Chapter 22: A New Day, A New Problem

A week had passed since the Kuronami incident.

Kamito, now working in construction, began his first official day on-site. Even on day one, he easily lifted stacks of steel beams that normally required two or three workers. Everyone around him stared in shock, admiration, or a mix of both.

His supervisor clapped him on the back repeatedly, unable to hide his amazement.

Kamito wiped his sweat and climbed up the half-built structure. From the top, the sunlight warmed his face. For a moment, his thoughts drifted.

Amanai… you’re probably still on Kuronami-jima, aren’t you?

But he quickly shook the thought away.

He had chosen to live peacefully for now.
No monsters.
No cursed islands.
Just honest work and the quiet satisfaction of rebuilding.

For the entire week, Kamito worked non-stop without a single incident. No magical disasters. No sudden threats. It felt almost unreal.

By Friday noon, he finished his tasks early—far earlier than anyone expected. His co-workers stared as he packed his bag to head home.

But the peace didn’t last long.

As Kamito walked along the roadside, a black car suddenly sped toward him.

He had to jump back to avoid being hit.

“Hey! Watch where you're driving! Can’t you see the road signs?” Kamito shouted at the driver.

The man in the front seat didn’t respond—dressed neatly, wearing dark sunglasses, he looked more like a bodyguard than a chauffeur.

The rear door suddenly opened.

“I apologize for my driver’s behavior. We’re in a hurry. Are you hurt?” said a woman stepping out.

Kamito froze.

She looked almost exactly like Masahiro Yuki.

“Y-Yuki-san?”

The woman blinked.

“Yuki? Who? …Do you perhaps know my older sister?”

“Yes.”

Understanding dawned in the woman’s eyes. She introduced herself calmly.

“My name is Masahiro Suzuki. I’m Yuki’s younger sister.”

Now up close, Kamito noticed the differences—
a beauty mark under her right lip,
golden eyes instead of Yuki’s red ones,
yet their faces were nearly identical.

For a moment, Kamito thought he was dreaming.

Suzuki gave a quick polite nod before returning to the car. The door shut, and as the vehicle pulled away, she muttered to herself:

“What’s with that guy? How dare he casually claim to know my sister?”

The black car sped off, leaving Kamito standing alone on the street.

A new day…
and already a new problem.