When I opened my eyes, an unfamiliar ceiling greeted me. I turned my head to the left and saw a small garden filled with bonsai and uniquely arched trees. As I shifted my gaze beside the tree, I noticed someone sitting there.
I tried to stand up, but even moving my body was incredibly difficult. A sharp pain spread through my left hand, as if it was both aching and burning. And in my chest, I felt something warm, right at my heart. I didn't know what it was, but my curiosity outweighed the pain.
Little by little, I managed to get up, though still feeling lightheaded. My legs trembled as I took slow steps, gradually bringing the figure into clear view—a beautiful young woman meditating.
I walked outside, intending to approach her. Just as I was about to call out, I stopped myself. I didn't want to disturb her.
I stood frozen, simply watching her from a distance. The morning breeze was refreshing as I inhaled deeply. Then, my gaze was briefly distracted by the falling leaves. And when I looked back, she had already opened her eyes.
We stared at each other in silence.
She was surprised to see me awake, while I could only offer a faint smile. My body wavered—I still needed time to adjust after being unconscious for so long.
In an instant, Mirai was already supporting me.
"Are you alright?"
I thought to myself—something felt off. Shouldn't it be the guy supporting the girl? Why was I the one being held? Damn, my face is heating up (I muttered inwardly). "Thank you," I tried to act tough and stood up straight, but I almost fell again.
I was so embarrassed…
"Be careful! But I'm really glad you're awake. We were all so worried. Here, sit down first. I'll call the others."
I remained silent… hoping she wouldn't notice how flustered I was.
I realized she was smiling. Why is she smiling? I wondered.
"Hehehm, wait here for a bit. I'll call them and bring you some food," Mirai said before leaving.
"Damn, did she notice?" I muttered in my head.
Mirai had left, and I turned my gaze back to the fresh morning sky. I was grateful that someone had saved us. At the very least, I was sure they had taken good care of her as well.
Not long after, Mirai returned with an elderly woman. They both looked relieved and invited me to join them for breakfast. When I arrived at the dining area, I saw Mirai's younger sibling and a white fox.
As soon as the fox saw me, it dashed toward me at full speed. I felt a strange happiness but also a lingering question—Why?Never mind, I'll remember everything eventually, I told myself.
There, I was formally introduced to Mirai's family. I understood most of what they said, but all I could do was respond with a simple "Thank you" and state my name. Was this an effect of my memory loss? Or am I just naturally awkward?
After hearing their brief explanation, I learned that Mirai lived in a small, remote village. She resided in this traditional Japanese house with her grandmother, Fuyumi Nagamasa, and her younger brother, Hayato Nagamasa.
During breakfast, they shared many stories about themselves. Seeing the warmth in their family made me feel both comforted and happy. Yet, deep inside, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I had lost something precious. But what did I lose?
"Pochi…" Hayato suddenly ran after the white fox.
"Pochi?" I repeated.
"Pochi… that's… its name."
I smiled, a bit surprised to hear the fox's new name.
Pochi ran toward me, looking unusually excited to be near me.
Seeing this, Mirai and Hayato were astonished. Normally, Pochi was aloof and never wagged its tail. But with me… it was different.
"His expression… it almost looks like he's smiling," Mirai murmured.
"Yes, he seems different," Hayato added before rushing toward me and hugging both me and Pochi. I couldn't help but laugh along with him.
—
After breakfast, Mirai's grandmother left for the shrine, while Mirai was assigned to show me around the house alongside her younger brother.
Although only the three of them lived there, their house was quite spacious. Everything about it had the distinct feel of an old Japanese home. In one room, I noticed a set of samurai armor and a katana. Mirai explained that it was a family heirloom. She spoke as if I wouldn't understand, but in reality, I did—I just couldn't bring myself to respond.
As we continued our tour, Pochi quietly slipped into the room and stared at the katana.
Meanwhile, I was starting to feel comfortable here. We laughed together; they were so kind to me. Yet, my heart felt strange. Is it odd to feel happy? I placed a hand over my chest, lost in thought. Sensing my complicated emotions, Mirai gently tugged my hand. The three of us then set out to feed the deer at the shrine.
The path to the shrine was quite long, but the dense trees along the way made the air feel refreshingly cool. Birds fluttered through the sky, flying freely. I watched them soar, envying their boundless freedom.
Mirai and her brother happily fed the deer beside me, while I merely observed the tranquility around us. It felt… foreign to me. The sound of their laughter brought me back to reality. Watching them, I couldn't help but smile.
Hayato ran among the deer, while Mirai simply watched. When I looked closer, I noticed faint dark circles beneath her eyes. At that moment, I realized—she was holding back her tears.
I slowly approached her and tried to start a conversation to distract her. "Hayato seems really close to the deer, as if he has a blessing."
She didn't respond, and the gentle breeze only made the moment more awkward. I tried again, "Mirai… your cooking this morn—"
She suddenly interrupted me. "Thank you, Kelfin. You noticed, huh? But I'm fine." She took a deep breath.
"I just have to face whatever comes while keeping my head held high."
I fell silent. I didn't know why, but I was sure of one thing.
Without thinking, my hand moved on its own. Gently, I patted her head, hoping it would comfort her. I thought it worked… but she simply looked at me blankly and then pinched my cheek as hard as she could.
Seriously, that hurt.
I flinched. The sudden pain startled me.
Two days had passed, and my body had fully recovered. My bond with Mirai's family had grown, and I started to feel like a part of it. They were all so kind to me.
Even Pochi had changed. He no longer kept his distance from them. I felt truly happy.
But my memories… they still hadn't returned. Where did I come from? Where was my family? Who… am I?
I still didn't know.
Wearing a kimono, I spent the next two days helping Mirai's grandmother clean and maintain the shrine. Sometimes, I accompanied Mirai and Hayato to the nearby village. They often performed Misogi, a ritual to cleanse evil spirits.
But as I walked through the village, I noticed something unsettling. The villagers constantly cast hostile glances at us. They covered their noses as if we reeked, swept the ground where we walked as if we carried misfortune. Some even threw rotten tomatoes at us, cursing under their breath.
I wanted to retaliate—to protect Mirai and Hayato. But Mirai gently pulled at my kimono. Her silent gaze said, Don't.
For their sake, I held back my anger and continued walking.
"Why do they treat you like this?" I finally asked.
"I don't know. They've been like this ever since I was little. They fear us… as if we bring misfortune," Mirai replied softly. "But thank you for getting angry on our behalf. Don't worry, though. As bad as they are, the worst they do is throw rocks at us."
Hearing that, I said nothing. But deep inside… I made up my mind. I would make them smile.
I lifted Hayato onto my shoulders and took Mirai's bags from her hands. "I'll cook today," I said with a grin.
They both smiled at my antics.
I did it… I made them smile.
That evening, I prepared dinner for everyone. They laughed at my clumsy cooking skills, but I didn't mind. We ate together until not a single morsel remained on our plates.
Mirai's grandmother and Hayato left for the shrine, while Mirai and Pochi stayed behind to watch over the house. And I…
I walked alone toward the village, without telling them.
From the shadows, I observed the villagers. My heart still simmered with anger. My resentment felt sharp and real. But then… I saw them laughing with their families, chatting with their friends, embracing their loved ones.
They have families. They have warmth in their hearts. So why… do they crush the hearts of others?
I didn't understand.
Wrapped in my cloak, I wandered the village, listening to their conversations. Then, without realizing it, I overheard a group of women talking about Mirai's family.
"When will that cursed family die?"
"I pray every day for their deaths."
"Everything they touch is doomed. Just being near them brings bad luck."
"My crops keep failing. I bet it's because they spread disease when they walk through the village."
"If I had the chance, I'd burn them alive in their house," one woman said with a laugh.
I bit my lip so hard that I tasted blood. My fists clenched tightly. How can people be this cruel? No… are they even human?
I stood still, staring at my reflection in a water basin. I looked into my own eyes.
For Hayato… for Mirai… for Grandma…
...
...
...
Suddenly, I shivered.
That evening, I thought everything would be fine…
But then, the villagers all turned their heads, pointing at something in the distance. Their faces… they were smiling.
My heart pounded. A terrible feeling gripped my chest.
I turned around.
Far away, on a hill I knew so well…
Flames engulfed the shrine where Mirai's grandmother and Hayato were.
And the villagers… they were happy.
My eyes widened, my chest tightened. I could barely breathe.
For a moment, time seemed to slow down. Their laughter echoed in my head like a haunting refrain. Cruel. In that moment, I realized… not a single one of them had a heart.
With all my strength—
"Hayato…! Grandma…!"
I ran.
I ran with everything I had.
I just hoped…
...
...
...
...
I wouldn't lose…
...
Anything…
...
[Unnoticed by me, a heat surged within my chest. A crimson light flickered.
A ruby necklace emerged.]
(The clock read 5:11 p.m.)