Tokyo Arrival

The hotel lobby buzzed with soft murmurs and the occasional chime of the elevator. Yami followed the others, his steps light yet uncertain. The scent of polished wood and fresh linen filled the air as they passed the reception desk, heading towards the elevator.

Inside, the hum of the rising lift filled the silence until Ms. Sarah spoke.

"So, Yami, what are you planning to do now that you've made it to Tokyo on your own?" She glanced at him with warm curiosity before adding, "How old are you, by the way?"

Yami hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice carrying a faint hint of uncertainty. "I'm... sixteen. At least, I think I remember that much." He chuckled lightly, as if trying to ease the weight of his missing past.

Misami, standing in the corner, narrowed her eyes slightly but said nothing.

Ms. Sarah smiled. "Still a high schooler, I see. Well, how about I enroll you in my daughter's school?"

"What!?" Misami blurted out, snapping her head toward her mother.

Yami instinctively raised his hands. "Oh, I really wouldn't want to trouble you—"

"Nonsense," Ms. Sarah interrupted with a reassuring wave of her hand. "It's no trouble at all."

Yami hesitated but eventually sighed. "If you insist… Thank you."

The elevator doors slid open, revealing the hallway leading to their separate rooms. Yami stepped inside his assigned apartment, and the moment he shut the door, a strange feeling washed over him. His luggage was already there, neatly arranged as if he'd never left his previous home.

Then, it happened. A sharp pang in his head. Memories—fragments—seeped in like water through cracked glass.

The plane… The lightning… It wasn't normal.

His hands clenched into fists.

And then the sea… It changed right before my eyes. And that figure… I saw it again today.

Yami inhaled shakily, running a hand through his hair. Even my hair changed… the same way the sea did.

He swallowed hard, his mind racing. None of this can be a coincidence. What happened to my family…?

Letting out a heavy sigh, he collapsed onto the bed, staring at his hand. His thoughts swirled, an endless storm of questions with no answers. Finally, he dragged himself to the bathroom, stripping off his clothes and stepping into the shower. The warm water ran down his body, soothing him as he closed his eyes, trying—failing—to make sense of everything.

---

A Mother's Concern

Ms. Sarah poured herself a cup of tea, gazing out the window. The city lights stretched far beyond the horizon, yet her thoughts were on the boy in the other apartment.

"That boy…" she murmured. "It must be difficult… not remembering anything. Not even knowing what happened to his family."

Misami leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "I guess so. Might as well help him, since that's what you were planning all along, right?"

Ms. Sarah smirked. "How bold of you, Misami. Why don't you invite him over for dinner, then?"

Misami scoffed. "Hmph. Fine. Whatever."

---

A Strange Mark

The steam clung to the mirrors as Yami stepped out of the shower, a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. He wiped a hand over the fogged-up glass but froze as he caught sight of his reflection.

His crimson eyes stared back at him.

For a moment, he couldn't breathe.

They weren't always like this. They were blue before. Weren't they?

His gaze dropped to his chest. A mark—one he didn't recognize—rested over his heart like an old scar from a wound he never remembered receiving. His fingers brushed over it lightly, a shiver running down his spine.

What… is this?

Just then, a knock came from the door. Yami snapped out of his thoughts, quickly grabbing his clothes.

When he stepped into the living room, Misami stood awkwardly near the door, shifting from foot to foot. The moment her eyes landed on him, she stiffened, her face turning a deep shade of red.

Yami blinked, puzzled. "Oh, hey, Misami. Did you need something?"

She swallowed hard, avoiding eye contact. "M-my mom said you should come over for dinner… a-as a welcome party. W-well, gotta go—bye!"

Before he could respond, she spun on her heel and practically fled the apartment.

Yami tilted his head. "Such a thoughtful family," he mused, utterly clueless about the reason behind her flustered state.

---

Dinner Invitation

Later that evening, Yami changed into a simple shirt and pants before heading next door. Just as he raised his hand to knock, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck.

Someone was watching him.

He turned his head slightly, scanning the dimly lit corridor, but no one was there.

After a brief pause, he knocked on the door.

Ms. Sarah greeted him warmly. "Oh, come in, Yami."

Inside, the scent of freshly prepared food filled the air. Ms. Sarah moved gracefully around the table, setting down dishes while Misami sat stiffly in her seat, still visibly flustered.

As Yami took a seat, he noticed her flushed expression. "Misami, are you feeling okay? Your face is red."

She immediately stiffened. "I'm fine!"

Ms. Sarah chuckled under her breath, throwing her daughter an amused glance.

For the first time in a while, Yami allowed himself to relax, enjoying the warmth of their company. The dinner was calm, peaceful.

Until the voice returned.

"Yami… you are no longer an ordinary mortal."

Yami's body tensed, but he kept his expression neutral, pretending nothing was wrong.

"You must search for the power within if you wish to reclaim your memories completely. But be warned… you are being watched."

The voice faded, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

Yami clenched his hands beneath the table.

"Young survivor… Good luck."

He exhaled quietly, forcing himself to push the words aside. Tonight, he would act as if nothing had happened.

But deep inside, he knew.

This was only the beginning.

---

New Beginnings

After dinner, Yami stood up and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for the meal. I really appreciate it."

Ms. Sarah smiled. "Oh, before you go, I called Misami's principal. You'll be enrolling at her school tomorrow."

Yami blinked in surprise. "I see… Thank you."

He gave a small wave before heading back to his apartment, exhaustion weighing on his limbs. The moment he collapsed onto his bed, sleep took him instantly.

---

Midnight Thoughts

Misami lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind. "That boy…"

She exhaled sharply, shifting onto her side.

"He reminds me so much of him… But still, I need to keep my guard up. After all…"

She pulled the blanket over herself, furrowing her brows.

"He's a weirdo."