Secrets on the Rooftop

Haruto's breathing was shallow and erratic. His hands trembled as memories surged through his mind like crashing waves. Blood. Screams. The monster's glowing red eyes. The students' terrified faces. Yuna's fall.

"It… it was real," Haruto whispered, gripping his chest. "Kaito… it really happened."

"Haruto!" Kaito grabbed his shoulders. "Look at me. Take a deep breath. You're okay. Just breathe."

Haruto did as he was told. In. Out. Slowly, the wild rhythm of his chest began to settle, and the panic faded from his eyes. The magic circle beneath them had completely vanished, as though it had never existed.

But it had. And now they both knew it.

The shrill sound of the bell echoed across the schoolyard. Sports period was over.

Without saying much else, the boys dusted off their uniforms and walked back to class, each lost in his own thoughts. The lesson blurred past them like white noise—neither paid much attention. They had touched something no one else seemed able to see.

When the final bell rang for lunch, students rushed out to the courtyard and cafeteria in chatter and laughter. But Kaito turned to Haruto and said quietly, "Let's go to the rooftop."

Haruto nodded.

"I'll grab us something to drink," Kaito added. "Go ahead—I'll meet you up there."

Haruto made his way to the top of the school building while Kaito headed toward the vending machines near the west wing stairwell. He dropped coins into the slot and selected two drinks—an orange juice for himself and Haruto's favorite energy drink.

As he climbed the last flight of stairs, the rooftop door creaked open, revealing Haruto already seated against the railing, arms resting over his bent knees, eyes fixed on the horizon. The sky was cloudless, sunlight casting a faint golden hue across the cityscape below.

Kaito stepped out and tossed the energy drink his way. "Here. Thought you could use a recharge."

Haruto caught it without looking and cracked it open with a faint smile. Kaito joined him, sitting beside him on the rooftop floor. For a moment, they drank in silence, the wind brushing softly against their uniforms.

"You feeling better now?" Kaito asked after a few sips.

Haruto nodded, his gaze still far away. "Yeah. Still shaken, but… yeah. I believe you now. It all came back. The monster, the shield, Yuna… all of it."

Kaito leaned back and let out a breath. "I'm glad someone else remembers. I thought I was losing my mind."

Haruto glanced at him. "So, what's the plan, cool one?"

Kaito smiled faintly. "After school, I'm going to check on Yuna. See if there's been any change."

Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Right. Makes sense. But… can I ask something? And don't dodge it."

Kaito blinked. "Sure."

Haruto hesitated, then said, "I get that she was attacked by that… thing. But even before that, you were so worried about her. You remembered her name when no one else did. It's not just about saving someone. What's your relationship to her?"

Kaito looked away, gripping the can in his hands.

"It's… complicated."

Haruto narrowed his eyes. "I don't care if it's long or short, dramatic or dull. Just tell me."

Kaito let out a bitter chuckle. "Fine. You want the truth?"

He paused for a moment before speaking, the words heavy on his tongue.

"Back in elementary school, Yuna and I were friends. Real friends. We used to walk home together, share snacks, laugh at dumb things. She was bright, kind… always smiling."

Haruto listened quietly.

"But then… strange things started happening. First, her money started vanishing from her bag. Then her pencils, erasers, books. People started whispering."

Haruto frowned. "Classic school drama."

"Yeah. But it got worse. Eventually, the teacher got involved. Wanted to know who was stealing. And the class…" Kaito's voice darkened, "they all pointed at me."

Haruto's eyes widened. "What?"

"They knew it wasn't me. But they didn't care. They didn't like that we were close. They thought I was 'weird' or 'quiet' or 'not good enough for her.' So they used it as a chance to tear us apart."

"What did Yuna say?"

Kaito smiled sadly. "Nothing. She stayed silent. Maybe she was scared. Or maybe… maybe she doubted me too. I don't know. But after that, we stopped talking. We drifted apart."

Haruto let out a low whistle. "Damn… that's harsh."

Kaito nodded. "I thought I had moved on. I tried to forget about her. But when I saw her again in high school, something clicked. I remembered everything. All the good… and all the pain."

Haruto looked down at his can. "So that's why you care so much."

"Yeah. I guess a part of me still wants to protect her. Even if she forgot everything… I didn't."

The wind picked up again, whistling between the railing bars.

Haruto stood, brushing off his pants. "Alright, Kaito. I get it. You're a fool with a bleeding heart."

Kaito laughed. "Thanks."

"But you're my kind of fool," Haruto added, turning back. "And if we're diving into this mystery together, I'm with you all the way."

Kaito smiled. "Appreciate it."

They both stood there in silence, side by side, watching the sun hover high in the sky.

End of Chapter.