The Day Shadows Stirred

[ Homebound Winds]

The quiet evening breeze rustled the trees as Ryo steps inside the house.

Ryo: "I’m home..."

Ms. Kazama (from the kitchen doorway): "Welcome home."

Mr. Kaito Kazama (grinning as he closed his book): "Ryo, go with your grandma tomorrow. We’ve got someone to help."

Ryo blinked, surprised.

Ryo: "Me too? But what if Mom finds out?"

Mr. Kazama (waving a hand with a chuckle): "Don’t worry. I’ll talk to her."

Ryo: "Alright..." (he glances toward his grandma, who simply nodded with a subtle smile)

Mr. Kazama: "Observe, learn, and enjoy the trip. Follow your grandma closely—she’s got her ways."

(Ryo: "What kind of task could it be... that Grandma wants me along this time?")

[ At Hetrix Hospital]

The next morning arrived with overcast skies. Ryo wore a clean, buttoned shirt. He and Yitori Kazama met Fiona outside the Hetrix Hospital — a modest, aging building nestled near the outskirts of town.

Without words, they followed her through quiet halls lined with fading posters and the soft echo of footsteps.

Inside a private room, Mr. Rozhart Tsukiko sat beside his wife Miyo, who held their unconscious daughter’s hand. Hoshino lay on the bed, wrapped in bandages, her usually lively face pale and still.

Fiona: "Please, wait here. I’ll call them."

She enters, whispers something, and soon Mr. and Mrs. Tsukiko stepped outside the room.

Mrs. Tsukiko (bowing politely, though her eyes were red): "Ms. Kazama... I’m Tsukiko Miyo. Thank you so much for coming. This is my husband, Rozhart. I believe you already know our eldest daughter, Fiona."

Ms. Kazama (softly, expression calm): "Yitori Kazama. Pleased to meet you."

Ryo (bowing): "Kazama Ryo. It’s an honor to meet you both."

Mr. Rozhart (slightly hesitant): "Um... your grandson is also coming along? Forgive me, but this might be dangerous..."

Ms. Kazama: "He’s here to learn. He can handle it. I believe in him."

Mrs. Tsukiko (lowering her gaze): "Then... if you say so."

[ Unraveling Threads]

They sat in the corridor lounge. The fluorescent lights above buzzed faintly.

Ms. Kazama: "Please tell me everything. Start from the beginning."

A long silence lingered. Then—

Mr. Rozhart: "We’re both archaeologists. About a month ago, after returning from an excavation, strange things began happening. At first, it was small—missing objects, weird noises..."

Mrs. Tsukiko: "But then, things worsened. Our collection began disappearing. We didn’t notice at first... but I kept feeling something unnatural."

Mr. Rozhart (his voice tightening): "Footsteps, electrical accidents, items thrown about... it became dangerous."

Ryo listened intently. He turned slightly and glanced into Hoshino’s room through the glass window.

And then he froze.

His eyes widened. His pupils slightly dilated. He kept staring at the girl inside—Hoshino—but something felt off.

Only Ms. Kazama and Miyo Tsukiko noticed his reaction.

Yet, they said nothing. And They continued

Mrs. Tsukiko: "These things intensified in the last two weeks. Our home started... to feel cursed. Sometimes Rozhart stands confused in the middle of the hall, not remembering why he’s there. I find myself doing the same task again and again—like I’m stuck in a loop."

Ms. Kazama: "I see. Mr. Tsukiko, as archaeologists, you must have handled many strange artifacts. It’s likely... something cursed has entered your home."

Their eyes widened.

Mr. Rozhart (nodding slowly): "I suspected something too, but I didn’t want to believe it..."

Ms. Kazama: "I’ll help you find the cause. But for now—"

Mr. Rozhart (interrupting, gently but firmly): "Ms. Kazama... may I ask something more?"

He hesitated, his eyes now fixed on Hoshino’s still form behind the glass.

Mr. Rozhart: "Please... come with us to the city. Our daughter was caught on the accident that injured we are slightly injured too. Fiona and I only have minor injuries... but Hoshino needs real treatment."

[On the Way Home]

The cab rattled softly over the old road. Silence stretched between Ryo and his grandmother. The town’s scenery slowly passed by through the window.

Then—

Ms. Kazama (with a sideways glance, her voice light but edged): "Ryo... do you know her?"

Ryo jerked his head around. His mouth parted slightly. He forced a smile.

Ryo (unnaturally calm): "I... know a bit. Maybe."

His eyes flicked away.

(Ryo: "Why did she ask that? Did she notice something? Did I... see something just now?")

He didn’t know what disturbed him more—what he saw in that hospital room...

Or what he didn’t remember seeing.

To be continued...

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