All I could see was blood—blood of the people I had killed.
It covered my hands, my arms, my clothes. The fists I used to end them dripped crimson. My breath was uneven, my heart pounding like a drum. But... I felt nothing.
No fear. No guilt. No remorse.
It was as if everything inside me had already died.
Corpses lay around me, their bodies still, their eyes lifeless. The scent of iron and death clung to the air. And standing in front of me, the last one still alive... was my best friend.
His eyes—eyes I once knew so well—now held only hatred.
Once, they had been full of warmth and laughter. Now, they burned with pain and betrayal.
He pointed a gun at me. His finger was on the trigger.
If I moved even a step, he would shoot. I was sure of it.
His hands trembled. His lips quivered. He looked like he wanted to run. But the tears in his eyes held him in place.
I didn't know if he was crying because he had to kill me... or because he couldn't forget the truth:
That I killed his sister.
And then—it started to rain.
The falling droplets masked his tears, hiding the pain that even he couldn't control anymore. One by one, cars pulled up. They stopped right in front of us.
More people. All of them here to kill me.
The ground beneath me was soaked with so much blood, even ants wouldn't dare crawl there.
But still—I wasn't afraid.
No. I was excited.
Something inside me screamed. Not in fear, but in hunger. A thirst to kill again.
If you're wondering where all this started... then listen closely.
---
My mother once told me:
"God sees everyone the same. Like a father, He treats each child equally."
But if that's true—then why are people so cruel?
Why do they act like some lives are worth more than others?
---
"Oi, look at him! All his clothes are torn. Doesn't he look like a baby chicken?"
The voice belonged to Riku Asano—my classmate. My tormentor.
Beside him was the brute, Ryuga Senzaki.
"Oi, Takashi," Riku sneered. "We told you to get us money. Where is it?"
"I-I'm sorry," I muttered. "My mom and dad... they need it. We're trying to pay the bills..."
Ryuga stepped forward, glaring down at me. "Not our problem. If your parents are pathetic, that's on you."
"I'm sorry..." I repeated, but my voice was shaking.
Riku leaned in, flashing that cruel smile of his. "What are you sorry for, huh? For having trash parents, or for not giving us money?"
"Please... don't talk about my parents like that!" I cried, my voice trembling.
"Pipsqueak, what'd you say?" Ryuga snapped. He grabbed my collar, his eyes furious.
"I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I begged, hands shaking, legs frozen.
Riku chuckled. "There's another way we can get something out of this little punk."
Ryuga raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
Riku grinned. "His mom. She's pretty hot, right? If she spends one night with us, maybe we'll forget all about the money."
My eyes widened in shock. My heart stopped.
"You bastards! Don't drag my mom into this!" I screamed and lunged at Riku.
But Ryuga caught me mid-air—and slammed me to the concrete.
In one hit, I blacked out.
---
When I came to, I was on my knees, crying.
Yes. I'm Takashi Arata. And this... this is my hell.
My shirt was torn. My skin cold. My body shivering—not just from pain, but from fear.
"I'm sorry, Mom... Dad... I'm so pathetic. Please forgive me..." I sobbed.
Why do they keep bullying me?
Is it because I'm weak? Because I'm an easy target?
They say when you love someone, you'll do anything for them. And I do. I love my parents. So I endure.
Just one more year, I tell myself.
One more year, and we'll graduate.
One more year, and I'll be free.
I wiped my tears and limped downstairs, still hurting from Ryuga's attack.
I borrowed a new shirt from the teacher's office and headed home.
---
My phone rang.
"Hello, Dad?"
"Takashi, can you stop by your mom's school and pick up the vegetables? I'm still working."
"No problem, Dad. I'll go now."
"Thanks, son. I'll be home soon."
Click.
They don't know I'm being bullied. I won't let them find out.
They already have enough problems.
My dad works construction. My mom cleans an elementary school. Sometimes, when extra food or vegetables are left over, they give them to my mom. That's how we get by.
---
When I reached the school gate, I nodded at the guard.
"I'm here to meet my mom."
He let me in.
I hadn't been to this school in years. Everything looked smaller. Older.
As I walked through the halls, I heard shouting from the staff room.
"You can't even do one thing right! You ruined everything!"
It was the principal—yelling at my mother.
She stood there, head bowed, fists clenched.
I froze.
My mom—who never bowed to anyone—was bowing.
My chest tightened.
I had never seen her like this.
She always stood tall. Proud. Strong.
She saw me at the door, but quickly looked away. Her eyes were full of shame.
This woman—my beautiful mother, who once turned heads in school—was now bowing to someone like him. Like trash.
The principal barked one last insult and stormed back into his office.
She turned to me with a weak smile.
"You're here, Takashi? I've packed the vegetables."
She didn't want me to see how broken she felt. She smiled, like nothing happened.
"Okay, Mom," I said, pretending too.
"Oh, and I'll walk home with you. My shift's over."
---
The silence between us as we walked was heavy. Painful.
"So... how was school today?" she asked gently.
I hesitated. "It was... fine, Mom."
She smiled again, but it was strained. "I want you to work hard. I don't want you to end up like me."
"You're not pathetic," I whispered.
"Hm?"
"I said... You're the best mom in the world."
Her steps slowed.
If I grow up to be like you, I won't be ashamed. I'll be proud."
Her eyes filled with tears.
Those were the words she had waited her whole life to hear.
"Thank you,
Her eyes filled with tears.
Those were the words she had waited her whole life to hear.
"Thank you, Takashi," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Just for a moment… in the middle of that broken road, under a gray sky, a mother and son smiled—both hiding their pain, both pretending to be strong.
But peace never lasts long.
A dark shadow interrupted their warmth.
"Well, well... look who it is."
Takashi froze.
Standing ahead were Riku and Ryuga—grinning, eyes cold.
"Takashi," his mom asked, confused, "are these your friends?"
He couldn't answer.
His hands trembled.
His lips refused to move.
His nightmare wasn't over.