After days hidden beneath a thick curtain of heavy, brooding clouds, the sky finally broke open. The somber gray bled into hues of soft blue, like a bruised heart slowly healing. Sunlight poured down—warm, golden, and pure—casting long-forgotten shadows on the earth. The air felt lighter, as if the world itself had just let out a deep, cathartic sigh. Trees swayed gently with life, birds returned to the sky in lazy spirals, and the world basked in the quiet, soul-soothing joy of a clear day.
Inside the classroom, Asuka sat by the window, her chin resting on her palm. Her gaze was fixed outside, distant and unfocused, lost somewhere between the dancing leaves and the burning questions inside her. Her heart felt heavy, but not because of sadness—more like a quiet ache of something unresolved. Manjiro, now seated at the opposite corner of the class due to the recent seating changes, occasionally glanced her way, but said nothing. The distance between them felt more than just physical today.
The teacher's voice cut through the silence.
"Miss Asuka, may you please continue reading from where I left off?"
Asuka blinked, suddenly pulled back into reality. She scrambled to find the page, her seatmate leaned in and discreetly pointed it out. She mouthed a quick "thank you" and stood, her voice steady despite the whirlwind in her head.
"Miss Asuka, please see me after class," the teacher added, eyes narrowed with an unreadable expression.
Asuka felt her stomach tighten. I'm definitely going to regret spacing out like that, she thought.
The bell rang, a shrill announcement of freedom for most students. Laughter and footsteps filled the corridors as everyone rushed out, but Asuka stayed behind, collecting her books in silence. She sighed softly, steeling herself for the conversation to come.
She made her way to the staffroom and knocked. "Can I come in, Sensei?"
"Yes, please, Miss Asuka. Come in."
The teacher gestured for her to sit. "Do you know why I called you here?"
"Yes, Sensei… I wasn't paying attention in class. I'm sorry about that," Asuka replied, voice low with guilt.
"That's part of it. But there's something else." The teacher handed her a folded sheet. "Your test paper. You've scored well, as always. But tomorrow, I'd like you to bring your parents. There's something important we need to discuss."
Asuka's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. She nodded, thanked the teacher, and left.
It's already getting late. I need to hurry, she thought.
Asuka walked briskly through the streets, the golden hour painting everything in a warm glow. When she reached home, she was met with silence. No sign of her brother Keisuke or their mother—probably out shopping.
She slipped out of her school clothes, took a refreshing bath to soothe her mind, and changed into comfortable clothes. The day had been long and her thoughts were scattered. She fixed herself a quick snack, but her mind kept wandering—to the conversation with the teacher, to the odd dream she'd had last night, to a strange sense of urgency she couldn't shake.
She glanced at the clock. Still some time before I need to head out.
Her eyelids began to droop. Maybe just a few minutes of rest, she thought as she lay down.
She didn't realize when her few minutes turned into hours.
When she awoke with a start, the room was bathed in the soft pinks of the setting sun. Her eyes darted to the clock—5:43 PM. Her heart dropped.
"No. No. Not now," she muttered, panic seeping into her voice. "Please not today. Please not today."
Without wasting another second, she dashed out of the house, heart pounding against her ribs. Her legs carried her faster than her thoughts could keep up.
As she neared Inupi's house, she spotted Kokonoi standing outside, nervously waving at someone. Asuka's eyes widened. Her gut twisted. I'm not too late. I can still stop this.
"Akane-san!" she screamed, her voice echoing across the street.
Akane, who was just about to open the door to the house, froze mid-step. She turned, confusion etched on her face as Asuka ran toward her, out of breath and panic-stricken.
"Asuka? What's—"
"Don't go inside!" Asuka pleaded, grabbing her wrist. "Please. Just trust me."
Kokonoi stepped in, concern replacing his usual composure. "Asuka, what's going on?"
The house—It's not safe," she said, breathless. "Please keep Akane away."
Kokonoi nodded, gently pulling Akane behind him.
"I'm going inside. Inupi's still in there." Asuka said.
Before they could stop her, Asuka threw open the door—and the strong, suffocating scent of gas hit her like a wall. Her eyes watered instantly, her lungs tightening with each breath.
Why did i fell asleep dammit why its soo stupid of me … The thought burned hotter than the fumes.
She left the door open for ventilation and carefully made her way inside, calling out softly, "Inupi?"
No response. The silence inside the house was eerie, heavy with tension and the threat of imminent disaster.
She searched the first room. Empty.
The second. Empty.
Finally, she pushed open the third door—and there he was.
Inui Seishu, sleeping like nothing in the world could touch him.
Why is he sleeping so deeply?!
She rushed to his side, shaking him gently at first.
"Inupi, get up. Please, we have to leave."
No response.
Her heart pounded. "Damn it, Inupi! Wake up!"
Still nothing.
Desperation clawed at her.
Without thinking, she slapped him—hard.
His eyes flew open, startled and groggy. "What the hell—Asuka?"
"No time to explain. We have to go. Now."
He blinked. "But—"
"Move your ass fucker!" she snapped, grabbing his arm.
As they reached the hallway, a deafening BOOM erupted behind them. The kitchen had exploded, flames licking at the walls, hungry and fast.
"Run, Inupi! Run!"
The house was engulfed in chaos now. Smoke blurred their vision, the heat was unbearable, and every second felt like a lifetime. They reached the front door—but it was jammed, sealed shut by the pressure inside.
Inupi's face went pale. "Asuka… Are we going to die?"
She stood frozen, the question echoing in her mind like a death knell. Her breath hitched, and for a terrifying moment, her mind collapsed into a vortex of panic.
Fuck you inupi Asuka said.
She thought Why the hell am I here? Akane wasn't even that important. I should've just stayed home. I'm not even supposed to be part of all this...
Tears stung her eyes. Her fists clenched. Her voice cracked.
"This is all your fault," she hissed at Inupi. "No—it's my fault. For coming in. For getting involved. We're going to die because of my damn choices."
Inupi looked shattered, guilt flooding his face. He began to cry, covering his mouth, helpless.
Her words pierced through the air like knives—but seeing him cry pulled her back. The haze lifted just enough for her to see what she had done.
"I… I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean it."
Suddenly, a loud crash—a window breaking. A voice echoed from beyond the fire.
"Inupi!!"
It was Kokonoi.
"Koko!" Inupi shouted back, voice cracking with hope.
A second wind surged through them.
Asuka pushed herself up, her lungs burning, her head dizzy.
"Let's go, Inupi."
They stumbled toward the sound, flames crawling along the walls like serpents. In the next room, Kokonoi appeared—his face covered, his body wrapped in a thick blanket.
He reached for them, but the flames were closing in.
"There's no way out," Inupi choked out, tears streaming down his soot-covered face.
"No. There has to be," Asuka said, though her knees buckled and her body screamed for rest.
She took one step—
—and her vision dimmed.
The heat was too much. Her legs gave out. Her ears filled with static, like a dull ocean roar. She felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, a weight dragging her down.
Not now... please... not now...
Then—darkness.