Rain hadn't stopped.
It never really did in this city—at least, that's what it felt like to Kuroshin Rei. The streets shimmered under neon reflections, and the air carried that same strange heaviness from before.
But now, he wasn't alone.
"…Stop following me," Rei said calmly, walking ahead without turning back.
Behind him, footsteps splashed lightly through puddles.
"I'm not following you," the girl replied. "I'm walking in the same direction."
Rei stopped.
She almost bumped into him.
Silence.
Then he turned slightly, his dark eyes meeting hers.
"…You've been 'walking in the same direction' for ten minutes."
The girl smiled, completely unfazed.
"Coincidences happen."
Rei stared at her for a second longer… then sighed softly and started walking again.
"…Do what you want."
Her smile widened as she matched his pace.
"Good. That makes things easier."
They walked in silence for a while.
Cars passed. Lights flickered. The city kept moving like nothing had happened in that alley.
But Rei knew better.
And so did she.
"You handled that shadow pretty easily," she said, breaking the silence. "First time?"
Rei didn't answer immediately.
"…No."
"Hmm," she hummed, clearly interested. "So you've seen them before."
"…Since I was a kid."
Her expression changed slightly—not pity, but understanding.
"Then you already know," she said quietly. "Those things aren't normal shadows."
"I know."
"They're called Yokai," she continued. "Spirits. Curses. Things that exist between worlds."
Rei's gaze stayed forward.
"…Names don't matter."
"They do," she replied. "Because once you name something… it becomes real."
A pause.
Rei didn't argue.
They reached a quieter street. The noise of the city faded, replaced by the distant hum of power lines and the soft rhythm of rain.
The girl suddenly stopped walking.
Rei took a few more steps before noticing.
"…What now?" he asked without turning.
"You're interesting," she said.
He looked back.
She stood under her umbrella, staring at him—not like others did. Not with confusion or indifference.
But like she had finally found something she was searching for.
"Most people who see Yokai either run… or die," she continued. "You did neither."
"…I told you," Rei said. "It's not new to me."
"No," she shook her head. "It's more than that."
She stepped closer.
"You didn't just see it… you controlled it."
The word hung in the air.
Controlled.
Rei's expression hardened slightly.
"…You're wrong."
"Am I?"
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Rain fell between them, steady and quiet.
Then—
The streetlight above them flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Darkness.
The entire street went black.
Rei's eyes sharpened instantly.
"…Move," he said.
But it was already too late.
A low, distorted sound echoed through the street—like something dragging itself across the ground.
From the darkness ahead… shapes began to form.
Not one.
Not two.
But many.
Shadows peeled off walls, crawled out from under cars, stretched unnaturally across the wet road.
Glowing eyes opened one by one.
Watching.
Hungry.
The girl didn't flinch.
"…Looks like you attracted attention," she said, her voice calm.
Rei clicked his tongue softly.
"…This is why I avoid people."
The shadows began to close in.
Slowly.
Surrounding them.
One stepped forward—larger than the others, its form unstable, constantly shifting.
"…Void…" it whispered.
Rei froze for a fraction of a second.
It knew.
Before he could react—
The girl moved.
She dropped her umbrella.
Clap.
Her hands came together sharply.
A faint glow burst from the charm on her wrist.
"Seal—First Binding."
In an instant, paper talismans shot out like blades, sticking to the ground around them.
A barrier of light formed, pushing the shadows back.
They screeched, recoiling from it.
Rei watched silently.
"…So," she said, glancing at him with a small smile, "now you believe me?"
Rei didn't respond.
His eyes were fixed on the largest shadow.
It was still there.
Still watching him.
Unaffected.
"…Tch."
The barrier flickered slightly.
The girl's expression changed.
"…That's not good."
"What?" Rei asked.
"That one…" she said quietly, "…isn't normal."
The large shadow tilted its head unnaturally.
Then—
It stepped forward.
Through the barrier.
Like it didn't exist.
The girl's eyes widened.
"…Impossible."
The creature's voice echoed, deeper this time.
"Found… you…"
Rei's heart beat once.
Slow.
Heavy.
Then—
The shadows beneath his feet began to move.
Rising.
Twisting.
Responding.
For the first time, his voice carried a faint edge.
"…Get behind me."
The girl blinked.
"…What?"
"I said," Rei repeated, his gaze locked onto the creature, "get behind me."
Something about his tone made her hesitate.
Then slowly…
She stepped back.
The rain grew heavier.
The air darker.
Rei took a step forward.
And the shadows followed.
Because this time—
He wasn't holding back.
And whatever stood before him…
Had just crossed the line.
The night deepened.
And the real battle…
Was about to begin.