It was late.
The streets of Shinkai grew quieter as nightfall settled, blanketing the village in silence. The lanterns flickered gently in the breeze. Most shops were already closed, their owners long gone to their homes. But one small light still glowed from the little family-run restaurant at the end of the street.
Inside, Sayura was finishing the last of her cleanup. Her sleeves were rolled up, her hair tied back, and her eyes showed the quiet tiredness of a long day. Kevin and Rina were still inside, helping her. Yuna and Mira had already left for home earlier, laughing and teasing as they walked under the stars.
The night seemed peaceful.
Until it wasn't.
A figure stumbled toward the restaurant.
A man—drunk. Filthy. Unstable.
He reeked of cheap alcohol, his eyes bloodshot, his clothes stained. His steps wavered as he approached the soft-lit windows of the shop. His gaze scanned lazily until it landed on the silhouettes inside.
And then it stopped.
His breath hitched when he saw Rina.
A young girl. Laughing faintly. Innocent. Unaware.
His eyes darkened.
He staggered to the door.
Inside, Sayura was cleaning the counter when the bell above the door chimed.
She turned.
"Sorry, sir," she said politely, "we're closed for the day."
But he didn't respond.
He stared directly at Rina.
Sayura's eyes narrowed.
"Sir, I said we're closed."
Without a word, he reached out and slammed the shutter down from inside.
CLANG.
The sound echoed like a death sentence.
Kevin and Rina jumped. Sayura froze.
The man grinned.
"What… are you doing?" Sayura stepped forward quickly.
He didn't answer.
His arm shot out and grabbed Rina's wrist.
Rina gasped, struggling. "Let go of me!"
Kevin ran forward. "Don't touch her!"
"LET HER GO!" Sayura shouted, grabbing at his arm.
He didn't care.
He backhanded Sayura hard across the face.
She crashed against the counter with a cry.
Rina tried to escape, but the man was too strong. He pulled her back again.
Sayura leapt up, blood at the corner of her mouth.
"Don't you touch her—she's my daughter!"
The man pushed her aside again. Kevin picked up a glass from the table and hurled it, striking him in the back.
But the man barely flinched.
He was large. Muscular. Drunk—but dangerous.
Rina broke free and ran, but he grabbed her by the hair and yanked her back.
Kevin grabbed a chair and swung it with all his strength, smashing it into the man's back. Wood splintered—but the man turned around and punched Kevin square in the stomach.
Kevin collapsed, gasping for air.
Sayura rose again, her hands trembling.
"Please," she begged, "leave them alone."
But he didn't stop.
He shoved Sayura to the ground and reached into his side pocket—
A knife.
Sayura's eyes widened.
Kevin saw it too—but he was too weak to move.
The man grinned and plunged the knife into Sayura's stomach.
The world stopped.
"NO!" Kevin cried, screaming so hard his voice cracked.
Sayura gasped, blood pouring from her mouth. Her eyes widened in shock. She dropped to her knees.
Rina screamed, crying out in horror.
The man turned back to Rina, reaching for her again.
But before he could touch her—
Sayura moved.
With the last of her strength, she reached up and yanked the knife from her own belly.
Then, with a scream of a mother protecting her child—
She stabbed him.
Once.
Twice.
Again. Again. Again.
Blood sprayed.
He stumbled back, choking, then collapsed.
Dead.
Sayura dropped the knife.
Rina rushed to her.
"MOM!"
Sayura collapsed into her arms.
Kevin crawled to them, tears pouring down his face.
Sayura's breathing was ragged. Her eyes unfocused.
Her hand found Kevin's.
"Kevin… Rina…"
"Don't speak, Mom! You'll be okay!" Kevin cried.
"No…" she whispered. "Listen to me…"
She touched Kevin's cheek.
"Whatever happens… protect your sister… Be strong…"
"Please don't go—please—" Rina sobbed, holding her tightly.
Sayura smiled weakly.
"I love you both…"
And then—
She went still.
Kevin's scream tore through the restaurant.
Outside, Yuna and Mira walked down the path back to the restaurant, holding each other and laughing about something Mira had said.
But then—Mira paused.
"Why is the shutter down?" she asked.
Yuna frowned. "And the lights are still on…"
They rushed forward.
Mira pulled at the shutter with Yuna's help. It creaked open.
And what they saw—
Blood.
Sayura lying motionless on the ground.
Rina clinging to her, crying uncontrollably.
Kevin—silent. Frozen. Pale. Empty.
Yuna dropped to her knees beside Sayura.
"No—no no no! SAYURA!!"
Mira covered her mouth in shock.
Rina clung to Yuna, wailing.
But Kevin just sat there. His eyes were open.
But he didn't move.
He didn't cry.
He looked… broken.
The villagers rushed in, alerted by the noise.
They pulled the children away gently. Carried Sayura's body. Called for healers, though it was too late.
Everything blurred.
The next day…
The sky was gray.
The funeral was quiet.
The restaurant was closed. Flowers lined the doorway. The townspeople—some ashamed, some grieving—gathered in silence.
Selena stood with the children, her eyes soft with pain.
Yuna held Rina, who still couldn't stop crying.
Mira didn't joke that day. Not once.
But Kevin—
He didn't cry.
He didn't speak.
He stared at the ground. Cold. Still.
Selena watched him with quiet sorrow.
She knelt beside him.
"Kevin," she whispered. "It's okay to cry."
He didn't respond.
"Your mother was… a brave woman. She protected you."
Kevin closed his eyes.
"I should've been stronger."
Selena touched his shoulder.
"Then become stronger. Not out of hate—but out of love. For her. For Rina."
His fingers curled into fists.
That night, he stood alone outside the restaurant.
He looked up at the stars.
"I promise, Mom…"
"I'll protect her."
"I'll protect everyone."