so began Shion's ten days of isolation.
Day 1.
Soft light filtered into his room. No alarm. His body woke on its own.
Shion sat up slowly, listening to the faint hum of the fan. Stillness pressed against him and suddenly thought echo.
"Break… or punishment?" he wondered.
Cold water splashed across his tired face in the bathroom. A cup of coffee steamed in his hand.
He sat on the hallway sofa, earbuds in. Lo-fi music mixed with the sound of rain. His head leaned back against the sofa, eyes closed.
At the same time, outside in the building's corridor, someone stood.
Kasumi.
She hovered at his door, nervous. Her hand reached toward the doorbell… but stopped halfway.
"Is he alright…?" she thought. "I only came to check…"
She lingered for a few seconds, then turned quietly and walked away.
Inside, Shion remained unaware. His eyes were shut, music playing, silence holding him.
Day 2.
5 a.m. No alarm. His eyes opened as if wired to time itself.
The floor's chill greeted his feet. Push-ups, sit-ups, planks. His breath and heartbeat were the only sounds.
Door area Shoes laced, he paused by the door. A faint draft slipped through a crack in the hallway.
"In the end," he thought, "I am always alone."
He ran until his lungs burned. Returned. Splashed water over his face. Stared into the mirror. Same blank eyes.
Later, he went to a nearby mall. Bought only two things: instant noodles and canned black coffee. No words at checkout. Just a swipe of his card.
He cooked, ate, tossed the empty packet. Then lay down. Eyes shut.
Night.
The dream returned.
A distorted corridor, smoky and charred. Like a burnt house.
Shion looked at his hand — skin scorched. A memory flashed. A cigar pressed into his palm.
A behind voice echoed.
"Shion."
He turned. His father's shadow loomed behind him. But he didn't stop. He walked forward.
The corridor darkened. In the corner, a familiar figure sat.
Evil Shion. That same twisted, calm smile.
"why… do you always appear…" Shion's voice trembled.Terrified, Shion backed into the corner and sat down, pressing his head against the wall — unable to face Evil Shion directly.
The figure rose, walked closer. Cold hands cupped his face. Then — an unnatural, disturbing kiss.
Shion's eyes shot wide. A blinding light swallowed everything.
He woke with a jolt. Cold sweat drenched his forehead. Heart racing again. Yet his expression… unreadable.
Whispering to himself,
"What's the point of my life… Why am I living like this? I hate my routine. I hate myself."
A small, hollow chuckle slipped out.
"Now I see… the one in my dreams, he isn't separate. He's my pain, given human form. And he's the one abusing me. He is really terrifying"
Day 3 to Day 6 blurred into one cycle.
Early mornings. Running. Push-ups. Cold showers. coffee, sometimes no breakfast at all.
Days filled with mechanical study sessions. Evenings with a simple meal. Nights of disturbed sleep.
No phone.
No messages.
No expression.
Each loop hollowed him a little more.
The mirror showed dark circles forming under his eyes. More coffee, less rest. Blank stares became part of him. Heavy silences weighed on his breath.
And then came Day 7.
It was close to 11 a.m. Shion sat by the window. The sky outside was grey, the light soft. His eyes were heavy with exhaustion, shadowed by habitual sadness.
The doorbell rang.
Ding-dong.
Shion blinked. Slowly stood. Opened the door.
Kasumi.
She held a small tiffin box, neatly wrapped.
"You… here?" Shion asked softly.
Kasumi smiled gently. "I live right next door." Then, with a slight hesitation, she almost added and a little closer than that. But she swallowed the words.
Shion's eyes flickered with surprise. "…Hmm."
"I didn't come to bother you," Kasumi said quickly, her face a little pink. "I just came… to sit with you."
Her own words made her flush deeper. Why did I say that…?
Shion looked at her, then at the box. For a moment, he just stared. A strange thought passed through him.
For the first time… someone noticed me.
Kasumi stepped into the hallway, noticing how everything was arranged with neat precision.
She walked to the dining table and quietly took a seat.
Shion accepted the box from her hands. He opened it carefully.
For the first time in a long while, a faint — but genuine — smile touched his lips.
Kasumi froze. Her heart skipped. She had never seen him smile before. It was like the first glimmer of sunlight breaking through ice.
"You're… smiling," she whispered.
Shion turned slightly away. "It's nothing. Just… one question."
"Ask," Kasumi said softly.
His voice was quiet. "Why are you doing this for me?..... What… am I to you?"
Kasumi's face turned crimson. Her lips parted, but she caught herself.
"…You're… my feelings." She quickly corrected herself, forcing a smile. "I mean… I consider you a friend. Don't you?"
Shion's reply was slow, but honest.
"I believe… you're my first friend."
A silence lingered between them. But it wasn't heavy. It was warm.
Kasumi patted the chair beside her.
"Sit. I'll serve."
Kasumi opened the tiffin. Inside, everything was neatly arranged — a warm homemade meal, full of care.
Shion took the first bite. The taste spread across his tongue, and for the first time in days, his expression changed. Surprise. Softness.
"…You made this at home ?" he asked quietly.
Kasumi nodded. "Mm."
Shion's voice carried a rare sincerity. "It's really good… Thank you."
Kasumi's lips curved into a gentle smile. "You're welcome… Shion."
She watched him carefully. Each bite he took seemed to ease something inside him. For a brief moment, he didn't look like the lonely boy everyone thought he was. For the first time… this flat felt like a home.
When the food was finished, they sat together in silence, cups of water resting in their hands.
Then, casually, Kasumi spoke.
"Shion… will you come with me to watch a movie?"
"why me..."
"Because Yeamori's been so busy, I've been alone… and honestly, I didn't enjoy it. Please…"
Shion blinked, startled. He turned his head toward her.
"I… have never gone to a theater. I haven't even watched a proper movie."
Kasumi's eyes widened. "What?! You've never experienced a theater?"
"I never felt the need," he said flatly.
Kasumi gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her forehead. "Need?! Shion, movies are… an escape from life! With popcorn, silly jokes, and laughter that makes you forget everything. How can you say there's no need?"
Shion gave her a blank stare.
Kasumi couldn't hold her laughter. She buried her face in her palms, giggling softly.
"Your reactions are priceless."
Shion looked down. "Do you really think I should go?"
Kasumi met his eyes, her voice warm. "Yes. You need a new experience. And I'll give you that."
Shion hesitated for a moment, then a faint smile flickered at his lips.
"…Okay. I'll go with you."
Kasumi grinned, victorious. "Good. It's a promise."
Shion gave a small nod.
Evening came. They stood together outside a small local theater. Above the entrance, a poster hung — a goofy romantic comedy about a teacher who accidentally becomes a spy, his life tumbling into chaos.
Kasumi's eyes sparkled. Shion's expression stayed calm, almost confused.
"You've seriously never been to a theater? Not even once?" she teased.
"Never," he answered flatly.
Kasumi widened her eyes. "Oh my God. You've missed half your life!" She shoved a tub of popcorn into his hands. "Tonight is your training."
Inside, they found seats in the middle row. The lights dimmed. Loud music, exaggerated acting, over-the-top comedy filled the screen.
Kasumi's thoughts spun.
This is the first time I'm watching a movie with a boy… and he's the type who never laughs.
On screen, the spy-teacher slipped on a banana peel. The audience burst into laughter. Kasumi snorted, holding back her giggle before finally letting out a laugh.
She glanced sideways.
Shion's face was completely straight. As if nothing funny had happened at all.
Kasumi leaned closer, whispering teasingly, "Why aren't you laughing?"
Shion's calm reply came without hesitation.
"I need to understand… what part people find funny."
Kasumi tried to hold her laughter — failed. She pressed her palm to her face, shoulders shaking, smiling quietly.
The movie rolled on. Chaos piled higher. At one point, the spy-teacher fell into a swimming pool — still wearing his tuxedo. The hall roared with laughter. Kasumi's eyes watered from laughing so hard.
She turned again — and froze.
For the first time, Shion's lips had curved. A tiny, awkward smile.
Kasumi gasped dramatically. "Ah! You smiled!"
Shion looked away. "No… it was just a little funny."
Kasumi grinned wide, eyes sparkling. "Nope! Caught you in 4K!" She winked.
Shion sighed softly, but deep inside… warmth stirred.
The movie ended. They stepped out into the night air. Golden streetlights lit the streets, the breeze cool against their faces.
"So… what did you think?" Kasumi asked, her eyes searching his.
Shion spoke honestly. "It was… stupid. But because you were there, it was fine."
Kasumi's cheeks burned red. She looked down quickly, hiding her smile.
They walked side by side. Kasumi a step ahead, Shion following half a pace behind. His earbuds hung unused around his neck. For once… he didn't need them.
That night, lying in bed, a single thought echoed in Shion's mind.
She didn't say yes… but for the first time, she didn't say no either.
And maybe… healing could begin with something as silly as a movie.
---chapter 7 end---