Night slowly settled over the city.
The Aoyama house stood quietly under the dark sky, its lights glowing softly from inside.
Everything was calm.
Too calm.
Inside their home, Ren and Kai shared a bedroom.
Ren sat at his desk, studying under a small lamp. Books were open in front of him, notes scattered neatly across the table. His glasses reflected the warm light as he focused.
Across the room, Kai lay on his bed, phone in hand, lazily playing a game.
The room felt normal.
Like any other night.
Kai suddenly looked up from his phone.
"Yo," he said casually, sitting up. "I'm going to the shop."
Ren didn't look away from his books.
"…Okay."
Kai stood up and grabbed his hoodie.
"You want anything?"
Ren paused for a second, thinking.
"…Maybe a drink."
Kai smirked slightly. "Of course. Always a drink."
Ren finally glanced at him.
"It helps me stay awake."
Kai shook his head. "You study too much."
Ren didn't argue.
Kai walked to the door.
Before leaving, he looked back at his brother.
"Don't fall asleep on your desk again."
Ren replied calmly, still writing.
"I won't."
Kai laughed lightly. "You always say that."
Then he left.
The door closed behind him.
Silence filled the room.
Only Ren remained inside now.
The ticking clock on the wall marked the time:
10:00 PM
Outside, the house was quiet.
Too quiet.
Ren kept studying for a while… but something felt different without Kai in the room.
Not fear.
Just emptiness.
A space that felt too noticeable.
He adjusted his glasses slightly and continued reading.
But for the first time that night…
he didn't hear his brother's voice in the background.
To be continued...