God's Blessing is a Curse

The shop was quiet when we returned.

Too quiet.

Shuji didn't speak on the walk back. Neither did I. The silence between us wasn't restrained—just full. As if both of us knew words wouldn't hold whatever has just happened.

Inside, the clocks ticked softly in their usual chorus. Nothing broken. Nothing wrong. Not on the surface.

I stepped behind the counter, hands still unsteady, and sat down hard on the old stool.

Shuji poured water into two cups. "Drink."

I did. It helped.

Then he finally said, "It's starting."

"What is?"

"The unravelling."

I looked at him. "You believe me now?"