POV: Yuuna Mizushino
Place: Mizushino Cottage, Forest of Withered Stars
Date: August 27, 2214 (17 Years Before the Fall)
The sun rose slowly over the Forest of Withered Stars, painting the sky in hues of gold and pale rose. A quiet hush lingered over the trees, as though the world itself was holding its breath. The cicadas had not yet begun their morning songs, and even the wind moved gently through the leaves, reluctant to disturb the peace.
Yuuna stood by the window of their small cottage, holding a wooden cup of tea in her hands. The steam curled into the morning air like soft ghosts, vanishing as quickly as they appeared. She watched as the first light touched the mossy stones outside and filtered through the mist-covered trees.
Today was important.
It was Kai's birthday. His fifth. And it was also his first day of school.
Two milestones in one breath.
She had sewn his clothes herself the night before, staying up past midnight to stitch the last few patches into place. A tiny shirt with little golden stars embroidered near the collar, and trousers that were slightly too long but still clean. He had grown fast—too fast. Every time she blinked, he seemed taller. Louder. Brighter.
And yet… he still looked so small when he wandered into the kitchen, hair messy, eyes still half-dreaming.
"Morning, Mama," Kai mumbled, rubbing at his eyes.
Yuuna smiled softly and crouched down to his level, brushing the sleep from his cheeks.
"Happy birthday, my little star."
His eyes lit up instantly. "Really?! It's today?!"
She chuckled. "Of course. I wouldn't forget something as important as the day you came into my world."
Kai's face flushed with excitement. "Does that mean I get cake?"
Yuuna tapped his nose with a finger. "Cake after school. You have to survive your first day first."
He groaned dramatically, dragging his blanket around his shoulders like a cape. "What if the kids don't like me?"
"They'd be fools not to," she said, walking to prepare a small breakfast of rice, egg, and dried fruit. "You're kind. Smart. You even learned how to write your name in stars last week."
Kai beamed proudly at the memory. "I did! I showed it to Mr. Nightrock."
"Your imaginary rock friend?" Yuuna asked with a sly smile.
"He's real, Mama," Kai said stubbornly, puffing out his chest.
"I'm sure he is."
They ate together quietly, the kind of peaceful silence only found between those who shared both laughter and sleepless nights. After breakfast, she dressed him in the outfit she made, smoothing the fabric carefully and tucking a small wooden star into his pocket—a lucky charm carved by her father before he passed. Kai didn't remember him, but he always said the star felt warm when he held it.
When it was time to leave, they stood at the edge of the forest path, the cottage behind them basked in dappled sunlight. Kai took her hand without asking, his fingers still small in hers, still full of trust.
"Are you scared?" she asked.
Kai thought for a moment. "A little. But I'm brave now. I'm five."
"You are," she whispered, trying not to let the emotion crack her voice. "And I'm proud of you. No matter what happens today, or any day after. You'll always be my brightest light."
He smiled up at her. "Even if I'm bad at math?"
"Even then."
They walked slowly, the sounds of birds beginning to fill the quiet morning. The trees arched above them like a cathedral, and for a moment Yuuna felt like she was walking into something sacred. She glanced at Kai and imagined him older, taller, walking this path alone someday.
Her heart ached with a strange joy.
They reached the village just as the school bell rang. The little building, worn with time, stood surrounded by chattering children and parents. Some wore silk. Others had fine shoes. Kai's clothes, though clean and neat, stood out in their handmade simplicity.
Yuuna noticed the stares. She always did.
But Kai didn't.
He stared in awe at the building, at the rows of children, at the chalkboard someone had propped up outside that read:
Welcome, Little Lights. Today, You Begin to Shine.
Yuuna crouched down one last time, adjusting the strap of his bag and smoothing his wild hair.
"You're ready," she said gently.
Kai nodded, gripping her hand for just a second longer before letting go. "I'll be back before the stars come out!"
She laughed, though her throat was tight. "I'll be waiting."
He ran off toward the other kids, stumbling a little but catching himself. He turned once to wave, and she waved back, smiling through the blur in her eyes.
And just like that… he was gone.
Not forever. But it still felt like a kind of goodbye.
She stood at the edge of the path long after the bell had rung, watching the spot where he had disappeared into the building. Her fingers curled slightly, missing the warmth of his hand already.
The wind shifted. A single crimson leaf drifted down from a tree nearby—out of season.
She caught it in her hand and held it to her chest.
Thanatos' presence hadn't been felt in years. But somehow, she knew he would've smiled at Kai today. Maybe even whispered something proud into the wind.
Yuuna looked up at the sky, where the clouds drifted lazily past the sun.
"You'd be proud too," she murmured. "He's growing so fast."
She turned and began the slow walk back to the cottage.
And though she walked alone, the trees around her whispered softly, the way they only ever did when they remembered something sacred.
She didn't say it out loud.
But in her heart, she whispered it over and over—
Happy birthday, Kai. My little star. My first step into hope.
To be continued
[End of Chapter 4: The First Step]