Whispers Beyond the Curtain

They both stood there in silence, side by side, watching the sun hover high in the sky. A breeze swept across the rooftop, tousling their hair, brushing against the silence like a whisper of fate.

Then the bell rang.

"Let's go," Haruto said, brushing off his pants. "Class is starting."

Kaito nodded. "Yeah."

The two boys descended the stairs and rejoined the rhythm of school life, walking into the classroom as though nothing had changed—yet both knew something had. They now shared a truth that no one else could see.

But far away, in a world hidden behind shadows and whispers, something stirred.

The ground was cracked, lifeless. The sky hung above like a wounded wound—purple, bruised, and veined with streaks of red lightning. Amidst this surreal world, a man walked. His cloak fluttered as he moved forward with purpose. Behind him, the monster that had once terrorized the school trudged forward with heavy, monstrous steps. Its fangs were bared, and rage simmered in its eyes.

"They were right there," the monster growled. "Why didn't you let me kill them? The humans… they were weak. I could've ended it."

The cloaked figure stopped. Slowly, he raised his hand, and blue magic surged to life, forming a glowing aura around his palm. In a blink, the monster was lifted from the ground and hurled backward like a puppet caught in a storm.

The air grew heavy with pressure.

The monster hovered, clawing at nothing.

"You don't make decisions," the man said, his voice calm and sharp like a blade. "I do. I decide when… and who you kill."

And with a flick of his fingers, he released the energy.

The monster hit the ground hard, dust kicking up around it. It fell to its knees, panting, a drop of sweat forming on its thick brow. Its body trembled—not from pain, but from fear.

"Do you understand?" the man asked again.

"Yes…" the monster hissed. "I understand."

The figure turned and walked deeper into the darkness, disappearing beyond the bleeding sky.

Back in the real world, the bell rang again—this time, school had ended for the day.

Haruto approached Kaito's desk with a slight grin. "Let's go."

"Go where?" Kaito asked, still organizing his books.

Haruto raised a brow. "To the hospital. To check on Yuna."

"You're coming with me?" Kaito said, surprised.

Haruto rolled his eyes. "Of course I am. Who else would go with you, genius?"

Kaito smiled slightly. "Alright then, let's go."

They walked together out of the school, the afternoon sun casting long shadows behind them. The streets were filled with students, office workers, and the soft hum of a city winding down from the day. They reached the metro station and tapped their passes.

Inside the train, the world rushed by outside the window—buildings, bridges, people. Haruto leaned against the door with his hands in his pockets while Kaito sat, staring at the reflection in the glass, lost in thought.

"Do you think she'll be okay?" Kaito finally asked.

Haruto shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

After about twenty minutes, they switched to a cab just outside the station. The driver glanced back. "Hospital?"

"Yeah," Haruto replied. "Shirakawa General."

As the cab rolled through the streets, the atmosphere shifted. The towering skyline gave way to quiet neighborhoods, and eventually to the white-washed walls of the hospital. The boys paid the driver and stepped out.

Inside, the scent of antiseptic filled the air, and the soft murmur of voices echoed through the halls. They approached the reception desk.

"We're here to see Yuna Hayakawa," Kaito said.

The receptionist scanned the chart. "Room 309. But only a short visit, alright?"

They nodded.

As they reached the hallway, they saw her through the window. Yuna sat on her hospital bed, a blanket wrapped around her legs, looking out the window, her face half-shadowed by the fading light.

Kaito hesitated at the door. Before he could knock, Yuna turned her head and spotted them.

Her expression changed instantly. Cold. Guarded.

She leaned toward the nurse who was folding towels near her and whispered something. The nurse nodded and walked to the door.

"I'm sorry," she said softly. "She's not feeling well and prefers no visitors today."

Kaito stepped back, stunned.

"Please… just tell her—" he began, but the nurse shook her head.

Then Haruto pushed forward. "Yuna! Kaito came to see you! He's been worried about you since the moment that thing attacked us! You owe him at least one minute!"

The nurse turned, trying to calm him, but Haruto kept going.

"Kaito hasn't slept properly in days. He nearly broke hospital rules just to see you! And now you're just—"

"Haruto!" Kaito shouted, stepping in front of him. "That's enough."

Haruto paused, breathing heavily.

Kaito looked at him, calm but firm. "Let's go."

The nurse gently closed the door behind them as they stepped back into the hallway.

Outside the hospital, they stood in silence.

"I'm sorry," Haruto muttered. "I lost it."

"It's fine," Kaito replied, though his voice was distant.

They began walking again, heading toward the bus stop. The city lights flickered to life one by one, as night slowly crept into the sky.

Kaito glanced up at the hospital windows. Behind one of them, Yuna lay down in her bed, her back turned to the world.

Her face was blank, but a single tear slipped down the side of her cheek, trailing silently into the pillow.

End of Chapter