Morning arrived quietly, like it was afraid of waking him.
Kai sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the space in front of him. The noise that used to crowd his mind was gone. No rushing thoughts. No aching pressure. Just a strange, empty calm.
It felt good.
Down the hall, Sora stood outside his door for a long time before knocking.
"Kai?" she asked softly.
He opened it. Something in his eyes made her hesitate.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Better than okay," Kai replied.
That was what scared her.
They walked to school together. Not in their usual bickering silence, but in something hollow, like a room after the furniture had been removed.
At school, Kai talked more than he ever had before. He smiled. He joked. Girls laughed. Teachers noticed him.
Joro watched carefully.
Something was wrong.
Mizuki felt it too. When Kai was near, the heavy quiet in her chest eased. When he moved away, it came back.
She didn't know why.
At lunch, Sora finally snapped.
"Kai," she said, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him into an empty classroom. "Don't walk away."
He turned.
"You're not you," she whispered.
"I feel fine."
"That's not what I asked. Do you remember the day Mom packed you lunch for the first time?"
Kai hesitated.
"…No."
Sora's voice broke. "You cried. You said it was the first time anyone did something just for you."
Kai stared at her, blank.
"It doesn't feel important," he said.
"That's your life," Sora whispered. "Your pain, your memories… that's what made you real."
"I don't feel that pain anymore."
That was worse than any argument.
"I'm sorry," Kai said softly. "I just feel lighter now."
Sora let go.
Joro saw her walk out with tears in her eyes.
Rin felt the psychic air twist.
Eloine moved closer to Kai, trying to anchor him.
Mizuki watched him, confused and aching for a reason she couldn't name.
Later that day, Kai said something small.
"I don't really miss things anymore."
And everyone who loved him felt it.
Because peace shouldn't erase who you are.
And whatever was happening to Kai…
Was doing exactly that.