The days following my unsettling meeting with Kaito felt heavy and suffocating. I tried to maintain my usual routine, hanging out with Hiroto and Yumi, but every laugh and conversation only reminded me of the growing distance between myself and Isamu. I was haunted by thoughts of him, the unspoken tension between us becoming a chasm I couldn't cross.
"Hey, Taichi! You okay?" Hiroto asked one afternoon, concern evident as we sat in our favorite café, the aroma of coffee and pastries swirling around us. The familiar clatter of cups and the hum of chatter faded into a dull background noise.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, forcing a smile that felt like a mask. But inside, I was restless, thoughts consumed by Kaito's revelations about Isamu and the ominous "freak outs." Every time Isamu's name came up, a knot formed in my stomach.
"Really? You seem off," Yumi chimed in, raising an eyebrow. "Is it about Isamu?"
I swallowed hard, the mention of his name sending a pang of guilt through me. "It's just... school stuff," I said, avoiding their eyes.
"Come on, it's okay to talk about it," Hiroto pressed, leaning forward. "You've been there for him, but he's not himself lately. You've noticed, right?"
"Yeah, I know. It just... feels complicated," I said, my voice trailing off. I didn't want to burden them with my spiraling thoughts.
Then, one evening, my phone buzzed, breaking the silence of my thoughts. It was Kaito: "Meet me at the abandoned building tonight. We need to talk."
My heart sank. The abandoned building was a place I had long avoided, a haunting reminder of the worst day of my life. I had always claimed it scared me, but the truth was far darker—I had witnessed something terrible there and helped cover it up. The thought alone sent chills down my spine.
Still, something compelled me to reply. "Fine. I'll be there."
As I walked to the building later that night, anxiety twisted my stomach. The streetlights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the cracked pavement. Each step felt heavier as I approached the structure, a shell of a place that echoed with unspoken fears.
I pushed the door open, the creak echoing in the stillness, and stepped inside. Kaito was waiting in the darkness, his figure outlined by the faint light seeping through broken windows.
"Taichi!" he called, his voice pulling me from my thoughts. "You came."
"Yeah," I said, my voice wavering slightly. "What did you want to talk about?"
Kaito leaned against a crumbling wall, his expression shifting from casual to serious. "You need to understand what's at stake. This isn't just about Isamu. It's about your past too."
I furrowed my brow, irritation flaring. "What do you mean?"
"I know what happened at your old school. The whispers, the rumors... You think you can run from it, but it'll follow you." His gray eyes were intense, probing for weakness. "This place reminds you of your secrets, doesn't it?"
"Stop!" I snapped, anger surging within me. "You don't know anything about me!"
"Actually, I know enough. And I know that avoiding Isamu won't help him. You're scared, and you're trying to protect yourself by shutting him out. But you need to face this if you want to reach him."
"What do you want from me?" I demanded, feeling cornered.
Kaito stepped closer, his tone shifting to a conspiratorial whisper. "If you want to help Isamu, you need to confront what you've buried. Tell me about the day your friend... made a mistake. All the details. Only then can I help you both."
