After parting ways with Kenta and Daichi, Ryuu walks home alone. The streets are quieter now, the neon lights from the shop signs casting long shadows on the wet pavement. The air still carries a hint of rain from earlier, cool and refreshing against his skin.
His footsteps echo as he shoves his hands into his pockets, his mind still replaying today events—Kenta's off-key "Baka Mitai", Daichi's effortlessly smooth "Nandemonaiya", and his own regrettable attempt at "My Dearest"
"Mhm..Never doing that again.." he mutters, shaking his head.
But as the laughter fades in his mind, something else takes its place.
That smile.
That laugh.
Hana.
It was different from before—more natural, less restrained. Not the poised, untouchable girl from the school event. This felt real. And for some reason, the memory of it lingers, refusing to be ignored.
"UGH! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" He pulls his hoodie over his head, as if that could shield him from his own thoughts..
The house is quiet when Ryuu steps inside, save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the distant creaks of the old wooden floor. The faint aroma of tea lingers in the air, mixing with the familiar scent of worn books and old furniture—everything exactly as it should be.
At the dining table, Genzou sits in his usual spot, his fingers wrapped around a steaming cup. He doesn't look up immediately, but Ryuu knows better—his grandfather had already noticed him the second he walked in.
"You're late."
It's not accusatory, just an observation, but there's an edge to it.
Ryuu exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. "I…sort of..lost track of time."
Genzou hums in response, finally glancing up. His sharp gaze scans Ryuu, pausing at his slightly damp hair and the fatigue weighing on his shoulders.
"Heh ! What were you and those two other brat doin anyway?"
Ryuu huffs, flopping down into a chair across from him. "Just blowing off some steam."
Genzou takes a slow sip from his cup before setting it down with a soft clink. "Good. A man needs to let loose once in a while. Keeps the head clear."
Ryuu scoffs lightly, resting his chin on his palm. "Right… if only my head actually felt clear."
His grandfather raises an eyebrow. "Too much thinking, huh?"
Ryuu shrugs, not really wanting to get into it. "Something like that."
Genzou studies him for a moment before leaning back in his chair. "Back in my day, I didn't have time to sit around overthinking. Life kept me too busy for that."
Ryuu snorts, already sensing the direction of the conversation. "Uh-huh, here comes the 'when I was your age' speech."
"Tch. Brat. I'm just saying—if you got too much in your head, do something about it. Thinking's only useful if it leads to action."
"Yeah, yeah," Ryuu mutters, stretching his arms behind his head.
Genzou eyes him again, then smirks. "Or is this about a girl?"
Ryuu instantly sits up. "Hah?! Whe..where the hell did that come from?"
Genzou chuckles into his cup, clearly entertained. "You tell me. Your face went red real fast."
Ryuu scowls, turning his head away. "You're imagining things, old man.."
"Sure, sure." Genzou takes another slow sip, as if savoring the moment. "Not like I haven't seen that look before."
"What look?"
"The kind where a guy gets all caught up in something—or someone—without realizing it."
Ryuu groans, standing up before the conversation can drag on. "Alright, I'm done with this conversation. I'm going to bed."
"Good. Don't waste your whole weekend sleeping," Genzou calls after him.
"No promises."
"And clean up that mop you call hair. You're starting to look like some vagabond."
"It's called style, old man."
"You call that a style?" Genzou retorts, shaking his head.
Ryuu grumbles under his breath as he heads for his room, but despite the teasing, there's a small, barely-there smile on his lips. Something about their back-and-forth, the warmth in Genzou's words, makes the weight in his chest feel just a little lighter.
[Later that night]
After a quick but refreshing shower, Ryuu steps out, rubbing his damp hair with a towel. His body feels lighter, but his mind is still a bit restless. He throws on a loose t-shirt and some sweats, then flops onto his bed like a dead fish.
The second his head hits the pillow, his phone buzzes.
He groans, not even bothering to check at first. Maybe if he ignores it, whoever it is will give up.
Another buzz. Then another. Then—
BZZT. BZZT. BZZT.
Ryuu glares at his phone and snatches it off the nightstand. Who the hell was blowing up his notifications like this?
He checks the screen.
Group Chat: The Three Stooges
…Yeah, he should've known.
---
Kenta: Oi, you alive?
Daichi: If not, can we have your stuff?
Ryuu: It's literally been like hours since we split up.
Kenta: Yeah, but we didn't see you after that, so we were wondering if you got kidnapped.
Daichi: Or if you tripped and got stuck in a manhole.
Ryuu: Do I look like I'd fall into a manhole?
Kenta: Yes.
Daichi: 100% yes.
Ryuu: Screw both of you.
Kenta: Okay, but seriously. Did you make it home in one piece?
Ryuu: No, I got eaten by a stray dog on the way.
Daichi: Ah, that's rough, buddy.
Kenta: Damn. I was gonna ask if you wanted to go out again tomorrow, but I guess you're dead now. RIP.
Ryuu: Good. Let me rest in peace.
Daichi: Nah, we'd summon you back just to annoy you.
Kenta: With Ouija board
Ryuu: I hate both of you.
Kenta: You say that, but deep down, you'd miss us if we disappeared.
Daichi: Yeah, you'd sit in your room dramatically staring at the ceiling, whispering, "I miss those two idiots."
Ryuu: Literally never happening.
Kenta: Sure, bud.
Daichi: Anyway, important question.
Ryuu: Oh no.
Kenta: If you had to fight a hundred duck-sized Wyvern or one Wyvern-sized duck, which one are you picking?
Ryuu: I'm not answering this.
Daichi: Coward.
Kenta: Weak.
Ryuu: Fine. A hundred small ones.
Daichi: Interesting choice. But what if they breathe fire?
Ryuu: Then I die. Happy?
Kenta: Wrong. You tame the big one and ride it into battle.
Daichi: Exactly. Get on our level. Improvise and adapt!
Ryuu: Are you done?
Kenta: Wait, I have another important question.
Ryuu: Oh god….
Daichi: Now now,Let him cook.
Kenta: If you had to be reborn as either a shrimp or a pigeon, which one are you picking?
Ryuu: What kind of question—
Daichi: Answer carefully.
Ryuu: Fine. A pigeon.
Kenta: Boring.
Daichi: Expected.
Ryuu: What's wrong with being a pigeon?
Kenta: Bro, imagine being a shrimp. No responsibilities. No taxes. Just vibes.
Daichi: Until you get eaten.
Kenta: Okay, but you live your life stress-free up until that point.
Ryuu: Are we seriously debating this?
Daichi: Yes. This is philosophy.
Ryuu: Honestly…I wish I never knew both of you.
Kenta: Again, you say that, but we all know you'd be lost without us.
Ryuu: Nope.
Daichi: Liar. I bet if we stopped texting, you'd send a "?" like a clingy girlfriend.
Ryuu: THE HELL I WOULD.
Kenta: Let's test it. Daichi, no one texts him tomorrow.
Daichi: Done.
Ryuu: Finally, peace.
Kenta: …But what if we actually disappeared?
Daichi: Damn, that'd be tragic.
Ryuu: Please disappear for real.
Kenta: Wow. Harsh.
Daichi: I'm gonna cry now.
Ryuu: If you guy's dont stop, I'll block both of you. I swear.
Kenta: Block us if you dare.
Daichi: Yeah, we know you won't.
---
Ryuu sighs, tossing his phone onto his bed.
Ryuu:("These two idiots…")
He should be annoyed. He should be deeply annoyed.
…But somehow, he finds himself smirking a little.
Ryuu:("Damn them..")
Ryuu barely remembers hitting the bed. His limbs feel heavy, his thoughts sluggish from exhaustion. The moment his head touches the pillow, he lets out a sigh, sinking into the comfort of his sheets. Finally, some rest. No noise, no chaos—just sleep.
But the moment his eyes close, the dream returns..the same dream that he dreamt yesterday…
He stood in a vast field, golden under the warm glow of the setting sun. The wind carried the soft scent of flowers, and the sky stretched endlessly, painted in hues of orange and pink. It was peaceful—almost too perfect.
And then, he saw her.
The same girl from his past dreams, standing just a few steps away. Her silhouette was delicate, yet there was an undeniable strength in the way she carried herself. The gentle breeze played with her hair as she turned to face him. Her eyes—warm and filled with something he couldn't quite grasp—held his gaze like she had been waiting for him all along.
For the first time, there was no war. No chaos. No looming sense of despair. Just the two of them, standing under the sky as if the world had been kind enough to give them this moment.
"You're here," she said, her voice soft yet laced with familiarity.
Ryuu felt an inexplicable warmth in his chest. "Yeah," he replied, almost instinctively. "I'm here."
She chuckled, and the sound was enough to send a strange ache through his heart. It was beautiful—pure, like she had never suffered a day in her life.
He wanted to keep hearing it.
They talked, though Ryuu couldn't recall about what. It didn't matter. The way she smiled at him, the way she tilted her head when she listened—it felt so natural, so painfully nostalgic. Like something he had lost and was just now remembering.
His hand moved before he could think. Slowly, cautiously, he reached for her. His fingertips brushed against her cheek, and she leaned into his touch, her warmth real, grounding—
Then everything shattered.
Darkness engulfed them. The warm sunset faded into a void so deep and empty that Ryuu felt his breath hitch. The wind was gone. The flowers disappeared. The girl's form blurred as if she were slipping through his fingers.
"Wait—!" Ryuu's voice cracked as he reached for her again.
She smiled, but this time, there was sadness in her eyes. And then, just before the void swallowed her whole, she called his name.
"Ryuu—"
His eyes shot open.
His chest rose and fell rapidly, his body drenched in sweat. His heart hammered against his ribs as if he had just run for miles.
The room was dark, silent except for his heavy breathing.
He clenched his hands into fists, trying to steady himself. The dream had felt so real—too real. But why? Why did it always end like that?
As he sat there, staring at the ceiling, one thought echoed in his mind.
Who was she?
As Ryuu's breathing slowly steadied, he rubbed his face, trying to shake off the lingering weight of the dream. His body still felt tense, his skin damp with sweat, but there was no answer to the questions swirling in his mind.
Letting out a slow exhale, he glanced at the clock on his nightstand.
5:47 AM.
Too early to be awake, yet too restless to fall back asleep.
He turned onto his side, staring at the faint light creeping through his curtains. The dream still clung to him, but exhaustion was stronger. With a tired sigh, he shut his eyes, hoping to catch at least a few more hours of rest.
And before he knew it—
Morning came.
Ryuu lay sprawled on his bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, yet his mind was anywhere but calm. His fingers twitched against the sheets, his jaw clenched slightly. The dream—it was the same, yet different. Softer, warmer… almost comforting. And then, just like that, it was torn away. Darkness. Distance. That voice calling his name, slipping from his grasp like smoke.
His chest tightened. It felt like something important—something just within reach. But no matter how hard he tried to hold onto it, the meaning remained a blur.
"Honestly…what with that dream?.." he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
He pressed his fingers to his temples, exhaling sharply. It was maddening. The dream wasn't just a dream—it felt like something real. Familiar. But that was ridiculous, right?
His grip on the blanket tightened. The frustration bubbled up, tangled with something he couldn't name—something raw, something aching.
"Tch… DAMN IT!!!"
Before he could stop himself, he grabbed his pillow and shoved it over his face, muffling a loud, irritated groan. His foot hit the edge of the bedframe as he shifted, sending a dull pain up his leg.
Then—
"OI! IF U HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY HOW BOUT LEND ME A HAND INSTEAD IF SCREAMING LIKE A LUNATIC!!"
Ryuu nearly jumped, his heart lurching at Genzou's unmistakable growl from downstairs. His frustration deflated instantly, replaced with a heavy sigh as he dragged a hand down his face.
"...Yeah, yeah, I'm coming!" he muttered, voice laced with exhaustion.
He pushed himself up, rubbing the back of his neck. His body still felt tense, like he'd woken up from a battle instead of a dream. The questions still clung to his mind, unanswered, but at least one thing was certain—Genzou wasn't going to let him starve while he brooded.
With another sigh, he pulled himself together and headed downstairs.
As Ryuu stepped into the dining area, Genzou was already seated, sipping his tea with the usual calmness that made it hard to tell whether he was actually relaxed or just sizing things up. The old man barely glanced up as he gestured toward the plate on the table.
"Eat."
Ryuu slumped into the chair, rubbing his face as he exhaled slowly. His frustration still lingered, but at least the scent of breakfast helped ground him a little. He picked up his chopsticks and started eating in silence, hoping Genzou wouldn't press further.
But, of course, that was wishful thinking.
"What was all that yelling about?" Genzou asked, his tone casual but pointed. "You sounded like a damn lunatic up there."
Ryuu tensed for half a second before shaking his head. "It's nothing."
Genzou scoffed. "Nothing, huh? You've been looking off ever since that school event." His eyes flickered up, sharp yet unreadable. "Something's gnawing at you."
Ryuu froze mid-bite. He shouldn't be surprised—Genzou was sharp. Too sharp. The kind of sharp that didn't let things slide just because you refused to talk.
For a moment, he debated brushing it off again. But something about the old man's steady gaze made it harder to keep swallowing things down. His grip on his chopsticks tightened before he finally exhaled and set them down.
"…It's these dreams." His voice came out quieter than he intended, laced with something even he couldn't quite define. "They keep happening. The same one, but with little changes. At first, I thought it was just… a dream. But I don't know anymore."
Genzou hummed, neither surprised nor dismissive. "What kind of dream?"
Ryuu hesitated, staring at his hands as if they'd somehow have the answers. "…There's always this girl," he finally admitted. "I can't see her face, but she feels… familiar. I talk to her like I've known her forever. Like she's someone important. And then, right when I try to reach her… she disappears."
His fingers curled into a fist. "It's frustrating. It feels like I should understand what it means, but I don't. And the worst part?" He swallowed, his voice dropping. "Something about it reminds me of…Hana..."
He expected the words to sound ridiculous out loud, but they didn't. They felt heavy. Real. Even though there was no logic to back it up, his gut told him there was a connection.
"…I don't get it," he muttered, his frustration bleeding into his tone. "I barely even know her. But it's like—" He shook his head. "I don't know...Its just doesn't make sense."
For a long moment, Genzou didn't say anything. He just sipped his tea, eyes thoughtful in a way that made Ryuu uneasy.
Then, finally, he set his cup down and met Ryuu's gaze.
"Listen kid,I'm quite sceptical about this kind of stuff. But I do believe dreams don't always need to make sense" His voice was calm, but there was something deeper beneath it. "But if it's got you this worked up… maybe it's worth looking into."
Ryuu frowned, staring at Genzou like he had just spoken in riddles. "Huh? What do you mean by that?"
Genzou leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "If this dream is bothering you that much, why not start looking for answers?"
Ryuu blinked. "Looking for answers? And where the hell am I supposed to find those?"
The old man took another slow sip of his tea, completely unfazed. "Well, you said the dream and that Hana girl feel connected, didn't you? Then why not start with her?"
Ryuu opened his mouth, then shut it. His brain processed the suggestion for a second, and—annoyingly—it actually made sense. If his gut was telling him there was a link, then maybe...
"That... does make sense," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
Then, just as quickly, his eyes widened in horror. "Wait—NO WAY." He sat up straight, hands flying into the air in panic. "What am I even supposed to say to her?! 'Hey, so I keep having these weirdly emotional dreams about some mystery girl, and for some reason, you remind me of her—mind explaining that?'"
His breathing quickened as he started pacing around the room. "That's not just weird—that's full-on, restraining-order, red flag level insanity. She'd think I'm some sleep-deprived lunatic!"
Genzou sighed. "Calm down, Ryuu—"
"I CAN'T CALM DOWN!" Ryuu whirled around, gripping his hair. "I'm literally imagining the scenario in my head right now, and every single outcome ends with her looking at me like I just crawled out of a sewer!"
Genzou's eye twitched. "Ryuu—"
"NO, WAIT—WHAT IF SHE THINKS I'M OBSESSED WITH HER?! WHAT IF SHE TELLS HER FRIENDS, AND THEN EVERYONE THINKS I'M SOME WEIRD STALKER?! WHAT IF—"
SMACK!
A sharp whack landed on Ryuu's head, making him jolt forward with a yelp. He whipped around to glare at Genzou, rubbing the sore spot. "WHAT THE HELL, OLD MAN?!"
Genzou set his cup down with a slow sigh, completely unfazed. "I told you to calm down."
Ryuu gawked at him, still rubbing his head. "That's not how you tell someone to calm down!"
Genzou raised an eyebrow. "Did it work?"
Ryuu opened his mouth to argue—but then realized he had, in fact, stopped panicking. He scowled. "That's not the point."
Genzou grunted in amusement. "Listen, kid. You're thinking too much."
"Of course I'm thinking too much!" Ryuu shot back, gesturing wildly. "Do you know how ridiculous this sounds?! I'll probably start stuttering like an idiot the moment I try to bring it up. 'Fu-Fujimura san.., a-actually, I-I k-kinda—' UGH. No. Not happening."
Genzou took another sip of his tea, shaking his head. "Then stay confused."
Ryuu deadpanned. "Wow. Thanks for the wisdom, old man. Truly enlightening."
Genzou shrugged. "Wisdom ain't always comforting. Sometimes, it just tells you what you already know but don't wanna admit."
Ryuu groaned again, slumping onto the table. "Why is my life like this…?"
Genzou took another slow sip of his tea, eyeing Ryuu slumped over the table like a defeated soldier. Then, without missing a beat, he said, "Since today is weekend, why don't you do something useful for once and help me out?"
Ryuu's head snapped up so fast he almost gave himself whiplash. "Excuse me?"
Genzou leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "You heard me. Instead of laying around sulking about your mystical, romantic, destiny-fueled dreams—"
"I never said it was romantic—"
"—why don't you put that restless energy to good use and help me out?"
Ryuu groaned, rubbing his face. "Why do I feel like this is just an excuse to make me do free labor?"
Genzou smirked. "Because it is."
Ryuu shot him an unamused glare. "You're not even trying to deny it."
Genzou shrugged. "I don't need to. You live under my roof, eat my food, and keep me up at the crack of dawn with your screaming. The least you can do is contribute."
Ryuu let out a long, suffering sigh. "Alright, alright. What do you need help with?"
Genzou took another sip of his tea, then smirked. "Chopping wood."
Ryuu immediately shot up from his seat. "Suddenly, I have urgent business elsewhere."
Genzou grabbed him by the back of the collar before he could make his escape. "You're not slick, brat. Now get moving before I add extra chores."
Ryuu groaned dramatically. "This is child labor."
"You're not a child."
"This is grandchild labor!!"
Genzou snorted. "Welcome to life, kid."
As Ryuu got drag by his grandfather, his mind still reeling from Genzou's words, his mind spun in circles. The dream, Hana, the strange connection he couldn't explain—it was all too much.
But one question remains in his head,
How is he supposed to approach her?
Will he gather the courage to talk to Hana Fujimura? Will he keep running from the truth? Or will he continue spiraling into oblivion until his grandfather smacks some sense into him?
Well, We will see ~
End of chapter 9