remember me beyonder oblivion

March 12 – 18 Years Ago – Kyumeinkan Dojo – 6:00 PM

The spring breeze gently caressed the branches of the great cherry tree, making a shower of pink petals dance in the air. The late afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, painting the ground with patches of golden light.

Aenna stopped at the edge of the small outdoor dojo, her heart beating slightly faster. She had heard about him—the boy who trained alone every day, never missing a practice. But seeing him with her own eyes was a completely different experience.

In front of her, beneath the blossoming tree, a boy firmly gripped a shinai, the bamboo sword used in kendo. His movements were fluid, precise, charged with an almost hypnotic determination. Every strike he delivered against the air seemed to possess its own rhythm, like a silent dance between him and the wind.

Aenna remained still, her gaze fixed on him. He was… fascinating. Not for his appearance—though she couldn't deny that he had a certain charisma—but for the dedication in his movements, for the focus that completely enveloped him. In that moment, it was as if nothing in the world existed beyond his blade and the sound of the wind.

Without realizing it, she took a step forward.

A dry leaf cracked under her foot.

Kairo froze. With a swift motion, he lowered the shinai and turned around. His dark eyes observed her attentively, filled with curiosity. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Aenna cleared her throat, trying to hide her embarrassment.

— "Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you…"

He tilted his head slightly, as if evaluating whether her words were sincere. Then, he lowered his guard, relaxing his shoulders.

— "You're not disturbing."

Aenna took another step forward, crossing her arms behind her back.

— "Do you always train alone?"

Kairo nodded, gripping the shinai again with both hands.

— "Yes."

Silence.

Aenna blinked, surprised by the short response. She had expected something more… elaborate? Maybe even a bit of interest in her?

But Kairo seemed to have already returned to his own world, ready to resume his strikes.

Aenna, however, was not the type to be easily ignored.

— "You're good," she said with a slight smile.

This time, Kairo truly stopped. His eyes rested on her with a hint of surprise, as if it was the first time someone had told him that.

Then, with a small smile, he replied:

— "Thanks."

He picked up his bag from the ground and prepared to leave.

Aenna watched him turn away, petals falling around him like a moving painting. Something inside her told her that if she didn't speak now, she would lose the chance to leave a mark.

— "Wait!"

Kairo stopped, turning his face slightly toward her.

Aenna smiled and put her hands on her hips.

— "At least tell me your name."

The boy stared at her for a moment, then lowered his gaze slightly, as if considering her request. Finally, with a slight nod, he replied:

— "Kairo."

Aenna nodded, satisfied.

— "I'm Aenna."

Another silence, but this time… less awkward.

Then, with a simple wave of his hand, Kairo turned and walked away beneath the branches of the blooming cherry tree.

Aenna followed him with her gaze until he disappeared from sight.

Without knowing it, in that moment, she had just met the person who would change her fate.

---

September 14, 2024 – Tokyo – 11:35 AM – Café Yuro

Kairo stood up and, with one hand, pushed the girl in front of him aside, moving toward Aenna's body.

— "Hey, what are you doing? I just saved your life—at least a 'thank you' would be nice," the girl retorted, annoyed by his gesture.

But Kairo completely ignored her.

He observed the body of his childhood friend. Her skin was pale, her breathing nonexistent, yet her face was incredibly serene, as if she were only sleeping. His eyes fell on her neck, where the pendant still rested.

The one he had given her for her twenty-third birthday, with the usual engraving.

"I will be with you… always."

He knelt down and gently caressed her face.

— "I'm sorry, Aenna… Sorry I couldn't protect you. Sorry I didn't keep my promise," he sobbed.

Kairo's tears touched the ground. Memories of every moment he had spent with her flashed before his eyes.

Their first time together at the dojo. That night under the stars when he gave her the pendant. Her laughter. Her embarrassment when he caught her dancing for the first time.

He turned and looked at Lyra.

Her carefree spirit, her melodious voice, her smile, the sound of her violin all came rushing back to him. He remembered the first time they had heard her play—at his house, with Aenna and Riven. She had been nervous, blushing at every note, but her music was pure magic.

And now she was there, lying on the ground. Yet, even in such a situation, ironically, her face bore the hint of a smile.

Then, he approached his best friend and rival, Riven.

He was still suspended in midair, a black spike from the Creature pierced through his chest.

Kairo placed a hand on his shoulder.

He tried to hold back his tears. He knew Riven wouldn't have wanted to see him cry.

For a moment, he could almost hear the clash of their shinai, the echo of their laughter filling the air.

Kairo's world had crumbled in the blink of an eye.

But.

He refused to give up.

He steadied himself, wiped his tears, and turned to the mysterious girl.

— "You spoke of a way to bring them back, right?" Kairo's voice thundered.

— "Yes, but…"

— "I don't care about the price. Just tell me what I have to do."

The girl smiled softly and extended her hand to him.

— "Give me your hand."

Kairo hesitated for a moment. Is this the right choice? he wondered.

But fear didn't matter. If there was even the slightest chance of getting them back, he would take it.

He offered her his right hand.

The girl looked deeply into his dark eyes. Then, she placed a small object in his palm—a pendant with a golden hourglass and black sand inside.

— "This is the Hourglass of Remembrance. Using it will allow you to rewind, go back, or even stop time… But use it wisely. The price for this power is very high."

Kairo put the pendant around his neck.

— "Can I ask you something?" the girl whispered. "Before you go… What's your name?"

Kairo smiled at her.

— "Kairo. And you?"

She shook his hand.

— "I am Lethe."