Part 1: When the Night Knocks
Night had settled over the house like a soft veil. The moonlight filtered through the paper screens, tracing pale lines across the tatami. Akari lay on her futon, eyes open, thoughts circling the same quiet worry — Haruto.
He'd looked fine during dinner — smiling faintly, trying to hide his exhaustion — but there was a weakness in his eyes she couldn't ignore. His hands had trembled slightly when he lifted his cup.
She turned onto her side, staring at the dim ceiling. "Please don't let it return… not after all this time," she thought.
A gentle knock broke the silence.
"...Haru?" she called softly. "Door's open."
The door slid open — but it wasn't Haruto.
"Renjiro," she said, sitting up as the tall man stepped in quietly. His coat was still on, dusted with the night air.
"Sorry to bother you this late," he said in his usual calm tone, taking a seat.
"I wasn't asleep," Akari replied, her voice carrying a note of fatigue. "What's wrong?"
Renjiro rested his elbows on his knees, expression steady but serious. "I just received orders. There's a mission tomorrow night — a classified one."
Akari frowned slightly. "So you'll be leaving again?"
He nodded. "Yes. I might not be able to bring the triplets back from the academy tomorrow. If possible, I'll return home first and drop them off before leaving. Otherwise… you'll have to pick them up."
"I can handle that," she said softly. "How long will this one take?"
Renjiro looked down briefly. "Could be a few days. Maybe more."
A silence hung between them. Then Akari gave a faint, reassuring smile. "Alright. Don't worry about things here — I'll manage."
Renjiro's gaze softened for the first time. "You always say that like it's simple."
She gave a small laugh. "Because someone has to make it sound that way."
He stood, sliding the door open halfway. "Get some rest. You'll have your hands full tomorrow."
"I know," she murmured, watching him go. "Good luck, Renjiro."
When the door closed, quiet returned. The faint wind brushed against the shoji, carrying the sounds of the night — soft, distant, peaceful.
Akari lay back down, her thoughts still on Haruto. The boy had grown stronger since his recovery, but something about his eyes lately reminded her of those long, fearful nights years ago…
Then — a knock again.
"Renjiro?" she called gently. "Forget something?"
No answer.
The door slid open halfway — then shut quickly.
Before she could react, small footsteps rushed toward her — and Haruto suddenly threw himself into her arms, trembling.
"Haru—!" Akari's arms caught him immediately. "Hey, what's wrong?"
He clutched her clothes tightly, his small body shaking. "Aka… I—I saw it again…"
Akari's heart tightened. "Saw what?"
"The fire… and that red light— it was everywhere… I thought it was happening again…"
She hugged him closer, her voice low and soothing. "It's okay, Haru. You're here now. Just a dream."
"But it felt so real…" he whispered, tears spilling down his cheek.
"I know." She brushed his hair gently, fingers trembling only slightly. "It's over. You're safe. Sleep, alright?"
He didn't answer — just nodded weakly, still clinging to her.
Akari looked past him toward the faint moonlight seeping through the window. Her expression softened — then darkened with quiet fear.
The same nightmare… the same signs.
She held Haruto closer, whispering like a prayer, "Please… not again."
Outside, the wind shifted — cold and uneasy — like the world itself was holding its breath.