Evening – Kamikawa Forest Trail
They took the path home behind the school.
A shortcut.
One they always took.
The fog rolled in thicker than usual.
Ryouma was tense. Eyes darting. Souta clutched her backpack like it was her last defense.
Then—
Crunch.
A branch snapped.
He turned. Fast.
Nothing.
Another snap—closer now.
"Run," Ryouma whispered.
They took off.
Sprinting down the uneven trail, slipping on gravel and wet leaves. Branches whipped their faces. Souta screamed.
And then—
A hand grabbed her by the collar.
Dragged her back into the brush.
Ryouma turned, shouting her name. He tackled the shadowy figure, fists flying. One solid hit connected.
But the man didn't grunt. He smiled.
"You've got her fire," he said in perfect Korean. "Your mother would be proud."
Ryouma froze.
The man slipped into the dark again.
Leaving nothing but a torn patch of Souta's blazer.
Later That Night – Safehouse, Deep in the Forest
Kairi leaned down.
Souta sat bound, gagged, but not hurt. Not yet.
The ropes were loose. Enough to wriggle, but not escape.
Kairi brushed hair from her daughter's face.
"You were always the quiet one."
Souta trembled.
"You're angry. You should be. I would be too."
Silence.
"I'm not here to kill you," Kairi whispered, in English now. "I'm here to tell you the truth. Before the world poisons it again."