Takeshi skipped the rooftop that day.
His mind was spinning with Asami's words, the map she gave him, and the line in the mirror.
But he could feel eyes on him.
Every time he looked up, Rei was watching.
Not smiling this time.
Just quiet.
Watching.
---
After class, Rei didn't follow him right away.
But Takeshi still felt like someone was at his back.
All the way home.
---
He locked his door. Pulled the curtains shut.
The mirror didn't glow yet.
Still just glass.
But it felt like it was waiting.
The folded map sat on his desk. Hand-drawn. Tiny symbols scribbled in the corners. A strange spiral marked the bottom with the word "Below."
He touched the map—then froze.
There was a knock at his window.
---
Not the door.
The window.
He turned.
Rei stood outside. Hoodie up. One eyebrow raised.
Takeshi opened it slowly.
> "You followed me?"
Rei stepped in, eyes scanning the room.
> "You've been acting weird."
> "So you climbed up to my window?"
> "Had to make sure you weren't being eaten by a sky worm or something."
Takeshi narrowed his eyes.
Rei wasn't joking.
Not fully.
> "You've been slipping into the Drift without telling me," Rei said.
> "How do you—"
> "You think I don't notice the dark circles? The way you flinch in class? You're too quiet now."
He walked over to the mirror.
Stared into it.
> "It's here, isn't it?"
Takeshi didn't answer.
---
> "I know Asami's part of this," Rei said. "She's always been off."
> "She gave me a map."
> "A map to where?"
> "Somewhere under Nehvarra."
Rei's eyes snapped back to him.
> "The Hollow?"
> "What?"
> "I've heard rumors. A place under Nehvarra. Where old Drifters go mad. Where the real secrets are buried."
He stepped closer.
> "If she's taking you there… you need to be careful."
> "You're telling me not to go?"
> "I'm telling you I should come with you."
---
Takeshi hesitated.
He looked at the mirror.
Then back at Rei.
> "She said not to bring you."
> "Of course she did."
Rei leaned in.
> "Because if we both go... someone might not come back."
---
A faint shimmer passed through the mirror.
The line.
Thin and blue.
Calling again.
Takeshi's hand twitched.
---
> "I'll go alone," he said. "Just this once."
Rei stared at him for a long time.
Then nodded.
But his voice dropped low.
> "I'll be watching."
---
As Takeshi turned toward the mirror, Rei stepped back through the window.
The wind outside was still.
Too still.
And in the mirror—something moved that didn't belong to either of them.
Something was listening.
---
End of Chapter 20.