Kikoshin walked home under the setting sun, his backpack slung over one shoulder and a quiet smile on his lips.
He'd had a good day.
Not because anything special had happened.
But because he had helped someone.
At school, a new boy had fallen in the courtyard.
No one knew him, and many simply walked past.
But Kikoshin was the only one who ran to help.
He wiped the dirt from the boy's knee with his handkerchief.
Gave him water.
Walked him to class.
"Thank you," the boy said, still shaking. "You're really kind."
Kikoshin only smiled.
"Anyone would've done it."
But no one else did.
The Home That Would Never Be Again
When he arrived home, a sweet scent greeted him at the door.
Apple pie. His favorite.
"Mama?" he called, leaving his shoes by the entrance.
"I was starting to think you'd never come!" she replied from the kitchen, laughing. "I've been waiting for you to try it. Come on, sit."
They sat together at the small dining table.
The ceiling light flickered slightly, but neither noticed.
Or maybe they did… and just didn't want to say so.
They laughed.
Shared dessert.
Talked about silly things.
How school was going.
What he wanted to be when he grew up.
"I want to help people," he said without hesitation. "Even if they can't see me. Even if they don't understand me. I want to do something good."
She looked at him with shining eyes.
"You already are, my angel.
You already are."
After dinner, Kikoshin washed the dishes while she sat on the couch, flipping through a magazine.
He told her a terrible joke.
She laughed anyway.
He asked if she was okay.
She nodded.
But for a moment…
Her eyes clouded over.
"What's wrong?" Kikoshin asked.
"Nothing," she said, gently stroking his hair. "I'm just… proud of you."
He smiled.
Kissed her cheek.
And went to bed.
The Night That Changed Everything
The night came quietly.
Only the distant sound of cars and the wind brushing against the windows.
Kikoshin slept deeply.
Dreaming of dark forests.
Of shadows calling him.
Someone was saying something…
But he couldn't understand what.
Suddenly…
CRASH!
A loud noise.
Like something heavy had fallen to the floor.
Kikoshin jumped out of bed.
Rushed to the door.
Climbed down the stairs with his heart pounding.
"Mama?"
Silence.
He opened the door to the living room.
The first thing he saw was his mother on the floor.
Lying on her side.
Blood on her nose. On her mouth. On the ground.
"MAMA! " he screamed, dropping to his knees beside her.
She was breathing. Barely.
Her eyes were open, glassy — but they recognized him.
Kikoshin pulled her into his arms, trembling.
"Help! Someone call an ambulance! Please!"
But there was no one.
Just them.
And something else.
A dark figure stood nearby.
To the side.
Not human.
Its shape was irregular, like it was made of black smoke and broken bones.
Kikoshin saw it.
And felt a chill run through his very soul.
The Shadow stared back.
With hollow eyes.
Without emotion.
Then it vanished.
As if it had never been there at all.
"Ki-ko-shin…" his mother whispered, voice broken.
He turned back to her.
Tears were already streaming down his face.
"I'm here, Mama… I'm right here…"
She weakly lifted one hand.
Cradled his face.
"I love you…
Always will…"
He pressed her hands between his own.
He couldn't let go.
Couldn't let her go.
"Promise me… you'll be strong…
That you'll take care of yourself…
And beware… the Shadows…"
Her voice faded.
Her eyes closed.
Her body lost warmth.
"…Mama…
MAMA! "
Kikoshin held her tightly.
He cried like never before.
Shouted her name.
Begged for help.
Wished it was just a nightmare.
But it wasn't.
His mother was gone.
Right in front of him.
He didn't know why.
Didn't know how.
Didn't know who had done it.
But he did know one thing:
He had seen the Shadow.
And it had seen him too