December 1, 2008, 06:31. A Simple Residential Complex, Katsushika District.
In a dark room, beneath a thick blanket, lay a body reluctant to wake in the morning.
Srheekkk… The sound of fabric shifting softly. "Mhhh… I hate waking up early…" Jōgan pulled the blanket higher, covering his lazy face.
Cringg… Brhuuk! The alarm clock on the bedside table rang loudly. A pillow flew moments later, crashing into the alarm clock.
"Damn… why do I have to go to school every morning!!" Jōgan woke up with a face full of drowsiness mixed with anger.
The bedroom door suddenly opened, half forced. A tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man stood at the doorway.
"Hey, lazybones, wake up! Don't even think about making excuses to skip school!" Hugo smiled brightly, the kind of morning smile that was far too energetic, before leaving Jōgan's bedroom door wide open.
Jōgan grumbled while roughly scratching his head. The faint sound of srek… srek… could be heard. "Close the door again, old man…!" He got off the bed, grabbed the pillow, then slammed the door hard. Blam!
A few seconds later, a voice came from behind the door, heavy and threatening, clearly belonging to a father. "If you don't come out of your room and sit at the dining table for breakfast within fifteen minutes," Hugo paused for a moment, then continued with a tone far too cheerful for a threat, "I will make your room doorless!"
His voice grew more distant toward the kitchen, accompanied by a light whistle that sharply contrasted with his words.
***
Fifteen minutes later.
The bedroom door opened from inside, producing a click.
Jōgan stepped out wearing his high school uniform. Snow-white hair and a vertical scar line right on his forehead, with a towering height of 175 cm, looked strikingly different from someone who had not yet reached sixteen.
"Mmhh… if only every day were Sunday," he muttered, before sitting casually and beginning to enjoy his breakfast.
"Oh really? That will only live in your ridiculous dreams. Fool." Hugo responded without turning around, busy flipping fried rice with a cigarette tucked between his lips.
"Hey… old man," Jōgan pointed with his spoon, his face sour. "Are you trying to make fried rice with cigarette ash topping? Throw away your cigarette first, or we'll get poisoned!"
Hugo looked up calmly, then exhaled smoke toward the kitchen ceiling. "Huh. How many times have I told you, this is a herbal cigarette. It would take one ton of nicotine to poison an ungrateful brat like you." He returned to stirring the fried rice and poured it into three lunch boxes.
"Tch. Seeing your face every morning at my bedroom door already feels like ten tons of nicotine," Jōgan replied, his mouth full of food.
The door of the room across the dining area opened slowly. Two little girls appeared, wearing elementary school uniforms.
"Big brother, why is your voice always loud in the morning?" Riko asked, her innocent face trying to climb onto a chair that was a little too high.
"I'm already used to it," Rika added with a spoiled expression. "Alarm clock, Dad and Big Brother Jōgan arguing, every morning is always the same."
Jōgan laughed awkwardly, scratching his head that did not itch. "Ah… that's because of this old man," he said quickly, pointing at Hugo with the tip of his spoon. "He's always torturing your big brother to wake up early, right, Rika, Riko?"
Hugo struck the dining table hard. Plam! "Hey, you ungrateful brat! Stop calling me 'old man'! You would never get out of bed if I didn't drag you out every morning!"
***
A few moments later.
Tin… tin… the sound of heavy morning traffic could be heard after Jōgan had escorted his two younger sisters. He then joined his friends to head to school together.
"Oi… Jōgan, why do you look sour as usual?" Zulo greeted while waving his hand in the air.
"Ahh… forget it. We have to walk as fast as possible. The gate will be closed soon. I don't want us to receive Uncle Hiji's punishment… ihh… it's very scary!" Kaito said with a pale and panicked face.
"Ahh… relax, Kaito. If Uncle Hiji dares to close the gate before we arrive, I will destroy the school gate with one kick! Okay?" Jōgan smiled mischievously, reassuring Kaito while putting an arm around his shoulder and raising a thumbs-up.
"Jōgan, not everyone has steel legs and a carefree character like you. Kaito is a disciplined student, different from your reckless nature," Zulo replied casually, clearly familiar with Jōgan's habit of causing trouble.
"A… come on, Uncle Hiji is only a security guard, not the principal. Besides, what can the school do against a body as strong as a professional fighter like mine?" Jōgan proudly showed off the muscles in his arm.
"Ahh… umm… Jōgan, we still remember when the principal called Uncle Hugo after you crashed into the girls' restroom wall and knocked it down," Kaito added, slightly stammering.
("Ahhh… you little brat, come here! Why is it that my affection suddenly multiplies. Ahahahah…!"
Hugo appeared in Jōgan's memory, when he welcomed him and locked his neck in the principal's office. After he had knocked down the wall of the girls' restroom some time ago.)
***
Arriving at school.
The atmosphere in front of the school looked busy.
Students passed through the gate, forming small groups before dispersing to their respective classes.
Deng… dong… Tap… tap…
The sound of the school bell rang, signaling that class would begin soon.
The sound of running footsteps could be heard from three male students, the most noticeable in the area not far from the gate.
Grenggg…!
The sound of the gate being pulled began to be heard as Uncle Hiji started closing it. His face was stiff, without the slightest intention of giving any chance to anyone who was late.
Suddenly, a voice very familiar to Hiji echoed enthusiastically from a distance.
"Oi, Uncle Hiji! Don't be too disciplined, or I'll knock that gate down again!" Jōgan shouted while running casually, waving his hand with a mischievous smile. Behind him, Zulo and Kaito tried to close the distance with gasping breaths.
Gret!
The veins on Hiji's forehead tightened after seeing the face of the most troublesome student in the school. "Why do you always come at the last minute, huh?! Get your butts over here quickly before I smash your stupid faces with this gate!" His voice was heavy and filled with restrained emotion, clearly coming from Hiji's throat.
"Oi… oi… Uncle Hiji, don't get so angry. You'll grow old quickly, even though you're already old. Ahahaha…!" Casually, Jōgan wrapped an arm around Hiji and patted his shoulder while putting on a silly face, giving Zulo and Kaito time to slip through the gate.
"Yes, I'm already old," Hiji replied flatly, casting a sharp glance at Jōgan. "But my emotions become abnormal for a man my age. Because you are the only source of my emotions here!"
"Good morning, Uncle Hiji. We're sorry for being late. T-this… I brought a fresh drink from the minimarket. Please enjoy it." He bowed politely, his face full of guilt, while handing over the drink as a sign of apology.
***
Midday, during the basketball match.
Inside the basketball gym filled with rivalry, cheers of support echoed back and forth.
Dug… dug… Ciiit… ciiit…
The sound of the basketball bouncing rhythmically blended with the squeaking of shoes scraping against the floor.
The door of the basketball gym opened slowly.
A male student appeared, the most troublesome and the most popular. His presence immediately drew reactions from the female supporters. Cameras were raised, their voices echoing throughout the room.
"Kyaaa… Jōgan! Jōgan…!"
"Jōgan… kyaaa! Look at me!"
"Ahh… he's getting more handsome!" Cheers and praises overlapped with one another, all trying to catch Jōgan's attention.
Meanwhile, among the spectator seats, Zulo observed the flow of the game. Beside him, Kaito was busy recording the details of the match.
Srreek… srreek…
The scratching sound of a pen against paper could be clearly heard. "Mhh… the girls' voices are getting louder. Jōgan truly attracts their attention," Kaito murmured, acting like a professional sports journalist capturing every moment of a star athlete.
"Stop acting like a reporter," Zulo replied casually while glancing at Kaito's notes. "Or are you becoming his personal assistant?"
"A-ah, Zulo… Jōgan really is an impressive student," Kaito answered while adjusting his glasses, without taking his eyes off the court. "At least this is something I can do to show my gratitude. Because he was willing to accept me, this bookworm, as his friend, and free me from the students who used to bully me."
Swish!!
The cheers of Jōgan's supporters echoed once again inside the gym.
"Amazing! Jōgan adds another decisive score!" Kaito's eyes sparkled, his hand moving even faster as he recorded the details of the game.
***
Gaak… gaak… gaak…
The sound of birds in the late afternoon echoed, revealing the front yard of the school illuminated by the golden light of sunset. The school bell rang, signaling that the study hours had ended. However, not for Jōgan.
"A-ah, ladies, please line up," Jōgan said casually with a playful smile. "Your one and only idol isn't going anywhere." He struck a light pose. "Okay, another pose… cheese! Yes, alright… thank you for the gifts."
At the corner of the yard, Zulo and Kaito stood faithfully waiting for their flamboyant friend.
"Ahh… it seems we'll be standing here until nightfall," Zulo muttered with a snort. His tone sounded tired, yet a hint of pride slipped through.
"T-this is normal, Zulo. Jōgan really is very popular," Kaito replied enthusiastically. "As his good friend, I will faithfully wait here until morning!" With an innocent and joyful gaze, Kaito hugged Jōgan's bag as if it were a sacred responsibility.
"O-alright then, see you again… bye-byee~" Jōgan waved his hand in the air, bidding farewell to his fangirls.
"Oh, look at our prince. Finally finished," Zulo teased while folding his arms. "I was starting to think about building a tent in the school yard."
"Jōgan, your match earlier was amazing," Kaito said while walking beside him. "Your team won perfectly. Week after week, it seems you master every skill."
"So, after school what are we doing?" Zulo asked casually. "Stop by and play some games?"
"Mhh… that's an interesting idea if-" Jōgan's voice stopped. His body froze, his eyes widened as he stared toward the end of the alley. "W-we… turn back!" Jōgan shouted in panic, preparing to spin around.
Zulo and Kaito followed the direction of his gaze.
A group of female students could be seen chatting together. But among them stood the most popular girl in the school, Sanna.
"Haii, Jōgan!" Sanna waved her hand with a sweet smile. "You looked really cool earlier. Where are you going?"
***
Tinn… tinn… tinn…
The sound of horns echoed back and forth, blending with the footsteps of pedestrians passing by. Jōgan, Kaito, and Zulo were forced to walk behind, following Sanna's group who walked ahead of them.
Jōgan's gaze never left Sanna. Her gentle smile, her long hair swaying in the wind, even the subtle changes in her expression were all clearly captured by Jōgan's eyes.
Zulo and Kaito exchanged glances. They noticed the change in Jōgan's behavior, from his usual joking and noisy self to someone calm whenever he was near Sanna.
"A-ah, Jōgan… how is your training schedule?" Kaito asked, trying to divert his friend's attention. "Doesn't Uncle Hugo always train your physical strength hard every afternoon?"
"Y-yes," Jōgan answered briefly, without turning his gaze away from Sanna. "He wants me to achieve the dream he has already chosen for me."
"Haa… I just remembered," Zulo quickly added, trying to lighten the mood. "Your father always trains your muscle mass and your martial arts skills. Of course! If not MMA, then at least Muay Thai," Zulo added proudly.
"Astronaut." Jōgan answered flatly, bringing everything to a halt.
Bruak!
Zulo and Kaito immediately collapsed at the same time. "What does your martial arts training and hardened muscles have to do with becoming… a stupid astronaut?!" They shouted together while trying to get back on their feet.
***
Kyaaa....!
Amid the chaos of traffic, screams and panicked voices echoed one after another.
"Quick! Call the police!"
"That's impossible! The police won't arrive in time!"
"What should we do?!"
"W-what's happening?" one of Sanna's friends cried out in panic. "It looks like something is happening at the railway crossing!"
They hurried toward the railway crossing, which had already been crowded with local residents. Panicked faces could be seen everywhere.
"E-excuse me, what happened?" Sanna asked, breathing heavily.
"I-it's…" A woman pointed toward the tracks, her face pale. "An old grandmother has her foot trapped in the rail. A train will pass soon…" The rumbling sound of a freight train grew closer.
"Kyaa! Sanna, what are you doing?!" Her friends screamed in panic as they saw Sanna approaching the old woman.
Brehht… tap… tap… tap…!
Someone jumped over the barrier and ran toward the tracks. "Grandmother, stay calm… I will help you!" Sanna knelt down, trying to pull the old woman's foot that was trapped.
The shouting grew louder. The freight train was now only five meters away.
"Tch…!" Jōgan clenched his teeth. Grep… whuss… tap… tap… tap…!Without thinking, he ran toward Sanna and the old woman.
"Jōgan!!!" Zulo and Kaito shouted at the same time.
When the train was only two meters away, Jōgan knelt down and embraced Sanna and the old woman. One arm protected them, while his other hand rose, pointing straight toward the approaching freight train.
100 cm.
50 cm.
5 cm.
BLOOM!!
Jōgan's vision suddenly went dark. Everything fell silent. Slowly, he opened his eyes and was shocked to find himself floating in outer space. Trillions of stars and billions of planets surrounded him. His body was being pulled at an incredible speed, crossing light and space.
In a fleeting vision, a single Golden Eye stared toward him. An eye so pure and majestic, as if it were the eye of the universe itself.
Bezttt…!
Thick smoke and scorching air struck his face.
"A-ah… ahh…!" Jōgan gasped for breath. His vision returned, yet the world around him had changed. He was still holding Sanna and the old grandmother. Jōgan slowly stood up. His eyes widened.
The entire freight train had been destroyed and scattered. Massive steel frames were folded like paper, as if the train had crashed into a mountain of iron.
Krak… krak… kreee… ggg… The remaining wagons still creaked faintly.
"W-what… i-is this… Jōgan…?" Sanna looked at him with a trembling face, unable to understand what had just happened.
"I-I… I don't know…" Jōgan turned toward the crossing gate.
Zulo and Kaito stood frozen. The surrounding residents stared at him with the same expression of fear. As if they were looking at a monster.
Ngiinggg…!
A severe headache struck him.
"Arghh… AAHH!!" Jōgan clutched his head with both hands. Along with the pain, other voices began to appear clearly, layered and noisy.
He could hear the thoughts and emotions of everyone around him, without a single one of them speaking. "H-hah… w-what is this… what's happening to me?!" Jōgan shouted in panic. Without waiting for an answer, he turned around and ran away from the scene.
"W-wait, Jōgan…!" Sanna shouted.
But Jōgan kept running, moving farther and farther away from everything.