Chương 213: Prologue: “The Day Tears Were Abandoned”

I have no parents. They both died when I was young. Relatives took me in for a while, but they seemed to find me annoying and treated me harshly at every turn. But those relatives died, too, when I was eight. I don't remember it clearly, but apparently, I killed them. I heard the scene was gruesome, something out of a nightmare. Placed in an isolation facility disguised as a special care home, I grew up under the gaze of people who looked at me as if I were a monster.

There wasn't a single person there who treated me like a human being. I knew. I could vaguely read other people's minds. I've had this strange ability for as long as I can remember. Where did the gears go wrong? When I had a family, I was happy. Anyone would have been fine. I just wanted love. For someone, anyone, even just a little bit... I wanted to be important. I wanted someone to tell me that my life had value. I wanted someone to acknowledge that it was okay for me to exist. That wish was never granted.

I was alone. One day, unable to bear it any longer, I ran away from the facility at the age of eleven. I thought I might as well die. But in the end, I couldn't. When I jumped off a cliff and miraculously escaped with only scratches, I cried. I had intended to die, but when it came down to it, I was terrified. And to my horror, I was genuinely relieved that I had survived. That feeling was pathetic, hopeless. But at the same time, it was the first moment in my life that I felt glad to be alive.

I decided to stop trying to die. But I had no intention of returning to that facility. From that moment on, the crybaby in me abandoned his tears. I decided to live strong, even if I was all alone. I was just a powerless child. At first, every day was a desperate struggle just to survive. Naturally, I had no home. For a while, I slept in parks, under bridges, and in back alleys. It sounds strange coming from me, but my cute appearance—often mistaken for a girl—became a weapon.

I stood asking for donations and used the money given out of sympathy solely for myself. Sometimes I stole. Sometimes I lent a hand in shady deals. I tried to avoid violence as much as possible, and barely managed not to kill anyone, but I think I did everything else. The police investigation continued for a while, but eventually, the world treated me as if I were dead.

Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—I seemed to have inherited excellent talents from my mother, who had been a skilled agent for a special organization. Since I was little, I had an unusually good memory. Anything I saw or heard once stuck in my head perfectly, and my body remembered it too. Various things my mother made me experience on a whim when I was small proved useful. Survival wisdom, martial arts, handling various weapons. The casual lessons I had received began to blossom rapidly in my extreme life.

Eventually, I gained the means to earn money on my own. As a small member of the underworld, I mainly handled information gathering and similar jobs. Because I was a child, no one took me seriously as a threat. I found value in that blind spot. To be precise, I was discovered and targeted, so I had no other choice. My income increased, but so did the darkness I carried. Though not often, I eventually became involved in killing. There were times when a gun was pointed at me, and I had to kill to avoid being killed.

The first time I killed someone of my own volition... that was hard. I could never return to a normal life, but I was trying my best to establish myself in the underworld. That was when I met the two of them. The girl was named Hikari, and the boy was Mirai. They said they had been together since they were small. Both seemed unable to walk in the light of the surface world, and I didn't know their detailed backgrounds. I didn't dare ask. I knew we were the same age.

Strangely, I felt a connection, like fate, and we hit it off immediately. From then on, the three of us handled many jobs together. No matter how tough the job, we overcame it by combining our strengths. I often clashed with Mirai over everything from trivial matters to serious issues, but that just meant we could be honest with each other without holding back. At such times, Hikari would watch me and Mirai from a step back, mediating smoothly between us. We were together not just for work, but for everything.

Sometimes I felt a strong bond between Hikari and Mirai that I couldn't intrude upon, but that was a trivial matter. To be acknowledged by someone. To be given a place. To be cherished. How happy I was to finally have people I could call best friends. I have no family anymore. But as long as Hikari and Mirai are by my side, I can go anywhere. That was what I thought. Both of them died. And I was alone again. I don't care about this world anymore. A world with no one in it.

No matter how far I go, in the end, I end up alone. I don't feel like dying anymore. I just live each day as long as my life lasts. That was the kind of human I was. But those days now seem like a distant memory. Let's start from the beginning of the incident. Lately, I've been having strange dreams. In the dream, I am standing in a pitch-black space. Surrounding me is an eternal darkness with nothing in it. It seemed fitting for a lonely guy like me.

In that place reminiscent of endless outer space, there appears to be nothing at first glance, but it is filled with an unidentifiable power. Perhaps, a power more tremendous than anything else in this world. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. It sounds like a chuunibyou thought, but in the dream, I always felt that way. When I reach out my hand, a pale light flies towards me from beyond the darkness.

When I touch it, I feel a burning heat throughout my body— And then I wake up. I've been having nothing but dreams like that lately. I thought it was a little strange, but I dismissed it as just a dream and didn't pay it much mind. But I was wrong. If I recall correctly, today was my sixteenth birthday. I'm surprised I've survived this long. That night. On my way home from work, I saw a strange figure leaning against a utility pole. It was a blonde woman.

She wore clothes so unusual for modern Japan that I wondered what kind of cosplay it was. And in her right hand, she held something like a decorated black staff. She looked like a witch from the Middle Ages. There was absolutely no foot traffic in this area at this late hour. Her suspicious appearance was eerie, even if she was waiting for someone. Thinking it would be troublesome if she picked a fight with me, I tried to act as casual as possible and quickly walk past her. But then," Yu Hoshimi."

"... How do you know my name?" I raised my guard. Being picked on by strangers was something that happened occasionally in this line of work. Her cheeks relaxed bewitchingly, and she giggled softly.

"That reaction. Bullseye. I finally found you." Found me? Who sent her?" Barusiel." Before I could think, she moved. While chanting some incomprehensible word, she swung her staff vigorously. Naturally, nothing happened. Nothing could happen. What does she want to do? I suddenly stopped understanding.

"I thought I could barely use wind-related magic, a natural phenomenon of this planet... but it seems the tolerance here is abnormally low..." She seemed to be muttering something under her breath, but I couldn't understand a word of it. What the hell is this woman? Should I run? Should I listen? If she's messing around, maybe I should teach her a little lesson.

"Can't be helped. There's no time." Before I could reach a conclusion, she made her next move. She started fiddling with the staff she held. Soon, something protruded from it. A blade. The tip of the staff was sharp, like a knife. A concealed sword. She suddenly thrust the staff-turned-weapon at my chest. Having observed her movements closely, I twisted my body instantly. Her strike, which would have undoubtedly been fatal if it hit, grazed right past my side.

Simultaneously, I decided to counterattack so she wouldn't do whatever she pleased. I grabbed her fully extended arm and slammed her onto the ground using a throwing technique. One of my mother's specialties.

"Ugh," she groaned in pain. I quickly pinned her down so she couldn't escape, then spoke calmly.

"Don't do dangerous things all of a sudden. An assassin in cosplay looks stupid." The blonde woman, disregarding her overwhelmingly disadvantageous position, raised her voice as if she couldn't take it anymore. Even though it was late at night, loud enough to disturb the neighborhood.

"Listen here! It's not cosplay in the first place! Everyone, honestly! What is with this planet! It's too much!" And then, without any regard for me, she started crying and screaming. Looking closely, she didn't seem to be crying that seriously. I didn't know the circumstances, but apparently, she had been deeply hurt regarding her 'cosplay'. Perplexed, I kept my guard up and didn't ease my weight, but decided to leave her be for a while. Eventually, when she calmed down, I spoke to her a bit gently.

"Feel better?"

"Yes." She seemed somewhat relieved and strangely obedient. Clearing her throat, she said,"It's strange. You shouldn't be able to dodge my attack. Don't tell me physical abilities also degrade? This planet..." She looked shocked all by herself. As usual, I didn't understand what she was saying. But one thing was clear.

"So, you weren't sent by anyone?"

"What are you talking about? I just came to kill you as an individual."

"That makes it even worse." I applied force to her firmly locked arm in the direction opposite to how it naturally bends. She kicked her legs flailing, signaling surrender.

"Ouch, ouch! Ow! Stop, please stop!"

"If you promise not to kill me." Teary-eyed, she remained strong-willed at heart.

"I can't do th—" I applied more force.

"It'll break soon. You okay with that?"

"Okay! First, I'll explain the situation! I'll explain!" Satisfied with that answer, I quietly loosened my grip. Then I asked.

"Why me?" Faced with the question, she made a terribly sad face for some reason. With her face still pressed against the ground.

"Yu. Have there been any strange or mysterious things happening to you recently?"

"That is..." I feel like there have been only strange things. Just the other day, a mysterious corpse was found somewhere, and I went to investigate. She seemed to take my silence as affirmation.

"It seems you have an idea. That is a sign."

"What do you mean?"

"You will soon awaken to a unique ability."

"Huh?" What is she saying all of a sudden? I don't understand.

"At that time, you too will become one who wanders the stars. Just as I am..." She smiled a terribly dark smile, like someone who despairs of everything and can only laugh. Abilities, wandering the stars. What is she talking about? This guy... Is she crazy after all? It seems better not to get involved. Rationally thinking, I concluded so. Then, she lifted her head painfully and managed to turn around, looking at me, who was dumbfounded by her nonsense. Her green eyes were filled with sorrowful light.

Why does she look so sad? She spoke as if whispering.

"In other words, Yu. You can no longer stay on this planet."

"Keep your delusions in your head."

"... You will wander this universe from star to star, swept away by the flow, forever. Yes, forever..." Having managed to say that, she looked utterly disgusted. As if chewing on her own words. But I felt like disappointment in me was also included in that. However, from my perspective, there isn't a single element to trust you. Reading her mind vaguely, it bothers me that she doesn't seem to be lying. But for now, the conclusion is this.

"Wandering the universe? Don't tell stupid jokes."

"Ugh...! This is why I hate it. Honestly, no one believes me except idiots and goody-two-shoes..." This time she started crying quietly. What a busy person emotionally. I started to feel pity for her, so I thought I'd stop blaming her with words.

"There is no more time. You probably don't understand yet. But if you don't die right here, right now, you will surely regret having lived. That much is certain." And then, she pleaded.

"It's still not too late. So, please. Before it's too late, let me end your life." I answered immediately.

"I refuse."

"Huh...?"

"If you had come sooner, I might have gladly offered my life. Unfortunately, the current me has no intention of dying." I laughed self-deprecatingly. Looking down at her dumbfounded face, I continued.

"Besides. Even if the story were true. Isn't it interesting? You can travel as much as you want, right?" I recalled everything until now. A shitty life where nothing good ever happened.

"I... have no lingering attachments to a world like this anymore. If there is a new world, maybe..." Then she suddenly became more upset than ever. Baring her teeth, she rattled on.

"You! You don't understand the horror! We FabL...! We are passed around unknown worlds endlessly...! We can't die until our hearts are truly broken! Almost forever! Even if we commit suicide, we revive in the next world! On and on! Even if our minds break, they are fixed without permission! Even if we don't want to anymore, we can never stop living! Do you understand this despair!? How painful this is—""Even if it's more painful than dying for real, I don't care about that." When I said it flatly.

She fell silent with a look of disbelief. An endless journey into despair? Even if it's true, so what? If it's despair, I've been in it for a long time. I don't care. Worrying about the distant future. Compared to the emptiness of living now. If now can change even a little, I'll grab anything. Besides... it suits me. A journey all alone.

"Then I'll teach you. What terrifying power lies dormant within you...!" She closed her eyes. She concentrated on something and then started muttering to herself." [God Vessel] —Perfectly memorizing all world information in a unique'World of Heart' and utilizing all of it...!? What!?"

"World of Heart" and perfect memory—she said that just now. This guy. I see. I've always felt like I had various mysterious powers. If her story is true, was that it? That pitch-black world in my dream was the"World of Heart". The reason I could vaguely read others' minds was because I possess an ability related to the heart. The reason I had an unusually good memory was because I perfectly memorized every event and could use it as is. I was using a fragment of such power unknowingly. Even when I killed people.

Every experience becomes my own. Now that I realize it, there are few powers as terrifying as this. It's certainly a well-made story. If true. I started to feel like it might be okay to be deceived a little by this story.

"And also—" She lost her words. Her face paled rapidly. In an instant, I, who was supposed to be pinning her down, was blown away by an incomprehensible force. It seems I was slammed violently against a wall. The moment after receiving a massive impact on my head, the asphalt was rushing towards me. I barely managed a forward roll to break my fall, holding my dizzy head while staring firmly ahead. She had already stood up and was glaring at me fiercely. With horrific eyes, as if looking at a monster.

"You are—dangerous." Stop it. You too? Don't look at me with those eyes. Why?" [Horoscope]. Show me the way to destroy this one most quickly and completely—!" BANG. A gunshot echoed. Cleanly shot through the heart, she collapsed limply onto the ground. —Ah. Right. I shot her.

"Sorry, but I have no intention of letting myself be killed that easily." If I hadn't done this, the one killed by some unidentifiable power would probably have been me. If my life is targeted that seriously, I have no choice but to do this, do I? I approached her collapsed form, keeping my handgun pointed at her without letting my guard down. When I was looking down at her, she groaned in a desperate tone, gasping for breath.

"No... way..." Pointing the muzzle at her head. I spoke. I knew my voice had turned cold.

"I don't want to make you suffer any more. Could you tell me your name at the end?"

"Ena..."

"Goodbye. Ena." I fired the finishing bullet. Her body twitched—and then stopped moving.... Why does it always end up like this? Then, something strange happened. Her corpse began to vanish like mist. After a while, nothing remained. As if it were an illusion. As if no one had been there from the start. Before I knew it, my body also began to fade. Something is about to happen. Could it be? Was everything she said true? The sensation of my body disappeared, and only my consciousness was thrown out into outer space.

There was something reflected in front of my eyes. Undeniably, the planet we live on. The beautiful Blue Earth overflowing with life. When I viewed its majestic figure from the outside. I finally understood in my gut that I could no longer stay on this planet. And at the last moment of bidding farewell, I realized again. I really didn't care about this planet after all. No emotion welled up. Even if I'm gone, the world will probably continue to turn unchanged. As if nothing happened.

I turned my eyes away from the blue planet drifting further away. I won't look back anymore. Goodbye, Earth. Goodbye. The planet where I was born and raised.