[Awakening – Part 1]
Activities at school continued throughout the afternoon. After finishing the setup of the science booth, Ushio and Li ended up taking different paths. The older brother needed to go home before returning later with their parents and Shizuka. Li, meanwhile, stayed a little longer to help his classmates with the final preparations.
It was a common scene that day. Many students did the same—going home to get ready, grab something, or simply rest before returning to school for the evening's cultural festival. Li, honestly, would have preferred to stay at home. A random movie, maybe a few online games, anything quiet. But Takeda and Himiko had insisted so much that he appear that he eventually gave in. Even Shoto, in his discreet way, had reinforced the invitation.
In the end, he couldn't say no.
Around four in the afternoon, Li was on his way home. On the way, he passed by Mrs. Tanaka's small bakery. He bought a simple cake, something he knew Shizuka would enjoy. Mrs. Tanaka, always kind, added three more small boxes into the bag.
"One for your father, another for your mother… and one for Shizuka-chan," she said with a warm smile.
Li thanked her, a bit awkwardly, and continued on his way.
The clock in the living room read 5:32 PM as the Tosaka house began to stir. The smell of freshly brewed tea mingled with the sweet aroma of the breads Mrs. Tosaka had bought in the morning, now accompanied by the cakes sent by Mrs. Tanaka.
The late afternoon light streamed through the windows, bathing the table in soft golden tones. Shizuka ran through the living room as if powered by endless energy. Her light blue dress spun with her whenever she twirled on the carpet.
"Will the festival have fireworks? Will it have fireworks?" she asked for the third time, clutching her doll to her chest.
Her mother laughed while arranging her bag.
"Maybe later, little one. It depends on the school's schedule."
"I want to see everything!" Shizuka declared with an impressive seriousness for a seven-year-old.
Leaning near the door, Ushio watched the scene with a small smile while adjusting his glasses.
"If you keep spinning like that, you'll arrive at the festival already dizzy."
"I won't!"
She spun once more. Almost fell. She quickly leaned on the table to regain balance.
"See?" Ushio commented.
Shizuka crossed her arms, indignant.
"It was just… strategy."
Her father, sitting on the sofa while putting on his shoes, let out a small laugh.
"Strategy?"
"Yes!"
She pointed to the door with conviction.
"We have to arrive early to get good seats!"
Mr. Tosaka raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, so that's it."
"Of course!" Shizuka replied proudly. "Ushio-nii-san said there will be stage performances."
Ushio nodded in agreement.
"Some classes prepared plays, music, demonstrations… It'll fill up quickly."
Her mother placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"That's why we're going first."
Shizuka beamed.
"Perfect!"
At that moment, Li appeared at the top of the stairs. He was already dressed to go out later but still held his phone while finishing reading something on the screen.
"Already leaving?" he asked.
Shizuka immediately ran to the stairs.
"Li-nii-san! Are you going to take long?"
"A little," he replied. "I'll go after."
She made a dramatic pout.
"But I wanted to see the performances with you…"
Li stepped down a few stairs and ruffled her hair.
"I'll watch. Just won't arrive at the exact same time."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
She seemed satisfied. Mrs. Tosaka grabbed the car keys.
"Li, don't forget to lock the house when you leave."
"Don't worry."
Her father grabbed his coat.
"The school must be crowded today."
"A lot of people from the neighborhood usually go," commented Ushio.
Then he looked at Li with a small smile.
"And don't abandon the science booth when you get there."
Li raised his hands.
"Hey, I'll help."
"I'll hold you to that."
Shizuka was already at the door.
"Let's go!"
She opened the door enthusiastically. The cool early evening air entered the house. The family left. Her mother guided Shizuka to the car. Her father followed right behind. Ushio was the last to leave. Before closing the door, he looked at Li.
"See you there."
"Yes."
The door closed. A few seconds later, the car engine started. Li stood in the hallway. The sound of the vehicle slowly faded… turned the corner… and disappeared. Silence returned; the house felt bigger now. Emptier. Li sighed and went back upstairs to his room. As he adjusted his hair in front of the mirror, the memory returned. The strange reflection in the bathroom. The headache. The uncomfortable feeling of being watched.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
"I really need to sleep better…"
The clock read 6:03 PM. He buttoned the last button on his shirt and looked at the desk clock. The festival had probably already started. He grabbed his phone. As he began descending the stairs, he paused mid-step.
A sound. Low. Dry. Like something being placed on wood. He frowned. His parents had gone. Shizuka too. Ushio was with them. The house should be empty. But then he heard another sound. Clearer now. The creak of a drawer being opened.
Li froze. His heart began to race. He took a silent step back. Climbed back up the step.
Slowly, almost holding his breath, he returned to the upstairs hallway. Entered the room and closed the door carefully. He pulled aside the curtain from the window. The street looked normal. But then he heard low voices coming from downstairs.
"Check the office."
"Nothing in the room."
"The kitchen is clean."
Li's blood ran cold. These weren't ordinary burglars. They spoke calmly. Footsteps echoed through the house. People who knew exactly what they were looking for. Several. Four… maybe five people. His gaze swept the room quickly. The window. The tree near the wall. The bicycle near the garage. If he could reach it…
He slowly opened the window, the cold air entered the room. Carefully, he put one leg outside and leaned on the small ledge, then jumped. He landed in the garden with a muffled thud and stayed still for a second. The voices continued inside the house; they hadn't noticed yet.
Li ran. Circled around the side of the house and reached the bicycle. He quickly got on and started pedaling. At first slowly. Then faster and faster. When he reached the corner, he looked back. At that exact moment, the front door of the house opened, and a figure dressed in black emerged. And looked directly at the street. At that second, Li pedaled with all his might. The wind cut across his face.
"What the hell… is happening…?"
At the Tosaka house, one of the men touched the communicator at his ear.
"The target has left the residence. Northbound."
Another agent was already running along the sidewalk.
"Intercept."
On the roof of the neighboring house, a blonde silhouette watched everything. The mysterious woman slowly lowered her dark sunglasses. Her eyes followed the bicycle moving away down the street.
"So you really are the emitter…"
She jumped from the roof. The chase had begun.
The bicycle wheels spun rapidly over the asphalt still wet from the previous night's rain. The chain creaked under the effort. Li didn't know where he was going. He only knew he had to get away. He looked back. The street seemed empty. And that was too strange. Even in quiet neighborhoods, there was always someone walking, talking at the gate, taking out the trash.
Now… nothing.
"Help!" he shouted. "Is anyone there?!"
No answer.
Then he saw them. Two men in black running down the street. Too fast. Their strides were long and silent. The distance closed quickly.
"No… it can't be…"
In the corner of his vision, something moved. On the rooftops, two more men appeared, jumping between houses. Jumps too high. Impossible.
"How…?!"
When he looked forward again, a shadow fell onto the street. A man landed on the asphalt, blocking the way.
"Ah!"
Li pulled the handlebars and the bicycle swerved. The wheel slipped, and he lost balance. The bicycle crashed into stacked trash bags on the sidewalk, and Li was thrown along with it.
"Ugh!"
The impact knocked the air out of his lungs. When he lifted his head, they were there. One in front. Two behind. Two on the rooftops. He was surrounded. The man in front walked slowly toward him.
"Stay away…!"
Li's voice trembled. The man stopped.
"Shouting won't help. No one will hear you."
Li looked around. Now he realized. No sound. None. Not even televisions. Not even conversations. It was as if the world had been turned off.
"You need to come with us," said the man. "No resistance."
Li tried to get up.
"I… I won't…"
Then the pain returned. Violent and explosive now.
"AAH!"
It was as if something tore through his mind from the inside; he couldn't bear it and fell to his knees.
"AAAAH!"
Images began to appear. Light. Flames. Darkness. Metal. Distant screams. It was like a whirlwind of information entering his mind all at once.
"Hold him!" someone ordered.
Two agents advanced. Then… A sound ripped through the air. A roar, deep. Ancient. So powerful it made the air itself vibrate. Everyone stopped. The roar echoed again. Closer and stronger. An invisible wave swept down the street. Everyone looked forward, toward a small corner bakery. The lights were still on. But something pulsed inside. Something ancient and dangerous. The leader of the agents stepped forward. His gaze narrowed.
"It can't be…"
That sound. That presence. It was unmistakable.
That was the roar of a…