The morning mist clung to the quiet streets of Mizukiri like a secret that refused to lift.
Kaiya jolted awake in the darkness of his room, heart hammering against his ribs. Sweat slicked his skin and his breath came in short, ragged gasps. For a moment the nightmare still held him — warm sunlight on his face, his father's strong arms around him, the sound of laughter. Then the screech of tires. The sickening crunch of metal. His own small voice screaming into the void.
*"DAD—!"*
He pressed a hand to his scarred cheek, feeling the raised line that had never quite faded.
*Not again…*
He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, just breathing. The room was dark and familiar and safe. He reminded himself of that.
Downstairs, his mother's voice cut through the quiet house like a lifeline.
"Kaiya! You're going to be late for school!"
He exhaled. Got up.
---
After a quick shower he stood in front of his wardrobe, pulling on his Mizukiri High uniform. His eyes moved across the scattered pieces of his life — the half-finished chemistry set on his desk, stacks of dog-eared books, the old family photo on the shelf where his father's smile still looked unbreakable. He looked away from it and headed downstairs.
The smell of breakfast and tea filled the kitchen. Riko was already at the table, swinging her legs as she ate, watching him with that innocent, too-sharp look only little sisters seemed to master.
"Morning," she said. "You okay? You look like you saw a ghost."
"Just a weird dream."
"What kind of weird dream?"
He hesitated. Then shook his head and forced a small smile. "Can't remember."
Their mother Haruna moved around the kitchen with quiet efficiency, the faint shadows under her eyes the only sign of her tiredness. She poured tea with a cheerful hum. "Hurry up or you'll miss the bus."
"I'm done, I'm done!" Riko chirped, jumping up.
---
Kaiya stepped out into the cool morning air. The neighborhood was peaceful — small shops with faded signs, modest houses lined with flowers just beginning to bloom. In the distance the simple buildings of Mizukiri High waited under a pale sky.
Near the school gate, his friends were already waiting.
"Morning. Late as usual," Ren called out with a grin.
"You're here too, so what does that make you?"
"Fashionably early."
Mio crossed her arms. "I've been here ten minutes. Neither of you has any excuse."
"Woke up late," Kaiya said.
"Like always," Ren laughed, slapping him hard on the back.
As they walked toward the entrance, a cluster of girls nearby were talking in excited whispers.
"Did you see Hikaru this morning? He's so—"
"I know, I know—"
Ren rolled his eyes. "What's so special about him? I genuinely don't get it."
Mio's cheeks turned pink. "There's plenty special about him, unlike some people. He won last year's athletics competition. Over a hundred and ten schools competed."
"And?" Ren said.
"And he's cute."
Ren and Kaiya made identical faces.
"He's my type," Mio shrugged, still pink. "I can't help it."
"He barely knows you exist," Kaiya said. "Too busy with every other girl in school."
"Facts," Ren agreed. "I bet he's not a virgin."
Mio raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you're happy that you are?"
Kaiya burst out laughing.
"Who says I am?" Ren protested.
"We all know," Mio said simply, and kept walking.
---
Their laughter was cut short when someone collided hard with Kaiya's shoulder.
"Watch where you're going," snapped a sharp voice.
Kaiya turned, scowling. "You hit me first."
"Technically you hit each other," Ren muttered.
The girl didn't glance back. She just kept walking, long hair swaying behind her — unhurried, unbothered, as if the collision had already been forgotten.
Mio leaned in. "That's the transfer student from Tokyo. Yui Fujimoto."
Kaiya watched her disappear through the school entrance. There was something about her that felt different — not cold exactly. Just somewhere else entirely.
---
Inside, the usual low chatter filled the classroom until their homeroom teacher Mr. Kuroda walked in with his calm, professional smile.
"Good morning, class."
"Good morning, Sensei."
"We stopped at osmosis and diffusion last lesson." He opened his notes. "Let's continue."
Kaiya stared out the window, only half listening. A strange unease had settled in his chest since he woke up — faint but persistent, like pressure behind his eyes.
*Something feels off today.*
From the back of the room, Marata's voice cut through his thoughts, just loud enough for everyone to hear. "What… your mum…?"
Dead silence for half a second.
Then the class erupted.
"Marata," Kuroda said without raising his voice. "Homeroom after class."
The laughter only grew louder.
The day passed in fragments. Chemistry lab. Ren nearly knocking over a solution while Mio hissed at him to be careful. The final bell. The three of them walking their bikes out through the school gate into the afternoon.
"You've seemed off all day," Mio said quietly as they rode. "Still having those dreams?"
"Yeah."
"Are you still seeing someone about it?"
"Stopped a month ago. Don't think it's necessary."
Mio didn't laugh with them. "If it gets worse you have to talk to someone, okay? Promise me."
Kaiya didn't answer. But he didn't say no either.
They split off at the intersection with waves and half-shouted goodbyes, and then it was just Kaiya and the quiet road home.
---
When he stepped through the front door the house felt unusually still.
"I'm home."
Riko's voice drifted from the living room. "Big bro. You smell. Go shower."
"Long day. Where's Mum?"
"A bit sick. She wants to be alone so we don't catch it. Left something for you in the fridge."
He grabbed the wrapped food and headed upstairs. Passing his mother's room he noticed the door slightly ajar, her breathing soft and even inside. He didn't disturb her.
The next morning, the peace shattered.
Kaiya was still half-asleep when his door burst open. Riko rushed in, eyes wide with something he hadn't seen in them before.
Panic.
"Big bro — Mom—!"
Her voice cracked. The rest of the sentence hung in the air like the mist outside — thick, heavy, and full of dread.
To be continued…