"Darling"

February 5th, 2026

At Shigeyoshi residence - 8:15 AM

"Keito," Ray said, slightly surprised.

"Yo," Keito grinned. "You look like hell, bro. You eat yet?"

Ray blinked. "Uh, no. Not really. Come in."

Keito stepped inside without hesitation, like he'd never left along the breakfast that he bought. Ray shut the door behind him.

"How did you know I was back?" Ray asked while setting plates and utensils on the table.

"I know you," Keito replied matter-of-factly. "I know your house. I know if someone's living here or not. Also, your porch light was on last night. Rookie mistake."

Ray snorted. "You're creepy, man."

Keito laughed. "You love it."

Ray poured black coffee into two mugs and placed one in front of his best friend.

They sat at the table, opening the bags to reveal traditional Japanese breakfast - rice, grilled salmon, tamagoyaki, and miso soup.

"So, how are you doing?" Keito asked between bites.

Ray shrugged. "It's been five years. Still trying to get used to Tokyo again."

Keito looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry to hear about your dad."

Ray stopped chewing. He looked up. "How did you know?"

Keito set his chopsticks down. "Ray, everyone in this neighborhood knows Shinjo Shigeyoshi. And everyone knows he got sick. Some visit him in the hospital when they can."

Ray stared blankly. "I didn't know... people cared about him like that."

"Ray," Keito said softly, "you still don't know anything about your father."

Before Ray could respond, the doorbell rang again.

He stood and walked to the door. As it opened, he froze.

Sakura Himura stood there in a sleek, designer cream blouse tucked into a pearl-white skirt.

She carried a lacquered breakfast tray with a calm and graceful smile on her face.

"Good morning, Ray. Have you already eaten breakfast?" she asked.

Ray blinked. "I'm already eating. Come in."

She stepped inside, and as she handed him the tray, her hand "accidentally" brushed his. Her fingers were soft, warm.

.....

"Mmm. Warm and hard," she whispered, with a smile that lingered.

Ray coughed awkwardly and led her to the dining table. Keito, upon seeing her, nearly choked on his rice.

"Holy shit," Keito muttered under his breath.

Sakura sat gently, her posture flawless, as if a camera might flash at any moment. Ray placed her food on the table and poured her a cup of coffee.

"You want anything else?" he asked.

"Just this," she smiled. "Black coffee is perfect."

Keito, still staring in disbelief, finally stammered, "Uh... Himura-sama?"

"Yes?" she replied, looking at him with polite curiosity.

"What... what are you doing in Ray's house?"

She looked at Ray, then back at Keito. "I'm his stepmother."

The words landed like a bomb.

Keito blinked rapidly. "You're... what?!"

And then, for dramatic flair, he leaned back and jokingly fainted in his chair.

Ray rolled his eyes. "Don't mind him, Sakura."

She smiled warmly. "Please, call me Mom, darling."

Ray froze. That word echoed in his skull.

Darling.

Darling.

His mother's voice. Risa. The nightmare.

Her lips. The kiss.

The throne. The chains. The chanting.

He could hear it again.

"Ray?" Sakura said, gently placing a hand on his arm.

He flinched.

"You okay?" she asked, softly.

Ray looked away and nodded. "Yeah... Just spaced out."

Keito, regaining composure, finally noticed the shift in Ray's mood. "You alright, man?"

"I'm fine," Ray said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just a rough night."

Sakura studied him carefully but said nothing. She sipped her coffee, her eyes sharp, curious.

Keito, trying to lighten the mood, spoke again. "You sure you're fine, bro? 'Cause I could've sworn your stepmom just called you darling."

Sakura chuckled elegantly. "I did. I think it suits him. Don't you agree?

Keito blinked. "Uh... sure. Yeah. Totally."

Ray stood up, collecting his cup. "I'm going to get some air."

Sakura watched him leave the room. Once he was gone, she looked at Keito.

"What's wrong with him?"

Keito didn't respond. He just kept staring at Sakura. Still in awe by her beauty.

She glanced at the hallway where Ray disappeared. Her smile faded just slightly.

And somewhere in Ray's mind, the nightmare still pulsed like a forgotten prophecy, threatening to bleed into reality.