The rest of the day passed with surprising ease. Customers trickled in and out, buying small charms, candles, or simple books. Airi chattered with each of them, while Kei handled the ledger, his expression as steady as always. Min found himself drifting between helping and watching—watching how naturally Kei dealt with people, how effortlessly Airi kept the shop alive with her voice.
It almost felt normal.
But as evening approached, Min's unease returned. The street outside grew quieter, the golden glow of lamps replacing the sun. Min stood near the front door, staring at the empty path. Something about the silence felt heavy, as though the air itself was waiting for something.
Kei noticed. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know," Min admitted. "It just feels… different."
Kei walked over, standing beside him. "Trust your instincts, Min. They're rarely wrong."
The words should have comforted him, but instead, they made his chest tighten. He turned back toward the shop just as the bell jingled. The door creaked open, though no one stepped in immediately.
Min froze.
Then, slowly, a figure emerged—hooded, the edges of their cloak damp from the mist outside. They didn't speak, only lowered their head as if hiding their face.
"Can I help you?" Kei asked, his voice calm but sharp beneath the surface.
The hooded figure moved closer to the counter, placing a small slip of folded paper on the wood. Their hand trembled slightly, though whether from fear or something else, Min couldn't tell.
Before anyone could question further, the figure turned and left, the bell jingling again in their wake.
The shop fell silent.
Airi frowned. "That was… odd."
Kei unfolded the paper, eyes scanning quickly. His jaw tightened, though his expression remained composed. He folded it again and slipped it into his pocket.
"What was it?" Min asked quietly.
Kei shook his head. "Nothing you need to worry about right now."
But Min caught the faintest flicker of unease in his eyes, and that was enough to make his heart pound.
Outside, the mist grew thicker, curling along the street like a living thing.
To be continued....