertain—and that was exactly what Joey wanted.

Still, he wasn't foolish enough to believe Ethan would drop his guard so easily. The damage the original Joey had done ran deep. It would take more than a few words to change that.

Fine. He had time.

As Joey walked toward the dorms, a familiar voice called out behind him.

"Joey!"

Noah.

Joey turned, schooling his expression into something neutral as the boy jogged up to him, all sunshine and warmth. His golden-brown eyes crinkled as he grinned, but Joey could see the tension hiding beneath the surface.

"Where have you been?" Noah asked, falling into step beside him. "Didn't see you in class."

Joey shrugged. "Had some things to do."

Noah let out a soft chuckle. "Let me guess—you were too busy messing with Ethan?"

There it was.

Joey glanced at Noah from the corner of his eye. The words had been spoken lightly, teasingly, but there was an unmistakable sharpness beneath them.

"Maybe," Joey said, testing the waters.

Noah hummed, tilting his head. "You've been spending a lot of time around him lately."

Joey smirked. "Jealous?"

A laugh bubbled from Noah's lips—bright and carefree.

"Please," he scoffed, bumping Joey's shoulder playfully. "Why would I be jealous of Ethan?"

Joey didn't reply. He didn't need to.

Because Noah was jealous.

Maybe Noah hadn't fully realized it himself, but the signs were there—the way he brought Ethan up so quickly, the way his friendly mask faltered just for a second before slipping back into place.

Interesting.

"I just think it's weird," Noah continued, shoving his hands into his pockets. "You always used to say Ethan was boring."

Joey shrugged. "Maybe I changed my mind."

Noah's smile didn't waver. But his fingers twitched.

"Well," Noah said, voice light, "you know I'll always be on your side, right?"

Joey chuckled, slowing his steps as they neared the dorms. "Of course."

Noah reached out, tugging Joey's wrist before he could enter the building. His fingers were warm, almost too warm.

Joey blinked.

For a split second, the usual Noah—the smiling, easygoing Noah—was gone. The boy in front of him wasn't playful. He wasn't casual.

He was serious. Possessive.

"Then don't forget it," Noah murmured.

And just like that, the moment was over.

Noah grinned, releasing Joey's wrist and stepping back. "See you later, Joey."

Then he walked away, whistling a tune under his breath.

Joey stared after him, rolling his wrist absentmindedly.

Yeah. That was definitely something.

---

Later That Night

Joey sprawled across his bed, staring at the ceiling as the system chimed in his mind.

[Mission Progress: 35%]

[Ethan's wariness remains high. Continue breaking down his walls.]

Joey sighed, flipping onto his stomach. "Yeah, yeah. I know."

[Warning: Noah's behavior has slightly deviated from the original script. Proceed with caution.]

Joey paused. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"…Explain."

[In the original story, Noah's possessiveness was milder. However, his attachment to you appears to be intensifying. If left unchecked, his actions may stray further from the established timeline.]

Joey huffed, rubbing his temple. "So what, he's just clingier than usual?"

[It's more than that.]

Joey exhaled slowly.

He had noticed.

The way Noah had grabbed his wrist. The flicker of something unreadable in his gaze.

"Not my problem," Joey muttered. "As long as he doesn't mess with Ethan, I don't care."

[Be mindful. Noah's emotions may influence the mission.]

Joey waved a dismissive hand. "Yeah, yeah. Got it."

But the thought lingered.

If Noah's feelings really were intensifying, then that meant—

Joey's lips quirked upward.

This just got a whole lot more fun.

---

The Next Morning

Joey arrived on campus early, making his way toward the courtyard where he knew Ethan liked to sit before class. As expected, Ethan was there, sitting under the shade of a tree, his nose buried in a book.

Joey approached with a lazy stride, plopping down beside him.

Ethan sighed without looking up. "What do you want?"

"Good morning to you too," Joey drawled.

Ethan closed his book, leveling him with a flat stare. "Seriously. What do you want?"

Joey grinned. "What, can't I just enjoy your company?"

Ethan's expression didn't change. "No."

Joey laughed. Blunt as always.

He rested his chin on his hand. "You don't trust me at all, huh?"

Ethan snorted. "Should I?"

Joey feigned a wounded look. "Ouch."

Ethan exhaled through his nose, rubbing his temple. "Joey, I don't have time for whatever game you're playing."

Joey tapped his fingers against his knee. "What if I told you I wasn't playing one?"

Ethan stilled.

For a moment, he just studied Joey, as if searching for some kind of deception.

Joey let him.

After a long pause, Ethan shook his head. "Then I'd say you're lying."

Joey laughed, standing up. "Fair enough."

Ethan frowned as Joey turned to leave. "That's it?"

Joey glanced back, a smirk dancing on his lips. "See you in class, Ethan."

Ethan watched him go, something flickering in his expression.

Something uncertain.

And Joey?

Joey could only grin.

Checkmate.