The classroom had returned to normal, but Airi's feelings did not calm down. After Priscilla disappeared, she could still sense traces of magic lingering in the air—thin, but unmistakable.
The lesson ended earlier that day. Students left the classroom one by one. Airi held Hikari back for a moment.
"We need to talk," she said quietly.
They stood near the classroom window, now empty and silent. Airi took a long breath.
"I don't want to hide this anymore," she said. "That witch isn't someone we can take lightly."
Hikari looked at her.
"Do you know what she is?"
"I know her type," Airi replied. "A manipulative witch. They don't attack directly. They pressure the mind, provoke choices, and twist them."
She closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, her aura felt different. It wasn't explosive or flashy, but deeper than before.
"I've been holding back my power all this time," Airi admitted. "Because I wanted a normal life. But if it's about you… I won't hold back anymore."
Hikari was surprised.
"So all this time, you—"
"Yes," Airi cut in. "I'm stronger than you think."
At that moment, the air in the room grew heavy again.
A calm, piercing voice echoed.
"How beautiful."
A shadow appeared in front of the classroom. This time, Priscilla was clearer. She was not hiding anymore.
"So you've finally revealed yourself, Airi Mikami," she said with a faint smile.
Airi stood in front of Hikari.
"Leave. Don't involve Hikari."
Priscilla shook her head slowly.
"I didn't come for you. I came for him."
Her gaze shifted to Hikari.
"You have a choice," Priscilla said gently. "Continue resisting the current, or accept the connection that already exists."
"What connection?" Hikari asked firmly.
"The one tied to power that stands outside all rules," she answered.
"Slenderman is only one end of it."
Hikari clenched his fists.
"What if I refuse?"
Priscilla smiled wider.
"Then you will keep fighting alone. Protecting everyone… while slowly losing yourself."
Airi looked at Hikari worriedly.
"Don't listen to her."
Hikari fell silent. His chest felt tight. Priscilla's words weren't a threat—they were a cruel choice.
"I won't side with you," Hikari finally said. "And I won't let that power control me."
Priscilla paused for a moment, then gave a small laugh.
"An interesting answer."
Her shadow began to fade.
"Very well. Let's see how long your conviction lasts."
And then she disappeared completely.
The classroom fell silent again.
Airi placed a hand on Hikari's shoulder.
"Whatever happens, remember this—you are not alone."
Hikari nodded slowly.
"I know. And this time… I'll learn to control everything."
Outside, the sky looked completely normal.
But for Hikari, the direction of his future had clearly changed.
---
That evening, Hikari and Airi left the school area together. The street was quiet, only the sound of their footsteps echoing.
Airi looked uneasy.
"Hikari," she finally said.
"Yes?"
She stopped walking and looked at him.
"I'm starting to worry about you. Too many strange beings are getting close to you."
Hikari smiled faintly.
"You don't need to worry. I'm fine."
Airi shook her head.
"That's not what I mean. I don't want you to be alone."
She took a breath.
"Do you want to live with me?"
Hikari paused.
"With you?"
"Yes," Airi replied. "I'll feel better if you're close to me."
After a moment of thought, Hikari nodded.
"Okay… if you don't mind."
Airi smiled warmly.
"What kind of mother would mind living with her own child?"
They continued walking toward her house.
---
When they arrived, Airi led him inside.
"Wait here," she said. "I'll talk to my family first."
She called out.
"Dad, Mom, Chika."
Soon, they all gathered.
"What is it?" her father asked.
Airi stood straight.
"I want permission."
"Permission for what?" he asked.
She pointed at Hikari.
"Can he live here?"
Chika raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Her mother added,
"What about his parents?"
Airi answered firmly.
"He is my child… from the future."
The room went completely silent.
Her father and mother stared at her in disbelief. Chika suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha, you're joking, right?"
But then Chika stopped.
"Wait… I remember him. His name and surname are the same as ours."
Her father turned to Hikari.
"Is that true?"
He stepped closer.
"What's your name?"
Hikari swallowed.
"Hikari Mikami."
Her mother looked shocked.
"That's your real name?"
Chika crossed her arms.
"Maybe he's lying."
Airi shook her head.
"No. It's true."
She turned to Hikari.
"Can you show your family registry?"
Hikari hesitated, then nodded.
"Okay."
He took out a document from his bag and handed it to Airi. She passed it to her parents.
Her father read carefully.
"The mother's name… Airi Mikami."
Her mother leaned in.
"And the birth year… 2029?"
Airi looked at them.
"I told you. He's my child from the future."
Her father turned back to Hikari.
"Then why did you come back to this time?"
Hikari paused, then spoke quietly.
"Because… in the future, my mother died in front of my eyes when I was still a child."
The room froze.
"What?" her father's voice trembled.
"Airi… died?"
"Who killed her?" her mother asked softly.
Hikari clenched his fists.
"Not a human."
"He was tall."
"He had no face."
"He is Slenderman."
Chika swallowed hard.
"Slenderman…?"
Hikari nodded.
"He came because of me. But my mother stood in front of me."
"I came back to this time," he said,
"because I want to change that future."
Silence filled the room again.
Airi stepped forward and hugged him.
"This time… I won't die."
Hikari nodded.
"Yeah…"
After a moment, Airi asked,
"So… what now? Do you allow him to stay?"
Hikari quickly added,
"If it's not okay, it's fine."
His father sighed.
"Alright. I agree."
Airi smiled brightly.
"Yes!"
His mother then asked,
"Where were you living before this?"
Airi answered,
"He was living alone."
Everyone looked at Hikari.
Hikari scratched his cheek.
"Well… when I came back, my house came with me."
His mother frowned.
"Whose house?"
"My house from the future," Hikari replied honestly. "The house I lived in with my mother and father."
Airi looked surprised.
"Really?"
Hikari nodded.
"Yes."
His father thought for a moment.
"Then why do you want to live here?"
Hikari hesitated.
"Well…"
Airi quickly said,
"I'm worried about him living alone."
His mother nodded.
"Then why don't you live with him too?"
Airi froze.
"Are you kicking me out?"
His mother shook her head.
"No. I just think—if Hikari stays here, what about that house?"
Hikari thought for a moment.
"Yeah… that makes sense."
Airi suddenly had an idea.
"How about we alternate? One day here, one day at Hikari's house."
"Alternate?" her mother asked.
Airi nodded.
"Yes."
After a moment of thinking,
"Alright," her mother agreed.
Her father looked at Airi.
"Are you sure?"
Airi smiled confidently.
"Yes."
"Alright then."
Hikari lowered his head slightly.
"Thank you…"
---
That night, the house was quiet.
Soft light filled the living room. Hikari sat on the sofa, staring at the floor with his knees pulled close.
Airi came out of the kitchen holding a glass of water.
"Hikari," she called softly.
"Yes, Mom?"
She handed him the glass.
"Drink this."
"Thanks."
She sat beside him. For a while, neither of them spoke.
"Hikari…" Airi finally said.
"What you told my parents earlier… about the future."
Hikari nodded.
"Sorry… I made things heavy."
"No," Airi replied.
"I just… I'm not used to hearing it yet."
Hikari lowered his gaze.
"In the future, you always protected me… until the very end."
Airi took a deep breath.
"Why do you still call me 'Mom'… when I haven't done anything for you yet?"
"Because to me," Hikari said softly,
"you are still my mother."
Airi stayed silent, then smiled faintly.
"You're too mature for your age."
"Maybe I grew up too fast," he replied.
Airi turned toward him.
"Hikari… are you scared?"
He nodded.
"I'm afraid of repeating everything. Afraid of losing you again."
Airi gently patted his hand.
"This time, you're not alone."
Hikari looked at her.
"But that creature… Slenderman—"
"Whatever comes," Airi said firmly,
"we'll face it together."
Hikari gave a small smile.
"Mom… if I ever change…"
"As long as you're still Hikari," she interrupted,
"I'll stay by your side."
His eyes trembled slightly.
"Thank you…"
Airi stood up.
"It's late. Go to sleep."
"Mom…"
She turned.
"Yes?"
"Good night."
Airi smiled warmly.
"Good night, Hikari."
The lights in the living room turned off.
Hikari lay down on the sofa, slowly closing his eyes—for the first time, he felt like he had finally come home.