The sky over Yokohama was an iron grey, the kind of color that promised rain but never quite delivered it. Wind scraped down the alleyways, pushing garbage and old newspaper around like ghosts. Behind an overflowing dumpster in a narrow alley tucked far from the main roads, two figures sat close together, backs against cold brick. The younger one, Gin, had her knees pulled to her chest, a threadbare jacket wrapped tightly around her frame. Her breath fogged faintly in the air. Beside her, Ryūnosuke sat still, watching the street with sharp, narrow eyes—too sharp for a boy barely older than fifteen.

Their stomachs had stopped growling days ago. Hunger was no longer a complaint; it was a presence, always there. The last of the stale bread they’d stolen was gone, and they hadn’t eaten since the day before. People passed by the mouth of the alley, some glancing over briefly, most not at all. They weren’t people anymore, not really—just shadows that lived in the corner of the city’s eye.

Gin: “It’s cold…”

Her voice was barely a whisper, hoarse and tired. Ryūnosuke didn’t respond immediately. He kept staring out at the street, watching for anyone who might pose a threat—or an opportunity. His coat was too big, a hand-me-down from someone long gone, but he shifted it to cover Gin’s legs more. He never said it, but she always came first.

Ryūnosuke: “I know.”

His voice was flat, almost detached, but there was a heat beneath it. He clenched his jaw, resisting the useless instinct to storm into a store and just take what they needed. That only worked once. After that, you were on the list. He had scars to prove it. His fingers flexed, thin and cold.

Ryūnosuke: “We’ll find something. I’ll make sure we eat tonight.”

Gin looked up at him, her eyes still bright despite the exhaustion. She nodded once, trusting him. Always trusting him. Even if it meant lying to her to keep hope alive. He didn’t know how much longer they could last like this, but he wouldn’t let her see that doubt.

Far off, thunder rumbled. But no rain came.