Kaito didn't sleep.
He lay in bed staring at the ceiling, listening to the quiet sounds of the house.
The clock ticked slowly on the wall.
Every second felt louder than usual.
His chest felt heavy again.
Not the vibration this time.
Just… pressure.
Too many thoughts.
We're leaving tomorrow.
Mom already knew.
Sensei said everything changes.
He turned onto his side and groaned.
"…This is insane."
He sat up and looked at the punching bag in the corner of the room.
Normally he would be training right now.
Throwing punches.
Kicks.
Anything.
But Tanaka's warning echoed in his head.
Don't train alone.
He clenched his fists.
"…Fine."
He lay back down.
But his eyes stayed open.
Minutes passed.
Then hours.
He didn't know when he finally fell asleep.
...
A loud knock woke him up.
BANG. BANG. BANG.
Kaito shot up in bed.
"…What—"
Another knock.
Louder this time.
His mother's voice came from the hallway.
"I'm coming."
Kaito jumped out of bed and ran to the door of his room.
He opened it slowly.
His heart was already racing.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
He stepped into the hallway just as his mother opened the front door.
Tanaka-sensei stood outside.
His face looked more serious than Kaito had ever seen it.
"…We're leaving," Tanaka said.
Kaito froze.
"…Now?"
Tanaka nodded once.
"Tonight."
His mother didn't look surprised.
"I know."
Kaito blinked.
"…You know?!"
She turned to him calmly.
"I told you. I've been waiting for this."
Tanaka stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
His eyes moved around the room quickly.
Like he was checking for something.
"…They're closer than I thought," he muttered.
Kaito frowned.
"…Who?"
Tanaka looked at him.
"…The ones who came to the dojo."
Kaito's chest tightened.
"They're coming here?"
Tanaka didn't answer right away.
That was answer enough.
Kaito swallowed.
"…So we're running?"
Tanaka shook his head.
"…We're moving."
"That's the same thing."
"No."
Tanaka's voice turned cold.
"Running means you don't know where you're going."
Kaito blinked.
"…And we do?"
Tanaka looked at his mother.
She nodded once.
"…Yes."
Kaito stared at both of them.
"…Okay, can someone explain what's going on now?!"
Silence.
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"…Not here."
Kaito groaned.
"You always say that!"
"And I'll keep saying it."
"That's not fair!"
Tanaka stepped closer.
His eyes were sharp.
"You felt what happened at the dojo."
"…Yeah."
"You saw the men."
"…Yeah."
"You know your life isn't normal anymore."
Kaito clenched his fists.
"…Yeah."
Tanaka nodded.
"Then trust me."
Silence filled the room.
Kaito looked at his mother.
She nodded slowly.
"…Go pack," she said.
His heart pounded.
"…We're really leaving?"
"Yes."
"…Tonight?"
"Yes."
He stood there for a moment.
Then sighed.
"…This is insane."
He turned and ran to his room.
He grabbed his bag and started throwing things inside.
Clothes.
Shoes.
His gloves.
His belt.
He stopped.
Looked at the punching bag.
"…Can't take that," he muttered.
He clenched his fists.
"…I'll get a better one."
He zipped the bag and ran back out.
Tanaka was standing near the door.
His mother had a small bag ready too.
Kaito blinked.
"…That was fast."
She smiled faintly.
"I packed a long time ago."
Cold air ran down his spine.
"…You're scary."
Tanaka opened the door slowly.
Before stepping out, he stopped.
His eyes moved toward the roof across the street.
For a moment, he didn't move.
"…They're watching," he said quietly.
Kaito's heart skipped.
"…Right now?"
"Yes."
His mother stepped forward.
"Then let's go."
Tanaka nodded.
They stepped outside.
The night air felt cold.
Too cold.
Kaito looked around.
The street looked normal.
Too normal.
He grabbed his bag tighter.
"…Where are we going?"
Tanaka started walking.
"…Somewhere you can learn what you really are."
Kaito frowned.
"…And what is that?"
Tanaka didn't answer.
Behind them, on the roof of the building, the man in the dark coat watched them leave.
The device in his hand glowed bright red.
The signal moved.
Slowly.
Away.
He smiled faintly.
"…So you finally ran."
He tapped the screen.
Several red dots appeared.
All moving.
All heading in the same direction.
"…Good."
He turned and walked into the darkness.
"…The hunt starts now."
The screen flashed once more.
TARGET IN MOTION.
TRACKING ACTIVE.