By the time the four of them returned home, everything had already changed.
No—
it was more accurate to say…
Everything had returned to normal.
The air was calm.
The house stood peacefully, untouched by chaos.
And most importantly—
No one remembered.
The terrifying events… the unnatural occurrences…
Everything that had happened—
Erased.
Completely.
Inside the house, Ken's family welcomed them as if nothing unusual had ever taken place.
"Oh… Luna, why did you suddenly disappear earlier?" Ken's grandmother asked, her brows slightly furrowed in confusion. "And… why does it feel like I can't remember you leaving at all?"
Luna paused for a brief moment.
Then—
"Uhm… Ken called me earlier," she replied, forcing a natural tone despite the lie. "He said they needed my help, so I immediately went to their school."
Ken and Lucy nodded subtly in agreement, backing her up without hesitation.
"I see…" the old woman murmured, still puzzled—but she accepted the answer.
Her attention then shifted.
"By the way… who is that with you?" she asked, glancing toward the unfamiliar girl.
Ken's father leaned forward slightly, narrowing his eyes.
"She looks exactly like you, Luna… It's like I'm seeing another version of you."
A brief silence passed.
Then Ken stepped in.
"Dad… this is Lara Takahashi," he introduced. "She's my friend. Uh… she's also Luna's cousin."
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly before continuing.
"I wanted to ask if… it's okay for her to stay here for a while."
At that moment—
Dark Luna… now known as Lara Takahashi…
Lowered her gaze.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks, whether from embarrassment or something deeper, even she couldn't tell.
To her surprise—
Ken's grandmother smiled warmly.
"Of course," she said without hesitation.
Ken's parents exchanged glances, their expressions softening into gentle smiles.
They were simply happy.
Happy that Ken had more friends.
"I-I'm really sorry for the trouble…" Lara said, bowing slightly. "I didn't want to impose on you, but I promise I'll repay your kindness. I'll make sure to pay for everything while I stay here."
Ken's father chuckled lightly.
"Come on, don't worry about that," he said with a playful grin. "I'm just glad my son is finally making friends… and they're all beautiful too."
"Dear…" Ken's mother sighed, though she couldn't help but smile as well.
"We're happy to have you here," she added warmly. "It feels like our family is growing."
Ken's grandmother nodded in agreement, her gaze soft as she looked at Lara.
"I don't know why," she said gently, "but the moment I saw you… I felt at ease."
Lara blinked—
Then smiled.
"…Thank you very much."
"Alright, everyone, let's eat," Ken's mother announced. "The food is ready."
They gathered around the table.
As they began eating, Ken's family couldn't help but glance repeatedly at Luna and Lara, who sat side by side.
It was uncanny.
Their faces… their presence…
They were almost identical.
And yet—
No one questioned it further.
After a while, Ken's father spoke again.
"If you don't mind me asking…" he said, looking at Lara, "where are your parents? And where do you live?"
Lara lowered her gaze, her expression dimming just enough to appear genuine.
"Like Luna… my parents are gone as well," she said quietly. "They died in a tragedy… a long time ago."
She paused briefly.
"I've been living in a small apartment nearby… but I lost my job recently due to some problems."
Her voice trembled slightly—perfectly convincing.
"But… Ken offered to let me stay here for a while until I can find work again," she continued. "So… I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. I promise I'll repay everything you've done for me."
Ken's mother's expression softened even more.
"That must have been hard for you," she said gently. "Don't worry. You're welcome here. You don't have to think about anything else."
"Thank you… truly," Lara replied, bowing her head once more.
"Uhm… Lara can stay in my room," Luna suddenly suggested. "There aren't any spare rooms anyway… and I'd like to get to know her better."
Ken smiled.
Lucy, sitting quietly, watched the entire scene unfold.
A gentle smile formed on her lips.
…Ken is really lucky, she thought.
To have a family this kind… this warm…
Her eyes softened.
I swear… I'll do everything I can to protect them.
And just like that—
Under a sky that remembered everything…
The world continued—
As if nothing had ever happened.