The warm rays of the morning sun slipped through the curtains, casting golden streaks across a small, modest bedroom. The room was cluttered but cozy. Manga volumes were stacked on a bookshelf, an old baseball glove rested on a chair in the corner, and several anime posters decorated the walls. A television sat opposite the bed with a game console beneath it, while a half-finished cup of instant noodles remained forgotten on a desk.
The only occupant of the room, however, was completely oblivious to the peaceful morning. Akira Sakura lay sprawled across his bed, hugging his pillow as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.
"...Five more minutes..."
His alarm had stopped ringing nearly twenty minutes ago, a bird chirped outside the window.
Silence.
Then, almost instinctively, Akira cracked one eye open. Still half asleep, he lazily turned his head toward the digital clock sitting on his bedside table.
07:38
His sleepy expression disappeared instantly.
"..."
"DAMN! IT'S 07:38?!"
He launched himself off the bed so violently that his blanket flew across the room.
"I'm gonna be late!"
His feet tangled together, sending him crashing face-first onto the wooden floor.
"Ow..."
There wasn't time to complain. He scrambled back up, dashed into the bathroom, and turned the shower on, the water was freezing.
"WHY IS IT COLD?!"
Despite the shock, he endured the quickest shower of his life. Within minutes, he had thrown on his neatly pressed school uniform, hastily combed his golden-brown hair with his fingers, slung his backpack over one shoulder, and grabbed a slice of toast from the kitchen.
"I'm leaving!"
Silence answered him.
Right...
He lived alone.
His parents had passed away years ago, leaving him under the care of relatives who mostly kept their distance. Eventually, he had been allowed to stay in the family house by himself. It wasn't ideal, but he'd learned to manage.
He stuffed the toast into his mouth and sprinted outside. The streets bustled with the usual morning rush, salarymen hurried toward train stations, cyclists rang their bells, children laughed as they walked to elementary school.
Meanwhile...
A certain teenager was weaving through pedestrians like his life depended on it.
"Move, move, move!"
"Sorry!"
"My bad!"
"I swear I'm not usually this late!"
He darted across a crosswalk just before the light turned red. A woman sighed.
"Young people..."
Akira reached the train platform just as the warning chime echoed through the station.
"No... don't you dare..."
The train doors began to close, he lunged.
His backpack slipped through first, followed by the rest of him.
Thud.
He collapsed onto the floor of the train.
"I... made it..."
Several passengers stared, one elderly man chuckled.
"Rough morning?"
"You have no idea..."
Twenty minutes later the train doors opened once more. Akira exploded out of the carriage before the passengers had even finished stepping off. His school came into view, he kept running until he reached the front gate.
There leaning casually against the wall with his hands in his pockets was Hayato Kamisaki. His black hair moved gently in the breeze as his calm brown eyes followed Akira's frantic sprint. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Wow."
Akira finally stopped in front of him, bent over with his hands on his knees, desperately trying to breathe.
"Haa... haa..."
Hayato folded his arms.
"Late as usual."
Akira raised a finger.
"I can explain..."
"I'm listening."
"I stayed up..."
Another breath.
"...watching Monster Slayers."
Hayato stared at him.
"...Seriously?"
"It was the season finale!"
"Did you even study?"
"...A little."
"You hesitated."
"I was thinking!"
"You were lying."
Akira placed a hand dramatically over his heart.
"You wound me."
Hayato couldn't help smiling.
"Come on. Let's hurry before we're actually late."
Akira straightened himself.
"Right!"
The two broke into a jog, they slipped into their classroom only moments before the teacher arrived.
"Perfect timing," Akira whispered as they dropped into their seats. Hayato let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"You really like living dangerously."
"I prefer the term 'dramatically.'"
"...There's a difference?"
"There absolutely is."
Hayato shook his head with a faint smile.
Their classmates barely paid them any attention.
Well...
They barely paid Akira any attention. Akira Sakura wasn't unpopular nor was he popular, he simply... existed. He rarely initiated conversations with people outside of Hayato.
Whenever he tried, his boundless energy often overwhelmed others, some thought he was awkward, others thought he was childish.
Eventually...
People stopped trying to understand him.
He didn't blame them. Instead, he buried himself in the things he loved.
Anime.
Manga.
Video games.
He was a proud closet otaku. Only one person knew the extent of his obsession.
Hayato.
Hayato wasn't much different, he also loved anime and manga, though he hid it beneath his calm personality. In public he spoke little, kept to himself, and earned average grades without drawing attention.
Around Akira, however he laughed, he argued over fictional characters, spent entire afternoons gaming until sunset. Akira was the only person who saw that version of him.
Likewise Hayato was the only person who truly understood Akira. That was why they had become inseparable.
Or...
At least they used to be, the morning lessons passed slowly.
Mathematics.
History.
Literature.
Science.
Akira stared out the window more than he stared at the blackboard, his notebook contained surprisingly detailed sketches of fantasy swords instead of equations. Hayato leaned over.
"You're going to fail."
"I'm designing a legendary weapon."
"It's math."
"Math can wait."
"No, it can't."
Akira grinned.
"You worry too much."
"And you don't worry enough."
Their teacher suddenly turned around.
"Sakura."
Akira immediately stood.
"Yes, sir!"
"Since you seem so energetic... perhaps you'd like to solve the equation on the board."
"..."
The classroom erupted into quiet laughter.
Akira scratched his cheek.
"...Can I phone a friend?"
"No."
"...Worth a shot."
Even Hayato laughed.
Lunch break arrived, the atmosphere immediately became livelier. Students gathered into their usual circles, some rushed outside, others crowded around their desks, chatting excitedly.
Akira and Hayato naturally ate together by the window. Akira pulled out a homemade lunch, Hayato looked at it.
"You actually cooked?"
"Proud of me?"
"A little."
"It only took me burning breakfast four times to learn."
"...That's concerning."
"I survived."
"Barely."
Akira laughed loudly, it was one of those carefree laughs that made people glance over without realizing why.
The afternoon sun poured through the classroom windows, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. Outside, the sounds of clubs beginning their activities echoed across the school grounds. Baseballs cracked against bats, whistles rang from the soccer field, and laughter drifted through the open windows.
Inside Class 2-B, however, everyone was counting down the final minutes. Akira rested his chin on his desk, absentmindedly twirling his pencil between his fingers.
"Come on... ring already..."
His eyes drifted toward Hayato, who was actually paying attention to the lesson.
"How does he even do that? We've been here all day."
As if sensing his gaze, Hayato glanced sideways.
"What?"
"...Nothing."
"You've been staring at me for ten seconds."
"I was wondering how someone could listen to this without falling asleep."
Hayato smirked.
"I was wondering why someone keeps doodling dragons in his notebook instead of taking notes."
Akira immediately covered the page.
"They're not dragons."
"Oh?"
"They're wyverns."
"...There's a difference?"
"There is if you have standards."
Hayato chuckled quietly, the teacher turned around.
"Is there something amusing, Kamisaki?"
Hayato instantly straightened his posture.
"No, sir."
"Good."
Akira bit his lip, desperately trying not to laugh. A few moments later...
Riiiiiing!
The final bell echoed throughout the school, the classroom exploded into life. Students packed their bags, chairs scraped against the floor, and conversations quickly filled the room.
"We're free!" Akira stretched dramatically.
"You say that every day."
"Because every day deserves celebration."
"You really don't like school."
"I like seeing you."
Hayato blinked.
"...That sounded weirder than you intended."
Akira froze.
"...Forget I said that."
"I will never forget you accidentally confessing to me."
"I DIDN'T!"
Hayato laughed.
"There he is."
"Huh?"
"The dramatic idiot I know."
Akira crossed his arms.
"...You're buying me food tomorrow."
"We'll see."
The two stepped into the hallway with the flow of students, the corridors buzzed with conversation. Some students discussed homework, others argued about sports, a few whispered excitedly about weekend plans.
Akira shoved his hands into his pockets as they descended the stairs.
"...Hey."
"Hm?"
"Can we hang out today?"
Hayato looked at him.
"I was thinking maybe we could go to the arcade."
Akira's eyes lit up as he continued.
"Or watch anime."
"Or game all evening."
"It's been two weeks."
He laughed awkwardly.
"I'm... starting to feel kind of unneeded."
Hayato's smile faded.
"...Sorry."
Akira looked up.
"I'm meeting Ayase this afternoon."
"...Again?"
Hayato nodded apologetically.
"I promised her."
Akira looked away.
"I see."
"I know I've been busy lately."
"You think?"
Hayato sighed.
"Maybe tomorrow?"
"You said that yesterday."
"..."
"I mean it this time."
Akira forced a grin.
"...It must be nice."
"Hm?"
"Having a girlfriend."
Hayato smiled sheepishly.
"...Yeah."
"It really is nice."
Akira stared at him for a second.
"...I was being sarcastic."
"..."
"We barely hang out anymore because of her."
The words weren't shouted, weren't angry.
If anything they sounded disappointed, which somehow hurt more. Hayato rubbed the back of his neck.
"...Sorry."
"I guess this was bound to happen eventually."
"What was?"
"You know..."
He shrugged.
"People grow up, they get girlfriends and they have less time."
Akira remained silent. Hayato continued.
"...Maybe you should get yourself a girlfriend too."
Akira burst into laughter. Not because it was funny but because the idea felt impossible.
"As if I haven't tried."
He scratched the back of his head.
"Who the hell would even spare me a glance?I'm just..."
He searched for the words.
"...the kind of guy girls aren't into."
Hayato immediately stopped walking.
"Don't say that."
Akira blinked.
"Huh?"
"Don't sell yourself short."
"C'mon, man."
"I'm serious, you've got good looks, you're athletic, you're funny you just don't notice it."
Akira smiled weakly.
"You only think that because you've known me forever."
"No."
"I mean it."
Akira looked ahead.
"I appreciate it but we're best friends, you're legally obligated to say nice things."
Hayato sighed.
"There are no laws about friendship."
"There should be."
Despite himself Hayato laughed.
"...You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
Just then...
"Hayato!"
A cheerful feminine voice called out from behind them. Both boys turned, a girl with long chestnut-colored hair jogged toward them, smiling brightly. Her school bag bounced lightly against her side as she waved, she stopped in front of Hayato.
"Hi!"
Then she smiled warmly at Akira.
"You too, Akira, doing well?"
Akira smiled politely.
"Yeah."
Then his thoughts immediately betrayed him.
"Damn she's really cute. Hayato you lucky bastard."
Hayato smiled naturally.
"Ayase, you ready?"
She nodded.
"I've been looking forward to today."
Akira suddenly felt like he didn't belong there.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well i'll leave you two alone."
Hayato looked toward him.
"Sorry."
Akira waved dismissively.
"Talk later, bruh."
Then he turned around and walked away, he didn't look back, the smile slowly disappeared from his face. His hands slipped into his pockets and let out a long sigh.
"...Man, i even saved up all this money."
He pulled out his wallet. Inside were several neatly folded bills, money he'd been putting aside for weeks.
For arcade games.
Snacks.
Maybe a movie.
Anything.
"...Hayato...You suck."
His words held no hatred, only loneliness. He stared at the ground while walking. Around him groups of friends laughed together, couples walked side by side, classmates made plans for the weekend.
Meanwhile...
He walked alone.
"I want a girlfriend too..."
He laughed bitterly.
"...But no one's interested in me anyway. I guess i'll just grab something to eat and head on home."
The afternoon sky remained beautifully clear.
Birds flew overhead, the world carried on as usual.
Akira stopped by a small convenience store on the way home. The automatic doors slid open with a soft chime as cool air washed over him, rows of colorful snacks and drinks lined the shelves, while the aroma of freshly fried food drifted from the counter.
He wandered through the aisles without much enthusiasm. Normally, he and Hayato would argue over which chips to buy or compete to find the weirdest flavored soda.
Today...
It was just him. He picked up a cup of instant ramen, a bottle of cola, and a bag of spicy chips before heading to the register.
"That'll be ¥846," the cashier said with a polite smile.
Akira paid, thanked her, and stepped back outside. The cheerful afternoon felt strangely quiet, his house sat at the end of a peaceful residential street. It wasn't large, but it was enough for one person. Unlocking the front door, he stepped inside.
"I'm home..."
Silence greeted him. He smiled to himself.
"Right no one's here."
He kicked off his shoes and headed upstairs.
After changing into a black hoodie and a pair of sweatpants, he threw himself onto the couch.
"This is the life."
Within seconds, the television flickered to life.
"Now then what shall we watch?"
After scrolling through dozens of titles...
"There!"
Monster Slayers.
Akira grinned.
"I'll just rewatch my favorite fight."
One episode became two, two became three, before he knew it the sun had disappeared beyond the horizon. The digital clock displayed 8:02 PM, Akira stretched.
"...That went by fast."
He headed upstairs, took a warm shower, and returned feeling refreshed. Drying his hair with a towel, he absentmindedly reached for his phone. A news notification flashed across the screen.
BREAKING NEWS
Residents are advised to avoid going outside after dark.
A serial killer remains at large.
Eight victims have been confirmed dead this week alone.
Police urge citizens to stay indoors and report any suspicious activity immediately.
Akira frowned.
"...Eight people..."
He turned on the television, the same story was being broadcast nationwide.
Police cars.
Yellow caution tape.
Concerned reporters.
Terrified residents.
"...This serial killer thing is more serious than I thought."
He locked his front door.
"Better be careful."
Just then...
Buzz.
His phone vibrated, a familiar name appeared.
Hayato
A small smile crept onto Akira's face despite himself. He answered immediately.
Hayato: What's up? You doing okay?
Akira smirked.
Akira: As if I am. But hey... I finally finished Monster Slayers.
A reply came almost instantly.
Hayato: Nice. That final fight was insane.
Akira: Told you it'd be worth watching.
A typing bubble appeared.
Disappeared.
Appeared again.
Finally...
Hayato: Sorry about today.
Hayato: I hope you're not too mad.
Akira stared at the message for several seconds.
Then smiled.
Akira: What am I, a girl? Why would I be pissed over something like that?
A few seconds later...
Hayato: Fair enough. Hey... I'm almost at your house.
Akira blinked.
Akira: Huh?
Hayato: Wanted to pass by. Your house is on the way to mine anyway.
Akira couldn't resist teasing him.
Akira: Damn, you enjoyed yourself, didn't you?
Almost immediately...
Hayato: You bet. It was a lot of fun.
Akira rolled his eyes dramatically.
Akira: Sure you did.
Just as he finished typing, another message arrived.
Hayato: I can see your house. Come outside.
Akira practically threw his phone onto the couch.
"He's already here?!"
He hurried downstairs, slipped on his shoes, and opened the front door. Standing beneath the streetlight was Hayato.
"Hey."
"Hey."
For a moment neither of them spoke. It almost felt like nothing had changed. Akira smiled.
"You wanna come in?"
Hayato glanced at the darkening sky.
"...Sure."
The two headed inside, the living room looked exactly how Hayato remembered.
Anime figures.
Game controllers.
Manga stacked on nearly every shelf.
"...You bought another figure?"
Akira looked proudly toward the display.
"Limited edition."
"You have a problem."
"I have a hobby."
Hayato chuckled.
Somehow, being here felt comforting. Akira handed him a can of cola.
"Here."
"Thanks."
The two sat on the couch in comfortable silence, the television continued showing updates about the serial killer.
"...They're really making this sound serious,"
Hayato muttered, Akira nodded.
"Yeah, don't stay too long. You heard the news."
Hayato looked toward the television again.
"...Yeah."
He stood.
"I should probably get going."
Akira frowned.
"...Or..." He suggested. "Why don't you just stay over tonight?"
Hayato looked surprised.
"As tempting as that sounds i probably should've asked my parents first. You know I don't live alone like you."
Akira sighed.
"...Fair enough."
He stood up.
"Then I'll walk you home."
Hayato immediately shook his head.
"No! You should stay here."
"What if that killer's actually nearby?"
Akira folded his arms.
"And you expect me to let you walk into danger alone while I sit here watching anime?"
"..."
"No thanks."
"I'll at least walk you part of the way."
Hayato sighed.
"Sometimes I forget this side of him." He smiled to himself. "He really does care too much. Still..."
"What are the chances we'd actually run into the killer?"
Finally...
"...Fine. If you insist."
Akira grinned.
"Give me a second."
He ran upstairs, a few moments later he returned holding a wooden baseball bat over his shoulder. Hayato stared.
"...Seriously?"
"What? It's for protection."
"That is exactly why I wanted you to stay home."
Akira pouted.
"Wow that's rich."
Hayato blinked.
"Coming from someone who's been ditching me for weeks and the one time I actually get to spend time with you you still don't want my company."
Hayato looked away.
"I'm sorry, It's just..."
He sighed.
"...Forget it, let's go."
Akira smiled.
"Sure. When I get a girlfriend, i'm neglecting you just as much."
Hayato laughed.
"I knew you were still mad."
Akira smirked.
"Maybe a little."
The two stepped out into the quiet night together, the cool night air greeted them as they stepped onto the quiet residential street.
Unlike the lively atmosphere of the afternoon, the neighborhood had fallen almost completely silent. Most houses had already turned their lights off, while the few that remained illuminated cast long shadows across the pavement.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead.
Akira rested the baseball bat across his shoulder as they walked side by side.
"...It's quieter than usual."
Hayato nodded.
"I guess everyone's taking the warning seriously."
"Can't blame them."
Akira glanced around.
"Eight murders in one week, that's insane."
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward, it never was years of friendship had taught them they didn't always need words. Eventually, Akira bumped Hayato's shoulder with his own.
"So."
"So?"
"What have you been watching lately?"
Hayato smiled.
"You remember that shoujo anime you forced me to watch?"
Akira gasped dramatically.
"'Forced'?"
"You practically wouldn't stop talking about it."
"I was educating you."
"You were annoying me."
"Same difference."
Hayato laughed.
"It's called Married by Accident, right?"
Akira's eyes sparkled.
"You actually watched it?"
"I'm on episode seven."
"No way!"
Akira pointed the bat at him.
"So... who do you think she should end up with?"
Hayato answered immediately.
"The childhood friend."
Akira froze in horror.
"..."
"..."
"You're kidding."
"What?"
"The childhood friend?"
"Yeah."
"He's literally the most boring character in the entire show!"
"I like him."
"He has the personality of wet cardboard!"
"He's reliable."
"Reliable?"
Akira groaned dramatically.
"I've failed as your anime teacher."
"You'll survive."
"No i won't!"
The two burst into laughter, it echoed through the empty street.
For a little while everything felt exactly like it used to.
No girlfriends.
No distance.
No regrets.
Just two best friends talking nonsense on the walk home. Nearly twenty minutes passed before they reached the familiar intersection where they always separated. Akira stopped.
"Guess this is where we separate."
Hayato looked disappointed.
"Already? Just when things were getting interesting?"
Akira chuckled.
"Yeah."
He adjusted the baseball bat onto his shoulder.
"I'll see you tomo..."
He paused.
"...Whenever."
Hayato frowned.
"What do you mean 'whenever'?"
Akira shrugged.
"You'll probably be hanging out with Ayase."
"So..."
"I can't really count on tomorrow."
The words weren't bitter, they were honest.
That honesty struck Hayato harder than any accusation could have. He watched Akira's smile, it looked...
Lonely.
"What have I been doing...?"
His chest tightened.
"Akira barely talks to anyone, most people think he's weird, too energetic, too awkward but he never cared because he had me."
Hayato clenched his fists.
"And lately i've been abandoning him. Every time he asked to hang out i chose someone else. He's been pretending it's okay even though it obviously isn't."
A wave of guilt crashed over him.
"He might actually start believing I don't need him anymore. No i won't let that happen."
He looked up with determination filled his eyes.
"Akira."
"Hm?"
"Tomorrow."
"I promise we're spending the whole day together, no excuses. We'll go to the arcade, eat ramen, watch anime whatever you want."
Akira blinked.
"...Seriously?"
Hayato smiled.
"Seriously."
For the first time that evening Akira's smile became genuine.
"Heh you better not back out."
"I won't i promise." He turned around to be on his way. Then suddenly came a strange sound, a wet thud.
Hayato frowned.
"...Akira?"
No answer.
He looked down.
The smile disappeared from his face, Akira was no longer standing, he was lying on the ground. The baseball bat had rolled several feet away, dark liquid slowly spread beneath him.
"..."
"...Akira?"
Hayato's heart stopped.
"AKIRA!"
He sprinted forward, dropping to his knees beside him. Akira's breathing was ragged, blood soaked through the back of his school hoodie.
"H-Hey!"
"What happened?!"
Akira struggled to focus his fading vision, his lips trembled.
"...Dude...run..."
Hayato froze.
"What?"
Akira weakly lifted a shaking finger, behind Hayato a figure stood within the darkness with his face hidden, clothes stained black.
A knife reflected the pale moonlight. Hayato's eyes widened but before he could react...
SHHK!
A sharp pain exploded through his chest, his breath caught.
"...Gh...!"
He looked down.
The blade had pierced straight through him, the mysterious figure pulled the knife free. Hayato collapsed beside Akira, the attacker silently stepped backward into the darkness and disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared leaving only silence behind. Hayato struggled to breathe, every inhale burned, his vision blurred.
"...Akira..."
Beside him, Akira weakly turned his head and their eyes met. For the first time since they'd met in middle school, both of them were terrified.
"...Hayato..."
His voice barely escaped.
"...Are.. we gonna die...?"
He words barely a whisper.
"...I'm scared..."
Hayato wanted to tell him everything would be okay. He wanted to tell him help was coming, he wanted to tell him they'd laugh about this someday but he couldn't lie.
"...J-Just...try to hang on..."
Pain exploded in their wounds, Akira gave a tiny laugh. Even now he was still trying to smile.
"...Hey...you think...we'll get isekai'd after this...?"
Hayato almost laughed through the pain.
"...You're...still thinking about anime...?"
"...Heh...maybe..."
Akira coughed violently, blood stained his lips.
"...If..." After barely taking a breath. "...If we do...let's make...a code...so...If we remember we'll know it's each other..."
Hayato slowly closed his eyes. Normally he would've told Akira to stop talking nonsense.
But this time...
"...Fine...do whatever...you want..."
A weak smile appeared on Akira's face.
"...Okay...The code...is..."
His voice stopped, his eyes slowly lost focus.
The light within them faded.
"..."
"...Akira?"
No response.
"...Hey...i'm still listening..."
Nothing.
"...Akira...?"
Hayato's heart broke. His best friend, the one person who had always stood beside him was gone right before his eyes. Tears streamed down his face.
"...Akira..."
"...Please..."
"...Don't go..."
His voice cracked.
"...I..."
"...I never made it up to you, i kept choosing Ayase...even though...you were always there for me..."
He remembered every ignored invitation, every canceled plan, every disappointed smile.
"...I'm sorry..."
"...I'm so sorry..."
"...I promise..."
"...I'll never neglect you again..."
"...So..."
"...Please..."
"...Wake up..."
But Akira never did. Hayato's strength finally left him, his breathing slowed, his vision faded into darkness. With one final whisper.
"...See you...tomorrow..."
Everything went black.Akira Sakura and Hayato Kamisaki both perished that night.