From the moment I was born until now, I had never felt happiness like this.
Even though I knew she wouldn't be around for long... Even though her time here was running out…
I cherished every second of these last moments. "Come here, Kage!" Hikari called out from the swings. "Coming!" Kage replied, a wide smile on his face.
"Let's play!" she said with a grin, and they ran off into the open field.
They played in the park for hours, laughing, chasing, and forgetting the ticking clock that loomed over them.
As the sky turned golden, and the birds began to quiet, they sat side by side on a bench.
Kage pulled something from his pocket — a small ring made of silver-colored thread, clumsily twisted but made with care.
He held it out to her.
"Here," he said. "Will you stay with me?"
Hikari blinked, surprised — then laughed. "Of course, you fool. I'll never leave you!"
But Kage's smile faded.
"You're leaving the country… and you might not come back for years." There was silence. Then Hikari looked at him, her eyes soft.
"We may not meet for a long time, Kage... but when we grow up, I'll wait for you. And I'll marry you."
Kage looked at her, wide-eyed. "Promise?"
Hikari held out her pinky. "Pinky promise."
They linked their little fingers and smiled, their eyes locked in quiet understanding..
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind a tree.
"Kage."
A man stepped out — black T-shirt, black jacket, a black mask covering his face. His presence was cold, strange, out of place.
Kage turned, startled. "Who are you?"
"Come here," the man said.
Kage hesitated, then slowly approached him.
"What's your age?" the man asked, his tone flat but curious. "I'm eight," Kage answered warily.
Perfect, the man thought. Right on time. "And the girl?"
Kage narrowed his eyes.
"She's the same age as me. Why do you care?"
The man raised a hand.
"Don't be angry. I have no business with her. It's you I want."
Kage's fists clenched.
"What do you want from me?
The man leaned forward, his shadow stretching across the park bench. "I want to play a game with you," he said calmly.
Kage blinked.
"What kind of game?"
The man's lips curled into a faint smile.
"It's a very fun game… but once you start, you can't quit."
Kage hesitated. The orange glow of the setting sun reminded him of the time. "I'd love to… but I need to go home before sunset."
"Don't worry," the man said, glancing at the sky. "We'll still play. I have work too." Kage gave a small nod.
"Okay..."
Then, without warning, the man's tone shifted. "But first, tell me—do you love her?"
Kage stiffened. His eyes dropped to the ground.
"It's alright," the man said gently. "I won't tell your parents. I had feelings for someone too… when I was a kid."
After a long pause, Kage whispered, "Yes… I love her."
The man stood, brushing off his coat. "I know," he said simply.
"Now go. I have to leave. Goodbye."
And just like that, he walked away, disappearing into the park's growing shadows.
Kage returned to Hikari, who was sitting on the swing.
"Who was he?" she asked curiously.
"No one," Kage replied. "Just a nice man. He promised to play with me one day." "Hmph! Forget him. I want ice cream!" she declared with a grin.
"Alright," Kage smiled. "Let's get ice cream and go home.
That evening, the sky was painted in soft hues of violet and gold as they neared the crosswalk.
"I'm scared to cross roads," Hikari said, shrinking beside him.
"Don't worry," Kage said, squeezing her hand. "Just follow the light—and stay with me." The light turned green.
"It's green! Come on, Kage!" Hikari shouted, breaking into a run. "Wait! Wait for me!" Kage called after her.
Then—
The screech of tires. A flash of metal.
A truck came barreling through the red light. And in an instant, Hikari was gone.
Blood pooled beneath her as her small body lay still. Kage stumbled to her, his knees hitting the asphalt.
"You promised…" he sobbed. "You said you'd stay with me… Don't die… please don't die…" Hikari's lips trembled.
"I… I… I…"
Her voice faded like the wind. Her eyes closed
And then, through the blur of tears and flashing red lights, Kage's eyes drifted to the side of the truck.
In bold, crimson letters—partially smeared with blood—it read:
"THE GAME BEGINS: FIRST STAGE.