The rain wouldn't stop.
It fell heavy, soaking through Yoru's hoodie until it clung to his skin like ice. He gripped the bridge railing tighter, his knuckles pale, his breath coming out in uneven clouds.
There was no one else out here. Just him, the fog, and the river below — dark, restless, almost inviting.
He didn't even remember walking here. One moment he was in his room, staring at the ceiling… the next, his legs were carrying him through the streets like they already knew where to go.
The railing was cold.
His fingers hurt from holding it so long.
Just lean forward, he told himself. One more step. Then it's done.
He didn't cry. He didn't scream. There was no big moment — just a quiet breath leaving his chest as he let go.
The wind hit first, tearing past his face. Then the black water rose up, swallowing everything.
Silence.
—
When he opened his eyes, it wasn't water he saw.
It was sunlight. Warm, too warm for winter. His back pressed against damp grass, the kind that sticks to your clothes, and when he sat up, his head spun a little.
This… wasn't the bridge.
It wasn't anywhere he knew.
Small buildings lined the street ahead, painted in pale colors. The air smelled like fresh bread mixed with something sweet, maybe flowers.
He touched his hair — dry. His clothes — dry. His skin — warm. And the scar on his neck? Gone. Completely gone.
A voice broke the stillness.
"Hey… are you lost?"
Yoru turned.
A girl stood a few steps away, holding a paper bag to her chest. Auburn hair, cut short. Eyes bright, curious. She looked about his age.
"I… guess," Yoru said. His voice came out low, unsure, like it belonged to someone else.
She stepped closer, smiling a little. "This is Miyako District. You don't look like you're from around here."
He shook his head. The name meant nothing.
Before he could ask anything, a sudden gust of wind cut through the park. The clouds above shifted fast — way too fast — like something was pulling them toward a single point in the sky.
Yoru blinked. Looked back at her.
She didn't seem to notice.
"Come on," she said. "You look like you could use something warm to eat."
He followed, but his chest felt heavy.
This place…
It didn't feel like home.
And somewhere deep down, he had the uneasy feeling that he'd been here before.