"Hey kid, what are you doing in this dangerous forest? This place isn't somewhere a child should be wandering around. There are many Yomurei lurking tonight."

  The voice came from behind me - deep, calm, yet filled with authority.

  My hands trembled as I turned, still holding the bloodstained axe that had saved my life moments ago. The man who spoke stood tall, his black coat fluttering lightly with the night breeze. His presence alone radiated something... powerful. Reassuring, yet frightening at the same time.

  "I'm surprised," he continued, stepping closer, his boots pressing softly against the dirt and fallen leaves. "You managed to kill one... with that axe."

  His eyes, sharp but kind, scanned the ground where the creature's body was fading away into black mist. The Yomurei's remains dissolved slowly, leaving behind a faint blue spark that flickered and vanished.

  "What... is this...?" I whispered, my voice barely leaving my lips.

  And then... I remembered.

  My father's voice echoed faintly in the back of my mind - a memory that suddenly felt heavier than ever.

  "I know... no, I am sure... you will grow into a strong man. Not just a man... a strong Yomu Executioner."

  My heart skipped a beat. Is this... what he meant by Yomu Executioner?

  That word - something I never understood - now echoed in my mind like a puzzle finally starting to take shape.

  This guy... he's one of them, isn't he?

  The man knelt in front of me, lowering himself to my level. His hand reached out gently, tapping my shoulder. "Looks like you've been through a lot, kid. It's okay now... I'm here. I saved you - there's nothing to fear anymore."

  His hand was warm, the kind of warmth that contrasted the cold blood on my fingers. I stared at him - unable to form words, unable to process everything that just happened.

  "I-wha-why-" I stammered, but the words tangled in my throat.

  "It's okay," he said softly, standing up again. "Don't talk for now."

  He turned his gaze toward the forest path, then introduced himself with a calm smile. "My name is Kaito. Kaito Ranzaki. You can just call me Kaito."

  "Kai... to..." I murmured faintly, repeating the name as if to confirm it was real.

  Before I could say anything more, a voice cut through the forest.

  "Kaito?! Where are you?!"

  It was a woman - her voice strong, echoing between the trees.

  "Oh, right," Kaito sighed, chuckling lightly. "I forgot they were following me. Maybe I was too fast? I'm here!"

  Footsteps followed - hurried, crunching leaves and twigs. Two figures emerged from the darkness: a woman and a man, both panting heavily as they reached the clearing.

  The woman glared at Kaito. "You idiot! That's all you say when you always go ahead of us and take care of all the Yomurei! Now we don't have any job left!"

  Her tone was sharp, but not cruel - more like a friend's scolding. She had short brown hair tied up loosely and a white battle coat faintly marked with scratches.

  Kaito laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Now, now, Airi, don't get too mad. Just be grateful I finish our job fast. Besides, you get paid without even lifting a finger."

  "That's not the point!" Airi snapped. "I want to be strong - I want to fight Yomurei myself! Sitting around while you do everything won't make my Shin'en go up!"

  The other man chuckled quietly, adjusting his glasses as he flipped a page of a small notebook. "Well, that's the problem, Airi. You want to be strong, but Kaito makes it too easy for us. Personally, I don't mind letting him take the glory."

  "Daigo..." she muttered, glaring at him. "You're hopeless."

  As they argued, I stood still - silent, frozen, trying to take in what they were saying.

  Yomurei? Shin'en? Yomu Executioner?

  These words - they meant nothing to me, yet somehow everything around them screamed of something huge.

  "Hey, that kid..." Daigo said finally, noticing me. "Where did you find him?"

  "Him?" Kaito replied, turning slightly. "He was attacked by a Yomurei. I saved him. But the other one - the one lying on the ground over there... he killed it."

  Daigo's eyes widened behind his glasses. "He... killed it? But only weapons with Shin'en can kill Yomurei, right? Then... that weapon-"

  Airi leaned closer, curious. "No way. That axe doesn't have any Shin'en in it."

  "You're right," Kaito said, his tone serious now. "It didn't before the Yomurei attacked him. But he poured Shin'en from his body into the axe. And with that - he managed to kill it."

  Both Airi and Daigo fell silent, eyes widening in disbelief.

  "Wow..." Airi breathed out. "A kid his age can already do that? I only learned to channel Shin'en into a weapon when I was at the academy."

  Kaito looked back at me. "What's your name, kid?"

  "Ren... Kazenagi," I answered quietly, gripping my axe.

  "Ren, huh?" Kaito smiled. "Come with us. If you stay here, stronger Yomurei will find you - and next time, you won't be lucky enough to survive."

  I hesitated. His words were logical, but my heart refused. I stared at the dirt, my thoughts clouded.

  I don't want anyone to disturb my life. Yomurei, Yomu Executioner, strong ones - I don't care. I'll live here, where I belong.

  "I refuse."

  Kaito's smile faded slightly. "So that's your answer, huh?"

  "Yeah," I said quietly, but firmly. "You got a problem with that?"

  In an instant, before I could even blink, he was behind me. A soft thud echoed as his hand struck the back of my neck. Pain shot through my body, my vision blurred, and I collapsed to the ground.

  The last thing I heard was his voice, distant and calm.

  "I'm sorry, Ren... but you have to come with us."

  I woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling.

  It was white - brighter than anything I'd seen before. Smooth. Clean. The faint smell of polished wood mixed with something warm, like breakfast cooking somewhere nearby.

  For a moment, I didn't move. My body felt heavy, my neck sore where he had struck me. Slowly, I sat up and blinked against the light.

  Where am I...?

  The memories rushed back like a flood - the Yomurei's screech, its claws, the glowing red eyes, Kaito's hand striking me, his words: "You have to come with us."

  I turned my head slowly, taking in the room. It wasn't large, but it was organized - neat wooden floors, white curtains swaying softly from the morning breeze, and a simple table near the wall with papers, a steaming cup of tea, and a sword leaning beside it.

  Outside the window, sunlight filtered through a canopy of trees. The forest, but quieter now. Safe.

  "Oh, I see you're awake," a familiar voice called.

  I turned toward it.

  Kaito stood by the door, his expression calm, almost relieved. He wore a white and black uniform, clean and well-fitted - different from the dark coat he had worn last night. His silver badge gleamed faintly at his chest.

  My eyes moved past him and found the two others - Airi and Daigo.

  Airi was in the kitchen space, her hair tied up, humming softly while cooking. The smell of eggs and rice filled the air. Daigo sat at a low table, reading a thick book, his posture relaxed and glasses catching the light.

  Kaito smiled faintly. "Then I'll introduce myself again, properly this time. I'm Kaito Ranzaki. The woman who's cooking is Airi Enomoto, and the man who's reading over there is Daigo Takeda. Together, we're called Team Hiryu."

  Airi turned, waving slightly with a spatula in hand. "Hi there! Nice to meet you, sleepyhead."

  Daigo lifted his eyes from his book, offering a small nod. "Morning."

  They both smiled - warm, casual, like this was normal.

  But I couldn't forget what happened.

  I stared at them cautiously, my hands tightening around the bedsheet.

  "You..." I muttered, my voice low. "I said I refused to go with you. Why did you force me?"

  Kaito sighed softly, walking closer until he stood a few feet from me. "Ren, you learned to pour Shin'en into a weapon. That's something people only master after training in the academy. You have potential - the kind that can't be ignored."

  "Potential?" I frowned. "I don't even know what that means."

  Daigo didn't look up from his book, but spoke calmly. "It means he saw something in you. Something rare. You might even become stronger than him one day."

  I blinked. "Stronger... than him?"

  Kaito chuckled lightly, scratching his cheek. "Don't listen to him too much. He's exaggerating."

  I looked between them - confusion, frustration, and curiosity all swirling inside me.

  "I don't get it," I finally said. "I don't know anything. What even is a Yomurei? What's a Yomu Executioner? Why did one attack me?"

  The room fell quiet for a moment.

  Kaito's smile faded slightly. He exhaled, then sat on the edge of a chair across from me. "So, we have to explain from the start."

  Airi placed a plate on the table and leaned against the counter, listening quietly. Even Daigo closed his book, marking his page with a finger.

  "Listen well, kid," Kaito began, his tone shifting - serious, yet calm. "This world you live in isn't what it used to be. Yomurei aren't creatures of this earth. We don't know where they came from"

  "Don't know?" I asked.

  He nodded. "Yeah. They appeared without warning. The first ever Yomurei showed up about twenty years ago - in Japan. His name was Guraith. He was unlike anything we'd ever seen - unstoppable. The military tried everything: bullets, missiles, even heavy artillery. Nothing worked. He shrugged it all off like dust."

  Kaito's voice grew darker, quieter. "He summoned other Yomurei - from the sky, from the ground. Cities fell overnight. Japan was painted in blood. People thought humanity was done for."

  Airi's hand paused over the stove. Even Daigo's expression softened, remembering the story they'd all grown up hearing.

  "But then," Kaito continued, "an ordinary man stepped forward. His name was Akihiro Saiten. He wasn't a soldier, not a scientist, not even a trained fighter. Just... a man who couldn't stand watching the world fall apart."

  My eyes widened slightly.

  "No one believed he stood a chance," Kaito said. "But then - he unleashed something inside him. A power no one had ever seen before. He called it Shin'en. It was pure energy born from his soul. And with that power, he fought Guraith head-on."

  The air in the room felt heavier as Kaito spoke. His tone carried reverence - like someone telling a legend that still echoed through time.

  "The battle lasted for hours," he continued. "Cities collapsed, mountains shattered. Guraith was strong, but Saiten-san will was stronger. In the end, Saiten-san used every last drop of his Shin'en to create one final, destructive attack. It wiped out everything - Tokyo was left in ashes. When the smoke cleared, both were mortally wounded."

  Kaito looked down for a moment. "Guraith fell back into his domain... but the real season on how he managed to land a hit on Guraith was because of Ryo Shimizu. He sacrificed himself to let Saiten-san's attack reach Guraith."

  I could almost see it in my head - the smoke, the ruins, a lone figure collapsing while the world watched.

  "What happened after that?" I asked quietly.

  "After the battle," Kaito said, "the Yomurei vanished. The air changed - traces of Shin'en spread throughout the world. Fifty percent of the world's population started to feel... different. Stronger. Some could sense it. Some could control it. That's when people realized - Saiten-san's power had awakened something in all of us not just him but also Shimizu-san. Human shin'en is different from yomurei shin'en. We use our shin'en to protect and yomurei use shin'en to destroy. The people who don't have shin'en are called 'normal'."

  He continued, "After the battle, he built the Tenka Corps, an organization made to fight the remaining Yomurei and train new generations. Later, he founded Tenka Academy - where people with Shin'en learn how to become Yomu Executioner."

  Airi turned off the stove and carried the dishes to the table, listening while Kaito spoke.

  "But the war wasn't over," Kaito said quietly. "Guraith wasn't dead - just wounded. He returned to his realm, Kurayami no Enjin - the Abyss of Darkness - and created his own army. Ten powerful Yomurei generals, called Jūma. Each one strong enough to fight a Shinrei-rank Yomu Executioner."

  I swallowed hard. "Shinrei-rank...?"

  Kaito nodded. "There are eight ranks within the Tenka Corps. Rin, Ken, Shi, Jo, Ha, Sen, Mei, and Shinrei. Rin is the lowest, Shinrei is the highest - the kind of strength that can change the outcome of wars."

  He looked out the window for a moment, the morning sun reflecting on his eyes. "Across the world, there are around fifty Shinrei-rank Yomu Executioner. But in Japan... only five."

  "We can predict where the Yomurei will attack next by the use of Yomurei Detector. It is made of dead Yomurei's Shin'en and was added on a Shin'en called 'Seiryoku'. It can detect wether there is a Yomurei nearby."

  The silence that followed was heavy. I didn't know what to say. The story felt unreal - yet something inside me believed every word.

  My mind swirled with questions - about my father, about my mother, about what Kaito said. Why didn't they tell me? Did they know about all this?

  Something deeper was hidden behind their smiles, their quiet lives. Something I wasn't supposed to know.

  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

  "My parents..." I murmured. "They knew something, didn't they?"

  Kaito looked at me for a long moment, then sighed. "Maybe. But sometimes, parents hide things to protect their kids. You'll understand when you're older."

  He leaned back in his chair, his eyes softening. "My parents were killed by a Yomurei too. I was about your age - living in Osaka. One night, it came out of nowhere. I was lucky... someone saved me. A strong Yomu Executioner."

  "Kaito..." Airi said gently, setting down the last dish.

  He smiled faintly, waving a hand. "But it's okay. I moved on. I have good friends, a good life... I'm happy."

  The room warmed again as Airi smiled and clapped her hands lightly. "Alright! Enough gloomy talk. Breakfast is ready!"

  Daigo immediately perked up, closing his book. "Sweet! What's for today?"

  Airi rolled her eyes. "The usual. Tamago and rice."

  Daigo smirked. "Ah, as expected... our famous gourmet chef at work."

  "If you're going to complain, then don't eat," Airi snapped playfully, crossing her arms.

  "I didn't say I wasn't eating," Daigo muttered, already taking a plate.

  Kaito chuckled quietly, glancing at me. "Come on, Ren. Eat with us. You've had a rough night - this might help you feel human again."

  The smell of freshly cooked rice and eggs filled the air as we gathered around the small dining table. Sunlight streamed through the window blinds, illuminating the steam rising from our breakfast. The apartment felt alive - laughter and warmth filling every corner. I wasn't used to this kind of morning; for so long, I'd woken up to silence, dew, and the cold air of the wild. Now, the quiet was replaced by the hum of city life beyond the walls - cars in the distance, faint chatter of pedestrians, and the comforting clatter of dishes.

  While we were eating, Daigo spoke suddenly, breaking the calm rhythm of spoons and chopsticks.

  "Oh by the way, Airi," he said casually, with a grin that already hinted at trouble. "You said you were going to buy Kaito a present for his birthday... when is it?"

  Airi choked mid-bite, coughing violently. "H-Hey! Who said I'm going to buy a present!?" she said between coughs, her face flushing red.

  Daigo leaned back in his chair, smirking like a cat that had cornered its prey. "But didn't you tell me the other day? 'Daigo, do you know any of Kaito's hobbies or things he uses to pass the time?' That's exactly what you said!"

  "I never said anything like that!" Airi snapped, pointing her chopsticks at him. "Kaito, don't believe anything that comes out of this guy's mouth - it's all lies!"

  "So when I said you were beautiful, was that a lie too?" Daigo countered with a grin.

  "You little-!" Airi's face turned even redder as she raised her chopsticks threateningly.

  Kaito chuckled, shaking his head. "Calm down, you two. We're eating with Ren here," he said gently. Then, with a teasing smile, he added, "And thank you, Airi, for thinking about what to get me for my birthday."

  Airi froze. "W-We-well, I did say something like that to Daigo, yes..." She looked away, trying to hide her embarrassment behind her hair.

  I watched them all, the banter, the laughter - it was... different. It felt alive.

  "Kaito's birthday?" I asked, curious.

  "Yeah," Kaito said, smiling at me. "It's tomorrow - July 6th. But we've got work, so we'll celebrate on the weekend instead."

  "I see... then happy advance birthday," I said softly.

  Kaito laughed, tapping the table lightly. "Thanks, Ren."

  "Wait, Airi..." Daigo grinned mischievously. "Are you... do you have a crush on Kaito?"

  Airi immediately punched him on the head. "Say that again and I'll hit you harder!"

  Kaito and I both laughed. I didn't realize how long it had been since I last laughed like this. My laughter came out awkward at first, almost unsure - but then it flowed freely. It felt warm.

  For the first time in many years... I felt human.

  "Oh, Ren, you're laughing!" Kaito said, surprised. "That's the first time I've seen you smile like that."

  "I guess it feels better to laugh than to stay serious all the time," I said.

  Kaito nodded approvingly. "Ren, after we eat, take a bath. I'll lend you some clothes."

  "Sure," I said.

  "Well, he's right," I thought to myself. I only bathed in rivers before... no soap, no towels, and my clothes were all torn.

  We all said in unison, "Thanks for the meal!"

  After breakfast, Airi and Daigo began washing the dishes while I stepped into the bathroom. It was small but spotless - the mirror sparkled, and the white tiles reflected the light like rippling water. The faint scent of soap and shampoo filled the air. I ran my hand through the water, feeling its warmth slide through my fingers. It was strange how something so simple could feel so comforting.

  Would my life be better if I stayed here? I wondered. Would I be happier living with them than wandering the wilderness alone?

  But then, my thoughts darkened slightly. Nothing will ever beat the happiness I had with my family...

  When I finished, I put on the clothes Kaito had lent me - a white T-shirt and dark pants that were a bit loose on me. I stepped out of the bathroom and went to him.

  "Kaito... isn't this a little too big for me?"

  He looked me up and down, smiling. "I think it's fine. Actually, it suits you. That's the smallest size I've got here. Daigo could lend you his, but his clothes are even bigger than mine."

  "Never mind," I said with a faint grin. "I'll keep this one."

  "Good decision," Kaito said with a short laugh. "Anyway, I was thinking - how about I show you around the city? What do you think?"

  "The city...?" I repeated, tilting my head slightly.

  "Yeah," he said, standing and stretching. "You've never been to Tokyo before, right?"

  I shook my head. I'd only ever known the endless green of the wild, the scent of soil, the sound of birds, and the silence of night. The word city alone made me curious - what does it look like?

  "Tall buildings, cars, roads... I want to see one," I thought silently.

  "Let's go!" Kaito said, tossing his jacket over his shoulder.

  "Looks like someone's excited," Daigo said with a smirk, grabbing his own coat. "Well then, let's go!"

  ---

  The moment we stepped outside, I was hit by a rush of sound and light. The city stretched endlessly - buildings towering like mountains of steel and glass, people bustling everywhere, and cars gliding smoothly along the streets. Neon signs flickered in the distance even though it was still morning.

  "This is... Tokyo?" I whispered in awe.

  "Welcome to the capital," Kaito said with pride. "This is where the Tenka Corps' central branch is located. And over there-" He pointed toward a massive structure that glimmered with blue light. "-is Tenka Academy."

  I stared at it. The academy rose like a monument to

  power and knowledge - a blend of old Japanese architecture

  with futuristic design. Its walls glowed faintly with energy lines, and

  floating drones patrolled above.

  "Every Yomu Executioner starts their training there," Airi

  explained. "Combat, Shin'en control, mission tactics, everything."

  We were walking back to Team Hiryu's apartment when Kaito suddenly stopped and turned toward us. The glow of the nearby streetlights cast long shadows across the path, flickering faintly against his calm expression.

  "You two go ahead without me," he said, his voice even as always. "I have something to show Ren."

  Airi blinked in surprise. "Are you sure? It's getting pretty dark."

  "It's okay. We're not going too far," Kaito replied.

  Airi smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Fine, but when you get back, you're going to smell something really good. So, get excited, okay?"

  "Wait, what?! What are we having tonight?" Daigo asked, eyes widening like a child waiting for a treat.

  "Since you're coming with me, I suppose I'll tell you when we get back," Airi teased, her tone playful.

  Daigo groaned dramatically. "That's not fair!"

  Kaito gave a small chuckle and looked at me. "Ren... let's go."

  I nodded and stepped toward him. Airi called out as we turned in the opposite direction. "Be careful coming back, okay?"

  "Yeah," I said, giving her a small wave before following Kaito down the dimly lit street.

  The sun had already dipped below the rooftops, leaving streaks of orange fading into violet. The lampposts buzzed faintly as we walked, our shadows stretching long on the concrete. For a while, we said nothing. Only the rhythmic echo of our footsteps filled the air.

  "Um... Kaito?" I finally broke the silence. "Where are we going?"

  He didn't look back. "You'll find out soon enough."

  His tone was calm but carried a faint seriousness, as if this walk wasn't just about showing me a place-it was about showing me something important.

  I looked around. The streets were still full of people-families chatting, vendors closing up, children chasing each other. For a world constantly under the threat of Yomurei, it felt... normal. Too normal.

  "How can they be this happy," I asked quietly, "when Yomurei can attack anytime?"

  Kaito glanced at me. "Maybe it's because we Yomu Executioner are always in public. We always wear our uniforms so people know where we are. It gives them a sense of safety. Even when danger lurks, they believe we'll show up in time."

  I nodded slowly, watching two children laugh as their mother scolded them gently. "So... it's like hope, huh?"

  "Exactly." He smiled faintly. "And like I told you earlier, we have the Yomurei Detector. It lets us predict where a Yomurei might appear. We can be ready to fight anytime, anywhere."

  As we passed an intersection, I saw two Yomu Executioner patrolling. Their uniforms gleamed faintly under the streetlights, swords strapped to their sides. Civilians gave them subtle nods of respect. It felt strange-seeing people rely so much on us, on the Yomu Executioner, to keep the world from falling apart.

  "Kaito," I asked after a moment, "how long have you been a Yomu Executioner?"

  He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking. "Five or six years, maybe. I don't really keep count."

  "That long, huh?"

  He shrugged lightly. "Time passes fast when you're fighting almost every day. I guess it doesn't really matter how long-it just matters that you survive another day."

  "I see..." I hesitated. "You said earlier that there are ranks in the Tenka Corps. What rank are you?"

  "I'm a Ha rank," he said. "Same as Airi and Daigo."

  "Ha rank..." I repeated. "Is that high?"

  "It's above average. Not the highest, but not something you reach easily either. There are a lot of Yomu Executioner who train their whole lives and never reach Ha."

  He paused, then added, "I forgot to tell you-Yomurei have ranks too. From D to S+, with S+ being the highest. And then... there are the Jūma. They're not even part of the ranking system. They're beyond S+."

  "Beyond?" I echoed. "Like... gods?"

  Kaito's face turned serious. "More like monsters that shouldn't exist. The kind that change everything they touch."

  The way he said it made my chest tighten. I didn't ask further. The silence between us grew again as we walked down the street lined with faintly glowing trees, their leaves infused with trace Shin'en. The air felt heavier now, quieter.

  After a few minutes, Kaito stopped.

  "We're here."

  I looked around. A tall iron gate stood before us, its black paint worn by time. Beyond it stretched a vast cemetery, silent and still beneath the moonlight. The faint hum of Shin'en surrounded the place, almost like a heartbeat.

  "This is...?" I asked.

  "This is where humans killed by Yomurei are buried," Kaito explained softly. "They separate them from those who died of illness, accidents, or human hands."

  "Why?"

  "Because they honor them," he said. "They weren't saved by a Yomu Executioner... so this place exists to remember them."

  His words carried a weight I couldn't quite describe. I looked around-the graves seemed endless, yet the cemetery itself didn't look large from the outside.

  "How... how can all of them fit here?" I asked, frowning.

  Kaito chuckled faintly, as if he had expected that question. "You're wondering about that too, huh?"

  I nodded.

  "Well, it's because of Shin'en," he said. "Ever since the Yomurei appeared, our world changed. Technology and Shin'en became one. Guns, swords, tools-they all rely on Shin'en now. But it doesn't work with vehicles like tanks or submarines. Too unstable."

  He continued walking through the rows of gravestones, and I followed close behind. "The one who came up with this idea was Akihiro Saiten. He used his own Shin'en to expand the area. So, from the outside, it looks small-but inside, it's massive. Practically endless."

  I looked around again, this time sensing the faint distortion in space. The place felt larger than it should, as if the horizon stretched unnaturally far.

  After a few more steps, we stopped in front of two graves. I read the names carved into the stones:

  Katsuro Ranzaki

  Mina Ranzaki

  Yui Ranzaki

  "Ranzaki?" I asked quietly. "Are these... your parents?"

  Kaito's expression softened. "Yeah and Yui is my little sister. I told you earlier-they were killed by a Yomurei."

  A cool breeze passed between us, carrying the faint scent of wet earth and flowers left to wilt. Kaito kneel one leg down and talked to his parents and his little sister.

  "Mom, dad, an' Yui - I came to see ya. I know this is sudden, but I wanna introduce ya to a kid. His name's Ren Kazenagi. I only met him last night, but we already got real close. He's a really nice guy, y'know? A boy who lived in the forest - can ya believe it? Mom, dad, Yui, I've gone an' become a Yomu Executioner... next time... for sure... I'll protect the three of ya. I promise."

  His way of saying words..."Kaito you...?"

  "Yeah, I was born in Osaka",

  "Why show me this?" I asked, unsure of what to say.

  Kaito didn't answer right away. "Because," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "I can tell you've been carrying something too."

  I froze.

  "I don't know your past," he continued, "and I won't force you to talk about it. But I can tell your parents raised you right. You have that same look I used to have-a look of someone trying to hold everything together."

  He smiled faintly but there was sadness behind it. "My parents were the same. We were a happy family. Until one day... they weren't there anymore. Killed in a raid near the western district."

  I didn't know what to say. The way he spoke-it wasn't filled with bitterness, but with something deeper. Acceptance.

  "Ren," Kaito said, standing up and turning to face me. "Don't grow up like me. I spent years pretending I was fine. I buried everything under training, missions, and anger. It works for a while, but someday... it'll catch up to you."

  For a moment, his words echoed inside me. I wanted to say something-anything-but nothing came out.

  For some reason, I felt like Kaito was both the same as me and the complete opposite. He'd lost everything... yet he found strength in that loss. I, on the other hand, was still running from mine.

  The silence between us stretched again. Crickets chirped faintly in the distance, blending with the low hum of Shin'en in the air.

  After a while, Kaito clapped his hands together lightly, as if closing a prayer, then exhaled. "Well," he said, trying to lighten the mood, "we should head back. It's getting dark, and I'm honestly curious what Airi's cooking tonight."

  I gave a small laugh. "You're right..."

  As we turned back toward the gate, I glanced at the graves one last time. The names glowed faintly under the moonlight.

  "Maybe..." I thought, maybe telling them what happened to me and my parents would be good.

  I didn't even know why I was trying to hide it anymore.

  "Okay," I whispered to myself. "I'll tell them when we get back."

  We walked back under the soft glow of the streetlights, side by side, the silence between us no longer heavy-but calm.

  By the time we got back to Team Hiryu's apartment, the sky had already turned dark purple, the city lights flickering to life like scattered stars. The streets were quieter now-vendors packing up, people heading home, the faint hum of Shin'en lamps glowing along the sidewalks.

  Kaito opened the door, and warm light spilled out. The smell of cooked food filled the room instantly, wrapping around us like comfort after a long day.

  "We're back," Kaito called.

  "Finally!" Daigo's voice came from inside. "Took you two long enough. I was about to eat without you!"

  Airi appeared from the kitchen, holding a wooden spoon, smiling. "Welcome back! Dinner's ready-so wash up and sit down before Daigo finishes everything."

  "Hey! That's rude!" Daigo said, though he was already halfway through serving himself.

  Kaito laughed softly, hanging his jacket by the door. "You really don't waste time, huh?"

  "Survival instinct," Daigo said with a grin.

  Airi rolled her eyes and waved us toward the table. "Come on, before it gets cold."

  The four of us sat down, the room filled with the soft clatter of utensils and the faint bubbling sound from the stew pot in the center. The food gave off a gentle red glow, faintly pulsing with energy.

  Kaito raised a brow. "Shin'en-infused stew again?"

  Airi smiled proudly. "Of course. My specialty. It helps recover Shin'en faster after missions."

  Daigo leaned forward. "She says that, but the truth is she just likes making things that glow."

  "Do you want to eat or starve, Daigo?" she shot back.

  He quickly straightened up. "Eating! Totally eating!"

  Their playful banter made me smile. The warmth in this small apartment-it was strange, but comforting. I'd never had anything like this before.

  As we started eating, Kaito glanced my way. "So... did you like the walk?"

  I nodded. "Yeah. I didn't expect you to bring me to a cemetery though."

  He chuckled lightly. "It wasn't exactly a fun trip, but... there's something peaceful about that place. Makes you think about what really matters."

  Daigo slurped his soup loudly. "Man, I hate cemeteries. Creepy as hell."

  Airi nudged him with her elbow. "That's because you're afraid of ghosts."

  "Not true!" Daigo protested. "I just don't trust the dead. You never know when one might come back!"

  Kaito shook his head, smiling. "Relax, Daigo. You punch hard enough to scare even the dead back into their graves."

  We all laughed, and for a while, everything felt light-normal.

  But as the laughter faded, Kaito turned to me again. "You know, Ren... you never really told us where you came from."

  I froze for a second, my spoon pausing midair. The question hit harder than I expected.

  "Ah, sorry," Kaito said quickly. "Didn't mean to pry. It's just-you seem like someone who's been through a lot."

  Airi looked at me gently. "You don't have to tell us if you're not ready."

  I lowered my gaze. "It's not that I don't want to... it's just..."

  I was about to continue-but then-

  BOOM!

  A deafening explosion tore through the room, blowing the walls apart. The table flipped over, plates and bowls shattered midair, and I felt my body slam against the floor.

  The air was filled with smoke, dust, and the faint metallic smell of burning Shin'en circuits. My ears rang so loud it was hard to think.

  "Wha-what was that?!" Daigo shouted, struggling to get up, his voice shaking.

  Airi coughed, eyes wide. "Yo...murei...?!"

  My heart dropped. That word again.

  Kaito, already half-standing, grabbed his sword from the rack near the door. "Don't panic!" he yelled. "We can handle this!"

  But before he could even finish the sentence, the air behind him rippled.

  Something moved-fast.

  A blur of black and red shot forward, its limbs distorted and sharp like broken glass. The Yomurei's arm slammed into Kaito's back, the impact so strong it sent him flying through the door and out into the street.

  "KAITOO!!!" Airi and Daigo screamed.

  "Kaito!" I shouted, stumbling toward the wrecked doorway.

  The creature crawled out of the smoke-tall, humanoid, but wrong. Its movements were jerky, unnatural, its pale mask-like face twisted into a silent snarl. Shin'en leaked off its body in waves, thick and suffocating.

  Daigo clenched his fists, blue energy crackling faintly around them. "Airi! You okay?!"

  "I'm fine!" she shouted back, pulling out her staff, her voice trembling. "We weren't supposed to fight tonight... our weapons aren't charged!"

  Another tremor shook the floor. A second Yomurei smashed through the broken wall, its claws scraping against the floorboards.

  "They're multiplying..." Airi whispered, horrified. "Two of them... in the city?"

  Kaito groaned outside, trying to get up. Blood ran down the corner of his mouth, but his eyes burned with focus. "Everyone-move outside! Don't fight them in here!"

  We scrambled out of the apartment, the building behind us cracking and burning. Flames spread along the walls as more debris fell. The night air was thick with the smell of smoke and corrupted Shin'en.

  Daigo's fists flared brighter. "These things are mid-rank at least-B or maybe A!"

  "Then we keep them busy until the others arrive," Kaito shouted, taking his stance again, despite his injuries. "We can't let them get to the civilians!"

  Airi gritted her teeth, forming a glowing circle in front of her. "Shin'en Seal: Light Barricade!"

  A pulse of energy shot outward, slowing the Yomurei's movement for a moment. The light from her seal shimmered against the creature's dark form, but it was already breaking through.

  Kaito charged forward, sword raised high, and slashed across the Yomurei's torso. The blade left a glowing wound, but the creature didn't stop-it screamed, a distorted echo that shook the ground.

  "Ren! Stay behind Airi!" Daigo yelled, punching the second Yomurei that lunged at them. His Shin'en-infused fist connected, sending a shockwave through the air, but the creature only staggered before rushing again.

  "Damn it!" Daigo hissed. "They're not going down!"

  Kaito's blade clashed against the first Yomurei's claws, sparks of red and blue light scattering around them. "They're fast-smarter than usual ones!"

  Then I saw it-another ripple behind Airi.

  "Airi, behind you!" I shouted.

  She spun around, thrusting her staff just in time to block a claw strike that would've pierced her chest. The impact threw her backward, her barrier flickering.

  "Daigo!" she cried.

  He dove forward, catching her before she hit the ground. "Hang on! Don't move!"

  Kaito grit his teeth, blocking another blow. "Ren! Don't just stand there-get ready!"

  I froze for a moment, watching the chaos unfold-the fire, the screams, the clash of light and darkness. My heart pounded so hard I could barely breathe.

  The Yomurei roared again, lunging toward Kaito. He parried once, twice-but the third strike slipped through, hitting his side.

  "Kaito!" I yelled, running toward him.

  He winced, blood dripping down his arm. "I'm fine... just stay back!"

  But I could see it in his eyes-he wasn't fine at all.

  The world around me blurred-the sounds of the fight, the heat of the flames, the fear twisting in my chest. I could feel something... stirring. Something faint. A pulse deep inside me.

  Not yet. Not now.

  I clenched my fists and forced myself to breathe.

  Kaito, Airi, Daigo... they're risking their lives.

  I can't just stand here.

  The night around us cracked with energy as the Yomurei closed in again.

  And that was when everything-finally-snapped.