CHAPTER 46: A WARM GLOW

After spending the evening with her parents, Yuri had a nice dream.

She dreamed she was in the royal gardens, together with Haru. They were talking, laughing.

Then suddenly, the two of them were standing on a meadow full of fluffy sheep.

Even though the scene looked peaceful and sweet, a strange unease crept into Yuri’s chest.

Something felt... wrong. Deeply wrong.

She looked at Haru, who was gently petting one of the sheep.

"Don’t be scared, they won’t bite," he said, smiling softly at her.

For some reason, Yuri was frightened. But with Haru beside her, she managed to find a bit of courage.

Her hand trembled as she reached toward the sheep’s soft wool.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch it, the image shattered like broken glass.

The smiling sheep on the green meadow turned into the face of a crying woman, floating in black emptiness.

Yuri wanted to cry – but she couldn’t wake up, couldn’t make a sound.

The woman had red eyes and silver hair, blood running down her cheeks. Her figure was blurry, like covered in falling snow.

"Remember... who... you are..." the woman wailed in pain. "Your... power... use it... as you... not as me... I... don’t exist..."

"W-what? W-who a-are y-you?" Yuri asked, almost frozen with fear.

"I’m... dying... the fourth... devours me... but my power... stays... within you... you... the century of strength..."

Despite her fear, Yuri wanted to ask more – but the woman only kept howling, louder and louder, as if her pain was growing every second.

Her twisted face, that cry... Yuri didn’t want to remember them. But she knew she would.

After a moment, the woman’s image vanished, swallowed by darkness.

*

Yuri woke up in the middle of the night, screaming at the top of her lungs.

Her whole body was shaking, tears streaming down her face. The scream was so loud that it woke both of her brothers instantly.

"Yuri, what’s wrong?!" Asahi jumped out of bed and ran to her. "Yuri, can you hear me?"

Half-asleep, Shion rolled over lazily, blinking at her with a mix of worry and confusion.

Yuri kept shaking and crying. Asahi looked into her eyes – he had never seen her so terrified.

"Yuri, talk to me! What did you see?" he asked, taking her hand. But she didn’t answer. She only cried harder.

"Shion, go get Mom! Now! I don’t know what’s happening!" Asahi shouted, turning toward his brother.

At first, Shion groaned and sat up sluggishly, but once he saw how bad it was, he rushed out of the room.

"Hang on, Yuri," Asahi whispered, doing everything he could to comfort her.

"S-scary... woman... she was so scary..." Yuri stammered between sobs, quivering even more.

Moments later, Haru rushed in with a sleepy Shion behind him.

"Oh my god, Yuri – what happened?" Haru gasped, running to her side.

His first instinct was to place a hand on her forehead. No fever. She didn’t seem sick, but he wanted to make sure.

"Mom, she had a really bad nightmare," Asahi said quickly. "Worse than any before. I tried to calm her but–"

"You did what you could, Asahi. I’m proud of you," Haru said softly, sitting down beside Yuri.

He held her close, cradling her gently against him. She didn’t answer – just kept crying, her small body shivering.

"It’s okay. I’m here now. You’re safe," Haru whispered.

Meanwhile, Shion yawned loudly, then flopped back on his bed and turned away.

"Sorry, but if I don’t sleep, I’ll mess up tomorrow – and Dad will give me extra work," he muttered, already drifting off.

Asahi shot him a glare but didn’t say anything. He decided to keep a close eye on Yuri and be ready to help Haru if needed.

What’s happening to her? Haru thought, panic rising inside him. What’s tormenting my little girl like this? I need to see Ayame as soon as possible...

Calm down. You need to stay calm for her. But gods, I’m so worried about you, my precious little one... I hate seeing you suffer like this.

"Yuri, sweetheart, don’t be afraid," Haru whispered, stroking her hair. "Mom’s right here. Breathe in and out. Nice and slow."

The trembling slowly began to fade as Yuri felt his warmth surround her – that safe, loving embrace she knew so well.

Her head rested on Haru’s chest, and she could hear his heartbeat – steady and calm.

Her breathing softened. The fright melted away.

"I love you, Yuri," Haru said softly. "I love all of you. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I won’t let anything hurt you. Ever."

Yuri’s small hands weakly gripped his kimono, as if letting out the last bit of fear through that tiny gesture.

She snuggled closer, resting her head even more against his chest.

"Mom... will you stay?" she murmured sleepily.

"I will," Haru whispered. "We’ll sleep together tonight. I want you to feel protected"

Only her gentle breathing answered.

Maybe I should stay with her for the next few nights... She used to handle her nightmares on her own, but if they’re getting this bad... only Ayame might know what’s going on. Until then, I’ll do everything I can to keep her safe.

"Is... she okay now?" Asahi asked quietly, his voice trembling.

"She is," Haru said, smiling softly as he patted his son’s head. "Thank you for taking care of your sister."

Asahi smiled faintly, then hugged him.

"Go on, get some sleep, sweetie," Haru whispered. "I know you’re worried, but it’ll be alright. I’m right here."

"O-okay," Asahi nodded. He climbed back into bed.

Haru, still holding the sleeping Yuri, moved a little so they could both lie down comfortably.

He looked at her peaceful face – pressed close to him, sleeping soundly – and closed his eyes, focusing only on keeping her safe.

He fell asleep faster than he expected.

Asahi, however, couldn’t sleep. He kept turning over, fretting too much about Yuri. After a while he gave up. The movement woke Haru, who, even in his sleep, stayed watchful over them.

"Can’t sleep either?" Haru asked drowsily.

"Mhm..." Asahi nodded. "I-I’m still s-scared for Y-Yuri... M-Mom, can I t-too? I know I’m a boy and I’m not little anymore, but..."

"Don’t even ask," Haru said with a gentle smile. "Of course you can. I think there’s enough space for all of us."

Asahi’s face brightened instantly as he settled onto the bed.

Haru was lying on his back, so he just shifted a bit toward the wall to make room.

The three of them lay together under the blanket, both kids curled up close to him.

Haru wrapped his arms around them, holding them as lovingly as he could.

"Goodnight," he whispered, smiling as a tender calm filled the room.

Then he closed his eyes.

*

It was one of the most beautiful dreams Yuri had ever had.

She never knew dreams could be so...

...beautiful.

She and Asahi were floating in the same starlight Haru had shown them the night before.

A golden mist of stars floated around them, shimmering in all sorts of colors and shapes. They gazed at it in wonder, wrapped in a warmth they couldn’t describe

Yuri didn’t remember what else happened in that dream – only this one feeling.

She and her brother were drifting through the golden mist, surrounded by lights that filled them with amazement and joy.