The clock glowed faintly in the dark room — 4:06 AM.
Kanashimi Oketo stood by the small window, staring at the pitch-black sky outside their tiny apartment. Rain was already pattering against the glass. He sighed softly, then turned toward the futon where his little brother was curled up like a kitten.
"Haru… get up," he said quietly, his voice calm but firm. "You promised you'd come running with me today."
In his mind, the old memories stirred again, unwanted.
If we were still back in the village… we wouldn't have to do this. We had proper training grounds, proper routines. My friend warned me not to go on that mission… but she… she was the one who dragged me into it and framed me as a criminal.
A sharp pain twisted in his chest. Even after three years, the wound felt fresh.
Haru mumbled sleepily and rubbed his eyes. "Big bro… five more minutes…"
Before Kanashimi could reply, the lights in the entire apartment suddenly flickered and died. Complete darkness swallowed the room.
"GHOST!!!!!!" Haru screamed at the top of his tiny lungs, shooting upright and clutching his blanket like a shield.
Kanashimi blinked, then let out a small, tired breath. "It's just a power supply cut, Haru. Calm down."
Haru peeked from behind the blanket, eyes wide. "Who did it? Was it a bad guy?"
Kanashimi moved smoothly in the dark, lighting a candle with a match. The warm orange glow lit up his face — sharp features, tired eyes, and that permanent shadow of sadness he could never quite hide.
"Today there's a heavy rain warning," he explained gently, placing the candle on the low table. "That's why the power went out. It happens sometimes in this city."
Haru tilted his head, still half-scared, half-excited. "So… does that mean today is a leave from school? No school, right? We can play all day!"
Kanashimi shook his head with a faint, almost invisible smile. "Na. There's no message like that from your school. Get ready for running. We're still going."
"Awww…" Haru pouted dramatically, his chubby cheeks puffing out. "But it's so dark and rainy… and ghosts might come!"
"No ghosts," Kanashimi replied, already folding Haru's small running shoes. "Only rain. And you promised, remember? A real fighter keeps his promises."
Haru grumbled but started crawling out of the futon, his messy black hair sticking up in every direction. "Big bro is mean… but okay. I'll run super fast today!"
As Kanashimi helped Haru into his tiny hoodie, his mind wandered again. The rain outside grew heavier, drumming against the roof like distant memories he couldn't escape.
She used to love running in the rain back in the village… laughing like nothing could touch us. Now she probably runs with the hunting team, blade ready, hating the very thought of me.
He pushed the thought down, the way he always did.
"Alright, let's go before the rain gets worse," Kanashimi said, grabbing a small umbrella for Haru. "After running, I'll drop you at school and head to the café. You behave today, okay?"
Haru nodded eagerly, already forgetting his fear. "Okay! But can I have extra milk at breakfast? And can I draw a picture for the café lady?"
Kanashimi froze for half a second at the word "lady." He knew exactly which regular Haru meant — the one whose face looked exactly like hers.
"…Sure," he answered quietly, voice tighter than before. "Just don't make too much noise in class."
They stepped out into the dark, rainy morning. Haru jumped into every puddle with glee, while Kanashimi ran at a steady pace beside him, umbrella tilted to keep his little brother dry.
But inside, his heart felt heavier than the rainclouds above.
One day… she might find us. And when that day comes, I don't know if I'll be able to run again.
The rain had turned into a steady drizzle by the time they stepped outside. Streetlights flickered weakly in the early morning darkness, casting long shadows on the wet pavement.
Kanashimi adjusted the small umbrella over Haru's head and started jogging at an easy pace. His body moved on pure muscle memory — years of brutal training from the village making even a simple morning run feel like second nature.
Haru, on the other hand, was treating it like a game. He splashed through every puddle with both feet, giggling loudly.
"Big bro! Look! I'm making big splashes! Faster! I'm gonna beat you!"
Kanashimi glanced down at the tiny figure bouncing beside him, his expression softening just a little. "Don't run too wild. You'll slip."
But Haru was already zooming ahead, arms flailing like a baby bird. "I'm a super fighter too! Zoom zoom!"
For a moment, the heavy weight in Kanashimi's chest felt a tiny bit lighter. Seeing Haru so carefree… it was the only reason he kept waking up every day.
After twenty minutes of running (mostly Haru stopping to jump in puddles while Kanashimi waited patiently), they returned to the apartment, both soaked but breathing hard.
"Breakfast time!" Haru declared, kicking off his wet shoes dramatically.
Kanashimi quickly changed into dry clothes and started making simple breakfast — rice, miso soup, and some grilled fish left from yesterday. Haru sat at the low table, swinging his legs, still talking non-stop.
"Big bro, today at school I'm gonna show everyone my new drawing! It's a big dragon! But… can you draw the fire part? Your fire always looks cooler."
Kanashimi placed the food in front of him. "Eat first. And no talking with your mouth full."
Haru took a big bite and immediately continued, cheeks puffed. "Mmmph— but the teacher said I'm very good at colors! And my friend Yuto said his big sister is coming to pick him up today. She's super pretty! Like a princess!"
Kanashimi's chopsticks paused mid-air for half a second. He didn't ask anything. He just nodded quietly and kept eating.
Pretty like a princess… The words twisted something deep inside him.
By 7:30 AM, they were ready to leave. Kanashimi helped Haru put on his little yellow raincoat and backpack that was almost bigger than him. The rain had eased up, but the sky was still gray and heavy.
"Come on, let's go or you'll be late," Kanashimi said, locking the apartment door.
The walk to Haru's kindergarten was short — just ten minutes through quiet morning streets. Haru held his big brother's hand the whole way, skipping and humming a silly song he made up about puddles.
As they reached the school gate, parents and kids were already gathering. Haru spotted his friend immediately.
"Yuto!!" Haru shouted, waving both arms wildly.
A small boy with messy hair waved back excitedly. Standing beside Yuto was a young woman holding an umbrella — tall, graceful, with long dark hair and soft features that made Kanashimi's heart stop cold.
She looked exactly like his wife.
Same gentle eyes. Same delicate smile. Same beautiful face that used to light up his entire world back in the village.
Kanashimi froze in place, breath caught in his throat. His fingers tightened around Haru's hand without meaning to.
The girl noticed them and smiled politely, waving a little at Haru.
"Haru Good morning~ You're all energetic even in the rain."
Haru beamed. "Big sis! This is my big bro! He's the best runner ever!"
She turned her gaze toward Kanashimi. For a split second, their eyes met.
Her smile was warm, kind… nothing like the cold hatred he remembered from her.
"Nice to meet you," she said softly, bowing her head slightly. "I'm Yuto's older sister, Mizuki. Haru talks about you all the time."
Kanashimi couldn't speak at first. His mouth felt dry. The resemblance was too perfect — the way her hair fell, the shape of her lips, even the small beauty mark near her left eye. It was like staring at a ghost of the woman who now wanted him dead.
He forced himself to look away, voice coming out quieter and colder than he intended.
"…Morning. I'm Kanashimi. Haru's brother."
Mizuki tilted her head, a little surprised by his distant tone, but she kept smiling gently.
"Haru's always so full of energy. You must be working really hard to take care of him alone. If you ever need help with school stuff, just let me know, okay?"
Kanashimi gave the smallest nod, already stepping back.
"Come on, Haru. Time to go in."
Haru pouted. "But big bro—"
"Now."
Haru waved goodbye to Yuto and Mizuki with both hands, then ran toward the school gate. Kanashimi turned away quickly, heart hammering in his chest like it wanted to break free.
She's not her. She's not her. She's not her.
But no matter how many times he repeated it in his head, the pain didn't fade.
As he walked toward the café for his shift, the gray sky felt even heavier.
One wrong move… and the woman who looked exactly like the wife who hated him might become part of their daily life.
And Kanashimi wasn't sure how long he could keep running from that face.
Kanashimi turned away from the school gate, his steps heavy on the wet sidewalk. The rain had almost stopped, but the gray clouds still hung low, pressing down on the city like an old curse he couldn't shake.
Yuna…
The name echoed in his mind with every footstep.
She used to have the same long, silky black hair that would sway gently when she walked. The same soft, almond-shaped eyes that could turn sharp as a blade in battle or warm like morning sunlight when she looked at him. Her smile… that small, slightly crooked smile that appeared only when she was truly happy. The beauty mark just below her left eye that he used to tease her about, calling it her "secret star."
At eleven, when their families arranged their marriage, he had been terrified. But Yuna had taken his hand that first night and whispered, "We'll be okay, Kana. I'll protect you too."
She was strong. Faster than most fighters in their age group. Her Special Art was elegant — threads of glowing silver energy that could bind enemies or heal small wounds. She moved like dancing water, beautiful and deadly at the same time.
And he had loved her with everything he had.
Even now, at seventeen, that love hadn't faded. It had only turned into something heavy, aching, and impossible to let go.
But the last time I saw those eyes… they weren't warm anymore.
They had been filled with disgust. With rage. With pure hatred.
"You're disgusting, Kanashimi. I never want to see your face again."
Her voice still rang in his ears on quiet nights. The way she had stood beside the village elders, blade drawn, ready to be the one to deliver the killing blow if the hunters found him.
She believed the lies. She believed he had become a monster who would hurt another woman the way the rumors said.
And now… a complete stranger named Mizuki had the exact same face.
Same hair. Same eyes. Same gentle way of smiling at children. Even the way she tilted her head when she spoke felt identical.
It was cruel. Too cruel.
Why does the world enjoy torturing me like this?Every time I see that face, I remember what I lost… and what I can never fix.
Kanashimi clenched his fists inside his jacket pockets. The café was only a few blocks away now. He could already see the warm lights glowing through the big glass windows — "Moonlit Brew," the small corner café where he worked as a barista.
He pushed the door open, the little bell above it ringing softly.
The familiar smell of fresh coffee and baked pastries hit him immediately. The morning shift was just starting. His boss, an older lady named Auntie Rika, waved from behind the counter.
"Morning, Kana! You're a bit early today. Rough night with the rain?"
Kanashimi forced a small nod, slipping behind the counter and tying his apron with practiced hands.
"Just the usual," he muttered quietly.
He started preparing the machines, wiping down surfaces, arranging the cups. Every movement was mechanical. His mind, however, was still stuck at the school gate.
Yuna is out there somewhere, hunting me.She probably trains every day, sharpening her silver threads, telling herself she'll be the one to end the criminal who betrayed her.And here I am… making coffee for strangers while a girl who looks exactly like her smiles at my little brother.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. 8:15 AM.
Haru would be starting his first activity at school right now. Maybe drawing that dragon he talked about. Maybe telling Yuto's big sister more stories about his "super cool big bro."
Kanashimi closed his eyes for a brief second, letting out a slow, tired breath.
If Yuna ever finds us… I don't know if I can protect Haru.And if Mizuki keeps coming here… I don't know how long I can keep pretending that face doesn't destroy me every single time.
The bell above the door rang again as the first customer stepped in.
Kanashimi put on his usual calm, distant expression and turned around.
"Welcome to Moonlit Brew… what can I get for you today?"