That night, chaos swept through Kokishibu Village.
An unexplained affliction suddenly struck the elderly women and mothers of the village—including Mireyna's grandmother. One by one, they lost the ability to speak. Their skin turned shades of blue and deep violet, and they began vomiting delicate flower petals, as if something otherworldly had taken root inside them.
For the first time in her life, Mireyna witnessed something truly harrowing—something far beyond anything she had ever seen. The peaceful mountain village was no longer quiet. It had become a place of mystery, fear, and something ancient waking from deep within the earth.
That night, chaos swept through Kokishibu Village.
An unexplained affliction suddenly struck the elderly women and mothers of the village—including Mireyna's grandmother. One by one, they lost the ability to speak. Their skin turned shades of blue and deep violet, and they began vomiting delicate flower petals, as if something otherworldly had taken root inside them.
For the first time in her life, Mireyna witnessed something truly harrowing—something far beyond anything she had ever seen. The peaceful mountain village was no longer quiet. It had become a place of mystery, fear, and something ancient waking from deep within the earth.
And as Mireyna wept, it was the kind of cry that came from losing all hope—the kind that shattered silently inside. Her thoughts spiraled: Is my grandmother going to die? Am I going to lose the person I love the most?
Her sobs filled the room, echoing against the wooden walls of the old house. Mio, Shion, Isao, and Yumeko quickly moved to her side, trying to calm her down, their own faces tense and uncertain.
Through tear-filled eyes, Mireyna turned to Yumeko. Her gaze trembled with desperate hope as she asked softly, "Yumeko… Isn't your family known for traditional medicine? Please… could we try finding something? Maybe there's still a cure out there… maybe it can help obāchan…"
For a moment, the room stilled—caught between fear and the fragile thread of hope.
Yumeko nodded firmly. "Yes, I think I have something. Let's go to my house."
Without hesitation, she turned toward the narrow path leading through the village. Mireyna looked over her shoulder at her two bodyguards, Kae and Kai, who stood quietly beside her grandparents.
"You two, stay here," Mireyna instructed, her voice soft but resolute. "Take care of Obāchan and Ojīchan, alright? We'll just be at Yumeko's house—not far from here."
She paused for a moment, then added, "If anything happens… anything at all, call me right away."
Kae glanced at Kai. They both nodded with seriousness in their eyes.
"We understand, Miss Mirae," said Kae.
"We'll stay and watch over them," Kai assured.
Mireyna gave them a faint smile, then turned and followed Yumeko, Mio, Isao, and Shion into the deepening dusk—carrying with her nothing but the flicker of hope that Yumeko's knowledge might hold the key to saving her grandmother.
As they made their way through the village paths toward Yumeko's house, Mireyna couldn't help but notice what was unfolding around them. From the dimly lit windows of the traditional wooden homes, she could see glimpses of the same strange illness striking others. Mothers and grandmothers were slumped in pain, their skin stained with purplish-blue hues, flower petals strewn near them—just like what had happened to her own grandmother.
In her heart, Mireyna whispered anxiously, What is this illness… and why all at once?
Finally, they reached Yumeko's house. It was a beautifully preserved traditional Japanese home, surrounded by a quiet serenity even in the midst of village panic. As Yumeko opened the door, she called softly in Japanese, "Okaeri… I'm home."
The others followed her inside. Mireyna's eyes moved quickly, scanning the interior. Everything was neat and traditional—tatami mats, shoji screens, and a warm amber glow from lanterns. But one thing stood out: unlike many homes they had passed, there was no sign of illness here.
Turning to Yumeko, Mireyna asked, "Your grandmother or mother… they haven't been affected by this sickness?"
Yumeko shrugged lightly, a bit confused herself. "I don't know. They seem fine… Maybe they've been spared. But come, I want you to meet my mother first."
They moved into the main sitting area—a classic Japanese-style living room. Directly across from it was a serene koi pond that shimmered with reflections of the moonlight, casting an ethereal glow through the open shoji doors. The cool night air carried a faint scent of night-blooming flowers.
"Please, sit," Yumeko said softly.
Mireyna stepped further in and paused when her eyes fell upon a woman seated seiza-style on the floor—no chair, no cushion, just the polished wooden floor. It was Yumeko's mother.
Her beauty stunned Mireyna.
She looked just like Yumeko—elegant, graceful, and ethereal—but with a mature refinement that made her presence almost otherworldly. The resemblance was so strong that it caught Mireyna off guard.
The woman looked up and offered a gentle smile. "Mireyna-san… please, have a seat."
Mireyna bowed slightly and sat, still slightly in awe. She glanced around at Mio, Shion, and Isao, who were already settling in. In her mind, a quiet thought lingered:
No wonder Yumeko is so beautiful. Her mother… is just as radiant.
Yumeko's mother looked at them and smiled gently, her expression calm and composed — completely unshaken despite the chaos outside. Her serene presence brought a strange sense of peace to the room. Mireyna, confused but curious, asked softly, "Obasan, aren't you worried? Why haven't you or your family caught the same illness that's affecting everyone else in the village?"
Yumeko's mother smiled again and gracefully raised a delicate hand, her long, pale fingers glowing faintly in the moonlight. She gestured toward her daughter.
"Yumi, dear," she said softly, "please bring the book from my room."
Yumeko immediately stood and bowed respectfully before leaving to get the book. Mireyna watched, puzzled. A book? What book could help with this?
Soon, Yumeko returned carrying a thick, old book bound in worn leather. She sat beside her mother, who gently opened the book in front of Mireyna, Isao, Mio, and Shion. The pages were yellowed with age, filled with ancient kanji and detailed drawings that looked almost mystical.
The moonlight from the koi pond outside softly illuminated the pages as Yumeko's mother carefully turned them, as if revealing long-guarded secrets.
Then she looked at Mireyna with kind eyes.
"Mireyna-san, can you read Japanese kanji?"
Mireyna nodded slightly. "A little, Obasan. I don't understand it very well."
Yumeko's mother smiled gently and bowed her head slightly.
"Actually… the illness affecting Kokishibu Village is not an ordinary sickness."
Mireyna's eyes widened as she stared at Yumeko's mother, who remained calm and composed, giving off an unsettling calmness despite the situation.