Spring arrived quietly in Tokyo.
Warm sunlight spilled across the streets while soft cherry blossom petals drifted gently through the air. Students in dark school uniforms walked together along the sidewalks, their laughter echoing through the calm afternoon.
For most people, it was just another ordinary day.
But for Hiroto Takeda, today was different.
Standing beneath a massive cherry blossom tree behind the school building, Hiroto felt like his heart might explode out of his chest.
"Why am I this nervous…?" he muttered.
His hands were shaking.
Not because he was scared of a test.
Not because of school.
But because the girl he had loved for twelve years was about to arrive.
This place held countless memories for him.
When they were six years old, he and Ayaka Nakamura used to play here after school every day. Back then, the cherry blossoms seemed enormous, like a pink sky hanging above their heads.
They would run in circles, chasing falling petals until they collapsed from laughter.
Hiroto smiled faintly at the memory.
Back then, life had been simple.
But somewhere along the years…
His feelings had changed.
Footsteps approached from behind.
"Hiroto?"
His body froze instantly.
He slowly turned around.
There she was.
Ayaka Nakamura.
Her long black hair flowed softly in the wind, and her bright eyes looked at him curiously.
"You said you wanted to meet here?" she asked.
Hiroto suddenly forgot how to breathe.
Even after all these years, she still had that same smile that made his chest tighten.
"Yeah… I did."
Ayaka looked around the hill.
"It's nostalgic here," she said softly. "We haven't come here in years."
Hiroto nodded.
"I thought it would be the best place."
Ayaka raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
Hiroto swallowed.
His heart was pounding violently.
Every memory they shared flashed through his mind.
Walking to school together in elementary school.
Sharing lunch boxes during middle school.
Studying together late at night before exams.
Every moment felt like it was leading to this.
"Ayaka…" he began quietly.
"We've known each other since we were kids."
She laughed softly.
"That's obvious."
Hiroto clenched his fists slightly.
"And during all those years… you've always been beside me."
The wind blew gently through the cherry blossom tree above them.
Petals fell around them like pink snow.
"I don't know exactly when it happened," he continued. "But somewhere along the way… you stopped being just my friend."
Ayaka blinked.
"My heart started beating faster whenever you smiled."
He laughed nervously.
"And whenever another guy talked to you… I'd get jealous."
Ayaka stared at him silently.
Hiroto took a deep breath.
"I tried to ignore it for a long time," he admitted. "But I can't anymore."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Ayaka… I like you."
The words finally escaped his mouth.
"I've liked you for years."
Silence fell between them.
For a moment, even the wind seemed to stop.
Then—
"…You're slow."
Ayaka suddenly laughed.
Hiroto blinked in confusion.
"What?"
She covered her mouth, still laughing.
"I've been waiting for you to say that forever."
His brain froze.
"…Wait."
Ayaka stepped closer.
Her cheeks were slightly red.
"I like you too, Hiroto."
Hiroto felt like lightning struck his body.
"…Seriously?"
"Yes," she said softly.
In that moment, Hiroto felt like the happiest person alive.
The following months felt like a dream.
Hiroto and Ayaka walked to school together every morning.
They studied together in the library after classes.
Sometimes they would stop by a small café on their way home and share desserts.
One afternoon, while watching the sunset from the river bridge, Ayaka suddenly asked:
"Hiroto, what do you want to do after graduation?"
He thought for a moment.
"I'm not sure yet."
She smiled softly.
"Whatever you choose, I'll support you."
Hiroto felt warmth spread through his chest.
"And you?" he asked.
Ayaka looked toward the sunset.
"I want to live a happy life."
Then she glanced at him.
"With you."
Hiroto laughed.
"You're making big promises."
Ayaka stuck her tongue out playfully.
"Too late. You already confessed."
At that moment, Hiroto believed their future was certain.
Three months later.
The sky was gray that afternoon.
Hiroto was walking home when his phone vibrated.
A message from Ayaka.
"Sorry! I'm busy today. Let's talk tomorrow."
Hiroto frowned slightly.
"Busy again…"
Lately she had been busy often.
Still, he trusted her.
After all, they had been together since childhood.
As Hiroto passed a small park near the street corner, he suddenly slowed down.
Something felt strange.
Under a large tree stood two people.
A girl.
And a tall third-year student.
Hiroto's heart skipped a beat.
"…Ayaka?"
She was standing extremely close to the senior.
The senior leaned down slightly while talking to her.
Then he casually placed his arm around her shoulder.
Ayaka didn't move away.
Hiroto felt something inside his chest shatter.
No…
His legs moved before his mind could stop them.
Step.
Step.
Step.
"Ayaka."
Both of them turned.
Her eyes widened.
"Hiroto…?"
The senior frowned.
"Who's this?"
Hiroto ignored him.
His gaze was fixed on Ayaka.
"What's going on?"
His voice trembled.
Ayaka hesitated.
The senior stepped forward.
"You should leave."
Hiroto clenched his fists.
"I'm talking to her."
He grabbed Ayaka's wrist.
"Ayaka, just explain—"
SMACK.
Pain exploded across his face.
The senior had slapped him.
"How dare you touch my girlfriend," the senior said coldly.
Hiroto's mind went blank.
"…Your what?"
He looked at Ayaka desperately.
"Ayaka… tell him he's wrong."
The senior glanced at her.
"Who is this guy?"
Ayaka stayed silent for a moment.
Then she spoke quietly.
"…He's my ex-boyfriend."
The world collapsed.
"…Ex?"
"And honestly," she added softly, "he was abusive."
Hiroto felt like someone stabbed his heart.
"That's not true!" he shouted.
"We were together yesterday! You said you loved me!"
The senior's expression darkened.
"So you're that trash."
He grabbed Hiroto by the collar.
"You think you can hurt her and get away with it?"
"I never touched her!" Hiroto shouted desperately.
But the senior punched him hard in the stomach.
The air left his lungs instantly.
People nearby began gathering.
"What's happening?"
"I heard he abused his girlfriend."
"Seriously?"
Whispers spread quickly.
Hiroto collapsed to his knees.
His eyes searched desperately for Ayaka.
"…Ayaka…"
She looked down.
Avoiding his gaze.
Then she turned away.
And walked off with the senior.
Hiroto stared at the ground.
Memories flooded his mind.
Their childhood games.
Their confession under the cherry blossom tree.
The promise she made by the river.
Was it all a lie?
Darkness slowly swallowed his thoughts.
Darkness filled his vision.
Five days later.
Hiroto sat alone at the kitchen table.
The house was silent.
His parents had already left for work.
He ate his breakfast slowly.
He couldn't taste anything.
When he walked to school, the whispers started immediately.
"That's him."
"The abusive guy."
"I heard he hit his girlfriend."
Hiroto kept walking without reacting.
Inside the classroom, students stared openly.
Some laughed quietly.
Even the friends he once had avoided sitting near him.
During lunch break, a group of boys cornered him in the hallway.
"Well, well," one of them sneered.
"The famous girlfriend-beater."
Another shoved him.
"Got anything to say?"
Hiroto remained silent.
A punch hit his shoulder.
Another one struck his back.
Laughter echoed through the corridor.
"…Pathetic."
Later that day, Hiroto stood alone on the school rooftop.
The wind blew gently.
The city stretched endlessly below him.
"So this is it," he whispered.
Everything he had believed in had collapsed.
"…What should I do now?"
Silence answered him.
Then suddenly—
Darkness.
A soft voice echoed through the void.
"Poor child…"
Hiroto slowly opened his eyes.
He was floating in an endless black space.
A beautiful female silhouette stood before him.
"You were betrayed by the one you loved most."
Her voice was gentle.
"But despair is not the end."
She extended her hand toward him.
"Become mine."
Her eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
"And I will give you something far more valuable than love."
Hiroto's fading consciousness stirred slightly.
"…What…?"
"Power."
Her voice became colder.
"A new world."
"A new life."
"And the chance to never be weak again."
Hiroto slowly whispered:
"…Okay."
The woman smiled.
Suddenly glowing words appeared in the darkness.
[CONTRACT ACCEPTED]
User: Hiroto Takeda
Emotion Detected: Betrayal / Despair / Rage
Qualification Confirmed
Initializing System…