Reunion

Volume 02, Chapter 18 : [ Reunion ]

Original work. By the author ‘Pili.’

(Italic dialogues represent character inner monologues)

The cafeteria noise slowly faded into the background. A few remaining people in the hall were slightly stunned by Ayuri's unusual arrival.

"…She’s here."

Yoru followed her gaze.

Kenji stood still.

"Oh… Speak of the devil."

Ayuri walked calmly, her steps were steady, and her posture was straight. No rush or hesitation.

Her expression was hard to read.

She stopped in front of their table.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Ayuri was the first to break it.

"It has been a while since we had a conversation. First and foremost…"

"…I owe you all an apology."

That alone was enough to confuse them.

"Huh?"

Kenji was choked.

Yoru straightened slightly, her shoulders tensing a bit.

Ayuri lowered her head just a little, enough to show her intent.

"I didn't mean to make things difficult at all," Her eyes shifted slightly toward Yoru. "Especially for you, Yoru."

She didn’t reply right away.

"Tch… You were really acting strangely quiet that time."

She let out a sharp breath while looking away for a moment.

"…I know."

Ayuri didn’t deny it.

She turned her gaze to Hiroki this time. "I know that I haven't been around lately. And I know my absence caused a rift."

"Is that what you call it…?" Yoru let out a sharp breath.

"I sincerely apologize and offer my condolences… about what happened to Amaya."

Ayuri paused for a moment before carrying on with a softer tone. "I didn't want everyone to misunderstand me. I just… had my own missions to handle."

"Things you couldn't trust us about?" Yoru retorted, her tone reflecting annoyance and fatigue. "I mean, after all we are a team, aren't we, Ayuri…? Or at least this is what I wanted to believe."

Hiroki watched Ayuri's face closely. She seemed different today. Usually, she carried herself with an unshakable confidence. Today, she looked grounded. Almost… human.

He started feeling the tension in his shoulders ease a bit.

"Ayuri…" Hiroki started, but Yoru didn't even let him finish.

"You just… can't just walk in here and expect things to be fine just because you said sorry." Yoru's voice tone became less biting. She crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her bicep. "Do you even realize what our circumstances were like all that time? I thought… You didn't care about it at all in the first place…"

"I would never do or think about such a thing," Ayuri replied immediately. "Not to you guys… At all!"

Silence fell between them once again.

Kenji looked towards them, sensing the ice breaking.

Some people around them started to glance over. Whispers here and there. A few chairs scraping.

Kenji rubbed his back hair.

"Uh… this is getting kinda awkward, don’t you think?"

Yoru exhaled slowly.

"…Yeah. I guess it is."

"Well, at least she's here now with us, right?" Kenji offered a lopsided smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Like, come on, Yoru. She doesn't usually bow her head like that. It must have been serious."

Yoru stayed silent for a few seconds longer while staring at the table. Then, she let out a long, exaggerated sigh as her shoulders slumped.

She looked back at Ayuri. They both avoided direct eye contact.

"Listen… I overreacted too," Yoru admitted softly. "I shouldn’t have said that much."

Ayuri’s eyes widened slightly.

"…Thank you for understanding."

Yoru grumbled a little, crossing her arms again, "But hey, don't think I'm letting you off the hook that easily. Next time, you should tell us before you disappear again."

Ayuri’s lips curled into a small, relieved smile. "I promise."

A wave of relief washed over Hiroki.

"I didn't expect things to get better between them so quickly. Anyway, finally, I feel a sense of relief from the heavy atmosphere that has hung over us for days. This could be a sign of the beginning of something better."

"It's good to have you back, Ayuri." Hiroki smiled genuinely as he moved forward.

"Finally," Kenji agreed hurriedly. "Now, can we move somewhere else before we scare the others nearby?"

Ayuri chuckled softly. She glanced around the cafeteria.

"Indeed… we’re drawing a lot of attention here."

"It's already awkward to keep standing here," Yoru admitted. "Let's get out of here. We can talk more at the Hut."

"Yeah…" Hiroki followed them as they moved ahead. "It's been a while since we last went into that place. It… makes me feel a bit nostalgic."

The noise of the cafeteria returned as they walked away, and the bubble of tension finally popped.

"So… did you eat anything, Ayuri?" Kenji asked as they walked.

"I grabbed something earlier. Don't worry about me."

"Heeeeh. You're always prepared for whatever is ahead. Uncannily perfect."

They reached the double doors. Hiroki was the last in line.

The world seemed perfectly calm to him… too calm…

Kenji turned around and noticed it.

“Oi. You still with us?”

No response.

“Hiroki?”

Nothing.

Yoru frowned.

“…Hiroki?”

Ayuri followed their line of sight.

“Hiroki?” she called softly.

Still no reaction.

His eyes were open… but distant.

As if the world had suddenly stopped for him.

…

Darkness pressed in around him.

The world seemed different. He was no longer in the PHG.

Hiroki was on his knees. Snow beneath him, all around the area. Yet, he felt no cold.

His breath came out faint, shaking as white mist filled the air.

"…Huh… W-Where am I…?"

No answer.

“…What just… happened?”

He looked down slowly at his hands.

They were shaking uncontrollably. And they were holding something.

A body within his arms. Heavy. Lifeless.

Blood stained the snow beneath them.

"N-No…"

Static…

The scene shifted abruptly.

He was standing this time. In front of him, lying on a marble floor, was a man. It was an older man with a thick black beard and hair, and wide, lifeless blue eyes.

That man wasn’t moving at all. His head was… rolling.

Hiroki gagged, trying to scream, but no sound came out, as if he was muted.

Static…

The world flickered again.

A different place.

Hiroki was focusing his gaze on a figure standing far away. Black hair. The fog obscured the face.

Yet, he could feel the heavy malice radiating from that person.

"H—"

A sudden pressure landed on his shoulder.

"Hiroki!"

He opened his eyes this time. It looks like they were closed.

The snow was no longer there.

Ayuri’s hand was gripping his shoulder. His body was unbalanced.

Hiroki stumbled back, gasping for air, as if he had just surfaced from deep water.

“Again?! I thought I'd gotten rid of these sudden nightmares. Even though that book isn't here. What's going on? This is the second time this has occurred to me while I'm fully conscious. I'm starting to have doubts about this.”

His heart was hammering against his ribs, loud and frantic.

"You okay?" She asked, seeming worried. "You just… froze for a moment up there."

Hiroki rested his head on his hand, avoiding direct gaze.

"…Ah. Yeah… I guess."

"Oi, Hiroki?" Kenji called out curiously. "What's wrong, dude? You look like you saw a ghost. You good?"

Yoru looked at him, with her arms crossed, wondering about what happened to him.

Hiroki swallowed.

"Sorry. I just…"

He stopped.

The images remained stuck in his mind.

The Snow. The Blood. That man’s face.

“Do I really have to tell them what I think? This is really confusing me now. Could it be… if I tell them this time, maybe…”

He raised his head slowly and faced Ayuri, as if his eyes asked for an answer.

Ayuri observed him quietly for a moment.

"Hiroki…" Ayuri stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Did you see something? Did that thing happen to you before?"

Hiroki stiffened.

"Before?"

Kenji tilted his head.

Hiroki hesitated for a moment. But then, he finally spoke.

"I think… I’m able to see some important things."

Yoru stared at him.

"…Huh?"

He shook his head sideways. "Not like that. It's more like… specific moments." He looked at his hands, expecting to see blood, but they were clean.

Kenji tilted his head in confusion.

"Moments of what?"

"…Possibilities."

Silence.

Yoru scoffed lightly.

"Pardon me?" Yoru stared at him flatly. "What typa nonsense is that? You mean like… the future?"

Hiroki lowered his gaze.

"I don’t know what they are. Or if they even matter." His voice was quiet. "But they feel… real."

Kenji scratched the back of his head. "Bro, did you hit your head during training yesterday or something? You’re saying some crazy stuff."

"I'm dead serious!" Hiroki snapped, the panic rising in his voice. "It happened before. With the Night Crows. I saw some flashes… and then it happened."

That sentence got Ayuri’s attention. But she didn’t interrupt.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"…I see."

Yoru shook her head.

"Hold on. You’re saying you can see the future now… For real?"

Hiroki didn’t answer immediately.

"I still wish it's not."

Kenji let out a low whistle.

"That’s… heavy."

Yoru looked away.

"…Miyu would have loved this conversation."

But Ayuri looked intrigued. Her eyes narrowed slightly, focused intently on him.

"We shouldn’t discuss this here."

She glanced around.

Some eyes kept watching from a distance, but they couldn't hear anything because the group was in front of the outer gate.

Kenji caught on.

"Yeah, true. People are staring again."

He stood up.

Yoru sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "This keeps getting weirder. Sure. We’ll discuss this properly at the hut. Just… don't overthink it, okay?"

Ayuri nodded in agreement.

They started to move to the outside.

Hiroki forced his legs to move, stepping past Ayuri to join the others.

And as they walked away, Ayuri slowed her steps slightly.

She glanced back briefly.

From a distance, someone was sitting alone at a table near the window.

White hair. Silver eyes. Calm posture.

It was Kaito… simply sitting there.

His chin rested on his interlaced fingers.

Their eyes met for a brief second.

His face seemed unreadable.

Ayuri stayed that way for a few seconds.

Then, she finally turned back and walked out under the night sky to catch up with the others.

[TO BE CONTINUED…]