Today marked the end of the year. It was only a matter of time before the new one arrived.
All across the city, people gathered in one place, their laughter and chatter filling the cool night air. Among them stood a seventeen-year-old boy named Kyle.
Everyone had come for one reason—to witness the grand fireworks display prepared by the city to celebrate the coming of the new year. Families, friends, and lovers smiled and talked excitedly, the air buzzing with anticipation. But amidst the joyful crowd, one person stood apart.
Kyle.
He stood quietly, alone in the sea of people. No one approached him, and he didn't try to start a conversation. His parents had died in a car accident when he was fourteen, and since then, his uncle Klyne had taken him in and raised him. However, his uncle's job often kept him away, and this New Year's Eve was no exception. So Kyle waited by himself, patient but silent, for the fireworks to begin.
"I should've celebrated with Max… but he was with his girlfriend earlier," Kyle thought, sighing. "Didn't want to third-wheel them."
He couldn't help but curse his friend's luck for spending the night with his girlfriend. Max was Kyle's only true friend—the one who stayed with him after his parents' death, comforting him when he broke down and helping him when things got tough. To Kyle, Max wasn't just a friend—he was like a brother. And that was exactly why he didn't want to ruin his special moment.
Kyle glanced at his watch.
"One more minute before it starts," he murmured, excitement flickering in his eyes. The crowd's energy built up like a rising wave.
"Twenty seconds left! … Fifteen… Ten!" people shouted in unison.
9...
8...
7...
6...
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
Whoosh!
A thunderous burst echoed as fireworks shot into the sky, painting it with brilliant colors and dazzling patterns. Cheers erupted. People hugged, laughed, and greeted their families and loved ones with joy.
Kyle smiled softly, watching the glowing trails fade across the night sky.
"Happy New Year, Mom and Dad. Your son is all grown up now," he whispered. "And Happy New Year to you too, Uncle. Hope your business trip's going well."
He smiled warmly, his heart light for the first time in a while.
As the fireworks show ended, Kyle turned to head home and rest—but then, something unexpected caught his eye.
A blinding light appeared in the sky, far brighter than any firework before.
"What the…? I thought the show was over. Is this some kind of surprise from the mayor?" he muttered, puzzled.
But the light didn't fade—it intensified. And then, from within it, a figure emerged.
Hovering above the city was a humanoid creature—skin as red as blood, horns protruding from its head, black wings unfurled behind it, and a pair of glasses perched oddly on its face.
"Ahh!! A demon!" a woman screamed from the crowd.
Before Kyle could even comprehend what he was seeing, the creature spoke, its deep voice echoing across the city.
"Happy New Year… dear humans," the demon looking creature said with a grinning sinister smile.
A/N: I hope you like the opening of the story, I'm still new at writing light novel, so if my grammar is sometimes not understandable or wrong, please comment where I fucked off so I can fix my mistake and learn more, thank you for reading this story.