After Mask disappeared into the shadows of the night, Haru stood frozen on the rooftop, the wind brushing against his face. His body trembled—not from cold, but from the weight of everything he'd just heard.
> "A thousand years…?
God power…?
Demonic entities…?"
It all felt like a dream—no, a nightmare he couldn't wake up from.
With heavy steps, he walked back into his room. His face was blank, distant. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep didn't come easy. His mind replayed every word Mask had spoken. Over and over.
> "You were born to protect the world…"
"They tried to kill you…"
He pulled the blanket over his face, hoping to block it all out. But the fear… was too loud.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him.
---
The next morning…
"Wake up, sleepyhead!"
SLAP!
Haru jerked upright as Rosy smacked him lightly on the head.
"Ouch! Why are you hitting me?!" Haru groaned.
"It's 8 AM, dummy! We're all waiting for you," she huffed.
"Waiting for what?"
Rosy rolled her eyes. "Seriously? You forgot? We're going to the temple today!"
The temple…
Haru blinked. The memory came back.
He rushed to the bathroom, splashed cold water on his face, and got ready in a hurry.
---
The temple stood tall and ancient, with bells that chimed in the breeze and incense smoke drifting through the air like spirits. Haru stepped inside with his family, hands folded, eyes low.
But something strange happened.
As they approached the priest, the old man's gaze fixed on Haru.
He didn't smile. He didn't blink.
He just whispered—
"This child… he is different. He is born to do something great."
Everyone stared.
Haru's breath hitched. He looked at the priest and then whispered to himself—
> "Great… even this guy sounds like Mask."
Was the world losing its mind?
Or was he?
---
As they left the temple, Haru bent down to wear his shoes—but spotted something unusual beside them.
A letter. Folded. With his name on it.
His eyes widened.
He quickly unfolded it.
And as he read…
His hands began to shake.
> "How… how did he find me?
Is he watching me right now?"
His heartbeat quickened. He looked around. The market. The trees. The rooftops.
Was someone there?
Staring?
---
Back home, Haru was silent again.
He went straight to his room, shut the door, and sat in the dark.
He clutched the letter and whispered:
"Why…? Why me?"
The world around him hadn't changed.
But his world?
It would never be the same again.