On one random night, when Akitsu Shouga was six years old, his world quietly broke.
He had been sitting on the living room floor, wooden blocks scattered around him, while his three-year-old sister, Aki, laughed softly as she stacked them crookedly. The house was quiet—too quiet.
Then—
The front door opened.
Akitsu looked up instinctively.
“Mom?” he called.
He stood and padded toward the entrance, bare feet cold against the floor.
There she was.
Akitsu Kisuragi.
And beside her stood a man he had never seen before—tall, broad-shouldered, arms wrapped in dark tattoos that twisted like living things beneath his skin.
The man tilted his head, eyes sharp.
“Is this the brat that’s been tormenting you?”
Akitsu Kisuragi crossed her arms.
“Yes. He is my son.”
The man crouched down in front of Akitsu, movements slow and deliberate. He smiled—but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Who are you?” Akitsu asked quietly.
“I’m Riyusei Arai,” the man said softly.
“You can call me your father from now on.”
Akitsu blinked.
“Hello… my name is Shouga,” he said politely.
“Why are you my father? I thought I didn’t have a father?”
“Oy! Stop it, Arai!” Kisuragi snapped.
“You’ll confuse him!”
“Don’t worry,” Riyusei replied smoothly.
“It’s alright.”
Akitsu stared at the markings on the man’s arms.
“What are those drawings?” he asked, pointing.
Riyusei glanced down.
“A dragon.”
Akitsu’s eyes sparkled.
“I want it!”
Riyusei chuckled.
“You can’t get it for now,” he said.
“But maybe you can when you’re older.”
Then his gaze shifted—slowly—to the living room.
“Oh?”
“Is that your sister over there?”
Akitsu turned sharply.
“Aki! Come here!”
“Don’t worry,” Riyusei said quickly, voice strange—too excited, too tight.
“There’s no need to bother her while she’s playing.”
Akitsu felt something crawl up his spine.
Later That Night
The house was dark.
Too dark.
Akitsu crept through the upstairs hallway, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He had been thirsty. That was all. That was what he told himself.
Then he saw it.
Aki’s door—slightly open.
He paused.
Something was wrong.
He stepped closer and peeked through the narrow crack.
Inside—
Riyusei Arai stood over the bed.
Aki lay motionless beneath the blankets.
Riyusei’s expression wasn’t human.
It was twisted with satisfaction and something monstrous.
Akitsu couldn’t breathe.
His legs gave out.
The memory shattered.
Present Day
Akitsu Shouga shot upright in bed, gasping.
He was back.
The Kaoru household mansion.
Silk sheets.
Moonlight spilling through tall windows.
“…That bastard,” he whispered.
“I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him.”
His hands were shaking.
He stumbled to the window and stared out into the calm night.
The moon was full.
Too peaceful.
“Where’s Aki now…?” he murmured.
“I hope she’s doing fine without me…”
His voice cracked.
“…A killer like me doesn’t deserve a pure sist—”
He froze.
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“…Why did I call myself a killer?”
His breathing slowed.
“Have I killed anyone?”
“…Am I going crazy?”
He sank onto the edge of the bed and stayed there until the sky began to pale.
“Even if I am a killer,” he whispered,
“my sister deserves a better life than staying with me.”
He clenched his fists.
“If I disappear… maybe she’ll finally be free from the past.”
The door opened softly.
Kaoru stepped inside, wearing her night dress, hair loose and slightly messy.
“Have you ever thought of knocking before entering?” Akitsu muttered.
“You’re very immature sometimes, you know that?”
Kaoru puffed her cheeks.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m here to check up on you, so be grateful I even came.”
“I don’t need you to check up on me,” he replied.
“Please, go away.”
She didn’t.
“Don’t you remember?” Kaoru said firmly.
“We’re friends. Friends care about each other.”
Akitsu looked away.
“…How are you feeling?” she asked more quietly.
“Are you still getting those nightmares?”
“I’m fine,” he said.
“And yes. I’m still getting those nightmares.”
“It’s been two months,” Kaoru said.
“They still haven’t stopped?”
“…Yeah,” Akitsu whispered.
“And what surprises me most is that I haven’t died yet.”
“What was that?” she asked.
“Nothing,” he replied quickly.
“Just get out. I need to get dressed.”
“…Alright,” Kaoru said softly.
“I’ll see you later.”
She hesitated—just for a second—before leaving.
Morning
Akitsu entered the dining room wearing a black silk tunic.
“Good morning, Akitsu-kun,” Renjiro said cheerfully.
“Good morning,” Rikuya added.
“Sit down. Liora-san will prepare your breakfast.”
“What’s for breakfast?” Akitsu asked.
“Pancakes,” Renjiro said proudly.
“Liora-san’s cooking is the best!”
“What about my cooking?” Rikuya asked sweetly.
“Yours is wonderful, dear!” Renjiro replied instantly.
Kaoru walked in wearing overalls.
“Good morning!”
“Good morning, Kaoru,” her mother said.
“Good morning, Shouga-kun,” Kaoru said softly, avoiding his eyes.
“Good morning, Kaoru,” Akitsu replied in the same gentle tone.
Kaoru froze for half a second.
Liora entered with plates.
“Here are your pancakes, Akitsu-kun. Kaoru-san.”
“…Pancakes again?” Kaoru frowned.
“You should enjoy it while you can,” Akitsu smiled.
“No thanks.”
“Kaoru,” Renjiro said sternly.
“Don’t waste food.”
“We’ll be back later,” Rikuya added.
“That plate better be empty.”
When they left, Kaoru sulked.
“I don’t like pancakes.”
“You heard your mother,” Akitsu said calmly.
She crossed her arms.
He sighed, took her fork, and lifted it.
“What are you doing?!” she yelped.
“Say ahhh,” he said flatly.
“I’m not a child!”
“You act like one,” he replied.
“So open your mouth.”
“…Fine.”
He fed her.
Her face burned red.
“This is embarrassing!” she hissed.
“Stop talking and eat,” he said.
“Or this will take longer.”
She stayed quiet—but didn’t pull away.
Not once.
