The golden-brown leaves drifted through the crisp autumn air, caught in the embrace of the evening breeze. "Looks like that's it for hunting season," Autumn Kuroba murmured, his deep voice carrying over the quiet rooftop. He sat beside his son, their rifles resting nearby, the scent of the forest still clinging to their clothes.
Etsu, chewing on a sandwich, tilted his head slightly, watching his father with quiet curiosity.
Autumn let out a long sigh, removing his hoodie and ruffling Etsu's messy hair. "You're a special kid, you know that?" He said, draping the hoodie over Etsu's small frame. The fabric swallowed him whole. "One day, you're gonna grow up strong—stronger than me. But that doesn't mean life will be kind to you."
Etsu blinked up at him, his small hands gripping the sleeves.
"You won't find peace just anywhere," Autumn continued, staring out at the vast forest stretched beneath them. "Not in this world. You have to carve it out yourself, or find it in someone—someone worth fighting for." He exhaled, shaking his head. "You probably don't get what I'm saying yet. But remember this, son..."
He turned to Etsu, a rare, genuine smile lighting up his worn face.
"Don't ever let anyone put you beneath their feet. If you go down, go down fighting. Die on your feet, never live on your knees."
The words echoed through Etsu's mind.
Etsu woke up.
The room was dark, but a crack of pale morning light slipped through the curtains. His chest rose and fell steadily, his fingers clenching the sheets. He turned his head, eyes landing on the hoodie folded neatly at the foot of his bed.
"Looks like the season's changing. We'll get 'em next time."
His father's voice—clear as day.
Etsu's body jolted as if struck. He spun around, wide-eyed, scanning the shadows. But the room was empty.
He swallowed hard, forcing himself to his feet. He didn't have time for ghosts.
Downstairs, Reina Kuroba sat at the glass dining table, her manicured fingers scrolling lazily through her phone. She didn't even glance up as Etsu entered the room. A maid approached silently, setting a bowl of cereal before him before retreating into the background.
The sound of his spoon tapping against the bowl was the only noise between them.
Then Reina shifted slightly, just enough to glimpse him from the corner of her eye—her gaze immediately locking onto the cap sitting on his head.
A slow, boiling rage crept onto her face.
With a sudden, violent motion, she slammed her phone onto the table, the sharp crack slicing through the silence.
"Take that shit off. Now."
Etsu didn't move. He kept eating.
Her lips curled with disgust. "Etsu. I said—TAKE IT OFF."
Still, nothing.
Reina shot up from her seat, the chair screeching against the floor before toppling backward. In three sharp strides, she reached him, ripping the cap off his head. The force knocked over the bowl, sending milk and cereal spilling onto the floor.
Etsu remained still, his gaze fixed downward.
With a hateful sneer, she threw the cap onto the mess and stomped on it, her red heels grinding it into the broken glass. Again. And again. And again.
Etsu watched silently as the last thing his father gave him became nothing but tattered fabric and soggy milk.
Then her phone buzzed.
The shift was immediate. Her rage melted away, replaced by something lighter, sweeter, almost youthful. Reina snatched up the phone, pressing it to her ear with a delighted lilt in her voice.
"I'm on my way," she said, a smile creeping onto her lips.
She turned back to Etsu, her expression snapping back to cold irritation. "School. Now."
Etsu reached down, scooping up the ruined cap and shoving it into his pocket before following her out the door.
That night, Etsu was woken by shouting.
The muffled rage-filled voices drifted through the dark hallways, pulling him from sleep. He slipped out of bed, stepping softly across the cold wooden floors.
Peering around the corner, he spotted them—his parents.
Autumn stood in the center of the dimly lit living room, arms tense at his sides. Reina wavered, swaying slightly, a bottle clutched in her manicured fingers.
"Babe," Autumn exhaled, his voice laced with exhaustion. "You've gotta stop drinking."
Reina's lips twisted into a cruel smile. "Fuck you."
Autumn tensed but didn't react. "If Etsu sees you like this—"
Reina let out a bitter laugh, taking another sip. "My boy? I don't have a child. That little fucker ruined my life."
Autumn's expression darkened. "Don't say that."
"It's true," she slurred, rolling her eyes. "He was never supposed to happen. And now I'm stuck here, in this miserable fucking house, with a kid I never wanted and a man who—"
"How can you say that?" Autumn snapped, his voice finally rising. "He's our son."
Reina's expression twisted with pure hatred.
"He. Is. Not. My. Fucking. Son."
The words hit like bullets.
Autumn took a deep breath, fighting the fury in his eyes. "Give me the bottle," he said, voice low, controlled.
"You want it?" Reina asked mockingly, holding it out. "Here. Fucking have it!"
She smashed the bottle against his head.
Etsu flinched.
Autumn didn't.
Blood trickled from his temple, but he didn't even raise a hand to wipe it away. He just stared at her, his breathing steady.
The maids rushed in, pulling Reina back as she thrashed violently. "I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU, AND THAT DEVIL OF A CHILD! I WISH YOU WERE BOTH DEAD!"
And then—her bloodshot eyes locked onto Etsu.
Etsu's body stiffened.
Reina's lips curled, her voice dropping into something dark and venomous.
"I fucking hate you."
A long, painful silence followed.
Autumn turned slowly, spotting Etsu standing in the doorway. His son's face was blank, but his eyes were screaming.
A maid stepped forward hesitantly. "Sir, you're bleeding—"
"I'm fine," Autumn interrupted softly. "Go take care of Reina."
The maid hesitated before obeying, leading Reina away as she continued her drunken rant.
Autumn walked toward Etsu, crouching in front of him, placing both hands on his small shoulders.
"You okay, bud?" His voice was gentle, but his eyes were glassy.
Etsu didn't answer.
Autumn exhaled, brushing a hand through his son's messy hair. "I'm not gone yet," he whispered, pressing his cap into Etsu's hands. "But if I ever go down…"
He swallowed thickly.
"Don't ever let them keep you on your knees."
Then he kissed the top of Etsu's head, lingering for just a second before leaving the room.
Etsu stood there, gripping the cap.
The sound of his father's muffled sobs echoed through the hallway.
The present came rushing back.
Reina's voice was light, casual. "I met someone new."
Etsu didn't react.
The car slowed to a stop in front of the school. Reina barely looked at him. "You have money for transport?"
Etsu stepped out without a word.
"Fuck you too," she muttered before driving off.
Etsu didn't look back.
His gaze landed on the school entrance—where Sang was waiting.
Without hesitation, Etsu walked toward him. Neither spoke, but the moment their eyes met, they fell into step together.
Reina's car faded into the distance.