Shifting Shadows

The city lights shimmered like scattered stars as Haruto and Kaito left the hospital behind. Neither spoke. The sound of their footsteps on the pavement filled the silence between them, heavier than words could carry. The visit hadn't gone how Kaito imagined — not even close.

Inside the metro, the rumble of the train echoed his unease. Haruto leaned against the door, arms folded, pretending not to glance at Kaito every few seconds. Eventually, as they neared their stop, Kaito broke the silence.

"Don't worry about her," he said, voice low.

Haruto looked over, frowning. "Kaito, you don't have to pretend you're not hurting."

Kaito didn't respond. He simply stood when the train slowed and stepped off, the fluorescent lights of the station casting a pale glow on his face.

They exited and walked toward a small convenience store tucked under the shadow of a larger building. Inside, the cool air greeted them as they picked up a couple of buns and cold drinks. The cashier didn't even glance at them — they were just two more faces in the city.

Outside, they sat on a bench near the street, unwrapping their food.

"You think she'll ever talk to you again?" Haruto asked.

Kaito stared at the bun in his hand. "I don't know. Maybe."

There was a pause.

"I don't get it," Haruto muttered. "She looked at you like you were a stranger."

"I know."

They finished their food in silence. The night air was crisp, and the faint scent of rain hung in the distance. After tossing their trash, the two parted ways, each walking toward their homes.

In a quiet office at Shirakawa General, the air was filled with the scent of clean leather and disinfectant. Dr. Asano sat behind his desk, flipping through a clipboard. Before him sat Yuna's parents, stiff with concern.

The doctor looked up, adjusting his glasses. "Frankly, I'm surprised. Her recovery has been… astonishing. No signs of internal trauma, no lasting effects. She's in perfect health."

Her mother clutched her purse tightly. "So she's stable now?"

"Yes," he nodded. "You may take her home today."

Her mother exhaled a sigh of relief, tears shimmering in her eyes. Yuna's father placed a comforting hand over hers.

Moments later, they arrived in Yuna's room. Her mother smiled gently. "Yuna, sweetheart. You're good to go. The doctor says you're perfectly fine."

Yuna looked up from the window. Her expression was unreadable, but she nodded. "Okay."

They packed her things in silence and led her out. She sat quietly in the backseat of the car, staring out at the passing cityscape, her reflection in the glass like a ghost beside her.

Kaito stepped through his front gate and rang the bell. The door swung open, and Aoi, his little sister, launched herself into his arms.

"Big brother! Welcome home!"

He smiled weakly and ruffled her hair. "Hey, Aoi."

Their mother appeared behind her, arms crossed. "I was getting worried. Where have you been?"

"I was at the hospital," Kaito said, stepping inside. "Yuna's doing better. They're letting her go home."

She softened slightly. "I'm glad. Go shower and eat. You look exhausted."

Kaito nodded, took a quick bath, then sat down at the table. The food was warm, comforting — but he barely tasted it. Later, he entered his room, collapsed into bed, and closed his eyes, though sleep didn't come easy.

Across town, Haruto pushed open his front door and flinched.

His mother stood in the hallway, arms folded. "Haruto."

He smiled sheepishly. "Mommm…"

"Don't 'Mom' me. I called, I messaged — you didn't reply once."

"My phone was dead," he muttered.

She narrowed her eyes. "You'd better have a good explanation."

"I was with Kaito. We went to visit a friend in the hospital."

She exhaled and shook her head. "Next time, message me from someone else's phone. Understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now go bathe and eat. Dinner's on the table."

Haruto slumped down the hall. The warmth of home couldn't quite chase away the unease creeping up his spine.

At Yuna's house, the front door creaked open. Her parents stepped in first, setting down her bag. "Yuna," her mother called, "dinner's ready."

"I'm not hungry," Yuna replied quietly, climbing the stairs.

"Sweetheart, you haven't eaten all day."

"I'm just… tired."

She entered her room and shut the door, sinking onto her bed. The familiar scent of home filled her lungs, but it felt foreign — like she didn't belong. She curled under the blanket and stared at the ceiling. Within minutes, she drifted into sleep.

Haruto's dream was vivid. Too vivid.

The school was in ruins. Smoke curled from shattered windows. He stood amidst the wreckage, frozen.

Then — a sound. A deep, bone-rattling growl.

From the shadows, the same monster that had attacked the school emerged, eyes glowing red. It raised its jagged sword and slashed at him. The blade came fast, like lightning —

He jolted awake, drenched in sweat, breathing hard.

Kaito, too, slept uneasily.

In his dream, he stood in a mist-filled forest. A figure approached through the fog — tall, cloaked in black. No face. Just a shadow.

Kaito tried to move but his legs felt like stone.

The figure raised a hand. The trees bent around him.

Darkness surged — and just as the figure reached for him, the dream broke.

Back in Yuna's room, the window creaked open though no wind blew. A figure floated silently through the air, cloaked in a long black coat. His hand shimmered with green magic, casting faint light over the walls.

He hovered beside her bed, gazing down at her.

The magic pulsed once.

And then —

Darkness.

End of Chapter