The morning began like any other.
In the second-floor lecture hall of Saint Lirius Academy, sunlight slanted through wide arched windows, golden and soft. The world outside was peaceful, filled with birdsong and warm breeze—but inside Kaito, a subtle ache pulsed quietly beneath his ribs.
He sat between Ren and Azel, as usual, notebook open, pen in hand. He didn't write anything, not really—just tiny loops in the margins. Toty peeped from the top of his bag like a silent guardian.
"Hey."
Azel leaned in, whispering. "You didn't sleep again?"
Kaito blinked. Slowly, he gave a small nod.
Azel ruffled his hair without asking. "You'll nap later. No arguments."
Ren passed over a wrapped candy without comment. Kaito took it with gentle fingers.
Behind them, a boy two rows back muttered under his breath. "Look at that. They're acting like he's royalty or something."
Another smirked. "Let's see what happens when he's not protected."
---
After second period, just before lunch, a student named Jaron approached Kaito near the stairwell. "Hey, the Art Club left their supplies in the back storeroom. Could you help carry them?"
Kaito nodded hesitantly. He didn't want to seem ungrateful or strange.
The storeroom in Wing C was narrow, far from foot traffic, and heavy with the scent of paint and dust. Kaito stepped inside, eyes adjusting to the dim light.
The moment his foot crossed the threshold, a sharp shove sent him stumbling in.
He heard laughter.
The door slammed shut.
Click.
Silence.
Kaito whirled and grabbed the handle. It didn't budge.
He knocked once. Twice.
Then again.
Nothing.
His thoughts fluttered.
"No. No, no, no. Please. Not again."
The dark crept closer, pressing in. He backed away from the door, tripping over a stack of boxes, landing hard. A jolt ran up his arm.
The room spun.
He hugged himself tightly, knees to chest, Toty clutched in one arm. The old fear flooded him—suffocating, overwhelming.
"It's cold. I can't breathe. I can't—"
His breathing shortened. Shallow, quick gasps. Tears burned in his eyes.
His body shook.
Then the world tilted sideways and everything faded.
---
Elsewhere, the afternoon passed in golden hues.
Ren stared at the clock for the third time.
"He should be back."
Azel spun a pen between his fingers. "Maybe he went to the dorm?"
"No. His thoughts are… gone."
Azel stopped spinning.
"What?"
Ren's voice was tense. "He always thinks. Even when he's quiet. Always. But now… nothing."
Azel stood quickly, chair scraping back. "Shit."
They searched everywhere.
Library. Music room. Art studio. Canteen. Even the nurse's wing.
Nothing.
The sun began to set.
Ren's fists clenched. "Storage wings. No cameras."
They ran.
---
Wing C was still. The old hallway echoed with their steps.
Azel paused. "Did you hear that?"
Ren rushed forward. He pressed his ear to the door.
A whisper. Or was it a cough? Scratch-scratch. A heartbeat.
He turned the knob. Locked.
Azel growled. "Move."
One kick. Two. The wood cracked. On the third, the door burst open.
Inside, Kaito was curled in a corner, collapsed against a pile of canvas frames, arms locked around Toty. His face was pale. His lips blue.
Ren was by his side in seconds.
"Kaito."
No response.
Azel knelt, hands hovering. "He's breathing. Shallow."
Ren cradled him gently, lifting him with care. Kaito stirred faintly.
His eyes fluttered open.
Their breath caught.
He didn't speak.
But in the silence, a soft thread of thought broke through:
"I thought I was alone again."
Ren closed his eyes. Azel turned his head, jaw tight.
"We've got you," Azel whispered.
Ren held him close.
They left the hallway in silence.
---
Back in the dorm, everything blurred into warm lights and quiet movements.
They changed him out of damp clothes.
Azel wrapped a heated towel around his hands. Ren made tea.
Toty was placed carefully beside him.
He lay in bed, eyes half-lidded, the softest crease between his brows.
Ren sat by his pillow, Azel at the foot of the bed.
Kaito's thoughts drifted like fragile snow:
"They found me. They found me. They…"
Ren brushed a hand over his forehead.
Azel's voice broke the quiet.
"You scared the hell out of us."
Kaito blinked slowly.
Then, for the second time that week—barely above a whisper—he said aloud:
"…Thank you."
Ren didn't speak.
He just reached for Kaito's hand and held it.
Azel looked away, muttering something about needing air.
But he didn't leave.
That night, they stayed by his side.
And outside, the stars blinked gently.
Inside, a light had finally returned.