Cherreads

Chapter 124 - The First Break

-ARAKAWA NEIGHBORHOOD-

-11:02 PM, MARCH 9, 2017-

The streets were quiet.

Snow covered the ground in soft layers.

Streetlights flickered faintly above.

Rikuu and Ichika moved quickly down the road.

Their breaths visible in the cold air.

"…It's too quiet," Ichika said.

Rikuu nodded.

"…Yeah."

A pause.

"…That's the problem."

A sudden flicker.

Then—

Darkness.

One streetlight shut off.

Then another.

And another.

Ichika's eyes widened slightly.

"…Rikuu."

"…I see it."

The pattern had reached them.

They turned the corner—

And stopped.

For a brief moment—

Everything looked normal.

Then—

A sharp sound.

Not loud.

But distinct.

Followed by—

A faint glow.

Somewhere deeper in the neighborhood.

Rikuu's expression changed instantly.

"…No."

The glow grew slightly brighter.

Not explosive.

But spreading.

Ichika stepped forward.

"…What is that?"

Rikuu didn't hesitate.

"…We're going."

They ran.

Snow crunching beneath their feet.

The glow becoming clearer.

Closer.

More real.

They stopped again.

This time—

There was no doubt.

A fire.

Small—

But real.

At the side of the house.

Ichika's breath caught slightly.

"…Rikuu…"

Rikuu moved immediately.

"…Stay back."

He ran toward the house.

The flames were still controlled.

But growing.

Spreading slowly along the exterior.

Too controlled.

Too deliberate.

Ichika stood a few steps behind.

Watching.

Heart racing.

"…This isn't an accident…"

Her voice was quiet.

But certain.

Rikuu reached the door.

Tried it.

Locked.

"…Grandma!"

No response.

His expression tightened.

"…No—"

The flames crept slightly higher.

Still small.

Still containable.

But spreading.

Rikuu stepped back.

Then—

Without hesitation—

Forced the door open.

Smoke.

Light.

Shadows.

Rikuu stepped inside.

"…Grandma!"

Ichika stood outside.

Frozen for a moment.

Then—

"…Rikuu—!"

But he was already inside.

-UNKNOWN LOCATION-

-11:16 PM-

The man watched through a screen.

The house.

The fire.

The movement.

"…Phase two initiated."

A pause.

"…Let's see how he responds."

-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE-

-11:17 PM-

Inside—

Rikuu moved through the smoke.

Fast.

Focused.

"…Grandma!"

A faint sound.

From deeper inside.

His eyes locked onto it.

Ichika stepped closer to the house.

The fire growing slightly stronger now.

Her hands trembled—

Just a little.

"…This is just the beginning…"

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