shu1031

I’m Taki Tamada, just your average high school student. Well… not really. I’m kind of a lazy otaku who spends most of my time talking about anime and gaming. Surprisingly, I still manage to make it to the Top 15 in our exams. But honestly, I don’t care about grades. All I care about is enjoying my youth while it lasts.

There’s one thing I can’t forget, though. A promise.

Years ago, I had a childhood friend—someone I was really close to. But she moved to another country, leaving me behind. I don’t remember when she said she’d return, or even the exact words, but I know she will. One day, she’ll come back.

In the meantime, I’ve got my friends to keep me company.

Haru Tatsunagi and his younger brother, Tatsuki, are always around. Haru’s the cool and reliable one, while Tatsuki is energetic and full of mischief. And then there’s Yuki Hanagi. We’ve been friends since eighth grade. She’s different… quiet, but there’s something off about her. Even though she’s comfortable hanging out with us guys, I can’t shake the feeling that she’s hiding something.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I have this feeling… something big is about to happen.

And that’s where my story begins.

Threads of a Distant Bond

Taki sat up in bed, his heart still pounding from the voice he heard. The room was quiet, the kind of quiet that made every little sound louder.

It echoed again in his mind. Slowly, he stood and walked to the door, his feet almost too heavy to move. He opened it.

The hallway was dark and empty. A soft breeze brushed against his skin, and then—he heard it.

Taki stood still for a few seconds, unsure what to do. Then he went back to his room. He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

He pulled the locket from under his pillow and held it tight. "Ki-chan," he whispered.

Rain poured from the sky. Two small kids stood under one umbrella.

"Tak-kun," the girl said, holding the umbrella with both hands. "Let's meet again when we're big."

Taki's small hand reached out to touch hers.

Taki woke up with a jolt. His hand was clutching the locket. He was sweating, even though the morning air was cold.

"Was that... a memory?" he whispered.

Taki walked into class feeling strange. He kept looking at Yuki.

She laughed with some girls. Her handwriting on the board during group work. The snacks in her lunchbox. The way she tied her hair.

Yuki looked at him once. Just a quick glance.

"Oi, Yuki. Want to walk together?" Taki asked.

"Sure," she said with a small smile.

They walked side by side, quiet at first. The sun was setting.

"Have we... met before middle school?" he asked, not looking at her.

Yuki stopped walking. Her eyes were on the ground.

"Wouldn't that be a twist?" she said.

Before Taki could say more, rain started to fall.

"Ah! Rain again?" Yuki said, running ahead.

Taki didn't move. He looked at his hand. The locket was there—wet, shining under the soft rain.

"Why does this feel so real?" he whispered.

Yuki turned and looked back at him. Her face was hard to read.

"Come on, Tak-kun! You'll get sick again!"

The rain fell harder, but all Taki could hear was the sound of her voice in the past.

"Let's meet again when we're big."

The chapter ends, leaving behind a feeling that something big is coming.

Taki stood there, wet from the rain, the locket warm in his hand.

And deep in his heart, he knew she was Ki-chan.

Chapter 8: The Door Between Us