The morning felt off.
The light through Takeshi's window was too bright. The sounds outside were too quiet. And his skin still tingled, like the dream hadn't ended.
---
He sat on his bed, staring at his hand. The glow was gone—but he knew the Drift was still there. Buried deep.
---
Seven nights. That's all the masked man had said.
But what did that even mean? What happens after that?
---
His phone buzzed.
[Asami Kuroda: "You okay?"]
He stared at the message. She remembered the dream too. That meant it was real.
[Takeshi: "Yeah. I think."]
Three dots appeared. Then stopped.
No reply.
---
Downstairs, the smell of eggs and miso filled the air. His mom was humming again, just like every other morning. But Takeshi couldn't relax.
---
At school, everything looked normal. Students laughed in the hallway. Classrooms buzzed with chatter. But he could feel something else.
Something hiding beneath the normal.
---
Asami was already in her seat when he walked in. Her eyes met his for a second.
Sharp. Calm. But under that?
A secret.
---
She turned back to her book.
Takeshi sat down.
And for a second, everything felt… normal again.
---
Until the new student walked in.
---
He was tall. Pale. Hair like silver thread. His school uniform was neat—but there was something off about the way he moved. Like he didn't belong here.
---
The teacher smiled. "Class, we have a new student today. This is Rei."
Rei didn't smile.
His eyes scanned the room. Cold. Careful.
Then, for a second, they locked onto Takeshi.
---
And something inside Takeshi's chest twisted.
He knows.
---
Rei gave a small bow. "Nice to meet you."
But his voice echoed—just like the man in the white robes.
---
Takeshi blinked. It was gone. No echo. No strange sound.
But when he looked again, Rei was still watching him.
Smiling. Just a little.
---
Asami leaned close, whispering without looking. "Be careful. He's not like the others."
---
Takeshi swallowed hard.
"Who is he?"
---
She paused.
Then whispered something that made his blood run cold.
"He's one of the Veilborn."
---
End of Chapter 12.