⚠️ Content Advisory
This series is rated 16+
It contains themes and scenes that may not be suitable for younger audiences, including:
Mild violence and psychological tension
Mentions of crime, corruption, and moral conflict
Occasional strong language
Emotional and mature themes related to loss, identity, and humanity
[ Viewer and reader discretion is advised ]
Chapter 5 — Fragments of Truth
The day opened under a heavy sky.
Clouds pressed low and grey, muting the sun until the world seemed drained of color. A dull breeze whispered through the narrow window of Kye's room, carrying the faint scent of rain that hadn't yet fallen.
Kye sat by the edge of his desk, lost in thought — elbows on knees, eyes half-focused on nothing.
How am I supposed to find out what happened to those kids?
The CCTV footage— completely blurred. No traces left. Someone made sure of that. Must be the same people from that night…
He sighed sharply and turned his gaze sideways.
"And the bigger question— what are you even doing in my house?"
Across the floor, Arisa sat cross-legged near the small table, hugging a cushion, pretending not to meet his eyes.
"Uhmm… I just— came over," she said, voice small. "I thought maybe I could help you somehow."
Kye rubbed his temples. "Help? You're only making it harder to think. You're… distracting me, you know that?"
Arisa frowned and muttered under her breath, "You'd have to think first before getting distracted. You just keep making excuses."
He shot her a look. "Did you even eat?"
"No," she said quickly, then folded her arms. "And no, I'm not saying anything else. But tell me, how long are we going to sit here doing nothing?"
Kye exhaled through his nose, a faint, crooked smile breaking his frustration.
"I know this might be a mistake," he murmured, half to himself, "but… I have to do it. I'll apologize later."
Arisa blinked. "Wait— are you talking to yourself again? What's going on? Tell me!"
But Kye was already on his feet, pulling on his jacket. His expression hardened with quiet resolve as he stepped toward the door.
That old man's been in my head since morning, he thought. And now she's adding to the chaos. I need answers — not noise.
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Arisa staring after him in silence, the grey light painting her face pale and uncertain.
Kye strode down the rain-muted street, shoulders hunched against the chill. Arisa hustled to catch up, breath clouding in the cool air.
"Why did you leave without telling me?" she called, annoyance threaded through her voice. "You could've at least said something."
Kye didn't look back. "It's better if you stayed home."
Her face flushed. "Fine. I won't say anything then." She folded her arms, wounded pride and worry mixing in her eyes as she fell into step beside him.
He kept walking, silent, mind turning over the old man's words. What exactly is he up to? The question tightened like a knot in his chest.
The memory came sharp and hot as a struck match.
That morning, Kye had been sitting quietly in the training hall when the others closed in around him. Laughter, rude jeers — the same old routine.
"So, punching bag—shall we start?" someone taunted.
"But he's just sitting," Kye protested.
"So what? Who're you to tell us when to train? You're just the bag. Understand?" another sneered.
Kye's expression hardened. He could feel eyes on him, smelling the contempt. One of them lunged. Kye moved—too fast, too precise—and every blow aimed at him became empty air. He flowed, dodging like water, and then retaliated.
"Useless," he muttered, and with a single, sharp strike he knocked one of them out cold.
"Who gave you permission to dodge us?" a trainee spat, rising.
Kye's fist answered the question. Bone met muscle; the man collapsed. "Who gave you permission to speak to me like that?" Kye hissed. "How can you be so full of yourself when you're this weak?"
Rage turned the room into a cyclone. Fifty trainees attacked, a wall of limbs and fury. Kye moved through them like someone parting a storm—every blow avoided, every counter measured. One by one the would-be assailants hit the floor, unconscious or crumpled.
He spat blood onto the mat and let out a low laugh. "Pathetic. I wasted my time on you."
Then Master Hiroshi stepped forward, eyes burning. "Foolish boy — who gave you the right to strike back like that? What have you done, Kye Kurasaki?"
In a blur he had Hiroshi by the throat, lifting him until the old man's boots left the ground. The academy's air stopped—breath held, time thin.
"Shut your mouth," Kye said coldly. "What kind of training is this? I know you better than you think. You crossed the line. Next time you even look at me wrong, you'll wish you hadn't been born, old man."
With that he flung Hiroshi out of the hall and walked away.
Back in the present, Kye's pace loosened into a slower, hollow stride. Maybe I went too far, he thought. The image of Hiroshi's flailing arms flashed in his mind, then vanished. Does it matter? At least he learned his lesson.
Arisa glanced at him, uncertain. "Are you—are you okay?"
Kye tightened his jaw and kept walking. The city's grey sky watched them, indifferent. The soft hum of distant traffic and the occasional drip from eaves filled the spaces where words might have been.
The scene shifts to a businessman—someone important enough that even the country's President is speaking to him personally.
President: "So, what have you decided? Can your company really handle this project?"
Businessman (unknown): "Absolutely. You just need to place your trust in us. The work has already begun—you only need to wait, Mr. President."
Scene shifts.
Kye and Arisa are walking down an empty street. The silence feels unnatural.
Kye's expression is tense, filled with unease.
Kye: "I don't think this road was ever this empty before. I feel like I've been here… maybe once."
Arisa hesitates.
"Uhmm…"
Kye: "What's wrong? Why are you so quiet? What do you think?"
Arisa: "I don't want to talk to you."
Kye: "Fine. Then don't. We're here to look for evidence, not to joke around."
Suddenly, Kye notices something—
something hidden from view, something the reader is not yet shown.
We see Arisa and Kye at Kye's house.
Kye is deeply lost in critical thinking, his eyes fixed on nothing in particular, as if he's piecing together a puzzle only he can see.
Arisa hesitates, then speaks softly.
Arisa: "Kye… if you don't mind, can I ask you something?"
She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers fidgeting nervously. A faint blush spreads across her cheeks.
Kye: "Listen, Arisa—if this is some kind of joke, then please stay quiet. I need to come up with a perfect plan, understand?"
Arisa's expression hardens. She crosses her arms, clearly irritated.
Arisa: "Are you crazy? I'm not joking all the time."
She pauses, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, rubbing her arm as if uneasy.
"Actually… it's already late. It's ten o'clock. Can I stay here tonight? I feel scared being alone in that area."
Kye: "Do whatever you want. Just don't disturb me."
Arisa's face instantly brightens. She gets up from the bed with a small bounce of excitement.
Arisa: "Then it's settled. Kye, I'll make something for the two of us."
She heads to the kitchen, opening cabinets and checking shelves—but finds nothing.
She sighs loudly and leans back toward the living room.
Arisa: "Kye, is there even anything in your house?"
Kye: "No. I usually order food from outside, so I never needed to buy anything."
Arisa: "Ugh… then what are we supposed to do?"
She places her hands on her hips, thinking.
"I know—I'll go out and bring something. Okay?"
Kye: "Most of the marts are probably closed by now, and the shopping area is pretty far. Are you sure? You really want to go?"
Arisa smirks, lifting her chin confidently.
Arisa: "Oh, shut up. I'm not scared of anyone's father, got it?"
The scene shifts to Arisa walking alone through empty streets.
The night feels unusually heavy. Dark clouds hang low in the sky, blocking the moonlight, while the streetlights flicker as if they might go out at any moment. A cold wind brushes past her, carrying an unsettling silence. No cars. No footsteps. Not even distant voices—only the sound of her own breathing.
Arisa (thinking):
I said it so confidently back there… but honestly, I'm really scared. Should I have asked Kye to come with me?
Forget it. I'll just grab the stuff quickly and come back.
But something feels wrong.
These roads are usually at least a little crowded, even until midnight. Tonight, there isn't a single soul in sight. It's as if everyone is hiding—afraid of something unseen.
She looks up at the surrounding buildings.
This place… it feels like I'm walking through an abandoned city.
As she keeps walking, a small mart appears ahead of her.
Arisa: "Finally, I'm here. It wasn't even that far."
She enters the mart and begins picking up a few items.
What should I buy… umm?
Ah… I don't even have much money. I should've asked him for some.
Never mind. I'll just manage with whatever I can.
She places the items on the counter.
Arisa: "Please, make the bill."
The cashier looks at her with concern.
Biller: "You came to the mart alone this late at night? It isn't safe."
Arisa: "But you're keeping the mart open this late too. That's risky for you as well, isn't it?"
The man sighs.
Biller: "What can we do? It's a matter of livelihood. I don't know what's happening to this city… something feels wrong."
"Your total is twenty-seven dollars."
Arisa thanks him, pays the amount, and leaves the mart.
She starts walking back toward Kye's house.
Suddenly, her steps slow.
She feels it.
Someone is following her.
Arisa (thinking):
Oh no… who is it now? What should I do? Should I run?
I—I don't know what to do…
Just as panic starts to build, the presence disappears.
Arisa: "Where did he go…?"
She looks around nervously.
And then—
Someone grabs her from behind, covering her mouth with a hand.
Arisa: "Mmm—! Please… let me go! Who are you? What do you want? Tell me!"
Unknown: "Be quiet. Why are you screaming?"
Arisa: "What do you want from me? Do you expect me to stay quiet and let this happen?"
She freezes for a second.
"Wait… your voice sounds familiar."
The man steps forward into the dim light.
It's none other than Kye.
Kye: "You idiot. Don't scream on empty roads like this. Your voice echoes."
Arisa blushes, struggling slightly.
Arisa: "What are you doing here?"
"Ouch… you're hurting me."
Kye immediately releases her grip.
Kye: "I was just worried. That's all."
He pauses.
"And the thing I needed to confirm was near this mart anyway… so I ended up following you."
He turns serious.
Kye: "Starting next weekend, we'll execute our plan. Be ready."
Arisa: "What plan? You never tell me anything."
Kye: "You'll understand everything in time."
He glances at the clock on his phone.
"It's already 10:45. Let's go home. We need sleep too."
They begin walking back together, side by side, disappearing into the quiet darkness of the city.
This is how Chapter 5 ends.
Next Chapter:
Mask Behind All the Mystery