Chapter 13: Whispers From a Distant Self

The forest was silent.

Dust hung in the golden beams of sunlight cutting through the trees.

Haruto and Airi stood there, breathless, hands still trembling from the power they had unleashed.

Haruto looked into her eyes, his voice soft but unwavering.

"Airi... I don't know what's happening to us, or why we're caught in this crazy fate.

But if there's one thing I'm sure of...

It's you."

He swallowed hard, heart pounding.

"I want to be with you," he said.

"Will you... be mine?"

Airi's eyes widened.

Her lips parted slightly — as if to respond — but no sound came out.

Her heart raced, thundering in her ears.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing, sending the fallen leaves swirling around them like a quiet storm.

The light from her ring and Haruto's watch pulsed again — beating in perfect sync.

Airi blushed deeply, overwhelmed by the moment.

"Haruto... I—"

Before she could finish, a sharp pain shot through both their chests.

They stumbled back simultaneously, clutching their hearts.

Haruto gasped.

"What... was that?"

Airi clutched her ring, wincing.

"It feels like... something is trying to wake up inside us."

---

The Next Day — School Rooftop

The sky was overcast, heavy with unspoken promises.

Haruto and Airi sat side by side on the school rooftop, the breeze brushing softly against them.

"Hey, about yesterday..." Haruto said hesitantly.

"I didn't mean to pressure you.

You don't have to answer right away."

Airi smiled softly.

"You didn't," she said.

"It's just... I've never felt something like that before."

She glanced down at her hands.

"It's not just you, Haruto," she whispered.

"It's something deeper.

Like we were always meant to find each other."

Haruto's heart thudded painfully.

"You saw it too, didn't you?" he asked quietly.

"That vision.

Of a place we've never been...

Yet it felt like home."

Their eyes locked.

Both of them turned slightly red, looking away almost at the same time.

Trying to change the subject, Airi fidgeted with her sketchbook.

"Also... Haruto," she said.

"I saw something yesterday."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Even though you kept your sleeve over it... that watch," Airi continued.

"It was glowing again."

Haruto scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.

"You saw that?"

Airi nodded.

"And your aura changed," she added.

"Just like mine.

My ring... it hasn't stopped glowing since."

She looked down at her hand.

"I don't think these are just tools anymore."

Haruto clenched his fist lightly.

No... they're something more.

But what are they unlocking?

---

Flashback — A Flicker of Memory

Suddenly, a faint voice echoed through Haruto's mind.

His grandfather's voice — distant and fading.

"Great power... comes with great responsibility.

Use it not for yourself... but for those you love.

And never... misuse it."

Haruto's eyes widened.

His breath caught in his throat.

That memory...

Why now?

---

Scene Shift — Shadowy Mountain Region

Deep within a dark cave, glowing with ominous runes, Reiji's broken body lay lifeless.

Two figures stood over him.

One voice, calm and cold, broke the silence.

"He failed.

But he was just the beginning."

Another voice — deeper, ancient — replied.

"Light stirs again.

Seal it before it blooms.

Send the others."

In the dim glow behind them, more shadowy figures stirred — each bearing unique cursed marks across their bodies.

A far greater threat began to awaken.

---

Scene Shift — Clock Tower, Time God's Domain

In a realm suspended between seconds, the Time God stood before a swirling pool of suspended light.

He watched Haruto and Airi carefully.

"They are close... but not ready," he whispered.

"The keys have begun to glow.

When they remember...

When they unlock their truth...

I must be there.

To help them...

Or to stop them."

He winced, clutching his chest as dark veins pulsed visibly beneath his skin.

A reminder of the corruption slowly devouring him.

"I once failed," he murmured.

"This time...

I will not."

---

Final Scene — School Field, Night

Haruto and Airi stood near the empty school field.

Above them, the stars glittered — strangely vibrant, almost too bright.

For a moment, the world was peaceful.

But the wind carried something else — a whisper, a warning.

Airi shivered suddenly.

"Haruto..." she said.

"Did you hear that?"

He shook his head slowly.

"No... but something's coming," he said quietly.

"I can feel it."

Just beyond the crumbling school wall, a shadowed figure stepped into the light.

His cold eyes gleamed.

A wicked smirk twisted his lips.

"Let's see," the figure muttered.

"What the light truly hides... Haruto."

The next game had already begun.

---

TO BE CONTINUED…