PART 4 — "Hidden Condition"
Ayame slid the door open quietly and stepped into the room.
The lights were off.
Only the faint glow from outside filtered through the curtains.
Kaito was already asleep on his futon, turned to the side, breathing slow and steady.
On the other side—
Haruto was still awake.
Lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.
He didn't say anything as she entered.
Just shifted his eyes toward her for a second—
then looked away again.
Ayame didn't react.
She walked to the center futon and sat down, adjusting the blanket.
The room was quiet.
Calm.
But not completely at ease.
She lay down slowly, turning slightly to one side.
Facing away.
Her eyes closed.
Trying to sleep.
Minutes passed.
No one spoke.
Kaito remained asleep.
Haruto didn't move much.
Just… thinking.
Then slowly—
he turned his head.
Looking toward Ayame.
She looked like she was asleep.
Still.
Peaceful.
Haruto watched her for a few seconds.
Then—
Ayame's eyes opened.
Directly.
Without warning.
Haruto flinched.
"…—!"
He quickly turned his head away.
"…Why are you awake like that…"
Ayame's voice was quiet.
"…Why are you staring like that…"
A pause.
Haruto exhaled softly.
"…Couldn't sleep."
Ayame turned slightly, now facing him.
"…Same."
Silence.
Soft.
Then Haruto spoke again.
"…That thing earlier…"
A small pause.
"…You heard it too, right?"
Ayame didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…Yeah."
Another pause.
"…Shinobies."
The word stayed low.
Careful.
Haruto's gaze lowered slightly.
"…They said war."
Ayame's eyes didn't move.
"…Not confirmed."
"…But not nothing either."
Silence filled the space between them.
The weight of it different from before.
Not fear—
but awareness.
Then—
a small rustle.
Kaito shifted.
"…You two are loud…"
His voice groggy.
Half-asleep.
"…What are you even talking about…"
Neither answered immediately.
Kaito turned onto his back, blinking slowly.
"…Why are you both awake…"
Haruto exhaled.
"…Nothing."
Ayame added quietly—
"…Go back to sleep."
Kaito frowned slightly.
"…That's suspicious."
He rubbed his eyes.
"…Say properly."
A pause.
Then Haruto spoke—
lower this time.
"…On the way back…"
"…we heard something."
Kaito's expression sharpened just a little.
"…What?"
Ayame looked at the ceiling.
"…Shinobies."
Kaito went still.
Sleep fading instantly.
"…What about them…"
A brief silence.
Then—
"…They said there might be war."
That—
landed.
The room went quiet again.
But this time—
it wasn't calm.
Kaito sat up slightly.
"…War…?"
Haruto didn't look at him.
"…Don't know how serious."
Ayame added—
"…But it didn't sound like a rumor."
Kaito's expression changed.
Not joking anymore.
"…Are you sure?"
Silence.
Then—
"…No."
Haruto answered honestly.
"…But it didn't feel like nothing."
That was enough.
Kaito leaned back slowly, staring at the ceiling now.
"…Tch…"
A small pause.
"…If it's real…"
He didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
Ayame closed her eyes again.
"…We'll know soon."