Chapter 4
The rhythmic thump of helicopter blades cut through the salty sea air.
Inside, an elite soldier hunched over a laptop. His eyes lit up as the sonar pinged.
"Found it. The shark is close."
The team leader's voice was steady but urgent.
"Elite Team, move out. Recover that crystal."
One by one, black-suited divers leapt from the chopper, vanishing into the foaming waves below. The water churned red within minutes—harpoons and underwater blades flashing—until one diver resurfaced, holding up a glowing crystal.
"We got it. Let's head back!"
The helicopter lifted away, spray scattering from its blades. But elsewhere…
A man in a black suit stood beside a moss-covered grave. His voice was cold.
"This is it. Dig."
The elite soldiers obeyed, shovels cutting into damp earth until a dull clink sounded. They pulled out a skeletal corpse, its bony fingers still wrapped around another crystal.
"It's been one month," the man murmured. "The body is almost gone… but the crystal and skeleton remain. That's all we need."
---
In a high-rise office, a sleek, sharp-eyed woman—clearly the boss's right hand—spoke to a man whose presence filled the room.
"Boss, Team Elite reported success. Both crystals are intact. They're en route."
A smile crept across his face.
"Excellent."
They made their way to a high-security lab, where a scientist in a white coat greeted them.
"Welcome, sir. Both artifact bodies are prepared. All that's left is to implant the crystals. Once we do… the world will be ours."
"Good," the boss said simply.
The manager turned to him.
"We know why we need the boy's—Code 01's—crystal. But why recover the girl's as well?"
The boss's eyes narrowed, a glint of secrecy in them.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Moments later, a soldier entered, suitcase in hand.
"Sir, the crystals you ordered."
The boss opened it, gazing at the two pulsing fragments of light.
"Take them to the lab. Begin the preparations."
---
Far from the shadows of that operation, Haruto walked down the street, head low, lost in thought. When he looked up, his eyes widened.
"Miyako! Wait up!"
She turned, her voice warm but tinged with melancholy.
"Oh… Haruto. I'm heading to school for the first time in a month."
"Same here. My family forced me to go."
"Mine too… but if we're at school, we can't see Renjiro or Aika." Her eyes dropped, sadness pooling in them.
"Yeah… we can't," Haruto admitted. "I don't want to go either, but… we have to. Come on."
They walked side by side, quiet except for the faint sound of their shoes against the pavement.
---
In class, the teacher greeted them but quickly paused.
"Haruto… Miyako… we all know what happened to your friends Renjiro and Aika. But you have to move on."
Haruto's voice was low but firm.
"It's easy to say move on. But no matter how much we try, it's never complete."
The teacher hesitated, then nodded. "You're right. Still, try. For now."
Books opened, lessons began, but Haruto and Miyako's eyes drifted to the two empty desks. Tears welled before they could stop them. Even the teacher looked away.
At lunch, they retreated to the rooftop—their rooftop, where the four of them once shared laughter and bread rolls. The wind was sharp, the sky clouded, and though they chewed their food, their eyes glistened with the weight of absence.
---
After school, they spotted a sleek black car passing. They separated, each heading home. That night, Miyako's message pinged on Haruto's phone:
Can we go shopping tomorrow?
For sure, he replied.
Chapter 5 – The School Festival
The next day, Haruto nearly forgot how to breathe. Miyako stood outside the station, sunlight catching in her hair.
"Let's go," she smiled.
"This… this feels like a date," Haruto blurted.
She smirked. "It's shopping. But… maybe it does."
They browsed the mall, Miyako twirling in new outfits. Each time she stepped from the fitting room, Haruto's chest tightened. It wasn't just friendship anymore—he was falling for her, and fast.
Later, in a quiet café, they sipped coffee until a familiar voice drifted in from outside. Haruto's head snapped toward the window.
Five figures. One boy with white hair, one girl with silver—faces eerily like Renjiro and Aika.
"No way…" Haruto breathed.
They rushed outside, but the strangers had already slipped into a car that roared away.
"They looked exactly like them," Haruto said, heart racing. "Only… her hair was silver."
Miyako's voice trembled. "I hope it is them."
They vowed to search, meeting the next morning with a plan—showing an old photo of Renjiro and Aika around town. No one recognized them.
---
That afternoon at school, Haruto overheard boys gossiping.
"They say there was once a god—a Cosmic God—so powerful he could erase the universe in a heartbeat."
"That's nonsense," another scoffed.
"You forget about that city. One night, thousands gone—vanished. No bodies. Just silence."
"You're saying… the Cosmic God was real?"
"Who knows… but if it was, we should all be afraid."
Miyako was scribbling something in her notebook when the teacher entered.
"Quiet, everyone. We have five new transfer students."
---
The door opened. First, a boy with golden hair, regal in posture. Then a tall boy with deep purple hair. A girl with bright orange hair. Then… silver hair. Miyako shot to her feet.
"Aika?!"
The class turned to stare. Then a white-haired boy entered, and Haruto froze. Renjiro.
But the boy smiled politely. "Sorry… you must be mistaken. I'm Itsuki Kazehara."
The silver-haired girl bowed. "Ayame Hoshizora. Not Aika."
Introductions followed:
"Takumi Arisawa," the golden-haired boy said with a charming smile.
"Tsubasa Kiryu," the purple-haired one added calmly.
"Mizuki Hanabira," the orange-haired girl said cheerfully.
---
At lunch, Haruto suggested the rooftop, but when they opened the door, the new students were already there. Takumi waved them over.
"Join us. So… who are Aika and Renjiro?"
Haruto tried to brush it off, but Takumi pressed. Finally, Haruto admitted, "They were our friends. They… looked like Itsuki and Ayame."
"Dead?" Takumi asked bluntly.
"Maybe. Aika for sure. But… our hearts won't believe it."
Itsuki smirked. "If it helps, you can call me Renjiro."
Ayame shrugged. "And me Aika."
Takumi laughed. "What friendship! From now on, we're all friends, yeah?"
Mizuki rolled her eyes. "Idiot…"
As they laughed, Takumi's smile lingered a second too long. His eyes, sharp and calculating, slid to Haruto and Miyako. Interesting… very interesting, he thought. Let's see how deep this goes.