The Wind Stops
Completely.
No movement.
No sound.
Everyone Feels It Now
Not just Hiroto.
All of them.
Hiroto Stands Still
Blade in hand—
Not moving.
Not rushing.
Listening
Akari Lowers Her Voice
"…They're here."
Kenzaku Doesn't Look Around
"…Yeah."
Yui Steps Back Slightly
Trying to stay calm—
But her breathing betrays her.
Goro Moves Just Enough
Positioning himself between them and the open area.
Tamagichi
Still.
Calm.
But his eyes—
Sharp.
Then—
A Presence Appears
No dramatic entrance.
No sound.
Just… there
Standing at the edge of the broken path.
A Figure
Still.
Watching.
Akari's voice drops
"…That's one of them…"
Kenzaku narrows his eyes
"…Yeah."
The Figure Doesn't Move
Doesn't speak.
Just observes
Hiroto Steps Forward Slightly
"…You've been watching long enough."
No response
Tamagichi Raises a Hand Slightly
"…Don't."
Hiroto stops—but barely
Then—
Another presence
Behind them.
Akari turns instantly
"…What—?!"
A second figure stands there
Closer than expected.
Yui freezes
"…They're… surrounding us…"
Goro's expression hardens
"…Two."
Kenzaku speaks quietly
"…No."
A pause.
"…Three."
Silence drops heavier than before
Tamagichi finally steps forward
His presence shifts
Sharper.
Dominant.
He speaks calmly
"…You've confirmed enough."
The first figure tilts their head slightly
Then—
A voice answers
"…Yes."
The second figure remains silent
But watching closely.
The third… unseen
But felt.
Hiroto tightens his grip
"…If you're here to fight—"
Tamagichi cuts in immediately
"…They're not."
That stops everything
Akari frowns
"…How do you know?"
Tamagichi doesn't look back
"…Because if they were…"
A pause.
"…you'd already be dead."
Silence
The first figure steps forward slightly
Not aggressive—
Controlled.
Their voice is calm
"…He's correct."
That confirms it
Hiroto's eyes narrow
"…Then why are you here?"
A pause
The answer comes simply
"…To decide."
Kenzaku steps forward slightly
"…Decide what?"
The figure looks directly at Hiroto now
A brief silence
Then—
"…Whether you become a threat."
That lands heavy
Hiroto doesn't back down
"…And?"
The figure studies him
Long.
Then—
"…You're not there yet."
Akari clenches her fist
"…Then leave."
No reaction
Tamagichi speaks instead
"…You've seen enough."
A long pause
Then—
The second figure shifts slightly
"…For now."
The third presence fades
Almost instantly.
Then—
The first steps back
The second disappears
And just like that—
They're gone
No trace
Only silence remains
Yui exhales shakily
"…That was… worse than fighting…"
Kenzaku nods slightly
"…Yeah."
Akari looks irritated
"…They looked down on us…"
Goro responds quietly
"…Because they can."
Hiroto stands still
Eyes fixed where they were.
The blade pulses again
Strong.
This time—
It feels different
Not just awareness—
Reaction
Tamagichi notices
A small pause
Then he says—
"…Good."
Hiroto looks at him
"…Good?"
Tamagichi turns slightly
His voice lowers—
serious.
"…Now they've made their decision."
To be continued…