《A voice calling from a distant》


 Chapter 0 A faceless stranger—Prologue

    Prologue


    I opened my eyes to find myself in an endless, dark void. Silence surrounded me, broken only by the faint echoes of my own voice. The emptiness stretched on forever, making me feel small, insignificant.


    Just when I thought I might lose myself to the overwhelming stillness, I heard a voice¡ªsoft and distant, yet filled with warmth.


    "Ryu, take a look at this flower..."


    It was as if the voice called me from somewhere far away, a tender invitation. Without thinking, I began running toward it. As I moved, the darkness began to change¡ªbright flowers bloomed around me, their petals unfolding like a dream, their sweet scent filling the air.


    A passage formed before me, framed by these delicate blooms. I hesitated but stepped forward, my heart racing for reasons I couldn''t understand.


    "Hello? Is anyone there?" I called softly, my voice shaking slightly.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    The voice answered again, warmer now, closer. It was so familiar, like something I''d longed for without realizing.


    I turned and saw her¡ªa girl, standing among the flowers, her hands lightly brushing against the petals. She looked up, and in that instant, something in her presence made my heart skip a beat.


    "Hey, who are you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.


    She didn''t answer, but her form seemed to radiate warmth. Then, she began to run, her laughter echoing softly in the air.


    "Wait, stop running!" I called, my feet moving before I could think.


    She glanced back over her shoulder, and despite her playful demeanor, her face remained hidden, a faceless void that seemed both strange and comforting.


    "You have to catch me!" she teased, her voice light and carefree, as though we were already familiar, as though we''d been playing this game for a long time.


    I chased after her, the flowers around us flourishing with every step, but as I ran, the world around us began to change. The petals of the flowers began to wither, falling like leaves caught in a breeze.


    Confused, I stopped. My chest tightened, unsure whether to keep chasing her or turn back.


    Then, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and I spun around.


    She was there, standing just behind me, her expression unreadable. Her faceless gaze was somehow more comforting than unsettling.


    And in that moment, I realized I didn¡¯t want to let go of this dream.


    I woke up.

 Chapter 1

    Title:The dream and the morning


    Ryu Kento''s eyes snapped open as the sound of his alarm blared beside him. His body tensed, as though the dream had left a lingering weight on him, and for a moment, he couldn''t quite shake the feeling that something was off. It wasn''t just the oddness of the dream itself; it was how real it had felt¡ªthe warmth of the voice, the beauty of the flowers, the sensation of running after her.


    He rubbed his eyes and sat up, glancing around his small apartment. The sterile quietness settled in, the same way it always did after he woke. The walls were bare, the furniture sparse¡ªa far cry from what he''d once hoped his home would be. He was alone, as usual. No parents. No family.


    "It was just a dream," he muttered, though the lingering sensation of that distant voice made it hard to convince himself. Something in his chest tightened, an ache that had nothing to do with the morning chill.


    With a sigh, Ryu swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling the cool floor beneath his feet. He stared down at his hands for a moment, wondering if there was any meaning to it all. His heart still raced, as if that distant voice was still calling him.


    Deciding he needed some fresh air to clear his head, Ryu grabbed his jacket and stepped outside for a jog. The early morning streets were quiet, with only a few cars passing by and the occasional bird fluttering overhead. The cool breeze hit his face, but his mind was too full of other thoughts to appreciate it fully.


    Lost in his thoughts, Ryu barely noticed the girl walking toward him until it was too late. He collided with her, a sudden crash of bodies that sent them both stumbling backward. Ryu quickly reached out, steadying her.


    "Sorry, I wasn''t looking where I was going," he muttered, his heart pounding not just from the jolt of the collision, but from the surprise of meeting someone, anyone, in such an intimate moment.


    The girl, wide-eyed, quickly apologized as well. "No, it''s my fault. I wasn''t paying attention."


    Ryu finally looked at her, and for the first time that morning, his thoughts seemed to clear. She was... pretty, her features delicate but striking, and there was a soft warmth to her presence that made the cold morning feel a little less empty. He opened his mouth to say something¡ªanything¡ªbut the words stuck in his throat. She had already started to walk away.


    "I... uh, hey!" he tried, but his voice barely rose above a whisper, too late.


    She turned back, a small smile on her lips. "Sorry, gotta go. Have a good day!"


    And just like that, she was gone, leaving Ryu standing there, staring after her, his heart sinking.


    He shook his head, disappointed in himself. "Why didn''t you say anything?" he muttered to no one in particular.


    Sighing, he continued his jog, the encounter lingering in his mind longer than he expected. By the time he returned home, the world around him was beginning to wake up. He opened the front door, only to find his uncle standing there, smiling warmly at him.


    "Good morning, Ryu," his uncle greeted. "You''re up early."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Ryu nodded, a small, forced smile on his lips. "Yeah, needed some air."


    His uncle chuckled softly. "Well, don''t forget to eat something before you go. You''re looking a little thin." He reached out, gently tapping Ryu''s shoulder in a familiar, comforting way. "You''ve been running yourself ragged lately, haven''t you?"


    Ryu didn''t answer right away. Instead, he went over to the kitchen and pulled out some bread. His uncle watched him for a moment before stepping closer, his voice lowering just enough for Ryu to hear the concern.


    "Ryu, I know you don''t talk much about it, but I want you to know I''m here, okay? If you ever want to talk, you don''t have to keep it all inside."


    Ryu paused, his hand hovering over the jar of peanut butter. His uncle always had a way of making him feel both guilty and comforted at the same time. Ryu never wanted to burden him with his past, with the scars his parents had left on him.


    "I''m fine, Uncle," Ryu said quietly, his voice betraying him. He could feel the tension in his chest, the usual weight he carried whenever he thought about his parents. They had been gone for so long, but their absence still hung over him like a shadow he couldn''t outrun.


    His uncle sighed, the weariness in his eyes apparent. "I know you think you''re fine, but you don''t always have to carry everything by yourself. Just remember that, okay? You''ve got me."


    Ryu finally turned, offering a weak smile. "Thanks, Uncle."


    His uncle smiled back, his face softening. "You''re welcome. Now, make sure you don''t skip breakfast again. You need it more than you realize."


    Ryu nodded, feeling a strange mixture of comfort and guilt. His uncle had done more for him than anyone else ever had, yet Ryu couldn''t help but feel like he was letting him down.


    After a few more quiet moments, Ryu finished his breakfast in silence, the weight of the conversation lingering. He glanced at the clock. He didn''t have much time to get to school.


    "I''m heading out," he said, his voice more firm now.


    "Take care of yourself," his uncle said, his voice gentle but filled with that ever-present care. "I''ll see you later."


    Ryu nodded, grabbing his bag and heading toward the door. But before he left, he turned back. "Thanks again, Uncle. I''ll be okay."


    His uncle waved him off with a smile, and Ryu stepped outside, the weight of the day settling onto his shoulders as he prepared for another day of school. But the memory of the girl from his jog kept creeping back into his mind, making the day feel just a little less ordinary.


    ---


    Ryu entered the school gates, his footsteps heavy, each step echoing in the empty hallway. He wasn''t in the mood to talk today. As usual, he sat at his usual spot in class, away from the others. His eyes remained downcast, not a smile in sight. He was used to this solitude. It wasn''t like he had many people to talk to.


    As he sat, his thoughts wandered again, back to the jog, to the girl he had bumped into. Her smile lingered in his mind, and for a moment, it was the only thing that broke through the fog of his usual routine.


    "Hey, Kento!" a voice called from behind.


    Ryu looked up just as his two friends appeared, sliding into the seats next to him. They were loud, full of energy, and had a way of pulling him out of his usual shell, even if just a little.


    "Why the long face?" one of them asked, chuckling as they gave him a playful shove.


    Ryu''s lips twitched into a small, genuine smile¡ªsomething he rarely did. "Nothing," he said, though the smile lingered as his friends continued chatting with him.


    Before long, the teacher entered the classroom, signaling the start of class. As the students settled down, the teacher looked around with a welcoming smile.


    "Good morning, everyone. I have an announcement before we begin today''s lesson. We have a new transfer student joining us. Please welcome her."


    The students around Ryu began whispering to each other, some already glancing over to the door with curiosity. The atmosphere in the room shifted.


    "She''s pretty," someone murmured, and another voice chimed in with a similar comment. "Wow, she''s gorgeous."


    Ryu barely looked up, but his attention was immediately drawn to the door as the student walked in.


    It was the girl from his jog.


    Their eyes met.


    Ryu froze. His heart skipped a beat. It couldn''t be.


    The class murmured as the girl stood by the teacher''s desk, her eyes meeting Ryu''s for a moment longer than was comfortable. There was no mistaking it¡ªshe was the same girl.


    And Ryu, for the first time in a long while, couldn''t breathe.

 Chapter 2

    Title:A familiar scene


    Ryu sat at his desk, staring out the window, lost in thought. He hadn''t fully processed the shock of seeing the girl he bumped into earlier that morning. Was it really her?


    Ryu snapped his attention back to the front of the classroom as the girl stepped forward. She stood tall, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, and her soft gaze swept across the room.


    I''m Sakiya Mizuno," she said, her voice soft yet clear. "It''s nice to meet you all."


    A murmur ran through the room, mostly from the boys admiring her beauty.


    "Thank you, Mizuno," the teacher said, nodding. He then glanced at Daiki(One of Kento''s friend), who sat beside Ryu. "Daiki, would you mind moving to the back? Mizuno you can sit next to Ryu."


    Daiki groaned theatrically but stood up with a grin, grabbing his things. "Guess I''m doing you a favor, Ryu."


    Ryu shot him a half-hearted glare, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Just go already."


    As Daiki moved to his new seat, Sakiya approached and sat down next to Ryu, her movements graceful. She turned to him with a polite smile. "Hello."


    "Uh, hi," Ryu replied, his voice a little awkward. He quickly looked away, focusing on his desk as if it held the secrets of the universe.


    The lesson began, but Ryu found it impossible to concentrate. He could feel Sakiya''s presence beside him, her quiet focus drawing his attention like a magnet. At one point, he risked a glance at her, only for her to catch him in the act.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Her eyes met his, and she tilted her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Ryu''s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away, his ears burning.


    "Smooth," Daiki muttered from behind, barely holding back a chuckle.


    The awkwardness lingered until the lunch bell rang. As the class dispersed, Ryu hesitated before turning to Sakiya.


    "Do you want me to show you around the school?" he asked, his voice quieter than usual.


    Sakiya looked up at him in surprise before smiling. "That would be nice. Thank you, Ryu."


    They walked through the bustling hallways, Ryu pointing out the important areas. The tour ended in a quieter part of the school grounds, where the noise of the other students faded.


    As they walked, a soft breeze swept through, carrying a cluster of cherry blossom petals to the grassy patch ahead. Sakiya paused, her gaze drawn to the delicate blossoms. Without a word, she knelt down, her fingers brushing gently over the petals.


    Ryu stopped in his tracks, his breath catching. This moment¡ªher kneeling there, her hand tracing the petals¡ªit felt strangely familiar, as if he had witnessed it somewhere before. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow around her, and the scene stirred something deep in his mind.


    "Cherry blossoms," Sakiya murmured, almost to herself. "They''re beautiful, don''t you think?"


    Ryu blinked, trying to shake the feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. "Yeah," he replied, his voice softer than usual. "They are."


    Sakiya looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with the kind of warmth that made his chest tighten. "It''s funny," she said with a gentle smile. "Sometimes, moments like this feel timeless, like they''ve happened before."


    Her words sent a shiver through Ryu. He didn''t know why, but her presence here, in this moment, seemed to echo something from his dreams¡ªor perhaps his memories.


    Before he could dwell on it further, Sakiya stood up, brushing off her skirt. She plucked one of the petals from the ground and held it out to him, her smile playful yet sincere.


    "Here," she said. "A little something to remember this moment."


    Ryu hesitated, his heart pounding as he reached out to take the petal. When their fingers brushed, he felt a strange warmth that lingered even after she let go.


    "Thanks," he said, slipping the petal into his pocket.


    As they walked back to the school building, the image of her kneeling among the petals stayed vivid in his mind. It was as if the moment carried a hidden meaning, a thread connecting them to something he couldn''t yet understand.

 Chapter 3

    Title: Saturday outing and conflicted Hearts


    (note:Here the "girl" refers to Sakiya mizuno)


    Ryu lay on his bed, his hands folded behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. The morning light filtered through the window, casting soft shadows across his room. His mind, however, was far from calm. It kept returning to the image of the girl he had met during his jog earlier this week.


    That scene felt strangely familiar, like something he had experienced before¡ªd¨¦j¨¤ vu. There was something about her, something that tugged at him, as if their meeting had happened in another time or place. His mind kept replaying it, trying to place her face, but it remained blurred. The sensation that he should know her, that there was something important about her, only grew stronger with each passing thought. Why did it feel like their meeting was a memory from a dream?


    Ryu shifted uncomfortably on his bed, closing his eyes, but the thoughts wouldn''t leave. He rubbed his face in frustration. It wasn''t like him to get stuck on something so trivial. He had bigger problems to deal with. Yet, the image of the girl kept intruding into his thoughts, her absence in his memories somehow making her more real.


    Just as his thoughts began to wander again, his phone buzzed beside him on the bed. He glanced at the screen¡ªShun.


    "Ryu! Come down fast! We''re waiting for you!" Shun''s voice crackled through the phone, excited.


    Ryu groaned, knowing exactly what this meant. His friends had planned an outing to the amusement park, something they''d been talking about for weeks. It was supposed to be fun, a break from everything. But Ryu, still distracted by the strange girl and his thoughts, couldn''t help feeling out of place. He threw his phone aside and dragged himself off the bed. Maybe a change of scenery would help him clear his mind.


    He hurried downstairs, and as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw his two friends already standing near the door, ready to go. They were chatting excitedly, but Ryu''s mind was elsewhere. He tried to smile, but it felt stiff, unnatural.


    "Come on, Ryu! You look like you just woke up!" Shun laughed, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "You''re gonna have a blast today! Just let go of all that stress."


    Ryu forced a chuckle, nodding. "Yeah, yeah, let''s go."


    ---


    Later, at the amusement park, Ryu''s friends pulled him from one ride to the next, trying to get him involved in the fun. Roller coasters, games, food stands¡ªit all seemed like a blur. Ryu went through the motions, offering a half-hearted smile when his friends laughed or teased him. But his thoughts kept wandering back to the girl he had met. He couldn''t shake the sensation that he had seen her before, like she had appeared in his dreams. And yet, every time he tried to picture her face, it remained blurred, slipping away like a fleeting memory.Stolen novel; please report.


    Shun and Daiki had noticed his lack of enthusiasm. They tried to get him excited about the rides, but Ryu just wasn''t feeling it. He offered a small smile, but it didn''t reach his eyes. "I''m fine," he muttered, trying to brush off their concern.


    "Hey, Ryu, you okay?" Daiki asked, nudging him as they waited in line for another ride. "You seem... off today."


    Ryu forced himself to snap out of his thoughts. "Yeah, just tired. I''ll be fine."


    "Alright, man. We''re having fun, aren''t we?" Shun added, grinning.


    Ryu nodded, but it felt like an empty gesture. His heart wasn''t in it. The noise and laughter of the park seemed distant, like he was watching it all through a foggy lens. His mind kept drifting back to the girl. There was something about her eyes¡ªthose empty, haunting eyes¡ªthat wouldn''t let him go. Every time he thought he had a grip on the situation, her face appeared again, as if trying to remind him of something.


    "Hey, come on! It''s the last ride! You don''t want to miss it!" Shun shouted, pulling Ryu along.


    Ryu followed, but the excitement felt hollow. He let himself be swept up in the moment, pretending to enjoy it, but the thoughts of the girl stayed with him, gnawing at him in the back of his mind. His friends were right to be worried about him. He was distracted, lost in his own thoughts. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t shake the feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu that clung to him.


    ---


    Meanwhile, miles away, Sakiya Mizuno was making her way back home. She had spent the afternoon at a nearby park, trying to escape the heavy atmosphere that surrounded her aunt''s constant watchfulness. The park was peaceful, a quiet retreat where she could forget the weight of everything. But she knew she couldn''t stay there forever.


    When she reached the front door, she hesitated for a moment. As soon as she stepped inside, she was greeted by the stern voice of her aunt.


    "Sakiya!" her aunt called sharply from the living room. "Where have you been? I told you to stay close."


    Sakiya winced, already knowing what was coming. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "I just went to the park, Aunt. It''s not like I''m going to disappear."


    Her aunt stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression hard. "You can''t just leave without telling me! You know how worried I get."


    Sakiya''s frustration bubbled up. "Why do you always do this? I also have a life, you know!" she snapped, the words slipping out before she could stop them.


    Her aunt''s eyes softened for a moment, but the strictness in her voice didn''t change. "I do it because I care about you, Sakiya. I don''t want you out there alone, especially after everything that''s happened."


    Sakiya clenched her fists. She understood her aunt''s concern, but sometimes it felt like she was suffocating. "I''m fine. I can take care of myself," she muttered under her breath.


    Her aunt sighed, stepping forward. "I know you''re strong, but that doesn''t mean you should be reckless." She softened her tone. "Just... let me know next time, alright?"


    Sakiya didn''t answer right away. She just nodded, not wanting to start another argument. But deep down, the frustration remained. Her aunt''s overprotectiveness was smothering, and sometimes, it felt like she was trapped.


    As Sakiya trudged up the stairs to her room, she couldn''t shake the feeling of being watched, of being held back by invisible chains. She just wanted a moment to breathe, to feel free. But the weight of her aunt''s expectations was always there, lurking in the background.


    ---


    Back at the amusement park, Ryu''s friends had gathered for one last ride before the day ended. But Ryu was distant, his thoughts far from the spinning roller coasters and the laughter around him. He felt like he was watching his life unfold from a distance, detached and numb. The moment the ride ended, he took a step back, letting his friends rush ahead to find the next thrill.


    As he wandered off to the side, Ryu leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath. He closed his eyes for a moment, but no matter how hard he tried, the image of the girl¡ªthe one with the haunting eyes¡ªwouldn''t leave him. Her face lingered in his mind, blurred yet so vivid. He couldn''t explain it. Was it just a random encounter? A fleeting moment? Or was there something deeper? A connection he couldn''t remember?


    ---


    The day ended, and Ryu made his way back home, his friends waving goodbye as they went their separate ways. The quietness of his empty house greeted him. His uncle was probably still at work, as usual.


    Ryu dropped his bag by the door and collapsed onto the couch. He closed his eyes, but the image of the girl¡ªthe one who felt so familiar¡ªwouldn''t leave him. The feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu gnawed at him. It was as if their connection had existed long before this moment. And despite everything, he couldn''t shake the sense that she was important, that their paths were somehow intertwined.


    Ryu sighed, rubbing his eyes. Tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow would bring answers.