Unmei was buzzing with excitement as he brought Shiro to his house for the first time. His small, cozy home radiated warmth and simplicity. His dad greeted them with a big smile, clearly thrilled to see the friendship between his son and Shiro. The three of them spent the day swapping stories, sharing a big meal, and laughing until they barely could breathe.
Later on, Unmei suggested taking a stroll through the lively streets. They wandered around the city, soaking in the vibrant vibes and treating themselves to sweets from a local stand. By the end of the day, they were laughing freely, and their bond just kept growing stronger.
Meanwhile, Kazu was walking through the city with a spring in his step, feeling lighter than he had in weeks. He was smiling for once—until he saw something that made him freeze.
Right there, in a brightly lit restaurant, he spotted his parents, Kaku, and a bunch of relatives having a great time together. It wasn't the first time he'd been left out of a family gathering, but it still stung. Their joy felt like a sharp reminder of the emptiness weighing on him.
Overwhelmed, Kazu turned and ran, his footsteps echoing in the quiet streets. He eventually made his way to a dimly lit park that felt eerily silent. The stars above twinkled softly, the only company in his solitude.
Collapsing onto the soft grass, Kazu lay back, tears rolling down his face as he stared up at the starry sky. Memories of his childhood flooded back—happy times filled with laughter, love, and comfort, all seeming so distant now.
Suddenly, a shimmer of light caught his eye. Startled, he looked over and saw a woman standing beside him. She looked ethereal, wearing a flowing white gown that glowed in the starlight.
"You've grown so big, my starlight," she said, her voice warm and filled with love.
Kazu's breath caught in his throat. He blinked, and just like that, she was gone.
But her words lingered, echoing in his mind. It was her. It had to be. "Kami…" he whispered, his heart racing with emotions.
He looked up at the sky, tears streaming down his face as memories of his older sister flooded back—her warm smile, her protective hugs, and the way she always made him feel like he mattered. This park had been their go-to spot when he was a kid. She'd take him here to play, telling him cool stories about the stars and calling him her "starlight."
"I miss you too, sis," he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.
After some time, Kazu stood up, his legs a bit shaky, but he felt a little lighter inside. He decided to head over to Camron's place, hoping to find some comfort in their recent friendship.
Camron greeted him with open arms, and they spent the evening chatting, laughing, and giving each other a hard time. For a few hours, Kazu could forget about the pain and just be himself.
As he was getting ready to leave, Kazu turned to Camron and smiled genuinely. "It was fun hanging out, big brother."
Those simple words hit Camron hard. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he smiled back, moved by Kazu's sincerity.
Watching Kazu walk away, Camron couldn't shake the feeling of how much the kid reminded him of Kami—not just in looks but in spirit too. Kazu's kindness and strength felt just like hers, filling Camron with a mix of sadness and hope.
For the first time in ages, Kazu felt a slight warmth in his heart. Maybe he wasn't as alone as he thought.
When Kazu got back to the headquarters, the air felt heavier than usual. The earlier moments replayed in his mind—the bittersweet memory of Kami, the warmth of his new bond with Camron, and that familiar sting of feeling left out of his family.
He shook off the thoughts as he entered the main room. Under the dim glow of some holographic screens sat Kakoro, her fingers flying over a projected keyboard with crazy speed. She looked focused, so Kazu quietly took a seat next to her. "What are you working on?" he asked softly, trying not to break her concentration.
"Digging," Kakoro replied without taking her eyes off the screen, her tone short.
Kazu leaned in closer, his brow furrowing as he attempted to make sense of the chaotic stream of data flashing across the screen before him. A kaleidoscope of numbers, geographic coordinates, and encrypted files danced in rapid succession, creating a dizzying spectacle. Just as he felt he was on the brink of grasping the information, the screen flickered violently, shifting to an alert that blared with urgency.
"Wait… Did you just breach the Yokai system?" Kazu's voice wavered between disbelief and admiration, his eyes wide as he processed the implications.
Kakoro, her fingers flying deftly over the keyboard, flashed a confident smirk. "Not entirely. Just their outer defences. I'm probing for weaknesses and gathering intel, but their encryption is tougher than I anticipated." Her focus remained unbroken, eyes glued to the shifting data.
Suddenly, a file burst open, revealing fragmented text strings and partially rendered maps. Kazu squinted, trying to decode the hazy information swirling in front of him, but it felt like piecing together a puzzle without the picture on the box.
"Did you uncover anything significant?" he inquired, hoping to tinge his voice as he leaned closer.
"Not much," Kakoro admitted, leaning back in her chair, a hint of frustration creeping into her demeanour. "Just some minor details about their troop movements and supply routes, but nothing concrete about their leadership or strategic plans. I need more time to sift through this, but it's a start."
Kazu watched her, a sense of awe washing over him. Kakoro was undeniably talented, and her unwavering determination inspired him, even if her tough exterior often concealed a softer side.
"You're truly amazing, you know that?" he said, managing a small, appreciative smile.
Kakoro paused, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, her expression shifting momentarily. "And you're quite annoying," she retorted playfully, though a hint of warmth crept into her tone. "But, thanks," she added, allowing a softening of her smirk.
They settled into a comfortable silence, the room humming gently with the low buzz of technology, each lost in their thoughts as the glow of the screen illuminated their faces.