The plane had barely touched the tarmac when Aranis Adams, 19, opened his eyes. His heavy eyelids struggled against the morning light as he gently shook his little sister, Reina, still half-asleep.
"Wake up… we've arrived."
Reina yawned, rubbed her eyes, then a bright smile lit up her face. Aranis grabbed their luggage with precise, silent movements. Unlike his sister, he never let himself show overt excitement: the world, to him, was a cold space he observed with detachment.
Through the airport window, Reina stood speechless.
"Wow…!" she exclaimed, her voice full of wonder.
Before her, Tokyo spread out like a living painting: glittering skyscrapers, flashing neon signs, streets teeming with people, and the ceaseless flow of cars. The sounds, the lights, the energy of the city vibrated through the air. Reina couldn't stop filming every detail with her phone, capturing everything as if she wanted to own the city.
Aranis, however, simply watched, silent, squinting his eyes as if analyzing every movement, every shadow, rather than being carried away by awe. A shiver ran down his spine, instinctive. Too much light… too many people… he thought. An intuition, a warning he couldn't explain.
---
The Car and the Music
They exited the airport and got into the family car. Their father took the wheel, and Aranis played his music at full volume.
"Can you turn that down?" Reina complained, frowning.
"No need to make such a fuss…" Aranis replied, his voice calm, almost cold.
"Aranis, turn it down!" their father ordered from the front seat.
Obediently, he lowered the volume, and the car continued through Tokyo's illuminated streets. Reina, unable to sit still, pressed her nose against the window, eyes wide in awe.
"Look at all those screens!" she exclaimed, pointing at a giant billboard.
"It's like they built an artificial sky…"
Aranis glanced at her for a moment, a corner of his mouth tightening, then looked away. He watched the crowd with focused attention, analyzing every suspicious silhouette. The hooded man who had bumped into him on the street came to mind. A silent alert in his brain: Nothing here is safe…
Unaware of the tension, Reina leaned forward to film the city, capturing its energy and beauty, while Aranis fixed his gaze on a shadowy corner of the street, shivering despite himself.
---
First Walk in Tokyo
They stopped for a walk. Reina filmed everything: shops, streets, signs, passersby. She picked up souvenirs and little toys with contagious excitement.
"You're already fifteen!" Aranis grumbled as he saw her grabbing a miniature toy from a display. "Stop buying toys like a six-year-old!"
"And what if I do?" Reina shot back defiantly. "You think I'll get bored?"
Aranis sighed and left the store, his steps calm, almost distant. Always complaining… provoking me… he thought, but deep down he knew he had to protect her.
Reina smiled inwardly: He's always like this… serious, cold… but I know he's watching over me.
As they continued walking, Aranis felt an unusual draft. A low vibration shook the ground, and the neon lights flickered at several intersections. He narrowed his eyes, body tense. Something's not right…
Suddenly, a hooded man bumped into him.
"Hey! Watch it!" he shouted.
The man disappeared into the crowd, without a word of apology. Aranis clenched his teeth. Not even a word… A dull sense of danger settled in his stomach.
---
The Restaurant
They arrived at a restaurant tucked between two modern buildings. The glass façade let in warm light from inside. Elegantly set tables, soft lighting, and the aroma of refined dishes filled the air.
"Wow…" murmured Reina as she pushed open the door.
The staff guided them to a table by the window, offering a view of Tokyo illuminated by neon and the endless flow of cars and people.
Aranis sat quietly, observing the city with an almost frightening calm, while Reina absorbed every decorative detail, amazed.
"So, do you like Tokyo so far?" their father asked.
"It's amazing! The streets, the lights… everything is beautiful!" Reina exclaimed.
Aranis nodded silently, savoring every moment, every sound, every burst of light. It's beautiful… but it could all disappear in an instant… he thought, a shiver running down his spine.
The meal arrived: delicately arranged sushi, golden tempura, steaming broths. Reina marveled at every dish, while Aranis tasted everything carefully, his gaze analytical.
"You're hopeless…" he muttered as she grabbed a dessert for the perfect photo.
"And you're always so serious…" Reina replied with a mischievous smile.
---
The Catastrophe
Outside, night had fallen. The family drove back to their lodging. Aranis had put on his music again, slightly lower this time. Reina was absorbed in her phone.
Suddenly, she looked up: "Look… is a star supposed to pass today?"
Aranis narrowed his eyes. The points of light grew larger, changed color, and seemed to fall at impossible speeds. The ground trembled. A cold shiver ran through Aranis: this was no natural phenomenon.
"Dad… look…" he murmured.
Then came the first impact. Tokyo shook under a deep rumble. Debris and flames lit up the night. The car jolted violently.
"No… it's not a star…" Aranis whispered, voice strangled, as everything collapsed around him.
Amid the chaos, a small cry pierced the air: Reina. Aranis turned toward her, body ready to react, but already… total darkness.
The world he knew had vanished.
End of Chapter.