Chapter 45: Silent Memories and Awakening
Cherry blossom petals were still falling slowly.
The wind was light, but Kaito's shoulders felt unbearably heavy.
He held the letter with both hands.
His fingers trembled, the paper nearly crumpling under his grip.
At that moment, footsteps sounded behind him.
Kaito didn't notice.
Haruto:
"…Kaito."
The voice was gentle.
Not forceful—like someone touching something fragile.
Kaito didn't lift his head.
Haruto took a few steps closer.
He saw the letter in Kaito's hands.
The redness in his eyes.
He didn't ask anything.
He simply sat down beside him.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
There was only the wind, the rustling petals, and the soft sound of water from the lake.
Then Haruto spoke.
Haruto (quietly):
"Do you remember…
the day we first came to headquarters?"
Kaito's breathing faltered slightly.
Haruto continued.
Haruto:
"We were both strangers.
Everything felt huge.
The rules, the people, the missions…"
Kaito's eyes drifted into the distance.
Past — The First Day
The headquarters courtyard.
New, orderly, but cold.
Young Kaito and Haruto stood side by side,
looking around cautiously.
Suddenly, a ball rolled to a stop at their feet.
A voice called out.
Kenji:
"Hey!
Could you throw the ball back?"
They both turned at the same time.
Kenji was smiling.
His clothes were a bit messy, but his energy was bright.
Haruto picked up the ball and tossed it back.
Haruto:
"Is playing ball allowed here?"
Kenji laughed.
Kenji:
"As long as you don't get caught, everything's allowed."
Kaito frowned.
Kaito:
"This is a headquarters."
Kenji shrugged.
Kenji:
"Yeah.
But we're still breathing, right?"
Then he threw the ball toward Kaito.
Kenji:
"Come on. Pass it back."
Kaito hesitated.
But then…
he threw it back.
That was the first time he smiled.
Now
Haruto's voice pulled him back.
Haruto:
"That day…
it was the first time I'd seen you that relaxed."
Kaito's voice was low.
Kaito:
"He was…
the first person who made us feel human in this place."
Haruto nodded.
Haruto:
"Yeah."
Silence followed.
Then Haruto stood up.
He looked at Kaito.
Haruto:
"We won't forget him.
But…
don't lose yourself too."
Kaito didn't answer.
But he held the letter a little tighter.
Scene Change — Mr. Alex & Lady Akira
Inside a quiet room in the shelter,
Lady Akira sat on a chair.
Her face was tired, but her eyes were clear.
Mr. Alex stood across from her.
Lady Akira inclined her head slightly.
Lady Akira:
"Mr. Alex…
thank you for helping us."
Mr. Alex replied calmly.
Mr. Alex:
"This wasn't a mission.
It was a responsibility."
Lady Akira took a deep breath.
Lady Akira:
"We weren't prepared for the last attack.
Especially…
for the Quiries' disguise ability."
Mr. Alex's gaze hardened.
Mr. Alex:
"Perfect imitation through energy absorption…
That's a highly advanced method."
Lady Akira nodded.
Lady Akira:
"Yes.
Not just appearance…
Posture, voice, behavior."
She paused.
Lady Akira:
"We were lucky this time.
But next time…
we must be prepared."
Mr. Alex's voice was firm.
Mr. Alex:
"We will be."
Infirmary — Awakening
Dim light filled the infirmary.
The soft hum of machines echoed quietly.
Ren slowly opened his eyes.
When he turned his head, the ceiling light stung his vision.
Ren (weakly):
"…Where am I?"
Sora was beside him.
Daichi stood on the other side.
Sora:
"We're in the infirmary.
You're safe."
On another bed, someone stirred.
San.
The bandage on his chest shifted slightly.
He winced.
San:
"…It hurts."
Sora immediately turned to him.
Sora:
"San!
Are you okay?"
San forced a smile.
San:
"I just…
got cut."
Sora frowned.
Sora:
'Just'?
There's a huge wound on your chest."
San looked away.
San:
"It could've been worse."
Sora sighed, then turned to Ren.
Sora:
"Ren…
what happened to you all?
How did the Quiries drain your energy?"
Ren closed his eyes.
He stayed silent for a moment.
Ren:
"They came close to us…
like they were one of us."
Daichi asked seriously.
Daichi:
"And then?"
Ren:
"The moment they made contact…
the energy was pulled out.
We couldn't resist."
Sora clenched his fist.
Sora:
"So…
that's what left you like this."
Ren nodded.
Silence fell over the infirmary.
But this silence…
was the calm before the storm.