Title: The Day My Shadow Looked Back at Me
Genre: Action, Supernatural, School Life, Psychological, Drama
---
Chapter 1: The Rain Doesn't Stop for Nobodies
Rain trickled down the cracked windows of a tiny apartment at the edge of the city. The morning sky was dark, as if the sun itself didn't want to wake up.
Kaito Ren stared at the ceiling. He didn't want to wake up either.
His alarm buzzed for the third time. He didn't move.
From the kitchen, a soft clatter. His older sister, Akari, was already up, making instant noodles. Again.
> "Kaito! If you don't get up, you'll be late for school again!" she called.
He sighed.
> "Coming..."
He sat up slowly, rubbing his tired eyes. His body felt heavy. His chest even heavier.
He glanced at the calendar. A red circle marked today's date.
> "Another day in hell," he muttered.
---
In the kitchen, Akari was putting her coat on. Her eyes were tired, and her uniform smelled of oil and sweat from her part-time jobs.
She smiled weakly.
> "Eat something, okay? I have two shifts today. If I'm lucky, I'll be back by midnight."
> "You work too much..."
She ruffled his hair.
> "And you worry too much. You just focus on school."
He nodded but didn't speak.
She left.
He sat in silence, staring at the cold bowl of noodles.
---
At school, things weren't much better.
As soon as Kaito stepped through the gate, laughter erupted.
> "Hey hey, look who showed up! The trash can still walks!"
Three boys approached. Riku, Daichi, and Sota. His daily tormentors.
> "You forgot the cigarettes again?" Riku sneered, grabbing Kaito's collar.
> "No... I—I don't have money..."
Smack.
A slap to the face.
> "Then get some! Sell your shoes or something, loser!"
They pushed him down. His bag fell open, books and half-torn sketches spilling out.
> "Still drawing stupid cartoons? What are you, five?"
Daichi ripped a page and laughed.
Kaito didn't fight back. He just picked up the pieces quietly.
---
During lunch, he sat on the rooftop alone, watching the clouds.
He didn't eat. His lunch money was gone.
He pressed his hand against his chest.
It hurt.
Not from bruises. But from being invisible.
> "Does anyone even see me?"
---
That night, he sat on the rooftop of his apartment building, legs hanging over the edge.
The city lights flickered below.
He held his sketchbook in his lap. It was soaked with rain.
> "I wanted to be an artist," he whispered. "I thought maybe... someday... someone would care."
He closed his eyes.
> "God, if you're real... why did you give me this life? Why me? Why this pain?"
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Kaito stood up. Took a step forward.
And then—
Laughter.
He turned.
Standing behind him were Riku, Daichi, and Sota, holding umbrellas and grinning.
> "No way... are you really about to jump?" Riku chuckled.
> "Heh, what a coward. Just do it already," Sota added. "At least that'll save us the trouble tomorrow."
> "You seriously planning to die in the same hoodie you wear every day? That's pathetic," Daichi laughed.
Kaito's fists clenched. He wanted to scream. Cry. Vanish.
But he said nothing.
He turned away.
The bullies walked off, still laughing, their voices fading with the rain.
He didn't jump.
Not because of fear.
But because something inside him refused to let those jerks win.
---
The next morning, he stood in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth silently.
His phone buzzed.
Riku: "Bring smokes or get wrecked. Don't be late."
He stared at the screen.
Then screamed and threw the phone across the bathroom.
---
Later that day, he skipped school and sat in a quiet park, staring at the ground.
> "I'm tired... So tired."
He looked up at the gray sky.
> "Akari's working herself to death... all for me. I can't even face them anymore."
He looked down again.
The rain had stopped.
But the ground beneath his feet... looked strange.
He blinked.
> "Where... is my shadow?"
He looked around in confusion. The trees cast shadows. The benches did. Even the pigeons.
But not him.
> "Am I... dead?" he whispered, heart pounding.
He jumped up and ran.
Down the street. Past the shops. Back to his apartment.
His breaths were shaky. He didn't stop to greet anyone.
He sprinted up the stairs, into his room—
And froze.
His shadow was in the room.
Sitting on his chair.
Playing his game.
It turned and waved at him.
Kaito screamed.
From next door:
> "STOP SCREAMING, YOU IDIOT!"
His sister burst in.
> "What the hell, Kaito?!"
> "T-There's a ghost! In my room! It's playing my game!"
She looked around.
> "There's nothing here. Just your messy room."
He pointed at the floor.
> "Look! My shadow—it was gone! Now it's playing games!"
She frowned.
> "Kaito... are you okay? Are you sleeping enough?"
He shook his head.
> "I'm serious... it's real..."
She sighed and crossed her arms.
> "Whatever. You're going to school. Now."
> "But—"
> "No excuses."
She left.
He looked at his shadow again.
It was there now. Right where it should be.
But it looked back at him...
And winked.
[ will it change his life ?]