Chapter 2

Cloak of Night

Chapter Two: Six Weeks of Questions

Six weeks had passed since the school incident, but the question Koharu had asked that evening still haunted Katsumi like a shadow. Who was the boy on the motorcycle? Why had he saved her? Why had he disappeared without even leaving a name?

She was sitting in her small room, surrounded by books and papers, trying to concentrate on her university studies. But her mind was wandering, trying to piece together the mysterious events. She tried to remember his features, but her blurry vision at that moment allowed her nothing more than vague shadows.

All she could clearly remember was his deep voice, the gentle touch of his hands as he held her, and the sense of security she felt for the first time in years. She had asked herself hundreds of times: Would she ever see him again? Was it just a coincidence that he was in the right place at the right time? Or was he watching her?

That last thought stirred conflicting emotions in her. On the one hand, the idea of ​​being watched was frightening. On the other hand, knowing that someone cared about her gave her a comfort she'd never felt before.

The sound of her cell phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen to see a message from Koharu: "Want to come over for dinner with us? Dad made a new ramen recipe he wants you to try."

Katsumi smiled despite her anxiety. Takuya's family had been a blessing in her life. After her parents died, they were the only people—besides her brother—who truly cared about her.

She typed her reply: "I'll be here in ten minutes. Thank you."

She looked in the mirror as she brushed her long black hair. She looked paler than usual, and there were dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. Nightmares visited her every night—sometimes about bullies, sometimes strange dreams about the mysterious boy.

She gathered her books and went downstairs, where her brother Keiji was studying at the kitchen table. He lifted his head when he saw her.

"Where are you going?" he asked with a tired smile. He looked exhausted from work and school, but he never complained.

"Koharu invited me for dinner." She sat beside him for a moment. "When will you stop exhausting yourself like this?"

Keiji laughed, rubbing his eyes. "When I get a better job. Or when you become a famous doctor and support me."

Katsumi patted him gently on the shoulder. "I'm not kidding. You work too much."

He looked at her suddenly seriously. "Katsumi, you're okay, aren't you? Ever since that day at school, you've looked... different."

She felt her heart race. She hadn't told her brother the details of what had happened, only that she'd fainted from exhaustion and stress. She didn't want to worry him with the story of the bullying and the mysterious boy.

"I'm fine," she lied with a fake smile. "Just trying to adjust to life after school."

He didn't look entirely convinced, but he didn't push her further. He knew his sister well and knew she'd tell him when she was ready.

"Go and enjoy dinner." He said as he returned to his books. "Say hello to Uncle Takuya and Koharu."

Katsumi walked out of the house, the cool air caressing her face. It was a quiet evening, and the streets were almost empty except for a few late-night commuters returning from work. Takuya's restaurant was a five-minute walk from her house, a short commute she'd taken since childhood.

But this time, she felt a strange sensation as if someone was watching her. She stopped mid-street and looked behind her. The street was empty, but the sensation didn't leave her. She kept walking, trying to ignore the chills running down her spine.

She arrived at the restaurant and entered to find Koharu helping her father in the kitchen. The place was warm and filled with the delicious smells that made her stomach growl.

"Katsumi-chan!" Takuya's uncle shouted excitedly. "Come and try this new ramen!"

She sat at the counter, watching Koharu move lightly and gracefully, skillfully assisting her father. She sometimes envied her for this ordinary, peaceful life, filled with laughter and security.

"So, how are school going?" Takuya's uncle asked, placing a steaming bowl in front of her.

"Good, trying to prepare for the university entrance exams." She took a sip of soup and closed her eyes in delight. "This is wonderful!"

Takuya smiled proudly. "A new recipe I learned from a Korean friend."

Koharu sat down next to her with a bowl of ramen as well. "By the way, have you seen that guy again? The one who brought you on graduation day?"

Katsumi nearly choked on the soup. "N... no. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know, there was something off about him," Koharu said, wrapping the noodles around her chopsticks. "I felt like I'd seen him before, but I couldn't remember where."

Katsumi tensed. "Maybe he looks like someone you know."

Koharu shook her head. "No, it was something different. The way he stood, the way he held you... it was like he knew you well."

Katsumi felt her heart race again. Had the others noticed too? Was it clear the young man wasn't just a random savior?

"Maybe he was just a kind person helping those in need," she said, trying to close the subject.

Koharu laughed. "I wish there were more people like him in the world."

They finished their dinner amid light conversation about school and future plans. Koharu and her father were clearly trying to keep the atmosphere light, but Katsumi was distracted.

When it was time to head back, Takuya's uncle insisted on driving her. "The night is cold, and you look tired," he said gently.

On the way home, he asked, "Katsumi, is everything okay? You seem restless these days."

She looked out the window at the dark streets. "Just the stress of school, don't worry."

"If you need anything, anything at all, just call me." He said in a warm, fatherly voice. "You and Keiji are like my own children."

Katsumi smiled and felt tears welling in her eyes. "Thank you, Uncle Takuya."

They arrived home, and she said goodbye before entering. The house was dark—her brother had gone to bed early, as usual, after a long day at work. She quietly went up to her room, but instead of going straight to bed, she stood in front of the window, looking out at the street.

There, under the distant lamplight, she saw a moving shadow. The shadow of a person standing beside a motorcycle. Her heart stopped for a moment. Was it him? Was he really watching her?

She ran to the window and opened it, but when she looked again, no one was there.

She ran to the window and opened it, but when she looked again, no one was there. She stood there for several minutes, staring out at the empty street, wondering if her imagination was playing tricks on her.

Finally, she closed the window and went to bed, but sleep didn't come easily. She kept tossing and turning, her mind racing over the same questions that had haunted her for six weeks.

Far away, a young man stood beside his motorcycle, staring out the dark second-story window. He smiled faintly before putting on his helmet and disappearing into the night. He knew she'd seen him. He knew the time would come soon for him to reveal himself. But not yet.