-ARAKAWA RESIDENCE, INTERIOR-
-11:18 PM, MARCH 9, 2017-
The air inside was thick.
Smoke blurred everything.
The faint crackle of fire echoed through the house.
Rikuu moved quickly.
Low.
Focused.
"…Grandma!"
His voice cut through the haze.
But the response—
Was faint.
Barely there.
Rikuu followed the sound.
Step by step.
Through the dim light.
Through the smoke.
His breathing steady—
But sharper now.
"…I'm here!"
He turned the corner—
And saw her.
His grandmother.
On the floor.
Near the table.
Conscious—
But weak.
"…Rikuu…"
His eyes widened slightly.
"…I've got you."
He moved to her immediately.
Careful.
Quick.
"…Can you stand?"
She shook her head faintly.
"…It's alright."
His voice stayed calm.
"…I'll carry you."
Ichika stood near the entrance.
The fire was growing.
Still not overwhelming—
But spreading more steadily now.
Her eyes stayed fixed on the door.
"…Rikuu…"
Rikuu lifted his grandmother carefully.
Supporting her weight.
"…We're leaving."
The smoke thickened.
The heat—
Slightly stronger now.
But still manageable.
He moved toward the exit.
Step by step.
Controlled.
Focused.
Then—
A small shift.
Something above creaked.
Rikuu's eyes flicked upward—
But he didn't stop.
"…Almost there…"
Ichika stepped closer.
Ignoring the heat.
"…Rikuu!"
Her voice carried inside.
Rikuu heard her.
"…We're coming out!"
He moved faster now.
The door—
Just ahead.
He stepped through the doorway.
Into the cold night air.
Snow falling around them.
Ichika rushed forward immediately.
"…You're okay—"
Then saw his grandmother.
"…She's—"
"She's alive," Rikuu said quickly.
"…Help me."
They moved away from the house.
Creating distance.
The fire still burning behind them.
Contained—
But not gone.
Neighbors began to notice.
Lights turning on.
Voices rising.
Confusion spreading.
Rikuu lowered his grandmother carefully.
Ichika knelt beside them.
"…We need help."
Rikuu nodded.
"…Yeah."
But his gaze—
Shifted.
Back to the house.
-UNKNOWN LOCATION-
-11:29 PM-
The man watched the screen.
"…He saved her."
A pause.
"…Expected."
Another figure spoke.
"…Do we proceed?"
The man's expression remained calm.
"…Not yet."
A faint smile.
"…Let it build."
-OUTSIDE THE HOUSE-
-11:30 PM-
Snow continued to fall.
The fire burned quietly behind them.
But something else—
Was burning too.
Not visible.
Not physical.
But real.
The beginning of something far worse.