The sun was setting. The students left the school building, their chatter echoing faintly.
The teacher walked toward the left at the gate, wearing a finely tailored coat and carrying a bag in his right hand.
Kazuma (shouting):
"Wait, sir!"
The teacher glanced at his goal, moving steadily forward.
Kazuma ran endlessly, straining to keep up.
Teacher:
"What is it, Kazuma?"
Kazuma (breathing heavily):
"I just… I want to have a word with you."
The teacher leaned slightly, a gentle smile on his lips.
Teacher:
"How about we talk at your home? It will be more comfortable."
Kazuma paused, visibly hesitant.
Teacher (gently):
"Come… I've been wanting to get to know you better."
They walked along a bustling street lined with shops, with admirers on both sides. The edges of passing cars brushed softly against the wind.
Kazuma (observing him):
"You look different today… mysterious."
Teacher:
"All is well."
Kazuma:
"Did you see what I saw?"
Teacher (calm and cold):
"And what did you see?"
Kazuma (exhaling):
"…Nothing."
Teacher (laughing):
"I enjoy keeping students on edge sometimes. It keeps things interesting."
They arrived at the teacher's house—a small white wooden home with four windows and a brown roof. Flowers lined the walkway.
The teacher unlocked the door. Kazuma stood at the entrance, heart pounding like a war drum.
Suddenly, a voice called from inside:
Woman (from the background):
"Welcome back!"
Teacher (laughing warmly):
"Hahaha, how are you, Sarubi?"
A girl with relatively large eyes and thin eyelids appeared. Her nose was small and straight, and her lips slightly full. Her hair was long, black, and silky, with dark red streaks along the sides. She stood 157 cm tall, was thirteen years old, and had pristine white skin. She wore a black shirt and shorts.
Teacher (gesturing):
"This is Sarubi, my daughter Kiura."
Kazuma (slightly bowing):
"Nice to meet you."
Kiura (calm and gentle):
"Welcome to our home."
Kazuma:
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Teacher:
"I'll be taking a shower. Wait for me here."
Kazuma (cheerfully):
"Take your time, sir!"
Sarubi (smiling):
"Make yourself at home, dear."
Kazuma stayed behind, observing the backyard through the wide glass door. He sat on a polished wooden bench.
He stared silently at the flowers, as the golden sunlight bathed the fruit trees.
Kiura (cold, calm voice):
"Why so silent?"
Kazuma froze, unsure of what to say.
Kiura (tilting her head slightly):
"You seem nervous. Just like your father, right?"
Kazuma (nervously):
"No… that's not true."
Kiura:
"How is your well-being?"
Suddenly, the teacher's voice called from inside:
Teacher:
"Kiura! Come here."
Kiura nodded toward Kazuma with her approving gaze.
Kiura:
"Don't worry. From now on, we'll be the best of friends."
She walked away.
Kazuma (looking at the trembling days):
"Is this… a nightmare?"
A hand touched his shoulder.
Kazuma felt reassured, despite his fear.
Teacher:
"Relax, my boy."
Kazuma exhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. A faint, translucent aura of Shin surrounded him.
Teacher (impressed):
"Oh? So you know about Shin."
Kazuma (opening his eyes):
"How did you notice?"
Teacher:
"How could I not? We study Shin at our school, after all."
Teacher (raising a finger):
"Shin is the energy of your thoughts and emotions."
Teacher:
"It is the third most mysterious power in this world."
Kazuma (curious):
"Really?"
Teacher (serious tone):
"Every person has four gates within their body, each more dangerous than the last."
Kazuma (confident):
"And I know that."
The teacher glanced at the sunlight, softening the brightness.
Teacher:
"Why talk to me? Do you think I am a monster?"
Kazuma (raising an eyebrow):
"Who said I'm talking about you?"
Teacher (calmly):
"Your eyes… say otherwise."
Kazuma (nervously):
"Come on, man, forget it."
Kazuma:
"What is your name, sir?"
Teacher:
"Kira. Call me Mr. Kira."
Kazuma (observant):
"You said Shin is the third most mysterious thing. So what is the first?"
Kira (chuckling briefly):
"Hahaha… hahaha."
Kazuma stared in confusion.
Kira (looking at the horizon):
"Have you ever heard of Lina and Alex?"
Kazuma:
"Lina and Alex? Are they from this village?"
Kira:
"No. According to legend, they were the first humans to use Shin."
Kazuma:
"Do they no longer exist?"
Kira:
"No, they vanished long ago. Some say it's just a myth, with no evidence."
Kazuma picked up his bag.
Kira (raising an eyebrow):
"Leaving already?"
Kazuma (smiling):
"It's time to go home."
Kira:
"At least stay for a meal."
Kazuma:
"It's an honor, but Master Ten will worry… and he'll enjoy meeting such a remarkable person."
At the door, Kazuma put on his blue shoes.
Sarubi (wearing a cooking apron):
"Leaving already?"
Kazuma:
"It's been a pleasure."
Kiura:
"Take care of yourself."
Kazuma (sweat dripping):
"Thank you for your kindness."
Kira waved from the door.
Kazuma (running, raising his hand):
"See you tomorrow, sir!"
Kira waved back.
Kazuma leapt across rooftops, Shin energy flowing through his legs and fingers, accelerating his movement.
Kazuma:
"I'm late! Ten will yell at me!"
Shin energy vanished suddenly. Kazuma stumbled into a narrow alley, landing in a pile of trash.
Sitting on some fabric, he shivered.
Kazuma (trembling):
"What's happening… I feel so cold."
He paused, then started leaping from wall to wall, landing in a water puddle, soaked—clothes and hair dripping.
Kazuma shivered, tears threatening to fall.
Kazuma (looking at the trembling days):
"I feel weak."
Kazuma (sneezing):
"It's like… I'm back to how I was before Shin."
When his mother called him to the garden, Kira and Kiura quietly followed.
Kira (smiling):
"So, what do you think?"
Kiura:
"In some cases, danger doesn't come later… but in what you ignore, even when it's
in the right place."
Many of us have seen it in the edge—the ghost of tomorrow.
"A fate that repeats… unless you break it."
Kiura's voice echoed in the final shot as Kazuma fell into the cold pond under the night sky—his eyes lifeless, staring upward.