June 16, 2025 EDEN: %0
Early morning. The house looked peaceful from the outside. A gray sedan was parked in front, appearing intact. But underneath the hood, steam slowly built up—a quiet signal of mechanical failure.
Kozuki lay asleep, his black, wavy hair tangled on the pillow. His long mustache twitched slightly with every breath.
Yamato crept up beside him, wearing a mischievous smile only a child could have. She climbed into the bed quickly and, with one swift motion, yanked her father's mustache.
"What time is it?!" Kozuki jolted awake, panicked.
Yamato laughed out loud. With teasing eyes, she hugged her father tightly. "Dad... your mustache is so funny."
From the hallway, Yurika's voice echoed:
"Yamato, don't tease your father!"
Kozuki sat up with a furrowed brow:
"How can you make fun of my mustache?!"
Yamato froze for a moment, then mischievously reached for his mustache again. Kozuki sprang forward, tripped over the blanket, and fell face-first to the ground. Yurika entered just in time, planting a kiss on his forehead.
At breakfast, Yamato scarfed down her food while Kozuki's eyes wandered to the wall clock. His tone was tired.
"Did you use the car yesterday? I couldn't start it last night."
Yurika, focused on her plate:
"Yeah. There was a meeting in the park. On the way back, some steam was coming from the engine."
Kozuki muttered as he barely held his spoon:
"Damn it..."
Out in the garage, the car hissed with clouds of steam. Kozuki slammed the hood shut and returned inside.
Yamato called out from the window:
"Let's take the bus! It was so fun last time!"
Yurika:
"And we were going to have a picnic today, remember?"
Kozuki nodded silently, eyes lifting to the still sky.
"There's still time before school."
11:25 AM.
Yurika called from another room:
"Heeey, sweetheart! We're heading out!"
Kozuki was still in bed. Eyes shut. Yurika barged in and attacked his sides with sharp fingers. Kozuki shot up, wincing.
"OKAY OKAY I'M UP!"
Kozuki (inner monologue): Maybe she doesn't want me anymore... or maybe there's someone new...
Yurika (inner monologue): Was I too harsh?
Yurika:
"You deserved it, Kozuki."
They stood at the bus stop. The arriving bus was packed, but the family huddled together, smiling as they rode.
Yamato:
"What will we do at the picnic? Can we play ball?"
Kozuki:
"You suggested it. That means we won't be playing."
Yamato jumped and teased. Kozuki looked down, a small smile forming.
Kozuki (inner monologue): Thank you... for making me forget the past.
A new passenger boarded the bus. A man in a thick coat. His eyes were dull. The summer heat didn't faze him. He was muttering in a foreign language.
Yurika whispered:
"What did he say?"
Kozuki:
"Huh?"
Yamato:
"He looks scary..."
The man suddenly removed his coat. His entire torso was strapped with bombs—more than anyone could count. Wires intertwined like veins, blinking faintly.
Kozuki froze. Instinct kicked in. He dove forward, covering Yurika and Yamato with his own body.
Just as his arms wrapped around them—
A white flash.
Kozuki was outside.
Same position. Same movement. But now outside the bus.
He turned. The bus exploded.
Debris filled the air. Windows, metal, a backpack, a severed arm. What remained was only fire—and silence. He heard nothing. Only saw.
From Yamato... the six-year-old who just wanted to play...
Nothing remained. Not even a hairpin.
Yurika too... gone.
Erased.
Time itself swallowed them.
Kozuki fell to his knees. His hands trembled. His eyes widened. Then filled. Then overflowed.
KOZUKI (inner monologue):
"WHY AM I THE ONE STILL HERE?!"
His scream cut through the fire like a blade through fog.