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Season 2 — Chapter 4: The Invitation
The sun had barely dipped below the skyline when the hangout room emptied. The group had been laughing, tossing around snacks and ideas for their next weekend plans, when the sound of tires crunching gravel brought everything to a halt.
A sleek black car, tinted windows and polished like a mirror, rolled to a stop just outside the school gates.
Kuro froze.
He didn't need to see the plates. He didn't need to hear the engine shut off. He already knew.
When the car door opened and two figures stepped out — dressed in finely tailored coats, hair silver-gray and eyes sharp like blades — Kuro's body went stiff.
His grandparents.
His grandfather adjusted his coat and waved, his smile too perfect. His grandmother followed behind, silent and regal. Something about the way they stood… it wasn't normal.
Kuro's hand instinctively reached for Eve's.
He held it tighter than ever before.
The group stood beside him in confusion, but the tension in Kuro's body made them stay quiet. The grandparents approached, their voices sweet like poisoned honey.
> "Kuro," his grandfather greeted, "how grown you've become."
His smile didn't reach his eyes.
> "We've been planning something special. A weekend trip. A resort deep in the woods. A chance for you and your little friends to relax."
Kuro's throat went dry.
Jason narrowed his eyes. "In the woods?"
> "Yes, yes," his grandmother finally spoke, her voice like soft wind through dead leaves. "Surrounded by peace. Old family land. It'll do him good."
Kuro stepped back half a step before forcing himself still. His mind screamed, but the smile on his face returned like muscle memory.
He looked to Eve. Her eyes met his — calm, steady, knowing.
She nodded once.
He turned back to them and agreed.
> "Sure. Sounds nice…"
But his voice cracked at the end.
No one missed it.
As the grandparents walked back to their car, the group remained silent. Kuro watched their every step until they disappeared down the road.
Only then did he finally whisper:
> "If we go there… I don't know if I'm coming back."
And still, he never let go of Eve's hand.
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