Learning to sit still can be a difficult task for an 11-year-old, but Ayame wants to be so still that she is perfectly balanced while sitting on a tower of rocks during her meditation. She knows this is a special skill that will be useful in the future, so practicing is essential.
The sun is setting, casting long shadows across the forest, and the air is filled with the sound of rustling leaves. As Ayame sits perfectly still, she recalls her father's teachings about the importance of balance in both body and mind. The image of his kind face flashes before her eyes, a reminder of the man who taught her to find peace in nature. Her heart aches with the loss, but she pushes it aside, determined to master the skill.
Just as she feels a moment of true balance, her mind begins to wander, and doubts creep in. What if she's not strong enough? What if she can't protect those she loves? The rocks beneath her begin to wobble as her concentration falters, and she struggles to regain her focus. Her breath becomes shallow as she fights against the rising panic. She can't afford to fail—not again.
Suddenly, screams reach her ears, disturbing her perfect balance and causing her to tumble to the ground along with the rocks. She assumes her mind is playing tricks on her since no one but her dares to enter the eerie forest behind her house. She starts stacking the rocks back into a tower but hears the screams again. This time, she lets the rocks fall and rushes to investigate. Someone might need help getting out of this cursed forest.
As Ayame dashes deeper into the forest, the once familiar trees now look menacing, their branches clawing at her as she sprints past. Her heart pounds in her chest, the sound of the blood rushing in her ears almost drowning out the screams. She stumbles over roots and rocks, but each time she falls, she forces herself back up, driven by the fear of what might happen if she doesn't reach them in time.
The screams grow louder, more frantic, and Ayame's mind races with terrible possibilities. What if she's too late? What if she can't save them? Each thought fuels her desperation, her legs burning with the effort of running faster than she ever has before. As she nears the cliff, the sight of the man dragging the little girl toward the edge sends a surge of adrenaline through her, propelling her forward with a speed she didn't know she possessed.
Peeking out from behind a large tree, she sees a middle-aged man dragging a small girl by the hand. Following them is a boy, no older than 12, who is desperately running and stumbling, screaming, "Father! No! Please!"
The man continues to drag the girl toward the edge of the forest despite her cries and stuggles.
"Where could they be in such a hurry?" Kiki suddenly asks, appearing behind Ayame to assess the situation.
The shock of the scene jolts Ayame back to reality. She remembers that beyond the forest lies only a cliff that plunges into the sea. Realizing the danger, she dashes after them.
As she exits the forest, she sees the boy standing at the cliff's edge, crying out loud while gazing at the sky. Ayame runs toward him, but he jumps before she can reach him. In a panic, she throws herself after him. As they fall, the world around her seems to slow down. She watches helplessly as the boy plummets, his face a mask of despair. Memories of her father's death flood her mind, the same sense of helplessness washing over her. She stretches out her hand, desperately trying to reach him, but he's too far away.
In these final moments before they hit the water, Ayame feels an overwhelming sense of failure. She has lost him—just as she lost her father. But then, as the cold ocean rushes up to meet them, something inside her snaps. She won't let it end like this. She can't.
Gripping the red stone around her neck, Ayame focuses all her energy on the boy, praying to whatever forces might be listening. The water crashes around them, and everything goes black.
The merciless waves crash against the island's rocky walls. For a few seconds, nothing happens, but then a strange red light appears beneath the water. As it nears the surface, it grows larger.
Surrounded by a huge sphere of red light and protected by swirling winds, the two children are lifted from the waves and floated gently toward the beach, where the light fades, and the winds gradually set them down on the sand.
°°°°°°°°°°°
The boy wakes up to the sight of Ayame's face. He feels a sense of calm as she gently brushes her hand through his hair. After a few moments, he processes everything that has happened and abruptly jumps off her lap.
His attempt to speak is interrupted by the water he suddenly coughs up. After a few tries, he manages to ask, "Where is my sister? Did you save me? Who are you?" He blushes with embarrassment at the memory of what just happened.
"I am Ayame. What's your name?" she replies, offering him a warm smile.
"M-my name is Chiaki," the young boy stammers, looking away to hide his blush.
"I saved you from drowning, but I nearly drowned myself. I... I couldn't find your sister. She's probably already..."
"No! It's not possible! I should've drowned alongside her!" Chiaki shouts, tears streaming down his cheeks. He pounds his fists into the sand, crying out in frustration.
Ayame feels deep sorrow for his loss and wishes she had arrived sooner to save the little girl too. She blames herself for reacting too slowly.
She approaches the boy and hugs him, confessing that it's partly her fault too—if only she had been faster.
The two children sit in silence for a while until Chiaki, embarrassed again, pulls away, putting some distance between them.
Ayame looks at him, confused, wondering what's wrong.
"You should've let me drown..." Chiaki sighs, hugging his knees tightly. "I have no reason to live now..." he murmurs, burying his head in his arms.
Ayame gently pulls him down so his head rests on her lap. "There's no need to have a reason. Just live for the sake of being alive. We only get one chance at this," she whispers, running her fingers through his hair. "My siblings say that we need to live in order to find meaning in our lives. I used to feel the same way you do after my father passed, but when I realized there are people who need me here, I decided I could wait a little longer before following him to the other side," she recalls, a tear falling onto his forehead.
As they sit in silence, Chiaki's gaze turns distant. He starts to speak softly, his voice trembling as he recounts his past. "My father… he wasn't always like this," Chiaki says, looking out at the ocean. "He used to be kind and loving. But after my mother died, he changed. He started drinking a lot, and… things became unbearable."
Chiaki continues, his voice breaking with the weight of his memories. "My sister and I would often hide at the neighbors' houses when he was like that. It was the only way we felt safe. But today… today he was just so angry, so out of control. I thought… I thought maybe if I could stop him, things would get better. But I was wrong."
He pauses, taking a shaky breath. "I don't understand why things had to end this way. I just wanted to protect my sister. I wish I could've done more."
Ayame listens intently, her empathy growing as she hears Chiaki's story. She gently places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Chiaki. I can't imagine how hard that must have been. You did everything you could. Sometimes, we can't control the actions of others, but we can choose how to move forward."
"Thank you, Ayame... I'll keep that in mind. It just hurts so much to lose my sister... that I..." Chiaki trails off, closing his eyes as he drifts off to sleep.
After Chiaki falls asleep, Ayame remains by his side, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. Chiaki's past and the emotional toll it has taken on him make her realize the importance of finding hope and purpose, both for him and for herself.
She gazes at the sleeping boy, his features softened by the calm of sleep, and feels a deep sadness mingled with hope. The knowledge that she has done what she can for him fills her with both relief and sorrow.
She leans over and gently brushes a strand of hair from his face, her fingers lingering for a moment. "I'm sorry," she whispers softly, her voice choked with emotion. "But I have to go. I hope you find what you're searching for."
Ayame stands up, feeling the gravity of her choice pressing down on her. Each step away from Chiaki feels heavier, as if she is leaving a piece of herself behind. As she steps into the forest, the shadows close in around her, and the sounds of the ocean grow distant.
The forest path seems endless, but Ayame walks on with determination. She reflects on the journey that brought her here, the loss of her father, the trials she's faced, and the unexpected bond she formed with Chiaki. The weight of her choices feels almost unbearable, yet she knows they are necessary for her own path forward.
In the darkness, Ayame's resolve solidifies. She must continue her own journey, one that will lead her to confront her own fears and uncertainties. She knows that leaving Chiaki with a chance for a new life is a part of her own healing and growth. Her father's teachings echo in her mind, reminding her that true strength lies in finding balance and purpose even amidst the trials.
Meanwhile, Chiaki wakes alone on the sand as dawn begins to break. The sky is a soft pastel of pink and orange, the new day promising a fresh start. The warmth of the morning sun touches his face, and for the first time since the tragedy, he feels a glimmer of hope. He sits up slowly, his heart still heavy with the loss of his sister, but now he has a new determination to find his way forward.
As he walks along the beach, the gentle waves caressing his feet, he reflects on Ayame's kindness. Her words, her bravery, and her compassion have given him a reason to believe in the future. He knows he must honor her sacrifice by finding strength within himself and seeking the help he needs.
He gazes at the large building in the distance—the Academy—where he hopes to find answers and support. With each step he takes, he resolves to build a new life, one that acknowledges the pain but also embraces the possibility of healing and redemption.
In the quiet of the early morning, Chiaki vows to carry Ayame's spirit with him, to keep moving forward and find a new purpose. The Academy awaits, and with it, the promise of new beginnings and the chance to forge a path of his own.
As the sun rises higher, Chiaki's steps become more confident. He is no longer just a boy seeking refuge but someone embarking on a journey of self-discovery and growth. And somewhere in the depths of the forest, Ayame's footsteps continue, guided by the hope that their paths might cross again, when they are both ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.