TOKYO, FIVE YEARS LATER.
Morning rain tapped gently on the window of a small apartment. The sky outside was gray, quiet, and still half-asleep.
Inside a dim room, a boy suddenly woke up with a sharp cry.
Sweat ran down his neck. His heart was pounding fast.
The dream still burned behind his eyes — chains, a bright light, and a voice calling from the dark.
The boy was Kento Kamitani — fifteen, sharp-eyed, and far too young to understand what was happening to him.
He sat up, breathing hard, his hand pressed over his chest. "That dream…" he whispered.
But before he could think, pain struck his stomach — deep and burning. He gasped and bent over, holding his side.
A low glow began to shine beneath his shirt. Trembling, he lifted it — and froze.
There, below his ribs, was a spiral mark — the same shape as the one Luminas had drawn in the heavens: seven thin rings of gold, turning faintly like slow-moving light beneath his skin.
His breath caught. The glow was soft but alive — almost breathing with him.
"Kento! You'll be late for school!" his mother called from downstairs, unaware.
He couldn't answer. The pain spread across his body like fire before slowly fading. He collapsed back on his bed, panting.
A few seconds later, his door opened. His mother stepped in — calm but alert.
Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him clutching his stomach. She moved closer.
"What happened?" she asked gently.
Kento hesitated, then pulled up his shirt again. The mark had faded — now only a faint shadow remained on his skin.
"I… I don't know," he said weakly. "It hurts so much."
She forced a small smile. "Probably something you ate, sweetheart," she said softly, brushing his hair aside.
"You should rest today. Don't go to school."
He nodded slowly, still shaken. "Okay…"
As she turned to leave, her eyes flickered toward his stomach again — just for a second. A trace of worry, deep and hidden, crossed her face.
Then she smiled again and closed the door. Kento lay there quietly, staring at the ceiling. The sound of rain returned, soft and distant.
But in the silence, the faint echo of a voice whispered through his mind — the same one from the dream.
"The seventh dawn begins…"
And though he didn't understand it yet, the spiral on his skin had already begun to shine again — faint, golden...and watching.
Kento lay back down, one heavy arm draped over his eyes to block out the dull morning light.
He tried to sink into the quiet — to let the soft tapping of rain pull him back into a sleep without chains or dying gods. But his thoughts buzzed like a swarm of bees, and the place beneath his ribs still pulsed with a faint, lingering heat.
The silence didn't last long.
The door swung open with a sharp click against the stopper, followed by loud, careless footsteps that clearly didn't understand the meaning of the word quiet.
"Hey, Kento! How long are you planning to play dead?" a voice called out, loud and nagging. "The bread's getting cold, Dad's already on his second cup of coffee, and if we don't leave in ten minutes, we're definitely getting a lecture from the gatekeeper."
Kento didn't move his arm. He just groaned and rolled onto his side, turning his back to the intruder.
"Go away," he muttered, his voice thick with sleep. "I'm skipping today. Tell the teachers I've been possessed by a lazy spirit or something."
"Skipping? You?"
The footsteps rushed closer, and before Kento could react, his blanket was pulled away. Cold morning air rushed over his skin like icy water.
"What the—!" Kento snapped, sitting up sharply. He shot a glare over his shoulder. "Give that back! I told you I'm cold — I'm staying in bed!"
Standing at the foot of the bed, the blanket bundled in his arms and a mischievous grin on his face, was Shido Kirishima.
Shido looked like he didn't belong to the gray morning at all. His dark blue hair stuck out in wild, uneven spikes, and his bright blue eyes were full of restless energy and playful confidence.
He had been Kento's friend since childhood — always there, always close. But years ago, that bond had turned into something deeper.
After Shido lost his parents in a tragic accident, the Kamitani family had taken him in without hesitation. Since then, they had lived as both brothers and best friends, sharing not just a home, but a life.
"You look fine to me," Shido said lightly, tossing the blanket onto the desk chair just out of reach. He crossed his arms over his Kami High blazer, narrowing his eyes as he studied Kento.
"Actually… you look like you've seen a ghost. What's wrong? Did you have that 'end of the world' dream again?"
Kento jumped a little and quickly pulled his shirt down to cover his stomach. He didn't want to talk about the golden rings — not even with the person who knew him best.
"It was just a nightmare," Kento said quietly. "My head hurts."
Shido's teasing smile softened for a moment, a flicker of concern passing through his eyes. He knew when Kento was hiding something — and he also knew when not to push.
"Fine. Stay home and rot, then," Shido sighed dramatically as he turned toward the door. "But don't blame me when Hori asks why her boyfriend is acting like a shut-in. I'm not covering for you."
"Try not to miss me too much, 'Lazy Spirit.' I'll make sure to tell Hori you were crying for your blankie," Shido said with a mischievous wink.
With a loud cackle, he stepped out and slammed the door shut before Kento could even think of a comeback.
Kento huffed and sank back into his mattress. 'Finally. Some actual peace.' He let out a long sigh, ready to drift back into his thoughts — but when he reached for the blanket, his hands met nothing but cold, empty air.
He froze, his fingers moving quickly and nervously against the bedsheets. 'That idiot.'
He lifted his head just enough to see his blanket draped over the desk chair, sitting comfortably out of reach.
'I am not getting out of this bed. I refuse.'
Kento tried really hard, reaching his arm out as far as he could. His fingertips just touched the edge of the blanket. He clenched his teeth and his face went red as he stretched his toes to grab the corner. He almost slid off the bed while doing it.
He looked like a turtle stuck on its back, waving his arms and legs around, trying everything to pull the blanket over himself without getting up, just to stay warm.
'I'm going to kill him. I'm actually going to kill him. Shido, you absolute moron. I hope you trip in a puddle on the way to the station and your socks stay wet all day.'
Kento gave up on all the twisting and stretching. He flopped back onto the bed and let out an annoyed growl. He turned his back to the door, curled up into a small ball, and hugged his knees to keep in whatever warmth he still had.
CLICK.
The door opened again. Kento didn't even bother opening his eyes.
"You forgot something, didn't you, you blue-haired freak?" he yelled at the wall. "Come back here and pay for your crimes! Give me the blanket right now or I'm telling Dad you're the one who broke his favorite mug!"
Instead of Shido's usual sarcastic reply, a soft sound floated through the room. It made Kento's heart stop beating for a moment.
It was a laugh. But it wasn't Shido's usual loud and annoying one. This laugh was soft and pretty, like the clear sound of a bell or gentle morning rain.
Kento's whole face went bright red, like it was on fire. His eyes flew open, and he quickly twisted around to look, almost getting all tangled up in the sheets since there was no blanket.
Standing by the door, her hand pressed to her mouth as she tried not to let out another giggle, was Hori Tokisaki.
Hori carried a different atmosphere with her wherever she went. She was well-known at school — a known child actor from the entertainment world — yet she lacked any of the arrogance that usually came with fame. She was kind, observant, and naturally graceful.
Even in her simple school uniform she looked striking, her long, wavy blonde hair falling over her shoulders with soft bangs framing her face. But it was her eyes that stood out most — a rare, shimmering pink that always held a gentle warmth.
"I didn't know I was a 'blue-haired freak,'" Hori teased, her pink eyes sparkling. "And I definitely didn't know about the mug."
"H-Hori!" Kento stuttered, his voice turning high and squeaky. He sat up quickly, trying to smooth his messy hair. "I— I thought you were Shido! I didn't know you were there!"
'Kill me. Please let the ground open up and swallow me.' Kento thought.
"Shido let me in," Hori said with a laugh as she walked over to the desk chair. She picked up the blanket and shook it open with a smooth, graceful flick of her wrists. "He told me you were suffering from a 'mysterious illness,' so I wanted to check on you before class started."
She stepped closer and gently laid the blanket over his legs. "There's no need to apologize, Kento," she added, her voice soft but teasing. "But if you're going to declare war on Shido, you should probably make sure you have your blanket first."
Kento pulled the fabric up to his chin, hiding half his burning face. "I was… I was just about to get it. I didn't need help."
Hori smiled and leaned in slightly to look at him.
"Is that so? You looked like you were struggling pretty hard from where I was standing."
Downstairs, the kitchen was alive with the cozy sounds of a typical morning.
A pan sizzled on the stove while the rich aroma of coffee filled the air. Mr. Kamitani, a sharp-looking man who usually spent his days arguing in courtrooms as a lawyer, was currently losing a battle with his own curiosity.
He sat at the table, skimming the news, but his eyes kept darting toward the clock and then the stairs. 'I know I'm a lawyer, but I shouldn't have to cross-examine my own kids just to get them to breakfast,' he thought, taking a frustrated sip of his second coffee.
"Honey, why isn't Kento down yet?" he muttered, looking at his wife. "At this rate, the school will be closed by the time he puts his shoes on."
Just then, Shido came strolling down the stairs, stretching his arms with a wide, carefree yawn. "Morning, everyone! The legend has arrived," he chirped, immediately snatching a piece of toast from a plate. Mr. Kamitani looked up, his eyebrows knitting together.
"Shido, where's your brother? And why are you acting like we have all the time in the world?"
Shido leaned against the counter, chewing happily. "Kento's staying in bed today. Said he's skipping." Mr. Kamitani's eyes widened, and he nearly dropped his mug.
"Skipping? Kento? He hasn't missed a day since middle school! Is he sick? Did he—"
Before he could launch into a full legal investigation, Mrs. Kamitani stepped forward. She didn't say a word; she simply placed her hand over his on the table and gave a small, meaningful nod. Her eyes held a silent plea, telling him to let it go for now.
Shido froze, his toast halfway to his mouth. A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face as he stared at their joined hands. "Whoa, whoa! What is this? Are you two having a 'morning romance' scene?" Shido laughed, winking at his father. "In all my years living here, I've never seen Mom initiate a hand-hold before breakfast. Truly inspiring stuff, Dad!" Mrs. Kamitani's cheeks turned bright pink as she quickly pulled her hand away.
"Shido! Be quiet and eat!" she scolded, though she was clearly embarrassed. Mr. Kamitani cleared his throat loudly, his face turning a shade of red that matched his wife's. "Ahem! Anyway! If Kento is staying up there, then what about Hori? Is she here yet?"
"Yeah, she's upstairs with him right now," Shido replied casually. Mr. Kamitani jumped slightly. "What?! If Hori is already here, then you two are beyond late! She always comes here so we can send you all off together. Hurry up and leave, don't waste her time!" Shido just rolled his eyes and checked his phone.
"Relax, old man. We've still got an hour before school starts." Mr. Kamitani looked at the wall clock, his confusion growing. "If there's an hour left, then why on earth does that girl come over so early every single morning?"
Mrs. Kamitani put a hand to her forehead and let out a long, dramatic sigh.
"Honestly... I really wonder if you actually listen to our conversations, or if your brain is just full of law books." Mr. Kamitani blinked, looking genuinely lost. Shido let out a loud snort.
"Dad, seriously? Who made you a lawyer? How do you win cases when you can't even follow our schedule?" Shido shook his head, enjoying his father's confusion.
"Every morning Hori comes here, then the three of us go to Tamiko's house, and then we all head to school together. It's called a social life, Dad. You should try it."
Mr. Kamitani paused, the realization finally hitting him. "Oh... right. The station walk. Tamiko's house. I knew that!"
He laughed it off, trying to regain his dignity. "Well, regardless! Shido, go back upstairs and ask Hori if she wants to join us for breakfast. We can't have a guest leaving on an empty stomach." Shido looked at the table—specifically at the large bowl of steamed spinach and boiled vegetables Mrs. Kamitani was serving.
"Dad, look at this 'breakfast,'" Shido said, pointing a finger at the greens. "Hori is a famous actress from a rich family. She probably eats gold-sprinkled pancakes or fancy fruit bowls at home. You really want to offer her... boiled grass?"
Mrs. Kamitani's eyes narrowed, and she pointed her cooking ladle at Shido like a weapon. "It's spinach! It's healthy! Now go call her before I make you eat the whole bowl yourself!" Shido shivered, knowing better than to argue with a woman holding a ladle.
"Okay, okay! I'm going! Duty calls!" He turned and trudged back upstairs, muttering about how "heroes are always underappreciated and underfed."
As soon as Shido's footsteps disappeared back into the upper hallway, the lighthearted energy in the kitchen vanished. The hum of the refrigerator felt suddenly loud. Mr. Kamitani turned toward his wife, his lawyer instincts kicking in. His face was no longer red with embarrassment, but pale with concern.
"Alright, he's gone. What's going on, honey? You looked... scared when I mentioned Kento."
Mrs. Kamitani didn't look up. She stared at the table, her fingers trembling slightly as they traced the wood grain. When she finally spoke, her voice was a fragile whisper that made Mr. Kamitani's blood run cold.
"I didn't want to say it in front of Shido... but I saw it this morning. Something is happening to Kento. Something... that shouldn't be possible."
Upstairs, the room was very quiet. The only sound was the rain hitting the window. Kento sat on the edge of his bed. He held the blanket Hori had given him very tightly around his shoulders.
"You really don't look good, Kento," Hori said softly. She sat very close to him. Her pretty pink eyes looked at his face with a lot of worry. "Do you have a fever? Or does something really hurt?"
"It's... it's just a stomach ache," Kento said in a low voice. He looked away because he was nervous. He pointed his shaking finger to the area just below his ribs. That was where the golden mark was burning like a hot coal under his skin.
Hori blinked and looked at where he was pointing. A small, cute smile came to her face. She let out a soft, sweet laugh. "Kento... that is not where your stomach is. Your stomach is higher up. That place is more like your side or your ribs."
Kento felt his whole face turn hot. "I know that! I just... I meant the whole area! Everything feels bad right now!"
'Great. Now I look like a total fool who doesn't even know his own body in front of the girl I like.'
He tried to laugh so he wouldn't look embarrassed, but suddenly, the dull heat under his skin turned into a sharp, white-hot pain. The mark was not just glowing anymore—it was hurting him badly.
"Argh—!" Kento's breath stopped. His body jerked, and he quickly grabbed Hori's hand. His fingers squeezed her hand very hard as he bent over in pain. "Guh... hngh... Kh!"
"Kento?!" Hori's happy mood went away instantly. She got very scared. Her hands moved over his shoulders but she was too afraid to touch him because he was shaking so much. "Kento, you're shaking! What's wrong? Should I call your mom? Should I call an ambulance?!"
Kento could not speak clearly. He bit his teeth together so hard his jaw hurt. His eyes were closed tight. Small, pained noises came from his throat. "Kh... dammit... not now... Urgh! Ah!" It felt like someone was pressing a hot piece of metal against his bone.
"Shido!" Hori yelled toward the door. Her voice was shaking because she was so afraid. "Shido, come here! Something is wrong with Ken—"
"No!" Kento gasped. His voice sounded dry and weak. He forced his eyes open and looked very tired. He squeezed Hori's hand even tighter to stop her from calling out. "Don't... pant... don't call him. Just... huff... stay. Please, just stay here with me."
Hori froze. Her heart was beating very fast, like a bird trapped in a cage. She stayed perfectly still. She watched him closely as the seconds passed. Slowly, the sharp pain turned back into a dull ache. The fire in his side went away, but Kento was left covered in cold sweat.
---
✦ 🔮 A GLIMPSE INTO THE NEXT CHAPTER 🔮 ✦
"What awaits beyond this page...?" 🌙
(灬･◡･灬)♡
"You were just groaning like you were dying and you still want to flirt? You are unbelievable, Kento."
"MY EYES! My innocent, pure eyes! What are you two doing in broad daylight?!"
----
🌙 The stars may fade, and memories may sleep...
But the Spiral continues to turn.
Until we meet again beneath the same forgotten sky.
(^O^)
— SakuraShinomiya