I woke up, and for the first time in thirteen days—nearly two full weeks—the rain had stopped.
I stepped out onto the terrace, my eyes drifting to the old shrine in the distance. I didn't go there searching for her this time.
I went for answers.
The shrine was quiet, still damp with the memory of the storm. I sat on the worn stone steps, unsure of what I was even hoping to find, until an old monk approached me. He tapped my shoulder gently.
"Young man," he said with a soft voice, "you look troubled. What is it you seek?"
I looked at him, hesitant, unsure of how to even phrase the question.
"Do you... believe in spirits?" I asked.
He chuckled—a low, knowing sound. "I don't believe," he said. "I know." Then he narrowed his eyes kindly. "Tell me... did you fall in love with one?"
I froze. My breath caught in my throat.
"How do you know?"
He smiled, almost wistfully. "This isn't the first time a boy came to this shrine, lost in love with something the world cannot understand."
"Please," I said, "tell me everything you know."
He sat beside me, folding his hands. "Spirits are guardians. They are the wind that watches, the silence that listens. When they cry, the rain falls. Sofia…" He paused.
My eyes widened. "You know her?"
He nodded slowly. "She was the one who saved you from the accident, you know. She put herself in danger for you."
"How?" I asked, barely able to process it.
"Spirits are not meant to interfere with the living. When they do, they risk their very existence. But she did it anyway. She's watched over you for years. Your lives... they're tied now. One spirit, one soul. A bond like that only happens once in a thousand lifetimes."
My voice shook. "How do you know all this? Who are you?"
He laughed—a bittersweet sound. "Do you think you're the first fool to love a spirit?" His eyes grew distant. "Many years ago, I fell for one too. I couldn't see her. I couldn't hear her. But I could feel her... and even now, that feeling is what keeps me breathing but your bond is special you two were ment to be together a bond made in the heavens."
Tears ran down my face before I even realized. I hugged the old man, like a child clinging to a final truth, and then I left.
I walked to the pond behind the shrine—the place where Sofia and I first stood together. I sat there until dusk, letting the memories flood in. How blind I'd been. How much she loved me. How lucky I was to see her, to touch her.
When night came, I stood and followed the wind.
This time, it wasn't her calling me—but maybe another spirit who knew what it felt like to fall in love.
It led me to the old house.
And there, among the newly bloomed roses, she sat—so breathtaking, so perfect, as if time itself bowed to her.
I stepped closer. The sky began to cry again.
"Took you long enough, idiot," she said, her voice soft .
I smiled through the storm and wrapped my arms around her from behind.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "Really, I am. I'll never leave you again. I promise."
"Idiot," she whispered back—but I could hear the forgiveness in her voice.
Then—
"Noah?" I turned, startled.
He was standing near the entrance, soaked in the rain. "What are you doing out here all alone?" he asked.
I stepped forward. "What are you doing here?"
He looked concerned. "Are you okay?"
Before I could answer, three more figures appeared—men I didn't recognize—holding nets.
"What... what is this?" I asked, my voice rising.
Noah stepped closer. "It's alright. Just come with us. Everything's going to be okay."
"No!" I backed away, panicked. "Leave me alone!"
I turned to run—but pain surged through me.
A jolt.
Electricity.
Darkness.
And then—nothing.