Lynein Town basks under the gentle warmth of an early evening sun, its streets lines with quiet trees swaying lazily in the breeze. School had ended, and laughter filled the air as students poured out into the streets like flocks of birds returning to freedom.

Inside Class 3-B of Lynein High, the usual trio sit by the window, their desks slightly scatters, their laughter echoing like a scene out of a light-hearted drama.

“Are you seeing any girl lately?” Kai asked with a teasing grin, leaning toward his best friend. “With that face of yours, I’m sure you’ve got a line of girls just waiting to date you.”

Before Ryo could reply, a resounding thud lands on Kai’s head. Noelle standd behind him, hand mid-air, face slightly puffs with annoyance.

“He’s not like you, Kai. Not everything’s about girls.”

Kai rubs his head, unfazed. “Well, it’s basic for guys to talk about girls. You wouldn’t understand.”

“I’m a pretty girl, thank you very much.” Noelle crossed her arms and tilts her head playfully, batting her eyelashes.

Kai scans the room with exaggerated confusion. “Pretty girl? Where? Where?”

Noelle furrows her brows at him, lips pursed in fake anger, while Ryo watches the two with a small, amused smile.

“I just haven’t found someone who can touch my soul yet,” Ryo said softly, eyes drifting to the window where the sun kissed the horizon.

Kai raises a brow. “Touch your soul, huh? Sounds like fantasy stuff. You’re too picky, man. No wonder no one interests you.”

The bell rang, marking the end of another ordinary school day. But what awaited Ryo beyond that bell was anything but ordinary.

As Ryo made his way home, his feet follows the familiar path over the old stone bridge. The river below shimmers with orange and gold, a canvas painted by the fading sun. He slows his steps, soaking in the tranquility, until something caught his eye.

At the edge of the cliff near the river stood a girl. Alone. Still. Framed perfectly by the amber light, her long black hair dances with the wind like whispers of a dream. She looked like a painting that had come alive.

His breath caught.

But as he looks closer, his heart raced—she was standing too close to the edge.

“Oyeee, wait!!” he shouts, rushing toward her.

Startled, the girl turned slowly. Her eyes, hazel with a gentle glow, meet his. And for a second, the world stilled. She stares at him, spacing out, caught in the sudden intensity of his approach—until his hand reached hers.

“Are you listening to me?” Ryo asks, out of breath. “It was dangerous, what if you’d fallen? Your parents would’ve been worried…”

The girl’s face turns a brilliant shade of red, like a tomato ripened under the sun. She gently pulls her hand back, voice soft, almost trembling.

“Th-Thank you… I’m okay.”

Ryo studies her face—a delicate, doll-like beauty—and nodded. “Be more careful. People will worry if something happens to you.”

They walk down from the cliff in silence. As Ryo turned to leave, he waved. “Take care. Goodbye.”

But her voice stops him.

“Wait… tell me your name at least.”

He pause, looking over his shoulder with a calm smile. “Kazama Ryo. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Tsukiko Hoshino. Nice to meet you too.” She smiles, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I see you’re a student. What are you doing here?”

“I was heading home. I saw you standing there and got worried.”

Hoshino’s expression softens as she looked at the river. “I was just getting some fresh air… It’s not like I was trying to… y’know… do anything bad.”

Ryo’s eyes widens a bit. “Ah—sorry! I thought… I mean, I scolded you because I was worried. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s alright,” she said gently. “Thank you for caring.”

He nods, and the silence between them felt peaceful now. Like a quiet understanding had bloomed.

“Well then, Tsukiko-san, take care. I’ll see you.”

“Hmm…” she tilts her head with a smile. “See you tomorrow.”

Ryo’s heart thuds once. Twice.

He nods, trying to stay calm. “Hmm. Tomorrow.”

They waved to each other under the fading sun.

And just like that… something had begun.

To be continued...

That night, Ryo lay in bed, eyes open, the ceiling above him a blank canvas. But in his mind, it wasn't blank at all.

The image of her—Tsukiko Hoshino—burned into his thoughts like the afterglow of the sunset.

(Why do I keep thinking about her… That girl under the sunset… Her face… her voice…)

Sleep came late and restless.

The next day at school, the usual chaos returns. Kai’s voice cut through the chatter as he slung an arm around Ryo’s shoulder.

“Yo! What’s up, Ryo! Let’s hang out after school—you’re not busy, right?”

Ryo blinked, pulled out of his thoughts. “Hmm… after school? To where?”

Before Kai could answer, Noelle chimes in with her usual bubbly flair. “Cinder Restaurant! Their cake prices dropped! Like, seriously dropped. It’s their special cake too—it’s practically a festival. What do you say?”

Ryo hesitates. “After school… I’m a little busy but—”

(Wait… what am I saying? Am I… actually hoping to see her again today?)

He touches his forehead lightly, as if trying to reset his brain.

Kai laughs, raising a brow. “Busy with another ghost or something?”

“It’s not like the ghost’s gonna run away, dude. Come on, take a break. Just the three of us.”

Ryo let out a soft sigh. “Alright… I’ll come.”

“Yay!!” Noelle throws her hands up, practically dancing. “Cake! My lovely cake~!”

At Cinder Restaurant, the air was warm and sweet with the scent of vanilla and sugar. The soft interior lighting made everything feel calm and cozy.

Noelle bite into her slice with stars in her eyes. “Yammm… this is delicious!”

Kai nodded, chewing. “Yammm… not bad at all.”

Ryo studies the cake before tasting it. “It is good… but why such a low price? Eighty percent off? That’s insane.”

He narrows his eyes, inspecting the layers of cream like a food critic. (Are they in stock overflow or what?)

A nearby staff member smiles and explains, “It’s our eighth anniversary under the new management. The original owner's son took over this year, so it’s a thank-you celebration.”

“Ohhh, I see,” Noelle mumbles with her mouth full.

By the time they parted ways, the sky was already dipped in twilight. Ryo walks his bicycle across the bridge, the wind cool against his face. The fading orange light paints the river in glistening streaks, just like yesterday.

(Will she be there again today…?)

He glances toward the cliff, heart quietly quickening. And then—

There she was.

A figure in white, sitting with her head bowed under the softening sky.

Ryo didn’t even think. He ran. “Tsukiko-san!”

She look up instantly, startled—but her lips curled into a soft smile as soon as she see him.

“What are you doing here? It’s pretty late. The sun’s almost gone—”

(Was she… waiting for me? No, no, why would she…)

“I was waiting for you,” she said gently, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Ryo stood frozen. His mind blanked. No clever response came, just the rapid thud of his heart. Her voice have wrapped around him like moonlight.

She tilted her head and smile again. “Did you get caught up in something? You’re late today.”

“I was… with my friends.”

He take off his backpack and pulls out a small box. “Here. It’s cake. From Cinder Restaurant—it’s their specialty.”

“For me?” Her eyes widens slightly. “Thank you… I’ll eat it at home later.”

The moon had risen now, soft silver brushing across the water below.

Ryo looks down for a second, then quietly said, “Tsukiko-san… I was really hoping you’d be here.”

“Huh?” she blinks.

“I mean… we said we’d see each other today, right? Are you free tomorrow?”

(What am I saying? Calm down. Easy… just breathe.)

Tsukiko laughs lightly, like wind chimes swaying in a breeze. “What about school?”

“It’s summer vacation now, so I’m free.”

She nodded, tilting her head. “Alright then. But now you should get going. It’s getting late.”

“What about you? Should I walk you home?” Ryo offered, his voice calm but heart fluttering.

“Thank you, Kazama-kun. But I’m not alone. My sister is waiting for me.”

“I see. Then… see you tomorrow. Be ready by ten o’clock.”

“I’ll be waiting, Kazama-kun.”

He waves, happiness bubbling under his skin, and she waves back as the moon watched silently above them.

To be continued...

The morning sun glimmers across the surface of the river. From the bridge, Ryo spotted her again—Tsukiko Hoshino—dresses in her soft white outfit that flutters gently in the breeze. His heartbeat skipped.

"Good morning, Tsukiko-san," he greets, voice slightly nervous.

"Good morning, Kazama-kun!" she replied with her usual gentle brightness. "Shall we?"

He nodded, falling into step beside her.

(Ryo: “Damn… it really feels like a date. I’ve never gone out with a girl before..”)

They walk quietly for a while, the silence hanging between them not heavy, but uncertain.

"So… where are we going?" Tsukiko finally asks with a tilt of her head.

"There's an old shrine I know. It’s a bit deep in the hills, but from its outer edge, there's this incredible view of the whole town. Have you been?"

She shook her head. "Nope. First time."

As they walk uphill, Ryo searched for something more to say.

"Do you live with your parents around here?"

"No," she replied softly. "I live in Alderford City. My parents are archaeologists—they’re quite well known in the city. Since they’re on a research trip nearby, I came to stay for a while."

(Ryo: “That explains why she’s new in town... and why she feels so mysterious.”)

Soon, they reach the base of the shrine path—a towering staircase of nearly two hundred stone steps.

"Are you alright with stairs, Tsukiko-san?" Ryo asks.

To his surprise, she climbs with ease, light on her feet like a breeze on petals, while he struggled slightly to keep up.

( “She’s got so much energy… and here I am, gasping. This is kind of embarrassing.”)

Halfway up, he motioned to a side path.

Ryo-:"This way. Not the shrine yet—just a spot I really like."

Hoshino-:"But the gate is that way… isn’t that the shrine?"

Ryo-:"The gate is just the beginning. The actual shrine is deeper. But this height gives a perfect view."

They stepped off to a mossy ledge where the town stretched below, wrapped in mist and morning light.

Tsukiko took it in with a smile. "It’s beautiful. I feel like I can breathe easier here."

After a moment, she turns to him. "Let’s go to the shrine now. I want to see it ."

He nods. “Alright.”

As they continued climbing, the forest thickened and cooled, the air turning almost unnaturally quiet. The towering torii gate of Yūrei-no-Miya stood ahead, cloaked in shadows and framed by moss-covered lanterns. The ground beneath them felt untouched for years.

"So… this is the Shrine of Wandering Spirits?" Hoshino whispers.

"Yeah. People say it's haunted—spirits that lost their way are said to gather here, especially under the old sakura tree inside. It blooms even in winter." Ryo Whispers back.

She paused, intrigued. "That sounds like a place full of stories. Are you… afraid of spirits, Kazama-kun?"

He hesitates. "Not really… but I heard about evil ones—spirits that feed on human presence."

They stood in silence for a moment. Then, he added, his voice quieter:

"My grandma always says I can't see the difference between spirits and humans. Once, when I was little... I almost got taken away."

Her gaze shifted to him.

"I was playing near the forest alone," Ryo continued. "A woman appeared—beautiful, dressed in white. I didn’t even feel scared... until she reached for my hand. Her skin was ice cold."

(Ryo: “Her eyes... weren’t human. They were like empty wells.”)

"I followed her without knowing why. It was like my body wasn’t mine anymore. If Kai hadn’t seen me and called my name… if Grandma hadn’t come running with the sacred charm… I don’t know where I’d be now."

Hoshino looks at him quietly for a long moment.

"So... if I were a spirit," she said, her voice light but unreadable, "would you be afraid of me?"

Ryo blinks. Her question settled into him like an echo. Before he could answer, she stepped through the torii.

They enter the shrine grounds, their footsteps muffle by damp leaves. A gentle breeze whispers through the trees. In front of the ancient structure, Hoshino clasps her hands, eyes closing.

Ryo joins her in silence. But when he opens his eyes midway, he saw her still deep in prayer—serene, almost glowing in the dappled light.

(Ryo: “She looks… like she belongs here. Like she’s part of this place. But... I don’t want her to fade away.”)

When her eyes opened, he quickly turned his head.

Hoshino-:"Kazama-kun, is something wrong?"

Ryo-:"N-No, not at all. Um… what did you wish for?"

She smiled. "It’s a secret. And you?"

Ryo-:"I wished for our safety."

She giggled softly. "Of course you did. Safety first, right?"

The next few days passed like a whisper of summer wind.

They wandered the lantern-lit streets of the evening town, shared laughter in crowded alleys, and basked under moonlight.

At one lively festival street, Hoshino stops abruptly. "Kazama-kun! Look! That kitty keychain—so cute!"

He smiles. "Then let’s get it."

"No, no, I was just looking," she tried to protest.

But he had already bought it and handed it to her.

"I’ll treasure it," she said quietly, holding it like something precious.

(Ryo: “Why does my heart feel like this... every time she smiles?”)

The shopkeeper watched them both, puzzled at first, then knowingly smiled as Ryo turned to walk beside her once more.

To be continued...