The doorbell rang, jolting Aiko awake. She stretched softly and rose from the crimson-red couch.
The bell rang again.
**Aiko:** "Coming, coming!"
The walls and ceiling of the house were white, the floor tiled in pale gray. Potted plants decorated the corners, and a TV stood mounted on the wall, facing the red couch.
Aiko walked to the door and peered through the peephole—Toihito stood there, his clothes caked in mud.
A small smile touched her lips as she opened the door gently.
**Aiko:** "Welcome back, love."
Toihito gave a faint smile.
**Toihito:** "Hey."
Aiko's eyes scanned him head to toe.
**Aiko:** "You're filthy. I'll wash your clothes again. Go take a shower."
Toihito clasped his hands behind his head and headed for the bathroom.
**Toihito:** "Sure."
Aiko hesitated, watching him with concern.
**Aiko:** "Hey… are you okay?"
Toihito smiled.
**Toihito:** "Yeah… just went to visit Mom's grave."
Aiko stepped closer and wrapped him in a warm hug.
**Aiko:** "If there's anything you want to talk about… just know I'm here."
Toihito leaned into her, but no warmth reached him. It was like hugging a doll.
**Toihito:** "I know."
That familiar feeling again… just like when he ignored his mother. Right. He felt nothing. Even though Aiko was trying so hard… he only saw her as an object. He didn't understand anymore.
*Aiko doesn't realize it… but it's like she's hugging a corpse.*
Toihito pressed a soft kiss to Aiko's forehead.
**Toihito:** "Well… should I shower now?"
The kiss made Aiko's smile widen.
**Aiko:** "Go on, then."
---
Toihito sank slowly into the bathtub.
**Toihito:** "Tch… the water's cold."
He let out a yawn.
**Toihito:** "Maybe… I should sleep a little."
His eyes drifted shut, his mind emptying. The last thought that flickered through him:
*Toihito is already dead.*
---
When he opened his eyes again, a familiar numbness filled his body. He muttered flatly:
**Toihito:** "The Void… probably Zamuphio's doing."
Zamuphio materialized on his shoulders.
**Zamuphio:** "Correct, little one."
Toihito felt weight press down on him, suspending him in the emptiness.
**Toihito:** "What is this?"
Zamuphio smirked.
**Zamuphio:** "Oho, how cold. You made a reckless deal—this is what happens."
Toihito answered without emotion.
**Toihito:** "How do I stop it?"
Zamuphio flicked his forehead lightly.
**Zamuphio:** "If you'd come to me months ago, I'd have said, *'Just stop using your powers.'* But what did you do, idiot? You killed me to steal more power. Now there's nothing I can do."
Toihito closed his eyes slowly.
**Toihito:** "I see."
Zamuphio sighed.
**Zamuphio:** "But I can offer you one thing: *Don't use your powers again.* If you do… once you lose the last shred of your humanity… your powers will start devouring your mind."
Toihito stared at him emptily. No life flickered in his eyes.
**Toihito:** "What does it matter? If I can't use my power to protect the people I… *used* to care about… what's the point of humanity?"