HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, CHINA, SATURDAY MORNING

  Takeru walks through the bustling airport, carrying a small suitcase in one hand and a backpack slung over his shoulder. He’s just received his boarding pass and is making his way toward the gate where he’ll wait for his flight to Japan.

  He glances up at the departure screen and reads: “FLIGHT 743 – DESTINATION: TOKYO, JAPAN – BOARDING IN 30 MINUTES.”

  Nostalgia washes over him as he thinks of Japan. He sighs, then looks to his side and notices a woman in a white dress with long black hair obscuring her face, standing on the upper-level gallery of the airport. She’s gripping the railing, leaning forward as if she’s about to jump.

  Takeru freezes. He sees that no one else seems to be reacting.

  — What is she…?

  The woman stretches her arms back, tilting her body dangerously forward. Takeru’s eyes widen as he processes what’s happening.

  — No, wait! Someone help her!

  The woman leans further forward, clearly preparing to jump. Takeru panics.

  — MISS, STOP!

  He drops his suitcase and dashes toward the gallery, shouting at the top of his lungs.

  — STOP! DON’T DO THIS!

  But the woman ignores his desperate pleas and lets herself fall.

  — NOOOOOO!!!

  Takeru dives forward, landing on the floor, hoping to grab hold of her. He lies there for a few moments, face down, knowing it’s already too late. Slowly, he lifts his head, expecting the worst. But instead, he sees the people around him staring at him with puzzled, uneasy expressions.

  Confused, he looks up at the gallery. There’s no sign of the woman. No body, no commotion—nothing.

  He stands up, shaken, as murmurs ripple through the crowd.

  — What a weirdo.

  — He’s crazy or something.

  Takeru looks around, bewildered.

  — No, no! Didn’t you see? A woman just jumped! I swear! Why are you looking at me like that?

  But the people continue to steer clear of him, some parents pulling their children away as they pass.

  He runs his hands through his hair, completely disoriented.

  — I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy!

  MIYAZAKI MANSION, TOKYO, TWO DAYS EARLIER

  Before Takeru’s journey to the airport, something had happened that needed to be resolved.

  In her room, Saori nervously fiddles with her phone. By accident, she opens her photo gallery and sees the last picture she took outside the mansion when she first arrived. Her eyes widen, and she gasps, covering her mouth with one hand as if the air had been knocked out of her.

  In another room, Kaiba flings open a wardrobe, his previously brave and determined expression changing to one of utter shock.

  — Oh my God!

  Meanwhile, back in Saori’s room, she remains frozen, staring at her phone with tears welling in her eyes. It feels like the world is collapsing around her.

  — My... My God.

  Elsewhere, Kato points toward something and yells:

  — SIS, WATCH OUT!

  Saori drops her phone, spins around, and screams at the top of her lungs.

  — AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

  But instead of what we expect, it’s her father, Kaiba, tossing a black cat toward her.

  — Meow! Look what I found hiding in Kato’s wardrobe!

  Saori, now sitting on the floor, stares in disbelief.

  — Wh... What? But...

  — Relax, Kato. It was just a cat. Nothing to be scared of.

  Saori doesn’t buy his explanation, and it seems like Kato isn’t convinced either. After all, cats don’t talk. And if they don’t, then who said those awful things to her?

  The next day, Saori decides to confront her mother with the photo.

  — Look at this, Mom.

  — Wow... Impressive, honey! Great Photoshop work!

  — Wh... What? Are you kidding me? You think I made this?

  — Didn’t you?

  — Mom, for God’s sake, look closely. When I took this picture, there was nothing in that window. And now there’s this woman’s face on the glass!

  — Oh, honey, maybe it was just a weird reflection. Don’t start buying into your sister’s ghost stories, okay?

  — Oh my God, why won’t you believe me?

  — That’s enough, Saori! You’re too old to be believing in ghost tales. You’ll scare your sister. Let’s get ready for school, and don’t you dare mention this to your father. Your brother comes back tomorrow, and I don’t want him hearing about this nonsense either. Understood?

  Defeated and disappointed, Saori lets it go. Nothing unusual happens for the rest of that day—or the next—at the mansion.

  TOKYO AIRPORT, SATURDAY, 1 P.M.

  After a four-hour flight, Takeru finally arrives in Japan. Exiting the arrivals gate with his suitcase and backpack, he spots his parents waiting for him, holding a sign with his name and a box of chocolates.

  Mei waves enthusiastically.

  — Over here, sweetie! Over here!

  Takeru’s eyes fill with tears as he runs to them.

  — Mom! Dad!

  Mei and Kaiba wrap him in a warm embrace, and Takeru sobs like a child.

  — I missed you both so much.

  — We missed you too, son.

  — Let’s go home, champ. Back to the new house. Your sisters are waiting to see you.

  MIYAZAKI MANSION, 1 HOUR LATER

  The Miyazaki's truck honks at the mansion's entrance, prompting Saori and Kato to come out to the door.

  The vehicle parks, and Takeru immediately gets out. Kato, overjoyed, runs straight toward him.

  — BRO! BRO!

  — Where’s my stinky big-headed little one?

  Takeru picks Kato up, kisses her, and starts ruffling her hair.

  — I thought you’d forgotten about me, little head.

  — Of course, I didn’t forget.

  — Good, because if you had, I was going to bite this big cheek.

  — Stop! That tickles!

  Saori, slightly hesitant, approaches him.

  — Hi, Takeru. Welcome back!

  Takeru looks at his sister, places Kato back on the ground, and notices that Saori extends her hand for a handshake. He shakes her hand but pulls her into a hug.

  — Come here, sis. It’s good to be back.

  Kaiba and Mei step out of the car with his suitcase and backpack.

  — I see you’ve already reconnected with your sisters. Let’s head inside! — said Mei.

  CUT TO MEI AND KAIBA SHOWING TAKERU HIS NEW ROOM.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  — Holy... I mean, wow! This room is a thousand times better than my one back in Kyoto. By the way, how did you afford this mansion?

  — Your sister asked the same question, but in your case, it makes sense to be curious since you were away for a year. Your father will explain it better, son. I'll leave you two to talk. Later, we’ll have a special dinner with the whole family. See you then!

  — Bye, Mom. Thanks!

  Mei leaves the room. Kaiba approaches his son, placing his hands on Takeru’s shoulders.

  — So, son! How have you been? Got yourself a girlfriend in Hong Kong?

  — No, Dad. Did you forget that the boarding school was all boys?

  — Oh, right.

  — And I’m not gay, if that’s what you’re thinking.

  — I didn’t think that at all, son. It’s just that after a year of not seeing you, I... You know, I missed my only son.

  — I missed you too, Dad. All of you. I’m really sorry for everything I did... I swear I’ve changed.

  — I know, son. Let’s leave the past behind. Unpack your things, and we’ll have dinner later.

  HOURS PASS, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A YEAR, THE WHOLE MIYAZAKI FAMILY IS GATHERED AROUND THE TABLE.

  Grateful smiles and glances are exchanged between them. Before starting the meal, Takeru asks for permission.

  — Excuse me, Dad, Mom, girls… May I lead the prayer for our food today?

  The four are a bit surprised by the request, as Takeru was never one to follow certain rules. Mei looks at Kaiba, who nods in approval.

  — Of course, son.

  Takeru asks everyone to close their eyes and begins the prayer.

  — Dear God, bless the meal we are about to partake in, and… beyond that, I want to ask for forgiveness.

  Mei and Kaiba open one eye, curious about Takeru’s prayer.

  — I ask forgiveness for making my parents suffer, for making my sisters suffer. I know I’m not worthy of Your love, but… thank You for bringing me back to my family. Thank You for pulling me out of those dark days where I thought I’d never see the light at the end of the tunnel. But here I am now, before them, begging to be accepted back into Your embrace and praise. My sins, my wrongdoings cannot be justified, but… Please don’t let them bear the consequences of my mistakes. Bless my mom, bless my dad, bless Kato, and bless my twin sister Saori, who… we’ve been distant, but I believe we’ll find unity again. Bless this house and bless all of us… Amen.

  As he finishes, Saori cannot hide her emotions upon hearing those words. The others are equally moved by his sincerity.

  ROAD TO MIYAZAKI MANSION - MONDAY - 10 AM

  A mailman rides his motorcycle along the road leading to the outskirts of the Miyazaki family's mansion.

  Sweat drips down his face, the sun unusually intense for that time of year. Finally arriving near the property, he wipes his brow with a handkerchief and pulls out two letters from his bag.

  — Let’s see… A letter for the Miyazakis. So, I...

  The mailman hesitates, looks ahead, then back at the letter to confirm the address.

  — But… This was supposed to be the address.

  We see the mailman’s point of view, revealing that the property is completely empty. No mansion, just a vast, vacant lot. It’s as if the house currently occupied by the Miyazakis never existed.

  YAMATO SCHOOL, HOURS LATER…

  One of the school coordinators briefly interrupts a teacher's class to call the Miyazaki siblings.

  — Excuse me, I’d like to have a quick word with the Miyazakis.

  Saori asks:

  — Did we do something wrong?

  — No, no, I just need a quick word with you two.

  The siblings leave the classroom. Minutes later, they’re talking in the hallway.

  — So, I’m here to give you your monthly school report cards, but… Are you sure you wrote the correct address on your enrollment forms?

  — Hmm… You’re the one who enrolled me, right, Saori?

  — Yes, but I did it right. I used the same address as my enrollment. What’s the problem?

  — Well, here’s the thing: the mailman who delivered your report cards said he arrived at the address you provided but didn’t see anything.

  — What do you mean, didn’t see anything? — Takeru asks.

  — Yes, yes, he said that when he arrived, there was just an empty lot and no house nearby.

  — That’s logically impossible! Our house can be seen from far away, even before reaching the property. — Saori said.

  — Exactly, which is why I’m asking. Look, he even sent me a picture. Take a look!

  The coordinator shows the photo to the siblings, and they’re utterly shocked to see no mansion on the land.

  — But… Impossible! — Saori exclaims.

  — Is this some kind of joke?

  — You know what? I think the mailman got lost and ended up at some random vacant lot. Anyway, here are your report cards. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll get back to work.

  The coordinator leaves, but Takeru and Saori remain in the hallway, deeply puzzled.

  From behind a wall, one of the school teachers listens to the conversation. She seems to know something.

  MIYAZAKI MANSION - 1 HOUR LATER

  Takeru is driving, taking his two sisters back home. He murmurs:

  — Well, it looks like our house didn’t run away, huh?

  Saori gets out of the car and helps her sister out. Both head to the door.

  — Hey! I’m heading downtown to pick up a few things. Do you guys want anything to eat?

  — No, thanks!

  — I do, big bro.

  — Kato? — Saori reproaches.

  — Okay, princess. I’ll bring you waffles.

  — Yay!!

  — Come on, Kato. Let’s go inside.

  The two enter the house. Takeru maneuvers the car to head back out.

  Saori sits on the couch, her mind still preoccupied with what the coordinator said.

  Kato approaches, holding Saori’s hands.

  — Big sis, let’s play hide-and-seek?

  — Ugh, not now, Kato. I’m really tired.

  — But you never play with me.

  — When your brother gets back, ask him to play with you.

  — But he’s always the one who plays with me. I wanted to play with you this time. Pretty please?

  — Oh, fine, fine.

  — Yay!

  — But let’s set some rules. Since the house is so big, you can only hide on the first floor, okay? No going upstairs or outside. Agreed?

  — Agreed!

  — Alright then, 1, 2, 3…

  — Hey, that’s not fair!

  — Run, time’s ticking! 4, 5, 6…

  Saori closes her eyes, continuing the count, while Kato looks for a place to hide. She notices some hiding spots are too obvious, so her eyes land on the service elevator.

  The elevator is meant for sending dirty laundry, trash, and other small items. It’s a square compartment, just big enough for one person. An adult would have to crouch to fit inside.

  It’s built into the wall near the stairs. There’s a brown outer door that lifts upward and a protective grate inside.

  Kato manages to open the first door, unlocks the grate, and climbs into the elevator with some difficulty but finally settles inside.

  She closes the grate first, then the outer door, ensuring her sister won’t notice where she is. Saori finishes her count.

  — 46, 47, 48, 49, 50! Ready or not, here I come!

  Saori begins her search for Kato around the house.

  — Kato-chan. I’m going to find youuu!

  Kato stays quiet inside the elevator, stifling her giggles.

  Saori starts in the kitchen.

  — I’m great at finding people, you know? So, I think you’re… UNDER THE TABLE!

  She lifts the tablecloth, looks under it, and finds nothing.

  — Damn! Alright, let’s keep searching.

  Still on the road, Takeru reaches into his wallet.

  — Damn it! I left my card on the nightstand. Crap, crap, crap!

  He makes a U-turn to head back to the mansion.

  At the mansion, Kato remains hidden, covering her mouth to suppress a fit of laughter.

  Saori continues searching, already on the verge of giving up.

  — Alright, little pest! This time, you’ve really outdone yourself. You hid better than I thought. You can come out now.

  Kato lets out a small giggle. Just as she starts to open the grate, the elevator jolts slightly. She hesitates, then brushes it off. But when she tries to move again, the cables suddenly give way, and the elevator plummets.

  — AAAAAAAHHHH! BIG SIS!

  — KATO-CHAN! KATO-CHAN, WHERE ARE YOU?

  The elevator falls until it reaches the bottom of a dark, filthy basement filled with old junk.

  Upstairs, Saori frantically opens the elevator’s outer door, then the grate, peering into the dark shaft below.

  — KATO! KATO-CHAN, ANSWER ME!

  At the bottom, Kato clutches her head, feeling a sharp pain. She notices a small cut on her forehead from the fall. Luckily, the cables stopped the elevator just 10 centimeters from the ground, preventing a harder impact.

  Kato hears her sister’s faint voice from above.

  — BIG SIS!

  — Kato! Are you alright?

  — I hurt myself!

  — Oh no! Badly?

  — My forehead is bleeding! It’s so dark here, I’m scared!

  — Calm down, sweetie. Stay calm. I’m coming down to get you.

  Saori starts searching the house for a way to reach the basement. Every attempt seems to lead to a dead end.

  In the kitchen, she discovers a door hidden behind the fridge. Straining, she pushes the fridge aside and opens the door.

  Leaving the door ajar, she finds herself in a long hallway. At the end, there’s an old, battered, green door, likely the basement entrance.

  Meanwhile, in the basement, Kato crawls out of the elevator. With her arms crossed in front of her, she cautiously navigates through the darkness, searching for an exit.

  Kato feels her way along the walls, her small hands brushing against dusty surfaces. In the distance, she notices a faint glow, possibly coming from a small window.

  The little girl moves closer and sees that the window is indeed letting in a bit of sunlight.

  — BIG SIS! BIG BRO! MOM! DAD!

  Kato is alone—or at least she thinks she is. That changes when she turns around and spots her stuffed rabbit lying on the basement floor.

  — Mr. Rabbit? What are you doing down here?

  Outside, Takeru pulls up in his car, quickly parks, and enters the house.

  — Hey, guys! I just came back to grab...

  He notices neither of his sisters are nearby.

  — Saori? Kato? Are you upstairs?

  He places one foot on the staircase but stops when he notices the service elevator door is wide open.

  He approaches the elevator, sensing something is off. Why is the door open, and why aren’t his sisters responding?

  — SAORI! SAORI!

  In the living room, by a window, a pale woman with long hair presses her hands against the glass, silently watching Takeru.

  He turns to glance at the window, but the woman is gone.

  — What the hell is going on here?

  Back in the basement, Kato walks toward her stuffed rabbit.

  — Why are you down here?

  As she bends down to pick it up, the rabbit slides back slightly, as though being pulled by an invisible thread.

  Kato hesitates, takes a couple of steps forward, and tries to grab it again. The rabbit moves further back. Each time it retreats, it gets closer to the shadows.

  Her fear growing, Kato takes another hesitant step. This time, she stretches out her hand instead of bending down.

  The rabbit is pulled entirely into the darkness. Kato lets out a small gasp, her chest heaving as her breath quickens. Tears well up in her eyes, shimmering in the faint light. Her small body trembles as dread grips her.

  She stares into the shadowy depths of the basement, hearing an eerie noise coming from the darkness ahead. Mustering courage, she speaks:

  — Mr. Rabbit, is that you?

  From the darkness emerges a boy with a shaved head, blood dripping from his mouth, clutching the stuffed rabbit in his hands.

  — THIS IS MY HOUSE!

  — AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! BIG SIS!

  In the hallway, Saori hears Kato’s terrified scream.

  — KATO-CHAN!

  She sprints toward the old, green door at the end of the hallway.

  In the basement, Kato scrambles to find an escape, all while hearing the guttural whispers of the entity.

  — KILL, KILL, KILL, KILL...

  — BIG SIS! HELP ME!

  In the kitchen, Takeru notices the fridge moved aside and the open door behind it.

  — What’s this?

  He heads toward the door.

  In the hallway, Saori finally reaches the green door. She opens it to find a long staircase descending into the basement.

  — I’M COMING, KATO!

  As she steps onto the first stair, a wave of dizziness washes over her. The stairs seem to stretch endlessly.

  — No, not now. Please, not now.

  She leans against the wall, taking deep breaths.

  — I can’t stop. I have to get down there and help my sister.

  Saori pulls out her phone, turning on the flashlight to illuminate the steps. Slowly, she descends, using the walls for support.

  In the hallway, Takeru spots the open door and shouts:

  — SAORI-CHAN!

  — TAKERU-KUN! OVER HERE! KATO IS IN DANGER!

  Takeru breaks into a sprint toward the basement.

  Saori, still on the stairs, shines her phone’s flashlight toward the doorway above. She sees the ghostly figure of a man with a bloody head, dressed in a brown suit.

  — HAVE A GOOD LESSON!

  — AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!

  Saori drops her phone, losing her balance, and tumbles down the staircase into the terrifying basement.

  In the hallway, Takeru’s heart pounds as he hears Saori’s scream.

  — SAORI-CHAN!!!!!!

  He races forward, reaching the basement door, only for it to slam shut violently, throwing him backward.

  — Arghhh!!

  On the floor, Takeru struggles to get up. As he does, he comes face-to-face with a demonic figure—a woman in a white dress with long, tangled hair.

  — WAS IT YOU, TAKERU?

  From the depths of Takeru’s lungs comes the loudest scream he’s ever let out.

  — AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!