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Maki tugged at her scarf, her throat tightening. Even after all this time, being out in public still made her uneasy. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to distract herself.
Halloween was coming up, and after a long debate, they had settled on something simple: a cozy fall dinner. No elaborate decorations, no horror movies—especially with how trendy the occult had become. Just a quiet night with good food. Maki had been sent to pick up a few ingredients. She had most of what she needed, but there was still one last thing missing: a pumpkin.
As she made her way to the display, Himiko’s words echoed in her mind. “Only the perfect pumpkin will do for the great Himiko! Anything less would drain my mana.” Maki exhaled, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. Dramatic as ever. But now, as she stood before the display, her mind latched onto Himiko’s words. The first one was too big, the next too small. She sifted through them, feeling strangely indecisive.
Then, movement caught her eye. A glimpse of dark blue hair from behind the shelves. Her chest tightened. It was a common enough color, but that didn’t stop her stomach from twisting. She forced herself to look away, shaking off the unease. It’s fine. Just focus.
Her breath felt heavier suddenly, her fingers tightening around her scarf. Why was it so hard to breathe? The pumpkins sat there, untouched. Pushing past the discomfort, she grabbed a medium-sized one and made her way to checkout. She just needed to get some air.
The cold hit her the moment she stepped outside, sending a shiver down her spine. She pulled her coat tighter, her short hair whipping in the breeze. It was colder now, much colder than when she’d left the house.
Maki quickened her pace, eager to get home. The streets were quiet, the empty sidewalks making the city feel eerie. She passed storefronts decorated for the season—some with spiderwebs and flickering lights, others with autumn leaves and knit scarves. The streetlights turned on, their glow stretching long shadows over the pavement.
As she rounded a corner, the sound of laughter and the warm scent of roasted chestnuts drifted through the air. She looked up. A fall market had appeared just ahead, its lights glowing invitingly.
The market was lively, filled mostly with adults and teenagers, though a few children darted between them. Maki hesitated, debating whether to pick up something as an apology for being late. Maybe some roasted almonds or a small souvenir?
She reached for her wallet, only to find her funds running low. Great. Maybe it’s time to start looking for a new job.
She turned to leave—then stopped.
Ahead of her was an archery stand, surrounded by a crowd. The rhythmic clink of arrows hitting targets mixed with occasional cheers. Maki’s heartbeat quickened as she scanned the area.
At the far end, a young boy darted toward the barriers. His foot caught on something, sending him stumbling forward. But his focus wasn’t on the targets. It was on a small toy just beyond the barrier—one he had dropped, and one he was determined to get back.
Maki didn’t think. She dropped her bags and sprinted.
She vaulted over the barriers just as another arrow flew past. Her heart pounded. The boy was inches from the edge, unaware of the danger. Without hesitation, she lunged, wrapping herself around him.
A sharp pain tore through her shoulder.
The boy clung to her, his small body trembling. Around them, chaos erupted—voices shouting, the snap of a bowstring being let loose, the thud of arrows meeting wood. But all Maki could focus on was the pulsing, searing pain in her arm. The world blurred at the edges.
And then—out of the corner of her eye—she saw it.
A flicker of dark blue hair disappearing behind a nearby stall.
Maki woke to the sterile quiet of a hospital room. The doctors said she was lucky—the arrow had missed anything vital. Still, they wanted her to stay overnight for observation. She had argued, but Himiko and Shuichi had worn her down. In the end, she agreed.
Now, she sat in bed, staring out at the moonlit sky. The stars were hidden, but the moon shone brightly, casting a soft glow over the city below. Her shoulder ached, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle.
She exhaled slowly, letting the quiet settle around her.
Then—just as her eyes fluttered shut—something moved past the window.
A shadow. Quick, fleeting.
Her heart skipped.
And for the first time since she had woken up, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t alone.