Inside of my bag is an old black coat—shorter than Ken’s, but unmistakably similar.

  Before I could touch it, my sister called me for dinner.

  I forced myself to go and eat, though my mind wasn’t there.

  Afterward, I found my sister, Yui, waiting downstairs.

  “What’s for dinner?” I asked.

  She smiled. “Your favorite.”

  I sat down, but barely touched the food.

  She noticed immediately. “Something wrong?”

  “I’m fine,” I replied.

  She looked unconvinced. “Are you sure? If you need anything—”

  “No,” I said gently. “Everything’s fine.”

  “…Okay,” she said.

  ______

  Later that night, exhausted, I collapsed onto my bed.

  Tomorrow, everything will change.

  I just didn’t know how yet

  ____

  Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, gently pulling me out of my sleep. I slowly opened my eyes, the warmth of the bed still clinging to my body. Swinging my legs over the edge, I sat there for a moment, staring at nothing in particular.

  The day had begun.

  I got up and headed to the table, picking up my phone. It was switched off. As usual.

  I already knew what I’d see when I turned it on.

  Nothing.

  No messages. No notifications.

  After that, I went to my closet and quickly pulled on my school uniform. Once I finished dressing, I headed downstairs, the sound of sizzling greeting me from the kitchen.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Yui was already there, preparing breakfast. Her movements were smooth and efficient, as always. I sat at the table and ate in silence, letting the aroma fill the room.

  I don’t know why, but today feels… off.

  …Never mind.

  After finishing, I grabbed my lunch from the counter and tossed it into my bag. Just as I was about to leave, my eyes landed on a familiar coat, still tucked away where it always was.

  Ken’s coat.

  I hesitated for a moment, then looked away.

  The day was already full enough.

  With one last glance around the house, I stepped outside.

  I checked my watch.

  Still plenty of time.

  On the way to school, I noticed someone standing ahead.

  Sophia.

  She was hiding behind a pole, her expression unusually serious. Curious, I walked over and gently placed my hand on her shoulder.

  “Hey, what are you doing?”

  She jumped, spinning around so fast it was almost funny. Her eyes widened before she let out a long sigh, clutching her chest.

  “You scared me half to death,” she said.

  Her face was completely red—clearly embarrassed.

  I raised an eyebrow. “What exactly are you doing?”

  She crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks.

  “I’m hiding. Can’t you tell?”

  The redness still lingered on her face.

  “From who?”

  She pointed toward the road.

  “That black cat.”

  I glanced over. A black cat was casually strolling along the street, completely unaware of the attention it was getting.

  “And?” I asked. “What’s the problem?”

  She clicked her tongue in frustration.

  “Tsk. You seriously don’t know? If a black cat crosses your path, it’s bad luck! I’m waiting for it to pass.”

  I blinked.

  I’d always known Sophia was a little superstitious, but this was new. To most people, she was the perfect student—the class goddess. But maybe that image wasn’t the whole story.

  For anyone else, seeing her like this would feel strange.

  For me… it was just annoying.

  “Well,” I shrugged, “I’ll deal with it.”

  Before she could stop me, I walked toward the cat and knelt down, gently lifting it into my arms. It let out a soft meow and settled comfortably, as if it had done this countless times before.

  “There’s no such thing as bad luck,” I said, glancing back at Sophia. “And even if there were, it wouldn’t come from something like this.”

  I carried the cat across the road and set it down. It trotted off, then paused and looked back at me, letting out a quiet meow—almost like it was thanking me.

  When I turned around, Sophia was still hiding behind the pole.

  But this time, she was smiling.

  “You’re really kind,” she said softly.

  For a moment, something strange happened in my chest.

  I don’t know what it was.

  And right now, I don’t think I need to know.

  I smirked and adjusted my bag.

  “Let’s go. We’ll be late.”

  We walked together in silence.

  Something about her felt… different.

  I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

  Her steps were flawless. Natural.

  She caught me staring.

  I quickly looked away.

  That strange feeling returned—tight, uncomfortable, and unfamiliar.

  We reached school just in time. Sophia before entering the in the class she turn her head and ask hey you ok right . I noticedYou feels ... nevermind.

  My heart race for some reason.

  She turn her head and open the classroom door and went to her friends by the door. I went to my seat—third row, all the way in the back.

  I rested my arms on the desk, my eyelids growing heavy.

  I think to myself what she mean.

  Then i hear a voice. Not childish not mature just... quietly smooth and warm

  “Still lazy as ever, huh?”

  I didn’t even open my eyes.

  “Shut up.”

  The boy sitting in front of me laughed.

  Gru.

  One of my oldest friends. He always wore glasses because of his poor eyesight, and he was easily the smartest person I knew—an all-rounder in everything. His inner demon, Clover, was an ancient fox, though he could only summon it using special tools known as battle gear.

  Despite all that, he was always carefree.

  “Alright, alright,” he said. “But seriously, you’re the laziest guy I know.”

  I grunted in response, fighting the sleep creeping up on me.

  But today, something else was bothering me.

  The coat.

  The strange feeling I got whenever I touched it.

  Something wasn’t right.

  After hesitating, I told Gru everything that had happened so far.

  He listened carefully, nodding along.

  But then I noticed something.

  He was smiling.

  Not his usual carefree grin—something quieter. Something off.

  It sent a chill down my spine for no clear reason.

  As he opened his mouth to speak, his words were simple.

  Yet they made me stop and rethink everything.

  Was this all me?

  …Or was it Ken?

  Gru fix his glasses and continue.

  His words eco though my ears

  “your ken?..”

  My throat feels dry ..my arms feels weak for some reason.

  Like my body is trying to say.. something.

  _______