[Location: Kai's house
Time: 7:00 am
Date: 31st July]

Kai stirred awake, blinking at the faint glow of the clock on his nightstand. A smile crept across his face—thankfully, he hadn’t overslept. Today wasn’t just any day; he had plans with his friends, and showing up late wasn’t an option.

He sat up, stretching before muttering to himself, “Alright, Kai. No excuses today.” With a burst of energy, he swung out of bed and hurried to wash up. Living alone gave him freedom, but his parents still checked in often, worried whenever he went out. He could already imagine the argument if they found out—but he wasn’t backing down.

“Too important to miss,” he whispered as he buttoned his shirt.

An hour later, breakfast done and bag slung over his shoulder, Kai paused by the window. Curiosity tugged at him. He pulled the blinds up, peering toward his neighbor’s kitchen window. The whiteboard propped there always carried a scribbled message. Today’s words made him stop.

“Going to Yokohama?” Kai read aloud, eyebrows rising. He tilted his head, murmuring, “Huh… so they’re headed there too.” After a pause, he chuckled softly. “Guess I’ll write something back when I return. Later.”

Just as he dropped the blinds, his phone buzzed. A message flashed across the screen: Don’t be late. It was Sebiki.

“Right, right—I’m coming!” he laughed, grabbing his shoes before bolting out the door.

The rush of Shinagawa station filled his ears. He spotted familiar faces weaving through the crowd.

“Kai! Over here!” Himeko waved, grinning brightly.

He jogged over, slightly breathless. “Sorry, sorry. Hope I’m not late.”

“Cutting it close,” Ryu teased, clapping him on the shoulder.

Sebiki gave a sly smirk. “Good thing you showed. Would’ve been boring without you.”

They shared quick laughter before boarding the train together, their chatter buzzing with excitement.

By the time they arrived in Yokohama, the city pulsed with energy—voices, footsteps, the sharp call of vendors. The group stepped onto the busy street, taking in the scene.

“So…” Sebiki broke the silence, hands in her pockets. “Where exactly is this girl’s house?”

Kai’s smile faltered. “Uh… that’s the problem. All Kavei told me was that she lives somewhere in Yokohama.”

Himeko groaned. “Seriously? That’s it? No address?”

Kai scratched the back of his neck. “Guess we’ll be doing a lot of walking.”

Ryu sighed but grinned anyway. “Well, at least it’ll be an adventure.”

[And now]

“We’ve been wandering forever,” Sebiki groaned, dragging her feet along the pavement. “I swear my legs are gonna fall off.”

Ryu shot Kai a look, eyebrows raised. “Are we even sure she lives here? ’Cause right now it feels like we’re chasing a ghost.”

Himeko folded her arms, her voice sharp with sarcasm. “Oh, brilliant idea, Kai. Walk into Yokohama without asking anyone for directions. Genius.”

Kai threw his hands up defensively. “Hey, hey, hold on. What if Kavei and his crew are already around here too? We can’t just start asking random people.”

Sebiki rolled her eyes. “And if they are? What then? We can’t even say, ‘Excuse me, do you know where Aroshi lives?’ without sounding suspicious? Is that what you are saying?”

“We could,” Kai argued, trying to sound confident. “But… this neighborhood knows Kavei better than us. If someone slips up and mentions us, it’ll get back to him in no time.”

Sebiki’s voice rose, irritation bubbling through. “Then explain why we came all the way here!”

“Not my idea, genius!” Kai snapped, glaring at her.

Before the argument could flare further, Ryu broke away from the group. “Yeah, yeah, you two kill each other later. I’m getting ice cream.”

They watched him push open the door of a small corner shop, the jingling bell above it cutting through their bickering. Ryu bowed politely to the old woman behind the counter. She smiled warmly, already reaching for a scoop.

Himeko’s expression softened despite herself. “Trust Ryu to find ice cream in the middle of a crisis.”

Kai exhaled, tension slipping from his shoulders. For a moment, with the sweet smell drifting out of the shop and the old lady’s gentle laugh echoing inside, it almost felt like everything was normal again.

[At the same time
Location: Aroshi's Grandmother's House
Date: 31st July]

The wooden steps groaned under Kavei’s weight as he made his way up. He slowed, eyes narrowing at the dim hallway above. Dust swirled in the weak light slipping through paper windows, the patterns shifting like shadows watching them.

Benio followed close, muttering under his breath, “This place hasn’t seen a broom in decades…”

“Quiet,” Kavei said softly, not turning back. “We’re not here for commentary.”

Miyasi and Saira trailed last, their steps careful, almost hesitant. The musty air clung to them, thick with old wood and incense that had long since burned out.

At the landing, Kavei halted. His sharp gaze flicked over the sliding doors, mind working. “I’ll take the rooms on the right,” he said firmly.

Benio gave a curt nod. “Then I’ve got the left.”

Miyasi glanced at Saira, then back at them. “We’ll handle the ends. Faster that way.”

“Good. Move,” Kavei ordered, already sliding open the nearest door.

The group split apart, their presence filling the long-dead corridor with sound—the creak of boards, the scrape of doors, the muffled thud of footsteps on tatami mats.

Inside his room, Benio crouched low, inspecting every detail. He pressed along the edges of the walls, tugged at loose mats, even pried up a floorboard with a grunt. Dust puffed into his face, stinging his eyes.

“Tch,” he hissed, waving it away. Nothing.

Frustrated, he crouched lower, fingers brushing the cold cement foundation beneath. He tapped it twice, listening for hollowness, but the dull thud mocked his effort.

From across the hall, a door slid shut. Benio straightened and stepped back out, brushing dirt from his palms. Kavei emerged at the same time, eyes sharp, expression unreadable.

Their gazes locked. No words, just the truth in silence. Empty.

Kavei gave the slightest shake of his head before moving to the next door. Benio exhaled slowly, jaw tight, and mirrored him, both men pressing on in tandem.

Kavei moved carefully, sliding the panel shut behind him. His eyes scanned the corners, fingers trailing the walls for hollowness. The second room on the right was different—larger, with a balcony stretching out toward the fading sky.

He frowned. “This one’s… bigger.”

A breeze slipped through the open doors, tugging at the washi paper screens. The faint scent of damp earth and hot wind seeped in, making the air feel strangely alive.

Kavei stepped out onto the balcony, the wood cool beneath his palms as he leaned lightly against the railing. For a moment, he let the warm breeze wash over him—until a prickle ran up his spine. Something felt wrong.

He shifted his weight forward.

Crrrk—

His eyes widened. “Wait—”

The balcony floor gave way with a violent crack.

The world dropped out from under him. His stomach lurched, air rushing past his ears. He twisted midair, arms flailing for something, anything—

Thud.

The impact knocked the wind from his lungs. But instead of splintered wood or dirt, he landed on something unnervingly soft. Gasping, he pressed his palms against it. It gave under his weight like a cushion.

“What the hell…?” His voice echoed faintly, swallowed by the dark.

For a moment he lay still, ears ringing. The air smelled of damp wood… and iron. Metallic. Rusty. He forced himself upright, blinking, but the blackness was absolute.

“Great. Perfect.” He reached out, palms brushing the surface beneath him. It was uneven, lumpy. Fabric? Straw? He couldn’t tell.

Gathering his breath, he rose shakily, arms stretched out before him. He took one step, then another—

His foot caught.

“Shit—!”

He tumbled backward, rolling clumsily until his shoulder and skull slammed into something solid. Pain burst through his head, sharp and disorienting.

Kavei groaned, clutching the back of his skull. “Damn it…” The ringing in his ears was deafening now, making the silence feel heavier.

He tried to steady himself, but dizziness surged. His vision blurred, eyelids drooping against his will.

“No… stay awake…” His words slurred as he forced his eyes open. “Not… yet…”

But the darkness pressed in, merciless. His body went limp, sliding down against the unseen wall as consciousness bled away, leaving him swallowed whole by the void.