A black empty space

Everything around me is dark, I can't see anything. I try to move, but I notice that I don't have a body! It's cold, and I can't feel anything around me.

What the hell is this!?!??

Am I dead? Is this the end for me?!

...

Well, whatever, it's not that I have any regrets in my life...

I closed my eyes

[..seika...s]??

.....

[ Seikatsu ]??

Huh

Suddenly a significant foggy figure appeared in front of me. It looked like there was someone inside it.

It's a girl...

I couldn't see her face clearly, but I somehow knew that she must have been a beautiful girl.

Who is she calling for?

[ I'm sorry that I couldn't be with you any longer ]??

I realized that she was crying.

Warm tears were sliding on her face. It was as if I was feeling the warmth of her tears in my body.

What is this doing here? And why is she crying?

I was so confused about what was happening around me.

[ I'm sorry and goodbye ]??

W-Wait!

Huh, my voice!!! I can't speak!! Why?!?

The vision of my eyes was darkening...

.....

Huh!

I slowly opened my eyes and saw the ceiling of my room.

What the hell was that?

After confirming that it was all a dream, I tried to recall what the dream was all about.

What was that?!

I couldn't remember the dream at all, but I still couldn't get out of my head that feeling I had during my dream...

I really need to stop playing games all night!

I got up and noticed something warm on my cheeks.

Is it water? No, wait, it's tears!

Am I crying?

...why?

I got out of my bed I went to the bathroom to wash my face. All of my body was heavier than usual, and I could hear some of my bones cracking from sleeping in the same position all night.

I looked at myself in the mirror after washing my face and noticed eye bags and red veins in my eyes.

[ I look terrible... ]

I let out a sigh.

I dried my face with a towel and got dressed in my school's uniform.

[ Hatsuko breakfast is ready! ]

The voice calling me was my mother.

[ Coming! ] ( Hatsuko )

I went downstairs and noticed the smell of fried eggs. I love this smell.

I sat on the chair and started eating.

[ Did you stay up late again yesterday? ]

I swallowed the food fast and replied to my mother.

[ Eh... not really... ] ( Hatsuko )

[ Don't lie to me, you have eye bags, and you woke up late again today!

You better hurry or you're gonna be late for school again, I don't want to receive calls again from your homeroom teacher for being again late for scho-- ]

[ --O-okay I get, I'll try to wake up earlier next time ] (Hatsuko)

I replied to her before she could finish talking.

Currently, the Tv is on. My mom always leaves it on the news channel for some reason.

{ The borders of the largest country on earth are finally done with the highest security for the safety of the student's with special abilities-- }

Sakuru is the largest country on earth, also known as the crater.

If you view the earth from outer space, you can see that 1/4 of the planet has a massive crater.

Scientists say that it was created from an immeasurable explosion long ago, but the real reason it's still unknown.

Humanity still managed to survive no matter what they went through. Even though usually there only live people with abilities.

[ It must be cool to have a special ability ] (Hatsuko )

I wish I had one.

Actually, I always have been a fan of those superheroes in movies.

Their cool entrance!

The way they beat their opponents and how they were always smiling after saving everyone.

In this society, heroes don't exist!

There isn't any actual fool who would save someone for free!

I always wondered why the superheroes would save the world and gain nothing of it?

They could have become a successful police force where they could catch all the criminals.

They could even get good pay from that job!

I finished breakfast, I put on my shoes and got out of my house.

As I was on my way of leaving, I heard my mom saying:

[ Don't be late! ]

She said to me.

[ I won't! ] ( Hatsuko )

I immediately replied.

I'm a 17 years old boy around 177 centimeters with brown hair, brown eyes, and a bit skinny body. I live in a quiet neighborhood, not a very special place.

My hobbies are gaming and drawing simple stuff. I'm what you could say a mob character.

I don't have any friends cause I'm really awkward and can't manage to have a conversation, this is also the reason why I usually stay alone at school.

.

I'm currently running so I won't be late again for school. I wouldn't say I like this, but I have no other choice.

I noticed a boy around my age, I could say, getting cornered by two adult males.

Is he getting bullied?

I slowed down and saw some sparks of electricity around the boy.

Oi oi are they electroshocking him with some taser?

No, wait, they don't have a taser, the sparks aren't coming from them.

But from that boy?!

What's going on with him?

In the next second, the two adult males collapsed down unconscious.

What happened?!

I stared at the boy and... We made eye contact!

Shit! I don't want to get involved with him!

I immediately tried to walk on my way to school calmly as if I saw nothing.

**** did he notice me?

I don't want to mess with him...

As I tried peeking from behind me, I noticed that he was following me...

I decided on taking a different way of going to school but I didn't have time for that. I was getting stressed out about what I was supposed to do.

I need to hurry for now.

At these hours the streets are packed with people. This might be an advantage for me!

If I blend with other people, maybe he will lose sight of me!

Or I so I hoped...

The time is currently 7:45 am.

I'm going to be late for school again. I don't want to have another argument with the teachers for being late again. It's a pain in the *** to spend my energy trying to find an excuse.

I finally arrived 1 minute late at school but luckily the teacher hadn't entered the class yet.

In the classroom, I sat at the last seat by the window.

I enjoy sitting here because no one can bother me.

I barely get noticed in the first place!

The teacher is also included in those people who ignore my existence, making it easier for me to sleep during class periods.

...

1st period is over and I, as always managed to get a couple of minutes of sleep.

Not that I have anything better to do. I don't understand a single thing the teachers explain during class periods.

At some point, I have given up on studying...

It's pointless!

Maybe I should drop out and find I job instead?

Right now our class had 5 minutes break.

Everyone always spend their 5-minutes break to their fullest with their classmates.

It's always like this!

Every time the teachers leave the classroom, everyone would start doing their things with their friends.

My classmates are separated into different groups:

Bullies, popular girls, unpopular girls, otakus, and those guys who just enjoy having a conversation with each other.

Sometimes everyone would just stick together and have a conversation as a class.

They always seem to have fun and laugh with each other.

At those kinds of moments, I would just pretend to sleep since I can't manage to join their conversations.

It was impossible for me!

Even their jokes were unfunny to me.

Once, one of my classmates complained to me for not laughing at his joke.

He said that I was too dumb to get it.

Since then I would just look the other way from them or pretend to sleep like usual.

The teacher decides where everyone sits. Not that I'm complaining but the teacher always lets me sit here on the last seat beside the window.

Actually, I'm kind of thankful for that since I don't like being in weird situations.

In front of my seat, there's one girl who sits there alone, her name is Hina and she always seemed to be alone during breaks.

Maybe I should talk to her?

Who am I kidding...

I don't have the balls to talk to anyone in the first place but that doesn't stop me from having an imaginary conversation with her. Sometimes I imagine myself as her boyfriend and how we would spend time together.

Sometimes I ask myself why I do that?

Two girls entered our class. They had both brown hairs. One had green eyes and the other one had blue eyes. Both had a special aspect of their appearances. Even their bodies were really erotic. They could be called total beauties.

I wonder if they have been taken.

I'm so jealous of those boys who have such beautiful girlfriends like them!

I'm sure they must have had the chance to kiss them or to **** all they want.

From their appearances, they seem like innocent maidens, but when they get fucked a new kind of Immoral expression appears on their face.

Or that's what my imagination was creating...

They're not from our class, what are they doing here?!

I was staring at them as I was thinking that.

Are they looking for someone?

Well, it doesn't matter to me anyway.

Those girls approached Hina. She seems happy to see them. Some moments ago she had a gloomy expression right but now, a cheerful smile appeared on her face! That kind of smile would make anyone want to protect her!

Maybe they are her friends from another class?

So she also had friends...

I continued to sleep without getting bothered by anyone for some more hours.

I noticed the clock which was located on the upper side of the blackboard.

Time is 13:15

5 more minutes until the last period for today is over.

I looked outside of the window.

I hope that weird guy from this morning didn't follow me to school...

*BRRRIIINNG*

The bell finally rang!!

I'm so tired of this daily routine...

I grabbed my bag and went out of the school.

As I was leaving the outer door of school I noticed a familiar face. It was that guy from this morning!

Oh shit, How the **** did he find me?? Did he follow me the entire time? I thought I managed to get him to lose sight of me?

As I was walking past him while trying to ignore him I heard.

[ Hey can I have a moment of your time? ]

I ignored him.

He clearly is speaking to me!!

[ Oi, you know it's rude to ignore someone like that! ]

He stopped me by grabbing my shoulder. I really wanted to make a run for it, but my whole body stiffened.

[ W-what is it? I'm kind of late so I need to go... ] (Hatsuko)

I said that as I was trying to get away from him.

[ Oh I see, let's talk while walking so you won't be late. ]

He started walking beside me.

This is so weird!

My body was releasing cold sweat like crazy!

What the hell does he want from me?

Is it because of what I saw this morning?!

I started walking slowly with that guy beside me.

[ Hmm, Well it's about this morning... ]

He started speaking while putting his hand on his chin.

I don't want to get involved in anything.

I have to find a way to get away from him!

I clearly can feel that he is bad news!

[ I-I saw you using some taser to those guys who were b-bullying you r-right? Don't w-worry I understand, I won't tell anyone about that so-- ] (Hatsuko)

I tried to play it off while trying to get away from him but he cut off my words before I could finish.

[ Stop lying, I know that you saw me trying to sell some "goodies" and using my ability in public without a permit. ]

Goodies? Ability? Permit?!

Wait! What's he saying?!

Was he selling drugs? I didn't see anything like that?

Abilities are considered as "body weapons" or as a tool for helping on their legal job. To apply for a permit to use your ability, someone needs to be at least 20 years old and have a diploma from "Sakuru School". Just like any other job you apply, you need to know how to use them and the right knowledge!

Using them on the streets can be considered a crime.

[ Look I don't want any trouble so I'll forget everything I saw or heard so... ] (Hatsuko)

[ I would appreciate that since "this" is my only way to earn some money for the day... ]

Earn money? Is he poor?

[ I'm sorry to hear your family is having difficulties with the economy... ] (Hatsuko)

[ Family? Hahaha, it's been a while since the last time I heard that word. ]

I so confused right now.

What does he want from me?

Will he steal my wallet?!

Or ask me to steal money from my parents?!

No, I don't want to do such things!

[ ... ] Hatsuko

[ I don't have a so-called Family, I was raised in an orphanage and ran away from there when I was 13 years old. ]

He explained to me that people with abilities are valuable and the warden of the orphanage wanted to take advantage of using him as a way to earn money. One night, while he was trying to go to the bathroom, he noticed the warden and someone else talking about having a deal to sell his blood for a large amount of money. He immediately got his personal belongings and ran away without making a sound. He didn't have anywhere to go and no money. That's when he saw a guy pointing a gun at someone holding some money and a small bag with some white stuff. He knocked the guy out with his ability in hoping the other guy would give him some money for saving him. That guy instead welcomed him to his small organization that sells various drugs.

Why is he telling me all of this?

[ You may wonder why I'm telling you this,

It's because I don't want to hurt anyone innocent and I'm hoping for you to understand my situation! ]

Ah I see, it seems like he's been through a lot.

But that still doesn't explain why he is telling me.

Is he going to ask me to join his organization instead of killing me for hearing those things?!

I have heard of this kind of situation in movies where the main characters had no choice but to join a band.

[ I-I understand, I promise I won't tell anyone] (Hatsuko)

I promised him while looking down.

Besides my parents, I have no one else to share this kind of information and the police wouldn't believe some brat.

[ Thanks I appreciate that,

By the way, my name is Raiden!] (Raiden)

[ My name is Hatsuko Gee ] (Hatsuko)

I accidentally said my full name to him.

****, not only I didn't say to him a fake name, but I said to him my full name!!

Why did I do that?

[ Oh it seems I'm a bit late, I really need to go now, it was nice meeting you Hatsuko. ] (Raiden)

He said as he took out his phone.

He was typing something.

As Raiden left I noticed that I was trembling.

.

.

I was on my way home.

On the streets where I usually walk home, it was empty as always, the sun also was setting and it was getting dark.

Time was passing by really fast as I was lost in thoughts about the Raiden's story.

That was really crazy.

I have never felt like that before...

As I was walking I felt like someone was watching me. I stopped and looked around.

Huh?

What the hell is this feeling? Is Raiden still following me?

I noticed a person's shadow behind a tree that I already had passed.

[ I k-know you're there!! What do you want from m-me? ] (Hatsuko)

My voice was trembling.

I could even feel all of my instincts going crazy from that.

A big guy dressed in black with a hoodie came out. I couldn't see his face clearly.

[ We saw you with that boy called Raiden, we couldn't find him so I'm giving you my thanks instead of him for hurting my people!! ]

He said so while getting out a knife in his hand.

[ W-w-wait I have no connections to him! ] (Hatsuko)

As I was trying to explain, he threw a knife aimed at my head.

I try blocking it with my hand but the knife pierced right through it.

It hurts so much.

Blood started coming out of my hand.

I could feel my hand going numb from the pain and the amount of blood going out.

Just how strong is he to throw a knife and pierce through my hand?!

As I was trying to run away I noticed that my left eye was stinging.

Huh? Why is my eye stinging like that?

I thought something must have got inside my eyes so I tried wiping it with my other hand.

Huh?

Why does my eye hurt this bad?

I removed my hand and noticed blood on my other hand. Why is there blood on my other hand?

My hand doesn't seem to be injured so why is there blood.

I noticed warm tears running down my left eye.

Why am I crying?

I tried wiping my tear from my left eye.

I looked at my hand and noticed more blood on it.

What's going on?

I felt more warm stuff coming out of my left eye.

My right eye was fine so why is this happening to my left one.

Suddenly the warm liquid fell on my uninjured hand.

It was blood again!

No, way...

[ Aa AAAAAAGGH M-M-MY EYE!!! ] (Hatsuko)

An intense pain suddenly ran through my left eye as I noticed blood coming out of it.

Why does this have to happen to me?

What did I do to deserve this?!?

The tip of the knife had managed to reach my eyeball.

I have t-t-to.......

S-someone help!

[ Someone help me please! ] ( Hatsuko )

I didn't know what I was doing anymore. I just kept on walking unconsciously. I didn't know whether that guy was still following me or not.

I just kept on running while holding my eye closed.

The knife was still in my hand.

I forgot to pull it out from the pain.

Oh no... my field of vision is darkening...

I fell down...

[ UGHh! ] ( Hatsuko )

I noticed a familiar voice coming towards me.

[ H-HATSUKO WHAT HAPPENED?!?! ]

That's my mom!

My consciousness is fading...

How long has it been since I've been here? 1 minute? 1 hour? 1 day? 1 year?

I don't know anymore...

Everything around me is nothing else but an endless black space. It's just like a new whole world made for me and no one else. I don't have to worry about going to school or making decisions for my life. No one can bother me, it's really comfortable and quiet!

I like it here-------and I wouldn't mind sleeping here for an eternity.

But still, there is this uneasy feeling that's been keeping me awake...

It won't let me rest a bit!

My whole soul is screaming for it! It must be something important that I have forgotten. It's like a piece of me is missing, something dear to me or... someone...

*beep* *beep* *beep*

What's that noise? It's so annoying!!

[.....How is he, doctor?]

[ Don't worry your son is out of danger and he is going to wake up any time now! He was injured badly with a knife stab on his back and injury in his hand! I and the medical staff managed to heal his injuries however he needs a lot of nutrients to replace all of the blood he has lost! ]

[ I'm so glad, Thank you so much doctor for saving him! ]

Ugh, where am I? I recognize my mother's voice. She sounds worried, did something happen? Who is she talking to anyway?

[ No no, the operation would have failed if your son hadn't received blood from you. However, the damage on his left eye was greater than we thought ]

[ What do you mean? ]

[ He might not be able to see from his left eye anymore... ]

What are they talking about?

[ Ugh.. ] Hatsuko

I notice some pressure on my left eye like something was warped around it

I opened my eyes and noticed an unfamiliar ceiling

[ Where am I? ] ( Hatsuko )

I slowly tried to get up.

[ Aagh! ] ( Hatsuko )

My back hurts.

As I tried to move I heard my mother say.

[ Hatsuko try not to move too much! Your body is still weak right now! ]

I heard the sweet voice of my worried mother. I could tell that her voice was shaking a little bit.

[ Oh right, How long have I been asleep? I was being chased by some weird guy in black clothes and I fainted... ] ( Hatsuko )

[ You've been asleep for 3 days but for now try to rest a bit! ]

I was looking around me a bit confused for some reason.

I still remember how I was being chased.

Well, at least he didn't kill me...

That guy was so strong, he could've killed me easily, so why did he tell me he was some rival to Raiden and wanted revenge on him somehow?

No... Maybe he wanted to warn Raiden using me. That must be it!

--------------------

Some time had passed since I woke up. In the room I was staying in, a police officer came in.

He must be here to investigate the cause of my injuries.

Or that's what I thought.

I tried to explain everything about how suddenly, some guy attacked me for no reason. I also said that I have no friends or connections to anyone who has grudges against me. Having said that, made me feel kind of lonely. Of course, I didn't mention the encounter with Raiden. It's not because I made a promise to not tell anyone but because I was scared and didn't want to get involved any further than this! I mean I was targeted for a stupid reason.

In the end, the police officer said that I might have been mistaken for someone else when I was attacked. Well, that was the only reasonable conclusion after everything I said to him.

But still, the police officer said he was going to look further into this.

The police officer had already left.

I decided to sleep.

--------------------

.

.

.

.

*clatter* *clatter*

ugh so noisy

[ Did you get his blood sample? ]

[ Yes it's all here, just a little is enough right? ]

[ Yes! ]

What are they talking about? My blood sample? Why would they need my blood?

Are they making a check up on me?

[ Alright let's get out of here before he wakes up ]

...

.

.

.

.

.

It's been 2 weeks since I got out of the hospital. I was really shocked when the doctor told me that I won't be able to see from my left eye anymore. I also had a wound on my back which I don't remember how I got it.

Thankfully I don't have any scars on my face. It's gonna take me a long time to get used without my left eye. How am I going to play video games with only one eye? I don't have a full vision as I had before so I hope it won't be difficult playing them.

Well, there's only one way to find out.

I opened my laptop and the first thing I noticed was an email received on my personal account.

An email? I never get emails from my personal account. I never gave it to anyone in the first place!

I opened the email.

.

——————————

To: hatsukogee@g*ail.com

From: Sakuruhigh@ou*look.com

Dear Hatsuko Gee

On behalf of "Sakuru High School", we are happy to congratulate your acceptance into our prestigious high-school program. Our school has one of the most exclusive programs on the entire planet, and we only accept students who have potential with special "abilities" into our program.

To complete the enrollment process, you are required to submit the printed form of this email including your signature along with your support documents and ID card!

We hope to see you soon at our school!

Sincerely

Sakuru High School

——————————

.

Wait I never applied to this school and I don't have a special ability, so why would they send me an email?