Echoes in the Mist

The shadows danced silently on the walls of Yuna's room, cast by the streetlights outside. Moonlight spilled through the curtains, pale and quiet. Yuna lay still, her breathing deep and steady. The window remained open, though no breeze stirred the air.

From the sky, a figure descended — cloaked, faceless. His black coat fluttered as if stirred by a storm that didn't exist. He stepped onto her floor without sound, his presence warping the air.

He moved to her bedside, raising one hand. A swirl of green aura lit up his palm, casting strange patterns across the walls.

His fingers hovered over Yuna's forehead, then slowly touched it.

The magic pulsed. The aura spread over her body like mist — soothing, warm, invasive. Her body tensed for a moment, then relaxed.

The man stepped back. His eyes glowed faintly from under his hood.

Then — he vanished.

Kaito twisted in his sleep. Sweat lined his brow. Again, the same dream.

The fog. The trees. The forest that breathed.

And from the mist — the figure. Tall, cloaked, faceless. Always approaching. Always just out of reach.

But this time, something was different.

The man raised a hand, and a soft light sparked around them. He began to speak — lips moving slowly, carefully, like reciting something important.

But Kaito heard nothing.

No sound. Only silence.

He tried to move — to step closer, to hear. But his limbs were stone. No matter how hard he struggled, he remained frozen.

The man's eyes seemed to pierce through him. He kept speaking.

And then, as always, he vanished — swallowed by the fog.

A sudden light burst behind him — a flash, bright and blinding. Kaito turned toward it, his heart pounding.

Just as he reached out—

"Wake up, big brother!"

Aoi's voice pulled him from the dream.

His eyes snapped open. Sunlight streamed into the room. His sister was bouncing at the foot of his bed, already dressed.

"You're gonna be late!" she chirped.

Kaito sat up, groaning. "Aoi… what time is it?"

"Almost eight!"

He jolted upright. "I'm late!"

He threw on his uniform, grabbed his bag, and bolted downstairs, scarfing down a piece of toast before rushing out the door.

Yuna's eyes opened slowly. The ceiling above her was familiar — her own. But something felt… different.

The pain in her chest, the heaviness that lingered after the attack — it was gone.

She sat up carefully. No dizziness. No aches.

Her fingers brushed her forehead. It felt warm — not physically, but in a way she couldn't describe. Like something had touched her soul.

She stood and walked to her wardrobe, pulling out her uniform.

Just as she buttoned her shirt, the door creaked open. Her mother stepped in, carrying a tray of breakfast.

"Yuna?" she blinked in surprise. "Why are you wearing your uniform?"

"I feel fine, Mom," Yuna said, tying her hair. "I'm going to school."

Her mother frowned. "You just got out of the hospital. You need rest."

"If I feel bad, I'll call you. I promise."

Her mother hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright. Eat first."

Yuna took the tray and smiled softly. "Thanks, Mom."

After breakfast, she slipped on her shoes and stepped outside. The breeze felt fresh, almost like it welcomed her return.

On her way, a familiar voice called out from down the block.

"Yuna!"

She turned.

Her best friend came running toward her, her bag bouncing with each step. "You're back?! When did you get discharged?"

"Last night," Yuna replied. "I'm feeling good now."

Her friend studied her face. "You sure? You look way better than I expected."

Yuna laughed lightly. "I guess I'm just lucky."

They began walking together. The usual rhythm of conversation returned between them, easing the tension that had settled around Yuna since the attack.

After a moment, Yuna added, "Kaito came to see me at the hospital."

Her friend's eyes widened. "Really? That's… kind of sweet."

"I told the nurse to turn him away," Yuna admitted. "I wasn't ready. I couldn't face him yet."

Her friend nodded slowly. "Maybe today's your chance."

They reached the school gates, the chatter of students rising like a tide. Stepping into the courtyard felt like stepping into a different world. One that hadn't paused just because she had.

They reached their classroom and took their seats.

Kaito and Haruto walked the same road, side by side. But today, Haruto was unusually quiet.

Kaito glanced at him. "You okay? You've been silent since morning."

Haruto frowned, hands deep in his pockets. "I had a dream again. Same one. That monster… it attacked me. Slashed me across the chest. It felt real."

Kaito looked at him, alarmed. "You're sure it was just a dream?"

Haruto didn't answer.

"It was probably your mind replaying what happened," Kaito offered. "Your brain's still trying to process it."

Haruto nodded slowly. But something in his eyes said he wasn't convinced.

Kaito looked away, thinking.

He hadn't told Haruto about his own dream. About the man. The words he couldn't hear. The light.

Why couldn't he move?

They reached school without another word. The air around them felt thicker than usual — like something unsaid was following them.

Inside, they stepped into their classroom.

Yuna sat quietly at her desk, talking softly to her friend. Her eyes flickered to Kaito for the briefest second — then turned away.

Kaito's heart sank.

He and Haruto walked to their seats and sat down just as the teacher entered.

Kaito reached under his desk to pull out his textbook —

And felt something.

A folded piece of paper.

He paused. Frowned.

It hadn't been there yesterday.

End of Chapter