CHAPTER XV
~The Boy with No Name~
Yuzuki, utterly drained and in no mood for delays, tried to shake them off, pushing her foot forward and forcing her way down each step. But the creatures persisted, clinging and pulling, their silent pleas growing more frantic.Finally, frustration boiling over, Yuzuki spun around in the midst of the bustling staircase and shouted down at them, “LEAVE ME ALONE!” Her voice cut through the noise, startling a few students nearby—though none could see the real cause of her outburst.
Yuzuki’s breaths came heavy and uneven as she forced herself down the stairs, ignoring the desperate tugs at her feet. Behind her, the Korobokkuru’s faces fell, their bright expressions dimming to sorrow. Tears welled in their eyes as they began to cry—silent and invisible to everyone around.
No one else noticed their presence or their heartbreak. Only those whose belongings had been stolen by the Korobokkuru could see or hear them at all. Now, as Yuzuki pressed on, the little ones’ quiet sadness lingered in her wake, unseen by the oblivious crowd of students streaming past.
As Yuzuki continued down the stairs, the bustling crowd around her began to stir with hushed whispers. Voices, low and curious, floated through the air like a ripple spreading across still water.
“Did you see that? She looked really upset...”
“Yeah, I wonder what’s wrong with Yuzuki-chan.”
“Maybe she’s just tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Or maybe something happened we don’t know about...”
The whispers grew, weaving through the students like a quiet storm, but none could hear the soft, invisible cries of the little creatures trailing behind her. The mystery deepened, unnoticed by all but Yuzuki herself.
A sudden pang of guilt struck Yuzuki, sharp and unexpected, stopping her mid-step. She paused on the staircase, looking up to see the tear-streaked faces of the little Korobokkuru, their sorrow plain and raw. The sight tugged at her heart.
With a weary sigh, Yuzuki turned around and began climbing back up the stairs. The moment she did, the little ones’ expressions brightened—they wiped their tears, hope flickering back into their eyes. As she made her way up to the third floor, the Korobokkuru followed close behind, their spirits lifting as they trailed after her, quietly cheering up with every step she took.
Inside the Left Wing, the Korobokkuru gently led Yuzuki deeper into the quiet corridor, their small forms darting ahead to guide her. The atmosphere grew still as she followed them past empty classrooms and faded bulletin boards, the bustle of the school fading behind her.
They brought her to the very spot where, just yesterday, she’d discovered the mysterious keys—a shadowed alcove tucked away at the far end of the wing. The familiarity of the place sent a shiver down her spine, the memory of her previous discovery mingling with the present moment. The little ones gathered around her, their earlier sadness replaced with anticipation, as if they were about to reveal something important hidden within these depths.
As Yuzuki stepped into the depths of the Left Wing, the familiar chime of bells echoed through the darkness, just like last time. Suddenly, everything went pitch black. A single shaft of light descended from high above, illuminating the center of the space. But unlike before, not a single key revolved in the light.
From the shadows beyond the reach of the light, a Petling Leader emerged—small and fluffy, no larger than a cat, with pure white fur that shimmered faintly with delicate blue markings, reminiscent of moonlight glinting on fresh snow. Its big, round eyes radiated innocence, yet when angered, a subtle, eerie glow flickered within them, hinting at a hidden power. Tiny, silent wings, reminiscent of a spirit moth, fluttered gently at its back, and a delicate bell, strung on a vivid red cord, hung around its neck, chiming softly with each graceful movement. The creature’s entire presence exuded an ethereal beauty, both enchanting and otherworldly.
Yuzuki was captivated by the creature’s beauty. Its features—white fur, blue eyes—mirrored her own, as if it were a reflection of herself.
But then, from behind the cat-like Petling, a small foot appeared. As the light traced upward, it revealed a boy, about twelve years old, dressed in a black outfit with a hood pulled over his head and his hands tucked into his pants pockets.
He looked up at Yuzuki, his eyes a striking shade of blue, uncannily similar to hers. The Petling’s eyes, too, mirrored the exact color of Yuzuki’s.
The boy’s voice burst out with a bright, mischievous giggle, full of playful trouble. “Hi!” he exclaimed, his tone bubbling with youthful energy and a teasing sparkle that hinted he was already up to something. The sound was light and lively, like a secret waiting to be shared, carrying a sense of delight and impish charm that instantly drew attention despite the quiet, shadowed room.
“Let’s see~” the boy began, his tone light and teasing. “You must’ve come here for your dear friend, am I wrong?”
“Dear friend?” Yuzuki echoed, puzzled. Whom is this little fella referring to? she wondered.
“Tsukigami Kaito!” he exclaimed, locking his blue gaze with hers.
A sudden flashback washed over Yuzuki—the stormy night, the ink realm, and the tall boy whose features now seemed to echo in this child. Are they brothers? she thought, her curiosity piqued.
She leaned down, studying him. “What’s your name?”
He tapped two fingers to his chin, glancing sideways and then down at the purring Petling by his ankle. “I don’t have one!” he declared, looking up with a mischievous, childlike grin.
“You... don’t have a name? Oh! Then perhaps an older brother?” Yuzuki pressed, unsettled by the strange familiarity in his smile.
“Nope! Not even one,” he replied, without a hint of hesitation.
“Sisters?” she tried.
“Not that either.”
“Parents?” she asked, her voice softer.
“Not one I can think of,” he answered simply.
That caught Yuzuki off guard. So he’s a ghost too? she wondered, staring at the boy who seemed more human than anything else in this place.
“Anywayy! Stop changing the topic. I know why you’re here,” he said, spinning on his heel. As he turned, the light followed him, illuminating a scene that made Yuzuki’s heart drop—a man with pale blond hair, mouth gagged with white cloth, his body roped tightly to a chair with armrests. Fresh scars marked his skin, and his hair was ruffled and unkempt.
“KAITO-KUN?” Yuzuki cried out, recognizing him instantly, fear and shock flooding her voice.
The little boy casually pulled out a kendama—a classic wooden toy with a ball attached by string and a handle with cups—and began playing with it right beside Kaito’s unconscious, bound form. He swung the ball with practiced ease, catching it effortlessly as if it were second nature.
“What did you do to him?” Yuzuki shouted, already rushing toward Kaito.
The boy didn’t even look up. “It’s all in front of your eyes, are you blind?” he replied, his tone mocking as he continued his game. “You do look like one. Are you as blind as Dora the Explorer? I heard she’s extra super ultra max blind, and you seem no different.”
His sharp jokes drew laughter from the Korobokkuru and the petling, their giggles echoing through the dim space.
Yuzuki’s face hardened. “UNHAND HIM!” she demanded, her voice cutting through the laughter.
“OKAY OKAY! Chill!!!!” the boy exclaimed, tucking the kendama away behind his cape. With a dramatic sigh, he began untying Kaito, still grinning mischievously as if this were all just another game to him.
“DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SERIOUS THIS IS?” Yuzuki shouted, her frustration boiling over as the boy continued treating everything like a joke.
“No, I don’t. And I don’t wanna know either,” he replied, completely unfazed.
Without hesitation, Yuzuki grabbed the boy by the ear. He immediately pressed his ear against his shoulder, trying to wriggle free, but she yanked him closer and twisted his ear sharply. “IF YOU EVER DO THIS AGAIN, I’LL REPORT YOU! OKAY? BE CAREFUL NEXT TIME,” she scolded, her voice fierce.
“OKAY OKAY!! Leave me!” he begged, half annoyed, half resigned. Shooting her a twisted glare, he finally began untying Kaito.
“Tell this guy too, to keep his hands off me! Or else I won’t hesitate to do this again,” the boy grumbled, rubbing his ear as he worked at the ropes.
Yuzuki’s anger hadn’t cooled. “You just wait and see what I do to you,” she snapped, focusing on Kaito as he was freed. She quickly pulled out her water bottle, uncapped it, and sprinkled droplets onto Kaito’s face where it rested against the chair.
After a few splashes, Kaito finally stirred, blinking awake as the water roused him from unconsciousness.
“Kaito-kun!” Yuzuki exclaimed, relief flooding her voice as she saw him blink awake.
Kaito’s eyes slowly focused, confusion flickering across his face as he took in the scene—the ropes, the chair, Yuzuki, and the little boy standing mischievously beside her. In an instant, his expression hardened. Without hesitating, Kaito lunged, arms outstretched to grab the boy.
But before he could make contact, the boy and the petling vanished in a puff of black, smoky air—leaving behind only a faint swirl of shadowy dust that quickly dissipated. The room fell eerily quiet, the echoes of laughter and mischief fading into the emptiness.
The Korobokkuru hurried over to Yuzuki, their small hands gently taking her water bottle and tucking it back into her bag. Without a word, they began tugging at both Yuzuki and Kaito, urging them out of the dim, unsettling room. Their persistence was gentle but firm, guiding the two away from the lingering traces of shadow and tension.
Without exchanging a single word, Yuzuki and Kaito followed the persistent tugging of the Korobokkuru, leaving the unsettling depths of the Left Wing behind. The silence between them was heavy, each lost in their own thoughts after the bizarre and tense encounter.
Once they stepped back into the brighter, familiar corridors of the school, Kaito finally broke the silence, wiping a bit of blood from his lips. “I’ll visit the infirmary,” he muttered, his voice low but steady. “You should head home.”
Yuzuki nodded, offering a small, tired smile. “Sure. Take care,” she replied.
As they parted ways, Yuzuki turned to the little ones, waving goodbye with genuine warmth. The Korobokkuru beamed up at her, their earlier worries replaced with relief and gratitude as she made her way home, the day’s strange events lingering in her mind.
Saturday finally arrived, bringing with it the long-awaited return of Yuzuki’s mother. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows as Yuzuki and Hana set about preparing the house, dusting shelves, sweeping the tatami, and arranging fresh flowers in the genkan. Laughter and chatter filled the rooms as they worked together, making sure everything was spotless and welcoming.
After the cleaning, Yuzuki and Hana headed out for the week’s shopping. They strolled through the bustling market, picking up fresh vegetables, rice, and a few special treats for their mother’s return. Yuzuki couldn’t resist stopping at a food stall for a quick snack—she munched on a piping hot taiyaki, savoring the sweet red bean filling as Hana teased her for getting powdered sugar on her nose.
With the errands done, Yuzuki met up with Reina for a few hours. The two friends wandered through the shopping arcade, trying on accessories, browsing manga, and sharing a plate of takoyaki at their favorite street-side bench. Their laughter echoed down the narrow lanes, the stress of the past week melting away in the warmth of their easy friendship.
As the afternoon faded, Yuzuki and Hana made their way to the airport, excitement building with every step. They waited near the arrivals gate, Yuzuki’s heart fluttering as she scanned the crowd for her mother’s familiar face.
As the automatic doors slid open and a wave of travelers streamed out, Yuzuki’s eyes darted anxiously through the crowd. The airport was a flurry of rolling suitcases, overhead announcements, and the scent of fresh coffee. Hana squeezed Yuzuki’s hand, both of them standing on tiptoe for a better view. Suddenly, Yuzuki spotted her mother—tired but smiling, waving from across the arrivals hall.
Yuzuki’s face lit up and she broke into a wide grin, waving enthusiastically as Hana called out, “Welcome home!”. Yuzuki dashed forward, nearly colliding with a luggage cart in her excitement. Hana followed close behind, and together they enveloped her mother in a warm, tight hug. Laughter and happy tears mingled as they exchanged quick stories about the week, the house, and the preparations for her return.
After the reunion, they made their way home together, chatting animatedly in the car. The house, now spotless and filled with fresh flowers, welcomed her mother back with warmth and care. Yuzuki and Hana took turns showing off their cleaning efforts, and her mother praised them both, her gratitude clear in her gentle smile.
Later, the family enjoyed a light meal together, sharing snacks Yuzuki had picked up during her outing—crispy senbei rice crackers and sweet taiyaki pastries. The atmosphere was cozy and full of laughter, with Hana recounting funny moments from their shopping trip and Yuzuki teasing her about getting lost in the snack aisle.
In the evening, Yuzuki met up with Reina again for a few hours at a nearby café. They sipped iced drinks, shared a slice of cake, and caught up on school gossip, their voices blending with the soft hum of weekend chatter. As dusk fell, Yuzuki returned home, just in time to help her mother unpack and settle in.
The day ended with the family gathered in the living room, sharing stories and plans for the weekend ahead—a peaceful, joy-filled reunion that made the house feel whole again.
To be Continued...
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