That morning felt different.
The sun shone bright for the first time in days, yet everything felt colder. Not the kind you could feel on your skin—but in your chest, like something warm was being replaced with silence.
Riku walked to school with his hands in his pockets, head low. The dream still clung to him like fog, each step reminding him of the crimson petals and that eerie voice. But what bothered him more… was Airi.
She knew something.
And she was hiding it.
When he entered class, he spotted her already at her desk. She looked normal—chatting, laughing with friends—but Riku could tell her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Kaito flopped into the seat next to him a moment later. "Morning, chosen one."
Riku blinked. "What?"
"You looked like a main character walking in here all dramatic and slow. I half expected theme music."
Riku chuckled. "You watch too much anime."
"I live by it."
Airi glanced back, just briefly, and met Riku's eyes.
They held contact for barely two seconds. But it was enough.
She remembered something. And she was scared of it.
—
At lunch, the trio returned to their usual rooftop. Kaito was rambling about a fight he saw between two students in the hallway—something about spilled curry and a sock to the face.
Riku wasn't listening. He finally spoke up when Airi opened her drink.
"Airi. What happened back then?"
Her hand froze.
Kaito blinked. "Huh?"
"You said, 'just like back then.'" Riku leaned forward, his voice calm but serious. "You know something about the pendant. About my dream. About me."
The wind picked up. The rustling of leaves, distant laughter from students below—it all faded.
Airi closed her eyes. "It wasn't supposed to happen like this."
"What wasn't?"
She looked at Riku, guilt shadowing her face. "You weren't supposed to awaken yet."
Riku's stomach dropped. "Awaken?"
"Something happened when your brother disappeared," she said slowly. "Something… that involved more than just him. That pendant you wear—it's not just his. It's a Seal of Bloom."
Kaito sat up straighter. "Wait, wait, hold up. Like a magic seal?"
"I don't know everything," Airi admitted. "I only remember bits. But… I saw him. Before he vanished. He gave me a message to pass to you when the time came."
Riku's chest tightened. "What message?"
She hesitated. Then said:
> "Tell Riku he can still stop it. But not if he remembers everything."
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know," she whispered. "But… I think the truth is buried deep inside you, Riku. And something doesn't want you to dig it up."
Kaito slowly leaned back. "Okay. I was not prepared for this level of 'plot twist' today."
Riku sat still, mind spinning.
So many questions. So few answers. But one thing was clear—
Whatever was happening had started long ago.
And they were all part of it.
Even if they didn't know the full story yet.
---