Seven years ago, Touhito was walking through the hallway of his old, messed-up school.
The walls had cracks, the plaster was peeling off, and the water fountain was broken.
But for some reason, Touhito loved this school.
Maybe because it helped him escape the loneliness he felt at home.
---
Haru pushed the door handle and stepped inside the house.
He spoke in a tired voice.
**Haru:**
"Touhito, where are you?"
Touhito slowly got up from the orange couch with a playful smile.
**Touhito:**
"Hellooo\~"
He noticed Haru's state and spoke excitedly.
**Touhito:**
"For real? You used your power again? That's awesooome\~"
Haru yawned loudly and sat on the dusty floor.
**Haru:**
"Damn it. The food I got got ruined 'cause I had to use my power."
Touhito smirked a little.
**Touhito:**
"I got pizza. Yours is in the fridge."
Haru grumbled as he headed to the kitchen.
It was a small kitchen — a fridge next to the door and a stove in the far left corner.
He opened the fridge tiredly and pulled out the cold pizza box.
His tone softened.
**Haru:**
"Touhito... I think we need to get a microwave."
Touhito stretched and replied.
**Touhito:**
"Guess I'll get one after my mission tomorrow."
Haru looked surprised.
**Haru:**
"You've got a mission tomorrow?"
Touhito, fixing his messy yellow hair, answered casually.
**Touhito:**
"It's nothing special. Just gotta kill a level 4 criminal."
---
Haru's face was still bloody from his father's beatings.
He was crying on his fancy white bed, the tears falling like a soft rain down his childlike face.
His crying stopped when he heard a knock on the window.
He got up and walked to the blue window next to his bed, pulling the handle with his small hands.
The window opened with a creak.
Behind it stood a boy with messy yellow hair and bright blue eyes, wearing a playful smile.
**Touhito:**
"Hey there, little guy. How ya doin'?"
Haru was shocked to see him and quickly responded with an annoyed tone.
**Haru:**
"I'm not little! And you look like we're about the same age anyway!"
Touhito laughed out loud.
**Touhito:**
"Man, you're so annoying."
Haru was about to snap back, but Touhito cut him off with an innocent smile.
**Touhito:**
"Anyway, you're my friend now."
---
The white train doors opened silently.
Touhito stepped out wearing a gray shirt and black pants, talking to himself in a chill tone.
**Touhito:**
"Alright, one can of tuna, a microwave, a corn concert, and finishing the mission... Two seconds, tops."
He raised his hand slowly and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, everything stopped — the wind, the light reflections, the people's movement — everything.
Touhito realized everything looked black.
**Touhito:**
"Damn, forgot about that. Obviously you can't see anything if the light's not moving."
He snapped again, and the reflections returned.
He rubbed his eyes gently.
**Touhito:**
"Much better."
He yawned.
**Touhito:**
"If I had the shadow creature, this'd be easier... But even without it, it's not that hard."
---
**\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \***
Five years ago, the shadow creature gently took Touhito's cold hand.
It made him shiver.
**Creature:**
"Scared? I get it.
It's tough for a kid to go on a mission this serious.
And yeah, I know you hate killing and war."
Around them, there was blood everywhere — bodies and corpses scattered.
Touhito stood in the middle of it all, wearing bloodstained clothes, with the shadow creature beside him.
He took a deep breath and spoke with a shaky voice.
**Touhito:**
"No... I have to do it.
If I want to change, I have to do this.
There must be a reason you chose me."
The shadow paused, then gave a soft smile.
A cold wind blew harder, spreading the blood like scattered paint.
**Creature:**
"I see... Good luck."