Miyu was sitting up on the bed.
Alive. Smiling.
The sunlight slipping through the curtains bathed her in a soft glow. Her hair shimmered. She looked just like she did before everything fell apart.
"Miyu…" he whispered, stepping closer.
Miyu: "You came… I missed you so much."
His breath caught. His voice cracked. "You're awake… I knew you would wake up one day."
Miyu: "Will you protect me this time, Itsuki?"
He blinked, tears welling up in his eyes.
Yes yes, I'll protect you. I'll protect you with everything I have!
He took a trembling step forward
CRACK!
A metal bat struck Miyu's head.
Blood splattered on the white sheets. Her body fell lifelessly against the pillow.
Itsuki screamed.
"Miyu!!"
He lunged forward
And woke up.
Itsuki gasped violently, clutching his chest.
The room was dark. Silent.
He was back in his apartment. Alone.
His hands trembled as he looked around, his breath ragged. He pressed his palms to his eyes, but the image of Miyu bleeding wouldn't fade. He slid off the bed, collapsing onto the cold floor.
Itsuki (whispering): "It wasn't real… it wasn't real…"
But her voice still echoed faintly in his ears.
"Will you protect me this time?"
His fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. He struck the floor and walls again and again, tears streaming down his face.
"I will," he muttered.
Then louder.
"I will protect youu!!"
He slammed his head against the floor, again and again, until the pain dulled everything else.
And finally, exhausted, he stopped moving his breath slowing, eyes half-closed, fading into unconsciousness.
The night fell silent once again.
THE NEXT MORNING
Miri sat on the edge of her bed, phone in hand, staring at the screen as she redialed Itsuki's number for what felt like the hundredth time.
Still no answer.
After an hour of silence, she grabbed her jacket, and rushed toward his apartment.
She knocked.
No response.
She called out his name, louder each time, but nothing.
An elderly woman stepped out of the apartment across the hall, her gray hair tied neatly in a bun. She squinted at Miri with mild annoyance.
"Why are you making such a fuss this early in the morning, young lady?"
Miri quickly turned and bowed.
I'm so sorry, grandma. I didn't mean to disturb you. This is my friend's apartment, but he's not answering my calls or the door. I'm just really really worried about him.
The old woman tilted her head, her expression softening a little.
So… that young boy actually has a friend, huh? Never thought I'd hear that.
Miri blinked. "You know him?"
Only by sight, the woman said, folding her arms. He keeps to himself. Quiet most of the time except when he isn't. I sometimes hear loud noises in the middle of the night. Sounds like he's slamming something into the walls or floor but yesterday night it was so loud, Louder than before.
Miri's eyes widened slightly. "What? At night?"
The woman nodded. Crazy fellow, if you ask me. But… he never caused trouble for anyone else so we never reported it to manager.
Miri hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "Grandma, please do you know if there's any way to open his door? Maybe a spare key?"
The old lady pointed down the hall.
There's an extra key for every apartment in the building manager's office downstairs. You can ask him. Tell him I sent you.
Miri bowed again, grateful.
"Thank you so much."
As she turned and hurried down the stairwell, her thoughts raced.
Noises in the middle of the night? What the hell were you doing, Itsuki?
Her chest tightened. She gripped the phone in her hand and whispered to herself,
"Please… be okay."
The sound of her hurried footsteps echoed through the empty hallway as she rushed toward the manager's office.
In the manager's office, she was told something that made her stop cold.
"There's no spare key for that apartment anymore," the manager said. That boy gave it to his father years ago. He comes sometimes, takes him out in the mornings.
Miri froze. "His… dad? But he doesn't have a family as far as i know only a aunt who lives abroad."
The manager looked confused. "He looked like his dad, so I assumed"
Then it clicked for her.
He must've meant Hayato.
Without wasting another second, she sprinted back upstairs and started banging on the door again, voice trembling. "Itsuki! Please open up!"
Just as she turned to leave, she saw someone walking down the corridor Hayato.
She ran up to him, breathless. "Hayato! Itsuki he's not answering, the door's locked, and"
Hayato sighed deeply, rubbing his temple. "Oh god… he did it again. No wonder he didn't show up for training."
He reached into his coat pocket. "Let's go. I still have the key."
The door creaked open.
Both of them froze.
Blood.
Everywhere.
Splattered on the walls. Smeared across the floor.
Itsuki lay collapsed near the wall unconscious, his forehead split open, his fists drenched in blood.
Hayato rushed in instantly, dropping to his knees beside him. "These blood stains… they're fresh. It wasn't this bad before." He clenched his jaw. "Something bad happened. Really bad."
Miri's eyes filled with tears as she covered her mouth. "His hands… his head…"
"Call an ambulance, now!" Hayato shouted.
She fumbled with her phone, her voice trembling. "H-hello? Please! My friend's badly injured we're at the fujimoto apartments"
The voice on the other end replied, "There's no available ambulance in your area right now, please wait"
"Damn it!" Hayato growled, lifting Itsuki onto his shoulder effortlessly. "Outta my way!"
"Hayato!"
"Meet me at the hospital!"
Before she could reply, he was gone a blur down the hallway, sprinting like a storm carrying a dying flame.
Miri chased after him, but he was already out of sight. She ran toward the hospital on her own, every step heavier than the last.
The nurses rushed around Itsuki as Hayato stood outside the emergency room, his arms crossed tightly.
Moments later, Miri arrived, panting. "Is he okay? Is he okay?"
Hayato gave her a faint smile, trying to calm her. He'll be fine. Nothing to worry about.
But his eyes told a different story.
Then a nurse approached them. Are you his father?
Hayato paused. "…Yeah. I'm his guardian."
He's lost a lot of blood. We need a donor immediately.
My blood type's the same. Take mine, Hayato said firmly.
The nurse nodded quickly. You should really look after your child. If you were a little late, things could've gotten worse.
Hayato bowed his head. I'm sorry. Please, just take care of him.
The nurse led Hayato toward the donor room while Miri stayed behind in the hallway, trembling. When the doors closed behind him, she sank into one of the waiting chairs, staring at her shaking hands.
He's always the one trying to save everyone… and I just stand here crying.
She wiped her face, stood up, and turned toward the corridor where Miyu's room was. Her steps were slow, heavy every footfall echoing in the quiet hospital hall.
The moment she entered Miyu's room, the soft rhythmic beep of the heart monitor greeted her steady, faint, but alive.
Miyu looked almost peaceful, her hair gently spread across the pillow, the sunlight spilling through the blinds painting her face in pale gold.
Miri pulled a chair closer and sat down, holding Miyu's cold hand in both of hers.
"I'm sorry…" her voice broke immediately. "I thought I was doing better thought I could finally protect someone this time."
She squeezed her hand tighter. Itsuki… he's hurt. He lost so much blood, Miyu.
She paused, swallowing hard.
When I found him, there was blood everywhere. Hayato said it wasn't that bad before, so something must've happened when he was alone.
Her voice trembled. He's in surgery now, but… he looked so pale. I couldn't even tell if he was breathing when we found him.
She brushed her thumb across Miyu's hand as if trying to transfer her warmth.
He reminds me of you, you know? Miri whispered. Always trying to act tough. Even when everything's falling apart inside."
Her tears fell, one by one.
I told him I'd protect him. I told him he's not alone anymore… but look at me.
She gave a weak laugh that quickly turned into a sob. I'm still the same Miri. Still watching people bleed while I stand there, useless.
The heart monitor continued its slow, steady rhythm.
I keep losing the people I care about. First you, now maybe him. I don't think I can take it again, Miyu. I really don't.
Her voice softened into a whisper. You'd have known what to do, right? You always did.
She smiled through the tears. You'd tell me to stop crying and think. You'd tell me that crying doesn't help anyone.
She looked up at Miyu's face lifeless, serene. "But if I don't cry, Miyu… what else can I do?"
A minute passed in silence. Miri's tears dripped onto the blanket.
Then a flicker on the monitor.
The slow, regular beeping suddenly grew rapid, chaotic.
Miri's eyes widened. "M–Miyu?"
The machine alarmed, flashing red.
"Miyu!" she shouted, standing up so quickly her chair fell over.
The door burst open. Two nurses and a doctor rushed in.
"Please wait outside!" one of them ordered, already checking Miyu's vitals.
Miri stumbled back, her pulse racing, frozen at the doorway. "She was fine a second ago!"
"Arrhythmia!" the doctor shouted. "Get the defibrillator now!"
Miri pressed herself against the wall, tears streaming, as the nurses surrounded the bed. The sound of the machine charging filled the room. After a while, footsteps approached.
Hayato appeared, his arm bandaged and pale, moving slower than usual. He stopped beside Miri, looking through the small glass window.
Inside, the doctors were working frantically.
"Her heart rate's dropping!"
"Clear!"
A flash the sound of a defibrillator.
Miri flinched and covered her mouth, her voice shaking. "She was… she was okay when I came in. She looked peaceful."
Hayato lowered his gaze, his tone quiet and grounded. "These things happen suddenly. She's been fighting for years, Miri."
She looked at him, eyes red. "I told her I didn't want to lose him too… and then she-she just.."
Hayato gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "You didn't do anything wrong it's not your fault Miri."
Her breath hitched. Then why does it always end up like this?
The beeping from the room spiked again a doctor's voice broke through, urgent. "Heart rate unstable 40! We're losing her!"
Hayato's hand tensed on her shoulder, his jaw tightening, but he said nothing.
And then a long, flat tone echoed through the hallway.
Miri froze. The sound seemed to stretch forever, swallowing everything else.
The light flickered slightly in the corridor. Miri's knees gave out, but Hayato caught her before she hit the floor.
Inside, doctors still moved frantically, but their expressions had changed. One of them placed a hand on Miyu's chest and slowly shook his head.
Miri clung to Hayato's coat, her voice barely a whisper. "Please… no more…"
CUT TO ITSUKI'S MIND:
His unconscious body lay still, but his mind replayed the nightmare that broke him.
He saw Miyu again, smiling, saying she missed him before the metal bat swung down.
He screamed, clutching his head "No! No!" until the dream collapsed into a white void.
He jolted awake, gasping sweat dripping, his hands shaking.
The monitor beside him beeped faster.
And at that same moment
The doctors in Miyu's room called out,
"Vitals are returning to normal stabilize the rhythm!"
Miri's eyes widened, tears falling.
"She's… she's okay?"
A nurse smiled softly. Yes. She's stable now and he woke up at the same time too they share a very strong bond.
Hayato smiled softly while holding miri. "They're both so strong see you don't have to cry anymore let's go itsuki's waiting."
Itsuki's eyes flutter open slowly, a faint beep of the monitor echoing in the sterile room. The light above feels too bright. His hands ache. His forehead throbs. He doesn't know why.
The door creaks open. Hayato steps in first, calm but watchful; Miri behind him, eyes red from crying.
Miri: "You you scared me to death! What the hell happened to you?"
She takes a step closer but stops, swallowing back tears.
Itsuki blinks at her. "Happened…? What do you mean?"
He glances down at his wrapped hands, at the bruises creeping up his knuckles. "Why why do I look like this?"
Miri's lips tremble. "Don't you remember? Your apartment there was blood everywhere… your fists, your head…"
She clutches her chest. "You did that to yourself, Itsuki!"
Itsuki's face goes pale. He stares at her blankly, confusion knitting his brows. "No… I didn't. I.. I don't remember that. I was… asleep. I was just dreaming…"
He squeezes his eyes shut, a flash of Miyu smiling then being struck by a bat flickering across his mind. He shudders.
Hayato moves closer, his expression unreadable. He places a steadying hand on Itsuki's shoulder.
Hayato: "Breathe. Focus on me. It's over."
His voice is calm but firm a practiced tone.
Itsuki's breath comes uneven. I didn't… I wouldn't do that…he murmurs, staring at his bandaged hands like they're not his own.
Miri wipes her eyes. You lost so much blood, Itsuki. Miyu she almost... Her voice cracks. "You can't keep doing this…"
For a moment, no one speaks. The only sound is the monitor beeping steadily.
Then Itsuki exhales shakily. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to… scare anyone."
Miri mutters, "Idiot," but squeezes his arm anyway. "You're not allowed to leave me and Miyu. Not now."
Hayato watches him carefully. He doesn't show it, but his jaw tightens the look of a man who's seen this before and knows how dangerous it can become.
After a few minutes, Miri is asked to step out by a nurse for a checkup on Itsuki's IV. She reluctantly leaves, glancing back at him one last time before the door shuts.
Hayato stands beside the bed, his arms crossed, eyes fixed on Itsuki. After a pause, he exhales and sits on the stool beside him.
He doesn't speak at first just takes Itsuki's wrist gently, checking his pulse. Then he lifts his hand, inspecting the fresh bandages covering his knuckles. The skin beneath is swollen and bruised purple.
Hayato: "You didn't hold back this time, huh."
His tone is calm, but the weight behind his words feels heavy.
Itsuki looks away. "…I don't remember."
Hayato brushes a thumb lightly against a bloodstain that had seeped through the gauze. "You hit something hard a wall maybe. Over and over. That's not just anger. That's your body trying to wake you from something."
Itsuki's voice trembles. "I thought… It felt real. I saw Miyu… and then…"
He clenches his fist unconsciously, pain flashing across his face.
Hayato places a firm hand on his shoulder.
Hayato: "Itsuki. That's your mind fighting itself. You've been running on nothing but pain and revenge it's catching up."
He stands, adjusts the blanket over Itsuki, and checks his forehead gently for swelling.
Hayato: "You've got a lump here too. Head trauma, self-inflicted. You could've died from the blood loss."
Itsuki stays silent, staring at the wall.
Itsuki: "…It's like I lose control. I see her, I hear her, and then when I open my eyes, everything's broken."
Hayato nods slightly. It's PTSD you're reliving what you couldn't change. Every time it hits, your body acts before your mind can stop it.
He sighs and straightens up.
Hayato: You've got to start fighting the right enemies, Kid. Not yourself.
Itsuki swallows hard, eyes wet but quiet.
Itsuki: "…I don't know how."
Hayato looks down at him for a long moment, his face softening.
Hayato: We'll figure it out. But for now, you rest. You're no good to Miyu or anyone else like this.
He turns off the bright overhead light, letting the room sink into a dim calm.
As Hayato heads for the door, he pauses and says softly:
Hayato: "You remind me too much of who I used to be… and that's not a compliment."
Then he leaves the room quietly, the door shutting with a soft click.
He turned toward Miri, who was clutching her hands tightly outside the room.
Hayato: Listen, Miri. Go ask the nurse to give him a sleeping dose. Tell her it's doctor approved. I'll take full responsibility. I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back in ten minutes.
Miri blinked, confused. "Where are you going?"
Hayato adjusted his coat, glancing once more at Itsuki before replying.
Hayato: To make a call. And tell the nurse I'll be staying with him tonight.
Miri nodded and rushes to the nurse, She hurried down the hallway.
Hayato stood silently for a moment, watching Itsuki this boy who carried too much for his age, who bled more inside than out. He muttered quietly, almost to himself,
Hayato: "You can't keep fighting ghosts forever…"
Hayato stepped outside the hospital, the cool night air brushing against his face. The automatic doors slid shut behind him, cutting off the hum of machines and hurried footsteps.
He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it with a steady hand. The flame flickered briefly against his tired eyes before he took a slow drag, exhaling into the darkness.
For a moment, he said nothing just stared at the empty parking lot, lost in the faint orange glow of the cigarette tip.
Hayato (thinking):
That itsuki… he really went and broke again.
The smoke curled around him as he leaned against the cold wall.
He'd seen this before soldiers, assassins, men who had seen too much and carried too little of themselves left inside.
But Itsuki… he was still just a kid who had been thrown into hell too early.
Hayato sighed deeply.
I should keep him closer from now on.
A nurse passing by shot him a disapproving glance for smoking near the entrance, but he simply turned away, muttering,
Hayato: Yeah, yeah, I'll stop in a sec.
He took one last drag, crushed the cigarette, and stared up at the cloudy night sky.
Hayato (quietly):
If you keep carrying that guilt ituski, it'll kill you faster than any bullet ever could.
He straightened his coat,
Hayato pushed open the door to the ward hallway, his steps heavy but calm. The faint smell of antiseptic lingered in the air. Miri sat on a chair outside Itsuki's room, her hands clasped tightly, her eyes dull from worry.
When she saw him, she exhaled sharply.
Miri: You don't even have a phone on you, right? You just went outside to smoke… well, not that I care.
Hayato smiled faintly, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes the kind that came from caring too much.
Hayato: You know, you look like you could use a laugh. I'll tell you something funny i have a funny side too you know, I'll tell you something funny but you have to laugh. If you don't, I'll get hurt.
Miri blinked, confused, but nodded slightly.
Hayato (grinning): When I first brought Itsuki home from that alley years ago, the kid woke up and was about to bolt. I told him I'd help him.
Miri tilted her head.
Hayato: "I told him I was an assassin. Just like that. Straight-faced."
Miri: "You what?"
She laughed harder. Why would an assassin even say that? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.
Hayato: "He said the exact same thing, he said do i look stupid? right to my face."
Hayato (acting wounded): "Hey, I was trying to sound cool! How else was I supposed to get his attention?"
Miri giggled more, covering her mouth.
Miri: Well…You're too young to be a retired assassin.
Hayato: Yeah right, i had to retire early but i still look handsome right?
Miri wiped a tear from the corner of her eye from laughing so much.
Miri: "You're such a dumbass."
Hayato smiled quietly, watching her laugh his expression softening.
Hayato (thinking): At least she's laughing again… that's good enough for now.