Morning arrived quietly, though the air outside felt strangely unsettled.
Toviro stood near the window, looking out at the sky. Thick clouds drifted slowly across the horizon while a restless wind pushed through the trees. The weather felt cold, yet the sunlight slipping through the clouds carried an unusual warmth.
It was an odd contrast.
Toviro tilted his head slightly as he observed the shifting sky. Even the air pressure felt different from usual, though he could not immediately determine why.
Behind him, the house was already awake.
From the kitchen came the gentle sounds of cooking. Mina moved around the counter preparing breakfast, the soft clinking of plates and utensils filling the room with a comfortable rhythm. The smell of warm bread and tea drifted through the hallway.
For a moment, everything felt ordinary.
Then the television suddenly changed channels.
A bright red banner flashed across the screen.
BREAKING NEWS
Mina glanced up from the stove, her attention caught immediately.
The news anchor appeared, her voice serious.
"Authorities have confirmed a global emergency following a sudden and dramatic rise in ocean levels over the past week."
Mina slowly lowered the spoon she was holding.
"According to early measurements, sea levels across several regions have risen by nearly two meters in just seven days. Scientists warn that such a rapid increase should be impossible under normal circumstances."
Images appeared behind the anchor showing aerial views of flooded coastlines and rescue boats moving through ruined towns.
"The governments of several island nations have officially confirmed that their countries have been completely submerged. In the eastern region, the nations of Kophen, Tradanie, and Vakhana have disappeared beneath the ocean. In the southern region, the countries of Sistana, Bahlika, Oxiana, Arachosia, and Kubha have also been lost to the rising sea."
More footage played, showing exhausted survivors being carried into emergency shelters.
"Scientists remain unable to explain the sudden rise in sea levels. Officials are strongly advising all citizens, particularly those living near coastal regions, to prepare emergency evacuation plans and remain alert for further announcements."
Mina remained frozen in place.
"...Two meters?" she whispered, her grip tightening around the spoon. "That's not possible..."
The doorbell rang.
The sudden sound pulled her out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped her hands on a towel and walked toward the front door.
When she opened it, her expression immediately brightened.
"Oh, Mrs. Kitsu!" Mina said warmly. "It's been so long."
Standing outside were Elina and her mother.
Mrs. Kitsu smiled politely. "It really has. I hope we're not interrupting anything."
"Not at all," Mina replied. "Please, come in."
She looked down at Elina. "And how are you doing, dear?"
Elina smiled shyly. "I'm fine, Aunty. How are you?"
"I'm doing well, thank you."
They moved into the living room and settled comfortably. Mina returned from the kitchen moments later carrying a tray of tea and small snacks, which she placed gently on the table.
"You arrived at quite a strange morning," Mina said as she poured the tea.
Mrs. Kitsu raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Mina nodded toward the television, where the news report was still playing. "Several island countries have sunk because of the rising ocean levels. They said the water rose almost two meters in just one week."
Mrs. Kitsu's expression changed immediately. "I saw something about that earlier, but I didn't realize it was this serious."
Elina looked at the television quietly, the images of flooded cities reflecting in her eyes. "That's… really scary," she murmured, unable to look away from the flooded cities on the screen.
The conversation lingered for a moment before Mrs. Kitsu gently set her teacup down.
"We actually came to check on Mayo," she said. "Elina heard what happened the other day and was worried about him."
Mina's expression softened. "Yes, that incident was truly frightening," she admitted, her voice dropping as the memory surfaced. "But thankfully, he's doing much better now."
"Thank God," Mrs. Kitsu breathed, pressing a hand to her chest. "And where is he now?"
"Resting in his room," Mina answered with a gentle smile.
Elina looked up, her expression hopeful. "Can I go and see him, Aunty?"
Mina tilted her head warmly. "Elina, you don't ever need to ask me that. Think of this as your own house."
Elina's face lit up. "Thank you, Aunty!"
She stood and headed for the stairs.
The hallway upstairs felt calm and still, soft morning light slipping through the windows. Elina slowed as she reached the top, her eyes settling on the familiar door at the end of the corridor.
Taking a quiet breath, she walked forward and stopped in front of Mayo's room. She raised her hand and knocked gently.
"Mayo?" she called softly. "Are you awake?"
No answer came.
She waited a few seconds before knocking again, a little more firmly this time. Just as she was about to turn away, the door slowly opened.
Toviro stood there.
"Oh, hello Elina," he said calmly. "It's been a while."
Elina smiled warmly as she looked up at him. "It's good to see you again, Toviro. I really missed you these past days."
As she spoke, her eyes drifted past him into the room. There, sitting quietly on the edge of the bed, was Mayo.
His head was slightly lowered and his eyes were closed. The window beside him stood open, and the morning breeze slipped inside, gently moving strands of his hair.
Toviro noticed where she was looking and stepped aside. "Come in."
She nodded and stepped inside.
Elina looked at Mayo carefully. She had expected to see someone tired or injured, someone still recovering from what had happened.
Instead, he looked completely normal.
Calm. Too calm.
The kind of calm that didn't feel right.
For a moment neither of them spoke, and the soft wind from the window was the only movement in the room.
Then Elina gave a small smile.
"You look… better than I expected."
A small knot formed in Elina's chest.
Something about this silence felt wrong.
Mayo didn't even open his eyes.
Elina studied his face for another moment before speaking again.
"I heard about what happened," she said gently. "Those guys who attacked you… everyone was talking about it."
Still nothing.
Mayo remained completely still, as if he hadn't heard her at all.
Elina turned slightly toward Toviro.
"Toviro—"
Before she could finish, Toviro cut her off and began pacing lightly across the room, his voice strained as though he were trying to explain something complicated.
"It's actually… well, because of the shock. And the trauma. The doctor specifically said—"
"Toviro."
Elina's voice was soft, yet firm enough to stop him.
He paused and looked at her with a tired, slightly defensive expression.
"I wasn't trying to ask about the medical details," she said gently, shaking her head. "I just wanted to know… is he going to be alright?"
For a moment Toviro didn't answer.
He slowed his pacing and glanced toward Mayo before looking back at Elina. He wanted to smile, to reassure her, but he wasn't made for that.
"Yes," he said quietly. "He is going to be alright."
A voice called from downstairs just then, echoing faintly through the hallway. Toviro glanced toward the door.
"I'll see who it is."
He stepped out of the room, and the quiet that followed settled over everything like a held breath.
Now only Elina and Mayo remained.
Elina looked at him again, her curiosity slowly growing as she studied his quiet expression. Something about his stillness felt strange, almost as if he were listening to something far away.
Mayo didn't move.
He didn't open his eyes.
Yet somehow he could feel her presence in the room, and the quiet attention she was giving him.
A faint warmth rose to Elina's cheeks, and she quickly looked away as a small blush appeared before she even realized it.
Footsteps returned along the hallway a moment later, and Toviro stepped back into the room.
"Elina, your mother is waiting downstairs."
"Oh!" She straightened quickly. "Right, I should go back."
She glanced at Mayo one more time before turning to leave.
"Well… I'm glad you're looking better, Mayo."
Her voice softened a little as she added quietly, "Take care of yourself."
No answer came.
Toviro gave her a small nod. "Have a great day, Elina. We'll talk later."
She smiled politely and left the room.
Downstairs, Mina walked them to the front door, thanking them warmly for the visit. Elina gave a quiet smile before walking away with her mother. The gate closed behind them, and the street slowly returned to silence.
Inside the house, the atmosphere settled once more. Mina returned to the kitchen while the morning continued around her.
Upstairs, however, Toviro approached Mayo slowly, his expression serious.
"I think we need to talk," he said.
Mayo turned toward him calmly.
And for the first time that morning, the silence between them felt heavy.