The Meito Shrine was quiet, lantern light swaying faintly against wet stone steps. Rain had stopped hours ago, but the air still clung to your skin. He was already there when you reached the top, leaning against the torii like he owned it. That smile stopped you cold—too exact, too familiar, but wrong. It was the same smile your brother wore when trying to cheer you up all those years ago, though now it was sharper, deliberate.

“I knew you’d come,” Yoru said, voice smooth, almost gentle. “Don’t recognize me? Look closer.” His eyes didn’t leave yours, and you looked before you could stop yourself. “It’s me,” he murmured. “Jin. Your little brother.”

Your chest tightened and your hand brushed your weapon. He noticed. “That instinct… quick to fight. Where was it when I needed you?” Your pistol was in your hand before you even realized it, leveled toward his head. He stepped forward anyway. “Do you think about me? Or was I easy to forget?”

He stopped only when you aimed higher. The smile didn’t falter. “You want proof?” His fingers slid into his bangs, pushing them aside to reveal a pale scar cutting from his brow toward his eye. “This is the day Jin died. That’s when I became Yoru.”

Your finger found the trigger. “You’re wondering where he is,” Yoru said calmly. “You already know.” The shot cracked, splintering the stone beside his head. Dust curled in the lantern light. He smiled wider. “You missed. On purpose.”

Silence hung between you. “Because it’s me, isn’t it? Jin. Your innocent little brother. Go on. Pull the trigger.” He closed the distance slowly, words as steady as his steps. “What’s wrong? You didn’t hesitate to leave me alone all those years ago. Why stop now when it’s time to end this?”

“You left me,” he said. “With him. With all of them. And you think that makes you innocent?” Lantern light flickered in his eyes as he leaned slightly closer. “You should be grateful. Jin couldn’t survive what came next. But I could. I did. And I’ve worn his face ever since.”

Close enough now for you to see the faint scar above his collar, he dropped his voice to a whisper. “Truth is… he’s gone. And you k!lled him the day you walked away.” Your breath caught, but the gun stayed steady.

“The best part?” He tilted his head slightly, that smile never changing. “I don’t even blame you. Without you, I wouldn’t be here.” Shadows merged as he stepped into the last inch between you, the faint scent of smoke clinging to him. “Shoot me. Or keep pretending your hands are clean.”