Kazuo turned over in his bed, the warmth of his blankets wrapping him up, his body heavy with exhaustion. It was a quiet night, with only the soft whisper of the wind brushing through the curtains. The high school drama, the mysteries surrounding Asami and Kaede, and even the enigmatic Riku were far from his mind as he drifted closer to deep sleep.
Suddenly, a sharp noise cut through the silence. A crisp, cold clack echoed through the room, jolting Kazuo awake. A dull pain shot through the top of his head.
"Ow…" he groaned, rubbing the sore spot as he sat up in bed.
"Kazuo," a deep, calm voice called out.
Kazuo's breath caught as he noticed the familiar silhouette standing in the shadows of his room. Squinting, he focused on the figure and immediately recognized the carved wooden cane pointed at him.
"Yoshinori Miyahara?! What… what are you doing here at 4 a.m.?!"
