The evening air was cool, and the city's usual noise was a distant hum as Leo sat in his bedroom, staring out the window at the bustling lights of Tokyo. He should have been relaxed—it had been a normal day at school, after all—but the events with Kenta still weighed heavily on his mind.
Just as he was starting to settle into his thoughts, there was a knock at the door. Before he could answer, it swung open, and Kenta walked in, his expression a mix of frustration and confusion.
"Leo," Kenta began without any preamble, his voice low but intense. "We need to talk."
Leo sighed, knowing exactly where this was going. He had managed to divert Kenta's attention earlier in school, but his cousin wasn't the type to let things go that easily.
"You're not going to drop this, are you?" Leo asked, standing up and walking over to his desk. He leaned against it, crossing his arms as he looked at Kenta with a calm expression.
Kenta shook his head. "Not until I get some answers. I saw that guy last night near the station. He looked exactly like you, Leo. I'm not crazy, and I know what I saw. So, either you explain what's going on, or… or I don't know what."
Leo stared at Kenta for a moment, trying to decide the best approach. He couldn't reveal the truth—not yet. He needed to keep his secret hidden for as long as possible. But Kenta was persistent, and Leo knew that if he didn't give him something, this would never end.
With a casual shrug, Leo spoke, his voice deliberately nonchalant. "Kenta, come on. Think about it. Do I look like some ancient guy with a sword? How could I possibly be the same person that was on the news?"
Kenta frowned. "But—"
"I'm a teenager, man," Leo continued, cutting him off. "How could I be some old warrior guy from another time? You're letting your imagination run wild. I know it's been a weird few days, but you probably just saw someone who looked a little like me. I mean, Tokyo's a huge city. Weird stuff happens all the time."
Kenta seemed to hesitate, his gaze wavering for a moment. He wanted to believe Leo, that much was clear, but something still gnawed at him.
"You really think that's all it is?" Kenta asked, sounding unsure. "Just a coincidence?"
Leo nodded, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "Yeah. I mean, think about it—how could I be in two places at once? You've known me your whole life, Kenta. Do I seem like the type of guy who runs around with a sword, dressed like an ancient king?"
Kenta let out a small laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Yeah, I guess not. You're more the type to sit around and play video games."
"Exactly," Leo said with a chuckle. "You're overthinking it. Just relax, man. We'll laugh about this in a few days when people forget about the whole thing."
Kenta rubbed the back of his neck, still looking unsure, but he seemed more convinced than before. "Yeah… you're probably right. I just—it felt so real, you know? But, whatever. Maybe I'm just seeing things."
"Probably," Leo agreed, walking over to the door and opening it for Kenta. "Anyway, you should head home. It's late. Get some rest."
Kenta nodded and headed toward the door, but just as he was about to step out, he paused. His eyes drifted toward the hallway, and for a brief moment, he felt something… off. There was a strange, dark energy coming from a room nearby—Leo's room. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it sent a shiver down Kenta's spine.
He glanced at Leo, who was watching him carefully, his expression unreadable.
"Something wrong?" Leo asked, his tone casual, but there was an edge to it.
Kenta shook his head quickly. "Nah, it's nothing. Just tired, I guess."
Without another word, Kenta walked out the door, though the strange feeling lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the sensation that something was hidden in that house, something dark. But he pushed the thought away, trying to convince himself it was just his imagination.
As he walked down the street, Kenta couldn't help but glance back at Leo's house, his doubts still lingering. Was Leo really telling the truth? He wasn't completely convinced, but for now, he'd let it go. Maybe Leo was right—maybe he was just seeing things.
But the nagging feeling wouldn't leave him.
---
The next morning, sunlight streamed through Leo's window, the warmth of the day contrasting with the shadows of the previous night. He stretched in bed, yawning as he slowly woke up, the usual sounds of the city filtering into his room.
It was a new day, and after last night's conversation with Kenta, Leo felt a little more at ease. He had managed to throw his cousin off the trail—for now. But he knew it was only a matter of time before someone else started asking questions. He needed to be careful.
As he sat up, ready to start the day, a sudden chill ran down his spine. Something felt off. He glanced around his room, his instincts flaring. His gaze shifted toward the window, and that's when he saw it—a shadow.
It wasn't the shadow of a person, but something darker, more sinister, lurking just outside his house. It clung to the edges of the building, almost as if it were waiting for something… or someone.
Leo's heart skipped a beat. He stood up and moved to the window, squinting as he tried to make out the figure. The shadow didn't move, but its presence sent a wave of unease through him. Whatever it was, it wasn't human.
Suddenly, the shadow flickered, and in the blink of an eye, it was gone. Leo stared at the spot where it had been, his mind racing.
Was it a warning? A threat? And most importantly—who had sent it?
Leo knew one thing for sure: his time of pretending to be a normal high school student was running out. The world he had left behind was coming back, and soon, he wouldn't be able to hide from it any longer.
As he stood by the window, staring into the morning light, the feeling of being watched lingered. The shadows were moving, and Leo knew he had to prepare for whatever was coming next.
To be continued...