Moonlit Brew, 6:59 PM.
The police officers were finally wrapping up. The café lights felt harsher than usual under the evening tension. Broken glass had been swept away, statements taken, and the shattered cup replaced.
One officer closed his notebook and nodded toward Auntie Rika and Kanashimi.
"We've checked everything. We got some clues from the wallet and the security camera footage. We'll look into it and keep you updated. For now, try to stay safe and let us know if anything else happens."
Auntie Rika thanked them repeatedly, still looking shaken. Kanashimi stood quietly beside her, apron off, expression calm on the outside.
When the officers left, he turned to his boss.
"Auntie Rika… I've done everything for today. If it's okay, I'll head home now."
Auntie Rika gave him a worried smile and patted his shoulder. "Of course, dear. You've had a rough evening. Go rest. And be careful on the way home, okay?"
Kanashimi nodded, changed out of his work clothes in the small staff room, and stepped out into the cool, damp evening air. The rain had stopped, but the streets were still wet and glistening under the streetlights.
As soon as he was alone, the fear he had been holding back flooded his mind.
Yuna… please don't come now.
It's not that I fear you… or death. But if you come and lay even one hand on Haru… I'll have no choice but to fight. And I don't want to hurt you.
He walked toward the pedestrian crossing, hands buried deep in his jacket pockets. People waited beside him for the signal to change. His heart felt heavy.
Yuna is using my Special Drops almost every day… almost 2 lakh per day.
It's good that I have infinite drops. If I didn't… I might have died long ago from the backlash.
But if she's using mine… that means she's burning through her own reserves way too fast.
The light turned green. People started crossing. Kanashimi moved with them, steps steady but mind racing.
If Yuna ever finds me… my death is almost certain.
I haven't used my Special Art even once in three years. Not even the basic village arts. Because the moment I activate it… she'll know exactly where I am for a whole day. That's more than enough time for her to reach me.
He reached the other side of the road and kept walking toward their apartment, the glow of shop signs reflecting on the wet pavement.
I think I should tell Haru everything… about the village, about our powers, about why we ran.
But what will he think of me?
He sees me as his strong, quiet big brother who makes breakfast and takes him running. If I tell him I was framed for something horrible… that his sister-in-law wants me dead… that both of us carry dangerous Special Energy… what if he gets scared of me? What if he stops smiling like that?
I can't tell him. Not yet.
But if people like that strange man keep coming again and again… then neither of us is safe anymore.
Kanashimi clenched his fists tighter.
Haru is only four. He's innocent. He doesn't deserve any of this.
If I have to fight… if I have to use my power again… I'll do it. But only to protect him.
Even if it means Yuna finds me.
Even if it means I have to face the woman I still love… while she tries to kill me.
He stopped for a moment under a flickering streetlight, looking up at the dark sky.
Yuna… if you're preparing to come for me… please wait just a little longer.
I need more time to make sure Haru is safe.
With a quiet sigh, Kanashimi continued walking home, the weight of three years of secrets pressing heavier on his shoulders than ever.
Kanashimi finally reached the apartment building. The warm yellow light from their small window on the second floor told him Haru was still awake. He paused for a second outside the door, letting the cool night air fill his lungs before stepping inside.
Meanwhile, deep inside the hidden village of Special Fighters…
Yuna pushed open the wooden door of her family house, her training clothes still damp with sweat. The silver threads of her Special Art had left faint glowing marks on her palms. She didn't say a word as she walked straight to the bathroom.
Hot water poured over her body, washing away the dirt and exhaustion of another brutal training session. But no amount of water could wash away the storm inside her chest.
Kanashimi… you coward.
She stepped out twenty minutes later, wearing a simple dark yukata, her long black hair still wet and hanging down her back. The moment she entered the dining area, she could feel her father's eyes on her.
Dinner was already set on the low table — steamed rice, grilled fish, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. Her father, a stern senior fighter with sharp features and graying hair, sat waiting.
Yuna sat down silently and picked up her chopsticks.
Her father cleared his throat. "Yuna, did—"
"I rejected Kanji," she interrupted before he could finish, voice flat.
Her father let out a long, tired sigh and set his bowl down.
"That's the 11th boy you've turned down this year. At this rate, you really want to live the rest of your life as a widow?"
Yuna's chopsticks paused mid-air. She looked up, eyes cold but steady.
"I will become a mother before I become a widow."
The words hung heavy in the quiet room.
Her father stared at her, visibly shocked. "You… want to get pregnant before killing him?"
"Yes."
A heavy silence followed. Only the soft sound of chopsticks against bowls could be heard.
Her father leaned forward slightly, voice lower. "And how exactly do you plan to raise that child after I'm dead? You think the village will support the child of a traitor's wife?"
Yuna didn't even flinch. She took another bite of rice, then answered calmly, almost coldly.
"Then go and die."
Her father's face twitched with anger and disbelief. "Yuna, I was th—"
"I can think for myself," she cut in again, sharper this time. "And I know the truth will come out eventually. Either he will die… or the real truth will surface."
She placed her chopsticks down neatly and looked straight into her father's eyes.
"He will eventually reveal himself. Kanashimi can't hide forever. The moment he uses even a drop of his Special Energy, I'll know exactly where he is. And when that day comes…"
Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"I'll be ready."
Yuna stood up, leaving half her dinner untouched. She walked to the window and stared out at the glowing lights of the hidden village.
You still love me, don't you, Kanashimi? Even after three years of running.
That weak, gentle heart of yours… it's the same one that made me fall for you when we were eleven.
But love won't save you.
If you ever activate your art to protect that little brother of yours… I'll come for you.
And this time, I won't hesitate.
She clenched her fist, silver energy faintly flickering between her fingers before she forced it back down.
Her father watched her from the table, worry and frustration clear on his face, but he said nothing more. He knew his daughter too well — once Yuna made up her mind, no one could stop her.
Outside, the village lights twinkled peacefully, completely unaware of the storm that was slowly building.
Back in the city, Kanashimi quietly opened the apartment door, the faint smell of dinner he had left for Haru still lingering in the air.
He had no idea that, miles away, the woman he still loved was already preparing — not just to hunt him… but to carry his child before ending his life.