Morning Never Feels Normal Anymore
The sunlight reaches the settlement—
But nobody relaxes.
Not after last night.
Hiroto Stands Alone Outside
The blade strapped at his side.
Eyes focused ahead.
He Can Still Remember the Darkness
That figure.
That voice.
The word:
War.
Footsteps Approach
Akari joins him quietly
"…You didn't sleep."
Hiroto exhales softly
"…Couldn't."
Akari leans beside him
For once—
Not joking.
"…You really changed."
Hiroto glances at her
"…What do you mean?"
She looks ahead
"…Before, you wanted strength."
A pause.
"…Now it feels like you need it."
That's the truth
Elsewhere
Tamagichi and Goro stand together
Watching the outer perimeter.
Goro speaks first
"…They'll move faster now."
Tamagichi nods once
"…Yes."
A pause
Then Goro asks quietly
"…Do you think he can survive it?"
Tamagichi's answer comes immediately
"…No."
Silence
Then—
"…Not as he is now."
Back with Hiroto
Kenzaku arrives
Arms folded as usual.
"…Training starts soon."
Hiroto nods slightly
"…I know."
Kenzaku studies him carefully
"…You're different."
Hiroto smirks faintly
"…Akari already said that."
Kenzaku shakes his head
"…No."
A pause.
"…I mean your presence."
That catches Hiroto off guard
"…Presence…?"
Kenzaku's eyes narrow slightly
"…It feels sharper now."
Akari mutters quietly
"…Yeah…"
A beat.
"…It's kinda scary."
Hiroto looks away slightly
Not knowing how to answer that.
Suddenly—
The blade pulses
Hard.
Urgent.
Hiroto instantly reacts
"…Someone's here."
Akari tenses immediately
"…Again?!"
Kenzaku's hand moves toward his weapon
"…Where?"
Hiroto slowly turns toward the forest line
His eyes sharpen
"…There."
At first—nothing is visible
Then—
A figure steps out
Wearing dark clothing.
Face partially hidden.
Not the armored man
But dangerous.
Very dangerous.
The figure stops walking
Studying Hiroto carefully.
Then smiles faintly
"…So the rumors were true."
Akari steps forward instantly
"…Who are you?"
The figure ignores her completely
Eyes locked on Hiroto
"…You've become important."
Hiroto's grip tightens
"…What do you want?"
The figure answers calmly
"…To confirm something."
Then—
Pressure erupts outward
Akari's eyes widen
"…What the—?!"
Kenzaku immediately steps in front of Yui
"…Get back!"
The figure vanishes instantly
Hiroto reacts on instinct
CLANG
Steel collides
Hiroto barely blocks a strike aimed directly at his neck
The ground beneath him cracks
The figure's eyes narrow slightly
"…Good reflexes."
Hiroto pushes back hard
Breaking distance.
Breathing sharpened.
The figure lands smoothly
Completely balanced.
Then smiles again
"…Interesting."*
Far away—
Hidden deep within darkness—
Three silent watchers observe everything.
And one of them quietly says:
"…Kelly was right."*
To Be Continued