Kaito tied the plastic bag tightly.
The knot was firm.
Then he turned his head toward the small storage room in the corner of the kitchen. The door was half-open. Inside, the space was dark and narrow, filled with old tools and dusty boxes.
He walked in without hesitation.
His wet footsteps were quiet.
He reached inside and grabbed a shovel.
The metal handle was cold in his hand.
He pulled it out slowly, the blade scraping lightly against the floor.
krk…
Then he stepped back into the kitchen.
Bag in one hand.
Shovel in the other.
Blood still dripped from his fingers and sleeves.
As he walked into the hallway, the drops fell one by one onto the floor.
drip… drip… drip…
Dark stains formed behind him like a trail.
He reached the front door.
The storm outside had not stopped.
It had become worse.
The wind slammed into the walls like it was angry. Rain poured down so hard it looked like the sky was falling apart.
Kaito opened the door.
Cold air rushed in violently, hitting his face.
The wind screamed through the entrance.
The rain hit his body instantly, soaking him again, washing over his hair, his arms, his clothes.
He stepped outside.
The door closed behind him with a heavy sound.
THUD.
Kaito began walking.
The bag swung slightly in his hand, heavy and wet. The shovel's blade reflected lightning flashes as he moved through the empty streets.
The city was dead at this hour.
No cars.
No lights.
No people.
Only storm.
Only water.
Thunder rolled above, shaking the sky again and again.
After a long walk, he reached the graveyard.
The gate stood open slightly, creaking under the wind.
Creeeek… Creeeek…
Kaito entered.
It was past midnight.
3 a.m.
The graveyard was empty.
Not a single person.
Only rows of graves and broken stone paths disappearing into darkness. Rainwater ran down the gravestones like tears. The names carved into them looked blurred under the wet surface.
The air here was colder.
The wind moved differently, slipping between the graves like invisible hands.
Somewhere far inside, a dog howled.
"Awoooo…!"
The sound was long and sharp, echoing through the graveyard.
Then it stopped.
Silence returned, heavy and uncomfortable.
Kaito kept walking.
His feet splashed through muddy water on the stone path. The rain filled every gap in the ground, making the graveyard smell like wet soil and old stone.
On his left and right, graves surrounded him.
Some were clean.
Some were broken.
Some had holes near them where the earth looked disturbed, like it had been dug recently.
But Kaito didn't look around.
He didn't react.
His face stayed blank.
His eyes stayed cold.
He walked deeper, toward the corner of the graveyard where the trees were thicker and the light from the city couldn't reach.
He found an empty spot.
No grave nearby.
Just wet grass and muddy ground.
Kaito stopped.
He put the bag down carefully.
Then he removed his shoes and placed them beside him, neatly, like he was entering a house.
Rain continued to pour over his head.
His socks sank into the mud.
He grabbed the shovel with both hands.
The blade pierced the ground.
SHK.
The soil was soft, almost too soft. It gave way easily because of the rain.
Kaito pulled the shovel up.
Mud came with it.
Heavy and wet.
He threw it aside.
Then he dug again.
And again.
His movements were awkward at first.
He had never used a shovel before.
The handle slipped slightly in his wet hands. His grip tightened. His shoulders moved stiffly, learning the motion by force.
The mud became thicker.
As he dugged deeper ,Rainwater poured into it instantly, turning it into a small dark pool .
Kaito stood over the hole for a long time.
The rain kept filling it.
Water rose again and again, turning the dug ground into a dark pool. The soil around the edges collapsed slightly, sliding down like it was melting.
Kaito stared at it without expression.
Then he lifted the shovel.
Instead of digging deeper, he began scooping the water out.
One shovel at a time.
The blade went into the hole, lifting heavy muddy water. He threw it to the side. The water splashed into the grass.
Again.
And again.
His arms moved slowly, steady, repeating the same motion like a ritual.
It took time.
The storm didn't stop.
Rain kept falling into the hole while he removed it, almost like the sky was fighting him.
But Kaito didn't give up.
After a while, the water level lowered.
Not completely empty, but enough.
Enough to bury something.
He wiped nothing from his face. He didn't even blink much. His hair hung over his eyes, dripping water constantly.
Then he reached for the bag.
The plastic was wet and heavy. Dark stains spread across it. He lifted it carefully and placed it beside the hole.
He sat down slowly in the mud, knees bending, clothes soaking deeper into the ground. The cold earth pressed into his legs.
Kaito stared at the bag.
His fingers tightened around the knot.
Then, slowly, he opened it.
The sound of the plastic tearing open was quiet, but sharp in the empty graveyard.
crk… crk…
He didn't rush.
He reached inside gently, as if he was afraid to hurt what was already gone.
His hand came out holding the first piece.
The belly.
Small.
Light.
Too light.
His fingers trembled slightly, but his face stayed cold.
He placed it into the hole carefully.
Then he reached in again.
The tail.
Still covered in dried fur.
He placed it down beside the first piece.
Then a leg.
Then another piece of the body.
One by one, he took them out slowly, laying them in the hole as if he was trying to rebuild Dora the best he could.
The rain washed over everything.
It made the blood disappear, but it couldn't wash away what it meant.
Kaito's breathing grew quieter.
His movements became even more careful.
Like he was afraid of the last part.
Then his fingers touched something inside the bag.
He paused.
For a moment, he didn't move.
The wind blew hard, shaking the trees. A distant thunder rolled like a deep growl across the sky.
Kaito slowly pulled his hand out.
In his palm—
was Dora's head.
The fur was wet now, darker from the rain. The small face looked frozen in its last moment. The eyes were wide, half-open, and the mouth was slightly parted.
The expression was not peaceful.
It looked scared.
Like she had been confused.
Like she had been calling for him.
Like she had been asking why.
Kaito stared at it.
The graveyard around him disappeared for a second.
Only Dora's face remained in his vision.
His hand tightened unconsciously.
His throat moved.
And something inside his chest cracked.
A small sound escaped him.
Not a scream.
Not a cry.
Just a weak breath.
His eyes burned.
Then tears began to fall.
Not many.
Just a few drops slipping down his cheeks.
But it was hard to tell.
His face still looked cold.
The rain covered everything, mixing with the tears so no one could see the difference.
Kaito's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to speak.
But no words came out.
His eyes looked empty again, like he was forcing himself to shut the feeling down.
And in a blink—
his expression hardened.
The tears stopped.
He lowered his hand.
Very gently, he placed Dora's head into the hole, on top of the other parts, like he was laying her down to sleep.
He stayed still for a moment.
Rain fell onto Dora's face.
Onto Kaito's hands.
Onto the mud.
Then Kaito picked up the shovel.
He began filling the hole.
Soil fell down in heavy wet clumps.
thud… thud… thud…
He covered the pieces slowly.
Not rushing.
Not shaking.
Each shovel of mud landed like a final sentence.
The hole disappeared little by little.
Soon, only wet soil remained.
A small mound of earth formed.
Kaito patted it down once with the shovel blade, pressing it gently so it wouldn't collapse.
Then he stopped.
He stood there in silence.
Rain poured over his shoulders.
Wind pushed against his body.
The graveyard was empty.
Only him.
Only the storm.
He remained there for a full minute, staring at the mound without blinking.
Then he turned.
He picked up the shovel.
His shoes.
And he walked away, disappearing into the rain, leaving the grave behind like it was the only proof Dora had ever existed.
The thunderstorm was still raging when Kaito left the graveyard.
Rain poured down like it wanted to drown the world. His clothes were heavy, soaked through, and mud stuck to his shoes. In his hands, he carried the shovel he had used.
He didn't look back.
He walked home in silence.
When he reached his house, he opened the gate and stepped inside. He placed the shovel carefully in the corner near the gate, letting it rest against the wall.
Then he went inside.
He took a shower.
Hot water ran down his body, washing away the dirt, the rain, and the smell of the graveyard. But nothing could wash away what he was feeling inside.
When he finished, he changed his clothes and walked into the kitchen.
The house was quiet.
Kaito opened the cabinet and pulled out the serum—the same one he had used on Dora.
The vial was still there.
He held it in his hand and stared at it.
For a few minutes, he didn't move.
The storm outside roared, thunder shaking the walls, but Kaito stayed calm. His face showed no fear.
Only emptiness.
Then he took the vial and walked to his bedroom.
The room was dim. The only light came from outside, flashing faintly whenever lightning struck.
Kaito sat on the edge of his bed.
Slowly, he prepared the syringe.
His movements were careful. Quiet. Like he had already decided everything.
Then he injected himself.
The needle went into his skin.
The serum entered his body.
He didn't scream.
He didn't panic.
He only breathed out, long and deep.
After it was done, he pulled the needle out and dropped it beside him.
Then he opened his arms wide, like he was letting something go.
He lay down on the bed.
A strange relief spread across his face.
He smiled.
And in a soft voice, he whispered,
"I'm free."
His eyes slowly closed.
The storm continued outside.
Kaito lay on the bed with his eyes closed.
At first, nothing happened.
He just breathed slowly, as if he was waiting for his body to calm down.
Then a mild headache started.
It wasn't sudden. More like pressure building behind his forehead. Kaito frowned slightly, but he didn't move.
He stayed quiet.
A few seconds passed.
The pressure grew stronger, spreading toward the back of his head. It felt heavy, like his skull was tightening.
His breathing became slower.
He clenched his jaw.
Still no sound.
Within a minute, the pain turned sharp. It came in pulses, hitting harder each time. Kaito's fingers gripped the bedsheet.
His body tensed.
He opened his eyes halfway, staring at the ceiling, but his vision felt slightly blurred.
He blinked.
Once.
Twice.
The headache kept getting worse.
His throat tightened, like his body wanted to react, but he forced it down. He didn't scream. He didn't even groan.
He just stayed still, trying to endure it.
His heart started beating faster, and sweat formed near his temples even though the room was cold.
He swallowed hard.
His hands trembled slightly.
Then he closed his eyes again, forcing himself to stay calm.
Like he didn't want anyone to know.
Like he was trying to prove something.
In his mind, Dora's face flashed for a second.
The memory made his chest tighten.
He didn't cry.
He didn't speak.
He only let the pain hit him, quietly.
As if he deserved it.
And as the storm continued outside…
Kaito stayed on the bed, silent and motionless, while the serum began spreading deeper through his body.
Slowly.
Steadily.
And he fell unconscious.
The memory played for a few seconds.
Then the image started to shake.
The edges blurred, like the footage was breaking apart. The sound faded into a low ringing.
The picture became unclear.
Then darker.
Then completely blank.
Kaito's fingers twitched.
His hands moved slightly, and something tight pulled against his wrists.
Clink.
The sound of metal snapped him back into reality.
His eyes opened slowly.
At first, his vision was blurry. His head felt heavy, and his thoughts were slow, like he had been drugged.
He blinked again.
And again.
The blur started to clear.
He wasn't in his bedroom.
He was lying in a small room with tiled floors. Clean. Too clean.
Kaito tried to move his arms, but they pulled back.
That's when he realized it.
Handcuffs.
His wrists were restrained.
His breathing sharpened immediately.
He turned his head, scanning the room.
No windows.
Only one thick metal door.
Then his eyes lifted upward.
A camera was mounted in the corner.
And beside it, a microphone.
Kaito was confused his brain was still processing.
He turned his head to the left.
A girl was sitting there.
Her dress was messed up, and her wrists were cuffed just like his. There were small marks on her arms, like she had struggled earlier—like she had fought someone before being forced into this room.
She noticed him moving.
Her eyes locked onto him immediately.
Not friendly.
Not scared.
Her expression was calm, but sharp.
She gave him a short glance and spoke in a cold voice.
"So you finally woke up."
Kaito heard her clearly.
But his brain didn't respond.
His head was still pounding, and everything felt slow, like his mind was half asleep.
Kaito blinked again, then slowly started shaking his head, trying to clear the fog in his mind.
The pain still throbbed for a moment.
But within a few seconds…
it began to fade.
The heavy pressure in his skull dropped little by little, like something was pulling back. His breathing became steadier, and his vision sharpened.
Slowly his consciousness began to normal .
He sat up and looked around.
A small room.
He again scanned the room "Clean tiled floor. Gray walls. A metal gate in front of him like a jail cell. No windows. No visible exit besides the gate".
He looked at the camera and microphone again and stared at them for a second, then lowered his gaze again.
So they were watching.
His memory returned in pieces.
The sound of helicopter blades.
Hands grabbing him.
Being dragged away.
Then darkness.
His old Memories.
Cat dies.
Serum injecting.
He mumbles
"So… that was what i forgot."
He looked down at his hands.
"If that's true… then I didn't die after injecting the serum."
His fingers moved slightly, as if testing his own body. His muscles felt normal, but at the same time… heavier. Denser.
He remembered the arm-wrestling match.
How easily he had beaten everyone.
How unnatural it felt.
His eyes sharpened.
"That's why I won."
He clenched his fist once.
"No wonder it felt easy."
A short silence followed.
Then he looked toward the gate again.
"If I really gained superhuman strength i might be able to escape"
He remembered the four men who captured him.
Their speed.
Their strength.
They weren't normal either.
He tapped his finger against his knee, thinking.
"I might be able beat one in 1 on 1 fight…"
His gaze lowered again.
"But if two of them surround me or three, I'll be doomed ."
He stayed silent for a moment.
Then he nodded to himself.
"…Better to play safe."
He lifted his eyes to the camera for a second, then looked away.
"If i am not wrong they might not know yet that my body obtained the serums power."
His shoulders relaxed slightly.
"I'll wait."
He leaned back against the wall.
then he glance to the side.
A girl was sitting there, her knees pulled close, arms crossed. Her face looked irritated her eyes were sharp and impatient.
Kaito spoke calmly.
"Did they capture you too?"
The girl turned her head slowly and stared at him.
"Took you long enough to notice me."
Her voice was annoyed, rough around the edges.
"Yes," she continued, "they captured me."
She looked away with a small scoff.
"For my ability."
Then her eyes returned to him.
"And I'm guessing they also captured you for the same reason ."
He kept his back against the wall, eyes steady, voice careful.
"Ability?" he asked. "What kind of ability?"
He studied her face while speaking, watching for any small change.
"Are you like them?" he continued. "your ability is it like Running fast… turning into light… something like that?"
The girl's lips curved slightly.
A smirk.
"No," she said. "Not that."
She raised her hand.
Her ring finger lifted slowly, deliberately, as if she wanted him to see every step.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—tiny drops of water appeared in the air around her finger.
They gathered silently, pulled together by an invisible force, forming a clear, smooth ball. The water floated just above her fingertip, trembling slightly but perfectly controlled.
Kaito's eyes widened just a little.
The ball hovered there, reflecting the dull light of the room.
"I can create water," she said calmly.
She lowered her hand.
The water ball collapsed instantly, vanishing as if it had never existed.
Kaito stared at her finger.
Not shocked.
Curious.
His gaze traced where the water had been, as if trying to understand the rules behind it.
In another part of the facility, far from the cell, a man sat in a security room.
The room was quiet, filled with the low hum of machines.
Rows of monitors covered the walls, each screen showing different CCTV footage—hallways, labs, holding cells.
Keyboards and a mouse sat on the desk in front of him.
His eyes were fixed on one screen.
Kaito's cell.
He leaned closer, studying Kaito's face.
He had been waiting for this.
As if someone had given him a clear order: inform us the moment he wakes up.
When he saw Kaito fully conscious, his hand moved without hesitation.
He picked up the landline phone.
The line clicked.
"He woke up," the man said.
There was a short pause.
Then a calm voice replied from the other side.
"Just keep an eye on him."
The call ended.
Kaito's shoulders loosened slightly.
He still stayed alert, but the tension in his eyes faded a little.
He looked at her and asked quietly, "So… how long have you been here?"
The girl answered without hesitation.
"Not long. Two days."
She glanced at him again, her expression calmer now.
"They brought you in after me," she said. "You were already passed out."
Kaito blinked.
"…How long was I unconscious?"
She gave a small smile.
"Almost a day and a half."
That made Kaito's face turn serious again.
He lowered his voice.
"Then you might know more than I do."
He paused, then asked, "Do you know why they captured us? What their motive is?"
The girl didn't answer right away.
Instead, her eyes glazed to the camera and came back to kaito as if she was giving him a sign
Kaito followed her gaze.
He didn't speak.
But he understood.