Sunset bathed Airi's room in warm, fading light.
She sat at her desk, her sketchbook resting on her lap.
Her pencil moved slowly, carefully finishing a drawing of Haruto — standing in the school courtyard, distant but smiling faintly.
Her hand paused.
Her eyes lingered on the sketch... then dropped to the silver ring on her finger, glowing softly in the dim light.
"Haruto's finally smiling again..." she whispered to herself.
"Maybe I shouldn't get in the way of that."
She stared out the window, her expression unreadable as a gentle breeze lifted the curtains around her.
---
Haruto's Home — Morning Routine
The next morning, Haruto adjusted his uniform in front of the mirror.
He rolled up his sleeve slightly, revealing the strange watch pulsing faintly against his skin.
Ten seconds.
That's all it gives me.
But ten seconds is enough... if I use it right.
He stared into the mirror.
Something in his reflection felt sharper now.
More awake.
Grabbing his bag, he walked to school with a quiet confidence he hadn't known before.
---
Classroom — Surprise Quiz
The teacher entered the classroom carrying a heavy stack of papers.
"Pop quiz," he announced. "No complaints."
Groans echoed around the room.
Haruto stared at the paper in front of him, clueless.
But he didn't panic.
He pressed his fingers lightly to the watch.
Click.
Time halted.
He stood up calmly, walked to the desk of the smartest student in class, scanned her answers carefully, and memorized them.
Returning to his seat, he tapped the watch again.
Time resumed.
When the bell rang, Haruto handed in a perfect sheet — calm, casual, unnoticed.
---
Cafeteria — Later That Day
Haruto sat alone at a table.
A familiar bully passed by, "accidentally" knocking over his tray.
"Oops. Slippery hands, huh?" the bully sneered.
Haruto pressed the watch.
Click.
Time froze.
Smirking slightly, he calmly poured a full carton of milk over the bully's head and placed the spilled tray neatly into his lap.
Click.
Time resumed.
SPLASH.
The bully shrieked, drenched and furious, while nearby students burst into laughter.
Haruto leaned back in his chair, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.
Feels fair now, doesn't it?
---
Montage — Haruto's Casual Time Use
Swiping snacks effortlessly from the vending machine.
Stopping a teacher's coffee cup mid-fall before it shattered.
Walking through the frozen hallways like a king — untouched, unseen.
Rearranging books in the library just to confuse students.
Freezing time simply to breathe alone when the world felt too heavy.
No one mocks me anymore.
No more fear.
No more hiding.
---
Meanwhile — Airi, Alone
Airi walked past the art room, her sketchbook hugged tightly against her chest.
The same group of girls cornered her again.
"You think Haruto cares about those little love drawings of yours?" one of them mocked.
"You're invisible. Just like him — before he got that smug look," the other added.
They tore a sketch from her book — another quiet image of Haruto — and laughed cruelly as they walked away.
Airi didn't chase them.
She knelt, gathering the torn page silently, clutching her sketchbook tightly to her chest.
The silver ring on her finger glowed faintly — pulsing, as if it felt her pain.
---
Rooftop — Sunset
Haruto leaned against the rooftop railing, the city bathed in hues of deep gold and crimson.
Airi arrived quietly, her footsteps hesitant.
"Today was kind of fun," Haruto said lightly. "No more getting picked on. No more hiding."
Airi didn't answer at first.
The silence between them stretched.
Haruto turned to her, frowning slightly.
"Airi?"
"They found me again... today," she said softly.
The words hit harder than any punch.
Haruto's smile faded instantly.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, voice tight.
"You weren't there," Airi said, lowering her gaze.
Haruto clenched his fists at his sides.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Airi forced a small smile.
"You're stronger now, Haruto. I'm glad... Just don't forget why you wanted to be strong."
They sat together in silence as the sun dipped below the horizon.
Beside them, Airi's ring and Haruto's hidden watch pulsed faintly — breathing together in a quiet, unseen rhythm.
---
Night — Haruto's Room
Haruto lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling.
The watch flickered softly on his wrist, casting a faint glow.
She never stopped protecting me...
But I left her alone.
I've been selfish.
A voice — not his grandfather's this time — echoed faintly in his mind.
"This power... was never meant to be a toy..."
Haruto bolted upright.
"Who's there?!" he called out.
Silence.
No answer.
Only the soft hum of the watch in the darkness.
---
Airi's Room — Night
Airi stood at her window, gazing up at the distant stars.
She clutched her sketchbook tightly to her chest.
"I hope... I'm not fading from your world," she whispered, voice trembling.
Far away, the cloaked observer watched from a distant tower, his red eyes glowing like fading embers against the blackened sky.
---
To Be Continued...