Kaito was still unconscious, his perceptions as if vanished into nothingness. Then, slowly, an image grew increasingly vivid.
Before him appeared an old house. It was made entirely of wood, with exposed beams and sliding walls. It looked like an ancient monastery, the kind where people live in silence and train with discipline.
A wide expanse of polished stones led to an imposing entrance which, despite the years, still looked majestic. Beyond the entrance, there was a well-kept, simple garden, with a few plants and a small pond at the center, the water still and clear.
«It can't be…» The boy was shaken, immersed in a feeling of nostalgia.
«Good morning, Kaito.» A sweet, feminine voice called to him as the door opened slowly. «I'm pleased to see that my childhood friend has grown well.»
Kaito, pale, watched the figure. The girl wore a kimono with a floral pattern, her white hair gathered in a high chignon, her manners delicate and her eyes amber-colored.
«Reina… is that really you!? I can't believe it, I thought you…!» Kaito fell to his knees, his voice broken, as if he had seen a ghost.
The girl approached gently, placing a hand on his cheek. «What's wrong with you, Kaito? Don't you remember? You said you would take me to the festival this year.»
«Reina…» Kaito gritted his teeth, trying to hold back. He took the girl's hand and pushed it away from him. «Stop… it's all fake. It's just a dream.»
He stood up, determined. «You and the others are no longer here.»
He headed for the monastery's exit, but the girl stopped him, shouting: «What are you doing?! Are you going to abandon me once again?!»
Silence.
«Kaitooo!!» Reina's voice followed him, but Kaito did not turn around. Crossing that threshold, the vision vanished into nothingness.
Kaito opened his eyes abruptly and sat up with a jolt, gasping. His breathing was uneven. When he calmed down, he looked around.
«This is… the hotel room,» he murmured, immediately recognizing the room; it was already late at night.
He rose slowly and sat on the edge of the bed. His body showed no wounds, but his clothes were still dirty, marked by the clash.
(My wounds...)
At that very moment, the door opened.
Yume entered carrying a tray. On it were a bowl of water and some towels. When she saw him awake, her eyes widened.
«K-Kaito!» she exclaimed, surprised and emotional.
«Hey, Yume…» he replied, trying to force a smile.
The girl set the tray at the foot of the bed and stepped closer.
«W-what… what happened? How did I end up here?» Kaito asked, confused.
Yume didn't answer. She raised her trembling hand and slapped him.
Kaito remained motionless, stunned.
«You're an idiot!» she exploded. «Why did you disappear without saying anything?! Do you realize you could have died?! If I hadn't come looking for you, you now…»
Her tone was angry, but in her eyes there was only fear and relief.
Silence fell in the room.
«You're right…» Kaito admitted, lowering his gaze. «I'm sorry. I didn't think it would end like this.»
Then, looking her in the eyes, he added: «Thank you for getting me out of there.»
In a calm voice, broken by exhaustion, he began to tell her everything.
«So the Reikeitai is here in Shinkase,» Yume said.
The boy nodded. «Exactly. And they're also looking for the mugentamashii.» He leaned back against the headboard.
«On one side we have the Fuyumi family, on the other the mugentamashii… and now also the Reikeitai.» His voice grew more serious. «I hope I'm wrong, but I wouldn't want us to have to face them all at once.» He stared at the ceiling, thoughtful.
Yume said nothing.
«Did you and Kagura manage to find anything?» he finally asked.
«Yes, we found two outfits. She'll bring them tomorrow. For now, though, don't think about it. Rest, please…» she said in a whisper, picking up the tray and pausing a second before leaving the room.
Kaito remained silent for a few seconds.
(My body doesn't hurt like when I faced Shirogane… that means Akizame really didn't intend to kill me.)
He watched the moonlight filter into the room.
(That guy… he was really strong. Is this the level of the Reikeitai?)
He lay down slowly.
The room was filled with a delicate scent that calmed him… until it made him fall asleep.
When the first light of dawn filtered through the window, Kaito opened his eyes. Beside the bed, on the chair, his wakizashi had been carefully placed. He watched them in silence.
He rose without making a sound. The clothes torn in the previous day's fight were no longer usable, so he put on the new ones. Then he left the room.
In the living room, Yume was already standing, busy cooking. The smell of rice and spices filled the air.
«Hi Kaito. Do you feel better?» she asked without turning as she skillfully worked the pan.
«Yes… sorry for making you sleep on the sofa,» he said, glancing at the improvised bed.
Yume shrugged and smiled at him. «After all, you've always been the one to sleep there.»
«Go sit down, the food is ready.»
Soon the table was laden with dishes. Kaito was surprised by the care and variety.
«Did you cook all this… by yourself?» he asked.
«Of course. I put my heart into it, so don't complain if something is too salty,» she said with a smile.
Kaito managed a small smile and brought a bite to his mouth.
After eating, Yume showed him an elegant outfit: a black jacket, a matching shirt and a bright red tie.
«Kagura brought it to me this morning. She's sorry she couldn't say goodbye to you.»
«It should suit you,» she said, feeling the jacket's fabric.
kaito watched her then said to her:
«Yume, now we have everything we need.»
At the same moment, on the other side of the city, Kagura stood in front of a good-looking woman with long black hair and raven-colored eyes. She wore a pair of glasses and an elegant dark-blue suit, beneath which a slightly unbuttoned shirt peeked out.
«You should renovate the office. It's a bit dated,» Kagura said, her voice challenging.
«Don't you have a hotel to run?» the woman asked, sitting behind the desk.
«I thought you might be interested in what I have to offer.»
«Alright — I'm all ears,» she said, laying down her pen.
«Do you remember those two kids I told you about?»
«Yes, I remember: the girl and the guy with the blades,» the woman said, recalling.
«They will participate in the next auction.»
At those words, the woman fell silent. Only after did she rise from her chair and look out through the office window.
«So they really decided to take on our family.»
«It would seem so,» Kagura replied.
«Well, let them come. I'll show them who the Fuyumi are.»