Class had just ended, and the sun was beginning to dip toward the horizon. Some students stood by their desks, packing their things, while others grouped together, chatting casually.
"Remember what you were told, everyone. Follow the rules. I'll see you all next week—take care," the teacher announced before leaving the room.
Levi had already slung his backpack over his shoulders and was about to head for the door when a familiar voice called out.
"Levi!" Rina shouted, trying once again to startle him.
"Nice try. I kind of anticipated that," he said with a slight smirk.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Rina muttered, rolling her eyes in playful embarrassment.
"Oh, right—wanna walk home together?"
"Sure. But why?"
"No reason, really. I just felt like going home with someone today."
"Ah, alright then—whoa!" Levi yelped as Rina suddenly pulled him by the arm.
"Come on, let's march!" she said cheerfully, dragging him toward the classroom door.
Meanwhile, in the background, a few classmates began whispering among themselves.
"Do you think… Fumio Rina and Levi Kurose are dating?"
"No way! Levi, of all people? That's like pairing fire and water—total opposites."
"Mhm," the others nodded, giving each other thumbs-ups in amused agreement.
Grim Archives, Chapter 2: Horrors from Within.
Walking beneath the early evening sky, both Rina and Levi moved in silence, their footsteps echoing softly under the dim lights of Osaka's streets.
"So," Rina began, finally breaking the silence, "are you also curious about these mysterious disappearances?"
"Oh—uhh, yeah. I guess you could say that," Levi replied, a bit caught off guard.
"You know," she said thoughtfully, "doubting your will is a great mistake when answering something. It's like tearing yourself down by refusing to acknowledge your own existence."
"Wha—where did that even come from?"
"Nothing!" she laughed. "Just a random thought!" A faint smile touched her lips.
They soon came to a stop—Rina had reached her destination.
"Well, this is my stop. Thanks for walking with me, Lenny."
"L-Lenny?!"
"Whahaha! It sounds goofy, right? But it's funny!" she giggled, waving as she turned to leave. "I'll see you next week, Levi!"
"Later then," Levi replied quietly, giving a small wave as she walked away.
After Rina's departure, Levi continued his walk home. The streets were quiet, painted in the soft glow of the evening. But with every step he took closer to his house, an unsettling tension began to creep in—so thick it made his chest tighten.
"What is this feeling...?
It's heavy... suffocating..."
And terrifying, he thought, his expression tense, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.
Now standing in front of his home, Levi paused. The silence behind the door was unnatural—too still. No clinking of dishes, no laughter, no TV. Nothing. He hesitated, heart thudding. Then, swallowing hard, he quickly opened the door.
To his surprise... everything seemed normal.
The lights were on. A faint trail of smoke wafted from the kitchen, as if someone was cooking. The house looked lived in—alive.
Still on edge, Levi called out, "Mom? Dad? Yuki?!"
"Oh, Levi, you're finally home! How was school?" his father's voice responded warmly from the living room.
Levi couldn't see him—the wall near the entrance blocked the view, and the living room was several steps down the hall. But hearing that familiar voice eased something in him. His body relaxed, and his face softened into a small, relieved smile.
He took off his shoes, the tension slipping away bit by bit. "It was alright... though there was this weird news going around today," he said casually, stepping toward the living room. "Something about—"
But as he turned the corner—
Everything changed. The moment he passed the wall, it was like reality shattered.
The lights were never on.
The house was cloaked in darkness.
No smell of cooking. No warmth. No one.
It was empty. Cold and dead silent. His father… was nowhere to be seen. The voice he heard…
Had never been real.
"What the...?" Levi froze, eyes wide. Panic rising in his chest.
"Mom?! Dad?! Y-Yuki?!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the house as he ran from room to room. Nothing. Every corner. Every hallway.
Empty.
Alone in the darkness, Levi stood in the home that had always comforted him— But now…
It felt like a stranger's place. A cold, quiet void.
He then realized, he was truly, terrifyingly alone.
Upon realizing the terrifying truth—that he was alone—Levi staggered back several steps, then bumped into the cold wall behind him. His legs gave out, and he slowly slid down until he sat on the floor, back pressed against the wall, hands trembling.
His expression was frozen in disbelief. Eyes wide. Breath uneven. Frantically, he pulled out his phone and searched his mom's contact.
He dialed—pressed the phone to his ear.
Nothing. No one picked up.
He tried again. This time his dad. Then Yuki. Still nothing. Panic rising in his chest, he began calling his friends—anyone. But his hands were shaking so violently, the phone slipped and clattered to the floor.
"What the hell is even happening?!" he cried out, the only words his mind could form as it spun into chaos.
He shut his eyes tightly, as if forcing them closed could make this nightmare vanish. His breathing quickened. His heartbeat pounded in his ears wild, erratic, near life-threatening. But then—
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Always stay composed and act on logic. You're smart… Levi."
His mother's voice. Soft. Calm. Steady.
He slowly opened his eyes. His chest still rose and fell quickly—but now, more controlled. His breathing steadied. His heart began to slow.
He sat still for a moment, and his gaze fell to the corner of the room—
A family picture sat on a shelf, all four of them smiling happily.
Levi stared at it. His brows furrowed, his expression shifting from panic to quiet sadness.
"Right… Mom, Dad… they always told me... when fear clouds judgment, use your mind. Think. Especially if it's for the sake of those I care about."
With renewed focus, he stood up slowly, clenching his fists. Then, without hesitation, he stepped outside. "Mom! Dad! Yuki!" he shouted into the quiet night.
No reply. The only answer was the flickering hum of street lamps—turning off and on, one by one.
So he ran.
Levi sprinted through the streets, past houses and buildings, his eyes scanning everything in sight.
Desperation fueled his pace. Faster. Faster. His feet hitting the pavement echoed like drumbeats in an empty world.
Then— He stopped. His eyes narrowed. He looked around, breathing heavily. The street was unfamiliar.
Fog rolled in low across the ground. The area felt… untouched. Unmapped. As if it didn't exist on any known part of Osaka.
He turned his head to the right.
And there standing tall amidst the mist—was a building. Words etched in firm lettering, gleamed atop the entrance sign: "Grim Archives"
The bricks glowed faintly with a dark golden hue, aged yet refined. The architecture was profound—far more ancient and intricate than anything in the surrounding area.
Its windows were lit with a warm, eerie glow.
And above all else, the Grim Archives sign shined the brightest.
After gazing up at the Grim Archives, Levi let out a faint sigh and clenched his fists once more.
"I'll ask for help—whoever's here doesn't matter. As long as I can..."
He took a step forward, his eyes narrowing.
"Put an end to this damn nightmare."
The door creaked open, and a small bell above it rang softly. Levi stepped inside. To his surprise, the interior was... inviting. Refined. Cozy, even.
Along the sides of the room were neatly arranged tables and chairs, while towering bookshelves stood in perfect alignment along the opposing wall, almost stretching toward the ceiling. Some corners featured couches surrounded by dim golden lamps, casting a warm light on old, polished wood. Near the front stood a counter—above it, a chalkboard menu listing various beverages.
Levi looked around in quiet awe. He had never seen this place before, never even heard of it—yet it felt remarkably well-kept, formal, and oddly timeless.
Approaching the counter, he found a woman seated behind it. She was reading a book with a lollipop in her mouth, her expression neutral and relaxed. Despite clearly noticing his presence, she didn't look up.
Levi hesitated. The silence was awkward. Still, he stepped forward and spoke.
"Good evening. Can I ask for your help?"
"Mhm. What do you need?" she replied lazily, eyes still scanning the pages in front of her.
"I really need someone's help. Have you seen three people recently? A tall woman in formal clothes, a man in a business suit, and a young girl dressed casually? They're my family, and… they disappeared. Just like that. From our home. I…" His voice trailed off.
Only then did the woman finally glance up. Her gaze was sharp and unreadable, and Levi instantly felt a wave of nervous tension.
She stared at him for a moment, then turned her head. "Boss! You've got a customer!" she shouted flatly, voice echoing slightly through the upper floor.
"Coming!" came a faint reply from above.
Footsteps followed—measured, graceful, echoing across the wooden floor above.
Levi looked up as someone descended the staircase. A glimpse of a flowing skirt, a pale hand trailing along the handrail, soft pink lips, and calm, composed steps.
As she reached the bottom, a girl dressed in formal attire approached and leaned gently against the counter, lower body tilted back, posture casual but poised."
"Hello," she said with a soft voice and smile. "My name's Anastasia. How can I help you?"