What Lies Beneath the Surface

Haru's dreams had always been unsettling, but after meeting Aika, they became even more vivid. Every night, he relived fragmented moments of Aito's life—his laughter with Hana and Riku, his quiet admiration for Aika, and finally, the blinding flash of headlights. The dreams left him feeling as though he were living someone else's life.

One evening, after another sleepless night, Haru decided he couldn't carry the burden alone any longer. He approached Hana and Riku during lunch, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Can I talk to you guys about something… strange?" Haru asked hesitantly.

Hana and Riku exchanged glances before nodding.

"Of course," Riku said. "What's on your mind?"

Haru hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I've been having these dreams. They feel so real, like memories, but they're not mine. And… they're about you two. And Aito."

Hana's eyes widened, her fork clattering onto her plate. Riku leaned forward, his expression serious.

"What kind of dreams?" Riku asked.

Haru described everything—the sakura tree, Aika, the moments in the classroom, and the accident. When he finished, the table was silent.

"That's… a lot," Hana finally said. "But it's not impossible. Maybe Aito is trying to communicate through you."

"Do you really think so?" Haru asked, his voice filled with a mixture of hope and fear.

"It would explain a lot," Riku said. "But if we want answers, we need to start at the beginning. We need to talk to Aito's parents."

Hana, Riku, and Haru stood nervously outside a small, cozy house with a neatly kept garden. The nameplate on the gate read Sasaki, and Haru felt his heart race as he stared at it.

"I don't know if I can do this," Haru admitted, his hands trembling.

"You're not alone," Hana said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We're in this together."

Riku rang the doorbell, and moments later, the door creaked open to reveal a middle-aged woman with kind eyes. She froze when she saw Hana and Riku.

"Hana… Riku…" she said softly, her voice tinged with both joy and sorrow. "It's been so long."

"Mrs. Sasaki," Hana began, her voice wavering. "We're sorry to come unannounced, but… we need to talk to you about Aito."

Mrs. Sasaki's expression softened, and she stepped aside to let them in.