Chapter 9:
Takeo stirred awake, slowly returning from the heavy fog of unconsciousness. His body ached, and his head throbbed with memories he wished he could erase. As his eyes fluttered open, regret hit him like a crashing wave.
If only I had been stronger… if only I could have saved him…
A voice broke through the silence, trembling with relief.
"Takeo!" It was Kahori, rushing to his side. "You're awake! Thank the heavens. Hana! Hanako! Takeo's regained consciousness!"
Hana came running, tears streaming down her face. Her breaths were uneven, broken by sobs.
"Takeo-sa!" she cried, falling to her knees beside him. "Please… where is Keedo? What happened to him? Tell me, Takeo!"
Takeo turned away slightly, his eyes glistening. A tear slid down his cheek, the weight of the truth too painful to bear.
"H-He… Keedo… I…" he stammered.
"Takeo!!" Hana sobbed. "Please, tell me! I'm begging you!"
Takeo looked her in the eyes, the pain unbearable.
"Keedo… he might be gone."
Hana collapsed into Kahori's arms, wailing uncontrollably. Kahori held her tightly, her own face pale with worry.
Kahori turned to Takeo, her voice soft but urgent. "Takeo… what happened that day? Tell us everything."
Takeo closed his eyes, taking a long breath as he prepared to relive the nightmare.
Flashback: Keedo's Disappearance
Takeo's voice turned cold, distant.
"That day, We were hoping to find some clue—any trace of that mysterious man. A footprint. A broken branch. Something."
They had wandered through the dense forest, alert and cautious.
"Keedo!" Takeo had shouted while looking up at the tree canopy. "Any luck?"
Keedo shook his head. "Nothing yet. But we'll find something. I'm sure."
Time dragged on as they pushed deeper into the woods.
"How long are we going to keep searching?" Takeo sighed. "Let's just go back and report to Megun-ji."
"But—" Keedo started to protest.
Suddenly, a strange sound echoed through the forest—low, guttural, and far too familiar.
Takeo froze. "That sound… it's the same one…"
From behind the trees, a thick shadow loomed.
"Takeo-sa!" Keedo shouted. "Watch out!" He shoved Takeo to the ground just in time as the shadow lunged toward them.
Takeo stumbled, coughing from the impact. "Wh-what the hell was that?"
"It's that thing again… the shadow," Keedo muttered, taking a defensive stance. "We can't let it get away this time."
Takeo narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?!"
No answer came. Only the heavy sound of breath from the darkness. The figure remained faceless, formless. A mere silhouette of something—someone.
Keedo made the first move, charging forward, fists clenched. He aimed a punch at the shadow, but it was fast—unnaturally fast.
The figure retaliated with brutal precision, striking Keedo hard in the ribs. Keedo flew backward, crashing into Takeo and sending both of them tumbling to the ground.
"Ahh!" Takeo cried out, pain shooting through his shoulder.
Keedo groaned, trying to stand up, but the shadow was already moving again.
And then—everything went black.
Back to the Present
Takeo's voice quivered as he finished. "I don't know what that thing was. But… after that blow, I lost consciousness. When I woke up… Keedo was gone."
Hana clutched her chest, eyes wide with disbelief.
"No… No, this can't be true…"
"He saved me," Takeo whispered. "He pushed me out of the way. If he hadn't—"
Kahori swallowed her emotions and placed a comforting hand on Hana's back.
"We'll find him," she said, more to herself than anyone. "We'll bring him back."
But in her heart, she wasn't sure anymore.
To Be Continued
End of chapter 9 -- but takeo hide something