Echoes of the Lost, Part2

While they were still on the grounds, Haruto stirred slightly.

He was still in Ayame's arms, her hold firm, protective. Even as he woke, he didn't pull away.

"Hey… Ayame," he murmured sleepily. "Why does my head hurt?"

He lifted his face just enough to look up at her.

Tears were in Ayame's eyes.

For a moment, he just stared, trying to focus.
"…Why are you crying?" he asked softly. "And where are we?"

Ayame tightened her embrace around him.
"I'll tell you everything," she said, her voice trembling. "Once we're home."

Haruto frowned faintly, confusion clouding his half-awake mind.
"What's wrong?"

Before she could answer, slow, uneven footsteps sounded behind him.

A wounded hunter came walking forward, stopping where Haruto's back was still turned.

His voice cut through the moment.

"So… you are Ayame Inazuma," he said. "Also known as the mind of a mature one at such a young age."

Haruto looked back and saw the hunter standing there.

He glanced at Ayame, confusion clear on his face.
"Hey… who is this guy, Ayame?"

She answered calmly, though her body remained tense.
"He is another hunter."

The hunter's voice turned cold.
"I will kill you both," he said, "and then kill your brother too."

Ayame shook her head.
"It's only the two of us."

The hunter let out a harsh laugh.
"Even standing in front of death's mouth, you're still lying."

His eyes narrowed.

"I know you aren't twins. You're triplets. We will find him and kill him as well."

He took a step forward.

"You will pay for what you did."

As Haruto turned back toward Ayame, his eyes widened.

A hunter was already upon them, swinging a kunai dangerously close.

"You both will pay," the hunter said.

Without hesitation, Haruto's hand shot up and struck the hunter between the cheeks and chin.

The hunter went flying backward from the impact.

Before Haruto could react, another hunter—who had been behind him—came running straight toward them.

And suddenly, a slash—blood spilled out.

The person who killed the hunter moved like a lightning bolt across the ground.

Every hunter who had been injured Died.

The person rushed over and stopped when he saw Haruto and Ayame.

Blood was streaked across Haruto's forehead and near his left eye. Ayame's silver hair was slightly damp with Blood, and both of them looked bruised and exhausted.

He knelt down immediately.
"Haruto… Ayame… are you both fine?"

Haruto blinked, his vision unsteady.
"My head hurts," he said quietly. "But… I guess I'm fine, Big Brother."

The man turned to Ayame.
"And you? Ayame—"

He froze.

Ayame wasn't responding.

Haruto's voice trembled as he looked at her.
"Big Brother Raizen," he said softly. "She isn't awake…"

He lowered his head slightly, clutching at his temples.
"I want to go home," he whispered. "My head hurts a lot."

Back at home, Renjiro stood in the middle of the room, visibly pissed.

Akari noticed immediately.

She didn't ask at first—she already knew something was wrong.

"These weapons," Renjiro said sharply, scanning the room, "most of them look like they're from my inventory."

His gaze snapped toward his room.

The door was open.

Akari followed his line of sight. "Are you saying the hunters took your weapons?"

"No," Renjiro replied. "These were on the ground when we arrived."

He clenched his fist.
"And there were more than five kunai. That's more than Haruto used last time."

Akari's eyes widened slightly.

"…Haruto might have used clones again," Renjiro muttered. Then his voice dropped. "But where is he?"

Akari hesitated. "I guess we should start looking for him."

"No," Renjiro said immediately.

She turned to him. "Why?"

"There's no use," he replied grimly. "By the time we arrived, the hunters attacked us."

He paused, jaw tight.
"That means Haruto was already taken by the one who left this."

Renjiro's eyes fell to a bag near the entrance.

Akari picked it up and opened it carefully. She checked the label inside.

"…It's Ayame's."

Renjiro froze.

"Why was she here?" Akari whispered.

"Wasn't she supposed to be at the academy?" Renjiro said, frustration rising. "This is too much now."

Without another word, he reached into his coat and pulled out a smoke gun.

He aimed upward.

Bang.
Bang.
Bang.

Three shots, fired one after another.

Ash-gray smoke spread across the sky, thick and unmistakable.

Minutes later, figures appeared from the distance.

The Capital Ward had arrived.

The one in command stepped forward, arms crossed, clearly irritated.
"Renjiro," he said, eyeing the fading smoke, "who the hell do you think is paying for this smoke gun refill?"

He smirked.
"Is your father paying for it?"

Renjiro stepped forward, his voice hard.

"You're Capital Ward," he said. "Your duty is to patrol this entire area. Can't you see what's happening?"

He gestured around them.
"This week alone, hunters attacked us twice. Twice in one week."

The commander scoffed.
"And who are you to remind us of our duty?"

In a flash, Renjiro grabbed the man by the collar and yanked him close.

"I want you to search this entire place," Renjiro said through clenched teeth. "Find Haruto. Find the hunters. Every single one of them."

Their eyes locked, neither backing down.

The commander smirked.
"And what if I say no?"

Renjiro's hand lifted, fist tightening—

"Renjiro."

Akari's voice cut through the tension.

He froze.

Slowly, Renjiro lowered his hand and released the commander's collar.

The commander laughed loudly as he straightened his uniform.
"If you were a real man, you would've punched me," he mocked. "But you're just a slave to a girl. Hah!"

Renjiro's eyes darkened.
"You think that's funny?"

He stepped back slightly.
"Do as you're told. Otherwise—"

The commander cut him off.
"Why should we even bother coming here?" he snapped. "Last time, I told you to inform the National Police Bureau. Instead, you went straight to the Central Authority."

He clicked his tongue.
"Do you know how many problems that creates when we put it on record?"

Renjiro didn't flinch.
"That's your problem."

"Oh, really?" the commander replied sharply.

Before he could say more, a powerful voice rang out from behind them.

"Get moving."

Everyone turned.

"Search the area," the voice continued. "Arrest every hunter you find."

It was Raizen.

The commander stiffened.
"What if I—"

"Enough."

Another voice cut him off instantly.

"It's an order."

Raijin stepped forward.

The atmosphere changed.

Raijin—the head of the Central Authority.

Not a single Capital Ward member hesitated.

"Yes, sir."

They moved at once, spreading out across the area.

The commander said nothing more.

Inside the house, Renjiro finished repairing the door, setting it back exactly the way it had been before.

Nothing about the entrance showed what had happened.

He stepped away and joined the others at the table.

Renjiro, Akari, Raizen, and Raijin sat on chairs around it, the room quiet except for the faint sound of breathing.

Across from them, on the sofa, Haruto and Ayame rested.

Haruto was half-awake, eyes closed, leaning slightly toward Ayame.
Ayame lay still, exhaustion weighing her down.

For a moment, no one spoke.

"This isn't random," Akari said finally, breaking the silence. "Two attacks in one week. And this time, both Haruto and Ayame were involved."

Raizen nodded slowly.
"Which means they were targeted."

Renjiro's fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
"We can't let this happen again. Whatever comes next has to be prevented before it reaches them."

Raijin glanced toward the sofa, then back to the table.
"The academy won't be enough anymore. Someone is watching their movements."

Akari lowered her voice.
"There's something else."

They all looked at her.

"Kaito," she said. "We need to keep him out of sight. He can't know about this."

Renjiro frowned slightly. "Why?"

"Lately," Akari continued, "he's been able to sense when something is off. His awareness has sharpened."

Raizen's expression darkened.
"And that's dangerous right now."

"This attack didn't involve just Haruto," Akari said. "Ayame was caught in it too. If Kaito sees them like this, or senses what's happening—"

"He'll start asking questions," Renjiro finished.

"And once he does," Raijin added, "we won't be able to stop what he awakens."

Silence fell again.

Raizen looked toward the sofa, his gaze steady but heavy.
"For now, Kaito stays away. No hints. No cracks."

Renjiro nodded.
"We protect all three of them," he said. "But especially the one who doesn't know yet."

The room remained still.

Outside, the night pressed quietly against the house—waiting.

Akari hesitated, then spoke again.

"There was something else… off today," she said. "This morning, Kaito's shirt was torn."

Renjiro looked up. "He said he saw something."

Raijin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A nail," Akari continued. "A giant nail."

Raijin leaned back slowly.
"…So now I see," he said. "He's being haunted."

The room grew heavier.

"Anything else?" Raijin asked, turning to Renjiro.

Renjiro nodded.
"Yes. Last night, he told us he was sensing the same thing he did four years ago."

Raizen stiffened.

"We calmed him down," Renjiro went on. "But I don't think the thought ever left his mind."

Akari's voice dropped.
"What he believes… is that someone isn't going to survive."

Silence followed.

Raijin folded his hands.
"And that," he said quietly, "might also be the reason he isn't here now."

They all looked at him.

"Why?" Akari asked.

Raijin's gaze shifted toward the sofa, toward Ayame resting there.
"Kaito never leaves Ayame," he said. "Never."

Renjiro's jaw tightened.

"But today," Raijin continued, "she was alone."

The implication settled in.

"Doesn't that," Raijin said, "make something… different?"

No one answered.

The quiet inside the house felt heavier than any noise outside—
as if something unseen had already begun moving.

Ayame stirred.

Her eyes slowly opened, unfocused at first, as the ceiling above her came into view.

She felt… empty.

When she tried to remember what had happened, nothing came. No pain, no fear—only one clear feeling remained.

She remembered crying.

And she remembered being alone.

Her gaze shifted, and she noticed the figures in the room.

Renjiro.
Raijin.
Raizen.

Seeing them brought a small sense of relief.

Then her eyes landed on Akari.

Ayame's face softened instantly.

A faint smile appeared as she looked at her big sister.

"…Big Sister," she whispered.

She wanted to hug her.

Slowly, Ayame moved, lowering her legs off the sofa. She placed her hands beside her and gently pushed herself forward.

But the moment her feet touched the ground—

Her expression changed.

Ayame screamed.

"Ah—!"

She jerked the moment her foot touched the floor and nearly collapsed.

"My leg—!" she cried. "It hurts!"

Akari rushed to her immediately, grabbing her before she could fall.
"Ayame, stop—don't move."

Ayame shook her head, tears pouring down her face.
"It hurts… it hurts so much," she sobbed.

Renjiro and Raizen were already there, tense and alert.

Akari knelt and held her gently.
"Where does it hurt?"

"My leg," Ayame cried again. "I fell… I fell while running."

That was all she said.

She clutched at Akari, crying harder, unable to say anything else.

Akari pulled her into a tight hug.
"It's okay. You're safe. You're home."

Ayame buried her face into Akari's shoulder, shaking.

No more words came.

And no one asked for any.

Akari tried to adjust Ayame's position, just a little.

Ayame cried out instantly.

"No—!" she sobbed. "Don't… don't touch it!"

She pulled back, clutching herself as the pain spiked again.

"It hurts," she repeated, shaking her head. "Please… stop."

Renjiro crouched down, careful.
"Ayame, we need to check—"

"No!" she cried louder, recoiling. "It hurts!"

Raizen raised a hand, signaling Renjiro to stop.

"Easy," he said calmly. "Don't force it."

Akari stayed close, but didn't move her leg again.
"It's okay," she whispered. "We won't touch it."

Ayame clung to her, breathing unevenly, tears soaking into Akari's shoulder.

"Just… don't move me," she said weakly. "Please."

Everyone backed off slightly.

No one tried again.

Helping her now only made it worse—and they all knew it.

So they stayed right there, watching, waiting,
until the pain eased enough for her to let them.

Raijin stepped forward quietly.

"As the eldest, let me try," he said calmly. "I'll be careful."

Ayame looked up at him, tears still on her face. She hesitated, fear clear in her eyes.

"I— I'm scared," she whispered.

Raijin knelt down to her level.
"I know," he said gently. "I won't force anything. Just trust me."

She nodded slightly, gripping Akari's sleeve tight, her whole body tense.

Raijin reached out slowly and placed his hand near her leg, barely applying pressure.

The moment he did—

"Aaah!" Ayame screamed, jerking back in pain.

Raijin pulled his hand away instantly.
"Alright. Stop. That's enough."

From the sofa, Haruto lay flat on his back, staring up at the ceiling, eyes unfocused.

His voice came out quiet and tired.

"…Can you keep the noise down a little?"

No one spoke.

Akari turned toward him slowly, concern filling her eyes—not anger, just worry.

Haruto didn't look at any of them.

He was still lying on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling.

After a moment, he spoke again, softer.

"Let me at least have a good view of the sunset," he said.
"You guys never take us outside… and now that we are, just let me see."

The room went still.

Raijin exhaled slowly, understanding dawning in his expression.

Ayame whimpered quietly, still holding onto Akari, while no one moved to interrupt.

No one tried to help again.

The house settled into silence—
heavy, careful, and filled with things no one knew how to say.

"Haruto, we aren't—" Renjiro started.

Haruto cut him off.

"Brother," he said quietly, almost pleading. "Please… just let me see it."

Renjiro froze.

Raizen stepped in, trying to sound calm.
"We're—"

Again, Haruto interrupted, his voice a little stronger now.

"Why?" he asked.
"Why can't you guys just let me have a view?"

He turned his head slightly, eyes unfocused but steady.

"Those birds," he continued softly. "Going back home… different colors, different kinds."

No one spoke.

"The orange sunset," Haruto went on, almost to himself.
"It's turning red. The sun's going down."

A faint pause.

"Once it's night," he said, "we can go home. Okay?"

The words hung in the air.

Renjiro, Raizen, Akari, and Raijin exchanged looks—silent, careful, uneasy.

Raijin, still leaning slightly, whispered to Renjiro and Raizen.
"Is he seeing through the ceiling… or what?"

Renjiro frowned, watching Haruto's eyes fixed on the unseen horizon.
"He's too calm for someone who'd be sensing things outside," he murmured.

Akari glanced at Haruto, his fingers loosely resting on the sofa, his face relaxed despite his pain.
"He's… just looking," she said softly. "Like he's remembering something."

Raizen's eyes softened.
"The birds… the colors… the sunset," he muttered. "It's what he saw on the grounds before. He's not seeing anything now. He's just holding onto that memory."

Renjiro exhaled, tension easing slightly from his shoulders.
"So he's not seeing through the ceiling. It's just… him recalling that moment."

Raijin nodded.
"That makes sense," he said quietly. "He's tired, hurt… and holding onto something familiar to calm himself."

Akari smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from Ayame's face.
"That's… a relief," she said. "At least it's not him sensing danger. Not yet."

Haruto, still staring at the ceiling, whispered softly to himself.
"The birds… the sun…"

Everyone exchanged looks, silently agreeing to let him be.

For now, Haruto was just remembering the last peaceful moment he had on the grounds, not seeing through anything beyond the walls.

The room returned to quiet, heavy with unspoken concern, but a small sense of calm returned for the first time since the attack.

Akari leaned closer to Ayame, her voice soft.
"Ayame… are you feeling okay now?"

Ayame blinked, still holding onto Akari, and gave a small nod.
"I… I'm feeling a little better," she said quietly.

Akari's gaze softened, but concern lingered.
"Where else did you get hurt, other than your leg?" she asked gently.

Ayame hesitated, then whispered,
"The back of my head… but that's already clear," she said, brushing a hand over her silver hair. The strands at the back were slightly damp with blood.

She swallowed and continued softly,

"Actually… I was feeling sick after the first break. I vomited, so Daigo-sensei told me to go home. After coming home, Haruto came to me and cried, and told me that Big Sister and Brother lied to us about Big Brother Guren."

Her eyes grew distant.
"Then he fell asleep. I stayed awake because I sensed danger… it was hunters. I took one down, but then more came. I used Brother Renjiro's weapons… and when I thought I couldn't handle it, I ran out with Haruto on my back. After reaching the grounds, I lost my balance… Haruto might have gotten more hurt. His head was bumped… he was bleeding, and his left eye too. I don't know where else he's injured."

Akari put a hand on her shoulder gently.
"That's… good to hear, at least," she said softly. "You both did well."

Haruto, who had been lying on the sofa, shifted suddenly. His eyes opened, wet with fresh tears.
"I told you guys to keep it low!" he shouted, voice cracking.
"You ruined it! Why can't you be patient?"

Renjiro and Raizen exchanged uneasy looks.

"Is it really that important to you?" one of them asked cautiously.

Haruto's voice trembled with frustration.
"I… I never got to see that beautiful view in four years!" he said, still staring at the ceiling.
"And you guys ruined it—all of it!"

He continued complaining, pacing his emotions between sadness and irritation, until a sudden sound at the door caught everyone's attention.

"I'm home!"

Kaito's cheerful voice rang through the house.

Haruto froze mid-complaint. His eyes widened, and awareness hit him fully.

He looked around.

He was… at home.

The frustration softened slightly, replaced by quiet relief.

As Kaito entered the living room, Haruto immediately stood up.

Without saying a word, he turned and walked upstairs.

Raizen followed him quietly.

Back in the living room, Akari quickly picked up a winter cap and gently placed it over Ayame's head, carefully covering the part of her silver hair at the back that was damp with blood.

"So he doesn't see," she whispered.

Ayame nodded weakly.

Upstairs, Haruto entered the bathroom.

He pulled off his shirt and leaned over the sink, rinsing his face with cold water. Drops slid down as he gripped the edge of the basin, breathing slowly.

When he stepped into his room, Raizen was already sitting on the chair near the wall.

Haruto glanced at him.
"Shouldn't you be watching what's happening downstairs?" he asked flatly.
"Why even bother coming here?"

Raizen didn't answer immediately.

Haruto turned away, opening his drawer. He pulled out a black track with red stripes.

"You think I want to be there?" Raizen said calmly. "Crowded. Loud. You weren't comfortable."

Haruto scoffed softly as he changed into the track.
"Comfortable?" he muttered. "That moment was already ruined."

He slipped on a black half-sleeve shirt and grabbed his jacket.

Raizen watched him carefully.
"You don't need to shut everyone out."

Haruto paused briefly, then continued dressing.
"Everyone already decided everything without me."

As Haruto began putting on his black jacket with red stripes, Raizen suddenly stood.

"Stop."

Haruto froze. "Why?"

Raizen stepped closer and pointed.
"Your arm," he said quietly. "It's bleeding, come over here."

"I'll clean it myself," Haruto replied instantly.

Raizen reached out, but Haruto pulled back.
"I said I'll do it."

He went back to the bathroom, ran water over his arm, and wiped it clean without flinching.

Raizen watched in silence.

He was shocked—not by the injury, but by how little it seemed to affect Haruto.

Haruto returned, put the jacket on fully, and wiped the remaining tears from his eyes with his sleeve.

Raizen spoke gently.
"You should go downstairs. You know Kaito was worried about you too."

Haruto shook his head.
"Don't try to change my mind," he said. "I'm not going."

Raizen sighed.
"Then why are you crying?"

Haruto turned away.
"I'm not crying," he said coldly.
"…It's just because I'm feeling cold."

Raizen didn't respond.

The room stayed quiet—
heavy with words neither of them said.

Downstairs, the moment Kaito stepped fully into the living room, he dropped his bag onto the sofa.

"Ayame!"

He ran to her and wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"I'm sorry," he blurted out. "I should've been here. Are you hurt? Are you okay?"

Ayame stiffened for a second, then gently patted his back.

"I'm fine," she said quickly. "Really. I just felt a little sick, that's all."

Kaito pulled back slightly, searching her face.
"Nothing happened?"

She forced a small smile.
"Nothing. Don't worry."

Akari watched closely but said nothing.

At that moment, footsteps came from the stairs.

Haruto walked down.

Everyone turned toward him.

He looked different now—cleaned up, dressed, closed off.

He glanced at Akari.
"Aka," he said casually, "I'm hungry. So I'm going out."

Akari straightened immediately.
"Hey—wait. Haruto—"

But he was already moving.

He slipped on his shoes, didn't look back, and ran out the door.

The sound of it closing echoed through the room.

Silence followed.

Kaito frowned, confused.
"…What's wrong with him?"

No one answered.

And outside, Haruto kept running—
away from the house,
away from the silence,
away from everything he didn't want to feel.