[One Day Before — Flashback Begins]
The room was silent, the ceiling above dull and empty.
Fallen lay motionless on his bed, eyes blank, expression unreadable. He didn't blink. He didn't move.
His phone buzzed beside him.
Misaki.
He hesitated, then answered.
"...Hm?"
Her voice came sharp through the speaker.
Misaki: "Is something wrong with you?"
Fallen: "No. Nothing happened."
A pause. Then—
Misaki: "You sure? You can tell me. I'm your friend."
Fallen: "I said nothing happened."
He hung up. Voice flat. Walls back up.
Silence returned.
Until—
Knock. Knock.
He got up slowly and opened the door.
There she was.
Misaki. Arms crossed, pink hair tousled from the wind, wearing her usual half-annoyed, half-worried expression.
Misaki: "Yo. You made me walk alone at night again, you jerk."
Fallen: "Why are you here? I told you—nothing happened."
She stepped inside without waiting. Her eyes didn't leave his.
Misaki: "Don't lie to me. I'm part of your family now, aren't I?"
Fallen lowered his gaze. His voice cracked just slightly.
Fallen: "...My father's been kidnapped."
Her eyes widened.
Fallen: "And the one who did it... is his oldest friend. The doctor."
Misaki: "What?! Are you serious?! Did you call the police?!"
Fallen: "I did. But... they're too slow. I can't wait around."
He looked out the window, voice bitter.
Fallen: "Tomorrow, I'm going to find him myself."
Misaki: "Then come on."
She tugged his wrist, leading him back inside.
Misaki: "Let's sit. Talk properly."
---
[In Fallen's Room — Night]
The two sat side by side, backs against the wall, the quiet settling over them like a blanket.
The clock ticked softly.
Then—Misaki slowly reached out and placed her hand on his.
Warm. Steady. Calm.
Misaki: "Hey... don't stress. We'll find him."
Fallen: "Hm."
Misaki: "I'll talk to my friends tomorrow. Maybe someone's heard something weird. Anything could help."
Fallen: "Thanks…"
He looked down at their hands. His fingers twitching slightly under hers.
Suddenly—
BOP!
She tapped his forehead with her finger.
Misaki: "Hey! Why are you acting like a brick, huh? Hm? Hm?"
She poked him repeatedly, making silly faces.
Fallen: "S-Stop it…"
But she didn't.
She reached for his hand, held it tight—then pulled him closer—
And before he could even react—
She kissed him.
His eyes widened.
Time froze.
Fallen: "H-Hey—!"
Her lips brushed his ear, her voice low, soft, firm.
Misaki: "Shut up."
He did.
The rest of the night faded into silence.
A comforting silence.
---
[Next Morning — Just Before Sunrise]
The sun had not yet risen. The sky was a deep, tired gray.
Fallen stood near the doorway, now dressed, bag on his back. He looked once toward the bed.
Misaki was still asleep, curled beneath the blanket, face peaceful.
He didn't say a word.
He turned.
And walked away.
---
Outside, No.2 was already waiting, leaning against a wall, arms crossed, smile sharp.
No.2: "Ready?"
Fallen nodded once.
Together, they disappeared into the fog of morning.
---
Chapter Ends.