Chapter 9: When the Sky Weeps Amidst Smiling Leaves

Chapter 9: When the Sky Weeps Amidst Smiling Leaves

✿———✦———✿

“The falling leaves never expected to be drenched in the midst of their parting. Rain, as usual, arrives without an invitation.”

That morning, I sat in my office studio as usual, staring at the computer screen while checking the latest reports from the design team. The atmosphere was the same: the clacking of keyboards, faint chatter between the marketing and production teams, and the occasional hum of the coffee machine in the corner. But for some reason, this morning felt... different.

The story of Minato Kazuaki—speaking normally, living abnormally.

Maybe it wasn't the atmosphere that changed, but the way I spoke. Last night, Chinatsu really pushed me to learn how to talk more casually, even trying to make me learn the Kansai dialect. Although it felt weird at first, there was a certain sense of relief. At least now I didn't have to sound like a walking history textbook.

I had just finished a report when Jiro suddenly appeared in front of my desk. Arms folded, brows furrowed like he was solving a world crisis.

“Kazu,” he called out, his tone half-investigative.

I looked up, confused. “Yeah? What's up?”

He stepped closer, squinting at me with deep suspicion. “Are you sick or something?”

I frowned. “Sick? What do you mean?”

He pointed a finger at me. “You don't sound like yourself. Usually, you’re so stiff. But I just heard you talking to Konoha... and you sounded so chill. What gives?”

I let out a sigh, trying to ignore Jiro’s accusatory stare. “What’s wrong with talking a bit more casual? It’s not like there’s a rule saying I have to be formal 24/7, right? Well... besides my family rules, I guess.”

Hearing that, Jiro immediately drew everyone’s attention. Yorishiro, Mitsuki, and Konoha—who were busy with their own tasks—all turned to look at me. They exchanged glances before Mitsuki finally spoke up.

“Kazu, are you serious? You haven't talked like this since, what, elementary school? What’s going on?” he asked, clearly intrigued.

I scratched the back of my head, feeling awkward with the sudden spotlight. “It’s nothing. I’m just trying something new.”

Yorishiro, who had been quietly sketching design concepts, chimed in. “Wait... does this have something to do with a certain someone?”

Jiro burst out laughing and snapped his fingers. “Ah! It’s Chinatsu-san, isn't it? Your childhood neighbor? You've been spending a lot of time with her lately.”

I froze. How did he know? Luckily, they didn't know the full extent of my relationship with Chinatsu yet.

“Oh, I knew it!” Jiro shouted, laughing harder. “Minato Kazuaki, the stiffest guy in the office, changed because of a girl.”

I felt the heat rising to my cheeks. The whole room erupted in laughter.

“Kazuaki, is it really because of Chinatsu-san?” Mitsuki added. “You guys were always like siblings, but now... is this love? Seriously?! Hey Moon Tracker Team, he is in love!”

I buried my face in my hands, trying to block out their teasing. “Whatever. Say what you want.”

Despite the teasing, I realized that speaking more naturally actually made communicating with my coworkers easier. I even managed a quick chat with the marketing team without feeling intimidated by excessive formalities.

However, not everyone took the change easily. I caught Yorishiro watching me with raised eyebrows a few times, as if he were analyzing every word I said.

“What?” I finally asked, uncomfortable with the stare.

He shook his head with a small smile. “Nothing. It’s just weird seeing you change like this. Feels like something is missing.”

“Missing what?”

He shrugged. “The 'you' that’s always overly formal and complicated. But it’s fine. This is more human. I like it.”

I just huffed quietly and went back to my screen.

✿———✦———✿

The workday finally ended.

I decided to head home early, taking my usual route. The night air was biting, so I pulled my jacket tighter. I wasn't driving today; for some reason, I just wanted to walk and soak in the city vibes.

The streetlights cast a dim glow, creating dancing shadows on the asphalt. A cold breeze carried the scent of the city mixed with toasted bread from a corner shop.

As the traffic light turned red, I stopped at the crosswalk. People around me were glued to their phones. On the other side of the street, someone caught my eye.

A woman stood there gracefully, holding a wagasa—a traditional Japanese paper umbrella. It wasn't raining, yet she held it like it was an inseparable part of her. Her long hair shimmered under the streetlights. Her eyes, sharp and full of meaning, stared straight ahead.

I froze. My heart skipped a beat.

It was her... Umino Matsuyu. My ex-girlfriend.

Memories I thought I had buried rushed to the surface. What was she doing here? Why tonight? I hadn't seen her since... since everything ended between us.

I stood paralyzed for a moment before my brain told me to move. I turned around, intending to walk the other way. But after a few steps, I heard footsteps approaching.

“Kazuaki?”

The voice stopped me in my tracks. Slowly, I turned around.

She was standing right there. A faint smile touched her lips—a smile that tasted like the past.

“It's been a long time,” she said in a tone that was hard to read.

I tried to keep my cool, though I'm sure my eyes betrayed my shock. “Yeah,” I replied stiffly. “A long time.”

She held the wagasa in her hand, folding it with a gentle motion. Her gaze never left mine.

“Are you well?” she asked.

I nodded slowly. “I am. And you?”

She smiled thinly. “I'm fine. Just here on some business.”

The air between us felt heavy, thick with unspoken words. I glanced at the wagasa she carried. It looked familiar—not just the style, but the pattern. It was the same one I had seen that night... the night everything changed.

“The wagasa...” I murmured unconsciously. “You still have it?”

She paused, then gave a faint smile. “Of course. It’s one of my favorite pieces.”

I nodded, trying to shake off the eerie feeling. But then my eyes fell on her wrist, and my chest tightened.

That bracelet.

She was still wearing it. The simple bracelet I gave her years ago for her birthday. I remembered how she promised she’d never take it off.

“You...” I hesitated. “You're still wearing that?”

She looked at her wrist and lifted it slightly. “I never took it off. You know that.”

Our eyes met, and for the first time that night, I saw something behind her sharp gaze—regret.

“Matsuyu...” I tried to speak, but the words felt stuck.

She sighed softly. “Kazuaki, I know I made a huge mistake back then. I don't expect you to forgive me. But... I want you to know, I’m truly sorry.”

The words hit me like a wave. All the emotions I had suppressed started to leak out.

She stepped back, creating space between us. “I won't interfere with your life anymore. I just wanted you to know that.”

I stood there, speechless.

“Do you still talk all formal?” she asked suddenly, trying to break the tension.

I shrugged, forcing a small smile. “Not as much. I'm trying to cut back.”

“Oh?” She raised an eyebrow. “I'm surprised. You've changed.”

I couldn't tell if it was a compliment or a jab, but I just smiled. Not wanting the encounter to last any longer, I excused myself.

“Well, I should get going. See ya,” I said with a slight bow.

She nodded. “Goodbye, Kazuaki.”

As I walked away, I could feel her eyes on me like an invisible weight. But this time, I chose not to look back.

✿———✦———✿

When I got home, I collapsed onto the sofa. My head was spinning. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the image of Matsuyu.

Chinatsu was busy cleaning the dining table. She looked at me and her expression immediately shifted to concern.

“Kazu, what's wrong?” she asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I shook my head, forcing a smile. “It's nothing. Just ran into someone on the street.”

Chinatsu walked over with two cups of warm tea and sat beside me. Her eyes searched mine. “Someone? Who?”

I took a deep breath. “... Matsuyu,” I answered quietly.

Chinatsu’s reaction was instant. Her eyes widened and she pursed her lips. She tried to hide it by taking a sip of tea. “Matsuyu? You met her?” Her voice was flat, but I could hear the underlying tension.

“Yeah,” I replied shortly.

The silence that followed was heavy. Outside, the rain began to pour, drumming against the window as if echoing the growing discomfort between us.

“Don't you want to tell me more?” she finally asked.

I shrugged, trying to act casual. “Nothing to tell. Just a run-in.”

Chinatsu gave a small, joyless smile. “I didn't realize... you used to date her.”

My body tensed. “We don't need to talk about that, Chinatsu.”

She went quiet, but her expression darkened. She bit her lip, holding something back. After a few seconds of silence, she stood up, went to the bedroom, and came back with a pillow. I was baffled.

“What are you doing with the pillow?”

She looked at me coldly. “I'm sleeping on the sofa.”

I was stunned. “... Why?”

She sighed, staring me down. “So you have space to think about your ex in peace.”

“Chinatsu, I'm not thinking about Matsuyu—”

She didn't say a word.

“Are you serious? You're really sleeping here?” I stammered.

“Yes,” she said softly, facing away from me as she arranged the pillows.

“Don't you want to sleep in the room with me?”

Chinatsu glanced at me with a smirk that was more frustrated than playful. “I don't want to bother you. Besides, I'm just 'a little' jealous. You'd probably be more comfortable alone.”

My heart sank. “Jealous?”

She nodded, not looking at me. “Yeah, jealous. You dated her, Kazu. I know she’s a part of your past.”

I was speechless. I felt a wave of guilt. I knew my encounter with Matsuyu had triggered this, even if she wasn't saying it directly.

I got up and went to her. “Chinatsu, wait,” I said softly, stopping her.

She looked at me hesitantly, her eyes reflecting deep vulnerability. “What?”

“Why the sofa? Don't do this. Come to the room. Let's sleep together. I hate seeing you like this.”

“But... I don't want to be a burden,” she whispered.

I took a deep breath. “Chinatsu, you are not a burden. You mean everything to me. I don't care if you're jealous—actually, I’m glad you care that much.”

She stayed quiet, but her eyes began to glisten. She felt exposed, jealous, and maybe a bit neglected.

I gently took her hand and led her toward the bedroom. “Come on. If you're uncomfortable, I'll make it comfortable. You don't have to sleep on the sofa alone.”

She looked at me for a long moment, then finally nodded. “I... I don't know why I'm like this. Maybe I’m just worried you still think about her.”

I smiled, leading her in. “I don't think about her, Chinatsu. Only you are in my head right now.”

✿———✦———✿

The next day, the city was flooded with rain. Chinatsu called out of work to stay warm at home, but I still had to head to the office.

I was riding my bike through the downpour. The road was slick, and visibility was trash. Halfway there, something caught my eye.

A tall man stood by a dim streetlight. He was wrapped in a long black cloak adorned with strange gold symbols. If I remembered correctly, it was the number 50 in ancient Sumerian. My heart hammered against my ribs.

Suddenly, the man was right in front of me. A massive axe materialized in his hand out of thin air. He swung it at me without warning. I yanked the handlebars to dodge, but my back tire skidded. I wiped out, rolling across the wet, rough asphalt.

Pain flared in my limbs, but I didn't have time to process it. The cloaked man walked toward me slowly, dragging the axe across the asphalt with a bone-chilling screech.

Then, through the mist and rain, another figure appeared.

A woman in a terrifying mask, wearing a mix of modern and ancient Japanese attire. She carried a wagasa. My memory flashed back—she was the one from the meteor incident.

Without a word, she attacked the man. The wagasa became a deadly weapon, creating shockwaves of wind that sent the man flying. The battle was intense, water splashing everywhere with every strike. Her movements were a blur.

The cloaked man eventually retreated, jumping into the air and vanishing into the fog.

Driven by a mix of fear and curiosity, I approached the masked woman and grabbed her arm.

“Who are you? Was that a monster?” I asked, panicking.

She looked at me through the mask. Her aura was mysterious, making me feel small, but there was something... familiar.

“M-Matsuyu?” I whispered.

She flinched, trying to pull away. “You have the wrong person. Who is Matsuyu?”

I knew she was lying. “You were never a good liar. I know this aura... it's you, Matsuyu.”

After a long silence, she sighed. She took off the mask, and her mystical aura vanished, replaced by her usual face—but now it was heavy with burden.

“Fine. I'll explain,” she said softly.

Matsuyu revealed she was an Ameonna—a rain spirit. This power was ancestral, passed down through generations. Rain was a part of her.

“Ameonna... like the myth?” I stammered.

“It’s not just a myth. I’m the proof,” she said firmly.

She explained that the cloaked man belonged to a group called 'Akkada Sanctum.' They were linked to the heavens and used ancient Sumerian technology and powers.

“What about the number 50?”

“That’s still a mystery,” she replied, clearly wanting to end the conversation. “Just know they are dangerous. They’re looking for something—or someone—related to celestial power. Don't get involved.”

Before I could ask more, I heard footsteps. Mitsuki and Jiro were approaching with umbrellas.

“Are you okay?” Mitsuki asked.

I turned to answer, but when I looked back, Matsuyu was gone. Not a trace. Mitsuki watched the empty spot with a faint, knowing smile.

✿———✦———✿

The alarm blared at 7 AM.

“Kazu! Your alarm has gone off five times!” Chinatsu shouted from the living room. Her voice sounded raspy.

I sat up, rubbing my face. My head felt foggy, like I was missing pieces of a dream.

“Why do I feel so weird?” I muttered.

In the kitchen, Chinatsu looked pale, wrapped in a thick sweater. She said she was just feeling under the weather and told me to get ready for work.

I took the car today. The air felt heavy. As I started the engine, a massive wave of déjà vu hit me. Images of a cloaked man, an axe, and a woman with a wagasa flashed in my mind.

I shook my head. Just a dream. It felt too real, but I can't remember the details.

The day at the office was a blur. I felt like I was missing something vital. At one point, I saw the number 50 on an Excel sheet and my skin crawled for no reason.

After work, I found Chinatsu sitting on the porch with tea.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Better,” she replied. “You look exhausted.”

My phone buzzed. A text from Mitsuki: “How are you today, Kazuaki? Sleep well last night?”

I frowned. “Fine, as usual. Why?”

His reply: “Oh, nothing. Just wondered... if you remembered anything?”

My heart raced. Remember what? Before I could type back, he sent: “Forget it. Not important. See you tomorrow!” followed by a smiley emoji. A very mysterious one.

✿———✦———✿

The next morning was brighter. Chinatsu was back to her usual sassy self in the kitchen.

“Kazu... you haven't mentioned Yukifuyu lately. Why?” she asked, her tone light but pointed.

I nearly choked on my toast. “Huh? Yukifuyu?”

“Yeah. You used to talk about her all the time. Now, suddenly, silence. What's up?”

“I've just been busy with the Taiyoutenshi project,” I lied, scratching my head.

She huffed, crossing her arms. “Busy, huh? Weird...”

The jealousy was obvious, even if she tried to hide it behind her usual pride. I tried to reassure her that Yukifuyu was just a colleague, but she just gave me a “whatever” and looked away.

I headed to the office, my mind a mess. Why was Chinatsu bringing her up? Why was Mitsuki acting weird?

The Taiyoutenshi project was huge, an innovation we were all banking on. But today, I couldn't focus.

Today felt strange. Beyond strange. And I had a feeling that this was only the beginning of the storm.