Rei, Ren! Come to the kitchen — dinner's ready!"
Their mom's voice called out warmly.
"We're coming, Mom!" Ren replied, grabbing his little sister's hand.
"Come on! Let's eat!"
The two kids raced into the kitchen, where the rest of the family was already seated.
The table overflowed with food — steam rose from the rice and miso soup, the rich scent of roasted meat and fresh vegetables filled the air.
"Enjoy your meal," their mom smiled. And everyone began to eat.
"Tomorrow's New Year's!" Rei beamed, eyes sparkling.
"And then you'll turn thirteen, Ren," their mom added. "And you, Rei, will be eight. Time flies."
"Feels like just yesterday you were heading to first grade," said their dad, adjusting his glasses.
"And now you're almost in third."
"Thanks for dinner! That was delicious! We're gonna go!" Ren said, standing up.
"Don't stay up too late," warned their dad.
"Or you'll end up like me — wearing glasses."
"Okay!" the kids shouted in unison and ran off to their room.
"You got what I asked for?" their mom asked as she cleared the table.
"Yeah," their dad said, pulling a box from a shopping bag.
"A remote-controlled car and a princess doll in a blue dress. Just like you said."
"Good job, honey."
She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"Let's clean up together, then we'll go to bed too."
The next morning, the family gathered again at the table.
While the kids finished breakfast, their dad made an announcement:
"Today, we're going to the mall to do some shopping."
"Yay!" Rei and Ren shouted, already excited.
An hour later, they were in the car.
As the vehicle came to a stop, their dad turned around:
"Okay, we're here. Stay close and don't run off. Got it?"
The kids nodded seriously.
Inside the store, their mom said,
"Ren, can you go grab a shopping cart?"
He nodded and ran off.
"Mom, look! Look at these hair ties!" Rei pointed at a display stand.
"They're so pretty. You want them?"
"Yes! Please!"
Rei grabbed a few colorful ones and dropped them into the cart.
The store was packed — you could feel the pre-holiday rush in the air.
Rei skipped a little ahead and spotted a rack of dolls.
She reached for the one at the top… but couldn't quite grab it.
Turning to call her mom, she suddenly bumped into someone — they both fell.
"Sorry!" a boy around her age mumbled quickly and ran off.
"Akito!" a woman scolded sharply.
"Watch where you're going!"
"Sorry, Mom… I was just trying to catch up…"
Ren ran over, helping Rei to her feet.
"You okay?"
"Yeah… I'm fine," she replied, brushing her hair out of her face.
10:24 a.m.
The family returned home. Preparations for New Year's were in full swing.
Rei helped her mom in the kitchen — chopping veggies and fruit.
Ren tidied up with their dad.
By evening, everything was done.
They went to bed early.
"Hey, Ren… you asleep?" Rei whispered in the dark.
"No," he said. "I can't wait to open the presents… Wonder what they'll be."
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Probably like Dad — a company manager. You?"
"I want to be a model. Or maybe a chef."
Ren let out a quiet chuckle.
"Those are such girly jobs… Anyway, good night."
"Good night."
2:54 a.m.
Rei woke up — she was thirsty.
Rubbing her eyes, she heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen.
She slipped out of bed, careful not to make a sound.
Barefoot, she tiptoed down the hallway.
She peeked around the corner into the kitchen — and froze.
Her father was lying on the floor.
Eyes wide open. Lifeless. Staring right at her.
Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a pale glow on his face.
Rei stepped forward, her lips trembling, about to speak—
When she heard voices from behind the wall.
"You idiot! You killed him!" one man growled.
"We were supposed to just take the money and jewelry!"
"What was I supposed to do?! How was I supposed to know they'd be in the kitchen at night?
People usually put the gifts under the tree by midnight!"
Rei couldn't hold it — she screamed.
Tears ran down her face.
A man in black burst around the corner, a knife in hand.
He lunged—
But before he could reach her, a stool smashed into his head from the side.
Ren had flown in from the hallway like a whirlwind.
"Run, Rei!" he shouted.
They dashed through the house, desperate to escape the nightmare.
The second intruder gave chase, leaping over his dazed partner.
And then—
"FREEZE! POLICE!"
A voice shouted from outside.
The burglars hesitated.
One was already at the kids' room door, knife raised —
But hearing the sirens and footsteps, he retreated and jumped out the window.
Officers stormed the house.
Rei and Ren, still in shock, stumbled back into the kitchen.
Medics were already there.
But it was too late.
Their mother and father…
Covered in blood.
Red stains spreading across the floor like a scene from a dream… a terrible, silent dream.
"Get the children out! Now!"
Rei and Ren were led outside and into an ambulance.
They sat in silence. Frozen.
Their faces blank.
Eyes filled with tears.
"Hey… Rei…"
The voice pulled her from the memory.
"Wake up," Ren said, gently shaking her shoulder.
"You fell asleep on my couch."
She slowly opened her eyes.
Her cheeks were wet.
"You're crying?" he asked, concerned.
"Just… a bad dream," she said quickly, wiping her face and trying to smile.
"Come on. Let's go to the kitchen. I'll make tea."
She stood up.
But in her mind — that image still pulsed.
From a time long gone.
A boy.
A random collision in a crowded mall.
Akito.
"I've seen you before, Akito Kurosawa," she whispered to herself.
[Noxveil]
Hey there, reader!
If you've made it this far, thank you so much. I'm writing this story in Russian and translating it into English — so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Even one small comment gives me huge motivation 💬💙
Let me know who your favorite character is so far!