Part 1: The First Step in Years
4 years later…
The first rays of sunlight filtered gently through the sliding doors, casting warm stripes across the room. Outside, birds chirped lazily, fluttering from branch to branch as the morning unfolded in its usual calm rhythm.
On a futon laid neatly in the corner, Haruto lay curled beneath his blanket, breathing softly in the quiet morning. The sliding door creaked open, and Ayame stepped in, dressed fresh in her morning clothes.
"Come on, wake up," she urged softly, stepping closer. "At least come to the academy today."
Haruto shifted slightly under the blanket, letting out a muffled groan.
"Haruto!" Ayame tried again, placing a hand gently on his shoulder.
"I said… just go. I wanna sleep," he muttered, sliding further beneath the cover.
Ayame sighed quietly, shaking her head with a small smile, and quietly closed the door behind her.
Meanwhile, Kaito finished tying his shoes, glancing toward the door as Renjiro stepped forward. He was tall for his age, 16 years old, with sharp white spiky hair, his presence calm and protective.
"Ready?" Renjiro asked, gesturing toward the path leading to the academy.
"Yeah," Kaito nodded, and they turned to wave goodbye to Akari. Ayame followed, her steps light as she walked beside Kaito. They chatted softly as they made their way toward the academy.
Back in the room, Akari entered quietly, the sliding door clicking softly behind her. She was 16 years old, with brown hair reaching just past her neck. She settled onto her futon beside Haruto's, leaning sideways to wrap an arm around him. Patting his side gently, she murmured, "Haruto… It's been two years. You haven't gone to the academy since Lady Tsunami and Kairen left."
—Flashback—
Haruto lay curled on his futon, trembling, his face burning bright red. His hair was almost completely red from the fever, though streaks of blue — his natural color — peeked through. Beside him, on a futon a little farther away, Ayame sat, weak and pale, but her concern for Haruto overshadowed her own sickness.
"Kaito… please… check if he's okay," she whispered hoarsely, her small hand brushing the blanket covering Haruto.
Kaito nodded, worry etching his young face. When Ayame urged him again, asking for water, he carefully got up and went downstairs. But as he reached the bottom, he noticed Tsunami and Kairen quietly leaving the house.
"Where are you going?" Kaito called, panic rising in his voice.
They said nothing. "We have a mission… we must go," came a calm reply, and without another word, they walked away, leaving Kaito stunned and helpless.
Panicked, Kaito ran after them, catching at one of their legs. "Please… don't leave!" he cried. But they simply continued walking, disappearing from sight.
Swallowing hard, Kaito returned inside and handed the water to Ayame, acting as if nothing had happened. She drank slowly, her gaze flicking repeatedly toward Haruto, worry never leaving her face.
As Haruto's condition worsened, his breathing shallow and his body burning hotter, Kaito knew he had to do more. He ran out of the house, spotting Akari passing by. "Big Sister Akari! Over here! Haruto is sick!" he shouted, waving frantically.
—End of Flashback—