Morning sunlight streamed through the wooden windows.
Haruto stirred in his bed, stretching lazily before sitting up with a yawn.
"…Mother!" he called out, his voice still half-asleep.
"What's for breakfast?!"
From the kitchen—
"FIRST BRUSH YOUR DAMN TEETH, HARUTO!!"
Haruto flinched.
"…Okay…"
A few minutes later—
He sat at the table, freshly washed, staring eagerly at the food in front of him.
"Now this is what I missed," he said, picking up his chopsticks.
Hinata placed the last dish down and sat across from him.
"Eat properly," she said.
Haruto didn't need to be told twice.
He started eating immediately, just like he always used to.
For a while, the room was quiet—filled only with the sound of chopsticks and soft morning light.
Hinata watched him.
Her gaze softened.
For a moment, it was like nothing had changed… like he was still that little boy who used to sit in front of her every morning, eating without a care in the world.
"…Haruto," she said quietly.
He hummed in response, still eating.
"Don't go back."
Haruto's chopsticks stopped mid-air.
"…Stay here," she continued, her voice calm—but heavy.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
Haruto suddenly smiled.
"Of course. Fine."
Hinata's expression didn't change.
"Damn you, Haruto," she said flatly.
"I'm not joking."
Before he could respond—
"HARUTOOO!"
"COME ON, LET'S GO!"
Two voices shouted from outside.
Haruto's eyes lit up instantly.
He stood up so fast his chair nearly fell.
"You saved me," he muttered under his breath.
"WAIT THERE, HARUTO!" Hinata shouted.
But he was already rushing toward the door.
Outside, Takeshi waved excitedly while Shizuka stood beside him.
"Fishing today!" Takeshi grinned. "Don't be late!"
Shizuka raised a hand.
"Good morning, Hinata ma—"
Before she could finish—
Haruto grabbed both of them by their arms.
"RUN."
"Huh—?!"
"Wait—what—?!"
He didn't explain.
He just dragged them along as he sprinted down the road.
Behind them—
"HARUTOOOOO!!" Hinata's voice echoed through the village.
"YOU'RE DEAD WHEN YOU COME BACK!!"
Takeshi looked confused.
"What did you do this time?!"
Shizuka glanced back once, then sighed.
"…We shouldn't have come."
Haruto laughed nervously, still running.
"Too late now!"
And just like that—
The peaceful morning turned into chaos once again.
The three of them ran until the village noise faded behind them.
Only when they reached a quiet stretch of land did they finally slow down.
Takeshi bent forward, hands on his knees, catching his breath.
"Oi… what the hell was that?!" he complained. "Why were we running like idiots?"
Haruto straightened, scratching the back of his head with a careless grin.
"Ahh… it's nothing," he said casually. "So—where are we going today?"
Takeshi narrowed his eyes, clearly not convinced—but let it go.
"Fishing," he replied. "Same place as always."
Haruto's eyes softened slightly.
"…I see."
Without another word, the three of them headed toward the river—the same old place they had visited countless times as children.
The water flowed gently, reflecting the sky like a mirror.
They settled into their usual spots.
Fishing rods cast.
Silence.
Peace.
A few moments passed.
"Got one."
Haruto casually pulled up a fish.
Then another.
And another.
Takeshi stared at him.
"…Oi."
Haruto didn't even react.
Another fish.
Takeshi's eyebrow twitched.
"Oi."
Still nothing.
Another catch.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Takeshi exploded. "Why is your side full of fish?!"
Haruto blinked. "Huh?"
Takeshi pointed aggressively. "There's nothing on my side! This is rigged!"
Shizuka burst out laughing.
Takeshi snapped his head toward her. "What the hell are you laughing at?!"
Haruto sighed, already annoyed.
"Fine, fine… let's switch."
They swapped places.
Takeshi smirked confidently. "Now watch—"
Nothing.
…Nothing.
Still nothing.
Meanwhile—
"Got another one," Haruto said casually.
Takeshi froze.
"…You've gotta be kidding me."
Shizuka laughed even harder now, holding her stomach.
Takeshi pointed at Haruto like he'd discovered a criminal.
"You're cheating somehow. I don't know how—but you are!"
Haruto chuckled softly.
Then… his expression changed.
Just slightly.
"…Hey," he said.
Both of them looked at him.
"I'm leaving tonight."
Silence.
Takeshi blinked.
"…What?"
Shizuka's laughter stopped instantly.
"…Huh?"
Haruto kept his eyes on the water.
"I'm going back," he said simply.
Takeshi stood up abruptly.
"What the hell, man?! You just came back—and you're already leaving?!"
Shizuka said nothing.
She just stared at Haruto.
The walk back was quiet.
Too quiet.
As they neared the village, Shizuka suddenly spoke.
"…Haruto."
He glanced at her.
"Please… don't go."
Her voice was soft.
Fragile.
Haruto gave a small smile.
"I'll be back soon."
Takeshi scoffed.
"Yeah? 'Soon' like last time?" he said. "Three years, huh?"
Haruto let out an awkward laugh.
"…Heh."
By the time they reached the edge of the village—
The sky was beginning to glow.
Dawn.
Shizuka's eyes filled with tears.
Takeshi looked away, clicking his tongue.
"…So this is goodbye, huh," he muttered.
Haruto nodded slowly.
"…Seems like it."
He turned to Shizuka.
"Don't cry," he said gently. "I'll be back soon."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"…At least stay for your mother," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm really worried about Hinata-san…"
Haruto froze.
For a brief moment—
His expression changed.
But then—
"…It'll be fine," he said quietly.
He forced a small smile.
"Next time I come back… I'll stay longer."
Shizuka nodded weakly.
"…Okay…"
Takeshi crossed his arms, looking away.
"I'm not sad, idiot," he muttered.
A tear slipped down anyway.
They stood there for a moment longer.
Then—
"See you," Haruto said.
"…Yeah," Takeshi replied.
"…Bye," Shizuka whispered.
Haruto turned and walked away.
And this time—
They didn't follow.
As Takeshi and Shizuka walked back together, silence hung between them.
After a few steps, Takeshi spoke.
"…You should've told him."
Shizuka froze.
"W-What are you talking about?" she said quickly, her face turning red.
Takeshi smirked slightly.
"You know exactly what I mean."
Shizuka looked away, flustered.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about!"
Takeshi sighed.
"…Idiot."
But there was no teasing in his voice this time.
Only quiet understanding.
The house was quiet.
Slowly, carefully, he slid the door open—trying not to make a sound.
Step.
Step.
Just as he exhaled—
"Go wash yourself and come back."
Haruto froze.
Hinata's voice.
Calm. Clear.
"I made coffee."
Haruto stood there for a moment, stunned… before letting out a small breath.
"…Okay."
A few minutes later, he returned.
Hinata was already seated, two cups placed on the table.
Steam rose gently into the air.
Haruto sat down across from her.
For a while—
Neither spoke.
Then—
"You'll be going tomorrow, right?"
Her voice was serious.
Straight.
Haruto stiffened slightly.
He scratched the back of his head, forcing an awkward smile.
"About that—"
"I won't stop you."
His words died instantly.
He looked up.
Hinata wasn't looking at him.
Her hands were clenched slightly on her lap.
"If that's what makes you happy… then go."
Her voice trembled—just a little.
"But…"
She paused.
Then finally looked at him.
Her eyes were glistening.
"Take care of yourself."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
Haruto's chest tightened.
"…Mom…" he said quietly.
Hinata quickly wiped her face, forcing a small smile.
"Just don't run away without saying goodbye," she added.
Haruto lowered his gaze.
"…Hmm."
Hinata stood up slowly.
"Well then… I'll go to bed."
"You should rest too."
Haruto nodded gently.
"…Yeah."
Midnight.
The world slept.
Haruto stood in the dark, fully prepared.
His belongings packed.
His decision made.
Slowly… he turned.
His eyes fell on Hinata.
She was asleep.
Peaceful.
The same way she used to sleep when he was a child.
For a moment—
He just stood there.
Watching.
A soft smile formed on his face.
Warm.
Gentle.
"…Sorry," he whispered.
Then—
He turned away.
Step by step—
He walked out of the house.
Out of the village.
Without looking back.
The scene shifted.
Morning light filtered through dense trees, the sound of rushing water echoing through the quiet forest.
At the center of it—
A waterfall.
And beneath it stood Kurayami.
Water crashed down on his shoulders relentlessly, soaking his clothes, his hair clinging to his face—but he didn't move.
Eyes closed.
Breathing steady.
Meditating.
Minutes passed.
Then—
His eyes opened.
Sharp.
Cold.
In a single motion, he stepped out from beneath the waterfall.
Water dripped from his body as he picked up his sword.
Without hesitation—
He swung.
A clean, precise strike.
Then another.
Faster.
Sharper.
Each movement cut through the air with deadly intent.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Only discipline.
Time passed.
Swordsmanship turned into physical training.
Push-ups.
Strikes.
Footwork.
Then—
Sprinting.
Kurayami dashed across the forest path, his speed slicing through the wind, feet barely touching the ground.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Until—
He stopped.
Not out of exhaustion—
But because he was done.
Silence returned.
Only the sound of water remained.
As Kurayami began walking back—
"Captain Kurayami!"
A voice called out from behind.
A soldier came running toward him, slightly out of breath.
"The King wants to see you immediately."
Kurayami stopped.
His gaze shifted slightly.
"…Where?"
The soldier hesitated for a moment.
"…The underground prison."
Kurayami's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The underground prison?"
A pause.
"…I was forbidden by the King to go there."
The soldier shook his head quickly.
"I don't know about that. I was just ordered to bring you immediately."
Without waiting for a response—
The soldier turned and left.
Kurayami stood still for a moment.
Thinking.
Then—
He began walking.
Castle, Underground Prison
The atmosphere changed the moment he entered the lower levels of the castle.
Dark.
Cold.
Heavy.
The air itself felt suffocating.
Kurayami approached the guarded entrance.
The soldiers stationed there stiffened immediately.
"Captain Kurayami?" one of them said, confused. "Why are you here?"
"The King summoned me," Kurayami replied calmly.
The guards exchanged glances.
Confusion flickered across their faces.
But—
Looking at Kurayami's cold, unreadable expression—
"…If the King ordered it," one of them muttered, stepping aside.
"You may pass."
The gates creaked open.
Kurayami stepped inside.
Darkness.
Chains.
Faint echoes.
And then—
A voice.
Rough.
Desperate.
Unstable.
"Hey—HEY!"
The voice echoed through the prison walls.
"Bring my son to me!"
Metal rattled violently.
"Akiooo!!"
Kurayami stopped walking.
The voice grew louder.
Closer.
Crazed.
"You there!" the prisoner shouted. "Do you know a man named Kurayami?!"
A pause.
Then—
"Bring him to me…!"
Chains clanged as the figure struggled in the darkness.
"…He's my son."