The night sky was empty. Not dark. Not cloudy. Just… empty. Akito stood by his window, staring at
it like he always did. Waiting for something that never came. "You're looking again." Akito froze.
Slowly, he turned around. No one was there. "…I'm hearing things again," he muttered. His hand
trembled as he touched his chest—the mark beneath his skin faintly glowing. "Why am I like
this…?" Earlier that day, laughter filled the classroom. "Why are you always so scared?" "Pathetic."said by the girl whom Akito likes.
And then her voice— "Seriously, Akito… you're kind of pathetic." His chest tightened. Back in his
room, silence felt heavier than noise. "You're afraid again." The voice was closer. "Who's there?"
Nothing. Then— A pulse. From his chest. The mark glowed brighter. The shadows stretched. "You
called me." Light burst from his chest. Darkness swallowed everything. … Cold air brushed his face.
Akito opened his eyes. "…Where am I?" The ground beneath him was black. He looked up. The
sky… Still empty. "You're trembling." He turned. A girl stood there. Long dark hair. Calm eyes. "Who
are you?" he asked. "I am Humiko." A pause. "The fear you could never escape." Akito's breath
stopped. He wasn't just afraid anymore. He was standing in front of it.