Kaito sat on the rooftop of the school building, eyes locked on the horizon where the sun struggled to rise. Since that night… since the Gate, something inside him had changed.
His fingers trembled—not from fear, but from hunger.
Not for food.
Not for rest.
But for violence.
He clenched his fists. His claws threatened to break through the skin even in human form.
---
Flashback – The Night Before
Rina sat with her back against the warehouse wall, bandaging Kaito's hand after another involuntary transformation.
"You're changing faster," she said quietly.
Kaito avoided her eyes. "It's like… something's whispering in my blood. I hear it when I close my eyes. I feel like I'm not alone in my own body anymore."
Rina nodded slowly. "And the gate… do you think it's calling you?"
He looked at her. "No… I think it's following me."
---
Present
In the school hallway, Kaito moved through the crowd of students like a ghost. Everyone was laughing, chatting… living normal lives. But he felt like a ticking bomb. Every brush against his shoulder, every loud laugh—it all sounded distant.
He passed by a tall mirror near the stairwell… and froze.
His reflection blinked after he did.
A different version of him stared back—same face, but twisted. Pale skin. Sharp teeth. Glowing red eyes. It grinned.
Kaito stumbled back.
Then blinked—his reflection was normal again.
---
That night, Kaito sat on the floor of his room, shirt off, sweat pouring.
Dark, scale-like markings had begun spreading over his shoulder and ribs—new. He traced them with trembling fingers.
And then—
A voice whispered.
"You're not broken, Kaito… You're becoming."
---
End of Chapter 5