Prologue

The warm glow of the afternoon sun bathed the park in golden light. The rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze blended with the distant laughter of children. Somewhere, wind chimes sang softly, their melodies drifting lazily through the air.

Ren sat on a bench, watching as Kira stretched her arms toward the sky, yawning like a lazy cat. Her long brown hair caught the sunlight, shimmering in soft waves. She turned to him, flashing that usual mischievous smile.

"You're staring," she teased, poking his forehead lightly.

Ren rolled his eyes but couldn't help smirking. "It's because you look ridiculous stretching like that."

She giggled, plopping down beside him, her shoulder brushing against his. "Liar. You just like looking at me."

He huffed. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, here you are." Kira leaned her head back, gazing up at the sky. "Ren... do you think people disappear when they die?"

The question caught him off guard. He turned to look at her, but she was still staring at the sky, her expression unreadable.

"What kind of question is that?" he muttered.

She shrugged. "Just wondering. If you ever lost me, would you still remember me?"

A lump formed in his throat. "...Of course, I would."

Kira smiled softly, but there was something distant in her gaze. The wind picked up, scattering leaves across the path. For a moment, time felt frozen, the world holding its breath.

And then—

---

Ren's eyes shot open.

His room was dark, the only light coming from the dim glow of his digital clock. 6:42 PM. The same time it had been when he closed his eyes.

A dream.

He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. It had felt so real—Kira's voice, the warmth of the sun, the weight of her words. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, staring at the clock again.

6:42 PM.

Something twisted in his stomach. That was impossible. He could've sworn he had been asleep for hours.

Shaking off the unease, Ren got up and grabbed his jacket. He had a plan tonight—a stupid one, maybe, but one he couldn't shake. If there was even a sliver of truth to the rumors about the shrine, then maybe...

Maybe he could change something.

He stepped out into the night, the cold air biting against his skin. The streets were quieter than usual, the sky a shade too dark, the wind carrying an unnatural stillness.

---

Ren's eyes shot open.

Darkness. Silence.

His clock read 6:42 PM.

His breath hitched. He was still in bed. But hadn't he just left? Hadn't he stepped outside?

The air in the room felt heavier, suffocating. The shadows in the corner of the room stretched unnaturally long, twisting in ways that defied reason. A slow, creeping realization settled in his bones.

Something was wrong.

And then—

A sound.

Not a scream, not a whisper—something in between. A silence so loud it rang in his ears, crawling under his skin, seeping into his very being.

He wasn't sure if it had come from outside or from within him.

All he knew was that it was only the beginning.