4:03 AM.
Haru's eyes fluttered open in the dark room. The futon beside him was empty.
He sat up slowly, rubbing his sleepy eyes with tiny fists.
"Brother…? Brother, where are you?"
No answer.
The apartment felt too quiet. Haru's small feet touched the cold floor as he climbed down from the futon. He padded into the hall, his yellow pajamas dragging slightly.
There, sitting cross-legged on the floor under the dim light of a single lamp, was Kanashimi.
He was carefully polishing a long, sleek katana. The blade gleamed coldly with every slow, deliberate stroke of the cloth. His face was calm, but his eyes held a deep, heavy shadow.
"Brother…" Haru called softly.
Kanashimi turned his head. A gentle, tired smile appeared on his lips.
"Oh… you're up already."
Haru walked over and sat down right beside him, leaning his small body against Kanashimi's side. He stared at the shining katana with wide, curious eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"Just sharpening my katana," Kanashimi replied quietly, continuing the slow, rhythmic motions.
Haru tilted his head. "Why?"
Kanashimi paused for a moment. His hand stilled on the blade.
"For you. If something ever happens to me… you can take it. It will protect you."
Haru's little face scrunched up in confusion and worry.
"You're saying it like… you're going away from me."
Kanashimi set the katana down carefully and looked at his brother. He tried to smile, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Your sister-in-law might have already passed through the Kingdom of Freewings by now."
Haru blinked. "Kingdom of Freewings? What do you mean?"
Kanashimi took a deep breath and pulled Haru closer, wrapping one arm around his small shoulders.
"This world is huge, Haru. There are many different places — kingdoms, democracies like the city we live in now, hidden villages like the one we came from. Different types of people live together… shinobis, pirates, mages, and of course, fighters like us."
Haru listened with big, round eyes, trying to understand.
Kanashimi continued softly, his voice low and tired.
"Our village is hidden deep inside the Kingdom of Freewings, inside dense forests. King Genova is kind… he helps us. But right now, we're in a democracy. Normal people, normal rules. It can't protect us from what's coming."
Haru stayed quiet for a moment, then asked, "What's your power, brother?"
"It's not called power," Kanashimi corrected gently. "It's called Special Art. There are two types — Village Art and Special Art. Every village has its own Village Arts that only their people can use. Special Art… that's something only a specific person can use. Our village has 6 Village Arts. I have 13 Special Arts."
Haru's mouth fell open in surprise.
"It's not fair! You have 13 and I only have 1!"
Kanashimi smiled — a real, soft smile this time — and ruffled Haru's messy hair.
"I have 13… but yours is special. Your art was lost 450 years ago. The last person who could manipulate both water and ice died 450 years ago. People can still control water or ice separately, but you… you can do both in any way you want. That makes you very rare, Haru. Very strong."
Haru puffed out his tiny chest a little, but then his face turned serious again.
"Brother… are you going to leave me?"
Kanashimi's smile faded. He pulled Haru into a tight hug, resting his chin on top of the boy's head.
Yuna… I can feel you getting closer.
My death is near, and yet I'm sitting here explaining the world to a four-year-old who should only be worrying about cartoons and puddles.
"I'm not leaving you," he whispered, though his heart knew it might be a lie. "But if I have to… this katana will stay with you. And you have to be strong, okay? Strong like a real fighter."
Haru hugged him back tightly, his small voice muffled against Kanashimi's chest.
"I don't want the katana… I want you."
The words hit Kanashimi harder than any blade ever could.
How do I tell you that I might not be here much longer?
How do I explain that the woman I still love more than anything is coming to end me?
He closed his eyes, holding Haru even closer.
The apartment was silent again.
No voice.
Only the faint sound of the katana's blade reflecting the dim light… and the quiet ticking of the clock counting down the moments they had left.
Kanashimi whispered into the darkness, so softly that Haru almost didn't hear it:
"I'm sorry, Haru… Big bro is so tired of running."
Outside, the sky was still dark.
But somewhere beyond the city, Yuna was moving.
And with every step she took, Kanashimi's death drew closer.
Haru stayed curled up in Kanashimi's lap, his small fingers playing with the edge of his brother's shirt. The katana lay forgotten on the floor beside them, its polished blade catching the faint light.
Kanashimi looked down at his little brother and tried to keep his voice light.
"Today is Sunday… so no school for you. We can stay home and—"
His voice suddenly cut off mid-sentence.
"Today is Sunday and ca——"
Nothing came out.
Kanashimi's mouth moved, but no sound followed. He tried again, forcing the words.
"Ca——"
Still nothing. Just empty air.
Both brothers froze.
Haru tilted his head, blinking in confusion. "Brother…? What happened? Why did you stop?"
Kanashimi's eyes widened. He touched his own throat, trying once more.
"Haru, I——"
Silence.
No voice. Not even a whisper.
A wave of cold panic washed over him.
What is this…? Why can't I speak?
Did using Lightning Bird last night damage something? Or… is this because Yuna already started tracking me? Did she activate some village technique to silence me from afar?
No… that doesn't make sense. But my voice… it's completely gone.
Kanashimi's heart started pounding. He opened his mouth again, desperately trying to say something — anything.
Nothing.
Haru's small face scrunched up in worry. He poked Kanashimi's cheek with one finger.
"Brother? Why are you not talking? Say something… Please?"
Inside Haru's little head, his thoughts were spinning in panic:
Big bro's voice disappeared… Just like in the cartoons when someone gets cursed.Is it because of the red blood yesterday? Did the scary man do something bad to brother?I don't like this… Big bro always talks to me. What if he never speaks again? What if he leaves me without saying goodbye?
Haru's eyes started to glisten with tears again.
"Brother… your voice… where did it go? Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?"
Kanashimi quickly shook his head and pulled Haru into a tight hug, trying to comfort him without words. He gently stroked Haru's back in slow circles, but his own mind was screaming.
This can't be happening right now.
Not when Yuna is already on her way.
If I can't speak… how will I explain anything to Haru? How will I warn him? How will I tell him I love him if the worst happens?
My death is near… and now even my voice is being taken away from me?
He buried his face in Haru's hair, holding him closer than ever. His shoulders trembled slightly, but he refused to let Haru see the fear in his eyes.
Haru hugged him back tightly, his tiny voice shaking.
"Brother… even if you can't talk… I'm still here. We can play without voice. I'll talk for both of us, okay? Like… I'll be the superhero and you can be the quiet king."
Kanashimi nodded slowly, forcing a small, broken smile even though his chest felt like it was being crushed.
You're too good for this world, Haru.
Too pure.
If I really can't speak anymore… then at least let me protect you until the end.
The early morning light slowly started to creep through the curtains.
Sunday had begun.
But in their small apartment, an unnatural silence had settled — a silence that felt heavier than any scream.
Kanashimi kept holding Haru, his lost voice echoing loudly inside his own head.
Yuna… if this is your doing… please hurry.
Just don't make Haru watch when you finally come for me.