Kaito didn't wake up for a long time.
His breathing was stable, but shallow. Every rise and fall of his chest felt uncertain, as if even that small rhythm could break at any moment.
Ren hadn't moved from his side.
Not once.
Haruto stood near the window, watching the outside carefully.
Aoi sat on the floor, knees pulled close, her thoughts spiraling.
She could still feel it.
That connection.
Faint now—
But not gone.
The Decision
"We can't keep reacting like this," Haruto said finally.
Ren didn't look up. "Then what do you suggest?"
Haruto turned toward Aoi.
"We use it."
Aoi looked up slowly.
"…You want me to go back there."
It wasn't a question.
Haruto nodded.
"But this time," he said, "you don't let it pull you."
Ren snapped immediately.
"Are you serious? She almost got taken!"
"And next time, we might not be there to stop it," Haruto replied calmly.
That shut him up.
Because it was true.
Aoi's Choice
Aoi looked down at her hands.
They were still shaking slightly.
"…If I can understand them…" she whispered.
Her voice steadied.
"…then maybe we can stop this."
Haruto didn't interrupt.
Because this wasn't his decision.
It was hers.
After a moment—
She nodded.
"I'll do it."
Preparation
They didn't wait for night.
That was intentional.
If the connection truly depended on the environment—
Then forcing it early might give them an advantage.
They returned to the burial ground.
The same place.
The same stillness.
But this time—
They were ready.
Ren stayed close to Kaito, who had insisted on coming despite barely being able to stand.
"I'm not staying behind," he had said.
Haruto didn't argue.
He just adjusted the plan.
The Setup
"Aoi," Haruto said, "you don't go all the way in."
She nodded.
"Just enough to connect. If anything feels wrong—you pull back immediately."
"…And if I can't?" she asked quietly.
Haruto didn't hesitate.
"Then we pull you back."
Ren tightened his grip on the wooden rod.
"Same as before," he muttered.
But even he knew—
It wouldn't be the same.
The Contact
Aoi stepped forward.
The air shifted instantly.
Colder.
Heavier.
She knelt slowly.
Her hand hovered over the ground.
For a second—
She hesitated.
Then—
She touched it.
The Vision Returns
Everything disappeared.
The world collapsed into silence.
And she was there again.
The past.
The same place.
But not empty.
This time—
There were more figures.
Blurred.
Standing in a circle.
Whispering.
Arguing.
"…It's the only way…"
"…We don't have a choice…"
"…They'll protect us…"
Aoi's heart began to race.
This wasn't just memory.
This was a moment.
The Ritual Begins
At the center—
The girl stood again.
The same one.
The one without a face.
But this time—
She wasn't alone.
Hands held her in place.
Not gently.
Forcefully.
Aoi's breath caught.
"…No…"
The voices grew louder.
"…It's for everyone…"
"…She'll become part of it…"
"…She won't be forgotten…"
But Aoi knew—
That wasn't true.
The Truth
"…They lied…" she whispered.
The girl looked at her.
Directly.
As if she could see her.
"…Remember me…" she said again.
But this time—
There was something else.
Fear.
Reality Breaks
"Aoi!"
Haruto's voice cut through again.
The vision shook violently.
But this time—
It didn't end immediately.
The Warning
The girl stepped closer.
"…It's not just me…"
Aoi's chest tightened.
"…What do you mean?"
The answer came—
But not from her.
The Interruption
A scream.
Real.
Not from the past.
From now.
Back to Reality
Aoi snapped back.
Her eyes opened wide—
Just in time to see it.
New Target
The shadow wasn't near her.
It wasn't watching her.
It had moved.
Fast.
Silent.
Directly toward—
Ren.
The Shift
Ren barely had time to react.
"What—?!"
The shadow struck instantly.
No warning.
No hesitation.
A direct hit.
He was thrown sideways, crashing into the ground.
"REN!" Kaito shouted.
Haruto turned sharply.
"…It changed targets."
Panic
Aoi stood frozen.
"…Why him?"
Haruto's mind raced.
Then—
It clicked.
"…Because you resisted."
Aoi's eyes widened.
"It can't control you the same way anymore…"
His voice dropped.
"…So it chose someone else."
The New Rule
Kaito's voice trembled.
"…So now… anyone can be a target?"
Haruto didn't answer.
Because he didn't need to.
The truth was already in front of them.
Final Beat
The shadow hovered over Ren.
Not rushing.
Not attacking again.
Watching.
Studying.
Learning.
And this time—
There were no petals.
No protection.
Only silence.
And the realization—
They were running out of time.