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That night, Yuki couldn't sleep.
Not just because of what Aiko said. Not just because his body still felt weird—like something alive was pulsing just beneath his skin.
It was the feeling of being watched.
From his bedroom window, the wind howled stronger than usual. Trees bent like they were bowing to something unseen.
Suddenly—
CRACK!
The window shattered inward.
Yuki jumped up, heart hammering, ready to defend himself. But the figure that appeared wasn't charging at him. It stood there, tall and still, black feathers falling gently to the floor.
A man—no, not quite human—dressed in dark robes, his eyes glowing faintly beneath a hood. A pair of black wings folded behind him, and a long, feathered fan hung at his side.
"…You've awakened," the stranger said, voice like wind scraping across stone.
Yuki stared, confused and on edge. "Who—what are you?"
The man stepped forward. "I am Ren. And I've been watching you for a long time."
Yuki instinctively took a step back. "Watching me? Why?"
Ren didn't answer immediately. Instead, he examined Yuki like a hawk eyeing prey. "Because the world shifts when a kitsune stirs. And you… are the only one left."
Yuki's breath caught. "Kitsune…? That's impossible."
Ren's eyes narrowed. "Is it?"
Before Yuki could respond, Ren turned. "You'll understand in time. But know this—others will come for you. Some to help… others to kill. I suggest you stop wasting time."
With that, the wind exploded around him. Ren vanished through the broken window as if he'd never been there, leaving only feathers in his wake.
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