Morning sunlight painted the sky orange.
Golden rays slipped through Akira’s bedroom window.
Warm.
Peaceful.
Quiet.
BZZZT.
Akira’s alarm clock rang.
7:40 AM.
Silence.
BZZZT.
Again.
7:50 AM.
Akira groaned.
Slowly— he opened one eye.
Half asleep.
Half dead.
He turned over.
Reached for the alarm clock.
Picked it up.
Upside down.
His blurry eyes squinted.
4:10.
Akira stared.
His brain, still asleep, processed it.
Akira: This early?
Hell no.
Without thinking— he threw the alarm clock across the room.
CRASH.
The clock shattered on the floor.
Silence.
Three seconds later—
BANG.
The door flew open.
Hanoka rushed inside.
Already awake.
Already furious.
Hanoka: YOU IDIOT!!
Hanoka: YOU LAZY!!
Hanoka: WORTHLESS EXCUSE FOR AN ACTOR!!
Hanoka: WAKE UP!!
Hanoka: IT’S 7:50 A.M.!!
She pointed at the broken clock.
Hanoka: AND THIS IS THE THIRD ALARM CLOCK YOU’VE BROKEN!!
Akira blinked.
Still half asleep.
Then sat up.
Hair messy.
Eyes barely open.
Akira: Your voice is annoying as ev—
SMACKKKK.
A direct hit to the forehead.
Akira fell backward.
Akira: OW?!
Hanoka stood over him.
Aura dark.
Eyes sharp.
Hanoka: What did you just say?
Akira rubbed his forehead.
Then replied calmly.
Akira: Nothing.
Akira: I just wish it was your mouth—
Hanoka’s eye twitched.
Hanoka: Shut up.
She crossed her arms.
Hanoka: Get up.
Hanoka: Cook me breakfast.
Hanoka: I’m hungry.
Akira sighed.
Akira: Bossy as always.
Hanoka narrowed her eyes.
Hanoka: And you better explain what happened last night.
That sentence.
It hit him.
Akira froze.
The symbol.
The glowing cross.
The force.
The blood.
The note.
N.A.
Hanoka noticed.
Her expression softened slightly.
Hanoka: …Akira?
Akira looked away.
Akira: I’ll explain.
Akira: After breakfast.
Hanoka crossed her arms.
Still annoyed.
But she could tell.
Something was wrong.
Something serious.
So for now— she let it go.
Akira slowly got out of bed.
Stretching.
Yawning.
And looked down at the broken clock.
Akira: That’s the fourth one.
Hanoka blinked.
Hanoka: You said third.
Akira looked at her.
Akira: I was counting emotionally.
Akira stood in the kitchen quietly.
The sound of eggs sizzling filled the room.
Hanoka sat at the table.
Watching him.
Arms crossed.
Still annoyed.
Still worried.
A few minutes later—
Akira placed the food down.
Rolled omelette.
Steamed rice.
Miso soup.
Hanoka’s eyes lit up.
Hanoka: Looks good.
Akira: It better.
You threatened my life five minutes ago.
Hanoka ignored that.
She picked up her chopsticks.
Took one bite.
Then immediately smiled.
Hanoka: Housewife.
Akira sighed.
Akira: I’m starting to hate that nickname.
Hanoka took another bite.
Hanoka: Too bad.
Silence.
For a few moments— only the sound of chopsticks could be heard.
Then Hanoka put them down.
Her expression changed.
Serious.
Hanoka: Akira.
Akira stopped eating.
He knew.
Hanoka leaned forward.
Hanoka: Explain.
Akira stared at his bowl.
Then quietly— he began.
Akira: Last night…
Akira: I went to Nitagawa’s grave.
Hanoka blinked.
Surprised.
Hanoka: At midnight?
Akira: Yeah.
Hanoka: That’s already stupid.
Akira ignored her.
Akira: When I got there… something happened.
He explained everything.
The glowing white light.
The portal.
The hand.
The hospital.
Meeting Nitagawa.
Their conversation.
The apology.
The black spikes.
The collapsing world.
And waking up at the grave.
Hanoka listened.
Completely silent.
Not interrupting.
For once.
Then—
Akira reached into his pocket.
And placed the folded note on the table.
Hanoka picked it up.
Her eyes narrowed.
N.A.
Hanoka: That’s it?
Akira nodded.
Akira: That’s all.
Hanoka looked at him.
Then:
Hanoka: And the blood?
Akira slowly turned.
Lifted his shirt slightly.
The bruise across his back had darkened.
Purple.
Red.
Ugly.
Hanoka’s eyes widened.
Hanoka: Akira…
Akira looked away.
Akira: Something threw me.
Hanoka gripped the note tighter.
Her expression turned pale.
Hanoka: This isn’t normal anymore.
Akira laughed weakly.
Akira: You think?
Hanoka ignored him.
She stared at the letters again.
N.A.
Then suddenly— her eyes widened.
Hanoka: Wait.
Akira looked up.
Hanoka: N.A…
She placed the note down slowly.
Hanoka: Nitagawa… Akira.
Akira froze.
His eyes widened.
Akira: What?
Hanoka looked at him.
Hanoka: It could mean both of you.
Silence.
Akira stared at the note.
His mind raced.
Nitagawa.
Akira.
Two names.
Connected.
But why?
What did it mean?
A warning?
A clue?
Or something else entirely?
Outside— the morning wind brushed softly against the windows.
But for some reason—
Akira felt cold.
Very cold.
As if something unseen had already begun moving.
And neither of them realized— this was only the beginning.
For a few minutes— silence remained between them.
The breakfast table felt heavier now.
The folded note rested between them.
N.A.
Akira kept staring at it.
Hanoka kept thinking.
Then—
Hanoka broke the silence.
Hanoka: Akira… when you picked up the note…
She looked at him carefully.
Hanoka: What did you feel?
Akira blinked.
Akira: Feel?
Hanoka nodded.
Hanoka: In your body.
Hanoka: Did anything happen?
Akira leaned back slightly.
Thinking.
Then answered.
Akira: To be honest…
He looked at his hand.
Akira: When I picked it up…
Akira: I felt chills.
Akira: Like something cold ran through my whole body.
Hanoka’s eyes narrowed.
She folded her arms.
Thinking deeply.
Then—
Hanoka: That explains it.
Akira looked at her.
Akira: Explains what?
Hanoka leaned forward.
Her expression serious.
Hanoka: The note wasn’t normal.
Hanoka: It was thrown by something.
Something… unnatural.
Akira’s eyes sharpened.
Hanoka continued.
Hanoka: And I’m positive it wasn’t Nitagawa.
Hanoka: If Nitagawa apologized to you in that place…
Hanoka: then he wouldn’t attack you right after.
Hanoka: That doesn’t make sense.
Akira thought about it.
She was right.
Hanoka looked at the note.
Hanoka: Whatever happened there…
Hanoka: it’s connected to this.
Akira stared at her.
Then smirked.
Akira: Wow.
Hanoka blinked.
Akira: Someone actually has brains.
Hanoka’s eyebrow twitched.
Hanoka: SHUT UP.
Akira laughed.
A genuine laugh.
Then his expression softened.
Akira: Putting jokes aside…
He looked at the note again.
Akira: This is actually interesting.
Hanoka sighed.
Hanoka: Interesting?
She looked at him seriously.
Hanoka: More like terrifying.
Akira nodded.
Akira: Yeah.
A moment passed.
Then Akira spoke again.
Akira: Before I found the note…
Hanoka looked up.
Akira: I saw something on Nitagawa’s grave.
Hanoka’s eyes widened.
Hanoka: What?
Akira leaned back.
Trying to remember.
Akira: A symbol.
Akira: It was glowing.
Hanoka froze.
Hanoka: What did it look like?
Akira frowned.
Thinking carefully.
Akira: Like a cross…
He looked at the ceiling.
Akira: And in the middle…
Akira: I think it had an A.
Hanoka’s eyes widened.
Shock.
Confusion.
Fear.
Everything mixed.
She immediately stood up.
Hanoka: Then we’re investigating this.
Akira blinked.
Akira: Right now?
Hanoka nodded.
Then— her stomach growled.
Both froze.
Hanoka slowly sat back down.
Awkward.
Akira stared.
Then burst out laughing.
Akira: Nice timing.
Hanoka looked away.
Embarrassed.
Hanoka: Shut up.
Then she pointed at him.
Hanoka: Fine.
We investigate later.
First— go buy me chocolates.
Akira blinked.
Akira: Eating again?
Hanoka narrowed her eyes.
Hanoka: Problem?
Akira folded his arms.
Akira: You literally just ate.
Hanoka leaned forward.
A dangerous smile appeared.
The kind Akira knew meant trouble.
Hanoka: If you buy them…
Akira stiffened.
Akira: …Then?
Hanoka smiled sweetly.
Too sweetly.
Hanoka: I’ll reward you.
Akira blinked.
His brain immediately short-circuited.
Akira: Reward?
Hanoka nodded.
Hanoka: I’ll let you sleep on my lap for two hours.
Akira froze.
Complete silence.
His soul left his body.
Then came back.
Akira: MY HEAD—
He stood up instantly.
Akira: ON YOUR LAP?!
Hanoka nodded casually.
Hanoka: And I’ll cook dinner.
Akira grabbed his jacket so fast he almost tripped.
Akira: I’M GOING RIGHT NOW.
Hanoka’s eye twitched.
Hanoka: How are you this much of a pervert?
Akira stopped at the door.
Turned.
Completely serious.
Akira: That’s not perverted.
He placed a hand over his chest.
Akira: That’s love.
Hanoka grabbed her spoon— and threw it.
Akira dodged.
Barely.
Then ran out laughing.
Hanoka covered her face.
Blushing.
Hanoka: Idiot…
The front door clicked shut behind him.
The crisp morning air greeted Akira as he stepped onto the quiet residential street.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
His mind was already somewhere else.
“Two hours…”
“A whole two hours…”
He imagined himself peacefully sleeping with his head resting on Hanoka’s lap.
The image alone made his ears turn slightly red.
Akira (thinking): Worth it.
Akira (thinking): Absolutely worth it.
A few steps later— he suddenly stopped walking.
His expression changed.
Akira (thinking): Wait…
He began calculating in his head.
Akira (thinking): Six bars of Meiji chocolate…
Akira (thinking): ¥260 each…
A few seconds passed.
Akira (thinking): That’s…
¥1,560…
He stared blankly ahead.
Akira (thinking): That’s expensive…
Out of curiosity, he quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.
Opening it carefully, he counted the bills inside.
A moment later, he let out a long sigh of relief.
Akira (relieved): “Thank goodness…”
He placed a hand over his chest dramatically.
Akira (relieved): “I actually remembered my wallet this time.”
He closed the wallet before chuckling to himself.
Akira (thinking): Imagine walking all the way there only to realize I forgot my money.
Akira (thinking): Hanoka would’ve turned me into breakfast instead.
A small laugh escaped him.
The warm morning sunlight filtered through the trees, painting the sidewalks in soft golden light.
People hurried to work.
Children laughed on their way to school.
Store owners opened their shutters for another ordinary day.
Akira quietly continued toward the convenience store.
As he rounded a street corner— a teenage girl suddenly froze.
She blinked twice.
Then pointed toward him.
Girl (surprised): “Excuse me…”
Akira stopped and turned around.
Akira (smiling): “Yes?”
The girl hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
Girl (excited): “A-Are you…
Isamu Sawada?”
Akira scratched the back of his head with an embarrassed smile.
Akira (laughing softly): “Looks like my disguise wasn’t very convincing.”
The girl’s eyes sparkled.
Girl (excited): “I’m a huge fan!
Could I please have your autograph?”
Akira nodded without hesitation.
Akira (kindly): “Of course.”
She quickly handed him a small notebook and a pen.
Akira carefully wrote his signature before returning it with both hands.
Akira (smiling): “Thank you for supporting me.”
The girl’s smile became even brighter.
Girl: “I’ll always support your movies!”
Soon, two more fans recognized him.
One asked for a selfie.
Another wanted a handshake.
Akira happily agreed to each request.
Despite his busy schedule…
he never rushed anyone.
After taking a few photos and signing a few more autographs, he bowed politely.
Akira (smiling): “Thank you, everyone.”
Akira: “Please have a wonderful day.”
The small crowd waved goodbye before continuing on their way.
Akira watched them leave with a gentle smile.
Then he suddenly remembered why he had left home in the first place.
His eyes widened.
Akira (shocked): “The chocolates!”
Without another second to waste— he hurried toward the convenience store.
Because somewhere back home…
Hanoka was waiting.
And Akira had absolutely no intention of losing his promised reward.
Akira finally arrived at the convenience store.
The automatic doors slid open with a soft chime as he stepped inside.
Without wasting any time, he headed straight toward the confectionery aisle.
Rows upon rows of colorful chocolate bars lined the shelves.
His eyes immediately landed on the familiar red packaging.
Meiji Chocolate.
He reached out and picked up one bar.
Then another.
Until there were six neatly stacked in his basket.
Just as he was about to head toward the checkout—
A familiar voice called out from behind.
Takumi (surprised, smiling): “Akira!”
Akira turned around.
Standing a few steps away was Takumi, carrying an empty shopping basket.
Akira (surprised): “Takumi?”
Takumi glanced at the basket in Akira’s hands before bursting into laughter.
Takumi (teasing): “Eating chocolates this early in the morning?”
He folded his arms dramatically.
Takumi: “What are you trying to get?
Diabetes?”
He pointed toward the shelves.
Takumi: “If that’s your goal, you might as well buy the entire sugar aisle.”
Akira looked down at the basket before shaking his head.
Akira (calm): “These aren’t for me.”
Takumi raised an eyebrow.
Takumi: “Oh?”
Akira: “They’re for someone.”
The moment those words left Akira’s mouth—
Takumi’s grin became wider.
Dangerously wider.
He slowly leaned closer.
Takumi (grinning): “Ooooh…”
Takumi: “Now I get it.”
He wiggled his eyebrows.
Takumi (teasing): “You two trying to get all lovey-dovey this early?”
Akira’s face immediately turned red.
Akira (flustered): “Stop making assumptions, you idiot!”
He pointed at the chocolates.
Akira: “She just wanted chocolates!”
Takumi stared at him for a second.
Then—
He noticed Akira’s bright red face.
A mischievous smile slowly spread across his own.
Takumi (smirking): “Hold on…”
He leaned even closer.
Takumi: “Are you…
blushing?”
Akira didn’t answer.
Instead—
Smack.
His fingers lightly flicked Takumi’s forehead.
Takumi (shocked): “WAH!”
He stumbled back, rubbing his forehead dramatically.
Takumi: “What was that for?!”
Akira (smirking): “If you don’t like getting hit…”
“…then stop teasing me.”
Takumi sighed.
Takumi: “You’re so violent.”
Akira shrugged.
Akira: “Occupational hazard.”
Takumi rolled his eyes before holding up his own shopping basket.
Inside…
There were six chocolate bars.
Akira blinked.
Akira (confused): “Wait…”
Akira: “You’re buying chocolates too?”
Takumi scratched the back of his head.
Takumi (embarrassed): “Yeah…”
“My little sister wanted some.”
Akira: “Looks like we actually have something in common.”
Takumi looked toward the ceiling dramatically.
Takumi (depressed): “Unbelievable…”
“You have an angel for a girlfriend…”
“…and I don’t even have one.”
Akira sighed.
Akira: “Quit whining.”
He pointed toward the checkout counter.
Akira: “Pay for your chocolates.”
Akira: “I’ll wait outside.”
The warm morning sunlight poured through the convenience store’s glass windows, casting long golden beams across the polished floor.
Akira walked up to the counter and placed all six chocolate bars on it.
The cashier scanned them one by one.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
The total appeared on the register.
Cashier (smiling): “Six Meiji chocolate bars…”
“…that’ll be ¥1,560.”
Cash or card?
Akira smiled to himself.
Akira (thinking): Guess my math wasn’t so bad after all.
He reached into his wallet.
Akira (calm): “Cash.”
He handed over the money.
As the cashier counted it—
His eyes suddenly widened.
He looked back at Akira.
Then again.
Cashier (shocked): “M-Mr.
Isamu?!”
Akira sighed dramatically.
Akira (deadpan): “No.”
Akira: “This is a dream.”
Akira: “Please wake up.”
The cashier burst into laughter.
Cashier (laughing): “You’re definitely Mr.
Isamu!”
Akira leaned slightly over the counter.
His voice became quieter.
Akira (whispering): “Could you keep it down?”
Akira: “I’m not really in the mood for a crowd today.”
The cashier immediately nodded.
Cashier (smiling): “Of course.”
Cashier: “I’m a huge fan.”
Akira smiled politely.
Akira: “Thanks.”
Akira: “I really appreciate your support.”
After collecting the shopping bag—
He waved goodbye and stepped back outside.
A few minutes later—
The automatic doors opened again.
Takumi finally emerged carrying his own bag.
He looked surprised to see Akira still standing there.
Takumi (smiling): “Seriously?”
Takumi: “You actually waited.”
He chuckled.
Takumi: “Guess we’ve gotten pretty close over the last two months.”
Without saying a word—
Smack.
Akira lightly flicked his forehead again.
Takumi (groaning): “Not again!”
He rubbed the same sore spot.
Takumi: “Could you stop doing that?”
Akira (smirking): “Only after you stop saying stupid things.”
The two of them began walking down the sidewalk together.
The quiet streets echoed with the sounds of passing bicycles and distant traffic.
Takumi glanced at the shopping bag.
Takumi: “Girls really do love sweets.”
Akira: “Yeah.”
After a short silence—
Takumi spoke again.
Takumi (serious): “You know…”
“You should show this side of yourself when university starts.”
Akira glanced sideways.
Akira (raising an eyebrow): “Didn’t I tell you to stop saying stupid things?”
He slowly raised one fist.
Akira: “I’ve still got two perfectly good hands.”
Takumi immediately took a step back.
Takumi (laughing): “Do that…”
“…and I’ll steal your chocolates.”
Akira couldn’t help laughing.
Soon—
The road split into two different directions.
Takumi pointed toward one street.
Takumi: “Looks like we part ways here.”
Akira nodded.
Then suddenly remembered something.
Akira: “Takumi.”
Takumi stopped walking.
Takumi: “Yeah?”
Akira: “Which university are you aiming for?”
Takumi looked toward the bright blue sky.
Then smiled.
Takumi (smiling): “Whichever one fate has waiting for me.”
Akira sighed.
Akira: “You should really think that through.”
Takumi shrugged.
Takumi: “Maybe.”
He raised a hand.
Takumi: “See you.”
Akira: “See you.”
The two friends walked away in opposite directions.
Back at the house…
Hanoka sat impatiently on the living room sofa.
Her foot tapped against the floor.
Every few seconds—
She glanced toward the clock.
Hanoka (pouting): “How long does it take to buy chocolates…”
She folded her arms.
A dangerous thought entered her mind.
Her eyes narrowed.
Hanoka (thinking): Wait…
What if he’s talking to another girl?
She immediately stood up.
Hanoka (furious): “Let him come home…”
“…he’s finished.”
At that exact moment—
The front door opened.
Akira (cheerfully): “I’m home!”
He had barely taken two steps inside—
Before Hanoka appeared directly in front of him.
Arms crossed.
Expression ice-cold.
Akira instinctively straightened his posture.
Somewhere in the universe…
Millions of lifeforms collectively sensed danger.
Hanoka (coldly): “Akira.”
Hanoka: “Where exactly were you?”
Akira felt an invisible pressure settle over the room.
Somewhere in the universe…
Millions of lifeforms collectively sensed danger.
Akira (nervous): “I had a few fan interactions…”
“…and I ran into someone.”
Hanoka slowly took another step forward.
Her expression remained perfectly calm.
Which somehow made it even scarier.
Hanoka (dangerously calm): “And…”
“…who exactly is that someone?”
Akira swallowed.
Akira (quickly): “Kaito Takumi.”
A brief silence followed.
Hanoka stared at him for another few seconds before finally nodding.
The icy aura around her disappeared.
Hanoka (calm): “Good.”
She folded her arms.
Hanoka: “Your reward time has been reduced.”
Akira blinked.
Akira (confused): “…Reduced?”
Hanoka (matter-of-factly): “Instead of two hours…”
“…you only get one hour and forty minutes.”
Akira looked genuinely disappointed.
Akira (dramatic): “Twenty minutes…”
“…gone just like that…”
Hanoka fought back a smile.
Hanoka (trying not to laugh): “Next time, don’t make your girlfriend wait.”
Akira raised the shopping bag.
Akira (smiling): “To be fair…”
“…I brought back the finest chocolates money could buy.”
Hanoka peeked inside the bag.
Her eyes sparkled.
Hanoka (smiling softly): “Good.”
She looked back at him.
Hanoka: “Thanks, Akira.”
Akira’s heart skipped a beat.
Hanoka turned toward the living room.
Hanoka (cheerfully): “Now come inside.”
She smiled over her shoulder.
Hanoka: “Lie on my lap while I eat my chocolates.”
Akira stood frozen for a moment.
Then a huge grin spread across his face.
Akira (thinking): Worth every single yen.
The two of them walked toward the living room.
Hanoka sat down on one end of the couch before gently patting her lap.
Without wasting a second, Akira happily rested his head on it.
For a few moments…
Neither of them spoke.
Only the faint ticking of the clock and the rustling of the chocolate wrapper filled the room.
A warm smile slowly appeared on Akira’s face.
Akira (overjoyed): “Hanoka…”
Hanoka (curious): “Hm?”
Akira (smiling): “I don’t know why…”
“…but your lap is surprisingly warm.”
He closed his eyes comfortably.
Akira: “And really soft.”
A faint blush spread across Hanoka’s cheeks.
She looked away, pretending to focus on her chocolate.
Hanoka (flustered): “C-Can you stop saying embarrassing things?”
She pointed a finger at him.
Hanoka: “You’ve only got one hour and forty minutes.”
Akira (grinning): “Right.”
Hanoka narrowed her eyes.
Hanoka (trying to sound serious): “And if you say one more stupid thing…”
“…I’ll spit my chocolate right onto your face.”
Akira’s eyes immediately flew open.
He looked horrified.
Akira (disgusted): “Hanoka…”
“…that’s actually disgusting.”
Hanoka couldn’t help smiling.
Akira (sighing): “Please don’t do that.”
Akira: “I’ll behave.”
Hanoka nodded proudly.
Hanoka (smirking): “Good.”
A comfortable silence settled over them once again.
After a few moments…
Akira spoke.
His tone was quieter this time.
Akira: “Actually…”
“…there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
Hanoka looked down at him.
Hanoka (curious): “Go ahead.”
Akira hesitated.
Akira: “Where are your parents?”
Hanoka blinked.
Akira: “Didn’t they go overseas?”
“…for work or vacation?”
Hanoka stared at the ceiling.
Thinking.
Hanoka (softly): “Now that you mention it…”
“…I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
She lowered her gaze.
Hanoka: “Mom hasn’t called.”
Hanoka: “Neither has Dad.”
She forced a small smile.
Hanoka: “They’re probably just busy.”
Akira looked at her quietly.
Akira (gentle): “You should call them once in a while.”
Hanoka slowly shook her head.
Hanoka: “I want to…”
“…but I always feel like I’d just be disturbing them while they’re working.”
Another silence followed.
Not an awkward one.
Just peaceful.
Hanoka looked down at Akira.
His eyelids were already beginning to droop.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She gently brushed a few strands of hair away from his forehead.
Hanoka (smiling): “Your face is practically screaming…”
“…’I’m sleepy.'”
Akira slowly opened one eye.
A tiny smile appeared on his lips.
Akira (softly): “Hanoka…”
She leaned down slightly.
Hanoka: “Hm?”
Instead of answering—
Akira slowly reached up.
His fingers gently brushed against her cheek.
He hesitated for only a moment.
Then closed the distance between them.
Their lips met in a brief, gentle kiss.
Hanoka’s eyes widened in surprise.
For a heartbeat…
Time itself seemed to stand still.
Then, as the surprise faded…
She smiled into the kiss.
Slowly…
She returned it.
Neither of them hurried.
Neither of them spoke.
The warmth of the quiet room, the afternoon sunlight filtering through the curtains, and the simple comfort of being together seemed to wash away the fear, grief, and uncertainty that had followed them for so long.
For just a little while…
The world outside no longer mattered.
There was only Akira.
Only Hanoka.
And the promise that, whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.
Hello Isamu here I incorporated emotions in brackets so the characters wont feel hollow