Rain weeps for what was lost,
light cradles what remains—
in sleep, the heart finds peace
that waking cannot know.
The unabating rain struck the window panes, drowning all other sounds in the Dango Suta Café. Dim dining lights glowed warmly, a stark contrast to the unrelenting, glum weather outside. Only a few customers occupied the café as closing time approached.
In the back corner, an elderly gentleman with a face mapped by decades of laughter and sorrow settled into his usual seat at his usual time. Mr. Tanaka cherished these quiet moments after closing his flower shop next door, losing himself in the pages of his book while sipping sencha that steamed gently before him.
Near the entrance, a young couple huddled together, the man's arm draped protectively around the woman's shoulders. They gazed into each other's eyes, oblivious to the world around them as they waited for their order.
The café door swung open with a violent gust, disturbing the warmth with frigid air and the scent of rain-soaked pavement. A tall figure dressed in dark robes appeared at the entryway, a hood covering half their face, revealing only pale, scaly lips cracked like ancient pottery. Every patron watched as the figure glided to a table by the door, movements too fluid, too precise for comfort.
"Order's up, Kana," the chef shouted from the kitchen, setting entrées on the counter with a soft clatter.
"Hai... Nii-san," Kana called back, her eyes locked on the dark figure. She tilted her head slightly, trying to peer under the stranger's hood—a mistake that sent ice through her veins. What she glimpsed was a sinister grin with blackened gums and serrated yellow teeth sharp as broken glass. The smell of decay and sulfur suddenly permeated the room, making each breath a struggle.
Frozen in place, Kana felt herself drawn toward the creature, her feet moving of their own accord. The ringing of a bell shattered the trance that had seized her.
"Kana, order, now!" Her brother's voice cut through the fog in her mind, impatient and sharp.
"Coming, Tatsu!" She tore her gaze away, relieved to put distance between herself and the stranger. Glancing at the clock—thirty minutes until closing—she hurried back to the counter, but Tatsu snatched the plates before she could reach them.
"Nii-san, there's—" Kana began.
"Stay in the kitchen," Tatsu commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This is the last order. We're closing early tonight. I'll serve it myself."
"But Nii-san, some creepy guy just—"
"I know. I'll take care of it. Just stay back here," he insisted, holding the kitchen door open to usher her through.
"Okay, Nii-san," she answered quietly, unsettled by the unfamiliar hardness in her brother's eyes and the tension in his voice. She watched the kitchen door swing closed, the sound of rain and wind still audible through the walls.
Kana walked to the sink and washed her hands, peering through the server's hatch. Tatsu had already reached the couple's table, serving their omurice with practiced efficiency.
She couldn't resist another glance at the hooded figure. Its head was turned in her direction, that twisted smile still visible beneath the hood. She looked down, startled, as the lights flickered—and when she looked up again, the creature was standing directly in front of the serving hatch.
Terror seized her. Kana threw herself backward, colliding with the stainless-steel table. Pain shot through her spine, forcing a yelp from her lips as she collapsed to her knees.
The creature! It's still here! she thought, one hand rubbing the small of her back while the other pulled her upright. The lights flickered again, and through the hatch, she saw a nightmare made flesh—the thing had Tatsu by the throat, lifting him several feet off the ground.
Darkness descended as the power failed completely. Kana ducked beneath the table, trembling.
"Tatsu!" she called out. "I'm—I'm sorry," she whispered, tears streaming down her face as she hugged her knees to her chest.
"K-Ka-na. R-run-away," Tatsu choked out, his voice barely audible.
Though only seconds passed in darkness, each heartbeat stretched into eternity. I need to help Nii-san. Kana wiped away her tears and crawled from beneath the table, hands searching blindly for the knife she'd seen earlier.
Her fingers closed around the handle just as the sound of tearing flesh and Tatsu's agonized screams shattered the silence. Cold sweat drenched her body as she clutched the knife and burst through the kitchen door.
Light flooded the restaurant once more. Muted screams reached Kana's ears as if through cotton—the creature's claws still gripped her brother's throat while its other hand had impaled his chest and abdomen. Tatsu hung suspended, blood dripping from the monster's talons into a growing crimson pool below.
The creature turned toward Kana, its hood fallen back to reveal its full horror—those same disgusting yellow teeth beneath eyes dark as the abyss, with black liquid seeping from their corners and ears.
"T-take your filthy hands off my brother, you monster!" Kana screamed, tears streaming down her face as rage and fear collided within her. She charged forward, knife raised—but the lights flickered once more, and when they stabilized, Tatsu's body lay crumpled on the floor with a sickening thud, blood spattering the surrounding area.
"Tatsu!" she screamed, rushing to his side without noticing that the monster had vanished. Still clutching the knife, she knelt beside her brother's mangled body.
"N-no... no...no.no.no.no," she sobbed, the words catching in her throat. "N-nii-san... Onii-san, say something. Nii-san!" She shook his bloodied form gently. "Nii-san! Please, someone help! Call 119! My Nii-san needs hel-p..." Her voice trailed off as she stared at her blood-stained hands. "Onii-san, I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know what to do. What do I do!" she cried as thunder crashed and rain wept down the windows.
"Check for a pulse, child," said an elderly voice as Mr. Tanaka approached.
"Mr. Tanaka-sama?" Kana's cries softened.
"Yes, yes, never mind me. Check for Tatsu-kun's pulse, Kana-chan," he repeated, pointing with a hat in hand. "The couple already called 119 before they fled. Tatsu-kun just needs to hang on until help arrives."
"Hai..." Kana wiped her tears, inadvertently smearing more blood across her face. She pressed her ear against Tatsu's chest. There's a faint heartbeat!
"Mr. Tanaka-sama, there's a pulse! He's still alive!" she exclaimed, fresh tears flowing.
"Good. Good. Now we wait for help." Mr. Tanaka placed his hat on his head, his expression grave.
"You hear that, Tatsu? Mr. Tanaka-sama said help is coming, na?" Kana carefully moved her brother's head onto her lap, folding his arms across his chest. "Just hold on, Onii-san. Help is coming, na?" She repeated the words like a prayer, stroking his hair away from his face. Gods, please spare my brother. Don't take Tatsu away from us. Thunder boomed again as the rain intensified, heaven itself seeming to weep.
A voice suddenly cut through her consciousness. Sharp pain lanced through her head, accompanied by a piercing ring in her ears. Kana!
"Ahh!" she cried, covering her ears with her hands.
Kana! The voice grew louder, closer with each repetition, intensifying the pain.
"Kana-chan, what is the matter?" Mr. Tanaka squatted beside her, but his words couldn't penetrate the noise in her head. Her eyes squeezed shut against the pain. The old man noticed fresh blood seeping between her fingers from her left ear. "Oh my... you're bleeding, child," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Kana felt his touch and looked up, her vision blurred with tears. "The v-voice. I-it won't stop," she shouted, seeing his lips move but hearing nothing beyond the ringing.
Kana! echoed the voice again. Do not fight the call and focus on my voice!
No! Stop! Stop it! she protested silently.
Kana, do not fight it. It is to save your brother!
To... Save... Tatsu? Kana opened her eyes to look at her brother, her hands falling to her sides, exposing her bleeding ears.
Yes.
The voice became clearer as the painful ringing subsided.
Now quickly, recite the summons after me before it's too late for your brother!
I, Kimoto Kanari, Summoner of The Six Realms, call upon the power of Qian of Tai Yang to bring forth the Archangel Krad Akira. Heed my call, Archangel.
The restaurant walls shook violently. A deep rumbling rose from beneath the floor as chairs and tables vibrated. Streaks of light shot across the floor, painting geometric patterns that connected to form arcane symbols. Terrified, Kana hunched over Tatsu protectively, reaching out to pull Mr. Tanaka closer. The elderly man shielded both children with his body.
"Hold on, Kana-chan! It's an earthquake!" Mr. Tanaka shouted as the restaurant windows shattered, sending glass shards flying as wind and rain burst through. His hat took flight in the sudden gust.
"Mr. Tanaka-sama!" Kana shrieked.
"It will pass, Kana-chan! Keep your head down!"
Gradually, the tremors subsided along with the wind, the rain softening to a gentle drizzle. Mr. Tanaka slowly rose to his feet as Kana sat up. The intense white light on the floor had dimmed to a soft ethereal glow that surrounded them in a perfect circle, washing away their despair. A brighter light manifested before them, too brilliant to discern what stood within.
"You did great, Kana. I promise to take care of your brother. You needn't worry any longer. Rest now."
The voice was warm and soothing—the last thing Kana heard before dizziness overcame her and she slipped into unconsciousness, her body falling gently beside her brother's as the light continued to pulse around them.
******************************************************************************************************
Sunlight streamed through the gap in Kana's curtains, painting a warm stripe across her face. She stirred, consciousness returning like the slow tide. Her eyelids fluttered open only to squeeze shut against the piercing brightness. A groan escaped her lips as she bolted upright, her head pounding with each heartbeat.
The pain was relentless—as if someone had taken a chisel to her skull. She hunched forward, pressing the heels of her palms against her eyes, willing the agony to subside. When the throbbing dulled to a manageable ache, she raised her head and took in her surroundings.
Familiar posters adorned the walls. Her school uniform hung neatly from the closet door. The small desk in the corner was cluttered with textbooks and fan dance practice notes.
It's... my room... Wait... Tatsu!
The memory hit her like a physical blow—though she couldn't grasp what memory exactly. Something about Tatsu. Something terrible. Panic surged through her veins as she flung herself from the bed, bare feet slapping against the wooden floor. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she sprinted toward the door, desperate to find him.
Something terrible had happened to Tatsu—she was certain of it. The dread coiled in her stomach like a venomous serpent. She reached for the door handle just as it slid open from the other side.
"Kana, Dad says you better wake up or you'll miss break...fast..." Tatsu paused, eyebrows rising as he took in her disheveled appearance. "Oh, you're awake."
"Onii-san..." Kana whispered, her eyes widening. Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them, blurring her vision.
"Whoa, what's with the waterworks?" Tatsu's expression shifted from surprise to concern. "What's wrong? You're not sick—"
Before he could finish, Kana threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around his torso and burying her face against his chest. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs as relief flooded through her. He was here. He was alive. He was whole.
Tatsu stood frozen for a moment before tentatively placing his hand on her head, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" he asked, his voice softer now.
Kana could only shake her head against his shirt. "Mmuhm..." How could she explain what she didn't understand herself? The terror felt so real—yet she couldn't remember why. Just a feeling of dread, of loss, of something terrible happening to her brother.
"Okay, you can tell me when you're ready." His hand remained steady on her head, a reassuring weight. "We can't let Dad see you like this. Get back in bed and I'll tell him you aren't feeling well."
"Okay," she murmured, reluctantly releasing him and wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
Tatsu guided her back to the bed, pulling the covers up as she settled against the pillows. He studied her face with narrowed eyes. "You sure you don't want to tell me what's bothering you?"
"I don't remember, or I mean, I was just happy to see you." The words tumbled out awkwardly as she tried to make sense of her feelings. Relief—that was what had overwhelmed her when she saw him standing in the doorway. But beneath it lurked something darker, a shadow of dread she couldn't shake, like the lingering trace of a nightmare that fades upon waking.
"I see..." Tatsu paused, his expression unreadable. Then he raised his hand and flicked her forehead with his middle finger.
******************************************************************************************************
"Itai!" Kana yelped, rubbing her forehead where Tatsu had flicked her. "Onii-san, that hurt!" Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout that made her look younger than her fourteen years.
Tatsu chuckled, the sound warm and familiar. The tension in his shoulders eased as he watched his sister's typical reaction return—this dramatic Kana was the one he knew, not the tearful, frightened girl who had clung to him moments ago.
"Nii-san," she whispered, her voice suddenly small again.
"Hmm?" he responded, his smile fading as concern crept back into his expression.
"I'm—I feel tired..." Kana's words trailed off as her eyelids grew heavy. The burst of energy that had propelled her out of bed earlier seemed to drain away all at once, leaving her pale and exhausted.
Tatsu watched as his sister's eyes fluttered closed, her breathing gradually steadying into the rhythm of sleep. He placed the back of his hand gently on her forehead, checking for signs of fever. His touch caused Kana to turn her head slightly in her sleep, and Tatsu jerked his hand away, not wanting to disturb her.
No fever... he thought with some relief. Whatever was wrong with Kana, at least it wasn't a common illness. He gently pulled the covers up over her shoulders, tucking them around her. Get some rest, little sister.
With one last concerned glance at Kana's sleeping form, Tatsu quietly left the room, sliding the door shut behind him with barely a whisper of sound. He descended the stairs, his footsteps nearly silent from years of practice moving through the house while others slept.
In the kitchen, his father was preparing breakfast, the familiar scent of miso soup and grilled fish filling the air. Tatsu really took after his father—they shared the same thick black-brown hair, sharp jawlines, and tall frames. Mr. Kimoto Kazuto stood 193 centimeters tall while Kimoto Tatsuha had reached 180 centimeters. Both father and son were medium built with toned, but not bulky muscles, and broad shoulders.
"Hey Dad," Tatsu said, reaching for a slice of toast from the dining table. "Kana isn't feeling well and staying in today," he continued between bites.
"That's no good." Kazuto immediately began untying his apron, his brows furrowing with concern. "I'll stay home today and keep an eye on her."
"What—no, Dad, you don't have to do that," Tatsu quickly interjected. "It's not anything too serious. She doesn't have a fever or anything. I'll skip kendo club after school and come home early to check on her, okay?" The last thing he wanted was for his father to close the café unnecessarily and worry himself sick over what was probably just exhaustion.
Kazuto hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. I'll put away Kana's lunch bento in the fridge. Could you please write a note for her?"
"Wakatta, Otou-san," Tatsu replied. He stuck the remaining slice of toast between his lips, holding it there as he grabbed a dry erase marker and scribbled a message on the small board attached to the refrigerator with magnets.
"Would you like a ride to school?" his father offered.
"No, I'm meeting Shimizu Yuzuki to walk to school together," Tatsu answered after removing the toast from his mouth.
"Okay, I'll head out first, but you should hurry along too," Kazuto said as they both made their way to the genkan by the front door.
Tatsu stood behind his father, finishing the last few bites of his toast as he watched Kazuto exchange his house slippers for black non-slip work shoes. His father turned to face him, placing a warm hand on Tatsu's shoulder.
"Have a good day, son," Kazuto said with a gentle smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.
"You too, Otou-san." Tatsu bowed at a perfect ninety-degree angle before straightening up to return his father's smile.
"Hai, hai," Kazuto replied with the familiar phrase that somehow managed to convey both acknowledgment and affection.
Tatsu watched as the door closed behind his father. He sat down to remove his own house slippers, replacing them with his brown school shoes. As he tied his laces, he glanced behind him toward the stairs, his thoughts returning to Kana and her strange behavior that morning.
His gaze shifted to a photograph in a simple wooden frame that sat on a small table near the entryway. A vase of fresh flowers—likely purchased from Mr. Tanaka's shop next door—stood beside it. The woman in the photo had the same reddish-brown eyes as Kana, though her long dark hair contrasted with his sister's shorter style.
"Oka-san, watch over Kana for us, will you?" Tatsu said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "She can be clumsy and stubborn sometimes."
He finished tying his shoelaces, stood up, and slung his backpack over his shoulder. With gentle reverence, he brushed his fingertips across the frame, the gesture as much a part of his morning routine as putting on his shoes. Then he was gone, the front door clicking shut behind him.
The walk to school was crisp and pleasant, a stark contrast to the heavy rainfall from the previous night. Tatsu met Shimizu at their usual corner, his silver-haired friend already waiting with his school bag slung over one shoulder.
"Ohayo, Tatsu," Shimizu greeted, adjusting his clear-rimmed glasses. "You're running a bit late today."
"Kana's not feeling well," Tatsu explained as they fell into step together. "She's staying home."
Shimizu's green eyes widened slightly behind his glasses. "Nothing serious, I hope?"
"Just tired," Tatsu said, pulling out his phone to text Kana about the lunch in the fridge. "Dad wanted to stay home with her, but I convinced him it wasn't necessary."
As they approached the school gates, Tatsu noticed a girl standing nervously by the entrance. Her hands fidgeted with something that looked like an envelope, and her eyes kept darting around until they landed on him. Her face immediately flushed.
"Kimoto-san," she called out, bowing slightly. "Could I speak with you for a moment?"
Shimizu nudged Tatsu with his elbow and whispered, "Looks like Miyazaki from Class 2-B. I'll head in first." He gave a knowing smile before walking through the gates, leaving Tatsu alone with the girl.
"Miyazaki-san," Tatsu acknowledged with a polite nod. "What can I help you with?"
The girl's blush deepened as she thrust the envelope toward him. "Please accept this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've admired you for a long time."
Tatsu looked at the pink envelope, recognizing it immediately for what it was—a confession letter. This wasn't the first one he'd received, and he doubted it would be the last. With a gentle smile, he bowed respectfully.
"I'm honored by your feelings, Miyazaki-san," he said, his voice kind but firm. "But I'm afraid I can't accept your letter. I'm focused on my studies and helping with my family's café right now."
Disappointment flashed across her face, but she nodded in understanding. "I appreciate your honesty, Kimoto-san," she said, tucking the letter back into her school bag. "Thank you for listening."
As Tatsu made his way through the school gates, he could feel eyes on him. News traveled fast in high school, and by the time he reached his classroom, several of his classmates were already smirking in his direction.
"Another confession turned down?" one of his friends called out. "That's what, the third this month?"
"Fourth," another corrected, laughing. "Kimoto's breaking hearts left and right."
Tatsu slid into his seat beside Shimizu, ignoring the teasing. His friend gave him a sympathetic look.
"You know, it wouldn't kill you to go on a date once in a while," Shimizu said, keeping his voice low. "Or are you saving yourself for someone special?"
"I don't have time for dating," Tatsu replied, pulling out his textbooks. "Between school, kendo, and the café, when would I fit it in?"
"Sure, sure," one of his classmates chimed in from behind. "It has nothing to do with your sister complex."
Tatsu's jaw tightened. "I don't have a sister complex."
"Then why do you turn down every girl who confesses to you?" the classmate pressed. "Everyone knows you rush home to check on Kana-chan every day."
"That's called being a responsible brother," Tatsu countered, his tone cooling. "Our mother died when Kana was young. Someone has to look out for her."
The classroom fell silent at the mention of his mother. Even the most persistent teasing couldn't continue after that. Thankfully, their homeroom teacher entered a moment later, calling the class to order and sparing Tatsu from further discussion.
Throughout the morning lessons, Tatsu found his attention drifting. He checked his phone discreetly during breaks, but there was no response from Kana about the lunch. He told himself she was probably still asleep, but a nagging worry persisted.
By lunchtime, he'd sent another text.
Hey, did you see my note? There's a bento for you in the fridge. Let me know if you need anything.
Shimizu caught him staring at his phone again as they ate lunch on the school roof. "Still no word from Kana-chan?"
Tatsu shook his head. "She's probably just sleeping."
"Probably," Shimizu agreed, though his tone suggested he was just being supportive. "But if you're worried, why not call your dad? He's at the café, right? He could check on her."
"Yeah, I might do that," Tatsu said, putting his phone away. "After school."