Arou's house fell silent once again.
The doors were locked tight. One by one, the lights were turned off, leaving only a faint glow from the bedroom. Arou stood still for a moment in the middle of the room, scanning his surroundings, making sure nothing felt off.
He took a deep breath.
"It's over…" he muttered softly, more like he was trying to convince himself.
Arou sat on the edge of his bed, took off his shoes, then slowly lay down. But his eyes remained open, staring at the ceiling.
The memories from earlier replayed in his mind.
The television. The red eyes. The static.
He swallowed hard and turned his face away, trying to calm himself. He switched off the bedroom light, letting darkness swallow the room.
A few seconds passed.
His eyes closed, but his body stayed tense.
Sleep didn't come easily that night.
Outside his room, the house remained quiet.
Too quiet.
---
Morning sunlight slipped through Arou's window.
He slowly woke up. For a few seconds, he just stared at the ceiling—then his body stiffened as last night's memories came rushing back.
"Hah…" his breath felt heavy.
The image of red eyes, the static noise, and the name Zhael echoed in his mind. His body had rested, but his thoughts hadn't.
Arou got up and pulled open the curtains.
Sunlight flooded the room.
"It's morning…" he murmured.
He walked out into the living room. The TV was off—just a black, silent screen. No strange sounds. No jasmine scent like last night.
Everything looked normal.
Arou stood there for a moment, making sure everything was truly safe. Then he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"Looks like… it's really over."
But deep inside, a sense of caution still lingered.
He glanced at the front door briefly, then headed to the kitchen.
A new day had begun.
And for the first time since last night, he hoped the morning would truly bring peace.
---
Arou turned on the stove. Not long after, his instant noodles were ready.
He brought the bowl to the living room, sat casually on the floor, and turned on the TV.
Power Rangers was playing.
A small grin formed on his face.
"Perfect timing…"
He picked up his chopsticks and took his first bite.
"…?"
He stopped chewing.
"Tasteless."
He stared at the bowl suspiciously—then his eyes widened.
"…oh."
He turned toward the kitchen table.
The seasoning packets were still unopened.
"Seriously… I forgot the seasoning."
He quickly got up, grabbed the seasoning, dumped it into the bowl without hesitation, and mixed it roughly.
"There we go. Now that's better."
Just as he was about to take another bite—
Tok.
The door opened.
Haru and Tomo walked in like it was their own house.
Haru glanced at the TV, then at Arou, then back at the TV.
"…Hey, Arou," he said, trying not to laugh.
"You're already this old and still watching Power Rangers?"
Arou calmly took another bite.
"So what? Got a problem with that?"
Tomo immediately sat beside him, eyes sparkling at the screen.
"Then I'm the Red Ranger!"
Arou turned instantly.
"Huh? No way."
Tomo frowned.
"Why not?"
Arou raised his chopsticks seriously.
"Red Ranger is me. Period."
Tomo was about to argue—
"Kh—khek!"
Arou suddenly choked on his noodles.
Haru burst out laughing.
"That's what you get! Don't act tough while eating!"
Arou hit his chest lightly, face red.
"S-shut up… it's the noodles' fault…"
---
After finishing his meal, Arou placed the bowl on the table and exhaled.
"Hm… I should probably buy a whole box of instant noodles."
Right then, Tomo and Haru showed up again.
"Hey, Arou! Where are you going?" Haru asked.
"I'm heading out to buy a box of noodles. Wanna come?" Arou replied.
"I'm in!" Tomo cheered. "I can grab snacks too!"
"Same here," Haru added. "Morning walk sounds nice."
Arou nodded.
"Alright. Let's go before it gets crowded."
---
The morning air felt fresh as they walked. The streets were calm, the sunlight warm.
They joked along the way—pointing at stray cats, laughing at random things.
Soon, they reached the store. Arou grabbed a box of instant noodles, Tomo picked snacks, and Haru grabbed drinks.
After paying, they headed back home.
---
Back at the house, they put everything away.
"Instant noodle party!" Tomo cheered.
Haru laughed. "And I'm the Blue Ranger!"
Arou smirked. "We'll see about that."
Soon, they were eating and laughing together, watching Power Rangers like kids again.
A simple moment—but warm.
---
After eating, Arou spoke up.
"How about we go to the park?"
"I'm in!" Tomo said instantly.
"Sounds good," Haru added.
---
The park was lively.
Kids playing. People jogging. Morning breeze flowing through the trees.
They sat on a bench.
"Nice morning," Arou said.
"Way better than just watching TV," Tomo grinned.
"Agreed," Haru nodded.
---
Soon, they started playing—slides, swings, laughing nonstop.
"This is way more fun!" Tomo shouted.
"Better than I expected," Haru laughed.
Arou smiled.
"Yeah… this really is nice."
---
While exploring the park, Tomo suddenly pointed.
"Hey! Look at that tree!"
Inside a hollow trunk—they found a small box.
Carefully, they opened it.
Inside: an old map.
"Treasure map?" Tomo's eyes lit up.
"Looks like it," Haru said, studying it.
Arou examined it closely.
"These symbols… they show an order. We need to be careful."
Tomo grinned.
"Alright! I'll read symbols, Haru keeps notes, and you lead!"
Arou smiled.
"Deal. But we stick together."
---
They followed the path.
The park slowly felt… different.
Like another world.
"Feels like an adventure," Tomo said.
"I'm glad we're together," Haru added.
Arou nodded.
"As long as we stay together, we'll be fine."
---
They reached a strange stone with carvings.
"These match the map!" Haru said.
"Then we follow the sequence," Arou replied.
They worked together.
Click.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside… a glowing blue crystal.
"Whoa…" Tomo whispered.
"This is just the beginning," Haru smiled.
Arou looked at both of them.
"Yeah… let's keep going."
---
And just like that…
Their peaceful morning turned into the start of a new adventure.
One filled with mystery, laughter—
and something waiting ahead.