Kana was fast asleep, her body finally surrendering to the exhaustion of the past days, when she heard it again—that voice. It called to her, gentle yet insistent, tugging at her like an invisible thread.
But this time, Kana did not stir. Her brow furrowed slightly, her breathing hitched, but she turned her face deeper into the pillow and forced herself to stay asleep.
She had no intention of answering, no intention of giving in.
The voice whispered again, pleading, coaxing, but she clung to the rhythm of her breath until the sound faded into nothing.
When she woke the next morning, her eyes blinked open slowly. The light filtering through the curtains felt warmer, calmer.
She sat up, stretching her arms over her head, though there was a strange weight still lingering in her chest.
She couldn't name it—only that she felt… odd. Odd, but also well rested in a way she hadn't been in a long time.
Slipping out of bed, Kana straightened herself and made her way downstairs.
