"Whoa… whoa…"
The words slipped out of him before he could stop them.
Yokina lay on the bed, exhausted but smiling, holding a newborn child in her arms.
For the first time since waking up, Juson's face softened.
He stepped closer.
"Look at him," Yokina said quietly.
Juson reached out and carefully lifted the baby into his hands.
Small. Warm. Alive.
The child's eyes opened briefly—sharp grey, strangely focused for something so new to the world.
Juson froze for a moment.
The gaze didn't feel random.
It felt… aware.
Then the baby relaxed, drifting back into sleep.
Juson placed him gently in the cot.
As he pulled his hands back—
The thin metal rail of the cot gave a faint tick.
Juson paused.
The rail trembled for a second… then went still.
He stared at it.
Then looked at the baby.
Sleeping. Peaceful.
"…Just tired," he muttered to himself.
Later, sitting by the window, Juson kept silent.
"Why do you have bandages?" Yokina asked.
"Nothing," he replied. "Just a fall at work."
She didn't push further.
But for a moment—
The glass of water beside the bed formed a slight ripple.
No one noticed.
The drive home was quiet.
But something caught his eye.
A building.
Abandoned.
Broken windows. Sealed entrance.
For a brief second—
He felt like he had seen it before.
Not remembered.
Experienced.
Juson looked away quickly and continued driving.
The house was a mess.
Clothes scattered everywhere. Utensils piled in the sink.
Juson didn't hesitate. He got to work.
Folding clothes. Cleaning surfaces. Restoring order.
Near the sofa, he pinned something to the wall
One pin slipped.
It fell to the floor… pointing upward.
For a moment, it vibrated slightly.
Then stopped.
Juson didn't notice.
By evening, Yokina arrived with the newborn
Life resumed.
Simple. Ordinary.
Dinner. Conversations. Silence.
Almost normal.
Night settled in.
The baby lay in the cot.
Sleeping.
The room was still.
Then—
The baby's fingers twitched.
A soft, almost invisible motion.
The air around the cot felt… heavier.
A spoon kept on the nearby table shifted slightly.
Just a fraction.
Then stilled.
The baby's eyes opened.
Wide.
Unblinking.
Not crying.
Not moving.
Just… watching.